Italian-inspired, Cape Cod local
Italian-Inspired Kitchen & Bar with Scratch Cooking, Crafted Cocktails, Curated Wines, and Inviting & Welcoming Atmosphere
Taylor Amara
& Diego Mota
CO-OWNERS + OPERATORS
Chef Diego Mota & General Manager Taylor Amara are a husband and wife team that have extensive experience in the hospitality industry.
Chef Diego fell in love with cooking at a very young age, he attended Newbury College in Brookline, Ma for Culinary Arts. Upon graduating he had the opportunity to be a part of the Opening team at Towne Stove & Spirits in Boston’s Back Bay under legendary Chef Lydia Shire and her Culinary right-hand Mario Capone. In 2014 Diego followed Chef Mario Capone to open Bancroft Chophouse in Burlington Ma, it was under the guidance and influence of Chef Mario Capone, that Diegos culinary inspiration flourished. in 2018 Chef Diego Had the opportunity to become Executive Chef at The Federal Restaurant in Waltham MA, working for two of the best in the business, Richard Brackett & David Alphonse. Now in his own kitchen, he hopes to share his past experience and passion with everyone who walks through the door at Leonessa.
Taylor Amara met Diego in Boston, MA and grew up on Cape Cod in Chatham, MA. It was growing up in her family’s restaurant that her passion for hospitality started. After attending college at Johnson & Wales University in Providence, RI she moved to Boston to persue her career in Food and Beverage Management at the Seaport Hotel & World Trade Center. It was there where she grew through the ranks and became Director of Outlets under Food and Beverage Director William Hacking. Taylor can’t wait to welcome all of our guests at Leonessa as Owner & General Manager.
Fernando Restrepo
EXECUTIVE SOUS CHEF
Chef Fernando Restrepo has had a passion for cooking from the heart since he a young boy. Growing up in Colombia he was used to doing things the old-fashioned way while embracing new techniques and respecting his heritage. Upon Arriving in the U.S Chef Fernando worked under one of Boston’s Bests, Susan Regis, at Upstairs in The Square in Cambridge Ma. Chef Fernando went on to work for the legendary Chef Lydia Shire and Simon Restrepo at Scampo in The Liberty Hotel. At Scampo, Fernando climbed the ranks from prep cook all the way to Sous Chef, under the guidance of Chef Simon he flourished. Fernando joined Chef Diego when it was time to open the Federal Steakhouse in Waltham as his Executive Sous Chef. The two Chefs have worked together on multiple projects, but it was at The Federal Steakhouse that the two would strike a brotherly bond that shines thru the food and operation. We welcome our guests to come and meet Fernando and try his Culinary Creations.