There is a strong heritage of Italians in Chicago as the Italian restaurants in Chicago show. Anteprima Italian restaurant located at 5316 N Clark Street in Chicago, IL is a regionally inspired, rustic cooking styled restaurant that comes from recipes learned in homes throughout Italy. They search for the finest ingredients obtainable, buying from local and organic producers whenever possible. Anteprima is now offers a three course fixed price menu of your choosing with any combination of starter, entree and dessert. Their entrees include steak, lamb chops and whole fish
La Gondola Restaurant located at 2914 N Ashland Ave in Chicago, IL is a Pizza and Italian hybrid restaurant serving the thin and crispy grilled chicken Alfredo pizza and the soft gnocchi stuffed with silky ricotta and topped with parmesan-pesto cream sauce. The appetizer that many regular swear by is the marinated, grilled calamari. The also have some of the best risotto dishes or the always popular Chicken alla Gondola, baked with fresh-made Italian sausage, Vesuvio potatoes, and sautéed mushrooms and sweet green peppers in a wine sauce. No meal at La Gondola is complete without a hearty cup of espresso, a slice of homemade tiramisu and an overstuffed cannoli.
Campagnola located at 815 Chicago Ave in Evanston, IL fills up quickly with patrons eager to enjoy the creative dishes of chef Michael Alternberg. The food is to die for and the appetizers will point you in the right direction with the grilled calamari with tapenade, wood-grilled sardines, or wood-grilled Muscovy duck with organic vegetables. They have some amazingly simple but amazing desserts, including white chocolate rhubarb cake or an elegant cheese plate.
Topo Gigio Ristorante located at 1516 N Wells St in Chicago, IL is authentic Italian cuisine at its best. Topo Gigio does not try too much and simply produces the Italian favorites. Standards such as veal parmesan, spaghetti and other pastas are big sellers as diners settle into the rich atmosphere of hard wood and elegant paintings. Chicken lovers will adore a classic chicken cacciatore or grilled chicken breast with spinach, mushrooms and pine nuts.
Rose Angelis located at 1314 W Wrightwood Ave # 1 in Chicago, IL is one of the area’s most romantic spots. Favorite menu items include spinach pasta half moons stuffed with ricotta and pesto served in a seasoned light brown butter sauce, the salmon-filled ravioli in a basil pesto cream sauce with chopped kalamata olive, the gorgonzola-filled tortellini tossed with grapes in a walnut pesto cream sauce and the ricotta-filled ravioli served in a robust sundried tomato cream sauce. The dishes are absolutely amazing and there are so many choices from which to choose and never disappoint.
Coco Pazzo located at 300 W Hubbard St in Chicago, IL has a spacious, airy interior, upscale but still comfortable. The food is full of assertive flavors, as evidenced by dishes like pappardelle with rabbit, roast pancetta rolled pork loin, and herb-crusted half rack of lamb with artichokes and fried polenta. Any of the grilled game dishes is sure to please. The most popular dessert is a chocolate volcano ready to erupt as soon as your fork hits. This Italian hot spot is known for using a gamier style of meat and they have perfected this.
Francesca’s on Taylor located at 1400 W Taylor St in Chicago, IL is a neighborhood charmer earns high marks for its traditional trattoria atmosphere and Northern Italian and Tuscan-inspired fare. Their best appetizer is the mussels in spicy tomato sauce before moving on to heartier matters. Their best entrees are the pollo limone, rigatoni melanzane with roasted eggplant and mozzarella, and salmon pagliacci with broccoli, eggplant, garlic, and white wine The menu changes almost daily, but always offers a tempting selection of appetizers, salads, pasta dishes, fresh fish, veal and chicken preparations. Their extensive wine list includes carefully selected Italian and Californian wines that will complement your meal perfectly
Pompei Bakery located at 1531 W Taylor St in Chicago, IL is a cafeteria-style restaurant that has a reputation for putting out some of the area’s best pizzas, breads, and desserts. The menu includes appetizers, soups, salads, pizzas, sandwiches, pastas, and desserts. Try a stuffed pizza, like The Works or the Beef Angelo. Homemade pastas topped with savory Italian sausage or meatballs are a perfect solution for times when only good old-fashioned Italian will do. For dessert, order a slice of Italian chocolate sheet cake or try a chocolate-dipped cannoli.