Magiamo, a beloved Italian restaurant in Grand Rapids that closed in 2017, is finally returning to its former location at 1033 Lake Dr. SE, inside the historic mansion that was the restaurant’s original home when it first opened in 2005.
For the past six years, the mansion has been home to catering and event space Paddock Place which also belonged to The Gilmore Collection. Now, it is returning to its roots with a new look and atmosphere that embraces the building’s existing historical elements to bring guests a vintage, upscale dining experience. The wine cellar in the building will be transformed into Mo’s Cocktail Lounge and hosted by Morgan Gilmore. Guests will enjoy hand-crafted classic cocktails, retro decor, and a hand-selected vinyl soundtrack.
The returning Mangiano’s kitchen is led by Executive Chef Jorge Mendez. The menu, co-created by Chef Mendez and Gilmore Collection Executive Chef Wes Davis, will feature past Mangiano favorites such as chicken piccata and the “baseball” meatball. The menu will also carry modern steaks, chops, elevated pasta dishes, and seafood.
The new restaurant has a familiar management team, including Gilmore Chief Operating Officer Michael Gee, who served as general manager for the original iteration of Magiamo that closed in 2017. The closing decision was never easy to make, however, it was necessary for the team to reevaluate the direction the Italian dining concept should go.
“We are thrilled to reopen our doors and welcome back the Grand Rapids community,” said Chad
Larson, Magiamo General Manager in a press release. “We have invested greatly in revitalizing our restaurant, enhancing the ambiance, and curating a menu that intertwines traditional Italian flavors with
contemporary culinary artistry.”
Magiamo is set to open on January 10, 2024. The historic mansion, which the new restaurant calls home, will continue to host events of all sizes including weddings, corporate events, wine tastings, birthday parties, and the like.
