Last night, after a genuinely frustrating experience elsewhere, I walked into Bar Siena not expecting much (if anything), just hoping for a reset. When I asked about the wait time, the host joked that it was two hours. Under normal circumstances, I would have laughed and played along. Given what had just happened minutes earlier, it did not quite land... but to their credit, the moment I explained the situation, everything shifted. They sat me promptly and turned what could have been a lingering bad night into a completely different experience. Julio, my server, set the tone immediately. Julio was professional, attentive, and generous. He brought out meatballs on the house, which were excellent. I ordered calamari, rigatoni alla vodka with shrimp, and what I believe was a chocolate torte for dessert (also on the house, which I was not expecting). Everything was spot on. The rigatoni in particular stood out. It was made in house and had the kind of texture and quality you notice right away. The Manager (Lance) also stopped by, having been present when I explained what had happened earlier. That kind of awareness and follow-through matters more than people realize. It what separates a place that serves food from a place that understands hospitality. By the time I was finishing dessert, I found myself watching pizzas go out to nearby tables and immediately reconsidering my menu choices for the evening. That's usually a good sign. The host who initially joked about the wait time also came by at the end of my meal. She was polite, thoughtful, and clearly intentional about making sure the experience landed well. I appreciated this gesture. When the bill came, I asked what the total would have been without the discounts and complimentary items. Once I had that number, I tipped Julio the difference. It felt like the only appropriate way to reflect the level of service and generosity I received. I'll be back (for the pizza). Overall: Food (yes) Service (yes) Ambiance (yes) read more

Bar Siena really didn't make the high standard that its priced and ambiance should reflect. For starters, for a group of 6, we were only given one silverware? Als server never noticed it and had to ask multiple times for more. In regards to the food. Most if not all the dishes we had (gnocchi, vodka pasta, a salad) were pretty bad. Very costly for how tasteless it was. The only okay/good thing that came out of this place was the prosciutto, fig pizza that I had. Would not recommend spending an insane amount of money here. read more

Bar Siena - Pizza - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Was so excited to try this restaurant as it seemed popular and was recommend by some locals, but can honestly say for the price point and the amount of food we got, I was really underwhelmed. We shared the truffle focaccia which was great, but for over $20 and only a few pieces I can't say it was entirely worth it. My friend and I shared the caesar salad and added on chicken and were shocked at how small it was for a nearly $30 salad....not something I'd order again as it also wasn't cut or tossed and was not sizable enough for even one person really. The calamari was good and the drinks were fine. Overall I wouldn't say the price point matches the quality or amount of food. read more

Bar Siena - Caesar* and we paid for added on chicken and it was so small for $30!! - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Food - Espresso Martini (vodka) was pretty good. Our server said it can be served with either vodka or tequila and told us a lot of people prefer the tequila (I didn't really care about the $2 upcharge but it was not mentioned to us when ordering). We ordered both and liked the vodka one better as the tequila comes through pretty distinctly that I didn't find very pleasant. The Bar Siena Chop salad was not bad, but it was a little salty for my palate. Not sure if they crack more salt on the salad after making it, but adding more lettuce in general would probably make the dish overall better. Considering some people might go in to just eat a salad for dinner, the portion itself is quite small for a $17.99 price point. The 16oz Delmonico ribeye was disappointing. We ordered it medium rare and it just didn't feel like it was cooked right. The end pieces possibly were but felt fatty/grisly not in a good way. And the other pieces closer to the center felt a bit more raw to us than rare. Whatever the reason was, for $69.99 I kind of expect every bite to be at least good but this fell well short of that expectation. Looking around, it seemed like most tables were going with safer options like pizzas, pastas, and burratas. Service - It started off really well. Being our first time here our server did a great job giving us recommendations on what the most popular items were (the ribeye included in that list). But then, he kind of disappeared and rarely checked in on us. We found ourselves waiting to get the bill, to get to-go boxes, and just some other confusing things (e.g. declining dessert and having to ask later for the check, asking if we could get our food boxed up to go and then him only taking one of our dishes where we had to ask a busser to bring us another box). He didn't seem weeded and he didn't seem like he was new the way he was explaining the menu to us. I will say he himself was friendly, but with a full staff of food runners and bussers, I felt over the course of the meal it was difficult to be understanding towards the worsening service we were experiencing. Ambiance is great. Typical of what you'd expect at a little bit of a nicer restaurant in Chicago. read more

