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    Monteverde

    4.5 (1.5k reviews)
    Closed Closed

    By appointment only

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    MONTEVERDE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Trendy
    Classy
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - Monteverde

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    cacio whey pepe
    Shannon S.

    What a cute cute italian place! It was so incredibly fun to see our pasta being rolled in real time. I got the Moscato to start off and it was very sweet and light - perfect for summer. We started with the burrata and ham and the burrata was phenomenal. We also got artichoke and sunchoke crostini which was lemony and delicious! Fair warning you pay per crostini so if there is more than 1 person dining you may want to get an order for each of you. We also got the cacio whey pepe and gnochetti con pesto. I loved the gnochetti! The pesto was phenomenal and the pine nuts added a perfect crunch to break up the softness of the gnocchi. To end the night, we got the tiramisu and it was AMAZING so full of chocolate and espresso flavor - highly recommend

    Chocolate tart
    Elellta T.

    The hype is real. Monteverde completely lived up to it. What impressed me most was how thoughtful the guest experience was from start to finish. Our reservation was on the patio, and they actually called ahead to let us know it might be chilly and suggested bringing a light jacket. Such a small detail, but it really set the tone for the evening. Our server, Mona, was fantastic. She walked us through the menu, shared her favorites, and we ended up ordering most of her recommendations. The wagyu skewers were incredible, both pastas were outstanding, and the meatball was an insanely good ( and huge). We were planning to order a classic tiramisu dessert, but Mona told us to try the chocolate tart, and I'm so glad she did. It was easily one of the best desserts I've had in a while. They make the banana ice cream in house!! Its amazing. Great food, exceptional service, and a memorable experience all around.

    Meatball
    Trudy M.

    Coincidentally while visiting Chicago in April..... I came across this article on James Beard Finalists. Monteverde was on the emerging Chef category. I immediately jump on the reservation list and set myself a date. I was dining on my own (having a day on the town). I was seated at the bar. I found it to be an honor to be in the clear view of the lovely ladies making fresh pasta. Watching them in action made the experience that more exciting. Service: impeccable! Atmosphere: bustling with great vibes. Food: unforgettable! Started with: SOPPRESSATA MEATBALL mangalitsa pork, pomodoro, pecorino romano, wild oregano. TORTELLI VERDI: ricotta & farm spinach filled, ramp, brown butter, parmigiano reggiano vaca bruna fonduta, balsamico. Dessert: tiramisu Let me tell you!!!! I was not warned about how enormous this dessert was going to be. I find it funny! My surrounding patrons were laughing at me. "Good luck!" It was THE most amazing tiramisu I ever had. YET! James Beard article quote: "Bailey Sullivan, of the West Loop's Monteverde Restaurant & Pastificio, is a finalist in the emerging chef category. " I am so glad I was able to experience this establishment before the word got out. I happened to jump in a day after this article was published. Chicago, you are forever in my heart for taking pride in your culinary fun!

    Gnocchetti con Pesto
    Erica B.

    We have been trying to get a res here for so long and it actually lived up to the hype! We came here for an anniversary dinner and they kindly offered us complimentary bubbly to start our meal! Our waiter was awesome, super helpful in recommending dishes and appropriately attentive. We knew we wanted mostly pastas so when our waiter let us know we could do a half order of the Burrata e Ham (2 little Sammy's instead of 4), it was the perfect way to kick off our meal. The jam and butter were super flavorful and came through even with all the cheese and prosciutto and you could even taste the rosemary. Next time I would tear up the prosciutto a little before putting it on my sandwich because the only down side of the dish was that I had trouble getting a good bite since the meat was a little hard to bite through. We got the gnochetti con pesto, the fuscilli ragu napoletana, and the rabbit ravioli and all three were so good that it is truly hard to rank them. I'd have to put the pesto first though since it was probably the tastiest pesto I've ever had. Don't get thrown off by the picture, the creamy green sauce is hidden under the basil and cheese. I'd put the ragu next. If I didn't know better I would've thought it was beef but the pork was so tender and tasty and there was a really good amount of meat in it, more than I would've expected. The rabbit ravioli was also really good once you got past the fact that you're eating rabbit and you could definitely tell all the noodles were homemade! Our table neighbors and waiter recommended the butterscotch dessert which was the perfect size and was pretty tasty, but not the best dessert I've had. It had a good mix of textures and wasn't overly butterscotchy.

