Former 312 Chicago chef Dean Zanella returns to action Thursday with the opening of his Aldino's, in the former Caffe La Scala space in the UIC Hospital District/Little Italy. Zanella has partnered on Aldino's with Scott Harris, who is seemingly opening restaurants everywhere these days. With a big assist from Chef de Cuisine Ray Stanis (Blackbird, Avec, Osteria di Tramonto), Zanella will be serving a menu of local and seasonally-driven Italian fare. Not content to open just a restaurant, Zanella will also be opening a companion market to Aldino's in a couple weeks. more ›

Now that Luca Corazzina has settled into the kitchen at 312 Chicago, the native of Padova, Italy has decided to teach some lucky people the recipes ad secrets his mother taught him. more ›

Re-opening tomorrow is Club Lago (331 W. Superior, 312-951-2849). The 60-year-old River North Italian mainstay has been closed since March after your standard "chimney from another building crumbles and destroys the kitchen" accident. Not content to simply rebuild the kitchen, owners GianCarlo and Guido Nardini did a whole overhaul of the restaurant. more ›

We're certain this is on Pasquale's short list. Opening Wednesday in Pilsen is Ristorante Al Teatro, an Italian restaurant in the neighborhood's legendary Thalia Hall. Thalia Hall was built by Pilsen's original Bohemian settlers in 1892 and incorporated retail space in order to support the hall's theatrical programming. more ›