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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. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The inside has more of a cozy, dimly lit atmosphere, while the patio is a little more casual and cute.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] 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!
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. [[HIGHLIGHT]]If you're looking for some of the best Italian food in Chicago and an intimate, romantic setting, Elina's is your place.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] 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.
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 [[HIGHLIGHT]]The vibes are dark, moody, new school Italian spot that is cosplaying an older spot lol[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] 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
[[HIGHLIGHT]]Elina feels like home in the best possible way--like my mom's Italian cooking, but elevated and polished.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] 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.
The food here was amazing, but what really did it for me was the customer service! 10/10!! I got the clams, vodka rigatoni, steak, and broccoli. Everything was cooked and seasoned perfectly. They even gave complimentary shots and tiramisu at the end. Will definitely be coming back
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!
Went back to Elina's when family was visiting in town. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Sat on the patio for the first time , which was very nice (beware of the ants on the table).[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Food was great as always. Even the bread service at the beginning was amazing. I recommend the rigatoni alla vodka. It's popular for a reason! Took off a star because I found them to be very particular. Tried to order an appetizer before the main and they said it all had to be ordered at once. Also at the end we tried to split the bill three ways and they could only split it two ways. Overall, great experience. I will be back 100%
The best dining experience I had in Chicago! Managed to book a spot at the bar for NYE dinner. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The restaurant was beautifully decorated for the holiday.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Amazing cocktail menu AND they have blue cheese olives for dirty martinis the complimentary bread service was a lovely treat-- both breads were tasty and my boyfriend and I devoured the salami. We split the rigatoni vodka and chicken parm. One of the best vodka sauces I've had in my life- loved the extra crunch with the breadcrumbs. The chicken parm was so tender and we adored the sauce. Service was impeccable! Everyone was so attentive. I hope to come back some day!
Came here again to celebrate my sister's birthday. We had a really good time! Honestly the vodka pasta is incredible and great as is but the truffle pasta just wasn't good, it almost tasted like plastic? That being said, our waiter did everything to make sure we were satisfied from bringing over salt pepper spices and cheese to help the taste of the truffle pasta to giving us limoncello shots and a free dessert for the birthday girl. Service is always great here and [[HIGHLIGHT]]the ambiance was perfect for the holidays.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]]
I had an amazing time at Elina's. This is my friend's favorite restaurant so I was very excited to try it and it did not disappoint. The restaurant is fairly small so a reservation is a must (bar seating is reservations) nevertheless we were able to get a resy pretty quickly. The staff is incredibly friendly and food comes out very quickly which is a huge plus. My limencello drink was fine - I should have tried something from the wine menu, so I'll do that next time. The food was incredible. The vodka pasta was absolutely amazing and a must try. We also got the Caesar salad which was very very good. The clams were a bit of a miss so I would recommend skipping those. They bread crumbs on top were seeping in oil/very greasy. I'm excited to go back. We got 2 drinks, two appetizers and one entree and the the total was about $120
We saw lots of recommendations for this spot on TikTok and made reservations on a Tuesday at 4:30pm, right when they open. Upon arrival, there were already three parties waiting in front of us. Once open, they sat us quickly and brought out some appetizers. These included two different versions of bread, salami, and pickled eggplant. The server suggested 3-5 plates for a part of two so we ordered the Caesar salad & two pastas. The croutons in the salad were the perfect combination of crispy and fluffy and the powdery Parmesan on top ensured a perfect bite each time. The scampi had a strong crab flavor and the vodka pasta was irresistibly creamy. We reached a point of fullness but struggled to stop ourselves from taking more bites. We ended up with leftovers that were just as delicious the next day.
