Restaurant life

For Chef Marco Conte, food has always been about family, tradition, and discovery. Growing up in the suburbs of Detroit, Marco spent countless hours in his family’s restaurants, learning the art of classic Italian cooking from his grandmother, Santina. Summers in Ponza, Italy, brought him closer to the Mediterranean—catching seafood by day and preparing it with his family by night. By his mid-twenties, Marco had already opened his first successful upscale Italian restaurant in Michigan. From there, he went on to lead kitchens, including serving as Executive Chef and Manager at Café Amano in Elmhurst, where his signature style of European cuisine gained acclaim.

After years of success, Marco set out to expand his culinary horizons—traveling across Europe, the Middle East, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and throughout the U.S. Those journeys would later shape the globally inspired menu he brings to his guests today. In January 2020, Marco opened Marco’s Kitchen in downtown La Grange. Despite the challenges of launching during the Covid-19 pandemic, Marco’s commitment to creativity and community shined. From innovative curbside dinners to produce programs that supported both farmers and families, Marco’s Kitchen became more than a restaurant—it became a place of connection.