4. Restaurants

Acanto

18 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL, 60603
  • (312) 578-0763
  • Store is closed

Acanto Menu

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  • Halley H.

    This has quickly become my favorite business lunch spot. The ambiance is perfect and the service is usually great. Excellent drink/cocktail selection. But the best, and my favorite, part is definitely the food. I can't get enough of the duck egg pasta and the desserts are to die for. The portion is definitely smaller than usual here, which is good if you want to try a variety of food without getting too full. Will be coming back regularly.

    (5)

  • Ally D.

    My aunt and uncle came in town and I have always heard great things about Acanto, as well as knowing the head chef, I never had the chance to check it out until my family was in town. The server who helped our table was amazing and did everything he could [and my family can be tough--they've run restaurants before] but no complaints from anyone! The food was delicious and everything came out perfectly. I will definitely be back many many times!! Hats off to a great new restaurant for Chicago!

    (5)

  • Olivia M.

    First of all--the entire staff is exceptionally well trained and shows a depth of experience not just with the restaurant's cuisine and wine offerings, but in hospitality in general. Ryan was our server. He made fantastic recommendations for our coursing and was pleasant, helpful and charming. He actually even recalled serving us some 10 months previously on the Restaurant's patio. Proprietor Billy Lawless made rounds through the dining room on a few occasions to inquire about the experiences at each table and stopped to speak with us for a few moments. He was so kind as to send a cocktail to our table for us to try (the No. 9, which is a whiskey cocktail lover's dream) after I complimented Acanto's bartender Mike, who I personally believe stirs the best drinks in Chicago. If you love a Vieux Carre--Mike makes the best I've ever tasted. We enjoyed Citrus and Fennel Salad, Beef Bolognese, Tomato and Fig Pizza and the Olive Oil gelati. Each course was phenomenal. We loved Henri (our first date was actually there) but Acanto is a much more inviting and more delicious, worthy successor. The highest compliment I can leave is that we live in a city with so many new eateries to try--but amazing food and exceptional service keeps bringing us back to Acanto.

    (5)

  • Miharu H.

    I loved the old Henri and my office is right around the corner so I jumped at a chance to host a client for lunch today. Overall, it's a very different feel from Henri but great for a lunch meeting. I thought the meat and cheese sampler plate was phenomenal. In terms of the other food, I thought it was just so so. When considering the price, I thought the portions was quite expensive but maybe I just don't understand the Italian small plates concept. I think I've been spoiled by large portions at Italian restaurants throughout Chicago. I would give it another chance for a future business meeting but I would not go out of my way to have a meal at Acanto.

    (3)

  • Gerri L.

    Everything was delicious. Their Margherita Pizza, The wine (great advice from Diego our server), the Duck Egg Spaghetti...All was delicious, fun, elegant but low key atmosphere. I am looking forward to trying the cheese wheel next time!

    (5)

  • Trina J.

    Admittedly, enjoying meals on South Michigan was previously foreign to me. Absent the Art Institute, Millennium Park, a concert here or there and Congress Parkway, I have spent very little time exploring this vicinity. Until now. Fate would have it that within a week, I dined at two places in this block and I had the privilege of adding Acanto as a third. The host decided on the venue and oddly enough, I paid no attention to the band or address until there was a need to navigate there. That said, I had no background knowledge or awareness of its existence but suspected it was a great place. While dining, I was told this restaurant used to be Henri's. Same ownership but a new concept. The three highlights of the evening was the attentive staff members, the decor and its view. The other aspects were enjoyable as well a/k/a I have no gripes. The food portions were small which is expected given the course options displayed on the menu. Our group of five started with a fromage, prosciutto and salami sampler which included garnishments ranging from preserves, grapes and other recommended bites to enhance the flavor of each item. Loved every bite of it. The meat was thinly sliced, plentiful and fresh. As an entree, I enjoyed the lobster and crab ravioli which was really good. 4/5. My glass of sparkling Rose' was good but not a favorite. 3/5.

    (4)

  • Dave D.

    Awesome. The service was impeccable. The food? So much better than I expected. My wife and I started with the Baby Kale Salad. How good can something so simple be? REALLY good. The fried capers added a depth to the dish without it being over salty. My wife wanted the daily pizza which was made with lamb sausage. I didn't want that but she won out and she was right! Shhh - don't tell her. The wine list is impressive and we got a bottle that was off the charts good and did not break the bank. The highlight of the meal? The Chocolate Tartufo. Easily one of the best deserts I have ever had. If you're in downtown Chicago, make a reservation at Acanto. You'll thank me.

    (5)

  • Stephanie S.

    The service was great. Our waiter was very knowledgeable about the dishes. I was debating between the seafood risotto and the lobster and corn ravioli. Menu and portion sizes are small. The lobster and corn ravioli was tasty. The basil was a unique addition. I personally didn't care for it but that didn't detract from the overall taste. There were some small chunks of lobster in the sauce. Overall good food but a little pricey given the portion size. Outdoor seating is available. We opted for indoors given the humidity

    (4)

  • Jill K.

    Ask for Kira! Great service..great cocktails. .great food! Did I say Great service???? Thanks for making our first experience a fabulous one!

    (5)

  • Becca G.

    Ate lunch at Acanto twice cuz I've got one of those co-workers. Lucky for me, it is delicious. Had creamy and delicious artichoke and spinach risotto the first day and the special lentil salad the second. Co-worker has the lamb ragout rigatoni, both times, yeah he's that guy. Pasta was fresh and perfectly cooked. Salads were delicious. Other friend had pizza which they raved about. Service was impeccable.

    (4)

  • Greg J.

    In Chicago on July 4th. A friend had recommended the restaurant and the yelp reviews were very good as well. After spending the afternoon at the art institute of Chicago we walked down to have dinner. What a great decision. We ordered two of the specials and one item from the regular menu. They were the Asparagus pesto bacon lemon ricotta pizza, the Grove farm pork chop, and the Chicken piccata. The pizza was amazing. The very light pesto with lemon ricotta and bacon had this amazing flavor. The pork chop was perfectly cooked and seasoned just the way I like it. A very nice dish. My wife had the chicken piccata and very much enjoyed it. A very enjoyable meal. The atmosphere was nice and enhanced the dinning experience. We finished with what the manager said was his favorite dessert. A chocolate tartufo which was a ball of chocolate gelato coated in black cocoa with candied cherries around it. Simply amazing. Wife said the coffee was excellent. Well worth a visit for anyone in downtown Chicago and I'll be adding it to my repeat in the future when next I am in Chicago.

    (5)

  • Rache D.

    Stopped by for lunch and it was great great! Chose to set inside (since this pale as paper lady forgot to put on sunblock) and loved the decor, they have pillows on their benches! My server was absolutely outstanding and I went with her suggestion on a beverage (the #1) , salmon salad (the daily special) and dessert (white peach Bellini) and all were amazing. I don't know that there is anything bad here. Will try to come back again before I leave!!

    (5)

  • Belle L.

    Perfect dish in every bite. Comfort Food with a touch of fine dining. A book of booze vs 1 page food. Menu -- daily specials are much more interesting than regular menu. Olive Breadsticks -- addictive. You don't miss the olive in every bite. Good eaten alone. Water -- gratis still or sparkling? Saffron Fusilli -- delicious. You get about half a lobster tail with just-right amount of house made pasta. About $4 overpriced. See photo. Panna Cotta -- the best I've had. I like cherries. New dimension in crunch. Something light, soft and sweet. Pizza ($18) -- the only shareable dish on the menu. I get suspicious when a pizza goes over $15, then I am tempted to get a measuring tape and start counting the 'valuable' ingredients. I dare you! LOL. Effort in providing value for $$. Pricing -- it's comparable to its neighbor across the street and its brother, The Gage. Venue -- seating can be tight if completely filled. Warm and comfortable with a touch of romantic tavern. Service -- pleasant, informative and knowledgeable. Always helpful by saying, there is a plug at the end of bench. The best way to enjoy Acanto is...thou shall not over eat. Do not expect a big bowl of pasta...you go further down the street for that. I look forward to checking out the lunch menu on or after Aug 25, 2014. Hello "Fluff"! *wink*

    (4)

  • Kathleen C.

    So cute in decor! Staff is super friendly, explaining the menu and the space. They opened only 3 days ago but it was totally packed ! Wine list is huge!! They have something like 300 bottles of wine. They have wine selections you would recognize as well as unique offerings. The nice part about the list is that the descriptions are really useful (unlike some wine lists that just list a region which is great if you are familiar with various international wine regions, but not so much otherwise). Our bartender also had tasted most (all?) of them, so she was really helpful in explaining them as well as checking to see if I was enjoying my selection. The cocktail and beer list are also varied with some pretty tasty sounding options. I believe they will be mixing things up (ha!) on the cocktail list by changing the offerings every so often. The bar itself is small but comfortable. White marble and comfy stools and offers a good view of the restaurant. The restaurant is small ish but has a cool wall of wine and lovely glass shelves at the bar. I liked the lighting, which was dim enough for dinner and cozy dining, but also bright enough to read the menu (always useful!). Super cute! The couple next to us at the bar ordered the most amazing looking cheese plate...I wanted to reach over and try some of theirs! Pricewise, I thought the cocktails/drinks were very reasonable. The food skews a bit higher, but considering the location on Michigan Avenue, I think that the prices here were very much in-line with what you'd find in the area and the quality is definitely good enough to warrant prices.

    (4)

  • Mark S.

    Skinny little breadsticks??? How about some real bread fresh from the oven with every main or starter? Food and service were terrific, and the duck egg noodle pasta was execellent.

    (4)

  • Kathy L.

    Omg seriously Amanda is amazing so cute so kind so efficient the whole venue is off the chain seriously cannot believe I live three blocks from here and I've never ever run across this place is so amazingand the management is so attentive they pay attention to detail they make sure everybody is doing well and the house is gorgeous FYIthere's a two hour great venue for lunch outdoor patio is amazing

    (5)

  • Peter B.

    My friend and I wondered in on a Tuesday night without a reservation. The restaurant was busy and upbeat. The waiter was knowledgeable and provided recommendations for their menu and very diverse wine List. Specials tonight we're Sicilian style pasta, a fish course and steak. We chose a Sicilian red wine to go with the meal. The salami platter as an appetizer for the two of us was magnificent. Or pasta dish and the seafood sampler were lovely as well. In truth we ate too much. The waiter offered us a digestif at the end to help settle are happy stomachs.

    (4)

  • Jeffie J.

    After viewing fine art at the Art Institute, you naturally seek fine dining in the vicinity. If you head a block or two up Michigan Ave. you will reach Acanto. Here you will find modern Italian fare in a stylish, jewel-box setting. The welcome is warm and service at the bar, by Lisa, could not have been more pleasant. Lunch began with a tangy blood orange salad with fennel and toasted pine nuts, followed by nicely prepared red snapper fillets with potatoes and lima beans. I don't often find lima beans outside of soup and because I like them, this was a great pairing. Dessert was a trio of bonbolini. These are mini-sugar donuts filled with chocolate and covered with warm fudge syrup. Need I say more? Service is extremely stylish and proficient with servers who know exactly what you ordered and bring out the courses at a good clip. Plus I had to ask for one ingredient to be deleted from a dish because of an allergy, and even though this was a R.W. menu, the kitchen complied without a problem. R.W. served it's purpose here--to introduce a new restaurant to someone who's very likely to return.

    (5)

  • Cora C.

    Amazing experience at Acanto. The ambiance was classy and inviting. The server was friendly and knowledgeable. At his recommendation, I had the English Pea Pagottini and the Buffalo Trace Bourbon. Both were very nice, especially the drink.

    (5)

  • Kristin M.

    Great visit! We came here for Restaurant Week, and actually received non-RW service. Sometimes you get some 'tude when you order off the prix fixe, but not at Acanto. Our server was fab! She offered suggestions, joked around with us and just generally was very attentive. The space is tiny but super cute. For starters, I loved my porcini gnocchi. It was full of flavor and very satisfying (I'd be happy with it as my main!) For mains, my friends loved their skate wing and I enjoyed my pork shoulder. Again, nice flavor, although the short rib dish was the real star! I really wish it had been on the Restaurant Week menu, it was perfectly cooked and absolutely delicious! A must try. For dessert we all had the bombaloni (doughnut holes) drizzled in chocolate sauce. It's simple, but a real crowd pleaser. Drinks were great as well, we started at the bar and got the Bols Genever gin drink (very refreshing). The sparkling rose was a hit with everyone and the red and white wine parings were both great (and reasonably priced at $10 each). The highlight of the night was BILLY LAWLESS making an appearance at each table. He has a great presence and a totally amazing accent, all four of us swooned lol. Thanks for making our night, Billy!

