A local gelato maker who earned acclaim at last year’s Chicago Gourmet plans to open an Italian restaurant near Eataly. Michael and Mary Meranda expect Sapori Antichi Bar Italiano to open sometime in October inside the former Rev Burger space at 22 W. Ohio St. The Merandas run Gelato D'Oro in suburban Addison and their gelato won first place at the Gelato World Tour’s Illinois Challenge held last year at Chicago Gourmet.
Michael Meranda’s family is from southern Italy, and customers won’t find Fettuccine Alfredo at his restaurant. “I want to give my guests an authentic Italian-style experience,” he said.
His restaurant will serve lunch and dinner. Fresh pastas, panini, and salads will be included on a changing menu. Diners can grab an appetizer or have a full meal — it’ll have 10 different types of bruschetta, Cicchetti (Venetian small snacks) will be featured prominently, including tigelle modena (bread discs eaten with charcuterie or Nutella). The restaurant will also feature a sidewalk cafe.
Also expect a coffee bar serving drinks made with beans roasted on premises. Fresh-baked pastries will accompany the beverages, as Meranda said “no frilly drinks.”
Don’t forget about the gelato, as seven flavors will be available in a fancy display case. The technology will allow customers to watch him instantly freeze gelato. “Anyone who appreciates gelato and frozen desserts will really appreciate watching the process,” Meranda said.
Meranda also said his gelato is handmade and crafted with more care than surrounding options. He touts a Madagascar vanilla that’s pure white with a few specs of vanilla bean. He plans to close his Addison shop at the end of the summer to concentrate on the new Chicago restaurant. The suburban spot opened in 2014, and it grew out of a catering business.
Meranda promises he will start a “gelato revolution” in Chicago. Given the long lines for gelato over at Eataly, there shouldn’t be a shortage of customers in the summer. Check back for more updates in the coming months.