Review Insights
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
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
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
9 months ago
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
1 year ago
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
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
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
2 years ago
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
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
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
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
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
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
2 years ago
4 years ago
A but difficult to get a reservation but I see why now. They don't open until 5:30pm and is a pretty small spot...they definitely pack in tables about as close as possible. However, the food definitely lives up to the hype. We started with the chopped salad which was a good portion for 2 or 3 to share. My favorite chopped salad I've ever had! It also came with complimentary tomato focaccia, garlic bread and salami which were all wonderful...and even better for free. Lastly we got the cherry pepper ribs and rigatoni alla vodka to split. Both were fantastic and recommendations from our waiter (who was great as well). Not a large menu but didn't have one bad thing. Looking to come back again soon (if I can get reservations!) read more
2 years ago
Foods presentation was great, but lacked flavor overall. The chicken was dry, and the scallops weren't cooked properly. The best part of the meal overall was the meatballs, but they ran out after us. Had to ask for the bread service and got attitude from the server after. read more
1 year ago
4 years ago
This was a truly wonderful meal! My friend and I enjoyed everything we ordered. We split the chopped salad (fresh greens with a bright dressing and crispy salami), chicken parmesan (very thin and crispy), and rigatoni alla vodka (creamy and delicious). Everything was to perfection. We also enjoyed the complimentary bread service (two pieces of garlic bread and two pieces of what seemed to be pizza bread). Our only complaint would be that due to the small restaurant size, the tables are seated VERY close together. It was a bit uncomfortable -- especially when we got up to leave. Otherwise, we thoroughly enjoyed our meal here and will definitely be back. read more
Chicago has a lot of great Italian restaurants and therefore, sets the bar pretty high in terms of what is exceptional Italian vs enjoyable. Elina's has a two week waiting period and great reviews which set the bar pretty high. I ended up rating it 3/5 because i thought it was okay. The ambience was cute and the place was small. We had a reservation and still were seated at the bar which makes me think there is really no space for walk ins at the bar. Our server was nice and service was fine- not the best I've ever had Food: -complimentary bread, salami and pickles: first, the bread was amazing. The focaccia was warm and delicious! The garlic bread was also great. The salami was pretty standard- enjoyable but nothing to rave about. The pickles were soft and mushy but the flavor was good; I was hoping for more of a crunch when I think pickles or something bring pickled. PASTAS: -rigatoni a la vodka: this was the best dish of the night. The sauce was creamy and rich, in my personal opinion I was hoping for a bigger kick of spice and more sauce to dip bread in. But the pasta was cooked perfect and this was a win. -fusilli bolognese: this reminded me more of Alfredo sauce meets pesto. It was a great flavor but due to the shape of the pasta some bites were more salty and pepper heavy. But again this was still enjoyable Mains or secondi: -chicken Parmesan: this was a real upset for me. I do prefer my chicken parm to be thin but this was so thin that the chicken became stringy and chewy. Also it was less crispy than I like- this was a big upset for me in our meal. -Silvio's meatballs: again another meh dish. The were plain and the sauce was okay (I didn't even want to dip the bread in it). They are moist and cooked great but I felt they were plain, simple and nothing special- wouldn't order again. The BYOB is 10$ a person but was great especially since we brought a nice bottle of wine Overall, the food was just okay. I don't know when we will be returning. read more
1 year ago
Another Italian restaurant in West Town area?? How do these places keep being delicious on their own right!?Food is tasty, but I must be in the minority group who does not feel this is the best meal I've EVER had in Chicago. But delicious! I have wanted to snag a reservation for quite some time and it has finally been my time to shine. Exciting! It's a really small space, which explains why it's difficult to come by. There is a bar area that's first come first serve and I would chance it if I ever decided to come back (pre 7pm if you don't want to wait). The complimentary starts are bomb. There's a bread basket which is a mixture of garlic bread, which is just standard fare, and some pizza-type bread that was a huge hit! The salami and pickled eggplant were very fun and welcomed. For starter we chose the baked clams, which I really loved. The perfect hot temperature, the beautiful shell casing, the BREADCRUMBS!!! Would get these over and over again. For pastas we chose the crowd favorite rigatoni alla vodka, which was textbook execution. Al dente, silky smooth sauce, slight tang to break up the richness, and the addition of the Calabrian breadcrumbs really tied it up with a gorgeous bow for me. I am obsessed with angel hair pasta, so that was a no brainer. Angel hair with crab, lemon and parsley? DUH! Y'all it was bomb. The broccoli was the perfect side, with the charred flavor really coming through in a nice way. I felt like I was picking up on some really interesting flavors of not just lemon but maybe some anchovies? Great elevated side. WITH ALL THAT BEING SAID: We were both so incredibly sick after this meal. Not food poisoning or anything serious, just deeply sick in the stomach for hours after.. probably due to the sheer amount of butter that is found in these dishes is all I could come up with. It's for that reason i'm not sure if I will be able to return, but the flavors were on point without a doubt. read more
2 years ago
The food was great when I dined in. This is a $17 Caesar salad ordered online... do not order to go. read more
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Elina's - italian - Updated August 2026
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