Celebrate Valentine's Day at Vivace Charlotte

There is no better way to say ‘I Love You,’ than over a romantic Valentine’s Day dinner with your spouse/significant other. As the holiday draws nearer, the search is on for the perfect spot to celebrate the occasion. Apart from a romantic ambiance, one is looking for a restaurant that serves up an exquisite meal along with attentive service.

In Charlotte, savvy diners now have a new address to go to this Valentine’s Day – Vivace. After years of perfecting the art of fine dining with a host of other popular restaurants, The Urban Food Group has opened the second Vivace in Charlotte (the first still remains one of Raleigh’s most popular Italian restaurants). Kevin and Stacy Jennings have created a contemporary dining space in the heart of the midtown area in Charlotte. Designed by The James Beard award-winning restaurant design firm, The Johnson Studio, Vivace has a wide variety of dining options. For Valentine’s Day this year, you could go formal and opt to take your meal in the dining room, or keep it more casual and intimate and choose the mezzanine lounge area instead. One can start their feast with a sampling of traditional Italian wines and liqueurs at one of the two creatively designed bars. Urban Food Group’s Sommelier, Scott Luetgenau, has worked closely with the restaurant to create a prized 500bottle, all Italian wine collection that is proudly displayed in a specially built temperature-controlled wine cellar. As the views of Uptown Charlotte vie for your attention, you can enjoy some of the delicious Tuscan specialties on the menu.

Meaning “lively” in Italian, Vivace lives up to its promise of a stylish Italian trattoria offering authentic Italian cuisine. The menu designed by Executive Chef Jeremy Sabo, and Chef de Cuisine Andrew Schaumann boasts a variety of traditional Tuscan dishes. Choose from seasonal specialties, classic thin crust pizzas, homemade pastas and an extensive house-cured meat and cheese selection. Like all good Italian cooking, the menu at Vivace is a study in balance. Each ingredient is used to complement another and none will overpower the rest. The magic of Italian food is superbly mastered at Vivace. What stand out most is the simplicity of the food and the stellar pairings of tastes and textures. Inspiration and skill work in tandem to create a meal to remember.

The dining experience at Vivace is the celebration of both chefs who are truly passionate about what they do. Just like in a traditional Italian household, every dish is infused with love and diners leave with the feeling something special has transpired over the course of a meal. What better place then to spend Valentine’s Day with your loved one than at Vivace? Just remember this is a popular night for dining out, so reservations are strongly advised; Call ahead and make this Valentine’s Day one to remember.

Tips for Maximizing You’re Dining Experiences in an Italian Restaurant

When Kevin and Stacey Jennings founded The Urban Food Group in 1998, their aim was to create specialty urban restaurants offering excellent quality food and superior value. With Frazier’s, Porter’s City Tavern, Vivace, and Coquette, the Urban Food Group already stellar list of stylish dining options in Raleigh, which they have now expanded to Charlotte with the recently opened Vivace. Apart from the breathtaking modern venue, the newly opened Vivace offers the best of traditional Italian cuisine. Using the freshest ingredients and seasonal produce, Executive Chef Jeremy Sabo and Chef de Cuisine Andrew Schaumann, who has been Sous Chef at Vivace in Raleigh since 2007, have developed the creative Italian menu. On offer is a seasonal trattoria menu with dishes that are sophisticated yet simple. The restaurant offers prefix menus specially created for every occasion. Choose from a wide selection of antipasti, house-cured meats and cheeses, homemade pastas, wood-fired entrees and divine desserts to make your event unforgettable. Vivace understands that Italians take their food very seriously and makes every effort to bring the best of Italian cuisine to savvy diners in Charlotte.

But for many, a traditional Italian meal can be slightly confusing. After all, there are usually numerous courses each with a specific order of appearance and a wide selection of wines and aperitifs to enjoy. Understanding how Italians eat will definitely help you make the most of the feast that lies ahead of you.

