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This is one of my favorite Italian spots in Chicago! Every plate was devoured. Even the eggplant side was to die for! The waiter was the best and even helped us with a wine chiller for our flowers. The place is beautiful and very romantic.
I will never not write a good review for Elina's when I visit here. Best restaurant, best food, best patio, best staff. Overall obsessed. If you order any two things please let it be the eggplant parmesan and the truffle mushroom pasta. Truly phenomenal.
Always a great meal every time I visit Elina's. The staff is friendly, provide great recommendations, and course out the meal perfectly. Everything is fresh and consistently great with each visit. The indoor space is cozy and the back patio is a fun summer change up. The espresso martinis and cocktail program as a whole is also a win. A great team and menu that continues to exceed expectations
We came to Elinas while in Chicago for a few days. Celebrating my birthday with Italian food always, and this restaurant did not disappoint. Complimentary starters included silky salami, pickled artichokes, garlic bread and cheese bread basket. Perfect to hold us over for the main dishes that we ordered. For our mains we ordered the chicken Parmesan and the rigatoni alla vodka to share. As dishes are served family style, these two dishes were plenty for me and hubby. We even had some leftovers! The chicken parm was thinly battered and crispy on the outside. Both my husband and I agreed it was delicious and paired wonderfully with the rigatoni. The rigatoni with its spot on sauce was topped with some tasty breadcrumbs. I can see why both of these dishes are their most popular ones. Cait, our waitress, surprised us with a celebratory cannoli on the house. I shared it with my hubby and we both agreed that it's the best cannoli we've ever had. Its outer shell is dipped in chocolate, filled with a delicious lemon ricotta filling, and dipped in crushed pistachios. We're still talking about that cannoli. Huge thanks to Cait for the above and beyond service. She really made our night with her recommendations and taking such amazing care of us. If you're looking for some of the best Italian food in Chicago and an intimate, romantic setting, Elina's is your place. Highly recommend making a reservation, as there are only ten tables inside and this place gets booked up fast. We will definitely return next time we're in the Windy City.
Great food, but service fell short of expectations. The chopped salad was exceptional, the meatball was delicious, and the vodka rigatoni had some of the best sauce I've had in the city. The chicken parmigiana was nice and crispy and even better than Monteverde's. I really wanted to give this place five stars, but unfortunately, the service didn't quite measure up to other Italian restaurants in Chicago at a similar price point. Given the ambiance and price, I would have expected our waiter to be a bit warmer and more attentive. Our meatball arrived cold (although the meat itself was incredible), but our waiter never checked in between the first course and the mains, so we didn't have an opportunity to mention it. I would be more understanding of the lack of attentiveness on an especially busy night, but we had a later reservation, and the restaurant wasn't particularly crowded for a Friday night. The orecchiette was also a bit bland for my taste, though others at the table enjoyed it. To his credit, our waiter did bring out a birthday treat for the guest of honor, which was a thoughtful way to end the meal. Ultimately, I'd like to chalk the experience up to our waiter having an off day, which is completely understandable.
I was really excited to try Elina's while I was in town for work. I was able to grab a last minute reservation on the patio. The inside has more of a cozy, dimly lit atmosphere, while the patio is a little more casual and cute. We started with a hugo spritz and a margarita, and they brought out complimentary bread and salami. We really enjoyed the pizza bread! We split the rigatoni alla vodka, meatballs, chicken parmesan, and mozzarella sandwich. Everything was really good, but the pasta definitely stole the show. It was so creamy with the perfect amount of kick, and the breadcrumbs added a good crunch. The only thing that threw me off was the bill. I had asked if I could get my check separate because I was traveling for work, but our waiter said they don't do separate checks. That was a little disappointing, but overall the food was great.
Let me start with the service! Everyone from walking in greeted me to my table, it is a small space inside but it gives a family feel. Or can be really cozy for date night. I was offered a taste of a couple of wines to help me decide and our server was very knowledgeable and helpful. Then comes the food! The bread basket was a good start, think mini pizza slice. And if you do anything else just make sure you add the pasta! 100/10! And we shared the chicken parm which was pretty tasty but the pasta stole the show!
