Chicago’s oldest Italian restaurant is opening a basement eatery with an elevated menu and relaxed vibe that owners hope will attract a younger crowd. Sotto opens Thursday in the basement of the sprawling Italian Village Restaurant, 71 W. Monroe St., following an extensive makeover. It replaces La Cantina Enoteca, one of the restaurant’s three dining concepts that closed during the pandemic.

Located in the heart of the Loop, Italian Village has been in business since 1927. Started by Italian immigrant Alfredo Capitanini, the restaurant has become a Chicago staple serving Italian classics such as chicken piccata, cannelloni, lasagna and more. Italian Village is now run by fourth-generation siblings Jonathan and Giovanni Capitanini, who will officially open Sotto Thursday following the launch of Bar Sotto last fall.