Upscale Italian restaurant opening in Palatine

Luigi's Italian Bistro, a new upscale restaurant, will open soon where Vittorio De Roma was at 154 W. Northwest Highway in Palatine.

Vince Pedone, the owner, said the new restaurant will feature a menu similar to its predecessor's.

Pedone's plan to open Luigi's Italian Bistro was approved by the Palatine village council Monday night. Pedone, a Palatine resident since 1978, told the board that he had experience running Italian restaurants.

“We are legitimate people. I think we are going to be fine,” Pedone said.

According to the plan filed with the village, the new restaurant will have pretty much the same floor plan as the old restaurant, with four dining rooms, a bar and circular tables.

Pedone said patrons to Luigi's Italian Bistro will notice the new, warm colors of the restaurant. The new restaurant will also offer a delivery service for pizza and other menu items.

“If it's a food we serve there, we will deliver it too,” Pedone said.

Among the new equipment that will be installed in the restaurant are a double pizza oven and a pasta maker, according to the plans filed with the village.

Pedone said his company, Luigi's Food & Pizza LLC, will be opening other restaurants in the suburbs, including in Carpentersville, Palos Heights and Wheeling. He said those locations will be called Luigi's Pizza and Bar and will not be as upscale as the Bistro.

“They are going to serve more pizza, ribs, chicken wings and all that stuff,” Pedone said.

Luigi's Italian Bistro will serve lunch and dinner. The village also approved a liquor license for the restaurant.

Vittorio De Roma, which closed over the summer, had been in operation since 2005, according to the village.

Pedone said he hopes to open Luigi's Italian Bistro as soon as possible, in two or three weeks.