Food was absolutely delicious and did not disappoint. We also enjoyed the fact you can bring your own bottle. I plan on returning soon with more of my family. The reason my daughter and I thought to visit this establishment, is because we were big fans of Sabatino's until they closed. Furthermore, just like Sabatino's, you are served delicious warm pizza bread soon as you are seated. read more

Avvio did not disappoint. As a loyal Sabatino's customer, I was so excited to hear Avvio was opening. The owners did a great job of keeping enough of the Sabatino's menu, especially the classics, but also introduced their own, new menu items too - the perfect balance. We did carryout, and when I ran inside to pick up our food, thought the indoor seating was adorable. I also give credit to whoever is doing their Instagram account. It's a great reminder to order early because they do have a long wait when you call in a carryout order. read more

We found this place by chance while looking for a new Italian restaurant to try. The food was incredible and the service was great.

everything they do is great. i never had anything that was not good. all of the italian dishes are very good but so are the steaks, fish, and chicken. suggest a reservation on the weekends. art c read more

FANTASTIC food & staff. Highly recommend!! New restaurant if you miss Sabatinos you won't any more! Spot on! read more

AVVIO - CHATEAUBRIAN - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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The food was amazing. Couldn't have asked for better food. Every dish our party had was perfect. It would have gotten a 5 star if the service was better. Not sure if our waiter was the only one there, but we sat for 1hr and 6 mins before we were asked to give our order. Our 9pm reservation didn't have us out the door until 11:15pm.. read more

Great food and great service! We were also served some complimentary appetizers and they were delicious.

The service, food and experience is 5 stars. We were 5 and ordered a variety of dishes. All wonderful. The straciatella soup has been a favorite for 75 years. Theirs is outstanding. All were happy with my recommendation. I had the chicken Francese. It was perfect in taste. My only complaint is that it's pounded so thin as to be transparent. Maggiano's is 10 times the size. Not enough protein to satisfy. However, I'll be back. A great neighborhood gem. read more

Amazing food as usual; one of the best Italian restaurants in Chicago. For takeout, plan to go in and order 90 minutes before you want to eat. Highly recommend read more

If you loved Sabatino's, you'll be happy. My eggplant parm was outstanding. I recommend TAKE OUT if you are following social distancing protocols. On a Tuesday night, with a reservation, the place was packed. People waiting outside to get a table. The tables were not spaced per city guidelines, and I'd be surprised if they were operating at less than 80% capacity. The woman seated behind me literally backed into my chair when getting up because we were so close. Service was really slow - there seemed to be only a 2-3 or wait staff members. It's also very, very loud. But the food was great as expected. read more

As a die-hard patron of the late Sabatino's, AVVIO more than hits the spot. The atmosphere is laid-back and the food is fantastic. Great Eggplant Parmesan, veal, and pasta offerings. Even my 91 year old Grandfather (who has been around this city a while and knows what he likes) enjoys the food. If you knew him, you'd know that's a compliment! read more

Great service and food was delicious a little pricey for the size of steak I had but would definitely be back.

Really nice people. Really good food. It's a flashback to the excellence of Sabatino's in the old days. Great selection of items to choose from on a long, long menu. Had a few orders of veal parmigiana and the broiled veal chop. Spumoni and tiramisu for dessert. All just excellent. I really hope they get Door Dash soon. Good luck. read more

The food atmosphere and service were perfect. Veal saltimboca was divine. Hope this place succeeds. Great addition to the neighborhood. Will definitely be back. Thanks AVVIO. read more

Best Italian restaurant I have found! Ever since Mia Figlia in Edgebtook closed I have been looking for a great Italian restaurant to replace it in our dining rotation. Some came close but Avvia surpasses it. This is the real deal. I judge a restaurant on the quality, quantity, and cost of the food they serve. Avvia gets an A+ on all three. Our appetizers, Baked Clams and the Baratta were excellent. The veal chop was the Best I have had in many years, possibly my entire life. The bread they served was a large loaf of crusty bread they reminded me of the bread my Italian mother made. I was pleasantly surprised when our dinners included soup, salad, and a side vegetable or pasta even though no mention of it was on the menu. The service was great. They didn't hover or intrude but a simple glance got the servers attention. Now factor in that we went there 22/31/2023, New Years Eve! One of the busiest nights of the year for any restaurant and the food and service was even more impressive. read more

Food was very generous and delicious. Service was exceptional. A very loud energetic vibe.

