More details on Bar Lupo, 'Italian pub' opening soon in River North
In a city famous for its Irish and American pubs, restaurateur Brian O'Connor is adding something new to the mix: Bar Lupo, a self-dubbed Italian pub coming soon to River North. Italian pub? O'Connor, formerly a managing partner at steakhouse Maple & Ash, explains it this way: "When you travel to Italy, it's not a theme park of tourist...
Before Chicago’s Eataly opens next week, feast on some photos of the original
At long last, it's almost time to Eataly.My hunger for Chicago's outpost of the Italian original has grown from a gentle rumbling of the stomach to full-blown pangs. I've loitered outside Eataly's new home, the former ESPN Zone at 43 E. Ohio, like a dog waiting for scraps. As construction crews entered and exited, I've tried stealing peeks at what'...
Formento’s Will Open Wednesday in the West Loop
Say ciao: Italian-American throwback Formento's (925 W. Randolph St., West Loop, 312-690-7295) officially starts serving Wednesday evening, which means modernized twists on red-sauce classics such as rigatoni alla vodka, tuna tetrazzini, and canestri with Sunday gravy for all. The massive spot (seriously–multiple dining rooms, a bar area,...
35 Italian wines? Yes, please
There's an old Italian proverb that reads: Un buon vino, un buon uomo e una bella donna dura poco. (literally translated: A good wine, a good man and a good woman don't last long) Ultimately, if you're American, it's a fancy way of saying "every good thing comes to an end" – which is one of those statements that's both sad and true. And for me...
Piccolo Sogno Partners to Open Nonnina in Chicago’s River North
From the talented team behind Chicago's acclaimed Piccolo Sogno comes Nonnina, a new Italian restaurant in Chicago's River North neighborhood featuring classic and modernized takes on beloved family recipes. As growing restaurateurs, Partners Tony Priolo and Ciro Longobardo enter an exciting new chapter bringing in Executive Chef/Partner C...
Fresco Italian Café on the Canal is a taste of ‘la dolce vita’ Downtown
On a sunny afternoon, the Canal Walk at Michigan Street Downtown feels more like Italy than Indianapolis. Two shiny, black gondolas sporting red brocade cushions stand docked by a sidewalk cafe, where waiters deliver Caprese salads and espressos. The gondolier sits among diners, his red-and-white-striped T-shirt as bright as a happy "Buon...
City, Dane County considering Bellini Italian Restaurant site for homeless day center
The city and Dane County are considering a historic former church that now houses an Italian restaurant three blocks from Capitol Square for a long-sought homeless day shelter, officials confirmed on Wednesday. City and county officials have already done a "walk through" of the Bellini Italian Restaurant and the county is conducting a feas...
Chicago Italian Beef: America's best regional food?
by Megy Karydes Make no mistake, Chicagoans love their beef. Perhaps it's because Chicago's food ways have a brawnier feel to them, owing at least in part to the city's former glory as the center of the meatpacking world. While you won't find one in Italy, why do men and women travel for miles to enjoy an Italian beef sandwich in...
Sodikoff's Cocello to Become Daytime-Focused Italian Bakery and Coffee Shop
by Daniel Gerzina There will be some more changes at Cocello very soon. Brendan Sodikoff's Italian reconcept of Dillman's that opened last year in River North will discontinue reservations (the last date available is June 6, according to OpenTable) and close for a few days at a very soon but undetermined date in order to become an Italian...
Steven's Restaurant Corner: Rocco Vino's in Carol Stream - Italian Food Par Excellence!
By Steven Krage There is nothing better in this lifetime than incredibly good Italian comfort food. Happily, Rocco Vino's in Carol Stream more than fits the bill! Arriving at 5pm, I was greeted by a friendly staff but not "overly" friendly, if you get my drift. The people who work there are humble and brilliant at their craft. My father a...
Piada Italian Street Food to open Friday in Rocky River
By Barb Galbincea Piada Italian Street Food -- featuring fast, casual dining -- opens Friday in Rocky River. It's the first suburban location on the west side of Cleveland for the chain, which got its start in 2010 in Columbus. The first 100 guests at the Rocky River restaurant will get a free Piada entree once a week for a year....
A certified Neapolitan pizza delight at Venturi
by Jeff Harrell It's certified. As Logan Miller runs down lunchtime specials of the day, a swagger appears in his voice when he gets to the reason that separates Venturi pizza from every other pizza in the state of Indiana. "We serve certified Neapolitan pizza," Miller, the Goshen gourmet pizzeria's front-of-house manager, says about ope...