    Whole bird chicken parm.
    Henry D.

    Listen to me. Listen. This place might have the best chicken parmesan in the entire world. I could be wrong, but I'm probably not. It is a MUST ORDER item on the menu. Bring a group of 3 or 4 people and share the whole bird chicken parm. The rest of the food is excellent as well. The cocktail menu is extensive and very good. The atmosphere is wonderful for catching up with friends because the music isn't loud and the acoustics keep nearby conversations quiet. BUT THE CHICKEN PARM.

    wagyu skewers
    Jessica H.

    monteverde, where have you been all my life? it was my first time dining here this past weekend and i could not have been more impressed with the quality of the food. huge compliments to the chefs who delivered an absolutely perfect array of dishes. from the burrata e ham to the wagyu skewers to the chicken parm (and a handful of others), i savored every single bite. this establishment is wholly deserving of every accolade and james beard recognition. it'll be hard not to want to visit every single time i'm in town.

    Burrata e Ham with prosciutto butter add on
    Madison C.

    Went to Chicago a few weeks ago and a friend of mine made a lunch reservation here. I knew nothing going into it, but I haven't been able to stop thinking about it since then. Our server was attentive and kind, giving thoughtful insight into our wine pairing and food choices. This food is clearly handcrafted by some incredible chefs, bakers, and pasta makers. All of the pasta is made in house and it shows. We started with the Burrata e Ham (we did a half order since it was just the two of us, which was the perfect size). It was a stand out dish all on its own, particularly the tigelle (bread), of course the burrata, and you MUST add the prosciutto butter!! I recommend cutting the tigelle in half long ways (like an English muffin) so you can make a mini sandwich with all the ingredients. Next, we had the Braised Rabbit Ravioli and Cacio Whey Pepe. Both pasta dishes were carefully crafted and surprisingly filling, given the portion sizes. The rabbit was my favorite of the two! We finished on the tiramisu which was large and amazing. Decadent and the perfect finish. This place was absolutely packed for lunch, so a reservation is definitely needed no matter the time. The vibes are immaculate! I hope to return sooner than later to this absolute gem in Chicago!

    Cacio Whey Pepe
    Tab Y.

    Our reservation was at 4:30pm on a Tuesday. We ended up getting there a little early and spent about a half hour at the bar. We ordered an Aperol spritz and a Moscow mule. 4/5 - Burrata E Ham: We also ordered the half order of the Burrata E Ham at the bar. It was good; it reminded me of the charcuterie boards I make at home. The basil was a really nice hint of freshness compared to the creaminess of the cheese. At around 4:25p, the host called us over to get seated after settling the tab. Brett, our server, was helpful when we chose our dishes. We were seated at a highboy table, and they had hooks for purses, which I found to be a nice touch. Monteverde was also nicely decorated and the staff were constantly cleaning everything. I would describe it as industrial, Scandinavian chic. We ordered quite a few dishes between the two of us as this is a restaurant my husband really wanted to check out! 5/5 Mozzarella Shooters - it was a fun and novel app. The server suggested we take a bite of the mozzarella and then have a sip of the tomato-vinaigrette base. I really enjoyed this dish! It was refreshing and the mellowness of the cheese cut down the acidity/bite of the drink. 3/5 Cacio Whey Pepe - I should've known from the description, but this was a little too peppery and dry for my taste. I like spice and pepper, but I felt the dish was lacking in depth. 4/5 Soppressata Meatball (side) - super soft meatball with a tart pomodoro sauce! 5/5 Gnocchetti con Pesto - probably one of the better dishes of the night. Highly recommend ordering this one. The cheese to pasta ratio was perfect. Pine nuts added a perfect crunch. 5/5 Tiramisu - light and creamy frosting with delectably soft cake. You've got to order this one!! 5/5 Citrus Dark Chocolate Sundae - almost like a pudding. The dark chocolate ice cream was incredibly rich, and the hints of citrus with the rinds and citrus bites were great! All in all, I would highly recommend Monteverde for everyday and special occasions. Service and food was top notch!!