    (4)

  • Ceyda E.

    Acanto was unfortunately disappointing and didn't match the price-experience expectations for our group. We went here for a birthday dinner, and the food was alright. The location is very touristy, the vibe in the restaurant is very generic. The staff gets 5 stars for being awesome, but unfortunately we found not much that was special or unique to this restaurant.

    (2)

  • Marta C.

    Food - would say the food is average. The seafood special was underwhelming and quite bland. The Branzino lacked seasoning and imagination. The sautéed kale was very mushy - it was hard to recognize it was even kale. Decor - very nice, cozy. Service - outstanding! They were very attentive. We had mentioned it was our anniversary when making a reservation and they welcomed us with complimentary champagne and well wishes. Overall, underwhelming for the location and the price.

    (3)

  • K Y.

    Wow! Great fresh food prepared to perfection. We dined on the chefs cheese platter. While it was a good selection, the cheeses were harder than I would have liked and just not fresh enough. For an appetizer, we dined on the chefs special of a seafood salad. Wow. This was delightful, fresh, light and an implosion of favors and textures. With each bite, I uncovered a new taste. For my main course, I had the swordfish. Um. Yum. Best swordfish I have had in a long time. Pan seared to perfection, on a bed of tomatoes, fresh herb olive oil with pillows of gnocchi delight. Our server recommended a rose wine, and boy did she nail that recommendation. We dined alfresco, and you should be warned by the crowds, traffic noise and exhaust. But I will say, the cuisine was a home run and I will be back!

    (5)

  • Comensal A.

    I have been mourning the loss of Henri since it closed, but did not get around to trying its successor, Acanto, until recently. Though Acanto is OK, I am still in mourning -- it is no Henri. I overheard a server telling an adjacent table that the owners changed the concept because it is very difficult to run a fine dining restaurant on Michigan Avenue, most notable because they weren't getting much walk-in traffic and valet parking is not allowed on this street. C'est dommage. On the plus side, Acanto features warm décor and well-trained, cordial staff. The nenu is approachable, and the food we sampled was A-OK. On the minus side, the food prices seem just a bit too high, the wine list has few choices below the mid-$40s, and the noise level is taxing (shades of its older sibling next door, The Gage). Our fare included a truly wonderful escarole soup: rich, layered flavors and perfect medium-silky texture. A roasted vegetable salad was tasty, especially if you're a balsamic fan. My companion was not thrilled with a scallop/octopus appetizer, citing it as pretty ordinary. Rigatoni with lamb ragú was bright and flavorful, the lamb uniformly tender. An orange crostata dessert was a little too bready, with too much crostata, too little orange marmalade. Cappuccino was exemplary: rich, creamy and bold. Acanto was not bad, but perhaps not good enough for the price & noise. Given the scarcity of decent dinig options in the vicinity, though, I may be back next time I'm going to Symphony Center or the Harris.

    (3)

  • Luca P.

    I dined at Acanto with a group of 5 friends. The atmosphere is cozy and welcoming, but our table was somewhat small for 6 people. Everything was incredibly disappointing about Acanto, except from the olive breadsticks. We started with a soppressata with whole bread pillows and parmesan fondue. Unfortunately I know what a soppressata is, that was not quite what it was supposed to be, but just an overly peppered salami. The whole bread pillows felt old and too crunchy (in Italy that would be a gnocco fritto, which is soft as a pillow indeed). The diver scallops and octopus were just fine. The worse came with the entrees. The apple taleggio tortellini were way too sweet. Also the lemon stuffing of the tortellini did not fit anywhere in the rest of the dish. The veal parmigiano was basically a flavorless veal thin tenderloin, which was too rare to be veal, flooded in an ocean of black sweet glaze. The side of mushroom and tomatoes was also very plain. After having tried almost 20 Italian restaurants in town I can say that this is by far the worst.

    (1)

  • Jodie L.

    My friend and I ate at Acanto last night and had the most amazing experience. The ambiance is intimate, warm, and inviting. The customer service was not only impeccable, but went above and beyond expectations. Our server was knowledgeable, friendly, and helpful. He had wine recommendations as well as offered suggestions about food. He answered every question we threw at him about the food, as we had the most difficult time deciding what to order. My friend and I shared two cheeses - Capriago and The Bomb. We were surprised with a complimentary duck egg spaghetti, which was a marvelous treat. It was an explosion of flavor - nutmeg, ginger, and so on. (My friend couldn't decide between this and the braised beef ribs.) I had the monkfish cioppino, which was delicious! I highly recommend Acanto and plan on dining there again the future.

    (5)

  • Hanne R.

    This incredible restaurant does not disappoint ever. This is my second visit. I am an excellent cook therefore I have a refined palette! I came here in June, arrived back in end of July. I have now tried several places which or rated as high as Acanto...but they do NOT compare. Indoor and outdoor seating...watch the tourist stroll by. But, the cuisine is Italian and incredible!!! Authentic, not American Italian, everything from service, atmosphere, wines, first and second courses and desserts are well worth the visit and price...if you have high standards in cuisine, visit this incredible restaurant. I will come back anytime I am in Chicago!!!

    (5)

  • Ashley J.

    Great service, the décor & atmosphere were nice. Food was good. Rotisserie chicken was excellent. Filet was cooked perfectly, could have been somewhat more seasoned but overall very good. The Mac n cheese appetizer was AWESOME & a must have!

    (4)

  • Marlon C.

    Was quite disappointed with the food. One of the worst octopus appetizers I've had... the octopus was flavorless and overcooked and it was difficult to find the few, small pieces under the bread. They should rename this dish what it is... Seasoned Bread Crumbs with an Accompaniment of Octopus. The Lobster and Corn Ravioli dish was also thoroughly disappointing. For a dish that costs twice as much as many lobster rolls, I didn't expect it to be topped with less than 1/4 of the lobster of said rolls. And the Ravioli is stuffed only with sweet corn that is way too sweet and almost makes this dish more appropriately listed in the dessert section of the menu. Three of my party had this dish and were all thoroughly underwhelmed by it. Acanto was saved from 2 stars because the other dishes were good, such as the Roasted Swordfish and Duck Egg Spaghetti. The waitstaff was also excellent.

    (3)

  • DuSable Dining Club C.

    Atmosphere: 4.75 Service: 4.75 Food:4.3 Value:3.75 Favorite Things: Pizza was outstanding, one of the best ever. Great to try the marrow, was excellent. Meatballs were outstanding. Tori Katie picked this place Katie's dress Company as always Service was great! Fish, English Pea Mint Pasta-awesome. A visit from the owner, Sommelier and Chef! Felt like VIP! Seeing Sommelier Jon again-hey we remember you! All of Molly's great ordering As always, the company! Loved the tartufo and chicken and asparagus deal. Awesome! Food was great-loved the meatballs, duck egg spaghetti and the vino Least Favorite Things: Missing the rest of the crew, especially Lindsay. The price, I am cheap. Beck was absent, Terri wasn't able to make it, where's Lindsay? JB not being here No Terri Price-a little bit much. Missed Jeff, Lindsay and Terri No Terri, Jeff and Lindsay Fun to try the marrow-now been there done that Not a fan of Olive Oil cake as much as other desserts Overall Assessment: Great space, fantastic service and food. Would totally come back-even for wine and dessert! Overall, great experience Great night, Great friends, Dinner Club Rocks! Missed JB, Terri and Lindsay. Great location I really like this place and will be back John, Chris and Tori took REALLY great care of us

    (4)

  • Dylan M.

    Honestly the best dining experience I have had in a long time. The service was top notch from the moment we walked in, each and every person we encountered aided in making this a wonderful dining experience. The eye for detail is instantly apparent from well thought out flatware and glassware to the beautiful dishware they serve each course on. I wish I could recall our waiters name to give him a shoutout because he just might have been the best server I have ever encountered. And the food was fabulous! Wonderful presentation (again I have to mention the interesting bowls and plates) and fresh flavorful ingredients carried through in each and every course. I think the intimate size of the establishment helps them make this a personalized dining experience in the hustle and bustle of Michigan avenues Grant Park. So if your in the loop for the theater or any other reason defiantly put this place on your radar! I'll be back for sure!!!

    (5)

  • Kavita D.

    One of my friends suggested meeting up at Acanto for a couple of drinks after work on a Friday. I had never been, so I obviously hopped on Yelp to begin my research. After reading the great reviews I was super excited to try this place out and it did not disappoint. We walked in and were instantly greeted by a super nice woman and grabbed two seats at the small bar. Huge shout-out to the bartender, Mike! He made our cocktails to perfection. I tried two of the cocktails. First the High West Oat Whiskey (#5) and second, the Flor De Cana Rum (#11). The first one had a little frothiness to it and of course was super delicious. I couldn't taste a hint of alcohol in either drink which could get dangerous because in Mike's words "well, there is a lot in there!" As for food, we got some free olive breadsticks which were full of flavor. A tiny bit salty for me, but still delicious. After hearing the back story on where Acanto gets its cheese from we knew we had to try some. So we ordered the BoDacious, a goat cheese. It came with bread and what I believe is called Mostarda. The goat cheese was delicious - super soft, easily spreadable with just the right amount of tang. The mostarda however, not my cup of tea. Just a little bit too much funk in my opinion. Overall, had a wonderful experience and will definitely be back again.

    (4)

  • Michael C.

    Beautiful restaurant with generous portions and fair prices. The staff are also quite friendly and efficient. Food is quite tasty too!

    (4)

  • Ashly G.

    Excellent experience! I had the best cocktail I've ever had in my life here! #3 I believe. We shared the cheese plate - chef selection. Omg delish! We also had the aranchini which was gorgeously prepared with leaves of roasted brussel sprouts. Nom Nom! I had the duck egg carbonara- excellent dish, prepared properly! Service was impeccable. This place is a little pricey but well worth the money. A++

    (5)

  • Alia A.

    Disappointing.. Limited menu.. No varieties.. One kind of pizza and 3 kinds of pastas!!! Expensive and tiny portions:( will never repeat!

    (1)

  • Franklin M.

    Ever since our anniversary dinner when we were fortunate enough to dine here the same night Vince Vaughn decided to eat at Henri (he even sat at the table next to ours!), we've been looking forward to coming back to find out if Acanto was a worthy replacement. Well, let me just say this place didn't disappoint! The cuisine and atmosphere may be different but kudos to Billy Lawless, Chris Gawronski and staff for executing this Italian transformation so well. We'll still miss Henri, but Acanto can hold its own among what's becoming a very crowded Italian cuisine scene in downtown Chicago. Food -Truffled Gnochi: so good you'll think you died and went to culinary heaven. It appeared to even have some actual shaved black truffle along with some delicious wild mushrooms and a hint of pecorino. -Charred Octopus: tender and flavorful octopus paired with persimmon and olives. Delicious by itself and the two pieces of toast were a nice touch too. -Braised Berkshire Pork Shoulder: yum. This was the pasta dish from the RW menu. The shredded pork was complemented nicely by the pappardelle and braised kale. Yes, that's right - they braised that kale and we liked it. -Smoked Monkfish: at first I thought the pan fried monkfish was too heavily salted but as I took a few more bites, the eggplant and cured tomatoes balanced this dish out very nicely. I ended up liking this more than the pork shoulder my wife ordered. It was light and very approachable. -Warm Chocolate Hazelnut Bombolinis: we were very curious to determine whether these could match the delicious ones at Siena Tavern. Boy, were we pleasantly surprised to have our expectations exceeded. You'll receive three donut hole sized servings and they'll proceed to pour fresh black fudge dip on top of these delicious babies to clog your arteries even more. So good and just the right amount of servings! Ok, I lied. I want more! 4.5 stars for the delicious food that will leave you feeling comfortably full! Service Our waiter, Ryan, was fantastic. He was very pleasant and professional, made some good recommendations for wine pairings and cocktails, described the dishes very well and also humored our questions about topics ranging from drinks to the fox in front of a burning sofa portrait that was on the wall next to our table. The busboys never let our glasses go without water and all of the courses arrived in a very timely fashion. They definitely didn't miss a beat. Heck one of the busboys even had a mustache that paid tribute to Dustin Hoffman's Hook (RIP Robin Williams) and we couldn't stop looking at it whenever he filled our cups with water. And yes, we drank water quite frequently so we could examine the mustache in between our very deep conversations about what the fox was doing in front of a burning couch. 5 stars for the great service! Ambience The space still feels very intimate and the layout is still similar to Henri. The white tablecloth and upscale feel have been replaced with a more casual environment with exposed wooden tables. Overall, it's still a great place for date night or even a more laid back experience. It's versatile enough to not feel too pretentious nor too casual. Plus, it's on Michigan Avenue right across from Millennium Park and near many other attractions. What more could you ask for?! 4.5 stars for the ambience! Overall, I give it 4.5 stars so I'm rounding up to 5 stars. We can't wait to go back again!

