GREENSBORO, GA (March 31, 2023) — The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee, one of the leading luxury resorts in the South, has announced the spring debut of its new Italian restaurant concept, Amore del Lago, which will be helmed by acclaimed chef Andrea Rodella. Rodella, who hails from Mantua, Italy, will bring an authentic and lively Italian dining experience to the lake, intended to inspire the senses and transport diners to the coast of Italy.
Born and raised in Northern Italy, Rodella grew up helping his grandmother prepare traditional Italian dishes for his family. He fell in love with the process of picking produce from the garden in the early mornings, making fresh pasta, sauces and stocks and gathering with family and friends over a delicious meal. He decided to turn his passion for cooking into a career and went on to study culinary arts in his hometown of Mantua, Italy. Rodella spent 10 years perfecting his craft at Michelin-starred restaurants across Italy, including Ristorante La Rucola and Ristorante Aquila Nigra, before moving to California in 2009. Rodella has since worked his way through luxury kitchens at five-star resorts, Michelin-starred restaurants, private clubs in California and Texas and most recently, in Florida as the Executive Chef at Ocean Reef Club, a luxury members-only club known for its exceptional culinary program.
Rodella’s culinary philosophy is based upon using the freshest and highest-quality ingredients to create dishes that are both simple and delicious. He believes that food should be a celebration that connects family and friends, just as it did when he was a young child. At Amore del Lago, Rodella will showcase a menu that propels the best of Italian cuisine to the forefront, including handcrafted wood-fired pizzas, decadent pasta dishes using original recipes passed down from his grandmother and modern takes on Italian favorites such as a Potato Gnocchi with Leek Fondue and Angus Beef Meatballs with Whipped Ricotta. An extensive, innovative beverage program will bring playful cocktails and fresh takes on Italian classics to complement the culinary offerings.
“It’s an honor to be joining the incredibly talented culinary team at The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee and to bring a dining concept that is so near and dear to my heart to the resort,” said chef Andrea Rodella. “My goal for Amore del Lago is to create a menu that evokes nostalgia for our diners and provides a dining experience that brings genuine joy and connection among all who dine with us.”
Reminiscent of the coast of Italy, Amore del Lago will offer breathtaking views of the lake, comfortable al fresco dining options, and a lively, inviting atmosphere. An expansive indoor/outdoor bar will provide the idyllic gathering place for friends and family to enjoy an expertly crafted negroni and antipasti as the sun sets to transition from day to dusk dining. Green and orange jewel tones will dot the dining room, accenting blonde wood floors, basket weave chairs and deep wood beams that flank the ceiling, while black and white depictions of playful Italian scenes will adorn the walls. The wood burning oven, surrounded by a geometric patterned tile and floor to ceiling stones, will serve as a key focal point and an open kitchen will provide diners a front row seat to the culinary show where eyes can feast on the artful craft of scratch made pasta and guests can enjoy interactive pasta-making classes.
Additional details on Amore del Lago will be unveiled in the coming months. For more information on The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee and Amore del Lago or to book a stay, please call (706) 467-0600 or visit: www.ritzcarlton.com/reynolds.