Sabtinios to the nines Pizza bread soup veal is great A must to go to The former chef at dabs very pleasant A must read more

This is the third time in past couple weeks. Call for a take out at 6:00 and am told it's a 3 hour wait. I was giving them extra chances. First 2 times we ordered our order was mixed up and food was cold. Lady taking the orders needs better people skills as well. Love the chef but there are some kinks to work out there to succeed in the long run. read more

Delish! Ordered the shrimp dejonghe and stracciatella soup. Perfect! My husband had the lasagna and can't stop raving about it. Definitely recommend this place. read more

They definitely need to work out the kinks here at their new opening. Food is VERY slow to come out. We had 6:30 reservations and didn't get our main course until 9pm even though they say there is a 2 hour table limit. The atmosphere is loud and sterile. But most importantly, they are not following COVID guidelines filled at 40% capacity which made us very uncomfortable. The restaurant was packed with tables 2 feet apart. The food was average. My chicken dish was dry and over cooked. They charged a $6.00 corkage fee per person which I find odd when BYOB is the only option. Usually I find a corkage fee when they offer wine but you chose to bring your own. I also didn't drink, but was charged a corkage fee. read more

My family ordered takeout from Avvio. We live in Northbrook. The food was packed extremely well and when I got home, everything was warm. If anyone reading this has been to Sabatino's before they closed, the executive chef and owner is the former executive chef at Sabatino's . It was literally like carry out from Sabatino's! Love the food. The best veal parmigiana, pizza bread, minestrone. Sabatino's is finally back, albeit with a new name, Avvio. read more

I only go there once a year for the pumpkin and zucchini blossoms No where to park Have to pay Overly priced at this moment

there are not enough stars to tell people how good this place is. the food is fantastic, the help is super friendly and the prices are so reasonable. thank you avvio for making our experiences wonderful. read more

We had an absolutely outstanding experience. Jose was fantastic and the food was amazing. He made a point to keep our boys happy and anticipated our needs prior to us having to ask! We will absolutely be back next time we are in Chicago! read more

We made reservations here based on our friend's recommendation. They were spot on! Every part of our visit, from greeting to service to food to ambiance was spectacular. Our server and waitstaff were always available and attentive, the food was as good as promised (no exaggeration here), and we were never rushed during the course of our meal. I can wholeheartedly recommend this restaurant to anyone wanting a unique, signature dining experience. We will definitely be back. read more

Exceptional! It's like reliving the past! Cannot wait until we can dine inside, to take on the full experience! Highly recommend without a doubt!! read more

Excellent food and service. This restaurant is old school, meaning you get a full meal... warm bread, bruschetta, pizza bread salad and soup with your dish at a phenomenal price. Went here for a friend's birthday, they couldn't be more accommodating. I will definitely be back. read more

Delicious food, generous portions, and friendly service. Free bread and bruschetta was a nice touch and meals came with soup & salad.

We were so excited to hear that the old Sabatino's on Irving Park was reincarnated at this place. Great food. Old-school Italian restaurant that serves home-made soup, salad, a fresh-baked loaf of bread, and pizza-bread with every meal. You won't leave hungry. read more

We're in for a birthday dinner recently, and noted when reservations were made, but they didn't acknowledge it whatsoever, which was kind of disappointing. The zucchini blossoms were ok - kind of bland and could have used twice the amount of sauce that were with them. The starter bread was hard and uncut which made a huge mess - would suggest them to cut it up before they serve it. The mains were pretty good - the gnocchi in meat sauce was our favorite and portions are good sized. But as another diner stated, the shared plate fees are kind of ridiculous. Not everyone wants a full desert so if you want to share one, it's ludicrous that they essentially won't let you, and charge you extra to split it. I can't see that working out for them long term. The ambiance was also a bit off - it was a weird vibe between old school and cozy and modern and cold - and just wasn't very inviting. The server was nice and although a bit slow with the dinner w/ appetizer for 2 taking over 90 minutes, I will say that it was coursed well. Not sure we will be back though unless they start serving liquor of their own. read more

