Dining

Café Pisolino, a new Italian espresso bar on the ground floor of Italian Village in downtown Chicago, opened in June. A venture of Italian Village Restaurants, Café Pisolino is part of a multilevel establishment that also houses The Village, Vivere, Sotto and Bar Sotto. “Café Pisolino is our way of reimagining how Italian Village can serve the city throughout the day,” said Jonathan Capitanini, president of Italian Village Restaurants. “As the Loop continues to evolve, we saw an opportunity to create something that feels both timeless and new, a place where people can step away, even briefly, and reconnect. It’s …

Ovvio Italian Taverna, which opened in December in Glenview, in suburban Chicago, features New York-style pizzas along with a Neapolitan-focused menu and a taste of central Italy and Italian-American-style influences, according to the Chicago Tribune. Formerly an abandoned automotive repair shop, the space has a contemporary feel with earthy wooden architectural details and warm, overhead open-light fixtures, the Tribune reports. “We draw food from different parts of Italy,” Ovvio co-owner Nick Philippas told the newspaper. “But our main focus was creating a community place where you can bring your kids, you can come in for a drink, you can do …

Strapoli Pizza, deemed “excellent” by the Italian review site 50 Top Pizza, now has two locations in Chicago. The pizzeria debuted at 545 W. Diversey Parkway in 2023, followed by a second location earlier this year at 2054 W. Roscoe St. The original eatery has a fast-casual, BYOB style, while the new one is a sit-down restaurant. “The focus is on round pizzas with long-fermented dough, designed to be light and satisfying. The menu features a mix of classic recipes and more popular combinations, such as the Soppressata with hot honey or the Pistachina with pistachio pesto, fior di latte, …

JJ Vitale was named executive director of the Jacksonville, Florida-based American Culinary Federation, the largest professional association for culinarians and hospitality professionals in North America. Vitale had served as acting executive director since December 2025 after initially joining the nonprofit in September 2024 as director of communication strategy. She previously worked as director of communications and member relations for the National Association for Proton Therapy, marketing manager for the North Florida School of Special Education, director of marketing for the Ackerman Cancer Center, and PR and membership manager for the Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens. Founded in 1929, the American …

A small pizzeria in Galesburg, in central Illinois, made the list of “The Best Hole-In-The-Wall Pizza Joint in Every State” by The Takeout online publication. The pizzeria, named baked (with lowercase “b”), has a playful and creative approach featuring fun and innovative flavors, according to the review. “Inspired by Grandma’s kitchen, but anything but stuck in the past, this spot offers everything from classic pies to unexpected options, like goat cheese and herbs, or brisket with blue cheese. The crust leans bread-y, the ingredients are thoughtfully sourced and it’s perfection.”  

If you’re curious about the history of Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria, you can delve into the memoir “Deep Dish” by Marc Malnati, the founder’s son and chairman of the company. “Malnati reveals the inside story of a chaotic family dynamic, and the healing and ultimate success that could only come because of a loyal team with an unrivaled work ethic, a willingness to embrace personal growth and a faith that wouldn’t die,” publisher Agate Midway says. Malnati graduated from Indiana University with a business degree in management. Under his leadership, Malnati’s experienced tremendous growth, going from two pizzerias to 52 throughout …

The newest arrival on the gelato scene in the Chicago area is Gelati Biscoti, an all-volunteer gelato shop with “a mission to make every scoop count.” Gelati Biscoti opened in late April at 4014 Main St. in Skokie. Through the Something Truly Sweet Foundation, 100% of all sales are donated to the fight against food insecurity. Linda Z. Neiman, president of the Something Truly Sweet Foundation, is also the founder and president of Zelda’s Catering in Skokie. “In early 2020, COVID-19 changed everything,” Neiman writes on the Gelati Biscoti website. “Although Zelda’s Catering was designated an essential business, we found …

Mazala Pizza, which has two locations in Chicago and one in San Jose, California, recently opened a new location at 535 Fairway Drive in Naperville. Another location is planned later this year in Schaumburg. The word “mazala” derives from the fusion of the Hindi words masala (spices) and maza (fun), and symbolizes bold flavor and joy. The restaurant blends pizza with the rich flavors of Indian cuisine, offering something distinctive in the fast-casual space. Pizza choices include the Tikka (choice of paneer or chicken, tikka-masala base, chicken, green peppers, onions, cheese, garlic seasoning, moti sauce, cilantro-lime sauce); Butter Masala (tikka-masala …

Liz Lombardo Stark has been appointed chairwoman of the board of the Illinois Restaurant Association. Lombardo Stark is the director of marketing and public relations at Gibsons Restaurant Group, as well as a member of the family that owns and operates the group. GRG includes Gibsons Bar & Steakhouse, Hugo’s Frog Bar & Fish House, LUXBAR, Quartino Ristorante & Wine Bar, and Gibsons Italia. Born and raised in the Chicago area, Lombardo Stark was immersed in the hospitality industry at an early age. She has many fond memories from within the walls of her family-owned establishments, Gibsons and its predecessor, …

Chicago’s Milly’s Pizza in the Pan was one of only two U.S. pizzerias that made the cut for the 18 best pizzas globally, according to Time Out. Milly’s landed at No. 12 on Time Out’s list — a slight drop from its No. 11 spot in 2025. The eatery “is known for pan-style pies with crispy edges and thick, airy crusts. … Editors singled out Milly’s thick-crust Untitled #1 as a standout example of Chicago’s signature pizza style, saying it represents the pinnacle of the city’s most iconic dish, topped with cheese, tomato sauce, pepperoni and jalapeños,” Time Out reported. …