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Came here in a Friday evening with reservations and was seated in time. The place was fully packed but the service was great and everything was delicious. Tried their burrata, bufala margharita, truffle mushroom, Parmesan fries, crispy garlic potatoes. And some of their mocktails as well. Will definitely be coming back. read more

Bar Siena - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

We came here for an early Saturday lunch. The place was empty when we arrived, and pretty much stayed that way throughout our meal. The service was great but disappointed to find out that they closed Bombobar. We ordered their Bufala Margherita pizza and their Rigatoni Alla Vodka. Both dishes were really tasty. My daughter really enjoyed the pasta. We still wanted to finish off our meal with something sweet so we ordered their Mini Bombolini. I've had these before at their other restaurant and loved them. Glad they still have these. I can definitely see myself returning. read more

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What really made me want to give the review was the service. Our server I wish I could remember her name.. I feel terrible I don't remember her name...she was white presenting blonde hair and tattoos on her neck... she was THE most thorough, on point, knowledgeable, respectful, friendly, and accommodating server I have ever experienced. If server awards were to be given she would def be my top vote. It was like she breathed, ate, slept the menu and human nature because she was that good at addressing personal requests or comments, concerns, cravings. Anywho.. I was there with a large group as a last minute we need food NOW kind of moment after the last restaurant in Chinatown was kind enough to say that the pork contamination is inevitable and anyone telling you otherwise isn't being honest. And I love them for that feedback as I definitely try to strictly eat at halal establishments.. I was with vegetarian friends and with other friends with certain restrictions. Anywho, that being said I had the truffle mushroom pizza and happy to announce it was wasn't Chicago style (maybe bc I'm a New Yorker at heart who also prefers thin crust like pizza I've had in Rome) if you have never had truffle pizza it basically tastes like butter on pizza lol. But mushrooms make me feel that it's healthier haha. Please, try it... I generally am not a fan of mushroom pizza except in Italy.. however truffle mushroom pizza in the states is another experience that is quite exciting. If you haven't tried truffle pizza and are scared to.. please invite me I will pay and eat the extra pizza you don't want or donate it to a lucky unhoused person.. I promise it's delectable. Anyway everyone ordered different items and enjoyed it. Also I had the hibiscus hammer drink. Everyone enjoyed their drinks and ordered different ones. read more

Stopped in for a bite on a Saturday afternoon. There wasn't a lot of booth seating but there were a lot of high tops open, plus they let us bring our stroller to the table! We got the hot chicken sandwich and the gnocchi sausage pasta. Both were good dishes but didn't amaze us, plus our sandwich was a bit cold. The spot has killer reviews, and a cute ambiance so I will give it another try at some point! read more

Bar Siena - Spicy Chicken* - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Came here with friends and the food did not disappoint. Our table of 6 shared the burrata, fried calamari, and focaccia (had arugula or some greens on top which was nice). All were delicious and would order the burrata and calamari again. We Sat upstairs and loved light and decor. We shared the truffle pizza; flatiron steak, pasta alla vodka, orrechiette, and chicken parm. All were delicious with the exception of the chicken parm. It was ok, but the other items were sooo good. The flat iron steak was super tender and flavorful, mushroom pizza was super yummy and enjoyed both pasta dishes. Service was great and highly recommend this restaurant. read more

Stopped by for a week day lunch. We were seated quickly and the restaurant was busy, even the bar was full, which speaks to its popularity. Our waiter only came by twice the entire time. To welcome us and take our order. Our food took a while to come out, to the extent of waiting so long that the host/manager came by to check on us. We ordered a club soda and lime, which cost $5, which is free or less than $2 at most places. After a while, a busser came by to refill the still water and leave a carafe (thank god for him because he was great). Food came out eventually. The salad order was incorrect, but nobody came by to check or ask if our meals were okay or if we needed anything. I could've benefited from some more ketchup for my burger. The burger was good, smaller than expected, but in a good way. Overall, my first impression of Bar Siena is that I would not return. read more

Went to Bar Siena for the first time recently on a Friday night. The general location was busy and it was the first 60 degree weather in a while and was worried that we would have a long wait time, even with reservations. We got seated immediately and our server was very attentive and making sure we were taken care of. We had someone in our party with Celiac and our server was knowledgeable about accommodating their dishes. I got to try lots of bites and drinks this visit. Their espresso martini was okay, not bad, but not the best I've ever had. My boyfriend ordered their No. 5 cocktail and raved about it the whole night. I had their Siena sangria after my martini and it was definitely a lot better and more refreshing. We had their burrata with gluten-free bread and they also gave us regular bread for everyone else in the party. I loved their burrata, which came with an apricot jam that went excellent together. I ordered their baked lasagna, I wasn't sure if there was already protein in it so I added chicken and I was stuffed. Their lasagna was perfectly baked and wasn't too overbearing or heavy. Someone in our party ordered their Flat Iron steak medium, but it was definitely on the more on the rare side. I enjoyed my time here and wouldn't mind coming back. Service was great and this spot is in a great location near other bars. read more

