North Side Italian Restuarant - Nice Occassion

Hi All,

After reading the good conversation on this forum about all of the great restaurants we have in the city, I thought it would be smart to tap into the brain trust for some ideas on an upcoming dinner I am trying to plan. I'm looking to celebrate a unique occasion with my family and girlfriend - they are all fans of Italian food.

I'm looking for a nice Italian restaurant on the north side, but one that is preferably not in the River North/Streeterville/ Old Town or River West area. The reason for avoiding those areas is that I'm looking for a place that is a little off the beaten path and not just the latest trendy pick (although Italian and trendy aren't really synonymous at the moment to begin with).

Based on the very vague criteria mentioned above, I was thinking of a couple of options:

Ricardo Trattoria: http://www.riccardotrattoria.com/index.php
A Tavola: http://www.atavolachi.com/

I'd love to hear everyone's opinion on those restaurants and/ or if they have any other suggestions for places I should consider.

Thanks for the help!

Haven't been to Ricardo, but I can recommend A Tavola. Excellent, seasonal food in an intimate environment.

We thoroughly enjoy Antico on a regular basis. It's on a quiet street in Bucktown; I believe the owner was longterm employee at A Tavola; the gnocchi are incredibly ethereal; the pork milanese and pork ragu always very special; lots of interesting seasonal specials.

Once again, we (meaning myself, my wife, and my 2 adult sons) had a memorable dinner at Anteprima, 5316 N. Clark st, To me it is the most consistently satisfying Italian restaurant in Chicago, not only because of the quality of its rustic but very sophisticated cuisine as far as the precision of the chef's cooking technique and perfect choice of super tasty products is concerned, but also because the welcome, and the service are quite "sympatico". It is a bit noisy before 9:00 PM, but you are so captivated by the aromas that emerge from your plate, and from your glass thanks to a very astute all Italian wine list, that you forget this occasional sound distraction. And the prices are quite reasonable for such a quality. Always choose one of the weekly specials. Check the menu at www.anteprimachicago.net Some of the deserts are worth a detour. They also have a great 3 course prix-fixe option at $ 29.00.

Anteprima is always a solid choice.

I go to anteprima more than any other restaurant in Chicago --it's my SO and my favorite because we know that we'll get exceptional food and service. If you don't want to go as far as Andersonville, I also recommend Osteria Langhe--it's a bit farther for me since I live north but the food was similarly delicious and the service was terrific.

Pane Caldo?

Pelago?

CarbDiet wrote:Ricardo Trattoria: http://www.riccardotrattoria.com/index.php
A Tavola: http://www.atavolachi.com/

I was really disappointed in my only dinner at Riccardo Trattoria a year or two ago. I haven't been to A Tavola.

I absolutely love Anteprima. To me, it is the epitome of a (lowercase) great neighborhood restaurant - a casual, inexpensive place that doesn't hit you over the head as amazing... until you start paying attention to the food. And ALL the dishes there are wonderful, from the opening bread service all the way through to dessert.

alain40 wrote:To me it is the most consistently satisfying Italian restaurant in Chicago

And that's high praise indeed, because we have a lot of excellent Italian restaurants here!

alain40 wrote:It is a bit noisy before 9:00 PM, but you are so captivated by the aromas that emerge from your plate, and from your glass thanks to a very astute all Italian wine list, that you forget this occasional sound distraction.

If the noise level bothers you, and it's a nice night, ask to be seated on the rear patio. It's quieter than the main dining room.

alain40 wrote:They also have a great 3 course prix-fixe option at $ 29.00.

That option includes almost everything on the menu - appetizer-entrée/pasta-dessert or appetizer-entrée-pasta. It's only Sundays through Thursdays, but on weekends it's not all that much more expensive than that anyway.

boudreaulicious wrote:I go to anteprima more than any other restaurant in Chicago --it's my SO and my favorite because we know that we'll get exceptional food and service.

Same here. And it's not exactly close to home, either, but we don't mind.

Roger Ramjet wrote:Pane Caldo?

Pelago?

Perhaps you missed this sentence in the OP's request:

CarbDiet wrote:I'm looking for a nice Italian restaurant on the north side, but one that is preferably not in the River North/Streeterville/ Old Town or River West area.

Thanks for all of the suggestions so far. I've head that both Ricardo and A Tavlola can be a bit some hit-or-miss; it was actually because of this concern that I came to the group for advice.

I've been to anteprima with my girlfriend before and we both thought it was really nice experience. Based on my experience there, I would put it roughly on par with Buena Terra in Logan Square (which also has a great prix fixed deal on Thursdays btw). I would like to take the group somewhere new, so for that reason I have (sadly) written off La Scarola, Buena Terra, and anteprima. That is not to say that your input hasn't caused me to start planning a return trip to Andersonville sometime in the very near future

Antico is an option that had completely slipped off my radar - I'll have to do some more research on that one

I appreciate all the help so far, keep the ideas flowing!

I'll second Antico. I took a college buddy and his wife there for his 50th birthday and I thought the food and service were first-rate, as they've been on my three or four visits there. It's not on the cheap side, but everything is prepared with care. Plus, if the weather's nice, they have a delightful patio.