    (5)

  • Carol K.

    Stellar! Loved everything about our visit to Acanto, which is Billy Lawless's lastest take on the space that once housed Henri. While more casual than it's predecessor, Acanto is the perfect stop after work, before the theater or just when you are looking for some great food as you stroll down Michigan Ave or visit Millenium Park. We went for dinner about 5 weeks after they were open. The space is warm and inviting with a smallish bar up front and seating both indoors and out. We arrived on time for our reservation and were seated against the wall. Our server, Rich, was over in a second and this guy was great! Clearly a server who loves what he does and the people that he gets to take care of. He had plenty of suggestions for both wine and food and we went along with all of his suggestions. If you like trays of finely sliced meats and cheeses, you need to go with the chef's daily selection of chacuterie and cheese as it was so good as a starter, someone at our table ordered it as his entree! We also had a couple of the pizzas, the special of the day as well as the fig one and both were delicious! in addition, we had a chance to taste several of the starters from the heirloom tomato salad to the Octopus which were both good, as well as one of the pasta dishes which was the rigatoni with lamb ragu . .also quite tasty. We went with the 46oz ribeye for the table (it's listed as market price and on the night we were there is was $115 so not for the faint of wallet)This was a beautiful piece of meat full of the marbeling that makes a ribeye so tasty and they sliced it in the kitchen for us to share (it says it's for two but trust me- there is meat a plenty for 4!)Given the large portion sizes of all the food we had, we ended up taking a lot of this home for leftovers but it was good nonetheless! Loved that Billy Lawless, himself, was there talking to people at the tables (one in our group had actually seen him the night before at another one of his venues so it's clear he likes to see his customers up front and in person). He asked us what we thought and was even nice enough to buy us a round of drinks which was very unexpected but quite appreciated! If you drive- know that you can park across the street in the Grant Park parking garage (underneath the park) or around the corner at the University Club Valet ($25) All in all a great place to enjoy a casual dinner with some great food and amazing service!

    (5)

  • Kevin M.

    Had dinner at Acanto on 4/15/15 because we were looking for a decent place in that part of the loop and there isn't a ton. I'd go back in a second. Couple notes: 1) Food - solid, interesting. We had roasted salad and a Tuna app and then a pasta and the chicken marsala. Really liked it, but wasn't over the top. 2) Decor - Very nice, smart, little place with a patio. 3) Service - One of the best service experiences we've had in Chicago. I feel like there's pleasant and smart service like we had at Vie. No complaints. And there's really great service that changes the atmosphere of the place. The manager, the waitress Amanda (friendly and I can change that dish and here's the right wine for it), and even the owner who stopped by briefly. The service takes a nice place with good food into a place I'll bring people to.

    (4)

  • Suzanne V.

    Whenever I go to the art institute, I head here afterward for dinner. It has a nice, classy atmosphere and is usually busy. The nice thing is they will take your name and number and text you when there's a table ready. One time my table took so long that they gave me complimentary Prosecco for the wait and apologized profusely. Very good customer service. Wonderful and extensive Italian wine list--from every region! Knowledgable waiters, amazing and inventive specials. I had the pizza specials twice and was not disappointed. The crust was absolutely delicious, and toppings were so fresh and authentic. My friend ordered a pasta entree and it was on the smaller side for what she paid for, but the pizza is worth the money. A bit on the pricy side, but I've never left unhappy.

    (4)

  • Brandon B.

    A new revision of this old space (previously Henri) right on the main tourist run across from Millennium Park. Along with the Gage, this represents probably the best classy bar/dinner combo in the Loop! It has the high-level service, swank, innovative menu, and all around ambience, and most importantly the food is wonderful. Prices are moderately expensive but there are some items on the menu that would get you full on a lower budget. I tried the specials: a black bean and bacon soup (which was quite large and hearty in a fun asymmetric bowl), the venison/mushroom pizza (which smelled a little stinky from the cheese but tasted just the opposite: sweet and savory), and a dessert that placed peach sorbet in a prosecco float. With breadsticks and wine as well I was stuffed! And thankfully on work.

    (5)

  • Michele K.

    Delicious combinations of unexpected flavor, pleasant wait staff and fun patio dining. eonderful!

    (4)

  • Meredith K.

    From the greeting at the door to paying the check, this place was fantastic! We came here for our 8th anniversary. I noted that on my OpenTable reservation. When I checked in she said happy anniversary to us which I thought was cute. We were taken to the side where I sat on a comfy booth and he sat in a super comfy chair! This is rare. Usually the non-booth person has to suffer. He said he'd love to have that chair in his office! Then we got these really tasty homemade bread sticks. The waiter went over the cocktails with us but before he could come back the hostess came over w/ 2 glasses of prosecco. What a great surprise!! I had the High West which was light and was like a pisco sour. He had Tariquet which was so amazing that he got it twice! The presentation is very cool. He comes over with the glass turned over some cherry wood that's smoking. Then he pours in the cocktail and its smoky like a campfire in a good way. To start we had to try the olives. My boyfriend says they're the best he's ever had. They were fruity and had just the right amount of oil and spices. On the side was some cheese! Then we shared the beet salad. I loved the pickled apples. They were too sour for my boyfriend. It was a very nice start. Then I had the special mushroom pasta. It was savory and delicious. I could have used just a little salt with it. My boyfriend got the duck egg spaghetti which he loved. We were too full for dessert but we saw lost of great ones go by. Also the couple next to us were finishing up when we got there. I don't know what happened but when the waiter brought over the check he said it was "on us because we want you to be happy" Wow! They were eating desserts and drinking coffee so it wasn't bad enough to get up and leave. I thought that was great. Esp b/c the lady kept saying, "It smells like a wood-burning stove." when they brought over the cocktails. We will definitely be back. This place was wonderful.

    (5)

  • Ferron S.

    Some great hits and near hits. This restaurant gets a 3.4 star but sitting on the patio pushes it up. My wife and I ordered quite a few items so you can get the point of view. Service: perfect. I wish service was like this in Houston. The server was professional, provided a great pace to the meal and knew the menu well. Good summary: beat salad was amazing, ragu was amazing, cocktails and ginger beer were amazing. Everything else was passable and decent. Drinks: non alcoholic ginger beer was amazing. The #17 was great as well. I was expecting something more bitter, but after a few sips I realized it was better than I thought it would be. Perfect summer drink. Wine by the glass, for a $15 glass of wine it was really flat. No tannins, no florals or fruit flavor so to speak. It was dark red, that's all I can say about that. Beat salad: absolutely amazing. My wife doesn't like sweet salads, but this salad wasn't sweet. I wish I could replicate the salad. It was probably the star of the evening. Risotto: I thought it was good, wife thought it was ok. What I can say is the riot to was cooked perfectly. It was simple and the Parmesan stood out. I think it would have paired nicely with the chicken piccata. Chicken piccata: meh. I have had better at Maggianos and other places. The chicken was a tad dry and chewy. Portion size was nice because it wasn't too big but not tiny wither. Peppercorn lamb ragu: a close second to the salad. It was really good. Hearty, almost a sweet zip. Let's put it this way, we never box stuff up but we boxed this up. Finally, the house bread sticks were really good. So, would I go again - yes. Especially on a nice day. Is it a 4-star place in a city like Chicago? Not quite. I suspect there are quite a few out of towners eating here based on the location.

    (4)

  • Jim U.

    The service is outstanding just as when the place was Henri, but we were 50/50 on the food. My chicken Marsala was very good and an enormous portion. My wife's pasta was only average. We tried the foie gras which was interesting (perhaps an homage to Henri?), but thought the sliced tubes of cold meat a little 'off'. The best portion was the cheese and salami appetizer. The menu is written with the cheese selections individually priced and an option for the chefs selection of 4. The salami is listed a chefs selection. On the back of the menu there is a description of each cheese. We were going to choose several cheeses but the waitress said the chef chooses them. I'm not sure what the individual listing/prices are for then?! She did manage to get us one that we wanted to try. She also convinced us that 1 salami would be plenty along with the cheeses. This turned out to be a very good suggestion. The platter is huge, and delicious. Plenty of toast, nuts, jams, etc to fill up most people. Very extensive, Italian leaning wine list. We chose several by the glass, but I would enjoy going back to explore the wine. Overall I'm on the fence. There is nothing bad, but nothing fantastic for the $$. We will likely return as it is very convenient to Symphony Hall, but we may limit ourselves to the cheese/salami and a bottle of wine. There are many Italian restaurants but only a few French. The market dictates what exists but we'd like to see more French establishments. Henri will be missed.

    (3)

  • C M.

    SUPER-FANTASTIC SERVICE. Wonderful atmosphere and first class service. Lunch was great. Will be back!!!

    (4)

  • Nicole T.

    Ah, Acanto, the casual Italian reconcept of Henri! I was excited to taste the new menu here as I was a fan of Henri. We tasted a salad that was listed as a special. It had arugula, honey, hazlenuts and was delicious! Second, we tried the Duck Egg Spaghetti. I am in love with the duck egg pasta I tried at TWO and had similar hopes for this one. Unfortunately, this was a miss for me. I couldn't taste the duck flavor at all, and the sauce was a little too creamy. The sausage bits and rapini were highlights of this dish. Third, we tried the Suckling Pig Trio consisting of a pork shoulder, pork belly, and pastrami-like slice. The pork shoulder was very tender, much more than typical cooking. The skin on the pork shoulder is crunchy and delicious. The pork belly was my favorite (looks like a slice of pancetta)! The pastrami slice was my least favorite but it was still good. My favorite place for suckling pig is Travelle, but this does come close! The ambiance is very pleasant, and the servers were attentive. I'll definitely be back again to try more items on the menu!

    (4)

  • Linda N.

    We were great fans of Henri and saddened when Chicago lost one of too few truly classy, elegant and genteel restaurants in walking distance of Symphony Center. I can understand the owner's need to capitalize on the prime location for pedestrian customers seeking a casual dining experience: this Acanto delivered. But it is a far cry from Henri. The appetizers were varied and interesting, notably the fluke crudo, artichoke salad and beet salad were simply outstanding. I wish I could say the same for the pasta dishes that followed - I had the sunchoke and chestnut pasta with gluten free pasta. I'm accustomed to gf pasta having a much different texture than "real" pasta, but I got the impression that the kitchen didn't reqlky know how to work with buckwheat pasta. The us chokes and chestnuts made for a bland dish. Overall, meh. My husband had the gnocchi special, a Roman preparation: oversalted and several visibly burned gnocchi with lamb that was tough and overdone. A sad muddle of flavors. We finished with a nice assortment of cheeses - Acanto has a lovely selection. The only glitch for this course was that the server who brought them to the table completely gave us descriptions of totally different cheeses than what was on the plate (Diego, or server, assured us that these were the ones we had selected). John, the wine director, is fantastic - he was helpful, knowledgable about the extensive and interesting wine list and was able to suggest suitable choices from just a few descriptive adjectives. Diego, our server, was attentive very helpful and helped us make choices, given various allergies and restrictions, and was genuinely interested in our feedback about our selections. Unfortunately some of the staff failed to understand the basics of customer service and are unqualified in a restaurant of any quality. The location is great and convenient - might go back for wine/cheese before or after the CSO of Grant Park Symphony, but would probably make another choice for a dinner date,

    (2)

  • Brandi B.

    This was the first five stars that I have given to a restaurant, which is a compliment because I live in THE city of amazing restaurants. The service here was excellent, starting with the warm greeting when I walked in, to the drink recommendation from the charming owner, to the attentive and polite service from bartender Mike. The owner told us that the goal of this concept was to make a more welcoming place as compared to the previous Henri. I think he did accomplish this, though the prices aren't necessarily welcoming for all. This is a $$$ spot, so not the place you'd just drop into after a day in Millennium Park. However, it was defintely worth the extra penny, and I'd for sure go back. The food was very delicious. The roasted artichokes tasted like potatoes! The bone marrow was warm and decadent, and the swordfish was well balanced.