I always ordered a veal entree at Sabatino's and was pleased to find a huge section of veal dishes on the Avvio menu. The veal piccata was light, tasty, beautifully presented and required no knife. Three others at our table ordered the day's special of walleye and two different chicken dishes. Service was attentive but not rushed. Brought our own wine and our glasses were topped off by our server throughout the meal without us having to ask. When we arrived there was only one other patron; however, the restaurant was quite busy by the time we left. The tables are set far enough apart to satisfy COVID recommendations and we never felt unsafe, even though we are seniors and not yet vaccinated. We will continue to make the drive in from Downers Grove when the yen for special food (and treatment) arises. read more

Have been to Avvio probably 10 times since it opened. Supported them during covid and carried out. Last night they added $47 in fee's, cork fees are ok, but cork and service fees? Uncharges for 3 people eating dessert? Crazy! Very disappointed, we spoke to Oscar our waiter and he said that's just how they do it. The food is good, however you can't gouge people to make up for slow business... sadly they are off my list and I will stop promoting them. read more

Excellent! Great menu done nicely with good portions, nicely timed and presented by the excellent staff. Not ostentatious, but friendly and welcoming in a neighborhood way. We'll be back many times as it felt like one of our family restaurants as soon as we walked through the door. It's now on our list of go to places for our extended Italian family. read more

We had Christmas Eve dinner at Avvio and enjoyed every bite! There was complimentary bruschetta for the table and service was prompt and friendly. Our table opted for the minestrone soup, the "half special salad" and entrees of chicken parmesan, veal marsala and the chef's special, vermicelli alla Angelo. The food was fresh and tasty, portions are large and, sadly, there was no room left for dessert! Right now the restaurant is BYOB. Parking is metered and easy to find on Elston. We definitely will return! read more

Ordered tonite...brought me back to Sabatinos food was perfectly prepared to specifications and recipes as yummy as 20 years ago

Exactly what you would expect from Chef Piedra, alum of the famed Sabatino's. There is no way not to compare Avvio with his former kitchen as the dishes seemed identical which to my party was pure taste bud bliss. The meat sauce is the same, the veal parm is the same, the pizza bread and loaf in the beginning is the same, heck even the blue cheese dressing is the same. At that is FANTASTIC, no need to reinvent your menu, the chef clearly put his thousands of hours in on these dishes and they are extraordinary. It is familiar and it is exactly what the neighborhood needed. Is it the same as Sabatino's? No. But that is ok, the ambiance needs a bit of improvement, it feels stark and almost like a tv set, but that will come with time I am sure. In reality, I think they are going to need a much bigger space for the demand and once we get over the pandemic this place is going to be jammed. I am concerned that the build out doesn't appear to have room for a bar crowd, there is a small bar area in the front and currently they are byob. I am sure these are all things the ownership has under consideration. The service was prompt, friendly and everything came out like they had been doing this for years. A true gem to be added to our neighborhood. read more

Everything I had was amazing! Service was outstanding. So happy to see Sabatinos in a new, fresher light. This place stands out on its own. You can't go wrong! read more

Another amazing dinner @ Avvio. Not only are the portions generous but the quality of food is excellent and the servers are knowledgeable and nice. I will keep coming back. read more

We have been here twice in a month and cannot wait to go back. Lovely little place with great food and superior service and it's a BYOB! Entrees include soup and salad which is rare but so very welcome. We also loved the pizza bread and complimentary bruschetta. Don't miss this gem. read more

Always a 10 out of 10!! Huge menu and have never had a bad plate. Always go with the baked alaska for dessert...phenomenal presentaion...YUM! read more