The vibe here is as bubbly as the name.
By Rebecca Michuda
John Reilly Photography
Though still a new kid on the block, Prosecco has been making a buzz in River North since opening last December. Owners and partners Mark Sparacino, his sister Stefania Sparacino and Kathryn Sullivan Alvera have taken advantage of traditional Italian food and the popularity for the sparkling wine Prosecco, pairing them to create a comfortable yet upscale establishment.
Some might be unfamiliar with this type of wine, but according to Stefania, Prosecco is the new cosmopolitan. “It just started to becoming popular in the last year or so,” says Stefania. “We jumped on it before it got super popular.”
The three partners have been close friends for over ten years and couldn’t wait to open up their own restaurant together. Mark and Stefania have experience from running their first restaurant, Sparacino in Oak Park, and Kathryn is no novice, either, having come from the nightclub scene with Narcisse and Domaine.
With a new business on their plate, they work together as a team, yet still bring in their own personalities and expertise. Mark is behind the culinary creations as chef, bringing in his Italian background and cooking styles from many regions in Italy. “My strong point has always been being able to create good food that people like to come back to,” Mark says. “Once we get them in the door the first time, we really have no problem bringing them back.”
Acting as the iron fist in the velvet glove, Kathryn sets the standard high for herself and the 50-person staff at Prosecco, managing the front of the house, as well as marketing. “I think by holding everyone to a high standard, you raise the bar for everyone,” she says.
Stefania completes the trio with her easygoing personality, keeping on an eye on the financial aspects of the restaurant and customer service. And although they may be friends and business partners, they also connect like a family. “[Mark] has got my back, I’ve got his and we think of Kathryn like a sister, too,” Stefania says. “She’s a very close family friend, so I think it’s like three siblings.”
The Right Timing
Prosecco’s atmosphere translates somewhat literally to its namesake sparkling wine. Ivory hues decorate the walls, while silk drapes, gold trim, elegant chandeliers and high ceilings are reminiscent of a bottle of the Champagne-style drink. The only thing missing are actual bubbles floating through the air.
The building and neighborhood that house Prosecco contribute to the decadent vibe. “This was the only place that we saw Prosecco in,” Stefania says. “It’s just the feel of the street, and the building, the art district – everything about this space screams Prosecco.” But getting the space wasn’t easy. The trio had their eyes on the building for a while, eagerly waiting for it to be available. Finally, after its former occupants (another restaurant called Xel-Ha) closed, they thought they got their wish; unfortunately, the deal fell through. Right before they signed the dotted line for an alternate location in the West Loop, they received a call from the landlord of the River North spot, saying the space was now open. “It was meant to be, because this was the space we wanted and this is the space we dreamed of,” Stefania says. With many hours of hard work, redesigning and planning, Prosecco was up and running in three short months.
Even though it seemed each weekend last winter brought snowstorm upon snowstorm, the business at Prosecco was steaming. New guests didn’t let the cold weather stop them; instead, they kept coming back. “We are happy we made such a good impression on people early because we all know there are a lot of restaurants that start with a big bang and then aren’t here for much longer,” Kathryn says. This is also where her cautious optimism shows itself; because they’re still in the beginning stages of a new business, it’s difficult to know where it will be a few months. “You win them over one guest at a time, one plate of delicious food after another,” Kathryn says.
Where Everybody Knows Your Name
Kathryn recalls a returning guests describing Prosecco as an “elegant Cheers,” meaning the staff knows their name, what they frequently order and where they like to sit. Just as all three partners think of each other as family, they see their guests as the same. “We’re an inviting restaurant, where people want to come in,” Stefania says. “I feel this is a really nice mansion in Italy and you’re having dinner in someone’s really nice home. It’s like an upscale family restaurant.”
With the Venetian-style furniture, an adorned wooden bar and separate dining areas perfect for a family or small group, anyone can get the feeling of being in Italy. Wine Director Christian Fox Hood uses his knowledge of Italian wines, pulling them from 20 regions of Italy and resulting in a wine list of 50 different Proseccos.
“It’s difficult in Chicago because there are a number of great Italian restaurants, but I think what separates us is we try and do things as typical as we can to original recipes and styles of cooking from Italy,” says Mark. While he’s enjoyed cooking since he was eight years old and started cooking professionally at 18, he never actually trained in culinary arts. Mark owes his expertise to other chefs he’s worked with over the years as well as his experience with his catering business and Sparacino. Because some dishes at Sparacino are so popular, he took them to Prosecco, too. The Rigatoni Norcina and Costoletta D’ Agnello, a full rack of lamb with red grape balsamic reduction and garlic spinach, are just two popular dishes. Prosecco is also perfect for the business crowd looking to chat with clients or enjoy a lunch among friends. It’s not far from the Magnificent Mile, a short walk away from the sometimes overcrowded restaurants of Michigan Avenue.
New To The Table
The newest addition to Prosecco is the downstairs area called La Cantinella, which will be ready for entertaining this fall. Available for private events, guests can enjoy a pre-dinner reception or dessert in the beautiful room. Guests also get the feeling of being at a wine vineyard in Italy as they enjoy a meal at a table situated in Prosecco’s actual wine cellar.
With a popular start, the numbers exceeded Mark’s, Stefania’s and Kathryn’s expectations in the first months of Prosecco’s debut, and they hope the numbers continue to increase. The three partners hope to stay in the same location for many years, but also envision additional locations in Chicago or the suburbs. One thing that won’t change is Mark’s delicious meals and the comfortable, home-like feeling of Prosecco. “If you go back to the basics and take care of all your guests like they are coming into your home, you’re going to do well,” Kathryn says. “You really have to go out of your way to make people know you are glad to see them. And I think we do that.”