The food was absolutely fantastic. The service was quick and our server was really sweet. My only gripe was just how loud the room was. I could barely hear my date, we basically had to shout to hear each other and we were at the edge of the room. read more

Il Porcellino - Homemade Pappardelle alla Porcellino - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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First dinner in Chicago after happy hour. Came on a Thursday evening without a reservation but the wait was still only 30 minutes and was able to order a drink from the bar while waiting. Food wise everything was really good. The calamari was fried perfectly and loved the aioli sauce. For the lasagna, I could not stop eating it that I was so full by the time I was done. read more

Il Porcellino - Fried Calamari - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Love this place! Wonderful ambiance inside and perfect for a date noight! I've been here a few times now and always have a great experience. The food is delicious. Vodka sauce is good and the chicken cutlet for the chicken Parmesan was good quality. Was seated by the bar and it got to be a bit crowded around our table but the staff would periodically ask them to clear the walkway so they weren't standing directly at the edge of our table. Can be a bit crowded, but the food is worth it read more

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This was some really good italian!!! My favorite thing we ordered was the tuscan cheese bread. It was so garlicky in the best way possible and came with a delicious red sauce that was perfectly sweet to pair with the salty bread. I also loved the pasta! The vodka was very saucy and flavorful. The garganelli alla norma was good, but I wished there was more sauce and eggplant. It lacked flavor a bit. Can't wait to go back to try more things!!! We ordered on doordash and it was still good, so I can't imagine how it must be even better in person! read more

Il Porcellino - Rigatoni alla Vodka, Garganelli alla Norma, Tuscan Cheese Bread - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

So good! I love a good place to get home made pasta. The server recommended the lasagna which was a special and two of us ordered that and it was a great choice! I could have licked my plate clean! The server was great, the atmosphere was really nice and I'd definitely one back next time I'm in the area. read more

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This was my second time visiting Il Porcellino in River North, and it has officially become one of my Chicago spots! Every time I'm on that side of town, I try to make it a point to stop in. The customer service is always top-tier, but one of my favorite things about Il Porcellino is the ambiance. It has such a warm, inviting atmosphere that works perfectly for a date night, dinner with friends, or even a family get-together. It just has that classic Chicago feel that makes the entire dining experience even better. And the drinks? So good! I highly recommend the Old Fashioned -- definitely one of my favorites. I always order the fettuccine Alfredo with shrimp. The first time I had it, the sauce was a little thicker, creamier, and richer, which I personally preferred. This visit, it was still very good, just a little lighter than I remembered. Either way, I enjoyed my meal and would absolutely order it again. Overall, another great experience. Great service, beautiful ambiance, delicious drinks, and good food. I'll definitely be back because Il Porcellino has become one of those places I look forward to visiting whenever I'm in the area. 10/10 -- highly recommend! read more

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Fried Calamari, 3.5/5: I like how there were pepper and jalapeño pieces in there! Nothing crazy, it's good but nothing mind blowing. Some pieces were little salty. Wish it was crispier! Boneless Chicken Vesavio, 4/5: My only complaint it the butt ends of the chicken was dry and tough. Otherwise, the sauce is very good, it's savory almost like porridge. The peas surprisingly added nice flavor to it. Wish all the potatoes were crispy tho! Burrata Lasagna, 3.9/5: Good but wouldn't get it again. TBD tastes similar to frozen lasagna. The sauce was nice thick and it had structural integrity to it. Birthday Gelato, 10/10 : Genuinely one of the best things I ate in Chicago. I wish I knew what flavors we got, it was 3 diff kinda. I'm pretty sure it was cherry chocolate for one, and the chocolate pieces were so perfect. We don't even like cherry and my sister doesn't even like chocolate but it ate it clean. Service is amazing and the ambience is really nice. It's very busy in there but the tables are far apart enough to have intimate convo. It is somewhat loud tho. read more