    (5)

  • Kelly C.

    Had the best dinner tonight . The waiter did everything he could to find the best wine for us as my companion had very specific tastes . We started with the roasted vegetable salad which was so tasty. We both ordered the bone in chicken marsala which had the most flavorful sauce and the chicken was done to perfection. I don't normally order chicken out but I'm so glad I did. All in all a perfect meal with the perfect service in the perfect atmosphere. Loved it.

    (5)

  • Jason H.

    Acanto seemed like a good place to grab a bite before watching Neil deGrasse Tyson speak (he was awesome) at the Chicago Auditorium Theater due to its proximity to the venue and a few positive reviews I had read. The proximity to the venue was the only value added that Acanto offered. The space is neat, but - especially at these Michigan Avenue prices - the food just wasn't very good: * The chef's selection of cheeses offered way more non-cheese than cheese; * The monkfish in the monkfish cioppino was well overcooked, and the broth best described as odd, with a cinnamony finish; * The wild boar meatball was extremely dense and without any distinction from a more traditional meatball; * The spinach casarecci tasted of just tomato acid - not spinach in the pasta or tomato flavor. A rational diner might come back and give Acanto another shot. But not at these prices and with these kinds of mistakes. Grade: C-

    (2)

  • Teresa Y.

    I made a reservation for a team dinner here after seeing all the reviews. We were 11 and part of the group were foreigners. The dinner went well until the check came and there were 2 extra meals and 2 extra deserts added. It is hard not to believe that this was done on purpose. Shame on you Acanto

    (1)

  • Ali C.

    What a great restaurant in a convenient location right across from the Art Institute. We had the grilled scallops and octopus, the pizza and the gelato, all of which was superior and outstanding. The whole place has been renovated so the atmosphere is lively, cheerful and energetic. Definitely my choice for dining in the loop.

    (5)

  • Jules D.

    Let me say right up front that they lost one star because the busboy not only split and packed our leftover pizza and olives, he put the pits in the container! That's a first. Don't want to say it's the last time we'll go, but yikes, I dunno. (We actually tried to tell him to put all of the olives in one container, but he rushed off.) There was a nice variety of olives, most with pits--good, but nothing to take home about. They're served with pecorino--assuming it was the fresh, non-aged one, so could have used a bit of honey or mostarda. Salad with treviso, pancetta, pine nuts, raisins and shaved parm was also good--brightened by a lemon vinaigrette. Pizza topped with fresh figs, prosciutto, yellow tomatoes and arugula was very tasty, that is, the toppings were, the dough was much better reheated in my non-stick skillet so it got crispy. The rest of the service was good--glass with complimentary carbonated water was kept filled, thank you. The wine list is long and varied (with some $$$ bottles). They haven't been opened that long, maybe we'll give them a chance to work out the kinks and stop back.

    (3)

  • Douglas K.

    Thoroughly enjoyed my meal at Acanto. What a beautiful interior! The service was swift and attentive. I ordered the Mission Fig and Goat Cheese Bruschetta. It had a milder taste than I was expecting, but it was still quite good. For the entree I had the Special, Misto di Pesce (assorted seafoods in a pesto sauce.) if I had been very hungry it might not have been enough, but as it was, it was exquisite , and just the right amount. I was very satisfied. Will definitely return!

    (5)

  • Lila W.

    Ordered off of the menu due to dietary restrictions. To me, the mark of a good establishment is taking the ordinary and making it extraordinary. Unfortunately, this is where Acanto failed. I asked for a green salad with only vegetables in it minus tomatoes. I was brought a bowl of lettuce. Nothing else. Really? You can't be more creative? Second, I asked for the chicken Marsala without the Marsala sauce. In other words, just roasted chicken. The chicken tasted gamey and not fresh. It looked pale in color and unappetizing. No wonder they drown it in sauce! No salt or pepper on the tables which surprised me as the dishes were very bland and could use some. A good restaurant should be able to take special requests and make it taste/look good. Not coming back.

    (2)

  • J P.

    Best veal parm I have ever had... Fantastic service .. If in Chicago and you must stop in for a bite

    (5)

  • Ab A.

    Was very disappointed in the food. Service was great. The special pasta of the night was a crab carbonara. it was one of the more bland tasteless dishes i have tried in quite some time. We also had the pasta bolognese. It was so dry it seemed as if we were eating thin slices of jerky. Will not return any time soon.

    (1)

  • Maximillian M.

    Had an off-menu daily special of spinach cassarecci with blue crab meat, six mussels, peppers, basil, in a white wine sauce. Fancy meal! In hindsight, I should've asked for some bread to sop up some of that delicious sauce. Also had a beer from (I think) New Holland, an IPA. Great service, nice restaurant.

    (4)

  • Sam S.

    This place is overpriced, and the food was decent. Head to the Gage!

    (2)

  • Teri A.

    We had the most enjoyable time here Tues evening Food was delicious, fresh interesting take on modern Italian Service was spot on, attentive but not hovering Pretty room and comfy seats and tables We will def go back!

    (5)

  • Kang W.

    First time visit the restaurant, small and cozy place on Michigan ave. We got a window side table facing Michigan and the park, which is really nice. The duck egg pasta is delicious. The roasted vegetable salad is also good. We also had a chocolate cake with ice cream in it. All fantastic

    (5)

  • Ted B.

    An absolutely superb experience from beginning to end. The attention to detail from service staff was such a treat! A friend and I had reservations for dinner last night. I arrived early and decided to have a drink at the bar while I waited for my date. The barkeep ran a very clean and organized operation, continuously moving, rearranging, and preparing his station. He was also very friendly and it was a pleasure watching him work. Also, the hostess was very kind, thanks! We were seated at a nice table in the small dining room and seemed to be in good hands with our server (didn't catch her name). She was friendly, charming, and struck the perfect balance of attentive and engaging without being too... much! My friend and I shared the heirloom tomato salad, pizza special of the day, and the whole trout. The salad was seasoned perfectly, I cannot emphasize this enough. I love salads but so often I order a beautiful salad only to have it served with a weak, boring, or underwhelming dressing. This salad had it all and we both agreed it was the highlight of the meal! Pizza was very good, though there was a bit of a raw garlic taste on the crust that we didn't care for. The deboned whole trout was beautiful and cooked perfectly but we both agreed it needed more acid. I imagine it's difficult to create a fine dining experience in a location like Acanto... it's such a tourist heavy area. They have absolutely exceeded my expectations for dinner and I look forward to returning soon. One note, I used the valet service offered around the corner at the University Club on Monroe. I wish someone at the restaurant would have asked us if we had used the service, as there was some confusion when it was time to get my car. I had to double back to the restaurant and pay the $25 (!) before returning to the valet stand. Slightly annoying but nothing serious. Congratulations to the staff at Acanto!

    (5)

  • Nick R.

    One of Our Absolute Favs for Italian! Finally, a new restaurant that has its act together from the start! Acanto has a lovely bar area and a small charming dining room with comfy leather chairs, wooden tables, and angular chandlers make the ambience both elegant and romantic. Tastefully done on the decor! The wine list is exhaustive with options from all over Italy~ even the remote regions. Food scores a "10" with what the server described as "playful Italian". We had Octopus with fig, pheasant, and homemade rigatoni with lamb ragu. There are several cheese and salamis from which to pick. The chalk board hosts the pizza of the day, and fresh white truffles from Alba can be added to any dish for $30. If you like the Gage, you will love Acanto! It's the Italian counterpart.

    (5)

  • Kath W.

    A business colleague and I had a great dinner last night at Acanto. It was a first visit for both of us since the changeover from the excellent Henri, and we were immediately appreciative of the warm, inviting new decor. Despite being a rainy Tuesday evening, the place was packed. Our server was very attentive and helpful in answering questions about the menu and specials. We had the beet salad, the daily special salad, the whole rainbow trout and the daily special pasta dish, and all were delicious. The portions were nicely sized, presented artfully on what seemed to be custom dishes, and arrived promptly. As were enjoying the last of our wine, the owner stopped by our table to say hello. It was fun to chat with him about the new concept and decor. All in all, a great dining experience. On a side note, I thought the valet service around the corner at the University Club was a nice alternative to parking alone at night in the Grant Park garage.

    (4)

  • Thomas R.

    Very friendly service and excellent food and drink! I must admit, after studying the menu on their website I wasn't all that excited to dine here but all three courses were absolutely gorgeous in every way. Flavors and textures popped and soothed in equal measure; artichoke hearts with chanterelles and a caper aioli, a wild boar meatball pasta - perfect al dente and forte spice that somehow didn't overpower the subtle layers of flavor in the wild boar meatballs. Lastly, a potent creamy vanilla bean panna cotta with sweet/sour cherries and tiny amaretto crunchy things. Looking forward to future visits.

    (5)

  • Mike W.

    Nice place, but generally a disappointment at this price point. For high priced Italian, I'll stick with Piccolo Sogno. More of cafe atmosphere than fine dining, service was mediocre, and the food wasn't good enough to make me want to return in light of the overall experience. Small portions, limited menu for main courses. Not worth the money, at least for someone who eats out at this price point every couple months.

    (2)

  • KT H.

    Great atmo, great location, great food, great drink and fabulous service. This place has it all. We were greeted by nice people at the door who offered to take our coats. Mike at the bar was so fun to chat with and he explained a little about some wine without monopolizing our conversation. We ended up ordering a bottle of that same wine with dinner - thanks, Mike! We were seated right by the window looking out at Millennium Park. Our waiter helped us select our food and answered all our questions. The food was really delish. We started with a cheese tray (chef's choice) and all of them were so good. Then I ordered the Spinach Casarecci pasta - it was yummy! I highly recommend Acanto!

    (5)

  • Dewis S.

    Outstanding food and service. Not too crowded on Sunday. We were walk-ins. Pricey but so worth it.

    (5)

  • FoodLover Z.

    New favorite Italian restaurant in Chicago. Acanto was perfect, right from their lovely cappuccino's to delicious entrees. We went here for brunch, and the highlights were the porchetta with egg and the chestnut and sunchoke agnolotti. We tried the hazelnut chocolate pudding for dessert, which was spectacular as well. Highly recommend this place!

    (5)

  • Alicia S.

    We loved Henri but Acanto has replaced it with great style. I have been twice in a week and both times have been so impressed. Not only is the food truly outstanding, interesting and beautifully presented but the staff are all brilliant as well. One night Tony was our server and he really made our meal such a fun event. He suggested perfect wines to accompany our meals and was so personable and helpful. Look forward to going again with friends and family.

    (4)

  • E J.

    This is a review only of the cocktails! Met a friend here around 5:30 PM for drinks. The cocktails were lovely, well-thought out, and the server was super-friendly! Appreciated the free breadsticks too. The only down-side was the cost of the cocktails ($13) but considering it is in the Loop, I am guessing they need those couple extra dollars to pay their rent. :-) Would definitely come back after a visit to the Art Institute, or before a performance in the area.

    (4)

  • Armando M.

    It's a nice place for a fine dinner. My wife and I reserved a table at this restaurant before heading to the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and both of us left with a positive experience. My Baked Clams and Apple Taleggio Tortellini were tasty and delicate at the same time; well balanced the mix of the ingredients. My wife had Beet Salad and Escarole Soup, both very good. Probably the soup was just a little bit too peppery. The espresso coffe was good as well my Affogato (espresso with vanilla gelato). The wine (Pinot Grigio) was good even if, in my opinion, the quantity served per glass was a little bit less than expected. The service was professional and courteous from the moment we arrived until we left. We always prefer quality over quantity and I think that Acanto eventually gave us a good reason to go back again.

    (5)

  • Teresa D.

    Everything we had was wonderful. Two of my friends and I stumbled upon this restaurant and we each ordered a pasta dish and then tasted each other. All were wonderful. Do not skip the cookie plate..it sounds simple but it was just enough

    (5)

  • Keith S.

    I really liked Acanto and will return. Partner and I dined here about 5 weeks after its opening. The atmosphere and design are very nice. The food -- with one exception -- was excellent. For a starter I had the polenta, which was awesome. Partner had a crudo, which was sent back because it tasted oddly fishy (this was the one exception). The highlights were the pastas...both were excellent and on a par with Balena. Both had scoops of gelato for a little dessert, which were fine. Very nice overall.