The competition for best Vodka Pasta in Chicago introduces another contender... Elina's. Quite honestly, this is nothing new. People have been raving about this one for years, across platforms, and I just now got around to trying it. I'm coming to learn that I'm more of a purist when it comes to Vodka sauce, and now prefer a slightly darker, velvety sauce over these ultra-thick, light, overly-buttery interpretations... primarily due to the way it makes me feel after. However, I can say this one is BOMB if that's what you're in the mood for. The bread crumbs on top are perfection. Don't sleep on the Angel Hair Crab or the Orecchiette either! My bf is THE Orecchiette connoisseur and I took him here specifically to review Elina's. It's a creamer/richer one and it is fantastic. I will say that I have never felt worse after a meal in Chicago - I don't know if that was from the combo of dishes I tried? Will definitely omit the fried grilled cheese from the order next time lol. Lastly, the ribs are a must!!! This is another menu item I haven't seen reviewed much. Need to come back but still recovering from this food coma.
Reserved a table for 2 but was offered whatever seating was left at the bar Despite that our server was really nice and took good care of us The vibes are dark, moody, new school Italian spot that is cosplaying an older spot lol Calamari is usually my test for a great Italian spot but this one was not my fav. The batter is reminiscent of tempura but it was not giving what it needed to and I wish there was more squid than shrimp. The sauces that came with it were good though What saved this meal was the vodka pasta and the eggplant parm The vodka pasta had the most perfect al dente texture that I still think of The eggplant parm was a great new take on an old school classic with lasagna like layers and a crispy bottom Order family style and try a little bit of everything
The food was good! The Caesar salad was huge and delicious. The little free bread and pickled veg with what I believe was prosciutto was a nice touch to the wait for the made to order pasta. I loved the decor and lighting preferences with the over waxed candlesticks and mood lighting. The music was vibey and fit the mood of the evening. The service was neat. The waiter who brought my food was very friendly and the bartender, was very polite yet not as... attentive as I was expecting or I'm used to. Not a bad thing! Not deducting points for that. I am deducting points though because there was a gnat in my water and I'm not sure where it came from. It through me off guard cause I was mid gulp and it was there just floating along. I didn't make a fuss about it or bring it to the wait staff's attention because, at that point what could they do? Was my thinking. But other than that, nice experience. 7.5/10 would recommend.
Elina feels like home in the best possible way--like my mom's Italian cooking, but elevated and polished. From the moment you sit down, they bring out the freshest, thinnest salami--silky, delicate, and impossible to stop eating. The Caesar salad was absolute perfection, with just the right hint of tang that kept every bite bright and balanced. The rigatoni alla vodka was cooked perfectly al dente, coated in a rich, comforting sauce that hits every note you want. And the chicken parm? Pounded thin, beautifully crisp, and cooked flawlessly--no heaviness, just pure Italian comfort done right. Warm, soulful, and executed with precision. Elina isn't just a meal--it's a feeling. This is Italian food that reminds you why you fell in love with it in the first place.
Amazing food and service. I think this is the most underrated restaurant in the city-- how is everyone not talking about it? Our server was wonderful and made the dining experience extremely memorable. We enjoyed the baked clams to start and then shared the vodka rigatoni and the angel hair scampi. The scampi was one of the best things I've ever tasted and I'd go back again and again for it. Also, our waiter brought out free cannolis at the end of the meal which was the cherry on top of an already amazing dining experience! The restaurant is small and getting a reservation requires planning but it isn't impossible! Definitely worth it.
Great spot! Very cute vibes, our waiter was very friendly and everything came out quickly! They recommend 3-4 dishes per two ppl, but the portion sizes are massive and I would not recommend that unless you want tons of leftovers. We definitely overspent and over ordered sadly. To start we got calamari, baked clams and a Caesar. The clams and calamari were wonderful. The clams are huge and came with 9. They had so much flavor! The Caesar was a miss for me. It was fine but something was a bit off with the Caesar dressing. For my main I got the vodka rigatoni. The portion size is huge. It was good, some pieces were over cooked and hard but overall it was good. Nothing crazy, standard vodka pasta. If you're in the mood for Italian and big portions this is a great spot!
