SOMOS Hospitality is pleased to reveal UMMO – a contemporary Italian restaurant and social lounge now open in the heart of River North at 22 W. Hubbard St.
Chef/Partner José Sosa presents a contemporary Italian menu unlocking the flavors of regional cooking in a stunning, artfully imagined space designed by Karen Herold of Studio K Creative.
UMMO and its upstairs lounge, simply referred to as the loft, present two deeply interconnected experiences that share a colorful story of culture and artful living.
Chef Sosa’s leadership is at the heart, reflected in his insatiable passion for Italy and menus featuring globally traced, superior ingredients that are simply and elegantly prepared.
He sources quality items from producers direct from Italy and the U.S., with exclusive partnerships such as the one he enjoys with Andrea Bezzecchi, UMMO’s balsamic producer at Acetaia San Giacomo.
Ingredients are fully expressed through fine, house-made pastas; decadent cheese and meat offerings; colorful farm-fresh vegetables; hearty proteins; delicate seafood selections; and more.
With antipasti, primi, secondi, and contorni, his menu changes frequently to reflect both of-the-moment seasonality and new discoveries.
Dolci are envisioned in partnership with world-renowned Pastry Chef Jesús Escalera and include selections that are as visually creative and technical as they are flavorful.
A boutique wine program spotlights producers predominantly from Italy, France, Spain and the U.S., and guests seeking creative cocktails will enjoy a fine selection developed by Beverage Director James Van Der Bosch, most recently a mixology lead at The Alinea Group.
At UMMO, his drinks are every bit as inventive as Chef Sosa’s dishes, replete with artistry and balance. View the full menus online.
Signature to Studio K Creative, UMMO’s visual experience invokes a stylish sense of arrival.
As guests are ushered into a sophisticated, open-layout dining room seating 100 and an intimate bar for 12, they pick up on cues inspired by one of Karen Herold’s favorite galleries in Milan – with spaces enveloped in demure, natural palettes of sage, tan and brown.
This direction is intentional.
Like Chef Sosa’s approach to simplicity on the plate, Herold shares a similar philosophy when it comes to design – allowing for the fullest expression of color to come from the presence of guests.
Ombre herringbone flooring, custom crafted by Italian-based Diesel, draws the eye long to the bustling open kitchen on the far end of the dining room.
There, the gaze rests on a show-stopping, copper countertop placed directly in front of the kitchen, a dramatic focal point.
Art in all forms is an integral component of UMMO’s environment. Discover finely curated, sophisticated pieces sourced by gallerist Laura Rashid of LBC Art & Design that introduce both color and conversation.
In the dining room, these include prized vintage jazz prints from musical festivals in Italy, mid-century finds, unique sculptures and more.
Herold and her team also replaced the dining room’s shared staircase wall leading to the lofty upstairs with glass, creating a fascinating point of visual connection between diners and those walking upstairs.
And the open kitchen? Art in motion, from pasta rolling to live-fire cooking.
As guests travel upstairs to the 200-seat loft, they sense a more jovial energy, beginning with enigmatic artwork hung to ceiling height along the staircase.
Upstairs, pieces are thoughtfully placed throughout thee expansive loft – leaning against a wall, or atop a shelf casually hanging from the beams.
An immense, back-lit retro art installation extends the length of the west wall, at once somehow conjuring both disco and modern Italian vibes.
The loft is cool and 70’s vintage-inspired, with well-loved Persian rugs padding the floors and seating configurations that range from convivial brasserie-style to tasteful lounge formats that lend a prime view of the social activity all around.
Eclectic furniture pieces are chic and purposeful – a credenza and a chaise here, a soft leather couch there.
Here, guests can enjoy a full menu of food, wine and craft cocktails.
On weekends, expect live music or high-profile deejay entertainment.
A separate dining room is available for exclusive, private dining experiences that can seat up to 16 guests. Full buyouts for social and corporate functions are also available.
At UMMO, guests are in for an exciting narrative about Italian cuisine — a top-to-bottom experience woven with passion, skill, and profound appreciation for the timeless flavors and that certain zest for life only found in Italia.
Beginning tonight, UMMO is open Sunday through Wednesday from 4 to10 p.m. and Thursday through Saturday from 4 to 11 p.m.
Brunch and lunch service will be introduced in the weeks ahead.
Valet parking is available.
Visit ummochicago.com and follow at @ummochicago and @chefjosesosa.