Breakfast Menu	Brunch Menu	Lunch Menu
Dinner Menu	Dessert Menu	Wine List

Growing up in an Italian family, Executive Chef Dean Zanella had no choice but to be immersed in Italian cuisine, what with his father and grandfather fighting over who grows the better tomato, his uncle blessing the rabbits they raised before his mother served them for supper, and the never-ending search for the perfect bakery. As early as fourteen, Zanella was growing vegetables on the family property and kneading dough for pizzas and pasta in a neighborhood Italian restaurant.

After his culinary education at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, Zanella worked with Peter Merriman at his restaurant on the island of Hawaii. Zanella brought Merriman's influence, plus his commitment to natural flavors and local produce, to his later work at some great restaurants, including Charlie Trotter's and Gordon.

In 1994, as executive chef at Grappa, Zanella opened what Chicago Magazine dubbed one of the "Best New Restaurants" in the city.

Also a mentor and a teacher, Zanella reaches out and supports programs such as Gallery 37 (a city-sponsored educational program spearheaded by Maggie Daley), where he teaches high school students the ins and outs of being a chef.

Today, Zanella's Italian menus at 312 Chicago intertwines treasured family recipes, fresh contemporary presentations and years of experience. With the gifted chefs he's learned from and the natural talent he possesses, Chef Zanella will continue to impress as well as succeed in getting people to not only eat to live, but live to eat.

Chef Dean Zanella and 312 Chicago are proud to use the finest products from locally grown farms specializing in sustainable agriculture, organic farming and naturally raised livestock. Please click on the following websites to learn more about 312 Chicago’s fantastic farming resources.

www.chicagogreencitymarket.org
www.thelandconnection.org
www.nicholsfarm.com

Back to top

*Address:*	136 N. LaSalle Street at Randolph Chicago, IL 60602
*Phone:*	312.696.2420
*Fax:*	312.236.0153

*Hours of Operation:*	Monday 7–10 a.m. and 11–3 p.m. Tuesday–Friday 7–10 a.m. and 11 a.m.–10p.m. Saturday 8–11 a.m. and 5–10 p.m. Sunday 8 a.m.–2 p.m. and 5–9 p.m.
	312 Chicago is closed for dinner on Monday nights but we are still available for private events and restaurant buyouts. Contact Amy Welsh at or 312.696.2420.

312 Chicago accepts all major credit cards, including:
Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Diners Club and Discover.