Craft Your Own Calzone Tradition runs deep at this old-school, family-owned Italian joint located on the outskirts of the West Loop. Brass Tack Awesome ( 420) $$$$ The owners of Bucktown's longstanding nose-to-tail pioneer, The Bristol, have another winner on their hands with this rustic-chic West Loop fixture. Location: 1532 W Taylor St Italian cuisine boasting Midwestern ingredients is what chef Matt Troost specializes in at his restaurant in West Town. A charming outdoor patio, often with live music, is a great summer retreat. By choosing I Accept, you consent to our use of cookies and other tracking technologies. (198?-2019) Palm Tavern / 446 E. 47th St. Chicago, IL. Entrees are exclusive to pasta, but with delicate, refined dishes like tortellini with lentils, Italian sausage, and braised greens, bright-pink (and highly Instagrammable) beet agnolotti with dill and smoked trout roe, and toothsome tajarin with fermented tomato, 'nduja, and oregano, you wouldn't want anything else. A post shared by Matt | (@mattchaveztv). Fortunately, former Sabatinos chef Joel Piedra stepped up to help fill the void left behind by opening his own place, Avvio. A post shared by Al's #1 Italian Beef (@alsbeef), Where to Chomp on Italian Beef Sandwiches in Chicago, 15 Chicago Tourist Trap Restaurants That Are Actually Good. Chicago has one of the largest Italian-American populations in the country, so locals know a good bowl of pasta when they see (and smell) it. 10 Largest Food Companies in the World, Your email address will not be published. A post shared by Chicago Food & Travel (@fabsoopark), Where to Eat Chicagos Most Iconic Dishes. Though it's a splurge, the 7-year aged risotto with truffles is worth every penny. When it comes to toppings,quality is valued over quantity. The Best Old-School Italian Restaurants In Chicago Because you need more red sauce in your life. From there, pair a pasta dish (we vote gnocchetti) with a main (thewhole roasted fishare always divine). The charming pastificio imports its flour from Italy and the storefront window provides passersby with a view of the staff cutting and kneading dough into a variety of shapes. The soft focaccia and fruity olive oil delivered to your table at this popular River North mainstay are good indicators of whats to come. Stop in for hearty red sauce dishes and favorites like eggplant parm and lemon chicken Vesuvio. This West Loop Italian upstart opened in 2021 with a fantastic pasta lineup. The space, which has just 28 seats, is dimly lit by candles and sports striking features like an exposed brick wall, an antique mirror, and teal banquettes. Along with a map beautifully illustrated by Steve Shanabruchshowing the locations of the 75 top picks, I've created a. That all gets rolled up in paper, which compresses the entire thing. In fact, it feels like it's been around a lot longer (in the best way possible), right down to the tried-and-true (and huge) platters of sausage and peppers, chicken parmesan, stuffed clams, chicken Vesuvio, and cappellini fra diavolo, loaded with shrimp and arugula in a zesty tomato sauce. But make sure to save room for dessert because the cannoncini will send you home on a high note. Opened: 1921 the waitstaff is awesome and the inside is so cute, you kind of feel like you're in an old italian villa .." . We already have this email. In 2020after years spent working in award-winning kitchens across the countrychef Tony Quartaro reached out to a few neighbors in Beverly to see whether theyd be interested in trying his homemade pasta sauce. One of the best Italian restaurants in town isnt tucked away on some corner in Little Italy. A post shared by Tempesta Market (@tempestamarket). With its own entrance around the corner, diners can choose from pizza (both Sicilian-style and New York-style are on hand), salads, tomato-basil soup, and some of the best and burliest hot sandwiches Italian subs in town, from the crispy chicken parmesan to Italian sausage enrobed in sweet peppers and provolone. From creamy vodka sauce to chicken Vesuvio, these beloved spots have mastered the art of Italian cooking. Dive into the flavors of northern Italy at this acclaimed Logan Square restaurant. While the main restaurant skews higher end, there's a casual lounge area called Salone Nico with gorgeous cocktails, wine, and curated Italian snacks like truffled rutabaga dumplings, meatballs in pomodoro sauce, and burrata with ground cherries, pistachio pistou, and focaccia. Then in 1992, Pequod's expanded into the city with its popular Lincoln Park location, swiftly cementing itself as one of the best pizzerias in a city renowned for the deep-dish form. Online ordering is available here. Come for hearty, classic diner fare at breakfast and lunchtime, alongside baked goods and complimentary Milk Duds. Four current employees have been with the restaurant for over 50 years! Regulars know the menu by heart but for first-timers, the dishes are posted on chalkboards. The menu features thick Sicilian-style pizzas, housemade meatballs, pastas, calzones, gelato, Italian ice, and more. Established in 1941 by true Italian chefs, this is one of the city's premier steakhouses, and it has been owned by the same family