Fabio Viviani Hospitality is bringing its LAGO restaurant concept to Chicago’s North Shore, announcing plans for a second LAGO location in Glenview, slated to open in November 2026. The new Glenview restaurant will bring LAGO’s signature combination of modern Italian steakhouse cuisine, and handcrafted cocktails, to one of Chicago’s growing suburban communities. The Glenview location will be located at 1808 Waukegan Road. The two-story, 10,119-square-foot restaurant will accommodate approximately 205 guests, with 5,564 square feet comprising the second floor.
“LAGO has become exactly what we hoped it would be, a place where great food, great drinks and genuine hospitality come together in a setting that feels special but still welcoming,” said Fabio Viviani, Founder and CEO of Fabio Viviani Hospitality. “Glenview is an incredible community, and we’re excited to bring LAGO to the North Shore and create another destination where people can come together, celebrate and enjoy themselves.”
Local Partnerships Brings LAGO Glenview to Life
The Glenview expansion brings together Fabio Viviani Hospitality with a group of business leaders who share a vision for creating a new dining and social destination on Chicago’s North Shore.
Viviani is partnering with entrepreneur and real estate developer Romeo Kapudija, whose portfolio includes Revault fueled by Luxe Corsa, an automotive-focused real estate development. Kapudija has built his career around developing distinctive concepts and experiences across real estate and business ventures and is already a partner with Viviani in LAGO Lake Zurich.
Also joining the partnership is Bill Stavrou, owner of Valley Lodge Tavern, part of the team behind one of Glenview’s longtime neighborhood dining destinations. Stavrou brings nearly three decades of restaurant operating experience on Chicago’s North Shore and is also an existing partner with Viviani in Giostra in South Barrington. His family has operated Valley Lodge Tavern in Glenview since 1997, later expanding the concept to Wilmette.
LAGO Glenview brings these established partnerships together for the first time, combining restaurant expertise, entrepreneurship, local knowledge and deep community connections on Chicago’s North Shore.
“What makes this partnership exciting is that we are bringing together different areas of experience with a shared understanding of what makes the North Shore special,” said Kapudija. “We see an opportunity to create something distinctive with LAGO Glenview, a destination that brings great food, hospitality and energy together under one roof.”
“Glenview has supported Valley Lodge for nearly seven decades, so I understand how important it is for a restaurant to become part of the community rather than simply operate in it,” said Stavrou. “We want LAGO to be a place people come back to - for dinner, celebrations, cocktails, brunch and all of the moments in between.”
A Modern Italian Steakhouse Experience
Opened in Lake Zurich in 2024, LAGO was created as a modern Italian steakhouse with an elevated yet approachable atmosphere and city-inspired feel. The menu brings together premium steaks and chops, seafood, housemade pastas, Italian-inspired appetizers and desserts, complemented by an extensive cocktail, wine and spirits program.
Beyond dinner, LAGO Lake Zurich has developed into a year-round dining and social destination, offering weekend brunch, weekday happy hour, seasonal chef specials, as well as experiential dining events like wine and chef-led dinners, a Cars & Espresso series, LAGO Late Night programming, holiday events and more. The restaurant also offers private and semi-private event options and off-site catering for celebrations, corporate gatherings and other special occasions.
Continued Growth for Fabio Viviani Hospitality
The Glenview announcement represents another step in the continued growth of Fabio Viviani Hospitality, the restaurant and hospitality company founded by chef, restaurateur and television personality Fabio Viviani.
Viviani, who first came to national attention on Top Chef, has built a national hospitality portfolio spanning restaurants, event venues and hospitality concepts. Fabio Viviani Hospitality currently operates and develops more than 40 restaurant concepts across the United States.
With LAGO’s expansion into Glenview, Viviani Hospitality continues its commitment to developing destination-driven restaurant concepts that combine memorable food with genuine hospitality and an engaging guest experience.
“Chicago has played an important role in our growth, and we’re excited to continue investing in the region,” said Viviani. “Glenview gives us an opportunity to introduce LAGO to a new audience while continuing to build on what has made the Lake Zurich restaurant so successful. We look forward to being part of this growing community”
Construction is currently underway with LAGO Glenview targeted to open in November 2026.