    (4)

  • Bill R.

    It sure doesn't feel like a restaurant open for just a few weeks. Truth be told, there is probably a lot of staff retuning from Henri. For me, this was all about the details, for a busy Saturday night, they missed nothing! First up: the wine list. I find wines from Italy and Spain to be very intimidating, mostly because there are so many grapes and regions. Besides a huge selection from every nook and cranny of Italy, the descriptions on the list were very inviting. I saw some diners that evening going BYOB with what looked to be a bottle of Silver Oak. Really? That's just insulting to some folks that obviously worked very hard assembling this list. More details: The food. There were some unpublished little surprises in every dish. The Cantaloupe and Prosciutto dish had little, pigmy cucumbers which I had never seen before. Nice touch. The Sweet Corn Angnolotti was a flavor explosion in your mouth. The Black Peppercorn Rigatoni had a lamb ragout that would make you think your were dining in Bologna. Even more details: Terrific table presence. Also it turns out the serving bowls are custom made and a work of art in themselves. Are these necessary, not really. Again, there was a lot of thought into the service experience in addition to the food & wine. One other thought on table presence. The owner strolls the room and engages with the dining public. OK, who does that anymore? When was the last time Rich Melman every wandered up to your table to thank you for dining with him? Maybe 1971 at Grunts. When he stopped by, we were on our first course, which we politely took a short break to converse. In a lot of other dining universes, this would have not stopped the kitchen from selling our second course, leaving us with both and partially completed first course and a soon to be cold second course. This didn't happen. We were giving enough time to comfortably finish course one, before the next course was delivered. This, my friends, was not a coincidence. This is a food, beverage & service gem.

    (5)

  • Kate C.

    Amazing food. Great for wheat/gluten allergies. Staff wsa very knowledgable.

    (5)

  • Clara G.

    duck egg spaghetti extremely tasty! though a bit more of pasta wouldn't hurt!cheesenut ravioli also really original!really pleasant service!fast to serve and originality,taste, and quality of the food is fair with its prices!

    (4)

  • Rick M.

    What a gem! It so nice and cozy in there; the staff also does a great job at making you feel nice and cozy. This place impressed me in several ways. The menu had a nice variety of choices; from a few interesting things in the chalkboard menu of specials to old standards for the less adventuresome. The wine list was quite extensive, considering that this is a tiny restaurant (compared to her big brother next door, The Gage). I was very impressed that the busboy cleared the silverware and brought new ones after the first course without having to ask for new (the devil is ALWAYS in the details). But what impressed me the most, and this is really when my hat came off, is when the wine arrived; the waiter decanted it for us! It wasn't even an expensive bottle of wine. Wow. I've been to much fancier restaurants with big name chefs and I've never had my wine decanted. The owner also came and mingled with the customers; it's a nice touch and it doesn't hurt that he's drop dead HOT.

    (5)

  • Alfred T.

    Meh. Overpriced Italian food. My pasta was devoid of salt. I'll take Anteprima any day. Miss Henri!

    (2)

  • Kavita D.

    One of my friends suggested meeting up at Acanto for a couple of drinks after work on a Friday. I had never been, so I obviously hopped on Yelp to begin my research. After reading the great reviews I was super excited to try this place out and it did not disappoint. We walked in and were instantly greeted by a super nice woman and grabbed two seats at the small bar. Huge shout-out to the bartender, Mike! He made our cocktails to perfection. I tried two of the cocktails. First the High West Oat Whiskey (#5) and second, the Flor De Cana Rum (#11). The first one had a little frothiness to it and of course was super delicious. I couldn't taste a hint of alcohol in either drink which could get dangerous because in Mike's words "well, there is a lot in there!" As for food, we got some free olive breadsticks which were full of flavor. A tiny bit salty for me, but still delicious. After hearing the back story on where Acanto gets its cheese from we knew we had to try some. So we ordered the BoDacious, a goat cheese. It came with bread and what I believe is called Mostarda. The goat cheese was delicious - super soft, easily spreadable with just the right amount of tang. The mostarda however, not my cup of tea. Just a little bit too much funk in my opinion. Overall, had a wonderful experience and will definitely be back again.

    (4)

  • Mark S.

    Skinny little breadsticks??? How about some real bread fresh from the oven with every main or starter? Food and service were terrific, and the duck egg noodle pasta was execellent.

    (4)

  • Peter B.

    My friend and I wondered in on a Tuesday night without a reservation. The restaurant was busy and upbeat. The waiter was knowledgeable and provided recommendations for their menu and very diverse wine List. Specials tonight we're Sicilian style pasta, a fish course and steak. We chose a Sicilian red wine to go with the meal. The salami platter as an appetizer for the two of us was magnificent. Or pasta dish and the seafood sampler were lovely as well. In truth we ate too much. The waiter offered us a digestif at the end to help settle are happy stomachs.

    (4)

  • Marta C.

    Food - would say the food is average. The seafood special was underwhelming and quite bland. The Branzino lacked seasoning and imagination. The sautéed kale was very mushy - it was hard to recognize it was even kale. Decor - very nice, cozy. Service - outstanding! They were very attentive. We had mentioned it was our anniversary when making a reservation and they welcomed us with complimentary champagne and well wishes. Overall, underwhelming for the location and the price.

    (3)

  • Jeffie J.

    After viewing fine art at the Art Institute, you naturally seek fine dining in the vicinity. If you head a block or two up Michigan Ave. you will reach Acanto. Here you will find modern Italian fare in a stylish, jewel-box setting. The welcome is warm and service at the bar, by Lisa, could not have been more pleasant. Lunch began with a tangy blood orange salad with fennel and toasted pine nuts, followed by nicely prepared red snapper fillets with potatoes and lima beans. I don't often find lima beans outside of soup and because I like them, this was a great pairing. Dessert was a trio of bonbolini. These are mini-sugar donuts filled with chocolate and covered with warm fudge syrup. Need I say more? Service is extremely stylish and proficient with servers who know exactly what you ordered and bring out the courses at a good clip. Plus I had to ask for one ingredient to be deleted from a dish because of an allergy, and even though this was a R.W. menu, the kitchen complied without a problem. R.W. served it's purpose here--to introduce a new restaurant to someone who's very likely to return.

    (5)

  • Franklin M.

    Ever since our anniversary dinner when we were fortunate enough to dine here the same night Vince Vaughn decided to eat at Henri (he even sat at the table next to ours!), we've been looking forward to coming back to find out if Acanto was a worthy replacement. Well, let me just say this place didn't disappoint! The cuisine and atmosphere may be different but kudos to Billy Lawless, Chris Gawronski and staff for executing this Italian transformation so well. We'll still miss Henri, but Acanto can hold its own among what's becoming a very crowded Italian cuisine scene in downtown Chicago. Food -Truffled Gnochi: so good you'll think you died and went to culinary heaven. It appeared to even have some actual shaved black truffle along with some delicious wild mushrooms and a hint of pecorino. -Charred Octopus: tender and flavorful octopus paired with persimmon and olives. Delicious by itself and the two pieces of toast were a nice touch too. -Braised Berkshire Pork Shoulder: yum. This was the pasta dish from the RW menu. The shredded pork was complemented nicely by the pappardelle and braised kale. Yes, that's right - they braised that kale and we liked it. -Smoked Monkfish: at first I thought the pan fried monkfish was too heavily salted but as I took a few more bites, the eggplant and cured tomatoes balanced this dish out very nicely. I ended up liking this more than the pork shoulder my wife ordered. It was light and very approachable. -Warm Chocolate Hazelnut Bombolinis: we were very curious to determine whether these could match the delicious ones at Siena Tavern. Boy, were we pleasantly surprised to have our expectations exceeded. You'll receive three donut hole sized servings and they'll proceed to pour fresh black fudge dip on top of these delicious babies to clog your arteries even more. So good and just the right amount of servings! Ok, I lied. I want more! 4.5 stars for the delicious food that will leave you feeling comfortably full! Service Our waiter, Ryan, was fantastic. He was very pleasant and professional, made some good recommendations for wine pairings and cocktails, described the dishes very well and also humored our questions about topics ranging from drinks to the fox in front of a burning sofa portrait that was on the wall next to our table. The busboys never let our glasses go without water and all of the courses arrived in a very timely fashion. They definitely didn't miss a beat. Heck one of the busboys even had a mustache that paid tribute to Dustin Hoffman's Hook (RIP Robin Williams) and we couldn't stop looking at it whenever he filled our cups with water. And yes, we drank water quite frequently so we could examine the mustache in between our very deep conversations about what the fox was doing in front of a burning couch. 5 stars for the great service! Ambience The space still feels very intimate and the layout is still similar to Henri. The white tablecloth and upscale feel have been replaced with a more casual environment with exposed wooden tables. Overall, it's still a great place for date night or even a more laid back experience. It's versatile enough to not feel too pretentious nor too casual. Plus, it's on Michigan Avenue right across from Millennium Park and near many other attractions. What more could you ask for?! 4.5 stars for the ambience! Overall, I give it 4.5 stars so I'm rounding up to 5 stars. We can't wait to go back again!

    (5)

  • Gerri L.

    Everything was delicious. Their Margherita Pizza, The wine (great advice from Diego our server), the Duck Egg Spaghetti...All was delicious, fun, elegant but low key atmosphere. I am looking forward to trying the cheese wheel next time!

    (5)

  • Trina J.

    Admittedly, enjoying meals on South Michigan was previously foreign to me. Absent the Art Institute, Millennium Park, a concert here or there and Congress Parkway, I have spent very little time exploring this vicinity. Until now. Fate would have it that within a week, I dined at two places in this block and I had the privilege of adding Acanto as a third. The host decided on the venue and oddly enough, I paid no attention to the band or address until there was a need to navigate there. That said, I had no background knowledge or awareness of its existence but suspected it was a great place. While dining, I was told this restaurant used to be Henri's. Same ownership but a new concept. The three highlights of the evening was the attentive staff members, the decor and its view. The other aspects were enjoyable as well a/k/a I have no gripes. The food portions were small which is expected given the course options displayed on the menu. Our group of five started with a fromage, prosciutto and salami sampler which included garnishments ranging from preserves, grapes and other recommended bites to enhance the flavor of each item. Loved every bite of it. The meat was thinly sliced, plentiful and fresh. As an entree, I enjoyed the lobster and crab ravioli which was really good. 4/5. My glass of sparkling Rose' was good but not a favorite. 3/5.

    (4)

  • Dave D.

    Awesome. The service was impeccable. The food? So much better than I expected. My wife and I started with the Baby Kale Salad. How good can something so simple be? REALLY good. The fried capers added a depth to the dish without it being over salty. My wife wanted the daily pizza which was made with lamb sausage. I didn't want that but she won out and she was right! Shhh - don't tell her. The wine list is impressive and we got a bottle that was off the charts good and did not break the bank. The highlight of the meal? The Chocolate Tartufo. Easily one of the best deserts I have ever had. If you're in downtown Chicago, make a reservation at Acanto. You'll thank me.

    (5)

  • Stephanie S.

    The service was great. Our waiter was very knowledgeable about the dishes. I was debating between the seafood risotto and the lobster and corn ravioli. Menu and portion sizes are small. The lobster and corn ravioli was tasty. The basil was a unique addition. I personally didn't care for it but that didn't detract from the overall taste. There were some small chunks of lobster in the sauce. Overall good food but a little pricey given the portion size. Outdoor seating is available. We opted for indoors given the humidity

    (4)

  • Jill K.

    Ask for Kira! Great service..great cocktails. .great food! Did I say Great service???? Thanks for making our first experience a fabulous one!

    (5)

  • Becca G.

    Ate lunch at Acanto twice cuz I've got one of those co-workers. Lucky for me, it is delicious. Had creamy and delicious artichoke and spinach risotto the first day and the special lentil salad the second. Co-worker has the lamb ragout rigatoni, both times, yeah he's that guy. Pasta was fresh and perfectly cooked. Salads were delicious. Other friend had pizza which they raved about. Service was impeccable.

    (4)

  • Ashly G.

    Excellent experience! I had the best cocktail I've ever had in my life here! #3 I believe. We shared the cheese plate - chef selection. Omg delish! We also had the aranchini which was gorgeously prepared with leaves of roasted brussel sprouts. Nom Nom! I had the duck egg carbonara- excellent dish, prepared properly! Service was impeccable. This place is a little pricey but well worth the money. A++

    (5)

  • Greg J.