You might also try Due Lire

Due Lire Vino and Cucina
4520 N Lincoln Ave
Chicago, IL 60625
(773) 275-7878
http://www.due-lire.com/

Caro Mio in "Ravenswood" https://caromioitalianristorante.squarespace.com
Their website does not reflect the quality of the food.

Francesca's on Bryn Mawr. It's the quality you expect from Francesca's in an restaurant setting that won't make your ears bleed. Street parking is usually available, but they have a valet.

1039 W Bryn Mawr Ave, Chicago, IL 60660

Fiorentino'sFiorentino's is very nice.

2901 N Ashland Ave, Chicago, IL 6065

There's always Sabitino's. A bit frayed around the edges, but you can't beat the atmosphere and the old school table side preparations. The food is a step down from some of the places already mentioned, but people still love it.

Sabitino's
4441 W. Irving Park Rd
Chicago, IL 60641
773-283-8331

Go to a tavola. If it is warm the back patio is charming. Food is great.

Eataly is great, but wrong geography for you.

Here's another possibility. I'm not sure how far north you're willing to go, but just a mile across the city line in Evanston, Campagnola is absolutely stellar. Think of it like Anteprima - wonderful food, casual atmosphere, great service, very neighborhood-y. Oh, and if you love a good bread pudding and they have it on their dessert specials, get it - it's the best bread pudding you'll find anywhere!

nsxtasy wrote:

Roger Ramjet wrote:Pane Caldo?

Pelago?

Perhaps you missed this sentence in the OP's request:

CarbDiet wrote:I'm looking for a nice Italian restaurant on the north side, but one that is preferably not in the River North/Streeterville/ Old Town or River West area.

No (although if one were actually to eliminate those areas there wouldn't be very much "north side" left), the places i mentioned are in the Gold Coast area. Of course, definitions vary - I would not consider Evanston to be "on the north side", but some would.

a few LTHers and I thoroughly enjoyed our meal at Osteria Langhe, unless that's considered too far west.

Osteria Langhe
2824 W Armitage Ave
Chicago, IL 60647

CarbDiet -- If you are looking for a family-run Italian restaurant worthy of a unique celebration, such as you describe, consider Via Veneto (on Lincoln, just south of Devon). Lovely, quiet and intimate setting. Very good menu, well executed (pastas and seafood are specialties). Very hospitable owners and staff make for a homey experience. Easy parking. Nice wine list.

It's our family favorite for twenty-five years and a great place to share a memorable occasion.

Via Veneto
6340 N. Lincoln
Chicago, IL 60659
773.267.0888

http://www.viavenetochicago.com

I vote for Piccolo Sogno! Especially if you can land an outdoor garden table....

I'd support Sabatino's. There's always a chance you might see Frank Sinatra walking in while you're dining.

bnl wrote:I vote for Piccolo Sogno! Especially if you can land an outdoor garden table....

But if you don't get a garden table, the noise is antithetical to conversation.

Thanks for all of the suggestions - all of these options has almost made it even more difficult for me to decide.

I'm really interested in paying a visit to Osteria Langhe, Sabatinos, and Antico in the very near future. However, unless anyone has had any average/ negative experiences there lately, I'm inclined to try out A Tavola due to the old school ambiance and the chance to try a place that hasn't received as much buzz lately.

I hope to have a good review to share with you all in the near future!

A Tavola is certainly a good choice, but in no way would I call it "old school".

I've only been to Ceres' Table once since Giuseppe Scurato moved to 3124 N. Broadway, but we had an excellent dinner and a very good server on that visit. I will go back, but lately I've been infatuated with Osteria Langhe. Had a tripe and marrow appetizer there a few weeks ago that was superb.

Choey wrote:I've only been to Ceres' Table once since Giuseppe Scurato moved to 3124 N. Belmont, but we had an excellent dinner and a very good server on that visit. I will go back, but lately I've been infatuated with Osteria Langhe. Had a tripe and marrow appetizer there a few weeks ago that was superb.

I am a big fan of Ceres' Table; lived in walking distance until a few months ago; it was our go-to restaurant when we ate in the neighborhood. Food nearly always excellent (dessert included), nice value, friendly neighborhood vibe, wonderful front-of-the-house staff and fantastic wine & cocktail program too (particularly love the Romeo on Broadway). Favorites on the menu include the wood fired pizzas (especially the Calaberese that has such delicious n'duja), the whole grilled orata, brussels sprouts and the salted caramel budino.

nr706 wrote:I'd support Sabatino's. There's always a chance you might see Frank Sinatra walking in while you're dining.

Would that be after the psilocybin mushroom pizza?

But seriously, folks, if we're talking old standards that are not frayed around the edges, may I recommend Calo, also in Andersonville? It gets shoved to the bottom of the deck quite often because of the competition, but the menu is huge, the cooks are extremely competent, the thin pizza is great, and the quality on all items is high. I still dream of an appetizer special--a grilled calamari on a bed of garlic spinach. Simple, but oh, so good.

Choey wrote:I've only been to Ceres' Table once since Giuseppe Scurato moved to 3124 N. Belmont, but we had an excellent dinner and a very good server on that visit. I will go back, but lately I've been infatuated with Osteria Langhe.

No such address--I think you meant Broadway?

boudreaulicious wrote: No such address--I think you meant Broadway?

Oops. You're right. Thanks for the correction.

What about Briciola in the Ukrainian Village? It's BYO.

http://briciola.anagam.com/