The Takeaway
Fabio Viviani Hospitality is bringing its LAGO restaurant concept to Chicago’s North Shore, announcing plans for a second LAGO location in Glenview, slated to open in November 2026. The new Glenview restaurant will bring LAGO’s signature combination of modern Italian steakhouse cuisine, and handcrafted cocktails, to one of Chicago’s growing suburban communities. The Glenview location will be located at 1808 Waukegan Road. The two-story, 10,119-square-foot restaurant will accommodate approximately 205 guests, with 5,564 square feet comprising the second floor.
“LAGO has become exactly what we hoped it would be, a place where great food, great drinks and genuine hospitality come together in a setting that feels special but still welcoming,” said Fabio Viviani, Founder and CEO of Fabio Viviani Hospitality. “Glenview is an incredible community, and we’re excited to bring LAGO to the North Shore and create another destination where people can come together, celebrate and enjoy themselves.”
Local Partnerships Brings LAGO Glenview to Life
The Glenview expansion brings together Fabio Viviani Hospitality with a group of business leaders who share a vision for creating a new dining and social destination on Chicago’s North Shore.
Viviani is partnering with entrepreneur and real estate developer Romeo Kapudija, whose portfolio includes Revault fueled by Luxe Corsa, an automotive-focused real estate development. Kapudija has built his career around developing distinctive concepts and experiences across real estate and business ventures and is already a partner with Viviani in LAGO Lake Zurich.
Also joining the partnership is Bill Stavrou, owner of Valley Lodge Tavern, part of the team behind one of Glenview’s longtime neighborhood dining destinations. Stavrou brings nearly three decades of restaurant operating experience on Chicago’s North Shore and is also an existing partner with Viviani in Giostra in South Barrington. His family has operated Valley Lodge Tavern in Glenview since 1997, later expanding the concept to Wilmette.
LAGO Glenview brings these established partnerships together for the first time, combining restaurant expertise, entrepreneurship, local knowledge and deep community connections on Chicago’s North Shore.
“What makes this partnership exciting is that we are bringing together different areas of experience with a shared understanding of what makes the North Shore special,” said Kapudija. “We see an opportunity to create something distinctive with LAGO Glenview, a destination that brings great food, hospitality and energy together under one roof.”
“Glenview has supported Valley Lodge for nearly seven decades, so I understand how important it is for a restaurant to become part of the community rather than simply operate in it,” said Stavrou. “We want LAGO to be a place people come back to - for dinner, celebrations, cocktails, brunch and all of the moments in between.”
A Modern Italian Steakhouse Experience
Opened in Lake Zurich in 2024, LAGO was created as a modern Italian steakhouse with an elevated yet approachable atmosphere and city-inspired feel. The menu brings together premium steaks and chops, seafood, housemade pastas, Italian-inspired appetizers and desserts, complemented by an extensive cocktail, wine and spirits program.
Beyond dinner, LAGO Lake Zurich has developed into a year-round dining and social destination, offering weekend brunch, weekday happy hour, seasonal chef specials, as well as experiential dining events like wine and chef-led dinners, a Cars & Espresso series, LAGO Late Night programming, holiday events and more. The restaurant also offers private and semi-private event options and off-site catering for celebrations, corporate gatherings and other special occasions.
Continued Growth for Fabio Viviani Hospitality
The Glenview announcement represents another step in the continued growth of Fabio Viviani Hospitality, the restaurant and hospitality company founded by chef, restaurateur and television personality Fabio Viviani.
Viviani, who first came to national attention on Top Chef, has built a national hospitality portfolio spanning restaurants, event venues and hospitality concepts. Fabio Viviani Hospitality currently operates and develops more than 40 restaurant concepts across the United States.
With LAGO’s expansion into Glenview, Viviani Hospitality continues its commitment to developing destination-driven restaurant concepts that combine memorable food with genuine hospitality and an engaging guest experience.
“Chicago has played an important role in our growth, and we’re excited to continue investing in the region,” said Viviani. “Glenview gives us an opportunity to introduce LAGO to a new audience while continuing to build on what has made the Lake Zurich restaurant so successful. We look forward to being part of this growing community”
Construction is currently underway with LAGO Glenview targeted to open in November 2026.
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Location
1808 Waukegan Road, Glenview, IL
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