Trattoria Dinotto, 163 W. North Avenue, Chicago, a long-time advocate of the Mediterranean diet, has developed and produced its own private label olive oil for the past years. This garlic-infused olive oil can be used in a variety of methods: baking, broiling or basting; dip in it or drizzle with it; sauté, season and even fry with it. Olive oil is so versatile it meets your everyday cooking needs.
"Olive oil is better for you than any other cooking oil because it is mostly monounsaturated fat," says Dinotto owner, Dino Lubbat, 'this is the 'good' fat that may help prevent heart disease when substituted for saturated fat in the diet." Dinotto's olive oil has so much flavor, a little goes a long way. So substitute olive oil and jazz up your everyday recipes. Drizzle it over vegetables or a baked potato; baste a chicken or turkey with olive oil; or serve it in a small dish for dipping bread. For more information about Dinotto's garlic-infused olive oil or to make reservations to enjoy special Dinotto's Mediterranean heart-healthy recipes, call (312) 787-3345.
Chicago, Sept. 27,1999 - Trattoria Dinotto, 163 W. North Ave., Chicago, rated as one of the best Italian restaurants in the City (Zagat), is offering a special evening of good food and good wine in honor of Columbus Day. In partnership with Badia a Coltibuono, Dinotto will feature an evening of wine tastings, a specially prepared menu to compliment the various wines, and a brief wine presentation by Badia a Coltibuono.
"Italian cooking is enhanced by good Italian wines," says Dinotto owner, Dino Lubbat. "So we like to present special evenings where we can feature these two fares... great food and wine. This is also an opportunity for those who want to learn more about wines to come and get hands-on experience with picking the right wine for the right food."
Dinotto has been in Chicago's Historic Old Town for ten years and is considered a neighborhood favorite. Dinotto is best known for its award-Winning Tiramisu.
CHICAGO
RESTAURANT SHOWS OFF "LOCAL FLAVOR" HOSTING EVENTS FOR NAT'L RESTAURANT
SHOW EXHIBITORS, TRADE MEDIA AND TRAVELING SPOUSES/COMPANIONS
Chicago,
May 20,1999 -- Trattoria Dinotto, 163 W. North Avenue, Chicago, a long-time
favorite Italian restaurant in Chicago's Old Town neighborhood welcomes
friends, family and spouses traveling with National Restaurant Show
exhibitors and attendees:
Monday, May 24: Heart-Healthy Mediterranean
Cooking:
2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Cooking with and using olive oil featuring Trattoria
Owner/Chef Dino
Tuesday, May 25: Enjoying great Italian
Wines:
2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Alone and complimented by food. Featuring Antinori
wine expert, Bill Mazdra.
Wednesday, May 26: Authentic Italian Pizzas
with Chef Dino
2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. They've come a long way - or have they?
"We're located in the heart of Old Town at North and Wells," remarked
Dinotto owner and chef, Dino Lubbat. "We're a hop, skip and jump from
downtown in Old Town. There is plenty of true Chicago shopping and theater,
including Second City and Zanies, within steps of our restaurant."
May is "Antinori Wine Month" at Dinotto. In this spirit, diners can
enjoy a great glass of Italian wine with lunch for just .99 (value $5.95)
and those who mention the National Restaurant
Show will also receive other giveaways, including a springtime
herb garden kit.
MANY
ARE SAYING "NO" TO THE NEW YEAR'S HYPE AND OPTING FOR EVENINGS AT
HOME...
HERE’S
HOW TO MAKE NEW YEAR'S EVE WARM AND SPECIAL
Chicago, IL - December 16, 1999 - Weary
of millennium hype, Y2K hysteria, and commercialism, more and more
people are opting for a New Year's Eve that is simple and meaningful.
This growing trend is now being reported in local and national publications
(e.g., Time Magazine, Nov. 29; Chicago Sun-Times, Nov. 30, Dec. 16.).
'Many people have decided to pass on the big hotel parties," remarked
Tom Larance, Director of Concierge, LaSalle Concierge Services. "Requests
for reservations to parties and dinners are at an all time low. Most
people are opting for intimate and enjoyable evenings with family
and friends."
Owner and Executive Chef Dino Lubbat, Trattoria
Dinotto, 163 W. North Avenue, Chicago, has tips and advice
on how to plan a great evening of food and spirits. "You want to serve
dishes that are easy for people to enjoy, can sit out longer, or be
recycled over and over throughout the evening," says Lubbat.
In addition, Lubbat says, try foods rich
in taste, history and tradition to add to the meaningfulness of the
evening.
"There is more a spiritual mood about this coming New Year's," says
Jeannine O'Malley, 22, Chicago. 'I don't feel like doing the bar thing.
I feel like I should do something meaningful on the 31st so we're
cooking a big meal for friends and family."
