Italian Restaurant Mille Lire Coming to Oak Lawn Next Month

Mille Lire, an Italian restaurant from an Italian chef who has appeared on TV, is coming to Oak Lawn this fall. The restaurant — named in part for the now-defunct Italian currency — will open in November at 3102 Oak Lawn Ave., Suite 116.

It’s the brainchild of Chef Giuliano Matarese who was born and raised in Italy and logged time at his grandmother’s Naples restaurant. Here in The States, Matarese spent time at Charlie Palmer’s Aureole and Convivio. As for TV, Matarese has been seen on Chopped and Beat Bobby Flay. He’s founding Mille Lire (along with business partner Brian Ellard) with some 20 years of experience in the industry.

A release described Mille Lire’s food as “neoclassic” — think: authentic Italian with some dashes of global flavor. The menu will, of course, have its fair share of carbs. A Neapolitan pizza oven has been sent directly from Italy and all pastas will be house-made.

The restaurant’s interior — designed by Coevál Studio — will feature a floor-to-ceiling moss wall and custom wine cellar, along with a color scheme that includes burnt orange, brown and gray.