Monteverde's Opening Night Brings Sarah Grueneberg's 'Soulful' Italian Food to West Loop
by Daniel Gerzina "Cooking with a traditional heart and a modern hand." That's the phrase that chef Sarah Grueneberg and her team constantly reiterate, a question that they ask of themselves about every dish they present, dishes that Grueneberg says she "cooks from a soulful place." It's what they hope will be recognizable to everyone who...
Chesterland chef Loretta Paganini takes Christmas dinner menu from her native Italy
By Debbi Snook While our Thanksgiving dinners are trussed up in American traditions, Christmas leaves a little wiggle room for overseas adventure. If you aren't already wedded to your usual ham, fish or another turkey, anything goes – as long as it sparkles. Add an ethnic twist – let's say Italian – and you can plunge into the col...
Monteverde brings taste of Italy to West Loop with homemade pasta
There are dozens of Italian restaurants in Chicago, but only a small percentage go that extra mile and make all of their pastas in-house from scratch. A new restaurant in the West Loop is committed to hand-making everything, including one pasta dish that has become a personal favorite. When Sarah Grueneberg left Spiaggia, she took wit...
Gelsosomo's: A Region institution with a well-deserved loyal following
Growing up in Roseland, a South Chicago Italian neighborhood, Tom Gelsosomo enjoyed the meals prepared by his Italian family so much that after spending time working in the food industry he decided to open up his own restaurant serving many of the dishes he remembered so well from his youth. Choosing an Italian restaurant in the growing co...
Dolce Italian of Miami coming to Godfrey Hotel
New York-based LDV Hospitality, in partnership with Chicago-based Oxford Capital Group and Quadrum Global, which has a Miami office, are opening an Italian restaurant in the Godfrey Hotel Chicago. Dolce Italian is slated to open in late spring at the Godfrey on Huron and LaSalle streets in River North. Dolce, which has locations in Mi...
Arturo’s stays true to Italian roots
Local northwest Ohio pizza places must remain competitive because of the seemingly unlimited supply of pizza chains. Each place must promise fresh ingredients, signature recipes, and appealing menus, and deliver on those promises. They must continue to attract a customer base at the right price. Arturo's Pizza Kitchen opened in Northwood i...
Wisconsin's taste of Italy
Dennis Elert has made his own pasta and pizza sauce for years, usually on weekends or at other times when his job as a commercial welder would allow. Elert, 60, no longer peers through the dark glass of a welder's helmet. Instead, his days are spent on the road delivering, marketing and urging others to taste what he's been ladling over sp...
Portillo's future in the hands of Boston buyout firm
Portillo's Chicago-style hot dogs and Italian beef have whet the appetite of Boston-based buyers who are eager to introduce the local favorites to more diners nationwide. The company confirmed Tuesday that Berkshire Partners is investing in Dick Portillo's eponymous chain, two months after its 74-year-old founder announced he was consideri...
Ciao! Viva Maria is Ada’s own Little Italy
It might be a long way from Sicily, but the owners of Viva Maria have introduced a little slice of Italy to northwestern Ohio. Walking inside the darkened restaurant, one is greeted by strings of overhead lights, flower vases placed on makeshift balconies and soft, moody music — all meant to evoke the feeling of strolling a quiet Italian stree...
La Storia Will Open in the Gold Coast Next Month
by Penny Pollack and Graham Meyer After a few months of delays, ownership now plans to open the book on La Storia (1154 N. Dearborn St., no phone yet), Ideology Entertainment's upcoming Italian restaurant, in mid-April. The address may say 1154, but the restaurant also occupies the first floor of 1156. Customers enter at 1154 into...
Eataly Chicago to Open Pop-Up Truffle Restaurant
Eataly Chicago will open Il Tartufo, an Eataly pop-up truffle restaurant in collaboration with Urbani, Italy's leading truffle purveyor, on Friday, November 6. "While truffles are traditionally viewed as a luxury item, at Eataly, we feel that truffles are something to be enjoyed by everyone," says restaurant general manager Malory Scordato. &...
Q&A with Laura T. Wilson of La Dolce Vita
This month, we sat down with Laura T. Wilson, chef and restaurant owner. Laura told us all about her professional training, how her European experiences influence her food, and shares a recipe for her Perfect Red Sauce. Read on for more about Laura and all that La Dolce Vita has to offer! 1. We know from your bio that you're a trained chef from Le...