Fra Noi Embrace Your Inner Italian
The fourth-generation owners of Italian Village Restaurants, a nearly century-old mainstay in downtown Chicago, launched their new dining concept, Sotto, in the basement of the restaurant at 71 W. Monroe St. The eatery has an “elevated menu and relaxed vibe that owners hope will attract a younger crowd,” Block Club Chicago reported.
Started by immigrant Alfredo Capitanini in 1927, Italian Village has become a Chicago staple, serving classics such as chicken piccata, cannelloni, lasagna and more. It is now run by siblings Jonathan and Giovanna Capitanini, both in their 20s, who led the renovations of the basement that used to house La Cantina Enoteca, which closed during the pandemic.
The new concept includes Bar Sotto, which offers an intimate setting for small bites such as Italian meatballs and cacio e pepe arancini. Past Bar Sotto, a yellow glowing sign now leads diners to the Sotto dining room. There, customers can enjoy Italian-American comfort fare with touches of Japanese, French and Scandinavian cuisines, all from Chef Steve Mendez.
Diners can order dishes like pasta alla Norma with basil rigatoni, tomato, guanciale, eggplant, pecorino and basil; lamb Bolognese bianco with beet mafaldine, winter root vegetables and lots of aromatics; black-garlic pappardelle with roasted mushrooms, truffle, shoyu and pine nuts; and smoked sweet-potato tortellini with beets, kielbasa, dill mascarpone and pork jus. For more, click here.
