Meet the third-generation Rockford restauranteur waiting to welcome you to SALT

ZiZi Altamore grew up in the restaurant business.

Literally.

“From the time I was about 10, I was at the restaurant,” she said. “At 3 o’clock, I’d get off school. And by 4 o’clock I was there. We’d do our homework there ,and sometimes be there until midnight, even 1 o’clock in the morning.”

That restaurant was Altamore’s, a staple on Rockford’s North End for more than 40 years before it closed in 2016. Altamore's grandfather, parents and brothers were all involved in the business.

“I started as a cashier there when I was about 13,” she said. “I started answering phones about that time. So, from that time, every single one of those years, I’ve worked with customers, guests in the hospitality industry.”

From Altamore’s, ZiZi, 31, studied history and Italian at the University of Illinois, spent time teaching in Italy and had stints at other Rockford restaurants like Alchemy and GreenFire. She also taught English as a second language at Rock Valley College.

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“Even though I’ve done some other things, I’ve always worked in restaurants,” she said. “I’ve never really left the industry. I am one of those people who has held every possible position. From answering phones to making pizzas to delivering food, managing when necessary, bartending, bussing."

Today, Altamore is the general manager and has a stake in SALT, the fine-dining establishment that opened last month in the former Josef’s Steakhouse & Oyster Bar, 6860 Spring Creek Road, Rockford.

And while SALT isn’t an Italian restaurant, what Altamore brings from her family's business is just as valuable as what’s on the menu.

“The lessons I carry with me are all about providing really great customer service,” she said. “It’s all about creating a guest experience, a memorable one. And that’s really been my ultimate goal since I was a teenager working at my family's restaurant. We want it to be an experience where from the moment a guest walks in that they are treated in such a warm and welcoming way that they feel better and happier than when they walked in.”

It's an experience SALT aims to promote well beyond the confines of Forest City.

"The vision was to create a place that would really make Rockford proud and increase clientele coming into Rockford," Altamore said. "And when they visit us for dinner, we hope they'll go downtown to shop and go next door to have a drink after here as well and support other businesses. It's the idea that a rising tide raises all ships."

The menu is unique and seasonal, largely because the kitchen uses as many locally produced ingredients as possible, ones that go into dishes like Duck Terrine, SRF Wagyu Beef Tartare and Lamb Ragu—all products of Executive Chef Michael Turley.

The drink selection is overseen by Beverage Director Greg Callahan, who sources wine, beer and liquor from just about everywhere, including Rockford, to create an upscale and creative atmosphere that’s an experience in itself.

“We take a culinary approach to cocktail making,” Callahan said. “We want to give you something new and create that ‘wow’ factor every time you’re in.”

Creating that “wow” factor is a collective effort. Altamore, Turley and Callahan work together on the bar and food menus, relying on their individual talents and visions.

Altamore's lie largely in tending to the day-to-day operation and being the face guests come to know, something that’s in her blood as a third-generation restauranteur.

Callahan and Turley make the team’s ideas come to life.

“They are super-great, talented people,” Altamore said. “They are truly a credit to their art.”

Altamore, Callahan and Turley are part of the SALT ownership team that also includes David Stern, CEO of Experity, a Machesney Park-based company that develops software for urgent care clinics, and his wife, Kelly Stern.

SALT's hours are 4–to 10 p.m., Tuesday through Friday; 3 to 10 p.m., Saturday and Sunday. The bar is open until midnight on Friday and Saturday.

Jim Hagerty covers business, growth and development and other general news topics for the Rockford Register Star. Email him at jhagerty@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: SALT manager comes from long line of Rockford restauranteurs