For this Weekend Special, Chef Silvia drew inspiration from the agro-pastoral culture present on the island of Sardinia (if you’re looking on a map, it looks sort of like the football the boot of Italy just kicked). Sardinia’s culture was made richer thanks to the vast diversity of Mediterranean area, and Silvia is bringing those flavors to Merlo on Maple.

Roasted meats, breads, cheeses, game, fish and a collection of wild herbs will all be featured, and it’s precisely the type of food that sums up the heart-healthy Mediterranean diet. And as UNESCO says, the diet is healthy not just because of its food, but the culture that surrounds it.

“The Mediterranean diet (from the Greek diaita, or way of life) encompasses more than just food. It promotes social interaction, since communal meals are the cornerstone of social customs and festive … Read More »

To welcome the tens of thousands of National Restaurant Association Show attendees, the Weekend Special at Merlo on Maple will follow a similar menu degustazione (menu tasting) concept we used for our Mother’s Day special. This is the ideal way to get a taste of what makes Chef Silvia’s authentic Bolognese food so appealing.

As inspiration for this weekend’s menu tasting, Silvia looked to Piedmont (a northwest region of Italy known for its wine production) and put together an incredible combination of flavors. Specifially, she drew inspiration from the hills of Langhe, famous for the wine, cheeses, and truffles it produces. Using authentic ingredients applied to old recipes, Silvia has recreated the tastes and feelings present in the best food one can find in Piedmont.

We present to you our very special 9-course menu! If you’re ready to dine with us, click … Read More »

When we think of mothers, the one thing that immediately comes to mind is the best comfort food we can imagine. What can we say? We have food on the brain.

We’re celebrating mothers this weekend, so instead of a traditional weekend special, Merlo on Maple will feature some of the best comfort food Italy has to offer.

We will have a special tasting menu inspired by the typical cuisine from the south of Italy. It differs slightly from our typical Northern Italian cuisine, but it remains Italian, authentic, and delicious.

For the Mother’s Day tasting menu, Chef Silvia will offer 5 courses.

First Course: Fave Fresche, Pecorino Sardo e Cipollotti
Fresh fava beans, pecorino from Sardinio, and spring onions

Second Course: Fiori di Zucca in Pastella
Zucchini flowers, buffalo mozzarella, and anchovies in tempura

Third Course: Pasta Imbottita (pictured)
Pastry dough filled with homemade semola macaroni in … Read More »

About Guineafowl

Guineafowl is a bird you may not know much about as its native continent is Africa. But over time it’s been domesticated in other places, so more and more people now know about its taste. The flavor of guineafowl lies somewhere between chicken and turkey, and when prepared correctly it’s like pheasant, only juicier.

The Mistress of the Inn

La Locandiera (The Mistress of the Inn) is a classic three-act play that was penned by Carlo Goldoni in 1753. A playwright who was beloved for his mixture of wit and honesty, Goldoni wrote some of Italy’s favorite plays. And of those, La Locandiera is often regarded as his masterpiece.

The play’s protagonist, a coquettish heroine, prepared special dishes and sauces for her guests. Among those dishes was the Veal and Guineafowl meal that will be this weekend’s special at Merlo on Maple. … Read More »

Michele Savonarola was a 15th-century Italian physician and scientist who lived in the Veneto region of Italy. A prolific author who wrote many important medical texts, Savonarola was also professor at the University of Padova and the University of Ferrara.

Chef Luisa Silvia found the recipe for Savonarola’s favorite dish that was prepared for him during a gala in his honor: Storione in Acqua Fervente con Capperi e Uvette (translated: Sturgeon with capers and raisins).

Silvia will interpret the recipe using her world-class experience, instinct, and sensitivity. The sturgeon is a fresh 21-pounder, and it will be accompanied by white asparagus that’s currently in season in the Veneto region. This dish is quite popular in Italy, and we’re excited to bring it to Chicago.

Pondering a visit to Merlo on Maple this weekend? We can’t wait to see you! Make your reservation here.

Greg and Pam, residents of Cincinnati, Ohio, recently dined at Merlo on Maple and came away thrilled that they visited us. And we have to say, now matter how much new technology we fall in love with, we’ll always appreciate a handwritten note.

If you’re ready for a fabulous authentic Italian experience of your own, just reserve a table at Merlo on Maple.

For this weekend’s special, Executive Chef Silvia Marani was inspired by a menu (click picture to enlarge) that she found in Biblioteca Gastronomica Academia Barilla.

This menu dates all the way back to 1883, at which time it was prepared for the wedding between Prince Tommaso Savoia Genova and Isabelle di Bavaria in the castle of Nympfenburg.

Chef Silvia was especially impressed by one of the courses of this incredible dinner known by it’s original French name as “salmi de becasses au truffles.”

Seeing that Chef Silvia was lucky enough to import the extremely rare woodcock from England, she jumped at the opportunity to prepare this dish.

The procedure for making salmi can only be applied to the most succulent and flavorful of meats such as woodcock.

It is perfect for lovers of game meat as it is known for being nutritious and delicate … Read More »