    In Chicago on July 4th. A friend had recommended the restaurant and the yelp reviews were very good as well. After spending the afternoon at the art institute of Chicago we walked down to have dinner. What a great decision. We ordered two of the specials and one item from the regular menu. They were the Asparagus pesto bacon lemon ricotta pizza, the Grove farm pork chop, and the Chicken piccata. The pizza was amazing. The very light pesto with lemon ricotta and bacon had this amazing flavor. The pork chop was perfectly cooked and seasoned just the way I like it. A very nice dish. My wife had the chicken piccata and very much enjoyed it. A very enjoyable meal. The atmosphere was nice and enhanced the dinning experience. We finished with what the manager said was his favorite dessert. A chocolate tartufo which was a ball of chocolate gelato coated in black cocoa with candied cherries around it. Simply amazing. Wife said the coffee was excellent. Well worth a visit for anyone in downtown Chicago and I'll be adding it to my repeat in the future when next I am in Chicago.

    (5)

  • Rache D.

    Stopped by for lunch and it was great great! Chose to set inside (since this pale as paper lady forgot to put on sunblock) and loved the decor, they have pillows on their benches! My server was absolutely outstanding and I went with her suggestion on a beverage (the #1) , salmon salad (the daily special) and dessert (white peach Bellini) and all were amazing. I don't know that there is anything bad here. Will try to come back again before I leave!!

    (5)

  • Belle L.

    Perfect dish in every bite. Comfort Food with a touch of fine dining. A book of booze vs 1 page food. Menu -- daily specials are much more interesting than regular menu. Olive Breadsticks -- addictive. You don't miss the olive in every bite. Good eaten alone. Water -- gratis still or sparkling? Saffron Fusilli -- delicious. You get about half a lobster tail with just-right amount of house made pasta. About $4 overpriced. See photo. Panna Cotta -- the best I've had. I like cherries. New dimension in crunch. Something light, soft and sweet. Pizza ($18) -- the only shareable dish on the menu. I get suspicious when a pizza goes over $15, then I am tempted to get a measuring tape and start counting the 'valuable' ingredients. I dare you! LOL. Effort in providing value for $$. Pricing -- it's comparable to its neighbor across the street and its brother, The Gage. Venue -- seating can be tight if completely filled. Warm and comfortable with a touch of romantic tavern. Service -- pleasant, informative and knowledgeable. Always helpful by saying, there is a plug at the end of bench. The best way to enjoy Acanto is...thou shall not over eat. Do not expect a big bowl of pasta...you go further down the street for that. I look forward to checking out the lunch menu on or after Aug 25, 2014. Hello "Fluff"! *wink*

    (4)

  • Kathleen C.

    So cute in decor! Staff is super friendly, explaining the menu and the space. They opened only 3 days ago but it was totally packed ! Wine list is huge!! They have something like 300 bottles of wine. They have wine selections you would recognize as well as unique offerings. The nice part about the list is that the descriptions are really useful (unlike some wine lists that just list a region which is great if you are familiar with various international wine regions, but not so much otherwise). Our bartender also had tasted most (all?) of them, so she was really helpful in explaining them as well as checking to see if I was enjoying my selection. The cocktail and beer list are also varied with some pretty tasty sounding options. I believe they will be mixing things up (ha!) on the cocktail list by changing the offerings every so often. The bar itself is small but comfortable. White marble and comfy stools and offers a good view of the restaurant. The restaurant is small ish but has a cool wall of wine and lovely glass shelves at the bar. I liked the lighting, which was dim enough for dinner and cozy dining, but also bright enough to read the menu (always useful!). Super cute! The couple next to us at the bar ordered the most amazing looking cheese plate...I wanted to reach over and try some of theirs! Pricewise, I thought the cocktails/drinks were very reasonable. The food skews a bit higher, but considering the location on Michigan Avenue, I think that the prices here were very much in-line with what you'd find in the area and the quality is definitely good enough to warrant prices.

    (4)

  • Kristin M.

    Great visit! We came here for Restaurant Week, and actually received non-RW service. Sometimes you get some 'tude when you order off the prix fixe, but not at Acanto. Our server was fab! She offered suggestions, joked around with us and just generally was very attentive. The space is tiny but super cute. For starters, I loved my porcini gnocchi. It was full of flavor and very satisfying (I'd be happy with it as my main!) For mains, my friends loved their skate wing and I enjoyed my pork shoulder. Again, nice flavor, although the short rib dish was the real star! I really wish it had been on the Restaurant Week menu, it was perfectly cooked and absolutely delicious! A must try. For dessert we all had the bombaloni (doughnut holes) drizzled in chocolate sauce. It's simple, but a real crowd pleaser. Drinks were great as well, we started at the bar and got the Bols Genever gin drink (very refreshing). The sparkling rose was a hit with everyone and the red and white wine parings were both great (and reasonably priced at $10 each). The highlight of the night was BILLY LAWLESS making an appearance at each table. He has a great presence and a totally amazing accent, all four of us swooned lol. Thanks for making our night, Billy!

    (4)

  • Ceyda E.

    Acanto was unfortunately disappointing and didn't match the price-experience expectations for our group. We went here for a birthday dinner, and the food was alright. The location is very touristy, the vibe in the restaurant is very generic. The staff gets 5 stars for being awesome, but unfortunately we found not much that was special or unique to this restaurant.

    (2)

  • Kathy L.

    Omg seriously Amanda is amazing so cute so kind so efficient the whole venue is off the chain seriously cannot believe I live three blocks from here and I've never ever run across this place is so amazingand the management is so attentive they pay attention to detail they make sure everybody is doing well and the house is gorgeous FYIthere's a two hour great venue for lunch outdoor patio is amazing

    (5)

  • Comensal A.

    I have been mourning the loss of Henri since it closed, but did not get around to trying its successor, Acanto, until recently. Though Acanto is OK, I am still in mourning -- it is no Henri. I overheard a server telling an adjacent table that the owners changed the concept because it is very difficult to run a fine dining restaurant on Michigan Avenue, most notable because they weren't getting much walk-in traffic and valet parking is not allowed on this street. C'est dommage. On the plus side, Acanto features warm décor and well-trained, cordial staff. The nenu is approachable, and the food we sampled was A-OK. On the minus side, the food prices seem just a bit too high, the wine list has few choices below the mid-$40s, and the noise level is taxing (shades of its older sibling next door, The Gage). Our fare included a truly wonderful escarole soup: rich, layered flavors and perfect medium-silky texture. A roasted vegetable salad was tasty, especially if you're a balsamic fan. My companion was not thrilled with a scallop/octopus appetizer, citing it as pretty ordinary. Rigatoni with lamb ragú was bright and flavorful, the lamb uniformly tender. An orange crostata dessert was a little too bready, with too much crostata, too little orange marmalade. Cappuccino was exemplary: rich, creamy and bold. Acanto was not bad, but perhaps not good enough for the price & noise. Given the scarcity of decent dinig options in the vicinity, though, I may be back next time I'm going to Symphony Center or the Harris.

    (3)

  • Luca P.

    I dined at Acanto with a group of 5 friends. The atmosphere is cozy and welcoming, but our table was somewhat small for 6 people. Everything was incredibly disappointing about Acanto, except from the olive breadsticks. We started with a soppressata with whole bread pillows and parmesan fondue. Unfortunately I know what a soppressata is, that was not quite what it was supposed to be, but just an overly peppered salami. The whole bread pillows felt old and too crunchy (in Italy that would be a gnocco fritto, which is soft as a pillow indeed). The diver scallops and octopus were just fine. The worse came with the entrees. The apple taleggio tortellini were way too sweet. Also the lemon stuffing of the tortellini did not fit anywhere in the rest of the dish. The veal parmigiano was basically a flavorless veal thin tenderloin, which was too rare to be veal, flooded in an ocean of black sweet glaze. The side of mushroom and tomatoes was also very plain. After having tried almost 20 Italian restaurants in town I can say that this is by far the worst.

    (1)

  • Jodie L.

    My friend and I ate at Acanto last night and had the most amazing experience. The ambiance is intimate, warm, and inviting. The customer service was not only impeccable, but went above and beyond expectations. Our server was knowledgeable, friendly, and helpful. He had wine recommendations as well as offered suggestions about food. He answered every question we threw at him about the food, as we had the most difficult time deciding what to order. My friend and I shared two cheeses - Capriago and The Bomb. We were surprised with a complimentary duck egg spaghetti, which was a marvelous treat. It was an explosion of flavor - nutmeg, ginger, and so on. (My friend couldn't decide between this and the braised beef ribs.) I had the monkfish cioppino, which was delicious! I highly recommend Acanto and plan on dining there again the future.

    (5)

  • Hanne R.

    This incredible restaurant does not disappoint ever. This is my second visit. I am an excellent cook therefore I have a refined palette! I came here in June, arrived back in end of July. I have now tried several places which or rated as high as Acanto...but they do NOT compare. Indoor and outdoor seating...watch the tourist stroll by. But, the cuisine is Italian and incredible!!! Authentic, not American Italian, everything from service, atmosphere, wines, first and second courses and desserts are well worth the visit and price...if you have high standards in cuisine, visit this incredible restaurant. I will come back anytime I am in Chicago!!!

    (5)

  • Halley H.

    This has quickly become my favorite business lunch spot. The ambiance is perfect and the service is usually great. Excellent drink/cocktail selection. But the best, and my favorite, part is definitely the food. I can't get enough of the duck egg pasta and the desserts are to die for. The portion is definitely smaller than usual here, which is good if you want to try a variety of food without getting too full. Will be coming back regularly.

    (5)

  • Carol K.

    Stellar! Loved everything about our visit to Acanto, which is Billy Lawless's lastest take on the space that once housed Henri. While more casual than it's predecessor, Acanto is the perfect stop after work, before the theater or just when you are looking for some great food as you stroll down Michigan Ave or visit Millenium Park. We went for dinner about 5 weeks after they were open. The space is warm and inviting with a smallish bar up front and seating both indoors and out. We arrived on time for our reservation and were seated against the wall. Our server, Rich, was over in a second and this guy was great! Clearly a server who loves what he does and the people that he gets to take care of. He had plenty of suggestions for both wine and food and we went along with all of his suggestions. If you like trays of finely sliced meats and cheeses, you need to go with the chef's daily selection of chacuterie and cheese as it was so good as a starter, someone at our table ordered it as his entree! We also had a couple of the pizzas, the special of the day as well as the fig one and both were delicious! in addition, we had a chance to taste several of the starters from the heirloom tomato salad to the Octopus which were both good, as well as one of the pasta dishes which was the rigatoni with lamb ragu . .also quite tasty. We went with the 46oz ribeye for the table (it's listed as market price and on the night we were there is was $115 so not for the faint of wallet)This was a beautiful piece of meat full of the marbeling that makes a ribeye so tasty and they sliced it in the kitchen for us to share (it says it's for two but trust me- there is meat a plenty for 4!)Given the large portion sizes of all the food we had, we ended up taking a lot of this home for leftovers but it was good nonetheless! Loved that Billy Lawless, himself, was there talking to people at the tables (one in our group had actually seen him the night before at another one of his venues so it's clear he likes to see his customers up front and in person). He asked us what we thought and was even nice enough to buy us a round of drinks which was very unexpected but quite appreciated! If you drive- know that you can park across the street in the Grant Park parking garage (underneath the park) or around the corner at the University Club Valet ($25) All in all a great place to enjoy a casual dinner with some great food and amazing service!

    (5)

  • Kevin M.

    Had dinner at Acanto on 4/15/15 because we were looking for a decent place in that part of the loop and there isn't a ton. I'd go back in a second. Couple notes: 1) Food - solid, interesting. We had roasted salad and a Tuna app and then a pasta and the chicken marsala. Really liked it, but wasn't over the top. 2) Decor - Very nice, smart, little place with a patio. 3) Service - One of the best service experiences we've had in Chicago. I feel like there's pleasant and smart service like we had at Vie. No complaints. And there's really great service that changes the atmosphere of the place. The manager, the waitress Amanda (friendly and I can change that dish and here's the right wine for it), and even the owner who stopped by briefly. The service takes a nice place with good food into a place I'll bring people to.

    (4)

  • K Y.

