This might be my new favorite restaurant in Chicago! Their deals are phenomenal. - got their $8 cocktail/wine deal with a free pizzetta each. SUCH a steal, came with free bread and their basil olive oil/butter which was soooo good. could've been fine on this alone for dinner. - the butternut squash/brown butter pasta was SO. GOOD. some of the best i've had in chicago. - caesar salad was solid. could not complain. - cocktails and wine were so good too. their happy hour specials cannot be beat, such as: $1 pasta on wednesdays when you buy a bottle of wine. we didn't get it this time around but such a steal for the quality. Service was good and the restaurant was cozy. I'm amazed, will be back for sure!! read more

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I reallyyyyyy wanted to love this place. Unfortunately it wasn't for me. Located on busy Milwaukee is a tiny dimly lit restaurant. To start you can only order wine by the bottle... now this place is mostly two tops which means if you're out with someone who drinks a different wine than you, you have to order 2 different bottles of wine. We ordered a ton since it was our first time coming here. They brought us out complimentary bread and butter which sadly was the highlight of our meal. We ordered the tiny calamari, this was probably my fault but I wasn't expecting to be brought whole squid, head and all. While we were waiting for our food we noticed it was taking a while. The table next to us had sat down 15 minutes after us and had their bill before we even had our entrees. The staff tried to make it up to us by bringing out a Ceasar salad... I'm not sure who like this but arugula and Ceasar don't mix. Also, not to sound ungrateful but after waiting almost 45+ minutes for our food you only brought out a salad to say sorry?! They also didn't mention they brought it out because of the wait and just dropped it at our table, we tried to send it back because we were confused as we never ordered it which made the waiter have to come back with the dish and explain why they brought it out and made the whole situation awkward. Just strange to not say anything and just leave it at the table. Onto the entrees. Both were fine, nothing special and quite pricey. The lobster ravioli was so small that I had to pick up food somewhere else after we left. Literally 0 filling in the raviolis. We would have liked to order dessert but honestly we couldn't wait to leave. read more

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A great place for a date night with a VERY attentive staff and a very unique menu for the area. The price was reasonable all things considered, and the pastas and sauces were all yummy and the portions were just right, not too big and not skimpy. The focaccia bread and dips were very good (pesto, oils, and spicy butter). The only real down sides were the lack of parking in that neighborhood, they only have one beer to select from, and the carbonara could have used some more black pepper. I would like to give them slightly better than 4 stars but it's not allowed so a solid 4 stars it is. read more

Come here for brunch solely for the pancake and you will not be disappointed. One of the best I've ever had!!!! Also really enjoyed the spaghetti/egg brunch dish. Our waitress Autumn did a great job of explaining the menu. Love the restaurant ambiance, lowlit and classy. read more

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This might be one of the most slept on happy hours in the city! The great drink deals come with complementary pizzetas (mini pizzas), that are delish - a great way to prepare for the amazing dinner they have to offer. You can't go wrong with anything but out of what we got, the Lobster Ravioli was my favorite! Our server was super great and attentive despite the business of a Friday night, and the ambiance was cute and not too loud. This place is definitely a great addition to this street! read more

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Have been wanting to go to Mano A Mano for awhile and finally made it in. The restaurant itself has a romantic vibe with low lighting and a quiet atmosphere great for conversation. I went with a friend and we got a couple of appetizers and then each ordered a pasta. The food was solid and I would definitely go back again. read more

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Mano A Mano where have you been all my life? Dramatic? perhaps but so true when I say this. It's a romantic date spot inside with a classic feel while you can sit outside on their patio if you prefer a little more casual. We ordered the Zucchini flowers , the lemon fettuccine and the cavatelli. Can I get a 100 of those flowers please. I don't even know how to describe it, other than the texture is like a pillow of air and the taste is exotic and unique. That probably didn't help. I typically don't order fettuccini and specially if it's a 'white' sauce but so glad I did since the lemon really enhances the flavor of the dish. I look forward to going back to try more of their hand made pastas. read more

