Tony Priolo is a loyal man. He’s loyal to Chicago, where he grew up on the Northwest Side and attended the Cooking and Hospitality Institute of Chicago. And he’s loyal to Italian cooking, which he learned as a kid from his grandmother and honed for more than a decade as the chef of Coco Pazzo. Now 37, Priolo finally has his little dream: Piccolo Sogno, a casual 80-seat Italian restaurant in the coveted former Thyme space. "It’s going  to be simple Italian food for the neighborhood," says Priolo. "Fresh handmade  pastas, wood-grilled meats and fish, wood-fired pizza. From bread to ice cream, everything will be in-house. Like in Italy." 464 N. Halsted St.; 312-421-0077.

Photograph: Tyllie Barbosa  Food Styling: Lisa Benitez Kuehl