Husband-and-wife duo behind The Graceful Ordinary, Executive Chef Chris Curren and Megan Curren have just signed a lease on the 3,200 sq ft building located at 7 S. Broadway in Downtown Aurora, the former home of a local art studio, where they plan to open Vicolo, an European-inspired cafe and pasticceria in early 2025. The concept will be an all-day restaurant that will transition from an European café into a restaurant in the evening. In addition to a full renovation, the team plans to upgrade the property’s adjacent small park, known as “Skinny Park”, into an outdoor seating area and “piazza” for al fresco dining.
During the day, Vicolo will offer an array of rustic Italian dishes and freshly baked pastries, with a to-go menu of handmade pasta dishes available for the on-the-go downtown residents. The Currens envision the daytime café as a community hub hosting activities like Italian movie screenings, live music performances, and kid-friendly acts. As the sun sets, Vicolo will transform into a restaurant, with a craft cocktail menu that complements the locally sourced dinner offerings.
This growth marks the opportunity for Chris and Megan Curren to announce O&D Hospitality, named after their children Oliver and Delilah.
“We hold this region near and dear to our hearts, because we understand what makes it so special to begin with,” says Megan Curren. “This is the area where I grew up, where Chris and I are choosing to raise our children. With O&D Hospitality, we have no plans to rewrite the beloved stories of these neighborhoods, but rather bring thoughtful hospitality concepts that are created to serve the local community for a long time coming.”
Husband-and-wife duo behind The Graceful Ordinary, Executive Chef Chris Curren and Megan Curren have just signed a lease on the 3,200 sq ft building located at 7 S. Broadway in Downtown Aurora, the former home of a local art studio, where they plan to open Vicolo, an European-inspired cafe and pasticceria in early 2025. The concept will be an all-day restaurant that will transition from an European café into a restaurant in the evening. In addition to a full renovation, the team plans to upgrade the property’s adjacent small park, known as “Skinny Park”, into an outdoor seating area and “piazza” for al fresco dining.
During the day, Vicolo will offer an array of rustic Italian dishes and freshly baked pastries, with a to-go menu of handmade pasta dishes available for the on-the-go downtown residents. The Currens envision the daytime café as a community hub hosting activities like Italian movie screenings, live music performances, and kid-friendly acts. As the sun sets, Vicolo will transform into a restaurant, with a craft cocktail menu that complements the locally sourced dinner offerings.
This growth marks the opportunity for Chris and Megan Curren to announce O&D Hospitality, named after their children Oliver and Delilah.
“We hold this region near and dear to our hearts, because we understand what makes it so special to begin with,” says Megan Curren. “This is the area where I grew up, where Chris and I are choosing to raise our children. With O&D Hospitality, we have no plans to rewrite the beloved stories of these neighborhoods, but rather bring thoughtful hospitality concepts that are created to serve the local community for a long time coming.”
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