2 years ago
We came in with no reso and snatched 2 spots at the bar. We ordered the clams and rigatoni alla vodka, as well as white wine. The environment was inviting, the bartender was very insightful on food and drink menus. Such a cute date spot, the portions are huge so we suggest to share. We'll def be back! read more
Food and service were fine, but didn't blow me away. Leaving the water carafe at the table would be an automatic bonus point. I liked the environment and the intro bread the most of anything. It's very tight quarters between tables. All dishes seem designed for 2+ people to share, and become a bit overwhelming in flavor/size if you don't. read more
4 years ago
This is one the first reservations I made a month before visiting Chicago! I was excited to try Elina's and it definitely did not disappoint. My reservation was at 9pm and we were seated promptly. The restaurant is very small and the tables are close to each other but that's what gives the restaurant intimate and romantic vibes. I forgot our server's name, he was very welcoming and friendly. He even gave us tips about Chicago since we are from SoCal. We ordered a bottle of rose wine and it was delicious. Their bread, salami, and pickled eggplant was a perfect way to start the meal. I normally don't like eggplant, but their pickled eggplant had the perfect tartness. We ordered the chicken Parmesan and rigatoni alla vodka! The chicken Parmesan was tasty; perfect breading and the cheese on top was yummy. And their rigatoni alla vodka is AMAZING, the pasta was cooked al dente and the sauce was delectable, the bread crumbs also added a nice touch. I couldn't stop eating the pasta lol We finished everything and was super full when we left. We probably would had leftovers, but we were traveling. Elina's has a good price point and big portions. I can't wait to go back when I'm in Chicago, I'd love to try their other dishes (probably would order the vodka pasta again, it was that good). 10/10 recommend for an intimate romantic date night. read more
2 years ago
Always an amazing experience at Elinas! I wanted to try something new but couldn't stray away from the trio - Caesar salad, rigatoni, and chicken parm. read more
1 year ago
4 years ago
Super excited to try out this place, we made reservations for 8 pm but wasn't seated until about 8:30 pm. Not sure why because there were several tables open. We sat at the bar for a bit and wished we brought another bottle! It's BYOB (can't remember if their was a corkage fee or not). Ended up getting seated at one of the tables that have been vacant the entire time *eye roll*. The complimentary focaccia and garlic bread was nice. Also came with some salami and pickled eggplants. We were set on ordering the eggplant parm but unfortunately they ran out so we settled for the chicken along with the rigatoni a la vodka. They were both good. The chicken parm was slightly over cooked for my liking. Service was fine, felt rushed at times meaning that we still had a bite left and they were already to clear to plates. Romantic ambiance but maybe a bit too intimate... with the table next to us. Could clearly hear their entire date. Otherwise, it was a better than average meal. read more
2 years ago
Excellent food and service, the patio was very cute to sit in when the weather is nice. Loved the vodka pasta and the Cesar salad read more
I came here to try the infamous Carbone rigatoni alla vodka. However, I think the dish fell short. The pasta was overcooked for my liking (broken from being mushy) and there wasn't enough sauce. Skip this place if you're going for the rigatoni alla vodka. I also got the caesar salad & that was pretty good but nothing amazing. They do give complimentary bread, salami, and pickled beets that were great. The service was very good & the ambiance is intimate and chic. read more
One of my favorite find this year!! A friend was in town visiting for work, so of course a big group of us got together for dinner and drinks. While thinking of places to visit, I suggested Elina's. SO glad I did!! Since they have a smaller menu we decided to order one of everything. It's tapas style to things come up as they're ready!! This worked perfectly for our table! We started off with the caesar salad and the salami. Both were amazing! We followed with Cherry pepper ribs, Chicken parm, Rigatoni a la vadka and the Shrimp scampi. Everything was amazing!!! We of course finished off with a cannoli! High recommend this place, especially their patio!! read more
