Since the 1950s, fine Italian food has been served in a quaint house-style restaurant located in Galloway, New Jersey. Over the decades, the establishment hosted Tre Figlio, Assiago’s, and in keeping with the Italian cuisine pattern — Vive Bene opening in September of 2025.
Like its predecessors, Vive Bene focuses on serving fine food while keeping the history of 500 White Horse Pike alive. Nati Silva, Bene Vive’s General Manager, sums up their philosophy, “The concept for Vive Bene was born from a desire to create a true scratch kitchen where everything is prepared fresh for guests each day. The goal was simple - serve authentic Italian-inspired dishes made with care and create a welcoming environment where people can gather, celebrate, and feel at home.”
What’s in a Name?
In Italian, vive bene means “lives well.” You often hear it used in the expression, Chi mangia bene, vive bene — “He who eats well, lives well.” No surprise since equating good food to good times, health, and happiness seems to be part of Italian DNA — mangia, mangia! Vive Bene takes the words and meaning of the restaurant quite seriously. To them, it’s more than just a name. It’s a philosophy — if you cook fresh food and share it with others, you live well.
Once the name/goal was established, the next step was to search for a chef who could bring the vision of flavor and presentation to life. Enter on the set — Chef Sal Ferraro, a young, self-taught pizza maker whose roots trace back to Sicily. Chef Sal grew up immersed in Italian food culture. His father owned a pizzeria where he spent many summers in Sicily learning traditional cooking techniques and family recipes.
Silva explains, “Sal’s background and passion for authentic flavors helped shape the menu and culinary direction of Vive Bene.”
So, what makes Chef Ferraro and Vive Bene stand out as an Italian restaurant? Obviously, it’s the food and love of food. In addition, Silva feels that the staff — from chefs to servers - do their utmost to give the best service in hopes that they never disappoint a guest. Silva talks about the love and food marriage at Vive Bene, “We stand out with the love that shows in our service, and confidence that our food is fresh and tastes amazing, and people feel welcome from the time they walk in till the moment they leave.”
The Vive Bene Experience
Because of its decades of history, many guests return to Vive Bene who once dined at the previous restaurants in the building — creating a bridge between the past and present. Silva feels the team, some who were not even born when the original restaurants were operating, enjoy the connection. They love hearing longtime locals share stories about the restaurant’s earlier days.
Reopening the restaurant has brought new energy to the property’s history. Vive Bene hopes to write a new chapter by creating a unique experience, including weekend specials and warm, attentive service. In addition, the romantic candlelit tables create an ambiance that pairs well with all Vive Bene menu items. On weekends, enjoy a cocktail while listening to live piano music upstairs or at one of the two lively bars. And, to make the Italian experience complete, play a few rounds of bocce ball outside — three courts available!
Signature Dishes — Deliziosa
One of Vive Bene’s menu items that dates back to the Tre Figlio era is the Raviolo alla Carbonara — a house-made raviolo filled with egg yolk, ricotta, and pepper, finished with pecorino Romano sauce and pancetta. Other popular dishes include Arancini, Crispy Chicken Parmigiana, and a selection of house-made pastas. According to Silva, many guests have told her that the Braciole with Gnocchi al Pomodoro reminds them of their grandmother’s cooking — Nona approved!
For those with dietary restrictions, Vive Bene offers a variety of choices. For example, many appetizers and pasta dishes are vegetarian. Chef Ferraro gladly accommodates guests who avoid fish, eggs, or cheese. Options include dry pasta, seasonal vegetables, eggplant parmigiana, and seafood dishes.
To complete the meal, Vive Bene offers several desserts to please any sweet tooth. Created by Chef Grace, Vive Bene’s pastry chef, try one of the house pastries or an affogato — an Italian dessert made with a scoop of gelato topped with espresso, and your favorite liquor.
Vive Bene Events
Vive Bene aims to be more than just a restaurant. It’s designed to be a social and cultural gathering place. With that goal in mind, the restaurant offers regular events including wine pairing dinners, bourbon tastings, and a monthly Broadway-style cabaret sing-along on Mondays with Michael McCassy and his performers.
Once the winter weather thaws, Vive Bene will open their new outdoor entertainment space featuring outdoor dining and cocktail seating, live weekend music, wood-fired artisan pizza, and more. In addition, Vive Bene plans to open Sala Bolle, an outdoor lounge area serving spritzers and Italian-inspired cocktails along with a fun Italian outdoor fair. Silva emphasizes, “We want our outside to feel like you’re in an Italian garden type festival.”
Regardless of the season, outdoor or indoor dining, Vive Bene strives to please and share love as food and food as love. Their goal is quite simple: Eat well. Relax. Enjoy great company. And live well.
“Vive Bene.”