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This was our second visit to Mano a Mano, and we were out on a Saturday night with another couple. Overall, it was a really good night and an easy place to recommend for a weekend dinner. First things first, the clear star of the show was our server Andre (Dre). Total pro. Great personality, confident without being stiff, and just really good at reading the table and guiding us through the menu. Exactly who you want taking care of you on a busy Saturday night. We went pretty hard on appetizers, and honestly, they were so good we talked about ordering more. The zucchini flowers and tuna crudo were standouts. We actually ordered a second tuna crudo. We also had the verde salad and shrimp scampi, which were solid and rounded everything out nicely. For pastas, almost everything was a hit. The lobster ravioli was very good, but my favorite was easily the tagliatelle with Bolognese. The sauce uses meat from their sister restaurant, Asador Bastian, which was recently ranked the best steakhouse in North America, and you can absolutely taste that depth and quality. We also ordered the limone spaghetti, which was delicious and really well done. The one miss of the night was my wife's pesto pasta special. Unfortunately, it just didn't work for any of us. Everyone at the table tasted it, and no one was into it. Thankfully, that was the only real miss, because the rest of the pastas were excellent. There were also a couple pacing issues worth mentioning. The Barolo-braised beef, which really should've been a Secondi, came out right after the appetizers. It was a runners fault they brought it by accident. That part is easily excused. The bigger issue was that my wife's Dover sole came out at the same time as her pasta, so the fish sat there getting cold while she finished her primi. I don't understand how Italian restaurants still struggle with the concept of primi and secondi. This isn't unique to Mano a Mano. It's something we see way too often in Chicago. And to be clear, this wasn't on Dre. It felt like the kitchen was just pushing dishes out of order. Usually we're smart enough to explicitly ask for pacing, and this was a good reminder to do that. All that said, we had a great night and would definitely come back. The couple we brought with us had never been before, and they both said they'd absolutely return. So overall, a very solid Saturday night choice, with great service and a lot more hits than misses. read more

Mano A Mano has been on my list for quite some time. So let's get into it. The first time I visited, we were told there were no tables available that night. I was confused. No, we didn't make a reservation, but they didn't leave any space for walk-ins? I've legit never heard of that for a restaurant, ever... And I've worked in many. Even very popular ones always save at least SOME space for walk-ins. I was like, we can't wait for a table? There's no wait time? Just - no tables available today? Also - it wasn't even a weekend. Just a very odd and off-putting first experience. The next time, I made a reservation. Obviously. The interior was fine - but it's just 1 room with a bunch of tables. There's no bar or focal point. Just a room with tables. I was surprised how tiny and expensive the appetizers were considering the restaurant isn't fine dining. It basically evened out to nearly $10 per bite of food, lol. The pasta was spectacular and unique, even the bolognese, which I enjoyed! I actually came here really wanting their lasagna that I saw on Instagram, and didn't realize it's only on the menu sometimes, which was a bummer. There are some other pastas I want to try, too. We skipped dessert, but I've heard it's worth it and would stick to pasta and dessert, next time. I also have to admit, I'm not a win-o, per se, but I do enjoy wine, especially of the Italian varieties. Their wine menu straight up confused me, and I really disliked both the red wines they had available by the glass. I will say our server seemed relatively well-versed in explaining/describing the wines, but didn't make a recommendation that I actually enjoyed, which was a bummer. Considering the wine menu seems upscale, hand picked, and with options I wasn't familiar with, I would've loved a sommelier or manager to discuss the wines with our table! Overall, it wasn't quite what I hoped for, but I would give it a second chance. read more

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I had a nice time at mano a mano for restaurant week! The pasta is fresh and the sauce is delicious! The appetizers are nice too, we had crispy calamari and a salad that was so tasty. Our server gave nice recommendations and food came out at a reasonable pace. Its a cozy spot perfect for a girls night and dont skip dessert!! read more

