Italian in Streeterville?
Italian in Streeterville?
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Italian in Streeterville?
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Post #1 - December 3rd, 2009, 9:25 pmNot Spiaggia... don't feel like spending the money.
Nicer than Coco Pazzo Cafe.
Fresh pasta.
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Post #2 - December 3rd, 2009, 9:42 pmPelago is supposed to be fairly great, and seems to fit the bill, given your stipulations.
201 E Delaware Place
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 280-0700
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Post #3 - December 3rd, 2009, 9:42 pmCafe Spiaggia would be my first choice. Not to be confused with its upscale sibling next door.
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Post #4 - December 3rd, 2009, 9:56 pmWhat about Merlot on Maple?
I've heard really great things about it but I haven't had the good fortune to go yet. I don't think it's cheap but I don't think it's as expensive as Spiaggia.
16 W. Maple St.
Chicago, IL 60610
312-335-8200
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Post #5 - December 3rd, 2009, 10:16 pmI kinda want to check out Cafe Spiaggia. We had a cruddy experience there a few years ago---to the point where my wife wrote a letter. I wasn't too happy with their (lack of) response, and so have never made it to the big restaurant, sadly.
I know nothing of Merlot. I'll look into it. Thanks!
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Post #6 - December 3rd, 2009, 10:56 pmThe restaurant on Maple is spelled Merlo, not like the wine. But it's very expensive - almost as expensive as Spiaggia, and substantially more than Cafe Spiaggia. For example, typical entree prices at Merlo on Maple are in the high thirties, at Spiaggia in the low forties, and at Cafe Spiaggia in the mid twenties.
That's the nice thing about Cafe Spiaggia; the food is great, but the prices are very reasonable. I'd suggest giving it another chance.
You can look at menus with prices on their websites:
Merlo
Cafe Spiaggia and Spiaggia (click on CAFE for the Cafe menu)
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Post #7 - December 4th, 2009, 7:47 amI looked into Merlo. Reviews are really all over the board.
Cafe Spiaggia it is. I'll report back.
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Post #8 - December 4th, 2009, 8:24 ambasis wrote:I looked into Merlo. Reviews are really all over the board.
Cafe Spiaggia it is. I'll report back.
Merlo on Maple and Cafe Spiaggia are two of my favorite restaurants in the area. I don't think you can go wrong at either.
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Post #9 - December 4th, 2009, 8:50 amIt's a bit further away, but not too far, with prices similar to Merlo and IMO just as good, you might want to check out the Coco Pazzo mother ship here:
http://www.cocopazzochicago.com/"The fork with two prongs is in use in northern Europe. In England, they’re armed with a steel trident, a fork with three prongs. In France we have a fork with four prongs; it’s the height of civilization." Eugene Briffault (1846)
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Post #10 - December 4th, 2009, 11:50 amI think the pastas at Merlo on Maple (all house made) are some of the very best you will find anywhere which is why I slightly prefer it to Cafe Spiaggia.
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Post #11 - December 4th, 2009, 4:26 pmHow about Obama's favorite "Pane Caldo" on Oak Street just west of Michigan?
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Post #12 - December 4th, 2009, 6:21 pmIndianbadger wrote:How about Obama's favorite "Pane Caldo" on Oak Street just west of Michigan?
How can Pane Caldo be Obama's favorite when Tony Mantuano, executive chef of Spiaggia and Cafe Spiaggia, is his favorite chef?
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Post #13 - December 4th, 2009, 10:28 pmI found Pane Caldo pretty expensive the one time I went. I had a gift certificate or something that eased the pain somewhat, but I still thought it was pricey. Cafe Spiaggia is a better option.-Mary
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Post #14 - December 5th, 2009, 8:58 amThe GP wrote:I found Pane Caldo pretty expensive the one time I went. I had a gift certificate or something that eased the pain somewhat, but I still thought it was pricey. Cafe Spiaggia is a better option.
Pane Caldo lowered their prices about a year ago. The entrees were formerly in the upper thirties to lower forties; perhaps this was true when you were there...? They are now mostly in the high twenties, as you can see on the menu on their website.
I still like Cafe Spiaggia, too, but it's nice to have multiple good options to choose from.
