Amoré Italian Steak & Seafood

The story

Crafted with passion, served with love

From the Heart of The Pearl

Amoré Italian Steak & Seafood sits at the corner of Pearl Street and Maiden Lane in downtown Fort Wayne, inside the building known as The Pearl. The name itself — Italian for "love" — signals the spirit behind the place: founders Chuck and Lisa Surack built it from a shared passion for authentic Italian cuisine and genuine hospitality, with the explicit goal of creating somewhere families and friends could gather around good food in the Midwest.

The restaurant's wine program earned a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence in 2025, a recognition that reflects the seriousness with which Amoré approaches its cellar. In-house sommeliers curate a list that moves from classic Italian varietals — Nebbiolo, Chianti Classico, Barbera, Lambrusco, Prosecco — through bold reds and crisp whites, all chosen to sit alongside the kitchen's Italian, steak, and seafood menu. Regular wine dinners give guests the chance to go deeper into specific producers and pairings.

The Kitchen and the Team

Executive Chef Kyle Mares brings a considered background to the role. A Johnson & Wales graduate, he trained under Chef Michael Chiarello in Napa Valley and spent years traveling internationally before returning to the Midwest. His cooking draws on Italian tradition and local ingredients — house-made pasta, premium Wood Farms steaks, and fresh seafood form the core of what comes out of the kitchen. The Bolognese, made with house-made egg pasta, beef and pork ragù, and two-year aged Parmigiano Reggiano, is a straightforward example of that approach: classical in structure, precise in sourcing. The Cioppino and Arrabbiata — the latter built on house-made Triangle Trenne with San Marzano tomatoes and fresh ricotta — show the same care across the seafood and pasta sections of the menu.

General Manager Brandon Pavey came to hospitality by an unconventional route, moving from the Indiana Army National Guard and a degree in Energy Technology into restaurant operations. He now oversees daily service at Amoré with a focus on team development and consistent guest experience — something the Surack family describes as "always doing the right thing."

Lunch, Dinner, and Private Occasions

The restaurant serves lunch and dinner through the week, making it as suitable for a midday client meeting as for an anniversary dinner. The lunch menu brings together Italian favorites, steaks, and seafood in an upscale but accessible setting — quick without being rushed.

For private events, Amoré offers a dedicated private dining room with customizable menus and dedicated service, used regularly for corporate dinners, family celebrations, and intimate gatherings. The cocktail bar runs a full Italian-leaning program — Aperol and Limoncello spritzes alongside a Classic Negroni, Boulevardier, and a range of house originals — rounding out an evening that can begin at the bar and move comfortably to the table.