EXECUTIVE CHEF LUBBAT
WILL OFFER DELICIOUS AND EASY TO MAKE NEW YEAR'S EVE CULINARY IDEAS
Chicago, Nov. 3, 1999 - Trattoria Dinotto, rated one of the best Italian restaurants in Chicago, by Zagat Survey, recently hosted a dinner that featured Sundsvall Vodka. Restaurant patrons enjoyed an array of Dinotto new and old favorites, some flavored by Sundsvall Vodka. The evenings’ appetizer choices included: Carpaccio di Tonno: Peppercorn Crusted Tuna slices, marinated with Sundsvall Vodka, lightly seared & served with Watercress and Sesame Mayonnaise; Torre con Gamberi. Grilled Eggplant tower layered with Shrimp in a crushed tomato sauce, garnished with garden Basil leaves and Zuppa con Gamberi Spicy seafood bisque with rock shrimp & caviar. The evening's specials included: Oven roasted Lake Sturgeon topped with Sundsvall Vodka fennel sauce & baby vegetables; Penne al Russo Signature pasta with hand-flaked Salmon, Capers and Sundsvall Vodka-tomato cream sauce garnished with Caviar and Oven roasted Free-Range Chicken with roasted vegetables and Garlic-mashed potatoes.
To top off the culinary experience, Chef Dino Lubbat presented his special dolce: Formaggi e frutta; Swedish & Italian Cheeses with fruit & chilled Sundsvall Vodka; Copa Fresca: marbleized chocolate cup with Italian vanilla gelato and organic berries; Limone Ripieno: a lemon sorbetto injected with Sundsvall Vodka; and Dinotto's Award-winning Tiramisu.
10
YEARS HAVE COME AND GONE AND OLD TOWN’S FAVORITE ITALIAN RESTAURANT
CELEBRATES
Chicago, Nov. 15, 1999 - Trattoria Dinotto,
163 W. North Ave., (North/Wells) Chicago, rated as one of the best
Italian restaurants in the City (Zagat), celebrates its ten-year anniversary
during the week of Dec. 6 through 11th with complimentary champagne
and gifts.
Dinotto is one of the few remaining "mom
and pop" restaurants succeeding in the era of franchises and chains.
Father and son owners, George and Dino Lubbat,
personally welcome guests each and every evening. Chicago Restaurant
Reviewer, Rick Karlin, says he judges
other restaurants against Dinotto (for
Tiramisu).
“I love coming to Dinotto," remarked
WGN-TV personality, Merri Dee. "You walk
in and it is as if you've come home. George
and Dino will go to all lengths to make your stay a great one.
The food and service are impeccable."
The impressive menu of contemporary Italian specialties is expertly
prepared under Dino's direction. Each
meal is cooked to order and accommodations for special requests are
welcomed.
"We've made quite few friendships since we opened," remarked Dino.
"We have also enjoyed sharing special moments in the lives of our
patrons. We've seen engagements, weddings, anniversaries, birthdays
and babies.”
Dinotto
is located at the intersection of North Avenue and Wells in Old Town
and is open for lunch Monday through Saturday and for dinner seven
days a week. Dinotto also offers carryout,
delivery service, private parties and catering. For reservations or
more information call 312.787.3345.
Today’s Chicago Woman
GARLIC: COMING OUT OF THE CLOVE-IT
ONCE KNOWN MAINLY for its benefit to ward off vampires or end a bad date; garlic is coming out of the closet and being touted for its flavorful impact and medicinal advantages. To celebrate garlic's Epicurean benefit, Old Town's favorite Italian restaurant, Trattoria Dinotto, 163 West North Avenue (at Wells), is featuring a month of special garlic dishes throughout November. Here is an exclusive recipe from Dinotto for it's popular Farfalle Con Pollo.
FARFALLE CON POLLO
2T Extra-Virgin Olive Oil
8 Roasted Garlic, cloves (see following recipe)
6 oz Mushrooms, sliced
8 oz Chicken Breast, grilled and slice
2 T Fresh Herb Mixture: Basil, Parsley and Spinach
1c Heavy Whipping Cream
1lb Pasta, preferably a penne, rigatone or farfalle
Salt & pepper to taste
For roasted garlic:
Peel whole garlic cloves. Roast in 350 F oven covered with olive oil for about 8 - 10 minutes. Drain and set aside. Reserve garlic oil. May be prepared days ahead.
For Herb mixture: Finely chop enough spinach, parsley & fresh basil for 2 T. Toss together. Set aside.
Cooking directions:
· Heat oil in pan and add roasted garlic cloves and mushrooms.
· Lower heat and allow mushrooms to cook for about one minute or until translucent.
· Add grilled chicken breast and diced herb mixture. Cook for about two minutes allowing flavors to blend together.
