Allison Gallese

Partner and Director of Sales & Marketing

Allison Gallese is an Partner at Lettuce Entertain You Restaurants, overseeing marketing, private events, and catering sales for Osteria Via Stato, M Burger, Eiffel Tower Restaurant, Lettuce at Navy Pier, as well as Miru and Tre Dita, located in the St. Regis Chicago.

Allison’s career in hospitality began as a dishwasher at a small diner in her hometown of Bennington, Vermont. She continued in front-of-house roles through high school and while attending Syracuse University, before joining the opening management team at a steakhouse and raw bar in the Berkshires of Western Massachusetts.

Just two days after moving to Chicago in August 2006 to pursue a master’s degree in hospitality, Allison began working at Osteria Via Stato. The following year, she took over Osteria’s events and catering program and went on to lead the sales teams at several other concepts including TRU, Nacional 27, Intro, and Frankie’s Scaloppine. 

In 2016, she expanded her responsibilities to lead the marketing initiatives for twelve Lettuce brands including Everest, Eiffel Tower, M Burger, and Naoki. With over 25 years of experience in the restaurant business, Allison continues to channel her approach to hospitality, “The answer is yes. The question is how,” into everything she does.

Allison lives in the Andersonville neighborhood of Chicago with her husband Robert. She loves horseback riding, being outdoors, and exploring the world as much as possible.