Enter cibo matto via the dramatic glass and steel staircase from the restaurant’s ground floor, where a variety of exceptional dining experiences await. Enjoy small bites and a glass or two of wine at cibo matto’s large communal table, located next to an impressive wine tower featuring nearly 4,000 selections; relax at one of the 12 coveted seats at the Chef’s Table near the semi-open kitchen; or prepare for an adventurous, multi-course Italian feast with wine pairings in the stylish, 120-seat dining room.

Designed by The Johnson Studio, the acclaimed Atlanta-based architecture firm known locally for designing Chicago’s TRU, cibo matto’s dramatic space features a rustically modern ambiance, largely inspired by the cuisine. Antique oak floors, mahogany red leather banquettes surrounded by custom-designed, uplit floor lamps, and beautifully grained ambrosia maple tables create a light and airy environment. Next to the semi-open kitchen is the coveted 12-seat Chef’s Table, made out of bleached cherry wood and flanked by an eight-foot-tall, six-foot-wide glass salumi and cheese case. Above, cibo matto’s pièce de résistance: a tongue-in-cheek oval 30-foot ceiling fresco aptly titled “Crazy Feast” by Chicago native acclaimed artist Todd Murphy (collectors of his work include Sting and Elton John), will watch over diners.

Offering both small and large plates, cibo matto presents a broad approach by exploring a number of Italian regions. “Our food is about the simplicity of using the best ingredients available and letting them speak for themselves,” says Chef Stein. That thought process equally applies to cibo matto’s desserts—look for a selection of ingredient-driven Italian-influenced sweets by Executive Pastry Chef Tina Blanco, most recently the pastry chef of the renowned Hotel ZaZa in Houston.

Wine plays a starring role at cibo matto as the 4,000-bottle glass-and-stainless wine tower indicates, with great representations not only from Italy, but from all over the world, including France, Spain and California. “We want cibo matto to be known for its wine-friendly food as well as its food-friendly wine,” says Chef Stein.

Executive Chef Todd Stein’s contemporary Italian dinner menu is dedicated to using the best ingredients with minimal manipulation. cibo matto’s menu offers a number of delicious pasta, fish, pork and seafood dishes as well as pristine cured meats and cheeses, which can be found in the eight-foot glass-and-wood display case and include housemade salumis, all prepped on a traditional Berkel meat slicer.

A Chicago native, Chef Stein, has enjoyed a dynamic career in the restaurant business, beginning with an apprenticeship as a line cook under acclaimed chef Keith Korn at Gordon restaurant in Chicago, a stage at Le Bernardin in New York City under Chef Eric Ripert, and a six-month stint in France learning to bake bread at Moulin de la Vierge and traveling throughout Italy. Following graduation from Kendall College, Stein worked at some of the Chicago’s most acclaimed restaurants, including the Hudson Club and mk, the restaurant, where he served as executive sous chef under Michael Kornick. Moving to Cleveland in 1999, Stein pursued his love of Italian cuisine, working at Sans Souci and Vivo. Stein returned to mk, the restaurant, as executive chef, and in 2005, his cooking resulted in being awarded three-star reviews from Chicago magazine and the Chicago Sun-Times, as well as a “Rising Star Chef” honor from StarChefs.com. Stein then moved to Minneapolis to work as executive chef at notable restaurant BANK, before venturing further west in 2007 to serve as executive chef at David Burke in Las Vegas.

Now overseeing all culinary aspects of cibo matto and ROOF at theWit Hotel, Stein, 37, is thrilled to be back in his hometown, exploring and sharing his love of Italian cuisine.

cibo matto offers both semi-private and private dining options with tailored menus for every occasion by Executive Chef Todd Stein. A dining room that can be either private or semi-private is located in one corner of the restaurant and features large wood and glass sliding doors and accommodates up to 24 guests. A long, mahogany red banquette and a lacquered woven wall offer a unique backdrop to the space.

Located near the dramatic glass and steel staircase is another smaller, fully private dining room accommodating up to 16 guests. An intimate environment with a floor-to-ceiling glass wall adorned with layers of red tassels, this space is ideal for small groups.

For large groups, guests can opt to reserve the entire restaurant, consisting of 120 seats. cibo matto is a superb choice for events that desire innovative fare and an engaging atmosphere.

Cibo matto offers lunch Tuesday through Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and dinner from 5:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
Please call (312) 239-9500 or click here for reservations.
For media inquiries, please contact Chrissy Cox at Wagstaff Worldwide. chrissy@wagstaffworldwide.com or 312.943.6900