Trattoria Gianni or elsewhere near Steppenwolf

We missed the first act of The Dresser at Steppenwolf (actually I got in because of catching a light and being dropped off at the curb, the driver and everyone in the second car had to watch it on TV in the bar) because of traffic and a restaurant that had taken a reservation for lunch beforehand and then was closed when we showed up, having to find another restaurant, and slow service. And that traffic.

Anyway, we have three more plays in the subscription, and I am looking for suggestions. Not too loud, as my 76 year old dad has 76 year old hearing. Not wildly expensive. Just someplace good to eat before a matinee, hopefully within short walking distance of Steppenwolf.

Wondered if anyone had eaten at Trattoria Gianni, or at Kabul House there?

Thanks.
Ann

I actually went to Kabul House before the Dresser a few weeks ago. Both were quite good. We were running a bit late too and told the waiter and he accomodated us with no noticeable drop in the quality of the food. I would recommend this over the Trattoria which my sister has been to and gave blah reviews.

annieb wrote:Wondered if anyone had eaten at Trattoria Gianni, or at Kabul House there?

Been to both, and I agree Trattoria Gianni is fine, but not much different than so many other Italian trattorias across the city. I'm a big fan of Kabul House - I remember when the owner was running a little pizza franchise place, and opened up a room next door to serve food from his native Afghanistan (he's Pastun - can't remember his name now). He's out of the pizza biz these days, and moved the original restaurant to Dempster in Skokie, then opened the basement space on Halsted. It's BYOB, which I think is a major plus. Oh, and the food is excellent too - never had a bad meal there. I don't remember the name, but he had a pumpkin-yogurt dish that was exceptional.

Of course, depending on how long your subscription lasts, another option will be Alinea when it opens, if you're into avante-garde.

I received a pleasant surprise in my inbox today. Thanks to the Reader, I've got 2 tickets for David Kale's A Likely Story @ Steppenwolf tomorrow evening.

Looks like Kabul House is no longer around there, but any suggestions for restaurants within walking distance (weather-permitting)? It's an unexpected night out, so not looking for Alinea-esque destination dining or anything else that'll strain the bank account too much.

Thanks much,
Zee

Depending on your definition of wallet-strain, Vinci may be what you are looking for. Pretty good Italian food. Not a "red sauce/american italian type of place", Vinci offers some interested specials in addition to their normal salads/entrees/small pizzas. Not an eating adventure but good food in a nice atmosphere. My wife loves the place.

Last time we ate there, I remember most entrees being around $15-20 and apps for $8-10



Vinci
1732 N. Halsted St.
312-266-1199

One possible reason to prefer Trattoria Gianni: the owners are from just outside of Palermo and occasionally (well, rarely, really) they make something Sicilian. They made me pasta cu li sarde once and it was about the best I've had in Chicago. They're good guys, too.

veeral wrote:Depending on your definition of wallet-strain, Vinci may be what you are looking for. [snipped]

Last time we ate there, I remember most entrees being around $15-20 and apps for $8-10

Well, I didn't specify, but I'd prefer something a notch below this price point. Can anybody fill me in on Trattoria Gianni's prices?

Zee

Pizza Capri is over there too, and priced below Vinci. Nice pasta dishes, tasty pizza (but pizza is definitely in the BBQ chicken pizza vein)

Congrats on the Reader thing.

And (mildly OT) if you can, catch 4:48 Psychosis at Steppenwolf, it's devestating. It's only 70 mins long or so, and you stand the whole time (there are a few seats if someone really needs them). An amazing look into the mind of someone suffering from depression and psychosis.

I seem to recall that Trattoria Gianni is similar to Vinci, pricewise. Trattoria Gianni is good, but I never thought that it was nearly as good as Vinci. You might also want to consider Tarantino's, a little farther north at 1112 W. Armitage. I'd consider it a comparable Italian restaurant in this same genre that may be a little cheaper than Vinci.

Thanks to a work pileup and a delayed Metra line from Evanston, we weren't able to eat dinner prior to the show. Ended up making do with not-so-interesting fare at home. But thanks for the suggestions.

The show was quite funny and heartening, but a one-night performance. My wife reminded me that we'd been to Vinci about a year ago, but for whatever reason, it never stuck with me. Maybe next time.

Zee

Maybe Vinci is more of a "wife" kind of place.

Steppenwolf Theatres has a Restaruant Guide on its website that may be of some help to you the next time.

Last night, we found ourselves with a set of free tix to Steppenwolf's A Well-Appointed Room. We were short on time, I didn't want Italian, and we didn't want to spend a lot...and that combination led us to the Black Duck.

Nothing extraordinary to report. This is a dimly lit tavern, near empty when we arrived (and not too sure I'd like being in it when full.) Under 10 buck sandwiches and double this for many entrees. Two cocktails, an appetizer and two sandwiches totaled about 35-40 bucks. In the decision between bulk and quality, they leaned toward the former. A chicken sandwich with what seemed like 1 1/2 whole chickens on it. And a non-memorable burger. But hey, kudos on the fries and cocktails. And they got us out in time for the show (mini-review: Act I - !; Act II - ?)

Black Duck Tavern and Grille
1800 N. Halsted St.
312-664-1801

We went to well appointed room last night as well. My mini-review - WTF??? on both acts. I am annoyed that we spent money on a babysitter to see that pretentious crap.
Went to Trattoria Gianni before hand. Not bad, better than mangia whatever on the same street. The fried calamari was pretty tasty, light breading, not rubber bandy, and the thin marinara was nice and zesty. i also had the house salad, which was ok for winter time. Hubby had the rigatoni with sun dried tomato and mushrooms - pasta was a bit overcooked, but the sauce was balanced and not overwhelming. A cannoli was ok, the filling was a bit too much like runny cake frosting. in a time pinch, this place is fine. I did like the atmosphere, with the fireplaces and service was timely and friendly.

I have a friend who works at Steppenwolf, sometimes we trade babysitting and use local restaurants as the drop-off point: we've tried Uncle Julio's Hacienda - fair mall-sattelite Mexican, $8-$15 but huge servings - we got by with appetizers for less. Also they have a parking lot, a plus in the area. Much the same experience at Father and Son Restaurants http://www.marcellos.com/ on North, but that it's mall-sattelite Italian/Diner food - normal prices for such.

Both meals were satisfying to say the least, but not haute cuisine. I'd imagine that, given their proximity to the theater, they'd be willing to rush you through.

I lived right in this area for several years (Willow Street). As I mentioned in my previous post, I consider Trattoria Gianni to be relatively good Italian, but always liked Vinci much better (and it's not much more expensive). I am in the burbs now, but still try to get back there (Vinci) when I can, as my wife and I like it so much.

The Black Duck essentially is a bar, and draws a huge crowd of singles on weekends. I remember hoping, when the place first opened, that it would be really good (from a food perspective), but I quickly learned that the food is mediocre to just plain bad.

My wife and I dined at Tarantino's last Friday evening before heading over to Steppenwolf, and it was a very enjoyable experience. My wife had excellent veal milanese (albeit off the bone) and my veal piccata was terrific. We shared a delectable chocolate crepe dessert. In all honesty, this place is as good as Riccardo's Trattoria IMHO and the service is better.