Pane Caldo - been there?

I keep running into this name, but know nothing about the place other than what its website tells me - a small, interesting menu, with no prices. I'm interested in going. Anyone been there?

Ive been there many times and like it quite a bit but prepare to pay. It is very expensive-can even set you back more than Spiaggia. The wine list is especially expensive and they don't pour you much wine.

The food, however, is fantastic. Especially the pasta-which is made fresh daily.

Its an elegant spot, with pricey but delicious cuisine. Its also a favorite hangout of Gwenyth Paltrow and Harrison Ford...

Pane Caldo is one of those places that is recommended only so often, but when it is, it always seems to be recommended with a good amount of enthusiasm. That being said, I can't seem to find any accounts of an actual meal eaten there. Well, time to fix that.

Dinner at Pane Caldo with the in-laws last night was a real treat. The room was full, but for whatever reason this place has flown mostly below the radar of the online food world.

I started with the roasted scallops, served in the shell with a really delicious provencale sauce. The scallops were cooked perfectly, and the sauce had a richness to it that made you want to sop it all up with a piece of bread. The wife had a ceviche of fresh abalone and shrimp that also included some smoked sable and mullet. This was also delicious.

For my main course I had John Dory served with razor clams in a creamy summer truffle sauce. Again, perfectly cooked fish (exterior slightly browned, interior moist and flaky) complemented by a delightful sauce. Served with some simply cooked vegetables, this was a great main course if not the most creative. Also, the texture of the razor clams provided a nice counterpoint to the John Dory. The wife had cappellini with shaved black truffles, served with olive oil and herbs. Simple and delicious, she just about finished the whole bowl (and she rarely finishes main courses at restaurants).

The dessert menu was one of the largest I've seen at a restaurant at this level. Divided into sections for chocolate, ice cream, fruit, and cheese there were probably 4-5 choices in each category. I went with the chocolate pane caldo, which was kind of a cold chocolate/banana bread pudding. Served with passion fruit mousse and housemade vanilla ice cream this was a relatively light and refreshing way to end the meal.

This place is a slam dunk 3-stars and should be considered a great option for a nice night out without going to a top tier place (Alinea, Avenues, Tru, etc.). I'm already looking forward to my next trip back (whenever that may be).

Pane Caldo
72 E. Walton
312-649-0055
http://www.pane-caldo.com/

Anybody dine here recently?

When Italian standby Pane Caldo on Walton shuttered in June 2012, Antoine Cedicci's restaurant posted that it was "relocating soon, in the Gold Coast." It now seems that is finally happening—or at least another Italian restaurant from Cedicci is coming.

http://chicago.eater.com/archives/2014/08/18/pane-caldo-chestnut.php

Dave148 wrote:

When Italian standby Pane Caldo on Walton shuttered in June 2012, Antoine Cedicci's restaurant posted that it was "relocating soon, in the Gold Coast." It now seems that is finally happening—or at least another Italian restaurant from Cedicci is coming.

http://chicago.eater.com/archives/2014/08/18/pane-caldo-chestnut.php

Pane Caldo reopens after more than two years

http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/ ... -two-years