    Wow! Great fresh food prepared to perfection. We dined on the chefs cheese platter. While it was a good selection, the cheeses were harder than I would have liked and just not fresh enough. For an appetizer, we dined on the chefs special of a seafood salad. Wow. This was delightful, fresh, light and an implosion of favors and textures. With each bite, I uncovered a new taste. For my main course, I had the swordfish. Um. Yum. Best swordfish I have had in a long time. Pan seared to perfection, on a bed of tomatoes, fresh herb olive oil with pillows of gnocchi delight. Our server recommended a rose wine, and boy did she nail that recommendation. We dined alfresco, and you should be warned by the crowds, traffic noise and exhaust. But I will say, the cuisine was a home run and I will be back!

    (5)

  • Ashley J.

    Great service, the décor & atmosphere were nice. Food was good. Rotisserie chicken was excellent. Filet was cooked perfectly, could have been somewhat more seasoned but overall very good. The Mac n cheese appetizer was AWESOME & a must have!

    (4)

  • Marlon C.

    Was quite disappointed with the food. One of the worst octopus appetizers I've had... the octopus was flavorless and overcooked and it was difficult to find the few, small pieces under the bread. They should rename this dish what it is... Seasoned Bread Crumbs with an Accompaniment of Octopus. The Lobster and Corn Ravioli dish was also thoroughly disappointing. For a dish that costs twice as much as many lobster rolls, I didn't expect it to be topped with less than 1/4 of the lobster of said rolls. And the Ravioli is stuffed only with sweet corn that is way too sweet and almost makes this dish more appropriately listed in the dessert section of the menu. Three of my party had this dish and were all thoroughly underwhelmed by it. Acanto was saved from 2 stars because the other dishes were good, such as the Roasted Swordfish and Duck Egg Spaghetti. The waitstaff was also excellent.

    (3)

  • Suzanne V.

    Whenever I go to the art institute, I head here afterward for dinner. It has a nice, classy atmosphere and is usually busy. The nice thing is they will take your name and number and text you when there's a table ready. One time my table took so long that they gave me complimentary Prosecco for the wait and apologized profusely. Very good customer service. Wonderful and extensive Italian wine list--from every region! Knowledgable waiters, amazing and inventive specials. I had the pizza specials twice and was not disappointed. The crust was absolutely delicious, and toppings were so fresh and authentic. My friend ordered a pasta entree and it was on the smaller side for what she paid for, but the pizza is worth the money. A bit on the pricy side, but I've never left unhappy.

    (4)

  • Cora C.

    Amazing experience at Acanto. The ambiance was classy and inviting. The server was friendly and knowledgeable. At his recommendation, I had the English Pea Pagottini and the Buffalo Trace Bourbon. Both were very nice, especially the drink.

    (5)

  • Michael C.

    Beautiful restaurant with generous portions and fair prices. The staff are also quite friendly and efficient. Food is quite tasty too!

    (4)

  • DuSable Dining Club C.

    Atmosphere: 4.75 Service: 4.75 Food:4.3 Value:3.75 Favorite Things: Pizza was outstanding, one of the best ever. Great to try the marrow, was excellent. Meatballs were outstanding. Tori Katie picked this place Katie's dress Company as always Service was great! Fish, English Pea Mint Pasta-awesome. A visit from the owner, Sommelier and Chef! Felt like VIP! Seeing Sommelier Jon again-hey we remember you! All of Molly's great ordering As always, the company! Loved the tartufo and chicken and asparagus deal. Awesome! Food was great-loved the meatballs, duck egg spaghetti and the vino Least Favorite Things: Missing the rest of the crew, especially Lindsay. The price, I am cheap. Beck was absent, Terri wasn't able to make it, where's Lindsay? JB not being here No Terri Price-a little bit much. Missed Jeff, Lindsay and Terri No Terri, Jeff and Lindsay Fun to try the marrow-now been there done that Not a fan of Olive Oil cake as much as other desserts Overall Assessment: Great space, fantastic service and food. Would totally come back-even for wine and dessert! Overall, great experience Great night, Great friends, Dinner Club Rocks! Missed JB, Terri and Lindsay. Great location I really like this place and will be back John, Chris and Tori took REALLY great care of us

    (4)

  • Dylan M.

    Honestly the best dining experience I have had in a long time. The service was top notch from the moment we walked in, each and every person we encountered aided in making this a wonderful dining experience. The eye for detail is instantly apparent from well thought out flatware and glassware to the beautiful dishware they serve each course on. I wish I could recall our waiters name to give him a shoutout because he just might have been the best server I have ever encountered. And the food was fabulous! Wonderful presentation (again I have to mention the interesting bowls and plates) and fresh flavorful ingredients carried through in each and every course. I think the intimate size of the establishment helps them make this a personalized dining experience in the hustle and bustle of Michigan avenues Grant Park. So if your in the loop for the theater or any other reason defiantly put this place on your radar! I'll be back for sure!!!

    (5)

  • FoodLover Z.

    New favorite Italian restaurant in Chicago. Acanto was perfect, right from their lovely cappuccino's to delicious entrees. We went here for brunch, and the highlights were the porchetta with egg and the chestnut and sunchoke agnolotti. We tried the hazelnut chocolate pudding for dessert, which was spectacular as well. Highly recommend this place!

    (5)

  • Alia A.

    Disappointing.. Limited menu.. No varieties.. One kind of pizza and 3 kinds of pastas!!! Expensive and tiny portions:( will never repeat!

    (1)

  • Ferron S.

    Some great hits and near hits. This restaurant gets a 3.4 star but sitting on the patio pushes it up. My wife and I ordered quite a few items so you can get the point of view. Service: perfect. I wish service was like this in Houston. The server was professional, provided a great pace to the meal and knew the menu well. Good summary: beat salad was amazing, ragu was amazing, cocktails and ginger beer were amazing. Everything else was passable and decent. Drinks: non alcoholic ginger beer was amazing. The #17 was great as well. I was expecting something more bitter, but after a few sips I realized it was better than I thought it would be. Perfect summer drink. Wine by the glass, for a $15 glass of wine it was really flat. No tannins, no florals or fruit flavor so to speak. It was dark red, that's all I can say about that. Beat salad: absolutely amazing. My wife doesn't like sweet salads, but this salad wasn't sweet. I wish I could replicate the salad. It was probably the star of the evening. Risotto: I thought it was good, wife thought it was ok. What I can say is the riot to was cooked perfectly. It was simple and the Parmesan stood out. I think it would have paired nicely with the chicken piccata. Chicken piccata: meh. I have had better at Maggianos and other places. The chicken was a tad dry and chewy. Portion size was nice because it wasn't too big but not tiny wither. Peppercorn lamb ragu: a close second to the salad. It was really good. Hearty, almost a sweet zip. Let's put it this way, we never box stuff up but we boxed this up. Finally, the house bread sticks were really good. So, would I go again - yes. Especially on a nice day. Is it a 4-star place in a city like Chicago? Not quite. I suspect there are quite a few out of towners eating here based on the location.

    (4)

  • Jim U.

    The service is outstanding just as when the place was Henri, but we were 50/50 on the food. My chicken Marsala was very good and an enormous portion. My wife's pasta was only average. We tried the foie gras which was interesting (perhaps an homage to Henri?), but thought the sliced tubes of cold meat a little 'off'. The best portion was the cheese and salami appetizer. The menu is written with the cheese selections individually priced and an option for the chefs selection of 4. The salami is listed a chefs selection. On the back of the menu there is a description of each cheese. We were going to choose several cheeses but the waitress said the chef chooses them. I'm not sure what the individual listing/prices are for then?! She did manage to get us one that we wanted to try. She also convinced us that 1 salami would be plenty along with the cheeses. This turned out to be a very good suggestion. The platter is huge, and delicious. Plenty of toast, nuts, jams, etc to fill up most people. Very extensive, Italian leaning wine list. We chose several by the glass, but I would enjoy going back to explore the wine. Overall I'm on the fence. There is nothing bad, but nothing fantastic for the $$. We will likely return as it is very convenient to Symphony Hall, but we may limit ourselves to the cheese/salami and a bottle of wine. There are many Italian restaurants but only a few French. The market dictates what exists but we'd like to see more French establishments. Henri will be missed.

    (3)

  • C M.

    SUPER-FANTASTIC SERVICE. Wonderful atmosphere and first class service. Lunch was great. Will be back!!!

    (4)

  • Brandon B.

    A new revision of this old space (previously Henri) right on the main tourist run across from Millennium Park. Along with the Gage, this represents probably the best classy bar/dinner combo in the Loop! It has the high-level service, swank, innovative menu, and all around ambience, and most importantly the food is wonderful. Prices are moderately expensive but there are some items on the menu that would get you full on a lower budget. I tried the specials: a black bean and bacon soup (which was quite large and hearty in a fun asymmetric bowl), the venison/mushroom pizza (which smelled a little stinky from the cheese but tasted just the opposite: sweet and savory), and a dessert that placed peach sorbet in a prosecco float. With breadsticks and wine as well I was stuffed! And thankfully on work.

    (5)

  • Michele K.

    Delicious combinations of unexpected flavor, pleasant wait staff and fun patio dining. eonderful!

    (4)

  • KT H.

    Great atmo, great location, great food, great drink and fabulous service. This place has it all. We were greeted by nice people at the door who offered to take our coats. Mike at the bar was so fun to chat with and he explained a little about some wine without monopolizing our conversation. We ended up ordering a bottle of that same wine with dinner - thanks, Mike! We were seated right by the window looking out at Millennium Park. Our waiter helped us select our food and answered all our questions. The food was really delish. We started with a cheese tray (chef's choice) and all of them were so good. Then I ordered the Spinach Casarecci pasta - it was yummy! I highly recommend Acanto!

    (5)

  • Dewis S.

    Outstanding food and service. Not too crowded on Sunday. We were walk-ins. Pricey but so worth it.

    (5)

  • Meredith K.

    From the greeting at the door to paying the check, this place was fantastic! We came here for our 8th anniversary. I noted that on my OpenTable reservation. When I checked in she said happy anniversary to us which I thought was cute. We were taken to the side where I sat on a comfy booth and he sat in a super comfy chair! This is rare. Usually the non-booth person has to suffer. He said he'd love to have that chair in his office! Then we got these really tasty homemade bread sticks. The waiter went over the cocktails with us but before he could come back the hostess came over w/ 2 glasses of prosecco. What a great surprise!! I had the High West which was light and was like a pisco sour. He had Tariquet which was so amazing that he got it twice! The presentation is very cool. He comes over with the glass turned over some cherry wood that's smoking. Then he pours in the cocktail and its smoky like a campfire in a good way. To start we had to try the olives. My boyfriend says they're the best he's ever had. They were fruity and had just the right amount of oil and spices. On the side was some cheese! Then we shared the beet salad. I loved the pickled apples. They were too sour for my boyfriend. It was a very nice start. Then I had the special mushroom pasta. It was savory and delicious. I could have used just a little salt with it. My boyfriend got the duck egg spaghetti which he loved. We were too full for dessert but we saw lost of great ones go by. Also the couple next to us were finishing up when we got there. I don't know what happened but when the waiter brought over the check he said it was "on us because we want you to be happy" Wow! They were eating desserts and drinking coffee so it wasn't bad enough to get up and leave. I thought that was great. Esp b/c the lady kept saying, "It smells like a wood-burning stove." when they brought over the cocktails. We will definitely be back. This place was wonderful.

    (5)

  • Thomas R.

    Very friendly service and excellent food and drink! I must admit, after studying the menu on their website I wasn't all that excited to dine here but all three courses were absolutely gorgeous in every way. Flavors and textures popped and soothed in equal measure; artichoke hearts with chanterelles and a caper aioli, a wild boar meatball pasta - perfect al dente and forte spice that somehow didn't overpower the subtle layers of flavor in the wild boar meatballs. Lastly, a potent creamy vanilla bean panna cotta with sweet/sour cherries and tiny amaretto crunchy things. Looking forward to future visits.

    (5)

  • Ally D.

    My aunt and uncle came in town and I have always heard great things about Acanto, as well as knowing the head chef, I never had the chance to check it out until my family was in town. The server who helped our table was amazing and did everything he could [and my family can be tough--they've run restaurants before] but no complaints from anyone! The food was delicious and everything came out perfectly. I will definitely be back many many times!! Hats off to a great new restaurant for Chicago!

    (5)

  • Olivia M.

