Meet the Chef: Antoine Cedicci

The heart and soul of Trattoria Ultimo beats through the hands of its founder, Chef Antoine Cedicci—a culinary artist whose journey spans continents, kitchens, and generations of Italian tradition.

Long before opening Trattoria Ultimo in Ukrainian Village, Chef Cedicci enchanted Chicago diners with Pane Caldo, his intimate Gold Coast restaurant famed for its single window table and refined Italian fare [[3]]. Known for his generosity and deep enthusiasm for food, Cedicci quickly became a standout figure in the city’s dining landscape.

In 2012, he unveiled Trattoria Ultimo at 1953 W. Chicago Avenue—a cozy, BYOB trattoria in the former Bobo’s Market space [[3]]. Here, Cedicci merged his European training with a passion for seasonal, locally sourced ingredients to create a menu that changes with the rhythm of the year.

His culinary philosophy was shaped by hands-on experience in kitchens across Italy, France, Germany, and Switzerland. This international perspective infuses every dish—not with complexity, but with thoughtful simplicity: house-made gnocchi, slow-simmered sauces, ravioli filled with king crab, and vegetables celebrated at their peak.

“Chicago folks, if you haven’t dined at Antoine Cedicci’s Trattoria Ultimo, you’re missing out on an experience that’s unique even to Chicago’s Italian-filled scene,” wrote food critic Sabrina Medora in 2017—a sentiment echoed by countless guests who’ve lingered over bottles of wine and plates of pasta in this warmly lit corner of Ukrainian Village.

Though Cedicci has since explored new ventures—including Locanda in the Gold Coast—his legacy at Trattoria Ultimo remains rooted in one belief: food made from scratch, with care and joy, is food that feeds the soul.

Come taste the story on your plate—dove si mangia bene.