Formento's Brings Italian-American Classics to the West Loop

On January 14, 2015, Formento's, an Italian-American heritage restaurant, opened in Chicago's West Loop neighborhood. Located at 925 W. Randolph Street, the new 8,000-square foot restaurant's menu will feature classic Italian and Italian-American fare grounded in tradition, and will offer a world class wine list and classic cocktail program. The restaurant will seat approximately 130 patrons and will be open for dinner daily, starting at 4:30 p.m.

Overseeing the menu will be executive chef Tony Quartaro. No stranger to the kitchen, Quartaro began his career on the West Coast, first at San Francisco's Nopa, before acting as sous chef at the acclaimed A16. Following his time out west, Quartaro made the move to the East Coast, spending time as chef de cuisine at Fedora in NYC. It was in Chicago after joining the B. Hospitality Co. team that Quartaro was able to fully realize his passion for whole-animal butchery and pasta making as the chef de cuisine at The Bristol. After a year at The Bristol, Quartaro was given the opportunity to move over to its sister restaurant, Balena where he most recently held the position as sous chef. Now as executive chef of Formento's, Quartaro's menu will continue to leverage his Italian roots, many of which he grew up eating with his family.

Formento's menu will focus on familiar, cherished cuisine in an elevated finer dining establishment. Menu highlights include: Italian Wedding Soup, Anitpasta Salad and Chicken Vesuvio. Pastry Chef Sarah Koechling will be taking the lead on all things sweet. At Formento's, Koechling will be showcasing her refined baking skills highlighting classic Italian desserts including Tutti Frutti Spumoni, Chocolate Cake and Baked Alaska.

In addition to an extensive food menu featuring over 50 items, Formento's will showcase a comprehensive wine program. Wine Director Steve Morgan will oversee the list of 120 varietals, predominantly highlighting wines from Italian regions. Previously with three-Michelin starred restaurant Alinea, Morgan's wine program at Formento's will be based on the same ideal of personal service that the Italian-American community practiced in the 1950s; bringing their best product forward to their guests for everyone to enjoy. In addition to the 600 plus wine list, Formento's will also offer 30 plus wines by the glass.