Beautiful ambience with delicious home made pastas! The wooden interior panels gives off a cozy and intimate vibe. The complimentary bread with the Calabrian chile butter/basil oil is SO good! We also tried the foccacia appetizer which was more of a flat bread filled with cheese but also very tasty. The pastas are smaller portions so this is a great place to come with a small group and order family style! The pasta Ala nonna was on the spicier side and our favorite! The mushroom papardelle and spring onion pesto were also delicious! Would definitely come back! read more

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Cute little Italian spot right in the heart of Logan Square! The food was great and the plates are easy to share. Our server was super friendly and knew the menu well -- gave us a few great suggestions. The lighting is soft and cozy, perfect for a date night. They've got a nice wine and drink list too. It gets pretty busy, so definitely make a reservation. Great place if you want to impress someone and have some quality time together. read more

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We took some friends here for dinner after a long day in the chilly weather. We were craving some nourishing food and this place delivered. We ordered squash blossoms to share and each ordered our own pasta dish. My husband and I ordered the Agnolotti and the Pomodoro dishes and we really enjoyed both. I will say the portion size of the Agnolotti was on the smaller size so order accordingly based on how hungry you are. The Pomodoro and the other pasta dishes that were ordered came in better sizes. We really enjoyed our time here and appreciated the quick service to get our meals while allowing us to stay and talk without kicking us out right away that some other restaurants do. read more

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We shared: Pappardelle - oyster mushrooms, white wine & mascarpone Artichoke Carbonara - egg, guanciale & black pepper Tagliatelle - traditional ragu alla bolognese Eggplant Cutlet - diavola sauce & stracciatella cheese Tiny Fried Calamari - calabrese oregano, sea salt, diavola sauce Everything was well received. Calamari were soft and didn't have too much breading which I like but that also means they weren't very crispy. Eggplant was crispy, huge, and well seasoned like the calamari. It would be perfect if the eggplant was a little more firm. Pasta were cooked perfectly al dente and rich sauce flavor. Service was good. Wasn't hard to get a reservation two days before. This is a top tier Italian restaurant in Chicago for sure. read more

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One of my favorite Italian spots! If you go Dre is the best waiter!!! I love the vibes here, it's a moody vibe. The drinks are amazing. I got a Hugo spritz and some wine. To start we had the focaccia di recco and added prosciutto. We also had the tiny calamari and the carciofi alla romana. The focaccia is amazing. It is a thin crispy focaccia. The calamari is also so good, I love the tiny pieces. For my main I got one of the specials the Atlantic red crab cappelletti. The portion sizes here are perfect. This was so flavorful and so fresh! Can't wait to return read more

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Service was excellent! The man who served us was super friendly and explained everything clearly to us. Make a reservation! It's a small place. Has an old breakfast bar turned mid century modern vibe. Food was 8/10, good portions but nothing out of this world. read more

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One of the best meals I have had in a long time! The atmosphere at Mano a Mano is fantastic. They put so much effort into the details - the space is dark and moody but not too loud, and the service was great! Our server was kind and friendly. They gave us free bread to start - focaccia served with Calabrian chili butter - absolutely delicious! We ordered Negronis and the burrata to start. I love that they have so many Negronis to choose from, and the mezcal Negroni was delicious! We split the tagliatelle and the amatriciana and it was the perfect amount of food and sooooo delicious! Ended with the tiramisu which was rich and high quality. I can't wait to come back! read more

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Came here with the family, and noticed a couple of other tables with young children. The ambiance was super cool and cozy, and the service was top notch. We started off with the garlic shrimp which was delicious, and we used the warm bread to soak up the garlic deliciousness. The butter that came with the bread was also very good. My wife and I shared the kale salad which was a huge portion. I ordered the tagliatelle which was a bit on the salty side for my liking. The kids had the kids pasta which they couldn't finish. The cocktails were well balanced, and the wine we ordered seemed to be bottomless. The bill wasn't cheap, so may not frequent as often as I would like. read more