since it opened. The traditional food hides a history of conflict. Focusing on the Piedmont region, Osteria Langhe goes beyond the standard tried-and-true offerings and instead serves items like hand-pinched plin and prosciutto-wrapped rabbit loin. Tortellini in Brodo $6.00. Both a far cry from the see-and-be-seen newcomers of River North, and a more modern departure from the old-school red sauce spots, Anteprima is a singular neighborhood stalwart in its own league. The lively Gold Coast newcomer has plenty of eye candy: crystal chandeliers, vintage mirrors, and plush velvet seats. But Franklin isnt the restaurants most esteemed celebrity. This is classic Jalisco cooking that never disappoints. Known for: Prime baby back ribs. Don't miss this James Beard-honored monument to smoked fish on the far South Side, in business since 1948. The interior, engineered by Kehoe Designs, has beautiful touches like waves of fabric hanging from the ceiling and a garden-style wooden pergola draped with plants. Carbs aside, pastry chef Kim Mok makes tiramisu and housemade gelato and sorbet that are worth saving room for. So whether youre carbo loading for a marathon or just looking for a perfect date night destination, check out our guide to the best Italian restaurants in Chicago. Known for: Italian desserts. The Polish and hot dogs are can't-miss, but the pork chop sandwich is also a Chicago essential. Mart Anthonys isnt a cocktail lounge like Club Lucky or Club Lago or a tourist attraction like Italian Village. While the old residents may have. Orso's is a family owned and operated Italian destination and neighborhood restaurant. There are remarkable trattorias in virtually every neighborhood of the cityseveral of them are among the citys best new restaurants while others date back almost a century. Consistently voted as one of the best Italian restaurants in Chicago, Topo Gigio has been a favorite for locals and visitors for over 25 years! Adrian Kane August 19, 2022 When it comes to Italian food, Chicago has everything from fancy tasting menu spots to restaurants with "cacio e pepe" made with kelp noodles and cashew cheese. Gibsons Bar & Steakhouse is one of the most popular, iconic, and profitable restaurants in the city (via Eater Chicago). The shrimp fettuccine has a beautiful plum tomato cream sauce. For something more casual, check out Formento's attached counter-service spot, Nonna's. Braised short-rib risotto is also worth and order, as the weekend special bolognese lasagna. Your email address will not be published. Other old-school touches include chalkboard menus and a cash-only policy. A post shared by Alla Vita (@allavitachicago), The Most Beautiful Chicago Restaurants of 2018, The Hottest Restaurants in Chicago Right Now, January 2018. Hogsalt Hospitality is known for building some of the most popular and transformative dining experiences in the city. As Lincoln Parks go-to Italian joint for all occasionswhether it be a first date or an anniversary celebrationits easy to get the impression that people are coming here out of habit. Start with an order of fan favorite canestri alla vodkathe elbow-shaped pastas ridges and hollow center are perfect for scooping up every last bit of creamy vodka sauce. Located on the outskirts of Little Italy, Tufano's sets the mark for one of Chicago's classic red-sauce Italian joints. Boka maestro Lee Wolen prepares wood-fired pizzas, pillowy ricotta dumplings and crunchy chicken parm, bathing in fire-roasted red sauce, to complete the exquisite experience. A post shared by Riccardo Trattoria (@riccardotrattoria). Excellent ( 30) $$$$. The restaurant became known for food during Prohibition, where Berghoff became an expert in near beer, which are beer-like malt drinks that contain almost no alcohol. The oldest Italian restaurant in the downtown Chicago area has also had its share of celebrity patrons, including Pavarotti, Barbra Streisand, Placido Domingo, and Ol Blue Eyes himself, the one and only Frank Sinatra. 1401 N. Wells St., Chicago, IL 60610 312-787-6604 Call 708-863-9289 to order. During the course of its 90 years in business, Italian Village has dished out some nine million meals and employed more than 40,000 Chicagoans. Newer generations in the family have since opened La Cantina (an Italian steakhouse located in the wine cellar-esque basement), followed by Vivere (situated on the ground floor), which offers a more modern take on Italian cuisine. Theres a second location in Skokie, though its only open from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. A post shared by Chicago Signs (@chicagosigns), Where to Find Outstanding Egg Sandwiches in Chicago, The Essential 24-Hour Restaurants in Chicago. Altogether, the enduring institution feels like a veritable theme park of Italian food, with none of the gimmickry and all of the heartwarming nostalgia. Servers dressed to the nines guide guests through chef Soo Ahns menu, which is loaded with luxuries like caviar, a truffle Caesar salad and veal chop parm. Known for: Being inside Macys. Located inside the Thompson Hotel, Nico Osteria is an ornate restaurant that dazzles with raw bar fare, rotating small plates (like smoked sea bass brandade, brussels sprouts