    Tiramisu
    Amber B.

    Easily one of the best meals I have had in a while! The lasagna was SO flavorful. The braised beef cheek was perfectly tender, the lemon ricotta was so light/fresh to help balance out the heaviness of the dish, and the sauce was super flavorful + a little spicy. Our group of 3 shared the tiramisu, and it was so delicious. It's the perfect ratio of mascarpone cream to lady fingers for my taste. The service was also phenomenal! Our server was so helpful and recommended several dishes to us (our group was indecisive about what to order because everything sounded SO good!).

    Burrata e Ham
    Austin F.

    Wow wow wow. Phenomenal meal!! Experienced Monteverde with a group of 6 friends so we decided to order family style so we could all try several items. The meal was nothing short of fantastic, we were all asking each other which was our favorite dish because we truly couldn't decide which was the stand out. Here's the order... Mozzarella Shooter - you gotta get this. One of the more unique things I've ordered. We loved it so much, we ordered two rounds of it lol! Burrata and ham - also incredible, comes like a build your own sandwich board. Wagyu beef skewers - delicious, however, this one is what you expected it to be so not a standout dish for the night Cacio whey Pepe - skip this one. It was good, but didn't compare to the other entree ordered. Lasagna - incredible take on this traditional dish, I loved it (don't tell my grandmother lol) Gnocchetti with pesto and pine nuts - waiter said this has been on the menu the entire time they have been open and I get why! Pomodoro - make sure to add the chile garlic oil! Whole chicken parm - hands down, best chicken parm I've ever had. And I've had a lot of chicken parm in my life. Last, but certainly not least - the Tiramisu. We ordered two for the table thinking they were going to be small. One would have been plenty for the table of 6. Thank god we ordered two - both plates were scraped clean lol! Can I go back yet?

    Fern H.

    Absolutely exquisite establishment. And in good Chicago fashion the entirety of the staff was excellent and a riveting experience to chat with from the host to the owner / chef. No exceptions. Even the local sitting solo next to me (I believe she was a professor at one of the universities in town) provided incredible hospitality and was a pleasure to speak with and get to know. Sat at the bar, final meal before heading back to Orange County CA. Liked it from start to finish. Cannot wait to try the rest of the menu next time I'm in chi town. Superb dining experience. Bravo.

    Christy K.

    This place is beyond words. I got recommendations from all my Chicago local friends and it absolutely lived up to the hype. We came on a weekday for lunch and it was still so busy, which already says a lot. Definitely need to make a reservation. From the moment we walked in we were greeted with the warmest smiles and immediately offered coat check, which was honestly so convenient in this cold Chicago weather. Service was amazing to say the least. Every time we got up to use the restroom, we came back to perfectly folded napkins and our chairs gently pushed back in. The attention to detail was insane. They were so attentive to our needs and incredibly friendly without ever being overbearing. It felt polished but still welcoming. The ambience is so cute too and very pretty inside. It feels elegant but still cozy and comfortable. You can tell thought went into every little detail of the space. We ordered the Chicago Restaurant Week menu and tried the mozzarella shooter, artichoke and sunchoke crostino, egg yolk raviolo, shrimp scampi on the half shell, and the vanilla bean panna cotta. The ingredient quality was unreal. Even something as simple as a mushroom was cooked so flawlessly. You can tell how much care and intention went into every single plate. By far my favorites were the egg yolk raviolo and the panna cotta. The raviolo was rich and silky and just burst with flavor. And the panna cotta was the perfect mix of sweet and tart, light but still indulgent. It was one of those desserts where you slow down because you do not want it to end. If I could give six stars I would. Truly such a special dining experience. If you are in Chicago and thinking about going, just go.

    Julie T.

    Food was unbelievable and the service was great. Its meant to be family style and shared, thought some of the dishes were a little small for that. Between 4 of us we got 8 or so plates at lunch time, but everything was so good it was nice to be able to try more dishes. Absolutely will go back

    Burrata e Ham

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    Monteverde Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Monteverde

    Any tips for someone who is going to dine solo - is it easy to walk in and eat alone at the bar as a solo diner?