Mano a Mano is one of those places that immediately feels comfortable. It's just a really nice place to settle in. They have a communal table, which I actually love, especially if you don't have a reservation or you're dining solo and don't want the whole experience to feel awkward. Everything I ordered was solid. The pappardelle was rich and comforting, the roasted Brussels sprouts with nduja were perfect with just the right amount of heat, and the eggplant parmesan was classic and well done. The brown butter Christmas cookies were simple but so good and the perfect way to end the meal. Their focaccia deserves its own mention because it's genuinely excellent. Service was good without being overbearing, which matched the vibe of the place really well. Overall, Mano a Mano feels like a neighborhood spot you'd keep in your rotation. Cozy, comforting, and consistently good. I'd definitely go back. read more

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We decided to check this place out during the week during HH and it filled up pretty quickly. As a fan of Andros Taverna, we were surprised bc the vibe is totally different with M-A-M but in a cool way. We did their HH deal for a small pizza and a bottle of red and we also got the lobster ravioli and gnocchi. The food was solid but the servings for everything were really small and pretty pricey so personally idk if we'll be going back any time soon but I'd still say it's worth checking out. Just plan to order more than 3 things for 2 ppl and def go w people who know how to share food :) Note: parking is terrible cuz of all the dumb bike lanes that nobody uses so keep that in mind if you're driving. read more

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My wife and I came for a belated Valentine's date and were thoroughly impressed. The lobby with the front desk is surrounded by a dark light absorbing curtain, separating it from the dining area, which reminded me of Little Bad Wolf. The dining area is dimly lit by ceiling lamps reminiscent of the hats worn by Devo in the music video of "Whip It", and booths that were all occupied by customers. Despite it being very busy it was still possible to have a coherent conversation at our table. The service was exceptional and welcoming. Our server went over the menu and their recommendations since it was our first time. Their happy hour special was also available, but we opted out since it only offered pizza if you buy a bottle of wine. The prices of the food are expensive and I'd want to say the flavors and portions compliment it, but that wasn't always the case from what we tried. The complementary focaccia and spread was a fantastic start. It was crispy on the edges and soft, fluffy, and airy in the center. Our order of smoked sardines which I paired with the focaccia elevated it even further. Tiny fried calamari was true to its name, it was tiny fried calamari. It was good, but not ground shattering. Our entrees consisted of the carbonara and the lasagna (special of the month). I was disappointed with the carbonara. The flavor profile didn't bring back the memories of my favorite pasta dish. The cheese and egg were a bit too creamy and the sauce overpowered the black pepper. The lasagna on the other hand was impressive. Multiple thin layers meticulously prepared, that it almost appeared to be like a crepe cake covered in ragu. It was very satisfying. A beautiful, romantic, and intimate restaurant that is worth the try. Paid street parking is limited, but there is valet available (cash only, or venmo/zelle). No pets inside. Reservations available online. Happy hour mon-fri 4-6. read more

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We were so excited to try Mano a Mano since we love their sister restaurant, Andros Taverna, and it did not disappoint! We started with the zucchini flowers which were perfectly crispy & delicate. Unfortunately they were out of the pappardelle which I was most excited to try. We ended up ordering the ravioletti was rich and full of flavor. The second main we ordered was the tagliatelle with kale pesto (from the specials menu) - it was fresh & absolutely delicious. The housemade pasta in both dishes was fantastic and some of the best I've tried in the city! The ambiance was warm with a great balance of lively energy and cozy vibes, making it perfect for a date night or dinner with friends. The service was fantastic. Our server was friendly and attentive. I loved that they also have a "classics" menu which are 6-8 different pastas that the kitchen can always make regardless of what else is on the menu (these are not listed on the actual menu but on a wall by the bar/restroom area. Ask your waiter about this if you are interested!). The entire menu is also very vegetarian friendly. I appreciated the verdure section on their menu as well of the wide array of vegetarian pasta dishes. Overall, such a great experience and we can't wait to come back to try more pasta! read more