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I love bar Siena , the service was so good. We did restaurant week menu and it's the perfect way to get a full experience of the menu. I wasn't a big fan of the gnocchi but the meatballs were great. I always love the music and vibe. Def recommend. read more

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I love pasta. And I've eaten a lot of pasta. And the crab spaghetti I had here is easily top 2 best pasta dishes I've had in my life. So this rating is purely based on that dish and the vibes. The restaurant itself was dark, a little loud, but good bar vibes. Service was super nice and attentive. Back to the star though. The spaghetti! It was a lemon cream sauce and it was so delicious I was so sad when I finished. They better still have it when I go back. 10/10 will 10000% be back just for that pasta dish. read more

Bar Siena - Crab spaghetti - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Ok is this the greatest Italian food I've ever had? No. But does it seem to always hit the spot? Yes. They make great food here despite appearing focused solely on vibe. Service also super friendly. Youve got to try it! read more

Bar Siena - Bucatini "Cacio e Pepe" - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Came here for dinner recently and had an amazing experience. I sat outside and the people watching in West Loop and decorated street is amazing. Service was extremely nice and food and drinks came at the right time. We had the baby kale salad to start which was great and refreshing. The gnocchi was delicious and I couldn't get enough of the sauce. But the half chicken dish was the star of the showwww! The chicken was juicy, perfectly seasoned. The sauce was sooooo tasty to dip the perfectly crisp potatoes in. I would recommend that dish to anyone. My friend also got a frozen aperol spritz and it was very yummy and refreshing for a hot, humid day. Overall: my favorite restaurant in the West loop area thus far, great vibes, amazing food and service. read more

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Bar Siena was great. Our server was so sweet and the drinks and vibes were on point. The space had just the right amount of holiday spirit without feeling overdone. We ordered the calamari and it was honestly amazing. Perfectly cooked, super soft, and it basically melted in your mouth. One hundred percent would order it again. read more

Bar Siena - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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During my visit, I decided to try this place out for lunch on a Monday afternoon. Since it was close by to where I was staying it was convenient. For lunch I had their lunch special. For the app, I ordered the meatballs, rigatoni, and an espresso martini. The martini and rigatoni were pretty good but the meatballs were a let down. They came out not even room temperature. It was border line cold. I'm not sure if I would go back? Maybe to try the pizza and I would say skip the meatballs. read more

Bar Siena - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Ambiance - love that they offer 2 floors for dining, huge bar area, they can accommodate large groups but require a minimum, music was quite loud Service - exceptional, our server checked on us often, drinks and food came out fairly quickly Food - grilled octopus was super tender, lobster pasta was creamy, truffle mushroom pizza was my tables favorite read more

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Came in last Wednesday. Started off with Vesper Martini. The drink was cold. It was made satisfactory to my liking. Split some meatball appetizer with the girlfriend they were decent wasn't wowed. Was wowed with my entree. The potato's had some kind of cheese on them they were crispy, crunchety. The chicken was tender, juicy had ample amount of seasoning especially Garlic. Love garlic on chicken!! Haven't had chicken this good in a long time. read more

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This place had a vibe! The restaurant was beautiful. The food was fantastic. Best vodka pasta ever! The Brussels sprouts were also very good. I definitely recommend. It is a fun spot. Our waitress was very sweet. The drink selection was also very good. read more

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This place was amazing and deserves the already high ratings it has. We were able to get a table within seconds, with quick service. We ordered two margaritas cocktails, which were amazing. Our favorite part was honestly the pizza which was so thin yet so delicious. The parm fries were 10/10 and (not pictured) the calamari was read more

