New Italian Restaurant Casati's Pizza Vino Opens In Lincoln Park

CHICAGO, IL — Chicago's newest Italian restaurant opened its doors Wednesday in Lincoln Park. Casati's Pizza Vino owner Stefano Casati and Chef Christian Fantoni said they are inspired by “the true way their Italian moms used to cook," but are also adding "twists to satisfy the modern palate."

Fantoni and Casati said they hope to change the way Chicagoans “eat and enjoy pizza" with the Pinsa Romana, which has become popular in Italy. Pinsa's dough uses a special blend of soy flour, rice flour, wheat flour and sourdough developed by famous Italian baker Corrado DiMarco in 2001. Its inspiration comes from the way bread used to be made before the invention of industrial yeast, and is similar to the flatbread the Ancient Romans ate. The blend and the process used to make the dough create a light, melt-in-your-mouth crust that is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. Casati and Fantoni said the Pinsa dough is healthier than typical pizza crust because it has fewer calories and none of the fat.

Representing the culinary traditions of Northern Italy and the Tuscan area near Florence, the restaurant will also offer pastas and entrees with meat and fish, salads, vegetarian options and small bites for the bar area. Menu highlights include Burrata & Pesche (buffalo milk burrata with grilled Michigan peaches, mint, Tuscan oil and Saba), Scott’s Cappellacci (handmade lobster ravioli with shrimp ragout, fennel, lobster broth, micro basil and lemon zest) and Pan Seared Organic Salmon (with roasted corn, oyster mushroom, and shallots.)

The dishes are all paired with Italian and Californian wines — from reserves to homemade brands.

The restaurant, at 444 West Fullerton Parkway, will start with dine-in service only, with the plan to add delivery in the near future.

Casati's Pizza Vino is open Sunday-Thursday, 4-10 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 4-11 p.m.

Images courtesy of Casati's Pizza Vino