· Add whipping cream and allow to thicken slightly while stirring.
· Add pasta and toss thoroughly. Serve while hot.
Suggestion: In 250F oven, heat Italian bread for two minutes, slice and drizzle with warmed leftover garlic oil; serve with pasta. Bon Appetit!
Chicago Lyric opera Operathon Since 1991
Chicago Symphony Orchestra Radiothon Since 1991
Infant Welfare Society of Chicago Since 1994
WBEZ - 91.5FM Since 1995
Chicago International Film Festival Since 1995
National Restaurant Association - Safety Council Since 1995
WFMT - Fine Arts Station & Gold Circle Members Since 1996
Red Orchid Theatre Benefit Since 1996
Dining Out for Life Benefit Since 1996
March of Dimes Since 1997
Treasure Island & Bloomingdale’s cooking seminars.
Spotlight Chicago July 23, 1991 “ . . .a bright new intimate restaurant"
River North News March 24, 1992 Chef of the Week
Chicago Sun-Times January 31, 1992 “ **1/2, Dinotto's entrée is value”
Inside Lincoln Park February 5, 1992 “No Frills... -gastronomic delights”
TravelHost September 13, 1992 “Excellent North Italian Cuisine”
TravelHost March 7, 1993 “a perfect ... restaurant”
Today's Chicago Woman October 1993 “Trattoria Dinotto takes the cake...”
INSIDE Magazines February 19, 1997 “Trattoria Dinotto an all-around star”
Gay Chicago Magazine July 17-27, 1997 “***1/2, Just when you least expect it!”
Zagat Surveys 1994, 1995,1996,1997 Excellent and Honorable mentions
La Trattoria, a nationwide newsletter for Independent Restaurants - October 1995
CHEFS 2000 - one of North Americas Outstanding Chefs for 1996 and 1997
RESTAURANT BUSINESS - a member of the 1996-1997 Research Advisory Panel.
Trattoria Dinotto has been an Official Sponsor of the Wells Street Art Festival since 1990 and Dino has served on the board of Old Town Chamber of Commerce since 1995 (reelected to another two-year term in 1997).
REVIEWS:
'This is the stuff restaurant dreams are made of. A small boy being whisked from culture to culture, continent to continent, learning and absorbing every facet of the cooking and food business only to grow up, land in Chicago, and own one of the newest and most popular Trattoria-style restaurants in the city. A fairy tale? Well not quite. Dedication, determination and home-grown love has gone into making Trattoria Dinotto, owned by Dino Lubbat and his father, George, one of the hottest places this side of the Clybourn Corridor" says TODAY'S CHICAGO WOMAN - TABLE TALK.
"Trattoria Dinotto is the kind of restaurant where the food does the talking... gastronomic delights" says INSIDE LINCOLN PARK.
"Trattoria Dinotto is a small restaurant that, from the outside, always looked like a simple unassuming place. But this week I stepped inside and discovered an absolute jewel box of dining wonders. When I find such an unexpected treasure, I am always torn between sharing the news or keeping it my only little personal secret. But what good is a secret if it dries up and flies away? So this time I'll take the risk, trust that success won't spoil the stockpot, and say, "Go to Trattoria Dinotto. Now. Period." Tracy Adams, GAY CHICAGO MAGAZINE.
Finding a niche is a key to finding success in the restaurant business. Trattoria Dinotto a filling a slot and filling its tables... offering a number of innovative Italian dishes at prices that are a good deal less than you'll find at other places featuring northern Italian fare,' says WEEKEND PLUS, CHICAGO SUN-TIMES.
"Excellent Northern Italian Cuisine. A Trattoria is a small family-run casual Italian Restaurant. Trattoria Dinotto is a perfect example of what such a restaurant should be. Dinotto has been serving excellent northern Italian cuisine ... a few minutes north of downtown Chicago." TRAVELHOST.
"Trattoria Dinotto is a shining star. Located in Old Town... Dinotto emerges as a winner. What distinguishes Dinotto from the others is it's consistently good food, warm ambiance and well-trained staff.... Dinotto is loaded with charm with its friendly atmosphere, posters from Italy, and the olive branches entwined with twinkling little white lights on the walls. Dinotto is above and beyond what you'd expect in neighborhood dining. Twinkle on Dinotto."
"This place is a great find. Fabulous food, good prices and very accommodating," says TOM LARANCE, LASALLE PARTNERS CONCIERGE SERVICES.
"Dino and George go out of their way to make every visit more memorable than the last. The best northern Italian food around," says WGN-TV'S, MERRI DEE.
"I love Dinotto, it’s the best food around by far. I’m really glad that they do catering and carry-out..." MAXINE KROLL, OWNER, MAXINE SPA + SALON.
