For one week this month, Boka Restaurant Group will run a pop-up of Balena, a popular Italian restaurant in Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood that closed after a fire in 2017. The transient dining experience will run from Jan. 19-26 at The Wellsley, a private-event venue at 504 N. Wells St. in Chicago, Time Out reported. According to an official press release, Balena’s temporary iteration will feature “many iconic dishes cherished by guests,” including the Kale Tonnato Caesar Salad, Tagliolini Nero with Uni and Crab, Grilled Hanger Steak with Salsa Verde, and the signature tiramisu. ⁠The five-course, family-style meal will cost …

Crust Fund Pizza is “like a pizzeria, but it’s kind of mythical, and mostly exists in my head, except for when it exists in an alley a couple nights a month.” That’s how John Carruthers described to the Chicago Tribune the charitable pizza-making project he launched in 2020. The project had raised more than $80,000 by October and was expected to raise more than $100,000 by the end of 2024. “Crust Fund Pizza is a way to share the love of tavern-style pizza,” he said about his Chicago-style, thin-crust, square-cut pies. “And to shine a light on the places doing …

The Grand Lodge of Illinois/Wisconsin of the Order Sons and Daughters of Italy in America celebrated its 100th anniversary on Oct. 13 at the Silver Oaks Country Club. The event brought together members and friends to reflect on the century-long journey of an organization dedicated to preserving Italian heritage, promoting community service and supporting charitable causes. Since its founding in 1924, the Grand Lodge of Illinois/Wisconsin has had 20 distinguished leaders, each leaving a lasting impact on the organization and its mission. The centennial celebration honored those who have served in this prestigious role, and it also spotlighted the remarkable …

The Burgio Woman’s Club staged its second annual Ladies Night Out Cocktail Social on Sept. 19 at the Des Plaines Theater. Nearly 60 women turned out for the event, which was hosted by Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans President Ron Onesti. The organization announced its new name, the Society Burgio for Women, at the gathering. The change was made to make the organization more welcoming to women who may not be direct descendants from the town of Burgio, according to society president Ann Parisi. At the top of the program, Parisi thanked Onesti for his generosity. “Your hospitality and …

Attorney Isabella Mazzanti has joined the Chicago-based law firm of Romanucci & Blandin. Mazzanti earned her law degree from the University of Illinois Chicago School of Law and her undergraduate degree in communications from the University of Dubuque, Iowa. During law school, she helped Chicago residents through UIC Law’s Pro Bono Civil Litigation Clinic and clerked at several Chicago-area law firms before spending two years as a law clerk at Romanucci & Blandin. Mazzanti will concentrate her practice on cases involving sexual abuse, motor vehicle and traffic accidents, individuals suffering from workplace injuries, premises and product liabilities, birth injuries, and medical …

A new law sponsored by State Rep. Bob Rita would give local governments the power to make their own rules about drones flying over public spaces. “Whether it’s parents watching their child’s softball game, young swimmers in a competition, or people enjoying our trail system, everyone should be able to enjoy local parks without worrying about drones causing problems,” Rep. Rita said. “This legislation will allow park districts to regulate drone usage so that guests can feel safe and secure while enjoying public spaces.”  

With fewer migrants being sent to Illinois and shelter populations now declining, State Rep. Anthony DeLuca is calling on the legislature to redirect funding intended for migrant issues toward direct property-tax relief payments for qualified homeowners in the south suburbs. DeLuca’s House Bill 5913 would redirect unspent state budget dollars intended for migrant issues toward a one-time property-tax rebate for low- and moderate-income homeowners. The rebate would be available for those who live in Bloom, Calumet, Rich, Thornton or Bremen Townships in Cook County. “Homeowners are rightfully frustrated by skyrocketing property taxes, and they expect the state to intervene and …

Nando Milano Trattoria in Champaign, Illinois, was the only Italian restaurant named among the “Best in Central Illinois” by Eater Chicago. “Guests can expect to pay $100 per person for dinner before drinks and tip, and yes, lest you think your eyes deceive you, that is a $600 bottle of wine on the list,” Eater writes. However, the high prices are not a deterrent to the restaurant’s popularity in town. Chef-owner Alessio Vullo, who first opened Nando Milano in Chicago, launched the second location after moving with his wife, who embarked on her medical internship in Champaign. Appetizers include beef, …

Celebrity chef Fabio Viviani opened his new restaurant, Giostra, in October in suburban Chicago’s South Barrington. Located in The Arboretum shopping center, the restaurant is named after the carousel that anchors Piazza della Repubblica in Viviani’s hometown of Florence, Italy, the Daily Herald reported. Giostra’s menu centers around classic Italian dishes crafted from recipes passed down from Viviani’s mother and grandmother, blending tradition with fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Viviani, who lives in Barrington Hills, also co-launched Jars, a gourmet-dessert franchise, and Lago Italian in Lake Zurich. For more, click here.

The owners of Il Girasole Trattoria, which opened in July in Chicago, may be from Mexico but have extensive experience and deep appreciation for Italian cuisine. The restaurant at 2700 N. Western Ave. is owned by Christian Hernandez and Rodolfo Hernandez (no relation) and aims to serve “high-quality, northern Italian comfort food,” Block Club Chicago reported. Christian Hernandez and his family spent more than 20 years working front of house at Italian restaurants in Chicago, including Piccolo Sogno and Riccardo Trattoria in Lincoln Park. Chef Rodolfo Hernandez has been cooking in Italian restaurants for 34 years, including at Riccardo’s. Christian …