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Great service! They will serve you family style. The place is packed and yet feels intimate. Our server was very helpful. The bathrooms are individual and clean. They have many specials. I would go back again and again. Good wines and great cocktails. read more

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Kicked off Chicago Restaurant Week with one of Logan Square's new Italian joints. Mano A Mano opened over the summer and is the sister restaurant to Logan staple Andros Taverna which is located right next door. Very cool location on the Milwaukee Strip, the interior of the restaurant is separated from check-in by a curtain adding to the intimacy of the dining room. We did end up waiting about 20 minutes past our reservation time to be seated, and wait times between courses were a little longer than expected, however, there was not an empty seat in the house and this was on the first night of restaurant week, so totally understandable! The inside decor and music choice was reminiscent of a 70s-80s movie and I was all in. The CRW dinner menu is $45 a person includes four apps, the choice of two smaller plates for course 2, a choice of one of the five classics of the restaurant for course 3 and finally for dessert a choice between two gelato flavors. The wine list is sick, but we ended up ordering a couple glasses of the house red, which played off the courses very well. For our starters, the Cacio e Pepe Arancini was beyond, the outside was the crunchiest I've ever had but it played off really well against the tenderness inside. Spicy Broccolini was appropriately heated, the Insalata Mista was really good and lastly the Tuna Crostini had a saltwater saltiness cut by a red sauce. Next course introduced us to the Tuscan Beans and Mediterranean Seafood and Mushroom Polenta both of which were flavorful and filling. Highlights of the beans dish were absolutely the octopus and squid. They played off each other in such a way that you'll keep ruminating on going into the next course. For mains we ordered the Amatriciana and the Buffalo Ricotta Ravioli. The Amatriciana has a pomodoro base which leads to an extremely fresh, juicy rigatoni with brightness paired with basil and red onion. For me though, the Ravioli had this warm, cheesy, comfort that was the perfect pin on the pre-dessert portion of the meal. Rounding us out were hazlenut and popcorn gelato which tasted like a ferrero roche and warm creamy, buttery, roasted corn on the cob, respectively. Will definitely be back to dive into that wine list and try the other classics! Also I need more of that popcorn gelato ASAP. Great kickoff to CRW, get your rezzes in people! read more

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My husband and I went here for date night and were blown away! The ambience is dark and cosy, and has a very chill vibe. We got the zucchini flowers and mortadella sando for appetizers, and they were both fantastic. The complimentary focaccia with Calabrian butter was amazing! The pastas were perfectly al dente and took us right back to Italy. I love the menu, it has all the Italian classics. Wish the tiramisu was a little stronger on the espresso but overall great experience. Will definitely come back! read more

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Mano o Mano is an amazing Italian restaurant that combines an elevated dining experience with highest quality food, and romantic ambiance. I visited Mano o Mano on a Friday night for a catch up with a friend. While the restaurant wasn't busy at the time, I do still recommend a reservation as the traffic picked up as the evening carried on. We were pleasantly greeted by our waiter who walked us through the menu, explained their specials and also let us know which ones were his favorites. He offered 5 star service which we were grateful for. For food we ordered Tiny Fried Calamari: These mini calarmai had awesome flavor! Some pieces were gummier than others but overall, an amazing starter. Limone: What a yummy, tasty, and refreshing pasta dish. Spaghetti noodles served with lemon heavy cream and topped with parm cheese. Very creamy yet still so light and refreshing. For sure my menu highlight! Tagliatelle: Flavor packed ragu alla bolognese with a tagliatelle pasta. This dish was hearty, filling and so very tasty. We additionally ordered the Hugo spritz was a refreshing pairing with our pasta. Overall Mano o Mano is the perfect Italian destination. They have a diverse menu where you are guaranteed to find an Italian dish you love. For all my folks with a gluten allergy-- most of their dishes have the option of substituting for GF pasta!! I highly recommend a stop here! read more

