As Italian Village Restaurants nears their 97th year in business, the new generation is putting as much love and hard work as ever into their business.

The siblings, Jonathan and Giovanna Capitanini, grew up in the restaurant and have seen how it has evolved over the years since they were little. Having taken the reins a few years ago, they are putting their time, energy and expertise into preserving, restoring and improving a place that Chicago has loved for almost a century.

Jonathan and Giovanna took Chicago’s Very Own Eats podcast hosts Kevin Powell and Michael Piff on a tour of The Village on the upper level and gave them a peek of Bar Sotto downstairs. Kevin and Michael sat down with Jonathan and Giovanna for a conversation and were also treated to several amazing dishes from The Village menu. They discussed the nine-decade longevity of their business, the staff that feels like family and is key to their success, the award-winning wine collection that is unlike anything you’ll see anywhere else, and so much more.

Because Chicago loves its food, Italian especially, Jonathan and Giovanna have put a strong focus on culinary excellence in both The Village and Bar Sotto. Kevin and Michael can attest to it after trying many of the dishes that you can see in the gallery below:

• The Italian Village restaurant complex is located at 71 W Monroe St. in Chicago. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• The legendary bar at The Village. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• The interior design and murals in The Village transport you all the way to northern Italy, where the Capitanini family is from. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• Jonathan and Giovanna Capitanini have put a ton of hard work into restoring and improving The Village experience. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• Every table and booth makes you feel like you are in an Italian village. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• The Capitaninis pay so much attention to detail into the space at The Village, and their other concepts within the complex. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• And now for lunch…Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• Classic fried calamari, which can also be ordered grilled with garlic, olive oil, oregano and paprika. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• One of the ‘House Specialty’ items, meatballs with marinara, parmesan and garlic toast. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• Beef Carpaccio, thinly sliced raw filet mignon, arugula, parmigiano-reggiano and EVOO. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• Giovanna’s favorite (and we now know why) Rigatoni di Franco, ground chicken thigh ragu, cherry tomatoes and basil. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• The House Specialty lasagna with meat sauce, bechamel and parmesan. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• Chicen Piccata, grilled chicken breasts, mushrooms, marsala wine and linguine. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• Legend has it, Italian Village is the first restaurant to serve Chicken Vesuvio. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• Salmon puttanesca, grilled Atlantic salmon, tomatoes, capers, olives, garlic, basil, white wine and sauteed spinach. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• The Capitaninis are “embracing the basement” with a new concept coming in the fall. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• Bar Sotto will have its own dedicated chef, kitchen and handmade pasta-making ‘theater.” The goal is to be the best basement bar in Chicago! Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• Giovanna and Jonathan Capitanini with staffers that have been a part of the Italian Village family for decades. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio

Follow Italian Village, The Village and Bar Sotto on Instagram. See more of the menu and make a reservation on the Italian Village website!

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