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I'd been wanting to try this happy hour for some time, and once we did, I was beyond pleased. The $8 Negronis (house Negroni and Negroni of the month) are a great deal and so yummy. Every shared food item we purchased from the happy hour menu was savory and memorable. We had the mushroom arancini, rib sliders, prime beef meatballs and whipped ricotta. The happy hour pricing is attractive. Service was top-tier, and the inside is quite inviting. Everyone seemed happy to be there and took care with every step of the ordering and serving process. The bar was full when we arrived, but the host told us that spots at the bar open up rather quickly. This proved to be true, so I am so glad we waited for a few minutes. However, I wouldn't recommend this happy hour for a group of more than 2 because offerings are available at the bar only, and I suspect it would be hard to get four seats together. read more

Il Porcellino has been around for ten years, but my lovely wife and I finally visited this restaurant on Hubbard Street to enjoy the Happy Hour specials. We had visited Florence last year, and one of the numerous wonderful moments of our trip to Italy was seeing "Il Porcellino" - the lucky bronze boar fountain that draws tourists from around the world. A copy of the boar stands proudly near the entrance of the restaurant, and though it is not as old as the original 1634 sculpture, it was a charming reminder of our amazing Italian holiday. Did I mention that the weekday Happy Hour (4-6PM) specials are quite good? The specials are served only at the bar area, so you might have to wait a few minutes for available seating. We started with some drinks, including two kinds of Negroni. The wild mushroom arancini (5 little balls for $6) were the smallest I've tried, but they were creamy and melt-in-your mouth delicious. The whipped ricotta and jam beautifully served on a strip of toasty focaccia was a unique taste sensation. Prime beef meatballs and short rib sliders on toasted ciabatta bread also hit the spot. Even though we were merely dining at the bar, we enjoyed the overall vibe of the restaurant. There are lots of photos on the walls, interesting lighting from the ceiling, nice serving dishes, and servers who seem to know who their regular diners are. We look forward to returning to Il Porcellino, to bask in that indescribable feeling of being in Italy again. read more

Came here for my sister's birthday! We made a reservation for Saturday dinner and got seated right away in a booth. The ambiance is nice with the restaurant not too dark but still has moody lighting. The entire time we sat down there was a huge group of people waiting for a table, so definitely make a reservation! For apps we got garlic bread and Caesar salad. The garlic bread was a rec from our server, which did not disappoint. They brought out melted butter to pour over the bread. Caesar salad was interesting, it has chopped celery inside which I didn't realize until I started eating. I don't like celery but my sis does and she liked it in the salad. Pappardelle alla porcellino and chicken vesuvio were AMAZING. Pasta was fresh and the chicken was so decadent. Both mocktails I were delish. The tiramisu was SO GOOD. I will definitely be back the next time I'm in Chicago! read more

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Great vibe. Has the dark and moody you want for a date night but also some airiness when the "patio" doors to the street our open. I ended up at a table right by said doors, which was perfect because it had a view of the 1 TV during the World Cup. There is a downside that random people or servers will walk through and be closer than you'd like vs using the regular door like they should. Serviced is good but not exceptional. Attentiveness could be increased a bit, especially relative to water refills, more drinks, dessert time, etc. Food is quite good, but probably won't break into most people's very top tier. That said, there's nothing to really complain about and you won't leave hungry. Overall, it's a solid place that is worth the visit but may not make your "Best Places in Chicago" list. read more

Il Porcellino - Chicken Parmesan - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Just a great spot that I found on here when looking for a special dinner with my gf. She is a rather picky eater so this is never an easy task for any restaurant. I stumbled upon this place as my choice for our last dinner in Chicago. Just wow! Excellent from start to finish, by far the best meal we had on the trip. Service was friendly and we love the surrounding neighborhood. We ate a good amount and can't wait to try the other half of the menu we couldn't stomach. read more

