ISO Italian Restaurant

[dc_girly_girl]

Hello!

I will be in town for the Monster Dash 1/2 marathon late October. I've been googling italian restaurants (gotta carb up!) but nothing stands out. Can anyone recommend a good place? I will be staying in the Grant Park area, but will be headed up to the Lincoln Park area as well. So I'd prefer around those areas.

Thank you!

[jbontario]

We had a great dinner last night at Viaggio in the West Loop on W Madison. About a 5 minute cab ride West of the Loop, could walk from center of Loop in about 20-25 minutes. There's also the MAdison bus which stops almost in front and there is plenty of parking.

Really enjoyed the Veal West Loop (spinach and ricotta over a pan fried cutlet). Brother in law really liked the rigotoni with sunday gravy and the fish looked great. Caprese was very nice too.

Our server was phenomenal and the entire restaurant staff was great, attentive but not intrusive. I would think they would provide a great pre marathon dinner.

http://www.viaggiochicago.com/pages/h...

[nsxtasy]

Thanks for the report, and your other two posts.

You hadn't posted in a while, and I've missed your contributions. Welcome back!

[mountsac]

What's your preferred budget range and dining atmosphere?

[dc_girly_girl]

Nothing where I have to get really dressed up or take out a 2nd mortgage. I prefer mom & pop, homey type places, but I will budget up to $75 for the meal, including no more than 2 glasses of wine.

[nsxtasy]

Near Grant Park:
The Florentine - www.the-florentine.net
Cibo Matto - www.eatcibomatto.com
Vivere - www.vivere-chicago.com
Trattoria No. 10 - www.trattoria10.com
Gioco - www.gioco-chicago.com

Lincoln Park:
Riccardo Trattoria - www.riccardotrattoria.com
Merlo La Salumeria - www.merlochicago.com

-----
Riccardo Trattoria
2119 N. Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60614

Gioco
1312 S Wabash, Chicago, IL 60605

Merlo La Salumeria
2638 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60614

Vivere
71 W Monroe Street, Chicago, IL 60603

Trattoria No. 10
10 North Dearborn, Chicago, IL 60602

Cibo Matto
201 N State St, Chicago, IL 60601

The Florentine
151 W. Adams, Chicago, IL 60601

[mountsac]

My recs are not near Grant Park or in Lincoln Park, but they are not hard to get to on public transit.

For pasta: Florentine, Volare, Coco Pazzo Cafe
Comprehensive Italian meal: Piccolo Sogno, Davanti Enoteca

[nsxtasy]

They're not all that far away, either. All but Davanti Enoteca are no more than a mile from Grant Park.

I ate at Piccolo Sogno a few months ago and I thought it was absolutely terrific!

-----
Piccolo Sogno
464 N Halsted, Chicago, IL 60622