On a beautiful but chilly May Monday evening, the flames in the outdoor heaters are ablaze on the patio at Viaggio in Highland Park. Inside, Lori Slavin, wife of co-owner Larry, works the room, greeting diners and taking the occasional order. “Something I haven’t done in 40 years,” she jokes.

Opened on May 1, Viaggio is the sister restaurant to the original location on Madison Avenue blocks from the United Center. It occupies Merlo’s former space on Roger Williams Avenue. Slavin, a trader for 25 years, befriended Viaggio’s owner, and upon his retirement almost six years ago, bought the place.