Must try restaurant! My husband surprised me with resos for my birthday and I was not disappointed. We were seated promptly and greeted by such a friendly waitress. She walked us through the menu and I appreciated how small and well throughout it was We started off with the chopped salad and frito misto. Both very delicious. I've heard the Caesar salad is delicious but my husband doesn't like Caesar so we went with the chopped and it didn't disappoint. We got a lovely bread basket with focaccia and garlic bread. Then we went with the rigatoni a la vodka DELICIOUS! Eggplant- yum! It had a bit of an Asian sauce which was interesting and didn't pair with anything else but it was good as well. The final think we ordered that I was not a fan of was the filet. It came with topped with blue cheese which was not on the menu or disclosed and I was just not a fan. We ended dinner with a cannoli that the waitress brought out for my bday and that was delicious as well. read more
2 years ago
Is this the Carbone of Chicago? No? Yes? Yes it is! Food was immaculate and the spicy rig was miles better in my opinion than Carbone. Dishes were very reasonably priced for the quality. Spacing was limited in the restaurant but you get a tight intimate dining experience. The Dover Sole Piccata was one of the best plates of fish I've had in Chicago, no joke I could eat it everyday. The cook on the fish was perfection and although it wasn't crusted the depth of flavor from the cook made it taste as if it were fried with breadcrumbs. The baked clams casino were great, an old school dish packed with lots of flavor. The Italian fries were a good side although the marinara dipping sauce was quite watery, would pass on them next. The tiramisu was just like my grandpa made it, heavy with rum. A great treat to end the night. Service was great our server was awesome. Drinks were well made. The frozen whiskey sour was refreshing and surprisingly addicting. read more
5 years ago
Great date night! We stopped by at 6pm on a Saturday to put our names in for 2 seats at the bar. By 7:15, our table was ready! It's BYOB with no corkage (as of 11/14/21). Besides wanting to try the entire menu, we settled on the chicken parm, cherry ribs, vodka rigatoni with 1 a la carte meatball and the angle hair scampi with crab. Including the bread and spread you get complimentary I'd give everything a 10/10! I wasn't as excited for the angel hair pasta and ribs but they did not disappoint. To end dinner we got a cannoli - yum! We plan to go back and I want to try a few different items - chopped salad, baked clams, eggplant parm, ect read more
Great new Italian place- (BYOB)!! loved the warm ambiance, service was friendly and most importantly the food was delicious. The menu is small and intimate just like their restaurant and my fiancé and I were able to pretty much order 60% of the menu just to try it all! We took home a lot of leftovers but don't regret ordering all that food. Every dish was executed so well. Dinner started out with complimentary focaccia and garlic bread with fresh salami and picked vegetable. They can put that focaccia bread on the menu and I will order it every time! Must have- cherry pepper ribs (the meat falls off the bone and that sauce!), Chopped salad with pickled peppers and crispy salami (aka delicious bacon bits), Baked clams casino with breadcrumbs, chicken parmesan, rigatoni a la vodka (wowww)! You can skip- the vesuvio potatoes and the Fritto Misto. The Fritto Misto was okay- I've had better fried/batter Fritto Misto. The potatoes- they are potatoes...the rest of their dishes are so delicious I didn't need a side to accompany any of the entree's. We will definitely come back to try the rest of their dishes and excited for this new restaurant! read more
The future is bright for Elina's! I ran into owner/chef Eric Safin a couple of weeks ago after exiting neighboring Vinnie's (Chicago's best subs). At the end of a brief conversation, he said, "I'd love to cook for you." Tonight was the night! Elina's comfortable space features exposed brick, green tufted banquettes, and tightly-spaced tables. My wife really liked the table settings; the vintage china is an eclectic assortment that might have been purchased from local thrift stores. Food: wonderful! We started with a chopped salad with super fresh greens, bits of crispy salami, and pickled peppers. My main was a flavorful shrimp scampi, my wife had the many-layered eggplant parmiagiana. Both were scrumptious and large enough that we took some home. Service was good, prices are reasonable, and for the time being, Elina's is BYO which I love. I'm looking forward to returning! read more
