Tutto, (pronounced TOO-toe) meaning “everything” in Italian, is set to open in early fall at 1033 N. Old World 3rd St.
It’s a return to the Milwaukee dining scene for the “Giovanni's” family as Giovanni Safina, his three sons Sal, David and Joe, along with Donato Salvo have been working hard to make Tutto a reality.
The initial plans for the building, which the family owns and which sits about a block away from the future Kincaid’s’, included only apartments and condos, and possibly retail. But, the family decided it was time to get back into the Milwaukee dining scene.
“We found a gap in the Milwaukee dining experience and we wanted to fill it,” says Joe Safina, who created Tutto’s concept. “The top three floors will still be apartments, but the first floor will be Tutto.”
Safina says it will have the feel of a vintage New York City-style, Italian sports bar but with a modern twist. While we’re not exactly sure what that is, we can tell you that it’s a departure from what you’d expect at the old Giovanni’s, which closed last year.
“I am proud to see my sons carry on and modernize the family name, while keeping its classy image,” said Giovanni.
A few of Giovanni’s favorites, though, will be resuscitated for the lunch and dinner menus at Tutto. Having worked the Giovanni’s kitchen for 10 years together, brothers David and Joe Safina should be well prepared to run this new venture.
The 3,200 sq. ft. Tutto space will feature cream city brick and an exposed kitchen.
“We wanted guests to enjoy everything from the dining experience. We chose menu items guests look forward to seeing when dining, picked classic and modern songs that everyone loves to hear, and gave guests the option to watch the game on their own personal LCD screen in the booths,” said David.
The restaurant is designed by Sharon Celek of Celek Interiors. Celek and her former business partner Maria Cieslik also developed concepts the OnMilwaukee.com office and many other area restaurants.
“Designing for Tutto, I took the building and the neighborhood into consideration by blending traditional elements in the lighting, draperies, artwork and dark wood tones, with modern lines and materials. The décor is upscale yet casual, a place where people can feel comfortable coming for a drink or a meal, before or after games or events. The design is flexible enough to fit the needs of a restaurant early on in the evening, and transitions easily into the excitement and energy of a neighborhood bar as the night progresses,” said Celek.
The opening launch and hours of operation will be finalized soon, but you can expect lunch, dinner and a late night menu with appetizers, pastas, burgers and of course, Giovanni’s famous veal recipe.
A life-long and passionate community leader and Milwaukeean, Jeff Sherman is a co-founder of OnMilwaukee.
He grew up in Wauwatosa and graduated from Marquette University, as a Warrior. He holds an MBA from Cardinal Stritch University, and is the founding president of Young Professionals of Milwaukee (YPM)/Fuel Milwaukee.
Early in his career, Sherman was one of youngest members of the Greater Milwaukee Committee, and currently is involved in numerous civic and community groups - including board positions at The Wisconsin Center District, Wisconsin Club and Marcus Center for the Performing Arts. He's honored to have been named to The Business Journal's "30 under 30" and Milwaukee Magazine's "35 under 35" lists.
He owns a condo in Downtown and lives in greater Milwaukee with his wife Stephanie, his son, Jake, and daughter Pierce. He's a political, music, sports and news junkie and thinks, for what it's worth, that all new movies should be released in theaters, on demand, online and on DVD simultaneously.
He also thinks you should read OnMilwaukee each and every day.