Such a great spot in Logan Square! I went for a girls night and the ambiance, the food, the cocktails, all were fantastic. We got a couple plates to share and the staff was so helpful in guiding us on what to order. You can't go wrong with the espresso martini or the lobster ravioli. Need to go back here asap. read more

I will be thinking about this meal for a very long time! I think this could be some of the best elevated Italian food I've had at a restaurant! It was a very cool, moody interior with some of the most friendly staff! The Negroni selection was a head above the rest! They had an entire list of interesting ones. I ended up getting the strawberry basil which I'd recommend! We started with the Burrata and then split a couple pastas, each better than the next! The homemade focaccia was other worldly! We caped it off with some of the best tiramisu! read more

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Our friends scored reservations for dinner for the 4 of us during a recent visit to Chicago. The timing was perfect - our reservations fell after a long day out in the chilly Chicago weather at a Cubs game. The warm vibes of Mano A Mano were just what we needed! The ambience was great - loved the dark paneled wood and mood lighting. I can easily see Mano A Mano being an excellent date night spot (but was also perfect for our group of friends!). I appreciated their relatively small menu, which proves to me that they focus efforts on only their best. We started off with a carafe of wine split between the 4 of us (after some day drinking, it was the perfect amount), which was delightful and warming. We all shared an order of the squash blossoms, which were flash fried and just crispy enough. For my main, I went for pappardelle with mushrooms and mascarpone, which was excellent. The pasta was well crafted, no question that it was homemade. The light cream sauce and heft with the meaty mushrooms made it an excellent dish. The serving size was so appropriate, leaving me comfortably full but not overly stuffed. My husband went for gnocchi with ricotta and lamb in a tomato sauce, which was certainly heavier than mine but still delicious. Our friends also enjoyed their dishes, although the agnolotti dish did seem substantially smaller than the other options. Overall though, this wasa great spot to visit with friends after being in the cold all day! We enjoyed the warmth of the wine and pasta, and truly enjoyed the hospitality (we stayed at our table for quite some time just chatting and never felt pressured to leave). Would highly recommend Mano A Mano for a solid pasta dinner in the Chicago area! read more

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I've been very interested in checking out Mano a Mano for a while, especially since I love both sister restaurants in Andros Taverna and Asador Bastian. After getting to experience it myself, I think the "No BS review" folks at Infatuation Chicago owe them an apology and a redo on their review. Our meal was fantastic! We were a party of 4 so we ordered a lot, would highly recommend the tiny fried calamari, mortadella sando, agnolotti, bolognese, and then this crab pasta they had on special (if that's still available when you go). We also got the zucchini flowers, prosciutto & arancini, and carbonara, all were solid I think we just liked the other stuff better. The pastas were all perfectly al dente, and everything was packed with flavor and great for sharing. The inside was a nice dark moody vibe, and it was packed to the gills but not overly noisy. Our waitress was great and very attentive, so overall a win and I would highly recommend stopping in if you're in Logan Square for dinner. read more

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Mano a Mano is a wonderful spot for an intimate Italian dinner, offering a mix of traditional dishes and thoughtful chef-driven twists. We started with their spring Bruschetta, which was light, bright, and felt like a bite of spring--super refreshing. The ciabatta bread with butter was simple but so good, and a perfect lead-in to the main course. I was excited to try their handmade pasta and chose the Pappardelle with oyster mushrooms--creamy, comforting, and packed with umami from the mushrooms. Their service was also great--friendly, attentive, and they easily accommodated our requests, which made the whole experience feel even more relaxed and enjoyable. From the cozy atmosphere to the quality of the food, everything felt thoughtfully done. read more

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Overall, a great meal, all the pastas were perfect, on the toothier side of al dente (as they should be). Pappardelle with the oyster mushrooms was a standout. Service also attentive and quick. The featured wine options were also great. Only catch would be the rather tight portion on the zucchini flower app. $15 for 3 is a bit steep. read more

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Handmade pasta! Incredibly fresh ingredients! Low-lit vibe! Don't think twice about the mixed reviews it is def worth a visit! read more