A traditional Italian menu normally has five courses lasting a minimum of two hours. At the outset, you can choose from a selection of aperitifs or drinks that will tease your palate for the meal to come. At Vivace, you are spoilt for choice with a 500-bottle selection of Italian wines and other cocktails. Up next is the antipasti or appetizer course. These are bite-sized portions of sliced cured meats, local cheeses and even olives or pickled vegetables. Primi, or the first course, follows with a range of options from pasta, soup or risotto. The second, or main course, normally consists of fish, meat or poultry. You could enjoy these along with a seasonal salad as well. Vivace prides itself on its extensive vegetarian menu with meat-free main courses and a selection of artisanal cheeses and wood- oven pizzas. To end the meal, you will round things off with a selection of dolce. These desserts range from fruit, cheese, and the more indulgent cream-based or chocolate desserts. No meal in Italy is complete without a digestif or after-dinner drink, so make sure you save room. During the meal, most Italians drink wine or mineral water, beer is rarely served, and coffee does not arrive until after the meal. These simple guidelines on what to expect from a traditional Italian restaurant should help you make the most of your dining experience. At the end of the day in Italy, food is a labor of love, and in Vivace, as in Italy, each meal is a celebration… so dig right in.

Homemade Restaurant Pizza in Charlotte

What started off as a simple peasant dish is now an international favorite. The history of pizzas can be traced back to Roman times where it originated as a flatbread topped with olive oil and herbs. As new ingredients such as mozzarella and tomatoes were introduced, the pizza started to take on the shape and taste that we so love today. In America however, what passes off as pizza can be categorized in two types - the cheesy deep pan variety and the crusty thin version. True Italian pizza on the other hand is a whole different dish entirely. Italians pride themselves on their traditional pizza recipe where the dough is light and crisp, and the toppings a simple combination of fresh produce and aromatic herbs all bathed in a tangy tomato sauce and sprinkled with only the best buffalo mozzarella cheese. Italians claim that once you have tasted the original, you will never feel the same about pizza again!

As pizzas gained popularity in Italy, shops began to spring up creating pizzas with customized toppings. The famous Neapolitan style pizza quickly spread throughout the country and soon each region began developing their own local versions based on the freshest of ingredients available. Certain pizzas became menu staples including the classic Pizza Margherita,a simple tomato sauce with torn basil and cheese, the Pizza Marinara which has loads of garlic along with anchovies and oregano, the Pizza Capricciosa(mushrooms, olives, prosciutto and boiled egg), Pizza Pugliese (capers and olives) and Pizza Veronese with mushrooms and prosciutto. As you can see, each region adapted to the locally available ingredients in order to customize the freshest pizzas. Apart from the regional varieties, several pizza styles developed that became popular all over Italy. Even today, authentic Italian restaurants and pizzerias offer Pizza Quattro Formagi that uses four different types of local cheeses such as mozzarella, gorgonzola, ricotta and parmesan. Pizza Liguria is a novel take on a traditional recipe that uses basil pesto and no tomato sauce at all. Modern Italian restaurants now create a fusion of the old and the new when it comes to pizza, and many adventurous chefs revel in experimenting with new tastes and flavors to revamp an old favorite. No matter how unusual the combination, the results are always delicious.

When ordering pizza in an authentic Italian restaurant, remember that portions are usually individually sized. It is recommended that each diner order his or her own personal pizza. Unlike what passes off as pizza in the U.S., authentic Italian pizza has a thin crusty dough with a layer of rich tomato sauce and mozzarella. A traditional pizza is always made in a special wood-fire brick oven, which creates a crisp and light crust, never oily or heavy. In fact, Neapolitan wood fired pizzas are now regarded as the benchmark for pizzas all over the world. They stand for century-old traditions when it comes to making pizzas and are served at all authentic Italian pizzerias