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Every time we make a trip to Chicago, Il Porcellino is a mandatory stop. We've eaten at a lot of Italian restaurants over the years, and this one keeps us coming back again and again. It's one of those places that you find yourself talking about long after the meal is over. The garlic bread alone is worth the visit. They pour what feels like a gallon of garlic butter over it, and somehow it's still never enough. It's rich, indulgent, and absolutely delicious. We order it every single time and would probably be disappointed if we didn't. The real star of the show, though, is the lasagna. Between the two of us, we've had lasagna at countless restaurants, and nothing has come close to this one. It's hands down the best lasagna we've ever had. Perfect layers, incredible flavor, and the kind of comfort food that makes you want to savor every bite. Their Grey Goose espresso martini is also unmatched. We've tried espresso martinis all over Chicago, and this one is still our favorite. It's smooth, perfectly balanced, and the ideal way to start or end the meal. The atmosphere is another reason we love coming here. The restaurant is gorgeous inside, with a dark, moody vibe that makes it feel special without being stuffy. It's the perfect date night spot whether you're celebrating something or just looking for a great night out together. If you're visiting Chicago and love Italian food, Il Porcellino is a must. Great food, amazing drinks, beautiful ambiance, and a meal you'll be thinking about long after you've left. We make a point to visit every time we're in town, and it never disappoints. read more

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Il Porcellino is the quintessential Italian restaurant in the center of Chicago. From the moment you walk in, it is cozy, buzzing, and full of life. It is busy, so make sure you have a reservation on a Saturday evening. Wine by the glass is reasonable and the service is friendly. We started with the most delicious seasonal focaccia; a warm crusty bread with fresh tomatoes and whipped ricotta. It was absolutely the stand-out of the meal! The fried calamari was good, and I chose to go with the classic spaghetti and meatballs. The pasta was cooked perfectly and the Wagyu meatballs were wonderful. Over-all, a very solid choice when in Chicago! read more

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I had a great time at Il Porcellino! The food was so delicious and amazing- just be prepared for large portions. This restaurant gives old school, Italian American restaurant vibes and makes you feel cozy. The staff was also great with providing recommendations and being honest on the portion sizes so we were prepared. Overall, I highly recommend! read more

Il Porcellino - Chicken Parmesan - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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First time visiting the Windy City, we came to the city for the great eats! I'll Porcellino certainly did not disappoint! For appetizers, we ordered the While Garlic Loaf Focaccia and the Stuffed mushrooms. I wished I took a video when the focaccia arrived. The waiter, holding a plate with a round and fluffy focaccia and proceeded to pour the garlic et al on top of the bread! Very freshly-made and fabulous! The stuffed mushrooms were also cute delicious! This is a rare time where the stuffing had spinach below the stuffing - excellent! I remember seeing (and enjoying) this while I visited Italy. Delightful! The main courses we ordered were the Gnocchi Bolognese, the Baked Burrata Lasagna and the Barolo Braised Short Rib. The Gnocchi meat sauce was the standout here, being very flavorful, but not as heavy as some other restaurants. The Gnocchi were dense - not fluffy as I had expected. But the sauce flavor was vivid. The Baked Burrata Lasagna was oh, so perfect! Many layers of al dente pasta separates with a tasty meat sauce. Many times I have had lasagna that was either over-baked, or had limp pasta. Here, the lasagna shined! So large of a serving that my wife could not finish it, much to her dismay . . . I had the Barolo Braised Short Rib - oh my living god! - so tender, so complete a dish, with the fork tender meat that melts in your mouth, complimented by a light polenta (I must emphasize the lightness here, as many restaurants serve polenta that is heavy and too rich. This did not compete with the short rib, rather it seamlessly became the foundation on which the richness of the meat was enhanced. I was blown away! But, the most amazing, and probably the most delectable part of the evening was finishing off with a luscious Chocolate Cake! OH, WOW!!! The cake was certainly moist and smooth. Yes, smooth! I could not tell there was cake at all, so smooth it was! And surprisingly (not surprising given the quality of this establishment) it wasn't too sweet, rather just enough to bring out the chocolatey goodness! I only wished that I ordered some hot coffee - the cake would have gone well with a great cup of coffee! Overall, I was very impressed with this restaurant! The old-town decor, the dim lights, the fantastic food (just like of the Italy of old!)- all contributing to a wonderful experience! Highly recommended! read more