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My friend recommended Mano a Mano for dinner since she'd enjoyed a meal here previously (especially the bread, which she loves). Three of us arrived a couple minutes early for our reservation, but weren't seated for about 20 minutes after the reservation time. I'm not exactly sure what happened, if they sat a walk-in in error or had some campers, but they were completely full. They brought us some popcorn ice cream after dinner to make up for it. Highly recommend that ice cream! The restaurant is, as many have mentioned, pretty dark. It makes for nice ambience, but a little harder to read the menus or admire the food. We got the zucchini blossoms and eggplant cutlets to start. Both were excellent. The zucchini blossoms were lightly fried, still delicate, and filled with lovely melted cheese. The eggplant was fully a half-eggplant in a crisp breading. It had a wonderful spicy marinara that I wish there was a bit more of. For entrees we got the ravioletti, pappardelle with mushroom ragu, and a pasta with lamb (I forget what it was called). All were good, not amazing. The reason I can't give them more than 3 stars is that we originally ordered the lasagna, which was a special, specifically saying "If there's any left--we have a backup." Our server said he would check and when we didn't hear back we assumed all was well. My pasta came and we waited so we could all eat together. After a couple minutes the second one came. When the lasagna hadn't arrived, we started eating and sharing what was there. It became pretty evident it was forgotten and we were more than halfway done when we flagged down our server, who had not yet checked in. He went back to the kitchen and found they were out. By the time my friend's backup (the ravioletti) arrived, everything else was finished. While the apps & ice cream were great, nothing really stood out about the mains. Certainly not for the price and the issues we had. Late seating can be overlooked, but not forgetting 1/3 of the entrees and not checking in. read more

Came by for the first time on a surprisingly busy Tuesday evening, and despite his workload, Eddie took amazing care of our table. He took his time going over the menu, gave perfect recommendations, and was very attentive. The whole staff was so friendly and welcoming, busy as they were everything ran like clockwork and they made it look easy! Thank you for a wonderful meal, we will be back. read more

Pretty overpriced for what it is. Confused by the focaccia appetizer. Is there a type of focaccia that is a thin crust pizza? Cacio e Pepe was fine. Heirloom tomato appetizer was good but was grape tomatoes so that was confusing. Carbonara was genuinely not good. Didn't taste anything like the classic dish and actually disliked the flavor. Ambiance was dark and romantic. Service was good. Free bread and Calabrian chili butter was honestly one of my favorite parts of the meal. read more

Mano A Mano - Bucatini Cacio e Pepe - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Yawn. Mild food. Service decent. Overall meh. Zucchini fritters tasted like cheese and that's it. Pasta was nothing to write home about. Yawn. read more

Much more relaxed and welcoming than I expected. Quality was high. Service was also. Overall worth the price. FYI, they ask for "business casual"; my friend's and I were the only ones that even came close. The amatriciana was wonderful. My friend's lasagna must have been as awesome as it looked, since he didn't even offer a bite to me. Only slight disappointment was the tiramisu. Nice presentation, but definitely "meh". read more

The mushroom pappardelle pasta dish is really very good! The chicken and eggplant dishes are also both very good! I liked the arancini, pass on the calamari. Tiramisu is American style. More cake than mascarpone but to each their own. Espresso martini so good! I'll have another. Negroni, also good! Loved the bread with olive oil and spread. Not sure what that spread was but it's divine. I need to listen better. Service was good and the place was very busy. Next time I'd love to try the rigatoni, ravioli or ragu bolognese. Homemade pasta! Nice design, love the wood veneer. I actually previously sourced those orange pendants for one of our projects at work in green! Fun fact. They come in green, orange or white. They look very nice in there and it's rare you get to see a product prior to procurement. Anyway, Love the bar design, millwork and mirror! Very nice. Makes the small space seem much larger. Last note, I love your restaurant next store (Andros Taverna) that octopus! Oh my. And the spreads and homemade pita! Okay, I'll shut up about that. Can't wait to try Asador Bastian. Thank you and Happy Holidays! Eat Well. read more