When the Urban Food Group opened its latest Italian restaurant - Vivace in November 2009, proprietors, Stacey and Kevin Jennings successfully brought a little piece of Italy into Charlotte. A stylish Italian trattoria offering authentic Italian cuisine, Vivace boasts of a traditional Tuscan menu with seasonal specialties, an extensive house-cured meat and cheese selection, a fully stocked wine cellar, and most importantly the best classic thin crust pizzas on the East Coast. You can choose from classic favorites such as Margherita or Quattro Formaggi, to more experimental toppings such as salty egg or smoked chicken and artichokes. All made in a wood fired oven, these rustic ten-inch delights promise to change the way you look at pizza for good!

Italian Cuisine – Vegetarian’s First Choice

Becoming a vegetarian is not an easy choice to make, but one that is gaining popularity. For the sake of one’s health, or as a result of religious beliefs and personal convictions, more and more people are becoming vegetarians. As a result, restaurants are now revamping their menus and offering creative and delicious meat-free options, in conjunction with all the old favorites. If ethical or environmental concerns have led you to become a vegetarian, you need to be positive that you are not consuming any meat or meat byproducts when you are dining out. Many dishes may contain gelatin, which is a meat by-product and refined sugar is often made using bone char. Some dishes may have been cooked in chicken stock, so clearing up any doubts prior to ordering is necessary to ensure your dish is truly a vegetarian entree.

That being said, vegetarians are given quite a few options when eating out nowadays. Exotic cuisines such as Indian or Middle Eastern cater easily to the vegetarian palate. But all things considered there can be no better choice for vegetarians than Italian cuisine. Traditional Italian cooking boasts a number of classic, vegetarian dishes, and those that aren’t can easily be modified.

Thanks to the fertile soil and moderate climate, Italy as a country is largely agricultural. Fresh ingredients abound, and the cuisine of each region makes the most of the seasonal fresh produce in simple yet tasty recipes. Italian cooking varies due to geography, and the South as a rule produces a more varied menu than the North.

In keeping with their vision to offer the best Italian food, The Urban Food Group brings its hugely popular Italian restaurant, Vivace, to Charlotte. Already one of the finest Italian restaurants in Raleigh, Vivace is a modern day Trattoria offering the best of home cooked Italian dishes. Urban Food Group is confident that the savvy diners in Charlotte will welcome this latest entrant onto the contemporary dining scene of the Queen city. Guests can look forward to a choice of formal and casual dining options – a formal dining room and a more laid back mezzanine lounge area. There are also two bars and a breathtaking view of Uptown Charlotte to add to the appeal.

Vivace will offer the best of modern and traditional Italian cooking and service. Executive Chef Jeremy Sabo, and Chef de Cuisine Andrew Schaumann, who has been Sous Chef at Vivace in Raleigh since 2007, has developed the creative Italian menu for the new Charlotte restaurant. But what is even more exciting is the extensive vegetarian items they offer. Start your gourmet feast with a variety of meatless antipasti options or artisanal cheeses. Move on to the salads using the freshest seasonal produce, bursting with flavors, and no meal at Vivace is complete without a taste of their creamy, indulgent pasta and the rustic, wood fired pizzas. Finish off the experience with one of their signature desserts, or a post dinner aperitif, and you will soon understand why Italian cooking is a vegetarian’s first choice!

Planning Your Next Event in Charlotte? Come to Vivace!

Looking for a new venue in Charlotte for an upcoming event? Look no further than the newly opened Vivace. The Urban Food Group brings their hugely popular Italian restaurant, Vivace, to Charlotte. Already one of the finest Italian restaurants in Raleigh, Vivace is a modern day Trattoria offering the best of home cooked Italian dishes. Vivace is located in the heart of the Metropolitan development, and has chic Italian décor courtesy of The Johnson Studio – the James Beard award-winning design firm. Guests can look forward to a choice of upscale and casual dining options – a formal dining room or a more laid back mezzanine lounge area. There are two bars and a breathtaking view of Uptown Charlotte to add to the appeal.

