A Chicago seafood restaurant that closed in December 2022 will soon be replaced by a new pizzeria peeling out tavern-style pies from a James Beard Award-winning restaurant company.
Boka Restaurant Group, which owned the fine-dining GT Fish & Oyster restaurant for 12 years, has developed a new concept for the space: Zarella Pizzeria & Taverna, to open in early 2025.
Chef Partners Chris Pandel and Lee Wolen have come together to craft a menu featuring a mix of tavern-style and artisan pizzas, an array of entrées and small bites, as well as fresh salads, alongside an ever-rotating menu of Italian specialties, promising a dining experience that is both nostalgic and unique.
“Wolen and I have been talking about pizza preferences for years,” Pandel said. “It’s been fun to jump into the test kitchen with him and help create a pizzeria from scratch. We think the alchemy of the menu, design and tone of the place will be both comforting and unique.”
Pandel and Wolen envision Zarella as a neighborhood hang-out spot, particularly for Chicago sports fans, according to Eater Chicago. They plan to use a PizzaMaster oven and offer various pizza styles featuring Ezzo pepperoni and cured meats like soppresatta and prosciutto.
The chef duo will showcase artisan and tavern-style pizzas, available in a range of specialty pies with flavors like Spicy Vodka with Calabrian Chili and Mozzarella; Carbonara with Pancetta, Pecorino, and Egg; and Italian Sausage with Giardiniera, Oregano and Mozzarella. Each pizza will also be available with a gluten-friendly crust.
Additionally, Zarella will offer a selection of small bites, like Crispy Calamari, Mozzarella Sticks, Marinated Artichokes and Baked Feta, plus fresh salads and a variety of large plates like Chicken and Eggplant Parms, Chicken Piccata and Crab Stuffed Shrimp. The menu will also feature a rotation of Italian specials, beautifully illustrated on a chalkboard and presented tableside for a personalized dining experience.
A thoughtfully crafted beverage program will include a variety of beers on draught, an Italian-inspired wine list created by Jillian Nudd of Swift & Sons, and an Italian-inspired cocktail list, designed by Ashley Santoro with a concentration on unique Italian Amari.
Reminiscent of a classic Italian eatery, the space exudes a timeless charm that makes it feel as if it has been a beloved corner spot for generations, according to a press release. Designed in collaboration with Anna Filatov, the two-level restaurant boasts a striking main bar, a cozy mahogany-clad dining room, and a lower-level taverna perfect for cocktails and private events.
Pandel, a James Beard Award semi-finalist in 2013, is known for concepts like Swift & Sons, Cira and Swift & Son’s Tavern, while Wolen, a five-time Beard Award finalist, has earned renown for Boka, Alla Vita and GG’s Chicken Shop.
Boka Restaurant Group consists of a total of seven acclaimed chefs with James Beard Award wins, nominations and/or Michelin stars under their belts. They include Stephanie Izard (Girl & The Goat, Little Goat Diner, Cabra La and others); Giuseppe Tentori (GT Prime Steakhouse); Gene Kato (Momotaro and Itoko); Christina Tosi (Milk Bar); and Michael Solomonov (Laser Wolf Brooklyn, K’Far Brooklyn and Jaffa Cocktail & Raw Bar).
