Maria’s Little Italy to open in Sycamore

SYCAMORE – For Maria Male, cooking Italian food is the multigenerational glue that holds her family together. And soon, she’ll get to share that family love with the rest of DeKalb County at her new restaurant: Maria’s Little Italy, 1969B DeKalb Ave. in Sycamore.

Male is part of a four-generation Italian legacy beginning in a small town, fittingly called Carbonara, Italy, in the province of Lombardy, east of Milan. She is the first generation born in the United States and now lives on a farm with her husband, Mark, in Malta, but her family’s Italian way of life has never wavered. Male is a certified optician by trade.

“We were always raised to believe that food brings family together,” Male said. “Every Sunday is family day. We don’t work, and the whole family gets together to make sauces, meatballs, pasta, focaccia breads.”

Diners at the 2,000-square-foot restaurant – which will be almost entirely managed, staffed and run by her family – will feast on recipes passed down from the humble beginnings of her great-grandfather Vito Straziota, who was a breadmaker in Italy.

Straziota’s tomato focaccia is a staple at Male’s own family gatherings and throughout her social circle, as are many of the expected menu offerings.

Straziota lived to be 102 years old, and went to church and cooked for the family every Sunday. He taught his children how to make focaccia and other dishes, and they passed the recipes to their children. Straziota’s granddaughter Anna is Male’s mother. And Male’s late grandmothers, Nona Maria DeBenedictis and Nona Maria Sagliocca, are the namesakes to Maria’s Little Italy.

“My mom [Anna] cried when I told her about opening a restaurant,” Male said. “[Mom] says ‘If only [your Nonas] could be here for this.’ “

It is deeply apparent that family is at the heart of her food making, and will be front and center at Maria’s Little Italy. As the oldest of her siblings, Male hosts family Sundays at her house.

“It makes me sad when people say they haven’t talked to their mom or siblings in years, or they don’t eat together,” Male said. “I think to myself, this is what makes our children better people.”

Male’s daughter Jessica Znamenski drives home from college at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville every weekend to be with her family. So much so, that Znamenski is contemplating enrolling instead at Northern Illinois University to be closer to home and help with the restaurant.

Male’s husband, Mark – owner of Male’s Topflo Painting, 19572 University Road in Malta – just repainted the entire interior of the space. Male began to get emotional as she described her husband’s commitment to the project. Mark Male is her second husband, since her first tragically passed away when Jessica was only 3 years old.

“[Mark] is such a special dad,” Male said tearfully. “He’s been the best thing for [Jessica] since her dad died, and for me he’s been a wonderful husband. Without him, I could never do this.”

Patrons can expect fresh pasta of the day, every day, along with the focaccia in multiple varieties, eggplant Parmesan “like you’ve never had,” Male insists, panzerotti with homemade dough, spaghetti and meatballs with homegrown beef from their farm in Malta, gourmet burgers, pizzas, tiramisu, cappuccinos and more.

“It always feels good when you watch somebody bite into your sandwich or taste your pasta,” Male said. “Nourishing your body, mind, soul and family. That’s what we love.”

Though a exact opening date is not yet scheduled, Male hopes to have a soft opening by November. She encourages the public to keep an eye on the Maria’s Little Italy Facebook page and website for details.

“Do what you love and you won’t feel like you’re working,” is a mantra Male often shares with her family. And she says anyone who comes through the doors of her restaurant will be family, too.