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Went to Il Porcellino for a weekday dinner and the place was buzzing. Packed, cozy, and everywhere you looked there was a negroni in someone's hand. For antipasti we started with the humble roasted asparagus: heavily garlicky, generous with the parmesan, and perfectly roasted. Then came the highlight, the burrata lasagna, easily the best I've ever had. Hearty and creamy. We closed out the savory courses with the chicken Vesuvio, nicely charred and finished with herb butter, though it ran a little light on seasoning. For dessert, a delicious tiramisu to finish. Il Porcellino was a treat, and we'll be back soon. read more

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This vodka pasta just might be my fav in the city!! The service was fantastic, the food was delicious, and my espresso martini was great! Cozy & family feel Italian vibes inside - definitely recommend. read more

Il Porcellino - Rigatoni alla Vodka - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Stumbled upon this gem while looking for a dinner spot to celebrate my husband's birthday while in town. We absolutely loved it. Table was ready upon arrival. Service was great. Loved the music and ambiance. We had the burrata lasagna and the spinach ravioli with prosciutto. Incredible. Burrata lasagna was so light. Never had anything like it. read more

Il Porcellino - Baked Burrata Lasagna Baked Burrata Lasagna - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Il Porcellino definitely delivered last night. I ordered the lasagna and the portion size was very generous. Texturally, the dish was executed perfectly with even layers and it was baked just right. The flavors were bold, especially the sauce, which dominates the initial bite. Because the sauce is so robust, the flavor of the burrata really only comes out at the very end, but it rounds out each bite nicely and balances everything out. It is a solid, well-made dish and I would absolutely go back for it. read more

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Wow. My go to for Italian in Chicago has been volare everytime I visit but I'm going to need to start working in il porcellino to my lineup. I came here for a business dinner with about 6 others. The only frustrating part of our experience was we made a reservation online weeks in advance and when we arrived we were told that they basically overbooked every night and when you reserve a seat you're just saying you're coming. So we showed up and were told we were going to wait an hour. It sounds like they are super busy, but there are better ways to ensure the restaurant is selling every available seat rather than offering basically fake reservations that don't mean anything when you get there. Someone in our group complained enough about it that they sat us and did honor the reservation which we appreciated - given that it was a business dinner though, I think it was awkward we had to do that. It just was a LOT of work to organize multiple out of towners getting together and to show up and potentially wait an hour would have been so inconvenient. They really should fix this problem. The reservation issue aside the experience was great. The service is just sort of meh I didn't feel like they were above or beyond and didn't note anything exceptional there. But the food..... the food is the main event for sure. Everything I tried I loved. I had just had Italian the day before so I didn't want anything that felt "too Italian" (lasagna, pasta, pizza, etc) so I got the braised short rib over polenta which was a nice change of pace. It was amazing. Some of the best polenta I've ever had. I am already looking forward to the next time I can go back! The food here is outstanding. If you are able to go, I would highly recommend it. read more

When you go here realize you are going to a chain/corporate restaurant. This is not why people love Chicago restaurants. Similar to Olive Garden, Maybe a little better but there are so many better options.. Every restaurant is concerned with margin. But I would bet a lot of money that this place beats them all. That's the focus. Margin and table turnover.Positives. Service was good but you have to slow them down. (They love table turnover). Entrees were good and well priced. Drinks were small (maximize margin) read more

Came for a late dinner on Friday night and the restaurant was still bustling. The pastas were excellent, especially the papperdelle. The meatballs were delicious as was the chicken Vesuvio. Can't go wrong! The service was friendly and attentive. The ambiance is great. The restaurant is nicely lit and mostly dim - though I appreciated the spotlights above each table so that I could read the menu easily. read more

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Lovely street side restaurant. Great vibe and atmosphere. Dimly lit , high top and low top table as well as street patio seating. Great drink menu, good wine selection by the glass and bottle. Our server was so great offering suggestions and was there anytime we needed anything. Great portion sizes, good variety of food. Everything tasted great! Loved the whole garlic bread loaf. Delish! read more

