Nonna Silvia's Draws Fans To Park Ridge

Not every restaurant can say they've been featured on WGN's Chicago's Best. And not every restaurant can say they were among the best on Chicago's Best.

Steven Marti, owner of Nonna Silvia's Trattoria & Pizzeria in Park Ridge said the restaurant business runs in the family. After opening his doors in 2000, Brittney Payton of WGN's Chicago's Best came in to feature the restaurant in 2011.

"We really have our customers to thank for that," Marti said. "A lot of customers called in for us and we were videotaped. Brittney Payton was here, and she still comes here all the time. She went through some of our menu items.  

"It was all because of our customers pushing for it and for that we thank them," he added.

Nonna Silvia's is located at 1400 S. Canfield Ave. and serves authentic Italian food. Marti said he received training from his brother who went to culinary school and several chefs from Italy. Marti runs the restaurant with his cousin, he said. 

Marti, 38, also added that his restaurant was once again featured for the "Viewer's Choice" award for Chicago's Best in 2011. That means Nonna Silvia's was among the favorite restaurants featured on the show.

Marti, a Park Ridge resident since 2007, said he chose Park Ridge because "the place became available at the right place at the right time."

"We're family owned and operated," Marti said. "We grew up in the restaurant business. [When I was younger], I worked at my family's restaurant and learned pretty much everything. It guided us to open our own restaurant and taught me how to cook and the inner dealinga of a restaurant."

Marti said the restaurant's homemade pastas are the focal point of the restaurant.

"We have a lot of different varieties," he said. "By far I think that's [the dish] most people come in here for."

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