By Lori Fredrich Senior Food Writer, Dining Editor Published Sep 29, 2020 at 6:55 PM

After re-opening for in-house dining on Friday, Sept. 25, Amilinda, the Downtown restaurant specializing in Spanish and Portuguese inspired fare at 315 E. Wisconsin Ave., has announced some key personnel changes.

Effective immediately, Chef Gregory Leon has assumed full control and responsibility for the restaurant, including both front and back of house operations. 

In turn, his former partner Orry Leon, who co-founded the restaurant with him in 2015, has stepped away from his operations role at the restaurant. He will remain connected to the restaurant as a silent partner for the time being.

In his stead, Chef Leon has appointed Ian Rupp, an industry veteran and friend for over 20 years, to the role of general manager. 

Leon has also promoted John Chandler, a long time cook at the restaurant, to sous chef. 

Guests can get a taste of one of Chandler’s most recent creations by ordering the Alubiias de Tolosa, a cool weather Basque stew featuring pork belly, pork ribs, chorizo and morcilla sausage simmered in flavorful stock with kidney beans and served with cabbage and Padron peppers.

It’s a dish Chef Leon says it's a well-researched dish that's perfect for the fall. “It’s a pork extravaganza,” he adds.

Amilinda is open Wednesday through Saturday from 5 to 9 p.m. Reservations are required for in-house dining. Carry-out is also available.

Lori Fredrich Senior Food Writer, Dining Editor

As a passionate champion of the local dining scene, Lori has reimagined the restaurant critic's role into that of a trusted dining concierge, guiding food lovers to delightful culinary discoveries and memorable experiences.

Lori is an avid cook whose accrual of condiments and spices is rivaled only by her cookbook collection. Her passion for the culinary industry was birthed while balancing A&W root beer mugs as a teenage carhop, fed by insatiable curiosity and fueled by the people whose stories entwine with every dish. Lori is the author of two books: the "Wisconsin Field to Fork" cookbook and "Milwaukee Food". Her work has garnered journalism awards from entities including the Milwaukee Press Club. In 2024, Lori was honored with a "Top 20 Women in Hospitality to Watch" award by the Wisconsin Restaurant Association.

When she’s not eating, photographing food, writing or planning for TV and radio spots, you’ll find Lori seeking out adventures with her husband Paul, traveling, cooking, reading, learning, snuggling with her cats and looking for ways to make a difference.