The name “Ilo” is a tribute to owner Zack Close’s mother.
NORFOLK, Va. — Norfolk native Zack Close jumped at the opportunity to open his own restaurant in the historic Freemason neighborhood. Now, Ilo Bistro is quickly becoming a local favorite.
“Yeah, a lot of people say ee-lo,” Close said with a laugh. “I kind of knew that was going to happen, but it is Ilo.”
Close, who co-owns the restaurant with his wife, named it after his mother, Irene.
“Ilo is actually a nickname that a couple of my parents’ friends call my mom,” he said. “So [it’s] a little tribute to [her].”
Close attended culinary school at Manhattan’s French Culinary Institute. He lived and worked in New York City for nearly a decade, but returned to Hampton Roads in 2019. Until 2024, he lead the kitchen at Norfolk’s Glass Light Hotel & Gallery. Now, the New York–trained chef blends American cuisine with French and Mediterranean influences at his own spot.
“My mom’s side of the family is Greek,” Close said. “So doing a little bit of my Greek heritage along with my classical French training.”
When 13News Now visited Ilo, the first dish on the menu was grilled chicken. Close said he knows many people skip over chicken when eating out, but he’s set out to change that.
“I wanted to create a chicken that when people try it, they’re like, ‘OK, I probably can’t do this at home, and this is pretty good chicken,’” he said. He was right. We couldn’t make it at home.
The menu also features loukoumades, a savory Greek donut topped with prosciutto. Our meal was topped off with grilled calamari and date cake for dessert.
After years of working in other people’s restaurants, Close said he enjoys finding inspiration for and developing his own menu.
“It could be a certain flavor profile I want to work on or one ingredient I know is coming in and then I just kind of build from there,” he said. “I get inspiration from a lot of different places, but it usually starts with something simple.”
Ilo Bistro also has full bar, complete with signature cocktails.
At the end of each meal, guests receive a postcard featuring a painting of Ilo on the front. Each guest can mail it from the restaurant before leaving.
Ilo Bistro is on Botetourt Street and is open every day except Sunday.
This piece is part of 13News Now’s weekly Friday Flavor segment. If you have an idea of where Marta Berglund should visit next, send her an email at mberglund@13newsnow.com or message her on social media.
Dining and Cooking