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After 50 years in the business with 25 Chicagoland area locations, the Hoffmann family opens its flagship restaurant in downtown Barrington.

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story by lisa stamos | Photo by Linda M. Barrett

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“Let Our Family Serve Your Family”

Barrington has a new restaurant at 128 Wool Street that is a welcoming destination—whether it’s for date night, family dinner, your class reunion, a chance to watch the game, or to order dinner for pick-up. Moretti’s Barrington is the newest restaurant owned, operated, and designed by the Hoffmanns, a three-generation Barrington area family. Moretti’s Barrington is the 25th in their company, but to them, it’s the flagship restaurant showcasing their desire to be complementary to the downtown business community.

Fred Hoffmann, the patriarch of the family, has been in the restaurant business for 50 years, bringing a lifetime of expertise to the hospitality industry. Fred and Mark handle the architectural and interior design work for all of Moretti’s locations. Mark and his wife Jessica are licensed managing brokers in real estate and are both board members for Barrington Children’s Charities, which focuses on immediate needs for Barrington 220 schoolchildren. Mark’s younger brother, Dean, who recently attended the University of Missouri, is on staff and spearheads the firm’s social media. Mark and Dean’s sister, Amber, is a top esthetician in the Barrington area, specializing in eyelash extensions, facials, and eyebrows.

As a local resident, Mark Hoffmann said that there was no greater place that he and his family wanted to invest their time and resources in than our community. “We wanted our restaurant to symbolize what Barrington represents to our family,” Mark said. “This is a multi-generational town centered around family and preserving a high quality of life.”

The building purchased for the Moretti’s location was built in 1865—the year that the Village of Barrington was incorporated. A portion of the historic building was torn down, and the interior’s redesign doubled the former building space, offering the perfect flow between indoors and outdoors, the three floors, event spaces, and a separation of the bar area from the dining rooms. There are five event spaces including the Dolce Vita dining room and bar on the second floor. Al fresco dining on three levels offers seating for 200 and overlooks the train station and the setting sun.

 

Designing for a Low Carbon Footprint

The Hoffmanns wanted to share their vision of a casual, unassuming presence that they felt would represent the community and be a positive addition to neighboring businesses. The interior design for Moretti’s was created by using reclaimed materials and mixing them in a contemporary, rustic way. A tall, rearing horse statute near the front entrance is an homage to the Barrington area’s equestrian heritage.

Keeping their carbon footprint low was a priority in the building’s construction and interior design choices. “We utilized hand-hewn wood beams and reclaimed vintage materials to offer a warm interior look in a contemporary way,” Mark said. Adding to a lower carbon footprint, the family also used energy-efficient insulation and HVAC among other mechanics that operate at 100% efficiency. The lighting is LED throughout, using 90% less energy than incandescent lighting.

Purchasing locally grown food also adds to a lower carbon footprint for Moretti’s. Corporate Chef Carlos Sanchez and Head Chef Regoberto Duran flex a little more culinary muscle in Barrington, creating fresh-made daily specials with locally sourced foods for soups, risottos, fresh fish, heirloom tomato salad, and roasted vegetable hummus plates.

Something for Everyone

Moretti’s carries an extensive list of wines, all rated 90 or above, with 30 available by the glass. Ask about their Wine Club—a membership program with options to have your wine there or to take it home.

For those who want to take dinner home after work, or after stepping off the train, Moretti’s carries a packaged liquor license, so beer or wine can be ordered and picked up with food at a separate entrance on the north side of the building that offers short-term parking there for pick-ups. Or to make it painless, enjoy speedy delivery from one of Moretti’s professional drivers. Need catering? Moretti’s can handle any size party or event throughout the Northwest Suburbs.

A Grand Hospitality Vision

The Hoffmanns know hospitality. Their corporate culture revolves around their staff members. “Our employees are the heart and soul of our business and they embody what our company stands for,” Mark said. “We strive to educate and cultivate the best work environment for our staff, and we believe this is where our strength lies—in service and hospitality.”

Moretti’s is open on Saturdays and Sundays at 11 a.m. for brunch and lunch featuring a separate brunch menu.