James Beard Award-winning chef Sarah Grueneberg is opening her second restaurant in Chicago, marking a significant expansion for the team behind the nationally-acclaimed Monteverde. Trattoria Lo So will debut in early 2027 at 2048 W Armitage in Bucktown, led by Executive Chef Bailey Sullivan, a 2026 James Beard Award Emerging Chef finalist. The name translates literally to "the trattoria I know," reflecting Grueneberg's take on the traditional Italian eatery.
Menu and Cooking Sullivan will oversee a menu centered on robata-style grilled meats, seafood, and vegetables, fresh pastas from a wood-fired oven, and imported dried pasta from Mancini Pastificio Agricolo. The kitchen will emphasize the "pasta marriage ceremony," the Italian tradition of finishing pasta in sauce. The beverage program will feature small-producer wines, spirits, and amari from Italy and the U.S.
Design and Ambiance Studio K Creative Principal Karen Herold, Grueneberg's longtime collaborator, designed the 120-seat space with varied seating options: a 17-seat bar with a custom skylight, Bolognese-style café tables, and a fireplace. The main dining room overlooks the open kitchen and live-fire oven, framed by an arched doorway inspired by traditional Italian architecture. Like Monteverde, Lo So will feature a custom-built batteria—a set of wood barrels used to age balsamic vinegar—created in partnership with traditional producer Andrea Bezzecchi. The restaurant will also rotate works by local Chicago artists throughout the space.
Why It Matters
The opening signals Chicago's continued strength as a destination for chef-driven Italian dining, with Grueneberg and Sullivan's focus on authentic imports and live-fire technique positioning Lo So as a response to growing operator and diner interest in elevated, ingredient-forward Italian trattoria concepts.
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Written by FBM Publications Editors