Mano A Mano - Yes! - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Election night, November 4, 2014. The pulse of Illinois quickened as the state seemed to hold it's breath. At Bruce Rauner's headquarters, a sea of red signs flared in the dim light, their slogans promising change, while across town, a blue banner draped across Pat Quinn's campaign office--a symbol of the old guard, clinging to a narrowing ledge. The map of Illinois unfolded on screens everywhere like a battlefield. Early in the evening, the deep blue of Chicago burned bright, an impenetrable fortress that Quinn had counted on. He watched with a tense smile as Cook County rolled in, painting the heart of the state a brilliant shade of Democratic blue. It was his stronghold, the place that had saved him before. He hoped it would again. But then, the suburbs--those unpredictable swathes of manicured lawns and mystery--began to change color. DuPage, Lake, Kane--each one a critical swing that could tip the balance. First they shimmered purple, a blur of undecided votes, before turning an ominous shade of red. Rauner's strategy was working. He was chipping away at the blue, pixel by pixel, county by county. The difference was staggering in its slimness. Less than 150,000 votes--out of nearly 4 million cast. It was as if the entire state had been sliced in half by the thinnest of razors. Rauner's win was a margin of 3.8%, a statistical knife's edge, the closest gubernatorial race Illinois had seen in decades. The map told the story: a sea of red, edged in blue around Chicago and the river counties, the only bastions that Quinn could cling to. The color contrast was stark--yet the difference in votes was a whisper, a breath, a heartbeat. But wait, Sabrina! While this has been really informative and interesting, I thought you were reviewing a quaint new Italian restaurant located in Chicago's trendy Logan Square neighborhood? How is this story related to that restaurant? I am so glad you asked. I grew up in Chicago and returned in my adult life during the pandemic. Since returning I have been wholly perplexed by the restaurant scene in Chicago, which tries very hard to embody New York or San Francisco, but lands somewhere around aunt Julie's house on the outskirts of Indianapolis. Why is everything fried to smithereenes? Why do my salads float in a pool of oil reminiscent of an under-sunned over-fed body squeezed into an inner tube floating around the lazy river at Six Flags Great America? Yes - every restaurant on the Eater 38 even the famous one around the corner. Enter, Mano A Mano and a shred of hope. The interior didn't scream Millennial midlife crisis which was a welcome change for the neighborhood. I also liked that the view into the street is blocked so you can pretend for a moment that you aren't a few doors down from a Target and living in a city where people spend hours of their finite lives watching ball sports and gawking at a metal bean. For a moment, like Quinn, I felt hopeful. The dim lighting created a private ambiance. We ordered three pastas, and--surprisingly--all were edible, another rarity in this town. For a moment in time, I dared to believe I might be somewhere else, outside the Midwest. But then, our waiter trotted out with the abomination. A parmesan cheese shaped parmesan cheese container so offensive it shattered my fragile illusion, instantly reminding me that I am surrounded by a lake and several bordering states where marrying your first cousin is completely legal. I have attached a picture of it for your review. The restaurant interior is giving cosmopolitan - deco inspired even! The ceramic parmesan cheese shaped parmesan cheese container is giving dusty estate sale table displaying items from the crypt that is someone's midwest grandparent's attic. The lesson is this. You - like Quinn - might feel safe in Chicago. You might think ok this is a blue city, people here think like I think, oh look at me I am so cosmopolitan and cool and hipster and I am so happy I moved here from Naperville. NEVER forget that there is a jarring, middle of America, first cousin marrying, dusty, estate sale-looking parmesan cheese shaped parmesan cheese container lurking right around the corner. Keep your guard up at all times, and don't declare victory too early. To speak a language that people here will understand: "when ball close but ball not all the way, point not won! Must continue to stay alert until point won". read more

Mano A Mano - Parmesan shaped parmesan cheese container - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois