This April, Ceres' Table will open in Chicago's bustling East Lakeview neighborhood at 3124 N. Broadway Ave. Chef Giuseppe Scurato, who introduced Ceres' Table in Chicago's Uptown neighborhood in 2009, has joined forces with All Day Hospitality's Caryn Struif, a Chicago restaurant veteran, to expand upon the successful concept that was previously named a Best New Restaurant in Chicago magazine and earned four consecutive Bib Gourmand awards from the esteemed Michelin Guide.

At the new and larger 100-seat location, Struif, operating partner and general manager, will tap into her vast experience to run front-of-house operations and, in collaboration with Chef Scurato, bring regional, Italian-inspired seasonal plates to the neighborhood at affordable prices.

"Giuseppe and I previously worked together for many years and share the same dedication to the quality of our food and establishing long-lasting relationships with our guests," Struif says. "When I came upon this location, I knew his talents would be a perfect match for Lakeview. With the larger space and our newly installed wood-burning oven, both long-time fans and new guests can experience an even wider range his Italian cooking!"

Regional, Italian-Inspired Seasonal Plates in the Heart of Lakeview

The neighborhood restaurant will feature regional, Italian-inspired seasonal plates that pay homage to Chef Scurato's Sicilian heritage with respect to the technique, process, and history of his native cuisine. In a reflection of the Italian lifestyle, Chef Scurato has forged meaningful connections with Midwestern farmers in the spirit of cooking with seasonal, local, and sustainable ingredients.

In the new, larger space, Chef Scurato will expand the menu to feature mostly new offerings, including homemade pizzas cooked to perfection in a newly installed wood-burning oven that sits at the heart of the restaurant. Guests will enjoy a range of pizzas including Funghi with fior di latte, basil, and wild mushroom and Sciacciata with cauliflower, saffron, caciocavallo, garlic, anchovies, and currants.

Chef Scurato's built-for-sharing menu will also feature Salumi (cured and dried meats), Formaggi (cheeses), Crudi (lightly marinated raw seafood and meats), Antipasti (salads and small plates), Paste (hand-made daily), Carni and Pesci (main courses of meat, fish and poultry), and weekly changing sides.

Pastry Chef Leticia Zenteno will create the restaurant's dessert menu to complement Chef Scurato's regional cooking style.

Salute! Vino & Cocktails at Ceres' Table

The Italian-focused wine list at Ceres' Table will showcase a sophisticated yet approachable variety, with more than 90 selections available by the bottle and 10 by the glass. With a focus on affordability, bottle prices start at $28 and average between $50 and $60 across the regionally comprehensive list, with well-known offerings such as Barolo, Barbera d'Alba, Nero d'Avola, and Pinot Grigio. Wine enthusiasts of all levels will also appreciate learning about and tasting lesser-known varietals like Kerner, Frapatto, Grignolino, and Nerello Mascalese. 

The craft cocktail program will highlight classics and house specialty cocktails including the Romeo on Broadway (a bracing sipper in the style of a Manhattan made with bonded rye whiskey with Zucca, Luxardo Amaro Abano, Punt e Mes, and orange bitters, garnished with a flamed orange peel) and the Ceres Spritzer (a refreshing aperitif made with Cocchi Americano, Cappelletti, and Prosecco, garnished with a slice of blood orange). House-made syrups are incorporated in a number of beverage offerings. Ceres' Table also offers a smart selection of after dinner wines, Amari, and a signature, house-made Limoncello.

A Look Inside the Lakeview Locale…

Chicago architect Jeremiah Johnson from CBD Architects saw a great deal of promise upon seeing the existing space, which allowed his team an opportunity to salvage certain finishes that spoke to the elegant simplicity of Chef Giuseppe's cooking style. 

Combining reclaimed wood with cool, earthy stone tiles delivers an authentic, familiar atmosphere to the restaurant, which calls to mind similarities to rustic Italian landscapes. The addition of new bronze light fixtures and gently shimmering wallpapers brightens and polishes the dining room without overwhelming the intimate space. 

Guests will also be able to gather comfortably in the seats surrounding the newly-installed pizza oven, including the 10-seat Vintner's Table. Weather permitting, Ceres' Table's vibrant 16-seat outdoor patio will offer guests the perfect spot to dine and imbibe al fresco on upon opening.

Ceres' Table kitchen will be open Monday through Thursday from 5-10 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 5-10:30 p.m. Pizza from the wood-burning oven as well as Salumi and Formaggi offerings will be available until close. Brunch service will begin this summer and will be available Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.