Piccolo Sogno

Tony Priolo, the longtime exec chef at Tuscan-flaired Coco Pazzo, has partnered with wine specialist Ciro Longobardo to open Piccolo Sogno (“little dream”) in the former Timo/Thyme address in River West. Priolo's menu features reasonably priced Italian fare with dishes from multiple regions (Priolo trained in Tuscany and Longobardo hails from Naples). Look for choices such as traditional wood-fired white pizza with arugula, mozzarella and Parmigiano-Reggiano; slow-roasted pork seasoned with fennel and herbs; and straw and hay ribbon pasta with veal ragu. The rehabbed restaurant now features Venetian plastered walls, terrazzo floors, an Italian marble bar and glass chandeliers from Murano. They’re keeping the secluded, well landscaped patio with great views of the Loop skyline but adding some upgrades, including glass doors between the dining room and the patio to help bring the alfreco vibe inside.