siren betty design suspends a blue vespa in chicago's tortello pasta shop

realized by the team at siren betty design, ‘tortello’ is a specialty pasta shop and restaurant situated in chicago‘s largely residential wicker park neighborhood. the space is designed to place focus on the pasta-making process, as it is made fresh on the premises every day by professionals – an expert from puglia, italy, was even flown in to train the staff.

a teal blue 1964 vespa, sourced by designer nicole alexander from a local collector, is hung from the ceiling, adding a playful detail and visually drawing the eye to the small space’s tall ceilings.

all images courtesy of siren betty design

when imagining the space, siren betty design ensured that both patrons and passersby could enjoy a 360-degree view of the ‘pasta show’ by framing the pasta makers in a storefront window on one side, counter seating on the other, and an oversized antique mirror overhead. the theme continues throughout the store with freshly-made pasta hanging from custom pegboards by ellemeno pegboards and open shelving displaying artisanal italian produce.

black and white checkerboard floors are a nod to traditional italian-american restaurants.

the space is rich with details that reference the home of italian-born owner dario monni, such as a vintage toledo scale just like the one at the shop his grandfather had in venice, a teal 1964 model VBB vespa hung from the ceiling, red garland curtains inspired by those found in his grandmother’s venetian kitchen. chicago illustrator craighton berman was commissioned to create a mural of the italian ‘finger purse’ gesture from a tattooed arm, adding a humorous touch. materials like brass, hand-thrown tile, solid olive wood, terrazzo were chosen both for their durability and their italian heritage. finally, the space is finished with clean white walls, keeping the space contemporary amidst all the traditional details.

artisanal italian ingredients, all available for purchase, line tortello’s open shelves.

red garland curtains serve as a visual divider between the dining area and the entrance and reference those found in the kitchen of the restaurant owner’s venetian grandmother.

handthrown tile and terrazzo countertops were chosen both for their durability and their italian heritage. the owner’s grandfather had a 1930s toledo scale like this one in his own cafe in italy.

velvet channel-tufted bar stools give guests a front row for the ‘pasta show’ as pasta makers make fresh noodles and ravioli throughout the day.

brass details provide old-world texture to the space’s modern white walls.

countertops made of terrazzo reference tortello’s cuisine and the owner’s italian heritage.

a mirror framed in oil-rubbed bronze hangs above the pasta-making counter, providing a complete view of the daily ‘pasta show.’

teal custom pegboards from ellemeno pegboards in minnesota provide a beautiful way to hang freshly-made pasta.

local illustrator craighton berman‘s mural of the italian ‘finger purse’ gesture; the tattoos depict grandparents, wedding dates, and other imagery meaningful to the restaurant’s owner.

set on a busy retail strip in chicago’s largely residential wicker park neighborhood, tortello’s large front window gives passersby a glimpse at pasta-making process.

project info:

project name: tortello

location: chicago, the US

design: siren betty design

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: lynne myers | designboom