3 years ago
The vibes at Elina's were great. The restaurant is dimly lit with many real candles burning and art hung up. The tables had white table clothes. The tables for 2 were closely together against the wall, so I wouldn't recommend if you want to have a personal conversation as your neighbors will be able to hear everything. When you order food, you get complimentary pickled eggplant, garlic bread, a salami type meat, and a pizza sort of bread. This was fantastic to get complimentary but it did full us up before our food. My table of 2 split the rigatoni alla vodka and the chicken parm, and we were incapable of finishing it because we were full. I have had a lot of chicken parm in my life and I would say this one was average taste but great presentation. The rigatoni alla vodka was good but pretty standard. Hoping to try some of their other dishes in the future! read more
All in, great homemade pastas. Sizable portions, and the price isn't too outrageous. The starter garlic bread and salami were delicious - honestly, a highlight of the meal. The rigatoni was tasty and what you would expect in a rigatoni. Not mind blowingly out of this world, but dependable. And sometimes, that's all you need. The atmosphere is wonderful - homey and they play soft Italian music in the background. So wonderful. Service was a bit too quick and recommend asking to clear a plate before doing so. We still had bites left of our salad, bread, and plates, but not a huge deal. Just felt rushed. Would recommend checking this place out! read more
This is a top restaurant in Chicago that everyone needs to try. The inside is vintage with large wax candles and smooth dinner music that give off a relaxing, yet upbeat dinner. We came on a Friday at 6:00 with no reservation and easily sat at the bar where it was a young adults crowd The Rigatoni with vodka sauce was incredible and would easily dethrone Carbone's. The pasta was incredibly fresh, had the perfect amount of creaminess and breadcrumbs for the perfect crunch. All of the staff is super friendly and the bartenders make high end unique cocktails, such as Colombian Mojito's. I couldn't recommend this place more if you are looking to wow a date. read more
Spectacular spot in west town! Cannot recommend enough - it's a must go Chicago Italian spot. It's very small inside but it makes it feel much more intimate which I liked. I definitely want to come back and sit at the bar, it's adorable. Food wise, the pastas are amazing - surprisingly we loved the carbonara the best, but the classic and famous vodka pasta is also great. The ceasar is a must and the frito misto was so unique, almost like a tempura batter. Service was classic and friendly and we didn't feel rushed at all. Will be back for sure and definitely need a trip to the patio in the summer! read more
2 years ago
11 months ago
3 years ago
I have been fighting for a year to get reservations here and for good reason. It has been hyped up as Chicago's own Carbone to rival NYC's. While I've never had the NYC version I can say this place was worth every penny and minute spent on the reservation site! Everything is served family style which is really nice. There were only 2 people in my party so it was suggested to order 3 items off the menu and more if we were super hungry. I ordered the rigatoni alla vodka (house favorite), Caesar salad and chicken Parmesan(house favorite) which was the perfect amount of food. The restaurant offers a wonderful breadbasket, salami, and pickled beets complimentary. The rigatoni was to die for. The bread crumbs on top made it all so much more richer and the noodles fill and hold the sauce perfectly. As for the chicken Parmesan it was cooked well being thin and having the perfect bite to it. The Caesar salad was amazing as well. I loved the dressing and the abundant amount of cheese. The croutons were warm and fresh which added to my love of the salad. Inside the restaurant it is very cozy and romantic (and quite dark) which I think adds to the ambiance and aesthetic. All in all, I think Elina's is a must go if you're able to get a reservation or lucky enough to get walk up seating! read more
3 years ago
Absolutely loved my experience! Sat at the bar and both the service and atmosphere were fantastic! Really enjoyed our cocktails (Negroni and espresso martini) and all the food was delicious! Definitely want to go back at try the eggplant. read more
