Giuseppe Scurato, head chef and owner of Ceres' Table, has quite the cheering section. When other local chefs and Chicago food luminaries like Amanda Puck are among those helping create online buzz for the place, it's hard not to get a little excited yourself. Giuseppe doesn't aim to disappoint: The man has been paying his dues all over the city for some time now, and now is his time to shine.

Ceres is the Roman mythological figure of motherly love, and it seems she's certainly smiled down upon the Italian native Scurato. Having brought his skills to kitchens from Lincoln Park to several notable suburban spots, he's gained a reputation for enhancing any dish he's taken on. This talent prompted restaurant owners to have him add his own dishes to the menu. The literal hunger for Scurato's creations finally convinced him that it was time to open his own venue.

Ceres' Table serves beautiful food in a beautiful setting. The dining room is lined with leather booths the color of coffee beans, and dominated by a large, wooden, handcrafted communal table in the center, complete with bench. This table makes it all the easier to share meals, all of them made from "local and sustainable" ingredients and changed to thematically reflect the season.

Entrees at Ceres' Table are fairly priced for what they are, and overall very affordable at less than $22 apiece. The space is working on a liquor license but is BYOB until then, so call ahead for details.

Average cost: $10-$20

Centerstage Reviewer: Bill Burman