Osteria Gilberto is now open in Lincoln Park! The 56-seat venue’s design features warm wood, rich fabrics and a backlit wine wall. Owned by partners and friends Sergio Barbone, Agustin Di Rienzo and Katherine Serrano, Osteria Gilberto will be a destination for neighbors and friends to come together to unwind, connect and celebrate life’s everyday moments.
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With a vision to build a dining experience centered around Italian tradition elevated with modern touches, the ownership team tapped Chef Sergio Ornelas to lead the kitchen as Executive Chef. A native of Chicago’s culinary landscape, Chef Ornelas has honed his craft in some of the city’s kitchens including the likes of Mexique, and other spots such as Tanta and Tzuco, bringing the experience of working alongside chefs Carlos Gaytán and Jesús Delgado, to shape every plate at Osteria Gilberto.
For the dining room’s design, the team looked to Chicago-based studio, Crespo & Br., to bring their vision to life through architecture to develop the atmosphere. The team translated the warmth of a traditional Italian osteria through a modern lens, drawing inspiration from the earthy character of Rome, Tuscany and Liguria in subtle ways to bring the culture of Italy to the Osteria Gilberto table. A structured geometric language moves across the ceiling, furniture and architectural details, lending the dining room a quiet rhythm, while warm timber, tactile surfaces and upholstered seating soften its more structured elements. Diffused lighting, pendant fixtures and touches of burnished bronze complete the restaurant’s evening-ready glow.
“There’s a warmth to Osteria Gilberto that we want guests to feel from the moment they walk through the door—before they even taste the food,” said Katherine Serrano, Partner and Brand Director. “Whether joining us for an intimate dinner or celebrating with family and friends, we envisioned a place where every guest feels genuinely welcomed, cared for, and at home. We’re incredibly proud to bring that vision to life.”
The menu centers on house-made pasta, prepared fresh daily, alongside antipasti and secondi rooted in classical Italian technique. Highlights include Wagyu-forward dishes like the Polpette and Steak Tartare, caviar service and pasta highlights such as the Agnolotti al Limone and the 16-layer Lasagna di Gilberto. Diners will also find heartier secondi like the six-hour braised Short Rib Brasato and Branzino Piccata a must-try. Osteria Gilberto also pours a bar program built around handcrafted cocktails and a curated, fully Italian wine list.
The restaurant takes its name from founder and owner Sergio Barbone’s father, Gilberto Barbone, born and raised in Livorno, Italy, before a move to Venezuela, where he met and married Marina Bastidas and raised two sons, Ugo and Sergio. An engineer with a doctorate in robotics, Gilberto still made Italian tradition a nightly ritual at home, a gathering he called “tavola”: everyone at the table, eating, laughing and talking for hours. His presence carries throughout the restaurant that bears his name: the logo forms the letter G from a musical whole note, a nod to his piano playing, wood details throughout the space reflect his love of craftsmanship, the wine program is entirely Italian, and the hand-made ravioli on the menu is a direct tribute to a dish Gilberto and his brother once made together by hand.
“My father was an incredible man, someone truly impressive and admirable in every way and the perfect namesake and energy to bring to our new space,” said Sergio Barbone, Partner of Osteria Gilberto. “Everything he believed in, family, generosity, sitting around the table for hours with the people you love, is what we hope every guest feels the moment they walk through our doors. This restaurant is our way of keeping that spirit alive, not just for our family, but for our entire Lincoln Park community.”
“Lincoln Park has been waiting for a place like this, somewhere you can settle in for a long, unhurried meal with people you love,” said Agustin Di Rienzo, Partner of Osteria Gilberto. “We wanted to build a restaurant that feels like it’s always been part of the neighborhood, a place people return to again and again, not just for a special occasion, but because it feels like home.”
Osteria Gilberto is located at 1224 W. Webster Ave. in Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood. Hours are Monday through Thursday from 4 to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday from noon to 11 p.m and Sunday from noon to 10 p.m. Reservations are available via OpenTable. For more information including the full menu, visit osteriagilberto.com and follow along on social media at @osteriagilberto.
Dining and Cooking