Photography by Jeff Schear
Restaurants in Chicago are constantly changing. From hot new openings, to updated concepts, to pop-ups and food trucks, there is always a new place to try. But when a restaurant really does it right, they last beyond that initial hype. They thrive for years in our wonderful food city, thanks to amazing meals, personal customer service, and a welcoming atmosphere. No restaurant is a better example of this than Italian Village {71 West Monroe Street, Chicago; 312.332.7005}. Since it’s opening 90 years ago, the location has expanded to include three restaurants (The Village, Vivere, and La Cantina), but the delicious dining has never wavered. It remains a family business, now led by President and third-generation Owner, Gina Capitanini. She gave us an insight into the restaurant’s history of taste, plus what to order this holiday season…
Frank and Gina Capitanini
DiningOut: 90 years! To what do you credit your success?
Gina Capitanini: We attribute our continued success to our focus on hospitality, as guests are treated like family. We also strive to stay true to our culinary traditions, while keeping up with the latest trends in Italian cuisine and our customers’ evolving needs. Unlike many owners, I aim to be on the floor as much as possible, interacting with guests and ensuring exceptional service. I am also extremely hands-on when it comes to the guest experience and hiring, as my team is a representation of myself, my family, and our core values that were established 90 years ago.
How has Chicago and the food world changed?
Chicago truly has become a restaurant town. Years ago, we didn’t have hotels or residences in the Central Loop. When we started, we were one of the only restaurants. Now, locals and visitors have endless dining options. With new restaurants opening on a regular basis, it’s important to keep people coming back to celebrate and make memories with us. We have been around for 90 years, and hope to stay open for 90 more by treating our guests and staff like family, staying true to our brand and upholding the Capitanini family’s legacy.
How has the restaurant’s approach changed during that time?
With technology, the restaurant industry has changed tremendously, from online reservations to carry out orders. Guests have way more information available to them now. When I started working for my father, servers made deliveries by foot to a small radius of the Loop. Now, we use tablets for delivery, OpenTable for reservations, and a micro system to assist with menu development. Adopting new technologies has been a key to staying relevant in the evolving dining scene, although we still greatly value human interaction.
Are there any menu items that have been on the menu for all 90 years?
Menu items such as Spaghetti with Meatballs, Italian Sausage, Manicotti, and Cannelloni were on our original menu at The Village. At Vivere, our Agnolotti di Fagiano (small pillow shaped homemade pheasant filled pasta, butter, sage, Parmesan-Reggiano) has been on our menu since 1990 for a reason.
What can we expect from Italian Village during the holidays?
During the holidays, each restaurant is clad in festive décor. We also offer food and drink specials from the Feast of the Seven Fishes and Manzo di Braciole (Prosciutto-stuffed Beef), to Chocolate Martinis and Spiked Italian Cider. The Italian Village is a holiday tradition for many families, and we always try to go above-and-beyond to make our guests feel at home during the holidays and throughout the year.
Interview by Kaleigh Glaza, Online Editor
The post 90 Years of Dining with The Italian Village appeared first on DiningOut Chicago.