When it comes to event planning, Vivace is committed to giving you the best. From the initial consultation, to the final celebration, the staff at Vivace is always ready to assist. From the lavish and large, to the small and intimate, every gathering at Vivace is orchestrated to perfection. The restaurant offers one private dining room that accommodates up to forty guests for a seated meal, or sixty-five guests for standing receptions. For unique wedding receptions or corporate events, Vivace even offers you the possibility of an exclusive rental of the entire restaurant., The main dining room is ideal for up to 100 guests, the outdoor patio area seats another 75, and then the upstairs lounge area seats 35. So whether it’s a birthday, a baptism, a wedding, a corporate event or a product launch, Vivace has it covered. You select the event and leave it to our staff to take care of the rest.

Apart from the breathtaking modern venue, Vivace offers the best of traditional Italian cuisine. Using the freshest ingredients and seasonal produce, Executive Chef Jeremy Sabo and Chef de Cuisine Andrew Schaumann, who has been Sous Chef at Vivace in Raleigh since 2007, have developed the creative Italian menu. Vivace offers a seasonal Trattoria menu with dishes that are sophisticated yet simple. The restaurant offers prefixed menus specially created for every occasion. Choose from a wide selection of antipasti, house-cured meats and cheeses, homemade pastas, wood-fired entrees, and divine desserts to make your event unforgettable. Urban Food Group has also been awarded the Wine Spectator’s ‘Award of Excellence,’ and in keeping with their dedication to their highly rated wine program, Vivace offers a 500-bottle, exclusively Italian wine collection. As a result, Vivace is happy to arrange Italian wine tastings from a number of different themes as a unique addition to your next event.

To check on availability and to start planning your event, please contact their Private Events Director, Nikki DeMaras. At Vivace you are assured of exquisite style, professional service, and meticulous planning for any event of any size.

What to Look for in a Good Italian Restaurant

Italian restaurants at one time used to conjure up images of red and white checked tablecloths, a chalkboard menu advertising the daily specials, fat white candles stuffed into wine bottles and the soothing sounds of Italian opera in the background. However, all this has changed drastically over the years. Italian restaurants now vary from the classic family style decor to the ultra chic with dining rooms designed to impress. The one thing any good Italian restaurant must have is exemplary food. Italian food demands elaborate menus made from simple ingredients, meals that can stretch over a few hours and the enjoyment of each morsel and moment that makes Italian cuisine a culinary delight.

In Italy a meal is never rushed. The food served is simple but with flavors that linger on long after the experience is over. Along with your meal, there will be a selection of the best wines Italy has to offer and you can expect to get through several glasses of red and white before the meal is through. Indulgence is part and parcel of Italian cuisine. A good Italian restaurant will always have an array of dishes to offer. There will be freshly made lasagna and cannelloni, crusty just-baked breads ready to be dipped into saucers of fragrant olive oil, melt in the mouth meats and seafood and decadent desserts to round off the feast. The chef in charge will create them all in keeping with age-old recipes and culinary secrets passed down from generations.

Another mark of a great Italian restaurant is the quality of its pizza. While the lines still stand drawn between lovers of the thin crust verse those who prefer the more doughy thick crust preparations, both parties are unanimous when it comes to the freshness of the tomato sauce and the simplicity and freshness of the ingredients used. There simply cannot be anything better than a freshly baked pizza with a juicy tomato sauce, topped with basil and delicious mozzarella. If the restaurant has mastered this one thing, you pretty much know you are in for a wonderful meal ahead.

