PENN Entertainment announced that it has partnered with celebrity chef and entrepreneur Giada De Laurentiis to open upscale restaurants at its new land-based Hollywood Casino sites in Aurora and Joliet. Sorella by Giada will open its doors at the future Hollywood Casino Aurora which is expected to open in the first half of 2026. Each restaurant will have its own unique menu of pizza, pastas and more. The new dining experience will bring De Laurentiis’ signature fusion of classic Italian cuisine and modern California influence to the Chicagoland region for the first time.
Sorella by Giada will feature:
- Approximately 170 seats available for dining, including private rooms, with outdoor seating available in Aurora
- Contemporary bar design featuring a comprehensive wine selection, including personal favorites of De Laurentiis
- Modern, fresh design elements, including warm wood tones and authentic Italian tiles to create a high-end, yet comfortable experience
“I am thrilled to partner with PENN Entertainment to bring fresh restaurant concepts to their exciting new Chicagoland properties,” said De Laurentiis. “The two spaces are complementary but ultimately offer different aesthetics. Joliet’s Sorellina, meaning ‘little sister’ in Italian, will be light, young and casual. Aurora’s Sorella, meaning ‘sister’ in Italian, is more formal and refined. Both focus on using high-quality Italian ingredients to create a truly unforgettable culinary experience.”
PENN Entertainment
“We’re thrilled to partner with Giada and her team to bring Sorella to our new Aurora property,” said Greg Moore, Vice President and General Manager of Hollywood Casino Aurora. “This restaurant concept exemplifies the type of vibrant atmosphere that guests can expect from the all-new Hollywood Casino.”
De Laurentiis brings a culinary expertise reflecting a mastery of technique and creativity combined with the finest ingredients to create amazing dishes and experiences for the new Chicagoland restaurants. She currently owns and operates two restaurants in Las Vegas, and a third restaurant in Scottsdale, Ariz. She has authored 11 cookbooks, including her most recent release “Super Italian: More Than 110 Indulgent Recipes Using Italy’s Healthiest Foods.”
The world class quality restaurants are just one element of an all-new look, feel and array of offerings that visitors can expect at the new Hollywood Casinos in Aurora and Joliet. Visit www.hollywoodcasinoaurora.com for more information and to explore open job positions at the careers page on each website.
