Chef/owner Tony Priolo was blunt about the prospects of Nonnina, one of his three restaurants (Piccolo Sogno and Maillard Tavern are the others). “We were overextended, and about to lose Nonnina,” he said. “But then Friedman Properties stepped in and said, 'Let’s figure out a way to save it.”

Thus began a creative joint venture between Priolo’s company and his landlord, Friedman Properties (which has extensive River North holdings). As a result, Nonnina not only remains open, but also has been able to retool and revamp in a way to increase its chances of long-term survival.