Reopenings

Va Pensiero to Reopen in Evanston as Pensiero Ristorante

New head chef Alan Lake
New head chef Alan Lake Photo: courtesy alanlake.com

After a sad farewell, Va Pensiero is getting a second life. The high end Italian restaurant in Evanston will reopen under the name Pensiero Ristorante on July 9. Though head chef Jeff Muldow is gone, the new owner Michael Pure kept all of the kitchen staff. Talking to The Stew, Pure said, “The front-of-the-house needed new culture, so we wanted to bring in some new people. We’re repainting the room to freshen it up, make it more inviting.” Alan Lake will be the new head chef. He’s a musician, photographer, restaurant consultant, and chef known for his improvisational style, which he refers to as “jazzfood.” [The Stew]

Va Pensiero to Reopen in Evanston as Pensiero Ristorante