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We stopped in for just appetizers and were seated on the bar area. It gets busy very quick there! It's very lively in this old world looking Italian restaurant. Very modern but classic decor. We ordered appetizers as we waited for our next event. The crispy brussel sprouts were delicious, although I thought they were going to be the shavings or leaves, as crispy brussel sprouts are halved with cheese on them. They're still very delicious, but with all these fads in brussel sprouts, I was confused. We also ordered the pear burrata and that was delicious. I enjoyed that dish the most. Not too sweet and the burrata was enough to cover each piece of bread. It was a great place to try and when I go back, I'll absolutely have more. read more

Il Porcellino - Crispy Brussels Sprouts - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Came here for Valentine's day dinner with my boyfriend. We had a res at 5pm and there was about a ~20 min wait upon checking in, but it ended up being worth it because we got a corner table right by the window! The atmosphere was cozy and romantic and we had great service. We ordered the caesar salad (which has celery in it...sounds weird but trust it was so good), the tuscan cheese bread (essentially pizza), and then shrimp scampi and sausage orecchiette. The pastas were both good too, just could've had a bit more protein. Otherwise no notes, I'd come back to try other things! read more

I am an Il Porcellino FAN. Been here about 5-6 times since moving to Chicago in April '24 and have had incredible experiences every time. Great for date night, great for girls night, great to bring your family or a larger party... the atmosphere is homey, cozy, eclectic, and intimate with photos of guests all over the walls (like an old school Italian spot) and the food is amazing. Prices are typical of trendy Chicago restaurants but their happy hour is actually pretty good. Would recommend to anyone who wants Trivoli but can't get a res for Trivoli. I'd put them on the same level. read more

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This place is serving up amazingly fresh and delicious old school Italian. I highly recommend eating here. Service was super friendly. We had reservations and were seated quickly. We also ordered the tiramisu and we loved it. Great vibe! I would return to Chicago just to eat here again. read more

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This restaurant is so nice inside. The ceiling is so neat. The garlic bread is so tasty. Get a seat by the window. read more

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Had a lovely dinner in a Monday night! Highly recommend making a reservation be hate tables fill up fast. Walking in, Il Porcellino has a low-light, Italian burb feel to it. They offer an array of pasta and meat dishes. For thee people we shared a calamari, Caesar salad, and two pasta (the special lemon ravioli with asparagus and a ragu). Both pastas were delicious and filled with so much flavors the wine list is always fantastic as well. read more

Il Porcellino - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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A fantastic experience. You'll definitely want to book in advance, but we got luck this Friday. Shout out to our waiter Julio, he did a great job. The interior has a chill vibe with the walls covered in photos. We tried: - Whole Loaf Garlic Bread - Burrata & Pears - Mozzarella Sticks - Stuffed Mushrooms - Chicken Parmesan - Brick Chicken Vesuvio - Tiramisu As far as the apps go, the Burrata & Pears were my favorite. The sweat and salty paired nicely. In contrast, the mozzarella sticks had a spicy marinara that balanced out the sweetness. The bread was good, but definitely lost behind the others and the mushrooms were just okay. For the main course, I'd recommend the Vesuvio over the Parmesan but you can't go wrong with either. Lastly, the tiramisu is definitely a top 3 in the city. read more

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8/22/26: Went here for a bday dinner and i highly recommend it! Since it's a large reservation you can pick out a set menu before hand and choosing the family style option allowed everyone to try all the dishes. Fav dishes were the fried calamari (great dipping sauce) and chicken Marsala which came with plenty of sauce and was super juicy. Not to mention the mashed potatoes that came with the chicken Marsala was phenomenal. They gave us plenty of food as well! The Caesar salad was my only complaint taste wise since they added celery and i feel like it threw off the taste a little. no fees for bringing your own cake too! read more

