Born in Granada, Spain, Emilio Gervilla
spent his youth working at his grandfather's bakery and
tapas bar. It comes as no surprise that Emilio's dream
was to have his own tapas restaurant one day.
Young Gervilla completed his chef apprenticeship in hotels
throughout Spain. He developed a way of adapting each
new cuisine to recipes for his little dishes (tapas),
and recorded them to his memory. Gervilla had a goal,
and believed that through hard work, it would be achieved.
It was in 1973, when Emilio moved to the United States,
that he was able to further develop his techniques. He
workded from 1980 to 1988 at various restaurants for the
Lettuce Entertain You Restaurant Group. Emilio opened
Lettuce's Cafe Ba Ba Reba as Chef. This was Chicago's
first Tapas Bar and Restaurant.
In 1988, Emilio took the great step and opened his own
Emilio's Tapas Bar Restaurant in Hillside, Illinois. This
restaurant was named one of Chicago's Ten Best New Restaurants
by the prestigious Chicago Magazine. His success spurred
new ideas and brought the opening of two additional restaurants:
Emilio's Tapas Chicago Lincoln Park, which opened in September,
1994, and Emilio's newest tapas bar and restaurant, Emilio's
Tapas Sol y Nieve, located in Chicago's Streeterville
neighborhood. Sol y Nieve features a private dining room,
outdoor patio, and extensive wine bar.
Emilio proved that dreams do come true; and if you can't
go home again, you can bring home along with you. Emilio
believes great food, good ambiance, and selling city-style
food at country prices, is giving the guests what they
like. Gervilla plans to continue bringing his Chicago-style
restaurants to people everywhere. |
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Hillside
| 4100 W. Roosevelt Rd., Hillside, IL 60162
Phone: 708-547-7177
La Rioja | 230 W.
Front St., Wheaton, IL 60187
Phone: 630-653-7177 | Carry Out: 630-682-1170
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Lincoln
Park | 444 W. Fullerton, Chicago, IL 60614
Phone: 773-327-5100
Sol
y Nieve | 215 E. Ohio St., Chicago, IL 60611
Phone: 312-467-7177 |
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Sunflower Bistro
| 30 S. LaGrange Rd., LaGrange, IL 60525
Phone: 708-588-9890 |
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