3 years ago
Elinas is a cute and quaint Italian restaurant that truly has the classic dishes downpact. I came here for a nice date night early dinner and the service was absolutely impeccable. The dishes were timed right, we didn't have wait to long and I can tell the food came out right when it's ready. When we sat down the waitress was very knowledgeable of the menu and gave really good recommendations. Upon sitting we were given a Bread Basket that came with Cheesy Focaccia, a garlic bread, pickled eggplant and salami. We ordered the Caesar Salad, Dover Sole, Rigatoni Alla Vodka. The dishes are made to share but honestly you can eat the pasta by yourself. All of the food was delicious but next time I probably wouldn't order the Dover Sole, it was good but I think the branzino or the chicken parm would have blown me away. read more
2 years ago
The food was all really good and great for sharing. They have a nice outdoor patio as well. read more
Great neighborhood Italian spot with simple, well executed classics and an intimate ambiance. Rigatoni alla vodka was as good as it looks, meatballs also excellent, and the huge croutons in the Caesar salad were very buttery but also delicious. Great value for what you get too with complimentary bread and salami. read more
Elina's has fantastic, moody, intimate atmosphere with dishes that really shine with bold flavors. The only downside is that the space is quite tight at the tables, which some folks may really not enjoy. The bread at the beginning is so good! Caesar salad is rich, well dressed, and the real deal. Rigatoni all vodka is a must order. It's just a really solid, creamy vodka sauce pasta. Eggplant agrodolce is a must order as well. The outside of these eggplant pieces are a light fried crispiness that balances so well with the inner softness of the eggplant, all brought together with this slightly sweet, tangy, savory agrodolce sauce that's outstanding. I love it so much. Their table red wine is really good, though I'm no wine expert. It's got a nice balance. Very slight sweetness, not very acidic or tannic. Easy drink and the price is great. Branzino is a great fish choice. Chicken parmesan is big and amazing. For dessert I've had the tiramisu, which I really really like. I'm not typically a tiramisu fan, but the coffee flavor isn't overpowering and it's got a light sweetness that makes me want to just keep eating and eating it. read more
4 years ago
This place was everything I had hoped for and more. The service was impeccable- as was the food. It was very gloomy and rainy outside and the restaurant itself was warm and cozy and it was the perfect weather for Italian food. We ordered the Caesar Salad (I would order this again just for the croutons), as well as the Mozzarella Sandwhich thing for apps. They also brought out mozzarella bread and salami! We also ordered the meatballs (to die for) and the chicken parm which was cooked perfectly. We obviously had to try the Vodka Rigatoni and I was blown away. Truly some of the best vodka sauce I have ever had. I was getting so full but I didn't want to stop eating. We finished the meal with the cannoli which was the perfect way to end the meal. The portion sizes were very large and fairly priced. I think for the 3 mains, 2 apps, 1 dessert, and 3 glasses of wine we each paid around $90! This place is a must try! read more
Finnnaaallllyyy got a reservation here at 5:45pm on a Tuesday. I had wondered why it took me so long to get a spot here and realized why when I came in. The restaurant is small - there is no more than 12 tables in the place along with the bar. That being said, make a reservation early or if you're a pair of two, try and walk in and sit at the bar - it is open seating. For appetizers we ordered: Fritto Misto (4/10) - too much breading and very oily. Caesar Salad (6/10) - amazing croutons and good flavor but drenched in dressing. Baked Clams (2/10) - greasy - I did not care for this at all. Mozzarella en Carozza (5/10) - how bad can a crispy mozzarella sandwich really be? This wasn't bad I was just tired of oily fried apps at this point. FREE house bread (10/10) - came with olives and meat. Best app and it was the one we didn't pay for. For dinner: Rigatoni alla Vodka (1000/10) - absolutely to die for and what the restaurant is known for. I still dream about this at night (and during the day). Fusilli alla Norcina - (8/10) really good but my least favorite of the pastas. Creamy but still light. Really good sausage. Penne & Prosciutto - (9/10) another amazing pasta dish. So creamy and tasty. Noodles perfectly al dente. All in all - SKIP on the apps and enjoy the free bread. Indulge on all the pasta!! I will come back here, sit at the bar, order a glass of wine, eat my free bread and a whole Rigatoni to myself. read more
