A 25th birthday calls for dessert—and at Sapori Trattoria, celebrating will cost you just $2.50.
The Lincoln Park Italian favorite is celebrating its milestone anniversary with a week of specials from Tuesday, November 10, through Sunday, November 15. Think house-made tiramisu, dishes inspired by its early days, and complimentary bubbles to toast 25 years of massive portions and neighborhood hospitality.
And as they celebrate 25 years, many may not realize that the Halsted Street staple nearly didn’t survive its second year.
From a near-closure to a neighborhood favorite
Sapori opened in 2001 under chef and original owner Anthony Barbanente, who drew on recipes and techniques he learned while spending years on his grandfather’s farm in Italy. In those early days, diners often ordered from a chalkboard rather than a printed menu, with dishes changing throughout the evening.
When the restaurant nearly closed in 2003, regulars helped keep it going. Over the years, it became a neighborhood go-to for heaping plates of Italian comfort food.
In 2020, longtime fan and restaurateur Kosti Demos teamed up with chef-partner Saul Ramos to take over. The pair kept many of Sapori’s traditions alive—including recreating requested dishes from Barbanente’s handwritten recipe cards—while adding their own touches.
One tradition worth knowing about? The off-menu dishes. Ask for Chicken Limone, Bucatini Arrabbiata, or Zuppa di Mare, and the kitchen can prepare them. There’s also a vegetable lasagna available with 24 hours’ notice.
What’s on the anniversary menu?
Whether you’re stopping by for a nostalgic dinner or making a night of the anniversary, here’s what’s happening throughout the week:
- Tuesday, November 10: Kick things off with $2.50 house-made tiramisu, available for one night only. Expect espresso- and liqueur-soaked ladyfingers layered with mascarpone and finished with cocoa.
- Wednesday, November 11: Sapori turns back the clock with dishes and prices inspired by its early years.
- Friday, November 13, and Saturday, November 14: Every guest aged 21 and older receives a complimentary pour of bubbles.
- Sunday, November 15: The celebration wraps up with a ticketed, multi-course “Best of Sapori” dinner featuring wine pairings and dishes spanning the restaurant’s 25-year history. The dinner starts at 6:30 p.m., and prepaid tickets are $150 per person on OpenTable.
There’s a reason to order the carbonara, too: For every plate sold from November 10–15, Sapori will donate $5 to Dignity Diner. This neighborhood nonprofit serves free weekly community meals in Lincoln Park.
How to join the celebration
Find Sapori Trattoria at 2701 N. Halsted St. You can reserve a table on OpenTable or visit the restaurant’s website for more information.
