Several Chicago-based hospitality groups are expanding their presence in the West Loop and Downtown with new restaurants offering pizza, pasta, and coastal cuisine. Labriola Italian Specialties is set to open on April 22 at 852 W. Fulton Market, replacing the former Kuma’s Corner location, according to an April 10 press release.
The arrival of these new restaurants highlights ongoing growth in Chicago’s dining scene, especially in popular neighborhoods like Fulton Market and the Loop.
Labriola Italian Specialties is a venture from Rich Labriola’s Doughboy Restaurant Group. The group already operates two Labriola Ristorante locations—one near the Magnificent Mile and another in Oak Brook—and is also behind Stan’s Donuts. The menu at the new restaurant will include dishes such as spaghetti assassina, a spicy pan-fried pasta from Bari, Italy cooked like risotto in tomato broth. Other offerings feature Sicilian cannoli made with housemade pastry shells fried in beef tallow and filled with ricotta cheese, chocolate chips, candied orange peel, and Amarena cherry.
Pizza Lobo has opened its third location at 165 N. Morgan St., featuring a dual-level space with a large island bar on the first floor and a spacious dining room above. The restaurant includes a partially covered patio and offers walk-up window service for slices daily from 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Pizza Lobo began operations in Logan Square in 2020 before expanding to Andersonville last year.
Mariela will open May 6 inside the Reliance Building at 1 W. Washington St., connected to StayPineapple Chicago hotel. From the team behind Mirra in Bucktown and Sarima Cafe in Wicker Park, Mariela will serve globally inspired coastal dishes such as seafood arroz negro with octopus and scallops; chili crab agnolotti; tom yum aguachile; seafood kebab tacos; as well as rotating “global spreads” inspired by mezza traditions worldwide.
Mendocino Farms is also preparing to open its third Chicago location at 847 W. Fulton Market after launching two other sites locally since its founding by Mario Del Pero and Ellen Chen in southern California.
