Michael Vitangeli Leaves Vintner Grill To Open His Own Utah Restaurant

Michael Vitangeli is out as executive chef at Vintner Grill. He says he’s "headed up to Utah to pursue our own restaurant.

Vitangeli started his culinary career at Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts and went on to work at the Mirage as a pantry worker and banquette coordinator. After two years, he moved to the Bellagio as a cook’s helper at Osteria del Circo, where he moved up to executive chef during his 10-year career there. He moved on to open Double Barrel Roadhouse at the Monte Carlo before joining Vintner Grill.

UPDATE: Vitangeli plans to open his restaurant in Springdale, Utah, in October or November.

Peter Varela [Photo: Amelinda B Lee]

Also of note, Peter Varela is now the general manager at Hearthstone Kitchen & Cellar at Red Rock Resort. He was the general manager of Vintner Grill since 2006. Before that, he worked as an assistant general manager for Wolfgang Puck for 18 years.