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Came here for a business dinner, overall great experience except how loud it gets. Chicago always has a lot of good italian options so the bar should be set fairly high. Bar Siena looks unassuming from the outside, but is definitely where the party at on the inside. Literally... the first floor has a large center bar with a decent amount of booths around. But the 2nd floor must be their large table / event space. It was packed that night, at least 4-5 different large groups. Our table of 14 was nice enough, didnt feel too crowded but with the amount of food and drinks we ordered definitely ran out of space. Food was excellent. Meatballs definitely full of meat, good texture, and red sauce amazing. Burrata nice and fresh. Also ordered some calamari which was crispy as expected. The chopped salad was good but already getting full. Got a steak medium, it was slightly overcooked but still tender. Sauce was great. Came with fries, also fried potatoes as sides... carb overload. Dessert was Gelato, nice way to end. Wayy too much food but still delicious. Would go back for a small group, less for corporate just given how loud it is. read more

Came here for a birthday brunch with a large party and we were not disappointed! The bottomless options were great and they kept them flowing! I ordered the breakfast pizza and lobster roll and they both tasted amazing! Everyone ordered something different on the menu for the most part and there were no complaints. The appetizers were delicious as well! Service was great even with our large party. They were always attentive and checking in on us. Ambiance was nice for either dinner, a date or brunch. read more

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Food solid the ambience of this place is great ! But diner BEWARE nowhere on the menu do they mention charges for subbing out a side for your meal ! Almost paid $7 for this, when I confronted the manager she said it's an insult to tell people about it. I don't think I've ever heard that, I think you ether tell them or put it on the menu. read more

Food was a 5/5 amazing, as was the service! We were seated quickly and all the food and drinks were brought out in a timely manner. Fresh plates and silverware with each course were provided. Did not realize it turned into more of a bar after 8. Suddenly the lights changed and a DJ came out which threw my group off. Was hard to hear and finish dinner, but the place was busy and seemed like a good time. read more

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I've been wanting to come here ever since I realized that it's chef Fabio restaurant. When I lived in California he opened his first restaurant in the United States, Cafe Firenze. To start out we did like the ambiance especially for the football game. Our waitress was also very sweet! However, the food was honestly pretty sad. I got the bar Siena chop with tenderloin. Upon arrival the tenderloin looked like it was chewed up and tasted so so salty. I asked a manager (I think) if I can try the chicken instead since prior pictures looked like grilled chicken. When the chicken arrived it was purely boiled chicken on a plate with no seasoning whatsoever. The gentleman did end up taking it off the bill which was very sweet however I'm very sad I will not be returning. read more

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We had such a great experience today at Bar Siena for Brunch. I went with my husband, 12 month old and doggo. We sat on the patio and my dog was immediately greeted with a bowl of water. Our server was Boy and he was courteous, helpful and very attentive to us the entire visit. I love that they have a kids menu as not every restaurant in west loop does. We had the arancini for the table and I had the lobster roll. It was very delicious and the parmesan fries on the side were perfect. My daughter kept asking for more (and I really didn't want to share..) My husband had the chicken sandwich and he said it was awesome. We ordered a kids cheese pizza and it was much larger than I expected. We each had a bit and were able to take home the leftovers. I would absolutely recommend Bar Siena if you are wanting a dog, kid friendly (or Both!) experience. The food was awesome and so was the service. read more

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First time here. Beautiful view of Chicago buildings from the upper floor. Wonderful staff and our waitress was very attentive. Great appetizers. We tried the meatballs and the potato skins. Both were delicious. Wanted to order seconds on them, lol. They were that good. Music plays loudly, TV's all have different shows playing. Party ambience, fun. People enjoying themselves. I really enjoyed it. The beautiful lighted tree sits in the middle of the restaurant. There is outdoor seating but it was raining. I recommend if only just to chill and enjoy an appetizer. read more

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Come with friends and the pizza bit salty but everything else is great. Good vibes and Service. read more

Bar Siena - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Burrata appetizer is a hit, pairs so with the spicy apricot. (4.5/5) Enjoyed the kale salad though it lacked kale. Chicken was cooked perfectly and very flavorful. Wish it did not come dressed, was a little heavy for my liking. (4/5) Their pizza isn't my favorite. Margarita pizza is just okay! (3/5) Sat on the patio and enjoyed the nice weather. Great service, but sometimes a little quick to clear plates. read more

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This place never disappoints and a great spot if you are a local with out of town guests. I've tried quite a few things such as the salads, pizzas, and brussel sprouts and everything is very good. They have a mix of drink options too such as juices (brunch) to cocktails to wine/beer. read more

Always love the bar sienna chop, it has like a sweet honey mustard almost dressing on it that is my favorite!! Also the rigatoni is always so good read more

