Publications & Sites 
Italian restaurant in Niles a family affair
The bar inside La Tavola Trattoria in Niles. The restaurant offers Italian food. | Jeff Krage~for Sun-Times Media
On the Clock
Business name: La Tavola Trattoria, 8808 N. Milwaukee Ave., Niles
Phone number: (847) 376-8294
Website: http://latavolatrattoriachicago.com/
Article Extras
Updated: November 8, 2012 3:12PM
NILES —When customers stroll in to La Tavola Trattoria, they are greeted with a cozy, Tuscan-style atmosphere and fresh Northern Italian cuisine.
The restaurant that recently opened its doors at 8808 N. Milwaukee Ave. is owned by brothers Carlos, Mario, and Eddy Montiel.
Mario is the restaurant manager and Eddy is the executive chef at the restaurant that replaced Rossini’s.
At La Tavola Trattoria, customers are able to see their fresh pasta being cooked in front of them at a pasta station. Each day, the restaurant also offers a fresh catch of the day.
The Montiel brothers may be new to Niles, but not to the restaurant scene.
The brothers opened Carlos & Carlos in 1985 in Chicago and later opened another Carlos & Carlos in Arlington Heights.
Prior to opening La Tavola Trattoria, the brothers ran Capriccios in Northfield for 23 years. Capriccios closed before they opened the new Niles location.
“We were the first ones to introduce the fresh pastas being made in front of people,” said Mario Montiel, reflecting back to the ’80s when they opened Carlos & Carlos in Chicago.
Montiel said that the atmosphere of La Tavola Trattoria is family-friendly, while providing a very nice ambiance. On Fridays and Saturdays, customers can listen to live music.
Eddy Montiel went to cooking school in Los Angeles and worked as a chef in Italy and Spain. He said that Northern Italian food has a French influence.
The restaurant features a private dining room that seats about 50 people and a smaller private room called the “Carlos Dining Room,” which seats about 10 people. Mario said that guests can create their own menu or order special dishes off the menu.
According to Mario Montiel, the smaller room is perfect for business parties, birthday parties, anniversaries and other celebrations.
“The location is very nice,” he said. “We are very happy to be here. It’s a very nice community.”
“We have a lot of friends in Niles,” Eddy Montiel said.
The restaurant is open for dinner seven nights a week and starting Nov. 1 they will serve lunches on Tuesday through Friday.
