Restaurateur Fabio Viviani is expanding his presence in the Barrington area through a new partnership with Chef Gianni Gallucci and the announcement of Primmamore Mercato, an Italian marketplace and deli expected to open in 2027.
Located in the Arboretum of South Barrington, next door to the existing Giostra restaurant, Primmamore Mercato will offer a more casual, everyday way to enjoy Italian food, whether stopping in for lunch, picking up a few things for dinner or gathering with friends over pizza and a glass of wine. The market will also feature imported Italian products, desserts and gelato, along with a selection of wines and casual beverages.
Primmamore means “my first love,” and for Gallucci, it’s personal. His family roots are just outside Naples, where he spent childhood summers playing soccer with friends and following the smell of fresh bread to the cortile, the shared courtyard where neighbors gathered around an open garden and a wood-burning oven. Bread came out of the oven, and the leftover dough became pizza. Years later, he found a second influence in the neighborhood delis and pizzerias of New York.
“Primmamore Mercato will bring the warmth of an Italian family kitchen together with the energy of a New York Italian deli,” Gallucci said. “It’s about bringing together the best of both worlds while staying true to the traditions and flavors that inspired it all.”
Ingredients will come from Naples and the Campania region, alongside domestic products such as Wisconsin cheeses and Chicago-sourced pepperoni, he said.
The market offerings will include:
Artisan Italian sandwiches: Six to eight signature sandwiches inspired by Italian market staples. Gallucci’s favorite is sliced porchetta with provolone.
Pizza by the slice: Pies that draw on both traditional Italian techniques and New York pizza culture, with an emphasis on quality dough.
Fresh pasta and sauces: Pasta made daily and packaged to take home, along with sauces including vodka, arrabbiata, Alfredo and cacio e pepe.
Prepared meals: Ready-to-heat dishes such as lasagna, meatballs and other family-style dishes designed to make dinner easier.
Provisions: Imported pantry staples, desserts and gelato and other finds to bring a taste of Italy home.
Beyond the food, Primmamore Mercato is being designed as a neighborhood gathering place. Plans include a communal table at the center where guests can come together for hands-on pasta-making and pizza-making classes, culinary demonstrations and other experiences celebrating Italian food and culture.
The beverage selection will keep things equally approachable, with rotating wines on tap, Prosecco and Negronis on tap, along with bottled wine and six-packs of beer available to take home.
“You stop in for a sandwich and leave with fresh pasta, a bottle of wine and dinner for the family. That’s the beauty of an Italian market - it’s part of your everyday life,” Viviani said. “We’re bringing that spirit to Barrington and Primmamore Mercato will be similar to that little neighborhood spot in Italy you stumble upon and immediately fall in love with.”
Grand opening details, menu highlights and upcoming events will be announced in the coming months. For updates, follow @Primmamore.mercato on Instagram and visit https://www.primmamoremercato.com.
Before You Visit
Restaurateur Fabio Viviani is expanding his presence in the Barrington area through a new partnership with Chef Gianni Gallucci and the announcement of Primmamore Mercato, an Italian marketplace and deli expected to open in 2027.
Located in the Arboretum of South Barrington, next door to the existing Giostra restaurant, Primmamore Mercato will offer a more casual, everyday way to enjoy Italian food, whether stopping in for lunch, picking up a few things for dinner or gathering with friends over pizza and a glass of wine. The market will also feature imported Italian products, desserts and gelato, along with a selection of wines and casual beverages.
Primmamore means “my first love,” and for Gallucci, it’s personal. His family roots are just outside Naples, where he spent childhood summers playing soccer with friends and following the smell of fresh bread to the cortile, the shared courtyard where neighbors gathered around an open garden and a wood-burning oven. Bread came out of the oven, and the leftover dough became pizza. Years later, he found a second influence in the neighborhood delis and pizzerias of New York.
“Primmamore Mercato will bring the warmth of an Italian family kitchen together with the energy of a New York Italian deli,” Gallucci said. “It’s about bringing together the best of both worlds while staying true to the traditions and flavors that inspired it all.”
Ingredients will come from Naples and the Campania region, alongside domestic products such as Wisconsin cheeses and Chicago-sourced pepperoni, he said.
The market offerings will include:
Beyond the food, Primmamore Mercato is being designed as a neighborhood gathering place. Plans include a communal table at the center where guests can come together for hands-on pasta-making and pizza-making classes, culinary demonstrations and other experiences celebrating Italian food and culture.
The beverage selection will keep things equally approachable, with rotating wines on tap, Prosecco and Negronis on tap, along with bottled wine and six-packs of beer available to take home.
“You stop in for a sandwich and leave with fresh pasta, a bottle of wine and dinner for the family. That’s the beauty of an Italian market - it’s part of your everyday life,” Viviani said. “We’re bringing that spirit to Barrington and Primmamore Mercato will be similar to that little neighborhood spot in Italy you stumble upon and immediately fall in love with.”
Grand opening details, menu highlights and upcoming events will be announced in the coming months. For updates, follow @Primmamore.mercato on Instagram and visit https://www.primmamoremercato.com.
Explore This Topic
Location
100 W Higgins Rd, South Barrington, IL 60010
Comments
Be the first to comment.
Never miss an eat.
Sign up for breaking news from the Chicago food scene.
Follow Us