The Heart Behind the Kitchen
Our Story
Born in Corbara, a small town between the Amalfi Coast and Napoli, Chef Ciro Parlato's love of food began before he could walk.
Raised by his grandmother Anna, an exceptional home cook and owner of a Salumeria, Ciro grew up playing under pasta preparation counters, his first toys fashioned from fresh pasta scraps. Over 24 years in the food industry, he immersed himself in the culinary traditions of more than 13 Italian regions.
On 12/12/12, sipping espresso in Pompeii, Ciro overheard two locals leaving for Miami. Within 10 days he followed them to Florida, becoming Executive Chef of an Italian restaurant in Miami Beach. A chance encounter with a professor from Oak Park brought him here, and he never left.
After years as a private chef and server at Eataly Chicago, gaining both kitchen and front-of-house mastery, Ciro flew home during the 2020 pandemic to write his business plan. On September 26, 2023, Ciro opened its doors on Pleasant Street, warmly embraced by Oak Park from day one.