Apart from the food, the service should always be courteous and friendly, and the ambiance warm and welcoming. And when all three of these come together in the right combination, you will know for sure that you have found a great Italian restaurant! This is exactly what proprietors Stacey and Kevin Jennings planned for their newest restaurant Vivace in Charlotte. Designed by the James Beard, award-winning restaurant design firm, The Johnson Studio, Vivace in Charlotte boasts two floors, including a mezzanine lounge area for more casual dining and a formal dining room, a glass enclosed cheese and meat aging room, and two bars including an indoor/outdoor mezzanine bar with dramatic views of Uptown Charlotte. Diners enjoy a specially created seasonal menu by Executive Chef Jeremy Sabo and Chef de Cuisine Andrew Schaumann. The menu consists of classic Neapolitan pizzas, homemade pastas, and a selection of delicious entrees along with their highly rated Italian wine selection and well-stocked bar. Queen city diners can look forward to a true Italian experience at Vivace which opened on November 2, 2009.

Wine and Italian Cuisine

The boot-shaped country of Italy may be three-quarters smaller in size than California, but in spite of this, it is considered to be the world’s second largest wine producer after France. Thanks to its soil, the climate, and centuries of winemaking tradition, Italy boasts a number of truly spectacular wines. Winemaking has been part of the Italian lifestyle for 3,000 years now, and their wines stand out amongst competitors in flavor, fragrance, and taste.

The true appreciation of Italian wine comes from pairing it with authentic Italian food. While a lot of people automatically think red sauce equals red wine, the complexities of Italian cuisine and the regional specialties demand a more subtle approach. With wines ranging from fruity cabernets, sparkling whites, intense merlots, to refreshing sauvignon blancs, it’s no surprise that accentuating the flavors of an Italian menu can be quite complex. Regional food is often best paired with wines from the same area, since they are more or less developed in tandem.

When you think of classic Italian food, you think of freshly made pastas, rich tomato sauces, creamy risottos, crusty breads, fragrant olive oils, crisp pizzas and the freshest meats, vegetables, and seafood around. Experts on wine recommend pairing Italian appetizers and soups with dry, light wines, while anti-pasti like pancetta, prosciutto, and salami go best with full-bodied reds. Pizzas can be enjoyed with reds like Merlot, Chianti, Cabernet Sauvignon, or Cabernet Franc. A common way to pair Italian wine with Italian food is to match the wine to the sauce. Generally the lighter the sauce the lighter the wine. Keeping this in mind, a rich sauce would need a heavier, more complex wine to bring out the nuances of the dish. For most tomato-based or cheese sauces, a Chianti compliments the acid levels in the dish, and is often the quintessential choice for wine. Seafood pasta dishes are paired well with a Chardonnay, as are creamy favorites like fettuccini alfredo. A Pinot Noir would be your best bet with a light vegetarian lasagna, but a full-bodied meaty bolognaise would need a Cabernet Sauvignon or a Valpollicello to bring out the flavors of the various ingredients. Italy also produces an amazing range of dessert wines, the most famous among them being Tuscany’s Vin Santo. Distilled from grapes, dessert wines can be dry or sweet and are the perfect ending to a lavish Italian feast. For more detailed suggestions on which wine to have with what food, always ask your waiter or sommelier.

When the Urban Food Group opened their latest Italian restaurant - Vivace in Charlotte proprietors, Stacey and Kevin Jennings bring a little piece of Italy to the Queen city. Promising to be a stylish Italian trattoria offering authentic Italian cuisine, Vivace l boasts a traditional Tuscan menu with seasonal specialties, classic thin crust pizzas, an extensive house-cured meat and cheese selection and an extensive wine collection with the best the country has to offer. Urban Food Group has been awarded the Wine Spectator’s ‘Award of Excellence.’ In keeping with their dedication to their highly rated wine program, Vivace’s 500-bottle all-Italian wine collection will be displayed in an elegant temperature-controlled cellar in the dining room. Diners and drinkers alike can select from bottles typically ranging from $40 - $65 hand selected by Urban Food Group’s veteran Sommelier Scott Luetgenau. With two bars including an indoor/outdoor mezzanine bar with dramatic views of Uptown Charlotte, Italian food and wine has a new address.