Vivo Ristorante Pizzeria

About the Business

Specialties

Vivo Ristorante Pizzeria dishes out authentic and traditional Italian dishes using nothing but the finest and freshest ingredients available. To us, the freshness matters and we have the passion and knowledge to combine the flavor into a palette that always leaves an impression on our guests who dine with us. We use the highest grade of product possible such as Prosciutto di Parma. We make our own fresh mozzarella and bake our own breads. All of our salad greens are organic, and out artisan pizzas use Italian tomatoes, 100% Olive Oil, fresh basil and the best cheese money can buy. Try out either our lunch or dinner menus for many options that include sandwiches, pastas, salads, and of course, our famous Ney York style pizza. When you eat at Vivo Ristorante Pizzeria, you're taking a step into classic Italian cuisine and culture. The wine list at Vivo Ristorante Pizzeria Italian is dominated covering almost all varietals from Italy as well as Californian staples. By the glass or by the bottle, the choice is yours, and at affordable prices. We are family owned with everyone kicking in to ensure customer satisfaction. Whether you're a foodie or just looking to try something new, Vivo Ristorante Pizzeria has the traditional Italian fare right here in Raleigh. Bring family, bring friends, and we'll see you soon!

History

Established in 2013.

Vivo means "live" or to be "alive" in Italian, something owner and operator Gianni Cinelli had to learn how to do again after being on top in the Italian casual to fine dining restaurant business. Gianni was born in Italy outside of Rome and moved to the USA as a very young child where he grew up making wine with his parents and siblings as well as honing his cooking skills from his mothers paesant style. Gianni was very succesful from selling his gourmet pizzas in Yankee and Shea Stadium as well as over a dozen other arenas and stadiums through out the country for many years. He moved to Raleigh NC in 1998 and opened up Cinelli's of Durham and Cinelli's of Cary in 2001 with his two brothers. After a split, Gianni found himself by himself and opened up Ristorante Cinelli of Raleigh a fine dining establishment where he flourished, soon after he hooked up with his younger brohter Gaetano and opened up 3 Gianni & Gaetano's, a hybrid of casual and fine dining.

Meet the Business Owner

Business owner information

Gianni C.

Business Owner

Gianni was born in Monte San Giovanni Campano, Frosinone Italy in September of 1963.  He came to the US with his family on December 23rd, 1965 on the ocean liner Raffaelo, after settling in Jamaica Queens his family then moved to Elmont NY.During this time Gianni learned how to make wine, Italian sausge and prosciutto as well as bake bread.  The peasant style of cooking that comes from the Ciocarria part of Italy is what Gianni relies on for his dishes.Gianni has been in the food business almost his entire life, from Luncheonettes to Deli's to pizzerias to casual Italian to Fine Dining Italian except for a couple of years working with his uncles at Sansone Foods, an Italian Importe/Wholesaler of fine Italian products.Gianni's entrepeneurial spirit and his passion for his heritage coupled with his love of food and his adopted country the US has driven Gianni to success and ultimately to Vivo...life...to be alive...to keep the art of real Italian through his eyes to all.