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il Porcellino was not planned; however, I was so happy the stars aligned to bring us there. Like an amateur I did not have reservations anywhere on a Saturday night and waitlist would have had us waiting hours. However, we were in the neighborhood and their door was open so we went to the host stand. There was quite the wait for the dining room and the patio, but there just so happened to be for open spots at the bar so we jumped on them. The bartender was friendly and helpful, even when they were packed. We decided what we wanted and went for it. Within probably 30 minutes we had this spread in front of us. AMAZING. The pasta for this burrata lasagna is handmade and a house specialty. We had to get that. The salmon piccata was light and bright with those capers and sauce. I have never had grilled calamari before, but I honestly liked it more than fried. It wasn't rubbery at all. The gnocchi were like delicate little pillows in a flavorful sauce, and I thought about eating my weight in the tuscan cheese focaccia. We loved the old Italian feel of the place and I lucky we came across it. If you are in River north, definitely put it on your list. read more

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So grateful I got to try this iconic restaurant while in Chicago for a few days. Bae and I were looking for a high scale place with good Italian food and a classy ambiance as we wanted to get dressed up and have a fancy dinner to round out our trip. This lived up to every expectation. The ambiance was complimentary of classier outfits yet there were parts of the restaurant like the bar where folks were dressed casually in jeans and t's. We made reservations for two and were sat at high tables near the bar which was ran so well I can only imagine the kitchen. The waiter did an excellent job of outlining the entire menu, pointing us to items on the menu that would align with us our tastebuds, and explaining the intricacy of how some dishes were made by breaking down the ingredients in depth. We weren't feeling particularly adventurous so we ordered classics such as lasagne and penne alla vodka. However, it was nice knowing there are dishes I could try that I'd never had before. We started with the garlic bread (buttery, crispy and fresh!) and the calamari which was fried to perfection and included some deep fried peppers which was a nice (and different) touch. By the time the pasta came out we were pretty stuffed but we got a couple of great bites in before taking an amazing amount of leftovers home. The ravioli was cheesy, saucy, and delicious, with each bite packing a punch of flavor. I was too full to try my partner's pasta buttt I had to snack a piece of the meatball and maaan, I see why the waiter pushed them at the beginning. The blend of meat they use (I can't remember rn) definitely packs a flavor. Each bite we took was a great experience! I would return for sure. read more

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Perfect and inviting place for a date night or celebration. The chicken Parmesan is always a highlight and since we came for my birthday, I was given some pistachio, cherry ice cream. Yum! read more

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Loved this restaurant! Was perfect for a chill and delicious Thursday night meal. Prices were absolutely on par with the quality of the food. The staff were friendly, attentive, and very knowledgeable of the menu. read more

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A must try!!! One of my top Italian spots, I have ever been to, for sure! Negroni - top notch! Homemade Mozzarella Sticks and bread - fire! Pastas - insane! And oh WOW the tiramisu The place has an awesome ambience as well. Staff is very attentive and helpful. I will be back for sure when in town again! read more

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Pappardelle alla Porcellino is pretty satisfying. The homemade pasta is cooked just enough to hold the sauce. The sauce is well balanced with the tomato and the meat. Blackberry sorbet is dangerously delicious. Servers and their Service are pleasant and professional. I'm definately willing to visit again. read more

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Maybe I'm spoiled from being from CA, but I genuinely don't understand some of these 4+ star Chicago restaurant reviews. After hearing so much hype about the food scene here, this place just felt overpriced and overhyped for what we got. My family loves good steak, authentic Italian, and sushi, so we came in excited. The food wasn't bad... just uneventful. Nothing had that "wow" factor people make it seem like it has. The vodka pasta honestly tasted similar to the fancy jarred vodka sauces you can get from whole foods and the fancy pasta (made in Italy) that you can get from Home goods that I buy back home. The shrimp scampi was decent but forgettable. Garlic bread was oddly bland yet spicy at the same time, and the marinara with the mozzarella sticks had random bites of heat that completely threw me off. In addition to that the garlic bread wasn't free, in CA the bread usually comes free, ehh you get what you get but definitely not worth it. To be fair, our server was nice and the restaurant itself is nice (if you get the chance to sit inside). Service and atmosphere were not the issue at all. The food just didn't live up to the hype or pricing for us. read more

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The food was amazing here! The staff was kind and sweet. It's sort of homey but hippie inside. we did have a reservation which we recommend as the wait list line seemed really long. It is a little loud inside but overall great food and experience. Highly recommend! read more

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