    Yes. They are more than accommodating there.

    Do you offer half portions for people that have had bariatric surgery?

    Hello thank you for your question. We typically do not make half orders of our pasta dishes, however our menu is meant for sharing. So if you come with any others you definitely can eat only half (or less). We are happy to ask the kitchen for… Read more

    Are you kid friendly for early reservations?

    Hi Kaitlin, absolutely yes! We are always kid-friendly and our kid's menu includes some coloring at the table should it be of interest. Thanks, Meg

    How far do you book out reservations/when do you post new open dates?

    Hi Chelsea, thanks for your question. We open reservations online 30 days out, though if you have a specific future date in mind you can always call our host team as well. Hope to see you soon!

    Are you guys accepting walk-ins right now? I know indoor-dining just opened back up, so I was wondering if it was reservation only.

    Hi Colin, yes we are accepting walk-ins! We are currently open Thursday-Sunday beginning at 4:30pm. Thank you.

    Are you guys open for indoor dining with the latest COVID-19 restriction lift? If so, I'd love to make a reservation!

    Hi Sam, thanks for your interest! We are not yet open for indoor dining, though we are open for to-go/delivery Thursday-Sunday evenings. Keep your eye on our website/social media for announcements on when we will be re-opening indoors! Thanks again.

    Does the restaurant accept walk-ins?

    Hi Peter, yes we do always! We often build a waitlist so coming early does help, but we also have open seating at our bar top and people often eat there. In nice weather, we also have a patio that is walk-in based only.… Read more

    What is the dress code?

    Casual clothing!

    Does this place offer any vegan options? I really would like to try it.

    Yes they do! There is a lot of fish on the menu but there are certainly options for vegans and they are very helpful with allergies as well. We got one dish that was avocado based and it was amazing. One of my hosts has a ton of dietary… Read more

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    Gilt Bar

    Gilt Bar

    4.3
    (2.4k reviews)
    1.1 mi
    $$$

    Great service, food, and ambiance. The library bar is amazing! Definitely recommend the vodka…read morerigatoni.

    Gilt Bar has been a Chicago favorite since 2010, and after my first visit I understand why…read more The space is dark, energetic, and packed with personality. This is not the place for a quiet conversation. It may be one of the loudest restaurants I've visited in quite some time, and a nearby birthday celebration only added to the energy. That said, the atmosphere is part of the appeal. If you're looking for a fun, celebratory evening with friends or family, Gilt Bar delivers. I can't imagine choosing it for a business dinner. We started with the Tenderloin Steak Tartare and onion rings. Both were excellent. My daughter was craving the Bolognese, while I ordered the vodka rigatoni. The portions were generous, and both dishes were flavorful and satisfying. The truffle mafaldine appears to be the menu's most celebrated pasta and receives plenty of attention on Yelp, but we were very happy with our selections. Service was spot on throughout the evening. Food arrived with good pacing, drinks were refreshed promptly, and our server struck the right balance between attentive and intrusive. For dessert, we shared the gooey skillet cookie. Be warned: this thing arrives at the table with nuclear-level heat. The vanilla ice cream isn't just there for flavor, it's there for protection. One unusual observation: the floors seemed surprisingly slippery throughout the restaurant, something we noticed more than once. Our bill came to $159 before tip, which felt reasonable given the quality of the food, service, and overall experience. Between the lively atmosphere, strong food, excellent service, and vibrant bar scene, it's easy to understand why Gilt Bar has remained popular for more than 15 years

    Photos
    Photo Booth
    Photo Booth
    Honey Peppered King Salmon
    Honey Peppered King Salmon
    Stairs going down to bathrooms

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    Stairs going down to bathrooms
    GoodFunk

    GoodFunk

    3.8
    (40 reviews)
    0.9 mi

    We tried pre opera drinks and bites at Good Funk on Wacker and overall it was a blah experience…read more The wine selection was interesting, the food was average, at best. We didn't especially enjoy the atmosphere (sadly we were seated at the bar next to some douche dude bros) or the service. I doubt we will return.