Food: 5/5 This is my favorite Italian in Chicago. Their food is exactly the same as Carbone and doesn't miss. We ordered the caesar salad which was enough for the three of us. The garlic bread croutons are to die for and the dressing tastes amazing. The table side bread is very delicious you get both garlic bread and a pizza like bread. The pizza like bread was fluffy and fresh. Everything we ordered was super fresh and served hot! We ordered the spicy rigatoni which is a Carbone copy and SO GOOD. The perfect amount of sauce and the perfect amount of spice. The chicken parmesan we ordered was cooked perfectly. The portions are huge and are definitely worth the price. Service: 5/5 We arrived right when Elina's opened and were able to snag a seat at the bar. There is limited seating and reservations can be hard to get so I would recommend going right when they open or making a reservation well in advance. The bartenders were friendly and provided thoughtful answers to the questions we had. Ambiance: 5/5 Elinas is beautifully decorated and has an amazing old school Italian vibe while still being trendy. The low lighting is such a great dinner vibe and they play good music. read more
Finally made it to Elina's and what a great experience! We had a party of 4 so got to try many of the dishes to share. Rigatoni & chicken parm obviously but don't sleep on the cherry pepper ribs (our serves suggestion and he was spot on)! read more
2 years ago
2 years ago
Came here from a tiktok that said Elina's was created by someone who had worked at Carbone, and it was simply mouthwatering.. I would come back for the free garlic bread alone. The spicy vodka rigatoni could use some more sauce, but was still to die for. We were seated outside at first but it did get a bit cold despite the patio heating, but it was a very cozy and intimate environment. To top it off, it was extremely affordable and I was shocked when I got the check for only around $60-70 for a drink, 2 main courses and dessert. read more
2 years ago
3 years ago
Food was ok, best dish to me was pepper ribs. Food wasn't memorable. Service was great . Ambiance lively and busy. We sat at the bar. Ordered food immediately. Came mostly for the vodka pasta and was not impressed. Ribs needed to be evenly coated. Sweet sauce was all at the bottoms maybe just drizzled read more
4 years ago
Elinas has absolutely taken the cake for my new favorite Italian restaurant in the city. This place is a MUST try! Baked Clams were absolutely wonderful, classic Cesar salad, with the complementary bread / meat. Everything was served family style giving a very traditional Italian feel, our main course was the vodka pasta which was AMAZING I ate the entire plate before remembering to snap a picture. Espresso martini 10/10 as well such a fun place to go for a date night, will definitely be back. read more
3 years ago
Reservation was at 9:15; we showed up around 9:08, and our table was prepped and ready for us. They have a great wine selection, and a short-but-sweet, perfectly executed dinner menu. Highly recommend the cesar salad, baked clams, and rigatoni alla vodka (obviously). We were looking forward to the meatballs but they were 86'd - a fan favourite I guess! So, we were forced to pivot and select the ribs, which I can't recommend enough! Very tender, fall-off-the bone meat with a zesty and sweet sauce - delicious! The vibes were immaculate, pairing just right with the flavourful food and excellent customer service. Great spot! read more
3 years ago
Everything. Everything. Favorite Italian in Chicago. Calamari was perfectly breaded and the sauce was perfect. Clams were delicious. Grandmas bread I could eat a whole loaf. Pickled eggplant wow. Trust me. Eggplant parmigiana was the best I've ever had. Gotta get the vodka sauce. *slightly overhyped* The best meatball I've had besides my nonnas, but it goes toe to toe. And the ribs. Do not sleep on them. Best rib I've ever had. Tiramisu and cannoli for dessert. Both delicious. Gotta do it. Can't disappoint. Ambiance! Perfect! Hard as hell to get a reservation, but I know why now. read more
3 years ago
