A Chesterfield mainstay recently received a new moniker: Earlier this month, Vito’s in the Valley (138 Chesterfield Towne Center) was renamed Gio Modern Italian.
The Concept
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The rebranding came after a decade in operation—10 years of growth, from traditional Sicilian fare to more modern Italian offerings—as owners Giovanni and Jessica LaFata prepared to sign the lease for the next decade.
The restaurant’s new name is a nod not only to the chef, who hails from Sicily, but also to the concept of “growing into ourselves,” according to the LaFatas. The couple “backed into the name we’ve become,” says Jessica, describing the transformation as “new look, new feel, new name.”
The Menu
As customers expressed their love for such dishes as Whiskey Shrimp and Lobster Mac ‘n’ Cheese, the LaFatas gave the community what it wanted, which is how the menu evolved over time.
“We leaned on the team to be creative and push outside traditional recipes,” says Jessica, explaining that they plan to continue to offer customer favorites and introduce new items as weekend specials from Thursdays through Sundays. Popular new items may eventually find a permanent place on the menu. Recent weekend specials include:
- Ribeye with Boursin cheese and purple mashed potatoes, grilled white asparagus, topped with Cabernet butter
- Carbonara with bacon, local cherry tomatoes, spinach with a white-wine cream sauce, and egg, topped with Parmesan and parsley
- Yellowfin tuna, blackened and pan-seared, with cilantro risotto, grilled zucchini, and a soy-garlic sauce
The menu additions nod toward both past and present. The Gio Espresso Martini, for example, was added because espresso is Gio’s favorite drink. He buys his espresso from Starrs and travels with his espresso machine, which has been to Puerto Rico, Mexico, all over the United States, and France. (The one place he does not take it to is Italy.) On their trips, Jessica says, it’s not uncommon for guests at the hotel to appear outside their room, holding empty cups for Gio’s espresso. It’s that kind of hospitality that one can find at the restaurant as well.
Happy-hour specials (2–6 p.m. daily) include such favorites as the Whiskey Shrimp, Arancini, and Bruschetta (priced at $5) and discounts on drinks ($2 off beer; $3 off all cocktails, martinis, and wines by the glass; $5 off wines by the bottle under $60; $10 off wines by the bottle over $60).
The Atmosphere
The restaurant’s new name debuted along with a refresh of the interior space, courtesy of ROAM Design Company and Stricker Home Improvements.
“It’s all about the details,” Jessica says. Venetian plaster was added to the walls; new tile was affixed to the front of the bar; and a previously drab corner was transformed into a cozy space, thanks to a wood-slat wall lined in succulents, a chevron-patterned wine display, and what will soon be “Instagram-able bathrooms.” (Jessica laughs when she shares the last change, which should be complete in early February, noting that the bathrooms will have gold-tiled ceilings.) In the hallway that divides the restaurant from the restrooms is a gallery wall with ceramic plates from Sicily along with family photos.
The restaurant is open for lunch on weekdays, brunch on weekends, and dinner every night. “We’re excited to keep the party going all year,” Jessica says.