bruschetta, and heirloom polenta), along with equally seasonal pastas. The meats are cooked in an aquarium smoker and topped with a thick, tomato-based sauce. Upscale yet approachable, Sapori Trattoria is a restaurant for all occasions. Chef Riccardo Michis family founded the Bice restaurant empire in Milan, so he knows a thing or two about regional Italian food. As for Monteverde's intricate and wholly original handmade pasta dishes, options rotate regularly, and span the spectrum from ricotta- and spinach-filled tortelli with roasted miso and ramps, to creste di gallo pasta (so named for the fact that it resembles a rooster's crest, per Lilly's Fresh Pasta) with lamb and prosciutto sugo and whipped feta. A post shared by ulterior epicure (@ulteriorepicure), Where to Chomp on Italian Beef Sandwiches in Chicago. Book now at The Rosebud in Chicago, IL. Topped with a fresh jalapeo baked into the crust. Lou Malnati's Pizzeria 2,137 reviews Closed Now Italian, Pizza $$ - $$$ Menu "10 out of 10! RECOMMENDED: Discover more of the best restaurants in Chicago. Minestrone $6.00. Launched in January 2016 by longtime Chicago chef Patrick Crane (currently at the Hidden Shamrock gastropub in Lincoln Park), the site is a place where chefs and others reminisce about departed. Oops. With no sign on the door and a solid stream of regulars, you may wonder if you've walked into a restaurant or . Italian restaurants across the city come in all shapes and sizes, ranging from old-school casual red sauce joints to high-end downtown destinations full of glitz, glamour, and accolades. For those able to snag a reservation, "Top Chef" alum Sarah Grueneberg and James Beard Award winner for Best Chef: Great Lakes in 2017 will take you on an adventure of singular flavors, snacks, and types of pasta, from crispy chicken polpettine and stuffed cabbage with porcini bolognese to soppressata meatballs and gianduja cream puffs. That's thanks to chef/owner Jonathan Goldsmith, who has turned his Ravenswood restaurant from a quiet neighborhood staple to a citywide sensation, renowned for using high-quality ingredients and offering a rotating selection of seasonally driven antipasti on any given evening, this might include olive oil-drizzled burrata, traditional eggplant parmigiana, and mild Italian sausage strewn with sauted rapini and red pepper flakes. Six of the seven previous presidents have eaten at Lou Mitchells, including Carter, Reagan, Clinton, Obama, and both Bushes. Servers dressed in tuxedos echo the stylish setting, while the modern Italian menu from former Band of Bohemia chef Soo Ahn features refined staples such as cacio e pepe arancini, veal chop parm, and a truffled Caesar salad thats prepared tableside. Gene & Georgetti (500 N Franklin Street) Facebook/Gene & Georgetti Chicago. In reality, Chicagoans are attracted to the warm, homey room and the housemade pastas like spaghetti with veal meatballs and fennel-flecked Italian sausage, or sumptuous gnocchi paired with a lively pesto sauce. And fly they do at cozy and homey Peanut Park Trattoria the kind of place that feels vintage and modern at the same time, with all the polished refinement of a buzzy bistro alongside a menu of familiar flavors that are taken up a notch. But dont miss out on classic Korean Chinese dishes like cha chiang mein, or black sauce noodles. house-made brodo, cheese tortellini, & parmigiano - a Florentine favorite. These restaurants are the institutions of Chicago, the heartbeat of the old town. Not all of the best Italian restaurants in Chicago are old-world in style. To learn more or opt-out, read our Cookie Policy. Required fields are marked *. After finding the perfect gifts, theyd walk on up and sit with the gorgeous Macys tree and eat at The Walnut Room. The best Italian in Chicago is reflected here in large portions of spaghetti and meatballs, sausage and peppers, and other classic dishes served in sizes to feed even the hungriest of guests. The University Village restaurant has been owned by the DiBuono family since 1930 and serves superb renditions of Italian-American favorites, such as lemon chicken and eggplant parm. Smiling waiters squeeze between tables juggling huge plates of eggplant parmigiana and bottles of decent Italian red. Zaninotto, who owns Chicago's Osteria Langhe, couldn't get enough of the area's diverse restaurants, historical ties and fantastic art scene. The Best Places to Eat With Kids in Chicago. The James Beard Foundation recognized longstanding Italian kitchen Tufanos as an American classic in 2008 and its easy to understand why. Some spots have histories that span decades while others are relative newcomers. You can't go wrong with a classic margherita, made with blended San Marzano tomatoes, fior di latte cheese, basil, and pecorino gran cru, but everything that comes out of Goldsmith's oven is a surefire hit. Celebrate July 4 and America in Chicago With These Patriotic Dishes. Despite its sprawling, multi-level dining room, this River North mainstay is always stuffed to the gills. When beloved Northwest Side institution Sabatinos closed in 2018, Chicagoans mourned the loss of a dying breed of Italian restaurants. 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