01
OUR STORY
Memory is
the first ingredient.
PepeNero tells the story of the two places Chef Giorgio Lo Greco calls home: Sicily and Traverse City, Michigan. The cooking begins with family recipes, days spent in his uncle’s trattoria, and the markets and coast of Palermo—then evolves through travel, refined technique, and Giorgio’s deeply personal perspective on Italian food.
Authentic Italian products form the foundation of our kitchen, complemented by exceptional ingredients from Northern Michigan whenever the season allows. Every ingredient is selected for quality, integrity, and flavor—never convenience.
The result is Italian cooking with genuine roots and a distinct sense of place: personal, seasonal, and unmistakably PepeNero. It is this uncompromising commitment that has made PepeNero the defining destination for Italian dining in Northern Michigan.
CHEF / CO-OWNER
Giorgio Lo Greco
Born in Palermo, Sicily, Giorgio comes from five generations of restaurateurs. His cooking was shaped by family kitchens, his uncle’s trattoria, the markets and coast of Palermo, and years of travel and professional experience.
After meeting Monica aboard Princess Cruise Lines, they lived together in Italy before choosing Traverse City and opening PepeNero in 2011. Giorgio leads the kitchen with a simple standard: honor Italian culture, begin with exceptional ingredients, and let memory and technique give each dish its voice.
CO-OWNER / PASTRY CHEF / WINE DIRECTOR
Monica Lo Greco
Monica brings creativity, precision, and hospitality to every facet of PepeNero. She leads the pastry program, creating desserts rooted in Italian tradition with a refined, modern perspective, and curates the wine program around distinctive Italian producers and thoughtful pairings.
She also oversees daily operations, service, private dining, events, marketing, and the details that shape the guest experience. Her belief is that every element—from the final course and wine in the glass to the way a guest is welcomed—should feel intentional.
