Italian in the Afternoon [Orso's]

I met up with a friend for lunch the other day and landed at Orso's. I hadn't been there in over a year and this was her first time there. The food was terrific as always. We of course started with calamari which was a mistake for we couldn't finish our food. The warmth of the room and the overall service makes Orso's a perfect way to spend a Saturday afternoon.

Orso's
1401 N. Wells
Chicago, Il 60610
(312) 787-6604
(312) 787-3027 fax

Hours:
Monday - Thursday: 11:00 am - 11:00 pm
Friday: 11:00 am - midnight
Saturday: 12 noon - midnight
Sunday: 12 noon - 10:00 pm

If you want to sit on a lovely patio, in a classic neighborhood, with an affordable food and wine menu, you'll find yourself at Orso's on Wells in Old Town.

If you want to dine at an old Italian joint that hasn't changed names, or owners, in 45 years (in Old town), you'll find yourself at Orso's.

If you are looking for a (cooked) filet mignon for under $25 in 606(11,10,14,24,47,57, etc.) , you'll find yourself at Orso's.

If you attended my wedding reception on August 24th, 2007 - you were at Orso's.

If you're looking for anything else, you won't wind up at Orso's.

It's charming, old, nostalgic (for me), and appropriate for the area - this place is fine....but, the food is really bad. Onion ring calamari (pet peeve of mine), Jewel quality Bruschetta, heavy, stuck together risotto...worst steak I've ever had at a restaurant ( I edited this a few times, that's the best I could come up with )

I liked it (ok) when we had our wedding reception there - but that was before I cooked for a living, I guess I'm a tougher critic after subjecting myself to criticism...which is good

opening and running a restaurant, seeking to improve quality daily, has been good for my trade - but has made me tough on other restaurants - especially joints that have been open for 40 years. Open for a month, 6 months, maybe even a year - I'll give you some slack...I know we needed it. Open for 45 years and your food is still terrible, well there's something else you're selling - and unfortunately, I'm no longer able to enjoy (solely) that. I'll have to go somewhere that sells me charm and booze, but still makes an effort to entice my sharper senses of taste.

Good bye Orso's...I had a celebration of one of the happiest days of my life at your restaurant. Unfortunately, I've grown up. I also cherished my first car, my first job, and my first girlfriend...until I learned there was better out there