Located in Elk Grove Village, Ill., Cefalù, named for one of the most beautiful villages in Italy, aims to transport guests from the Chicago suburbs to a coastal Italian villa .
Owners tapped Montgomery Design Studio to create an upscale, coastal-inspired space, aiming to transport guests to the sunny Mediterranean.
The restaurant is full of natural light and organic elements. Seating surrounds a 15-foot olive tree and a 10-foot skylight, which provides year-round sunshine. Custom gold light fixtures add an element of luxury, while natural stone and rope-divide walls allude to the Sicilian fishing tradition.
The branding, developed by DesignScout, incorporates the space’s coastal palette and includes a Mediterranean-inspired typeface that offers a subtle nod to fishing implements. The branding also includes a symbol inspired by the Trinacria, the ancient three-pointed early name and symbol of Sicily.
To drive efficiency into the space, the open kitchen was designed with the main server station across from the line. The pizza oven was added to bring a theatrical element to an otherwise empty corner.
Cefalù Seaside Sicilian
Team
Owner: Tom Cirrincione, Mangia Beve Restaurant GroupArchitecture & Design: Montgomery Design Studio
Branding: DesignScout
About the project
Location: Elk Grove Village, Ill.
Opening date: April 2023
Menu: Sicilian
Building type: renovation
Real estate type: end cap
Size: 7,700 square-feet
Seats: 229
