Giada De Laurentiis, the beloved chef, author, and television personality known for her sunny California-meets-Italy cuisine, is making her mark on a new American food city: Chicago. For the first time in her career, De Laurentiis is heading to the Midwest with not one, but two new restaurants — and she promises that fans will “have a blast.” “I haven’t really been able to tap into the Midwest all these years,” De Laurentiis shared in an interview with People. “So it’s exciting to finally do that, and to have two different types of restaurants.” The new projects, Sorellina by Giada and Sorella by Giada, translate from Italian as “little sister” and “big sister,” reflecting both their familial connection and the contrast in style.
Two concepts, one culinary soul
Set to open in late 2025, Sorellina by Giada will be located at the Hollywood Casino Joliet, just outside Chicago. This more casual, approachable restaurant will feature light Italian dishes with a modern twist and a relaxed California vibe. Sorella by Giada, the more refined counterpart, is scheduled to open in the first half of 2026 at the Hollywood Casino Aurora. It will showcase a new concept for De Laurentiis: a Tuscan-inspired steakhouse, rich in flavor and rustic charm.
Despite their different menus and atmospheres, both restaurants will be unified by Giada’s signature style — a blend of traditional Italian flavors, seasonal ingredients, and warm hospitality. “I want every restaurant to feel like home,” she says. “That means creating an experience that is true to me, but also makes every guest feel welcome and cared for.”
From architecture to ambiance, De Laurentiis is deeply involved in the design of every space. “I work closely with the designers and the architects on everything — the colors, the materials, even the chairs and tables,” she says. “It’s important to me that when you walk into one of my restaurants, you feel like you’re walking into my home.”
A journey that began in las vegas
De Laurentiis’s restaurant career began a decade ago in Las Vegas with the opening of Giada at The Cromwell in July 2014. It was her first foray into hospitality, and it holds a special place in her heart. “Vegas will always be my first love,” she says. “The fact that I’m still successful there after all this time — in a hotel that actually has fewer rooms than the number of guests my restaurant seats — it’s amazing.”
Following the success of her flagship location, she expanded with Pronto by Giada and Pronto Wine Bar at Caesars Palace, offering more casual dining options for fans of her cuisine. Most recently, she opened Luna by Giada in Scottsdale, Arizona, in March 2024 — a market she says she was well-prepared for thanks to years of learning from her guests. “I’ve gotten to know my clientele really well,” she explains. “Where they come from, what they like, what they want. That helped me succeed in Scottsdale, and I think it’s what will help me succeed in Chicago, too.”
Food with feeling and fan favorites
One of the clearest markers of Giada’s culinary impact is the popularity of her most iconic dishes. “I must have sold over half a million plates of lemon spaghetti in Vegas,” she laughs. “And maybe just as many of my lemon ricotta cookies. People come to Vegas just for those — and now they’re coming to Scottsdale, too.”
While each of her restaurants offers unique menus tailored to their market and concept, certain fan-favorite items travel with her from one city to the next. For Giada, it’s not just about food, but about feeling. “It’s that moment of hospitality, that smile, that hug — even if it’s just a warm plate of pasta,” she says. “I want guests to feel like they’re in my home, like they’re going to be taken care of.”
That emotional connection extends far beyond the menu. From her involvement in architectural layout to her insistence on choosing every chair and light fixture, De Laurentiis ensures that each location reflects her personal touch. “It has to feel warm and cozy. Casual but elegant. Like you’re coming over to my house for dinner,” she says.
A Chicago debut filled with heart
As Giada prepares for her Chicago debut, she’s bringing more than recipes and design plans — she’s bringing the spirit of Italian family, warmth, and joy that has defined her brand for decades. While both Sorellina and Sorella will add new dimensions to her portfolio, they remain deeply rooted in the values that have made her restaurants so successful.
“Dining should never be just about the food,” she says. “It should be about the experience. From the moment you see the space, to the moment you walk in, I want you to feel like you’ve gotten a big, giant hug. That everything’s going to be okay — and we’re going to have a blast.”
With two distinct restaurants, a deep understanding of her guests, and an unmatched attention to detail, Giada De Laurentiis is poised to make her mark on Chicago’s culinary scene — and she’s bringing all the heart, flavor, and fun that fans have come to love.
