UPTOWN — Pizza Rustica Italian Bistro & Bar, FLATS Chicago and Public Barber all took home awards at this year's 46th Ward Awards, a fundraiser sponsored by Citizens for James Cappleman.
Pizza Rustica Italian Bistro and Bar won the award for the best restaurant/bar, and the award was especially emotional for the husband-and-wife-owned bistro at 3908 N. Sheridan Road, said co-owner Juliana Montebello-Roman.
"I feel really proud because my husband's cooking is what started all of this. Because of his cooking it has grown into the place it is today," Montebello-Roman said. "It really means a lot to us that all our customers got out and voted for us. We love it. We're so honored."
The bar is also known for its "hand-picked selection of world-class craft brews, exquisite wines, premium spirits and original, hand-crafted cocktails" and has been named one of Chicago's best bistros by CBS Chicago.
Big winners also included FLATS Chicago, which was named Best Innovator, and one of its downstairs neighbors, Public Barber, which took home both the Best Storefront Display and Best New Business.
“In a forward-thinking and innovative ward, such as the 46th, winning 'ward innovator' has great meaning. What makes us even prouder are the multiple wins from our #FLATSproject winner, The Public Barber. Not only did The Public Barber fill a void in the market, more than that, it help build a neighborhood and create a community — the exact goal of our #FLATSproject initiative," FLATS Chicago co-founder Jay Michael said.
The awards were given out Tuesday at the Uptown Underground, 4707 N. Broadway. Here's the full list of the winners:
Best Non-Profit: Cornerstone Community Outreach, 4628 N. Clifton Ave.
Best Restaurant/Bar: Pizza Rustica Italian Bistro & Bar, 3908 N. Sheridan Road
Best Innovator in the Ward: FLATS Chicago
Best Storefront Display & Best New Business: The Public Barber, 1319 W. Wilson Ave.
Good Neighbor Award (Business): Baker & Nosh, 1303 W. Wilson Ave.
Good Neighbor Award (Individual): Julianne Scherer
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