Hollywood Casino Partners With Celebrity Chef Giada De Laurentiis for New Restaurants
Giada Brings a Taste of Italy to Illinois’ Casino Scene
Rigatoni and Roulette 🍝
If you didn’t grow up with your mom watching Everyday Italian on the Food Network while furiously scribbling down Giada De Laurentiis’ recipes, then you probably had a mom who either worked too much or had the luxury of eating out. For the rest of us, Giada was a staple of early 2000s kitchen television, serving up big smiles, even bigger pasta portions, and an arguably disproportionate use of the word “mozzarella.”
Now, she’s in casino news headlines for bringing that signature Italian charm to Illinois with Sorella by Giada and Sorellina by Giada, two new restaurants opening at Hollywood Casino locations in Aurora and Joliet, respectively.
According to Suburban Chicago’s news outlet, the Daily Herald, Penn Entertainment, the parent company of Hollywood Casino, announced the partnership as part of their expansion into land-based casinos. That’s right—these casinos were originally riverboats (because Illinois has gaming laws that are as fun and confusing as a game of blackjack after a few too many comped drinks). The new locations ditch the river for dry land, but they’re still making a splash by bringing in some serious star power.
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An Italian Dream
And honestly? It makes sense. Illinois has a sizable Italian-American population, so a high-end Italian eatery is a safe bet. Plus, Giada already has two successful restaurants in Las Vegas—Giada at The Cromwell and Pronto by Giada at Caesars Palace—so she knows how to cater to a casino crowd looking for a top-tier meal between rounds at the slots.
I’m so excited to bring a little bit of my Vegas restaurant to ur kitchen with this new lemon spaghetti box!https://t.co/HIgJ2UdPn4 pic.twitter.com/lw88BM33JG
— Giada De Laurentiis (@GDeLaurentiis) November 12, 2023
The Aurora location’s Sorella (Italian for “sister”) is set to be the more upscale of the two, featuring refined dishes and a formal ambiance. Meanwhile, Joliet’s Sorellina (“little sister”) will have a lighter, more casual vibe, complete with a contemporary bar and an extensive wine list, featuring some of Giada’s personal favorites. Either way, expect plenty of pasta, pizza, and high-quality Italian ingredients—because what’s a celebrity chef restaurant without a little culinary flex?
This is one of my most popular dishes at my Vegas restaurant @giadavegas and it just so happens to be vegetarian
Vegetarian Bolognese: https://t.co/p85Sq3c8SG pic.twitter.com/1P9TtJ5IQ8— Giada De Laurentiis (@GDeLaurentiis) May 14, 2021
With a casino restaurant resume already built in Vegas, a devout following of home cooks, and a name that immediately conjures up nostalgia (and the mental soundbite of her saying “prosciutto” in perfect Italian), Giada’s latest move is iconic. After all, if you’re going to win big at casinos, you might as well do it while eating some damn good Italian food. First, Martha Stewart’s The Bedford to Connecticut, and now this? The East is getting absolutely spoiled.
And if you prefer cooking and gambling from the comfort of home, you’re in luck—there are plenty of Giada shows to binge and an online casino where you can play for real money without dealing with the hustle and bustle of a brick-and-mortar location. So whether you’re after the best gambling app or the best Italian food, you’ve got options.
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