Industry Veterans to Open Italian Restaurant on Milwaukee Avenue

A new Wicker Park eatery is set to open in October at a space that's been empty for almost nine months. 

Azzurra EnoTavola will be an Italian restaurant headed by Ron DiNella and Marty Fosse, Eater Chicago reports. Both are longtime friends and have an extensive history in the Chicago restaurant scene. DiNella is the former CFO of Morton's Steakhouse and Fosse owns the Andersonville restaurants Anteprima, Acre and Ombra.

The space at 1467 N. Milwaukee Ave. used to house Gunners, a bar that closed in December. 

"Gunner's gave us much to celebrate over the past 3 years, and we're grateful for all the memories and friendships made!" owners Eric and Dan Palm wrote on the Gunner's Facebook page. "Here's to a happy and healthy 2013--cheers!" 

The 2,000 square-foot building holds up to 80 seats, Eater reports. 

DiNella and Fosse hope to separate themselves from several other Italian restaurants in the area. Lucia's, Ripasso, and Francesca's Forno are all within a half-mile radius of the soon-to-be Azzurra EnoTavola.