Bar Siena - Bar Siena Chop Rigatoni alla Vodka - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Popped into the bar for a snack (an entire pizza) and a glass of wine. While the pizza wasn't Chicago style it was wood fired and absolutely delicious. The crust was perfectly crisp, the meat thinly sliced and it was covered in cheese. I sat at the bar and enjoyed the company of the bartender in a very relaxed environment. Well priced, we shared a pizza, pasta and had 3 cocktails for less than $100 read more

Bar Siena - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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This was our second visit here and no doubt we will visit this restaurant in the future. Nice relaxed vibe, the food is delicious and our server Jace was helpful in accommodating my gluten-free request. The portions were generous, as well as tasty. read more

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I was visiting Chicago last week and we ordered takeout from Bar Siena. It came highly recommended so I ordered the Baked Lasagna and we shared the Bufala Margherita Pizza. The Lasagna was very good - layers of perfectly cooked pasta with a delicious meat Ragu. The pizza was a classic Margherita with fresh mozzarella and basil, and a tasty, crispy-chewy crust. I can see why it's a family favorite. read more

Bar Siena - Baked Lasagna - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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The weather was warm, the sun was setting, and the patio was buzzing. I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and smiled slightly. The feeling of complete peace mixed with subtle excitement was a bit confusing, but I knew that I liked it. This is a typical summer night on the patio of Bar Siena... weather permitting of course. While the vibes are great, the food and drink menu bring forth extensive offerings that can satiate even the most stubborn palate. As an Eastern European food connoisseur new to the Chicago area, I have carefully constructed a rating system that reflects my personal thoughts, feelings, and experience. Food: 8/10 All the food we got was split amongst 4 people and one of them was "Hangry". For the price, I felt that we all left full and satisfied. Below is a recap of the food we enjoyed. Focaccia (prosciutto added) - My first thought was that adding prosciutto for 6 dollars was probably not worth the price, but then the dish came out and it was clear that they weren't afraid to pile on the prosciutto. The prosciutto was salty, savory, and sliced thin enough for you to read your great grandmothers diary through. Aside from the prosciutto, the bread was done perfectly, and it was clear they used an olive oil nicer than the one sitting in my kitchen counter. Burnt Pepperoni Pizza - Could be a personal pie if you were by yourself. The pizza was very good, but not something I would write home to my family about. The highlight was obviously the pepperoni which has crisp edges that would crunch with each nibble. Pastas - We chose the vodka rigatoni and gnocchi which were very rich and perfect for sharing. Honestly, this is what I would expect from pastas of this price point. They were delicious, but did not exceed any expectations for the price. Drink: 6.5/10 Old Fashioned - This is what I expect an old fashioned to be at this price point. I appreciated their use of a singular, large ice cube that would cool the drink without watering it down. Beer - I wanted to have a beer, but I opted out because I noticed that none of their offerings were on tap. As a beer snob, this was the most disappointing part of the experience. This is not the place to come for beer unless you enjoy drinking from a can. Atmosphere: 9/10 The patio was 10 out of 10 as describe above. It is busy and energetic in the most fun and non-overwhelming way possible. Of course, this vibe would change if you were sitting indoors or if the weather was poor (not my experience). Return Likelihood: 8/10 This would be a hard place to pass up again if my fiancé and I happened to walk by with a group again. We loved how we were able to easily get in without a reservation. The food was great but the overall atmosphere is was makes this place a fun start to the night with friends! Thanks for the wonderful experience, George Clydesdale read more

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This review is from last year. My work friends decided to meet a cool bar restaurant before we kick off conference. This place is pretty happening and whole interior was quite unique. We got to seated in upper floor. Our server was really good - her recommendations were amazing. Our food and drinks were also good. Overall great place! read more

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Great spot in west loop for food & drinks. I personally have always come here for brunch, the restaurant has lots of natural light & is beautifully decorated, making it a lovely spot on a sunny weekend day. The service is always great and reservations are relatively easy to come by. I personally love sitting upstairs where you can see the lit up tree inside and also do some people watching on Randolph! The food is always great - I love the burnt pepperoni pizza & the arancini. Drinks are great too, I love the no 9 & the no 24. Overall a great pick for groups that want a reliable Italian-leaning meal in a nice environment! read more

Their Fungi pizza is probably the best mushroom pizza I've had. They have a great lineup of cocktails and will definitely recommend as a pregame place to enjoy the rest of west loop area! read more

It was ok I had high expectations because it was kinda pricey but the taste in nothing unique. The only thing that was outstanding were the fries. It was a busy day so our waiter was overwhelmed. The ambiance is pretty loud. I'd go with friends there. read more

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