Fra Noi Embrace Your Inner Italian
Celebrity chef and entrepreneur Giada De Laurentiis has partnered with PENN Entertainment to open upscale restaurants at the future Hollywood Casino sites in Aurora and Joliet in suburban Chicago.
The new dining experiences will bring De Laurentiis’ signature fusion of classic Italian cuisine and modern California influence to Sorellina by Giada at the Joliet casino, expected to open later this year, and Sorella by Giada at the Aurora casino, expected to open in 2026. Each restaurant will have its own unique menu of pizza, pastas and more, according to a press release.
“I am thrilled to partner with PENN Entertainment to bring fresh restaurant concepts to their exciting new Chicagoland properties,” De Laurentiis said. “The two spaces are complementary but ultimately offer different aesthetics. Joliet’s Sorellina, meaning ‘little sister’ in Italian, will be light, young and casual. Aurora’s Sorella, meaning ‘sister’ in Italian, is more formal and refined. Both focus on using high-quality Italian ingredients to create a truly unforgettable culinary experience.”
De Laurentiis is an Emmy award-winning TV personality of several shows on Food Network and owns and operates three restaurants: two in Las Vegas and one in Scottsdale, Arizona. She has authored 11 cookbooks, including her most recent release, “Super Italian: More Than 110 Indulgent Recipes Using Italy’s Healthiest Foods.” Her background includes culinary training at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris.