    My friend rented this out a few weeks ago to celebrate her 45th. It was the perfect spot for about…read more30 women to mingle, drink cocktails and eat delicious food (compliments of Beaknik). I helped her choose the menu using both Yelp and some help from my bestie chatgpt and came up with the following: 7 Passed Apps: * Mini Truffle Beef Wellington (black truffle aioli) * Short Rib & Brie Slider (Aleppo BBQ, arugula, tomato jam) * Chicken Kebab (harissa-marinated chicken, tahini labneh) * Salmon Taco (avocado, mojo rojo, cilantro) * Mushroom Croquette (black truffle aioli) * Halloumi Skewer (tomato & quince jam, za'atar) * Mini Crab Cake (lemon aioli, herb salad) 1 Stationary Grazing Item: * Mezze Trio (tahini hummus, beet tahini w/ goat cheese, tzatziki, grilled pita & crudité) ---- It ended up being the perfect amount of food- heavy enough to fill us for dinner, but also light enough that we didn't get too full and could stay out late and dance (at the request of the bday gal). They passed the appetizers, but once they passed them around a few times they put them on the bar which became one big grazing station. The drinks were great as well and they even did a signature cocktail in honor of my friend, which was quite strong (hello tequila). The bartender and other staff were super friendly and knew many of us by name after a few hours. It was the perfect cozy spot for this amount of people and I'd love to look into using it again for a similar type of party...or just stopping in for a cocktail!

    Photos
    Behind the bar
    Behind the bar
    GoodFunk
    Great selection of wines

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    Great selection of wines
    Arbella

    Arbella

    4.4
    (697 reviews)
    1.3 mi
    $$

    We love Arbella!! Atmosphere inside was great, really large space! We sat at the bar, the…read morebartenders were super friendly and attentive easy to talk to and order from. LOVE the $6 cocktail of the day happy hour (M-F 4-6pm) . Our cocktail of the day was a watermelon lemon drop which was delicious!! Will be coming back next time in Chicago! My local friends new favorite staple bar.

    (Kari's Rating 8.75/10)…read more Came with a friend late on a Friday night after dinner time We were able to be seated almost immediately at a nice little private Cove table. We ordered a flight of whiskey sours, which contained whiskeys from Japan, Vietnam, and Wisconsin. I also was able to order an amaretto sour, which they made with freshly hand beaten egg whites, which was a nice cherry on the top. As far as the whiskey flights go, I think the best one was the Vietnam flight because it had a slightly lemongrass twang and was a little bit lighter than the other two. The heaviest one was the Wisconsin which came with a little bit of a bite at the end, but it still wasn't bad if you're trying to blackout on a $15 budget. I would definitely come back with a larger group this seems like a great place, but is a little bit loud- so if you be prepared to yell or wear earplugs. The bathroom took my a second to find, which should have been intuitive considering it was on the opposite end of where you come in. I blame the lighting as things are already pretty hard to find in the dark, but eventually I made it there-Pat myself on the back.

    Photos
    DJ Adam Pecho bringing down the house
    DJ Adam Pecho bringing down the house
    Crab rangoon
    Crab rangoon
    Vietnam Old Fashioned

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    Vietnam Old Fashioned
    Chicago Winery

    Chicago Winery

    4.3
    (65 reviews)
    1.5 mi

    I stopped by Chicago Winery on a Wednesday early evening solo and was able to sit at the bar…read morewithout reservation. I was blown away by the ambiance and decor. Chicago Winery prioritizes upscale and intimacy but their service is personable and friendly allowing you to feel right at home. On Wednesday they offer a Happy Hour special, $5 off a tasting and $10 wine by the glass. The server as extremely kind, and was able to offer me some suggestions based on my personal palate and wine interests. I landed on the Winemaker's Tasting, which included 4, one ounce pours, including Blancs de Blancs, Albarino, Barbera and Merlot. I paired the tasting with the a BYOB board. From their menu I picked the olives, Afterglow, and the Tempesta Guanciale. The server was educated on the wines was able to walk me through the tasting and pairings but gave me independence and autonomy to enjoy at my own leisure and pace. I highly enjoyed my visit and absolutely will be returning to dine in, as well as to get a winery tour!

