A powerhouse restaurant group that has recently opened some of the North Shore’s most acclaimed dining establishments will soon be bringing scenes from an Italian restaurant to downtown Highland Park — alongside a sizable serving of grant funding from the city. Highland Park’s City Council during its Monday, Jan. 29 meeting approved an economic inc...

It’s been another long day! I did a cooking segment on WGN TV this morning, which meant I had to prep it last night until about 2 a.m.! Yes, cooking segment! I prepared a recipe of what I call “Sunday Dinner Lasagna Rolls,” topped with my Bolognese Sauce. I gotta say, it was pretty darn good, for a rock ‘n roller! I would not call myself a chef, as...

Italian teacher Francesca Tinnirello Suraci says the key to being an effective educator is to let your passion show. “You have to show how passionate you are about something, through your energy and your love for the subject,” Suraci says. “Those are the teachers that made the most impact on me.” Her Italian high school teacher, Dorina Spiering, wa...

A new Italian restaurant in Oak Park is a labor of love for its Italian-born chef and owner. Ciro Parlato hails from Corbara, a town near the Amalfi Coast, and moved to the United States in 2012. He first settled in Miami Beach, Florida, without knowing a word of English. He started taking classes at an international school and fell in love with Oa...

When: February 16 2024, 18:00 (Local time) - Where: Italian Cultural Institute of Chicago On the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the death of Giacomo Puccini, the Italian Cultural Institute of Chicago presents an exclusive screening of the Italian opera La bohème, presented at Teatro alla Scala in Milano during the 2022/2023 lyric season. On t...

Chicago Lawyer Magazine presented its 2023 Person of the Year Award to Patrick A. Salvi II, the Chicago managing partner at the law firm of Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard. The honor is bestowed annually upon a newsmaker, trendsetter or legal leader, according to the publication’s managing editor, John McNally. Salvi’s efforts to finalize an overall se...

A strong sense of community is a defining feature of the American Italian Cultural Society, according to John Mauzer, who was sworn in as president of the Crest Hill-based social club in December. “Our membership is one big family dedicated to sharing our Italian culture, teaching traditions and preserving our heritage,” Mauzer explains. “2024 is g...

Scott Harris Hospitality has announced the debut of its fourth location of Davanti Enoteca, in the heart of a brand-new community in Lincolnwood. Located at 4436 W Touhy, Lincolnwood, IL 60712, this addition to the dining scene offers a wine bar and restaurant serving contemporary twists on rustic Italian cuisine.  Nestled within District 1860, a c...

United Airlines will resume its Chicago-Rome route earlier than previously planned in 2024, starting flights on March 7. Previously, the airline planned to restart flights on March 30. Another early restartThough winter craziness is just beginning, and Chicago just received its first snow of the season, United Airlines, among others, is planning fo...

Stefani Restaurant Group is opening its newest concept Stefani’s Bottega Italiana on January 30. Located at 6075 N. Milwaukee Avenue, the specialty quick-service Italian shop and pasta lab will feature authentic pasta dishes, Roman pizza, and Italian (schiacciata) sandwiches, as well as take-home items like fresh handmade and house made pasta and s...