I love Italian food and my husband would probably rank it as one of his favorites too, so when we dine out we often find ourselves at Italian restaurants-- new ones and old favorites. It was honestly very difficult to keep it to a list of 10. Also, here are a few notes to consider when I was coming up with this list:
-I did not include restaurants that serve primarily pizza here. I know pizza is Italian, but I usually consider a pizzeria a category in itself. La Madia and Piece Pizzeria & Brewery, for example, are two of my favorite pizza places.
-Spiaggia is arguably the best/most well known Italian restaurant in the city. I have eaten here once, but it was for an event so I didn't dine off the menu. The banquet menu was excellent and I still want to eat there for real, I just didn't think it was fair to judge that luncheon against some of these other meals where I had my choice of what to eat.
1. Balena, Lincoln Park
Why I love it: Balena is a best of both worlds kind of restaurant. The space is itself is chic yet rustic and the atmosphere is upscale, but not stuffy. The food is a perfect combination of local seasonal ingredients and traditional Italian dishes.
2. Davanti Enoteca, Little Italy (and now River North too)
Why I love it: The atmosphere here is wonderful. It's cozy, rustic, and romantic-- an ideal location for date night. Everything here is intended for sharing, so you get a great opportunity to sample and share a variety of dishes.
Favorite Dish: Focaccia di Recco served with fresh soft riccotta-like cheese and local honey. This dish is heavenly.
3. Siena Tavern, River North
Favorite Dish: Coccoli. Light and savory Italian donuts served with prosciutto, cheese, truffle honey.
4. Scoozi!, River North
Why I love it: I have been here at least a dozen times and the experience is consistently good. It's tucked into a more residential part of River North so the feel is more laidback and neighborhood-y than bustling and touristy. The food is delicious and more reasonably priced than many of the other restaurants on this list and in River North.
5. The Florentine, The Loop
Why I love it: This restaurant is a hidden gem among the mostly lame (sad, but true) restaurant scene in the Loop. It's located on the second floor of the JW Marriott hotel, so with no street frontage it stays a bit quieter than your typical downtown restaurant. The restaurant is spacious and stylish and they are open breakfast through dinner.
Favorite Dish: They used to serve bomboloni (Italian donuts) with assorted dipping sauces for dessert and it was amazing! It's not on the menu anymore (boo!), so a close second would be the ravioli with mushroom, ricotta, arugula, goat cheese, pine nuts.
6. Quartino, River North
Why I love it: One of the first restaurants that Alex and I ate at when he took me to Chicago for the first time. I loved it so much that I have been back multiple times, have brought various guests, and even tried to host our rehearsal dinner here (they were already booked, of course). The restaurant is loud and energetic and the menu here is focused on small plates and sharing, so it's a really fun place to dine at with a big group.
7. Francesca's restaurants, located everywhere, but in particular, Gold Coast, Lakeview, Wicker Park
Why I love it: They have several locations throughout Chicago and the surrounding suburbs and no matter which one you go to, you can count on great service and a really solid meal.
Favorite Dish: I have sung it's praises before, but the roasted corn panzanella salad at Francesca's Forno in Wicker Park is one of my all time favorite dishes.
8. Via Carducci, Lincoln Park & Wicker Park
Favorite Dish: Rigatoni Siciliana, pasta with eggplant and fresh mozzarella in a creamy tomato sauce. I have never ordered anything else.
9. RPM Italian, River North
Why I love it: It's fabulous. The decor is high end, the bar is always bustling, and it's a little taste of Hollywood since it is owned by LA/Chicago celebrities (Bill and Giuliana Rancic). The chic atmosphere and small plate menu would make it an ideal location for a downtown bachelorette party.
Favorite Dish: Zucchini fritti with herb dipping sauce, a perfect starter.
10. Piccolo Sogno, Fulton River District (and now River North)
Why I love it: I haven't been to the new River North location, but the original in River West is so lovely and they have a spacious romantic outdoor patio. My other favorite thing about this restaurant is also my favorite dish...
Favorite Dish: the market antipasti. It's not on the menu, but when you walk into the restaurant they have a huge spread on display of beautiful antipasti components: freshly sliced prosciutto, cheeses, olives, roasted vegetables, breads, and spreads. The ingredients and price change daily, but it's always the highlight of my meal there.
*Honorable mentions that did not make it into my top 10: Osteria Via Stato, Coco Pazzo, La Scarola, Vivo, Trattoria Isabella.
All good choices! I also love Angelina's in Lakeview!
ReplyDeleteI have never been, Kelsey! Will have to add it to my "to eat" list. Thanks!
DeleteJust ate at RPM! It was so swank and soooo gooooood. Amazing homemade pasta. Great list!
ReplyDeleteIsn't it a gorgeous restaurant, Erin? They did an amazing job!
DeleteLOVE this! I desperately need to go to Davanti Enoteca. Two of my favorites that are not on your list are Proscecco (River North) and Gioco (South Loop).
ReplyDeleteThanks! I have never been to Prosecco, but Alex goes a lot for work and loves it. And haven't been to Gioco in years... guess I need to eat at both places soon!
DeleteLOVE this list! Your top 2 have been on my to-eat list for awhile now so I definitely need to get there! If you haven't been I would try out Filippo's on Clybourn, I'm a big fan!
ReplyDeleteI haven't been to Filippo's, but have heard good things-- I think I need to start making a list of my top 10 Italian restaurants to try now!
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