    Was gifted the wine tasting and tour for my birthday which was a very fun experience. Great deal to…read morebuy wine after. I preferred the whites and was disappointed by the reds. We had the date package and ate at the restaurant after. I recommend the pork schnitzel and pierogis. We ordered four shareables but weren't blown away by the butternut squash fondue and gougeres. Loved our hostess for the wine tasting, but wish there was more guidance on tasting notes and wine terminology. I'd recommend though to any wine lovers, I still learned a lot!

    Photos
    LIVA Private Dining Room
    LIVA Private Dining Room
    Dinner Reception
    Dinner Reception
    Enjoy a seasonal American menu in our restaurant

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    Enjoy a seasonal American menu in our restaurant
    Obelix

    Obelix

    4.2
    (268 reviews)
    1.2 mi
    $$$$

    Took my wife here for her birthday and had an excellent experience. A great bistro style French…read morerestaurant tucked into River North. We started with the gem salad which was super fresh, full of flavor and a great dressing to match. Very shareable for 2 people. I went with the Corn Dog as my main and it was gimmick. The full flavor of the foie gras came through and mixed perfectly with the cherry compote. My wife had the duck breast that she absolutely loved. Service was excellent and our waiter made great recommendations. Loved the FPA beer he suggested with my dinner.

    One of the first things that struck me about Obélix was the location. It's tucked into a…read moresurprisingly quiet part of River North. Parking looked plentiful and the streets were calm. The restaurant itself is small and intimate, which creates a cozy atmosphere but also presents a few challenges. We arrived a little early for our reservation and quickly realized there was really nowhere to wait inside. That wouldn't have been a big deal except our table wasn't ready at our reservation time because the previous diners were lingering. We ended up waiting about 15 minutes outside. I understand that reservation timing is more art than science, but it would have been nice if someone had at least acknowledged the delay or offered some small gesture while we waited. Once seated, service was mostly quite good. Our server's start was a little uneven--he stopped by but didn't initially take our drink order--but after that both he and the rest of the staff were attentive throughout the meal. The space itself is interesting. The open kitchen is enormous relative to the dining room. I found myself wondering whether they could have squeezed in a few more tables, though obviously the food coming out of that kitchen is the reason people are here. And the food was a mix of hits, misses and one absolute knockout. We started with the pâté en croûte, which had a bánh mì-inspired preparation. And just so you don't end up disappointed like Nigel: Don't expect a smooth, spreadable pâté. Instead, you'll got a chunkier, terrine-style version. I thought it was an interesting take. The escargot didn't do much for me. It arrived swimming in herb oil and I found it lacked flavor, though others at the table enjoyed it more than I did. We also tried the corn dog, a very fancy and elevated version of the summer fair staple. It was tasty, but surprisingly small. The standout dish of the night was the 10-day duck breast. Absolutely delicious and easily the best savory item we ordered. The calamari was less successful. There simply wasn't much calamari in the dish, making it difficult to share among the table. It felt like there were nearly as many potatoes as pieces of squid. The halibut, on the other hand, was quite good. The fries were fine--nothing special--but aggressively salty. Then dessert arrived: a raspberry-coated chocolate mousse that was one of the best desserts I've had in a very long time, possibly ever. It was the perfect ending. Pricing was another pleasant surprise. We landed at about $100 per person, which was actually a little less than expected. Overall, Obélix delivered some memorable dishes, especially the duck and that phenomenal dessert, along with a few frustrations around timing and pacing.

    Photos
    Cg at the bar! april 2026.
    Cg at the bar! april 2026.
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    Il Porcellino

    Il Porcellino

    4.4
    (1.8k reviews)
    1.3 mi
    $$

    Every time we make a trip to Chicago, Il Porcellino is a mandatory stop. We've eaten at a lot of…read moreItalian 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.

    First time visiting the Windy City, we came to the city for the great eats! I'll Porcellino…read morecertainly 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!

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    Wall decor
    Wall decor
    Grilled Calamari
    Grilled Calamari
    Burrata Lasagna

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    Burrata Lasagna

    Monteverde - italian - Updated June 2026

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