Chicago - July 16, 2008

Dream On

Piccolo Sogno Opens

And just when your bank teller asks you to try on his glasses, your boss appears in a onesie.

Your dream life sucks.

Fresh, authentic food; rustic ambiance; Italian wines; a secluded outdoor patio.

Sound better? That’s precisely what chef Tony Priolo (Coco Pazzo) and Italian wine specialist Ciro Longobardo had in mind. Their River West restaurant, Piccolo Sogno (“little dream” in Italian), opens today.

Simplicity reigns: house-made breads, organic Northern Italian risotto grains, Mediterranean fish, San Marzano tomatoes, mozzarella from Naples.

The well-rounded menu includes heirloom tomato salad, crunchy pizzas, handmade spinach and ricotta gnocchi, and rosemary-marinated lamb T-bones.

The cocktails are seasonal as well: This month try the blood orange mimosa.

How’s that for a wake-up call?

Piccolo Sogno, 464 North Halsted Street, between West Grand Avenue and West Hubbard Street (312-421-0077 or piccolosognorestaurant.com).