    First of all--the entire staff is exceptionally well trained and shows a depth of experience not just with the restaurant's cuisine and wine offerings, but in hospitality in general. Ryan was our server. He made fantastic recommendations for our coursing and was pleasant, helpful and charming. He actually even recalled serving us some 10 months previously on the Restaurant's patio. Proprietor Billy Lawless made rounds through the dining room on a few occasions to inquire about the experiences at each table and stopped to speak with us for a few moments. He was so kind as to send a cocktail to our table for us to try (the No. 9, which is a whiskey cocktail lover's dream) after I complimented Acanto's bartender Mike, who I personally believe stirs the best drinks in Chicago. If you love a Vieux Carre--Mike makes the best I've ever tasted. We enjoyed Citrus and Fennel Salad, Beef Bolognese, Tomato and Fig Pizza and the Olive Oil gelati. Each course was phenomenal. We loved Henri (our first date was actually there) but Acanto is a much more inviting and more delicious, worthy successor. The highest compliment I can leave is that we live in a city with so many new eateries to try--but amazing food and exceptional service keeps bringing us back to Acanto.

    (5)

  • Miharu H.

    I loved the old Henri and my office is right around the corner so I jumped at a chance to host a client for lunch today. Overall, it's a very different feel from Henri but great for a lunch meeting. I thought the meat and cheese sampler plate was phenomenal. In terms of the other food, I thought it was just so so. When considering the price, I thought the portions was quite expensive but maybe I just don't understand the Italian small plates concept. I think I've been spoiled by large portions at Italian restaurants throughout Chicago. I would give it another chance for a future business meeting but I would not go out of my way to have a meal at Acanto.

    (3)

  • Nicole T.

    Ah, Acanto, the casual Italian reconcept of Henri! I was excited to taste the new menu here as I was a fan of Henri. We tasted a salad that was listed as a special. It had arugula, honey, hazlenuts and was delicious! Second, we tried the Duck Egg Spaghetti. I am in love with the duck egg pasta I tried at TWO and had similar hopes for this one. Unfortunately, this was a miss for me. I couldn't taste the duck flavor at all, and the sauce was a little too creamy. The sausage bits and rapini were highlights of this dish. Third, we tried the Suckling Pig Trio consisting of a pork shoulder, pork belly, and pastrami-like slice. The pork shoulder was very tender, much more than typical cooking. The skin on the pork shoulder is crunchy and delicious. The pork belly was my favorite (looks like a slice of pancetta)! The pastrami slice was my least favorite but it was still good. My favorite place for suckling pig is Travelle, but this does come close! The ambiance is very pleasant, and the servers were attentive. I'll definitely be back again to try more items on the menu!

    (4)

  • Linda N.

    We were great fans of Henri and saddened when Chicago lost one of too few truly classy, elegant and genteel restaurants in walking distance of Symphony Center. I can understand the owner's need to capitalize on the prime location for pedestrian customers seeking a casual dining experience: this Acanto delivered. But it is a far cry from Henri. The appetizers were varied and interesting, notably the fluke crudo, artichoke salad and beet salad were simply outstanding. I wish I could say the same for the pasta dishes that followed - I had the sunchoke and chestnut pasta with gluten free pasta. I'm accustomed to gf pasta having a much different texture than "real" pasta, but I got the impression that the kitchen didn't reqlky know how to work with buckwheat pasta. The us chokes and chestnuts made for a bland dish. Overall, meh. My husband had the gnocchi special, a Roman preparation: oversalted and several visibly burned gnocchi with lamb that was tough and overdone. A sad muddle of flavors. We finished with a nice assortment of cheeses - Acanto has a lovely selection. The only glitch for this course was that the server who brought them to the table completely gave us descriptions of totally different cheeses than what was on the plate (Diego, or server, assured us that these were the ones we had selected). John, the wine director, is fantastic - he was helpful, knowledgable about the extensive and interesting wine list and was able to suggest suitable choices from just a few descriptive adjectives. Diego, our server, was attentive very helpful and helped us make choices, given various allergies and restrictions, and was genuinely interested in our feedback about our selections. Unfortunately some of the staff failed to understand the basics of customer service and are unqualified in a restaurant of any quality. The location is great and convenient - might go back for wine/cheese before or after the CSO of Grant Park Symphony, but would probably make another choice for a dinner date,

    (2)

  • Brandi B.

    This was the first five stars that I have given to a restaurant, which is a compliment because I live in THE city of amazing restaurants. The service here was excellent, starting with the warm greeting when I walked in, to the drink recommendation from the charming owner, to the attentive and polite service from bartender Mike. The owner told us that the goal of this concept was to make a more welcoming place as compared to the previous Henri. I think he did accomplish this, though the prices aren't necessarily welcoming for all. This is a $$$ spot, so not the place you'd just drop into after a day in Millennium Park. However, it was defintely worth the extra penny, and I'd for sure go back. The food was very delicious. The roasted artichokes tasted like potatoes! The bone marrow was warm and decadent, and the swordfish was well balanced.

    (5)

  • Kelly C.

    Had the best dinner tonight . The waiter did everything he could to find the best wine for us as my companion had very specific tastes . We started with the roasted vegetable salad which was so tasty. We both ordered the bone in chicken marsala which had the most flavorful sauce and the chicken was done to perfection. I don't normally order chicken out but I'm so glad I did. All in all a perfect meal with the perfect service in the perfect atmosphere. Loved it.

    (5)

  • Jason H.

    Acanto seemed like a good place to grab a bite before watching Neil deGrasse Tyson speak (he was awesome) at the Chicago Auditorium Theater due to its proximity to the venue and a few positive reviews I had read. The proximity to the venue was the only value added that Acanto offered. The space is neat, but - especially at these Michigan Avenue prices - the food just wasn't very good: * The chef's selection of cheeses offered way more non-cheese than cheese; * The monkfish in the monkfish cioppino was well overcooked, and the broth best described as odd, with a cinnamony finish; * The wild boar meatball was extremely dense and without any distinction from a more traditional meatball; * The spinach casarecci tasted of just tomato acid - not spinach in the pasta or tomato flavor. A rational diner might come back and give Acanto another shot. But not at these prices and with these kinds of mistakes. Grade: C-

    (2)

  • Teresa Y.

    I made a reservation for a team dinner here after seeing all the reviews. We were 11 and part of the group were foreigners. The dinner went well until the check came and there were 2 extra meals and 2 extra deserts added. It is hard not to believe that this was done on purpose. Shame on you Acanto

    (1)

  • Ali C.

    What a great restaurant in a convenient location right across from the Art Institute. We had the grilled scallops and octopus, the pizza and the gelato, all of which was superior and outstanding. The whole place has been renovated so the atmosphere is lively, cheerful and energetic. Definitely my choice for dining in the loop.

    (5)

  • Jules D.

    Let me say right up front that they lost one star because the busboy not only split and packed our leftover pizza and olives, he put the pits in the container! That's a first. Don't want to say it's the last time we'll go, but yikes, I dunno. (We actually tried to tell him to put all of the olives in one container, but he rushed off.) There was a nice variety of olives, most with pits--good, but nothing to take home about. They're served with pecorino--assuming it was the fresh, non-aged one, so could have used a bit of honey or mostarda. Salad with treviso, pancetta, pine nuts, raisins and shaved parm was also good--brightened by a lemon vinaigrette. Pizza topped with fresh figs, prosciutto, yellow tomatoes and arugula was very tasty, that is, the toppings were, the dough was much better reheated in my non-stick skillet so it got crispy. The rest of the service was good--glass with complimentary carbonated water was kept filled, thank you. The wine list is long and varied (with some $$$ bottles). They haven't been opened that long, maybe we'll give them a chance to work out the kinks and stop back.

    (3)

  • Douglas K.

    Thoroughly enjoyed my meal at Acanto. What a beautiful interior! The service was swift and attentive. I ordered the Mission Fig and Goat Cheese Bruschetta. It had a milder taste than I was expecting, but it was still quite good. For the entree I had the Special, Misto di Pesce (assorted seafoods in a pesto sauce.) if I had been very hungry it might not have been enough, but as it was, it was exquisite , and just the right amount. I was very satisfied. Will definitely return!

    (5)

  • Lila W.

    Ordered off of the menu due to dietary restrictions. To me, the mark of a good establishment is taking the ordinary and making it extraordinary. Unfortunately, this is where Acanto failed. I asked for a green salad with only vegetables in it minus tomatoes. I was brought a bowl of lettuce. Nothing else. Really? You can't be more creative? Second, I asked for the chicken Marsala without the Marsala sauce. In other words, just roasted chicken. The chicken tasted gamey and not fresh. It looked pale in color and unappetizing. No wonder they drown it in sauce! No salt or pepper on the tables which surprised me as the dishes were very bland and could use some. A good restaurant should be able to take special requests and make it taste/look good. Not coming back.

    (2)

  • J P.

    Best veal parm I have ever had... Fantastic service .. If in Chicago and you must stop in for a bite

    (5)

  • Ab A.

    Was very disappointed in the food. Service was great. The special pasta of the night was a crab carbonara. it was one of the more bland tasteless dishes i have tried in quite some time. We also had the pasta bolognese. It was so dry it seemed as if we were eating thin slices of jerky. Will not return any time soon.

    (1)

  • Maximillian M.

    Had an off-menu daily special of spinach cassarecci with blue crab meat, six mussels, peppers, basil, in a white wine sauce. Fancy meal! In hindsight, I should've asked for some bread to sop up some of that delicious sauce. Also had a beer from (I think) New Holland, an IPA. Great service, nice restaurant.

    (4)

  • Sam S.

    This place is overpriced, and the food was decent. Head to the Gage!

    (2)

  • Alfred T.

    Meh. Overpriced Italian food. My pasta was devoid of salt. I'll take Anteprima any day. Miss Henri!

    (2)

  • Teri A.

    We had the most enjoyable time here Tues evening Food was delicious, fresh interesting take on modern Italian Service was spot on, attentive but not hovering Pretty room and comfy seats and tables We will def go back!

    (5)

  • Kang W.

    First time visit the restaurant, small and cozy place on Michigan ave. We got a window side table facing Michigan and the park, which is really nice. The duck egg pasta is delicious. The roasted vegetable salad is also good. We also had a chocolate cake with ice cream in it. All fantastic

    (5)

  • Mike W.

    Nice place, but generally a disappointment at this price point. For high priced Italian, I'll stick with Piccolo Sogno. More of cafe atmosphere than fine dining, service was mediocre, and the food wasn't good enough to make me want to return in light of the overall experience. Small portions, limited menu for main courses. Not worth the money, at least for someone who eats out at this price point every couple months.

    (2)

  • Ted B.

    An absolutely superb experience from beginning to end. The attention to detail from service staff was such a treat! A friend and I had reservations for dinner last night. I arrived early and decided to have a drink at the bar while I waited for my date. The barkeep ran a very clean and organized operation, continuously moving, rearranging, and preparing his station. He was also very friendly and it was a pleasure watching him work. Also, the hostess was very kind, thanks! We were seated at a nice table in the small dining room and seemed to be in good hands with our server (didn't catch her name). She was friendly, charming, and struck the perfect balance of attentive and engaging without being too... much! My friend and I shared the heirloom tomato salad, pizza special of the day, and the whole trout. The salad was seasoned perfectly, I cannot emphasize this enough. I love salads but so often I order a beautiful salad only to have it served with a weak, boring, or underwhelming dressing. This salad had it all and we both agreed it was the highlight of the meal! Pizza was very good, though there was a bit of a raw garlic taste on the crust that we didn't care for. The deboned whole trout was beautiful and cooked perfectly but we both agreed it needed more acid. I imagine it's difficult to create a fine dining experience in a location like Acanto... it's such a tourist heavy area. They have absolutely exceeded my expectations for dinner and I look forward to returning soon. One note, I used the valet service offered around the corner at the University Club on Monroe. I wish someone at the restaurant would have asked us if we had used the service, as there was some confusion when it was time to get my car. I had to double back to the restaurant and pay the $25 (!) before returning to the valet stand. Slightly annoying but nothing serious. Congratulations to the staff at Acanto!

    (5)

  • Nick R.

    One of Our Absolute Favs for Italian! Finally, a new restaurant that has its act together from the start! Acanto has a lovely bar area and a small charming dining room with comfy leather chairs, wooden tables, and angular chandlers make the ambience both elegant and romantic. Tastefully done on the decor! The wine list is exhaustive with options from all over Italy~ even the remote regions. Food scores a "10" with what the server described as "playful Italian". We had Octopus with fig, pheasant, and homemade rigatoni with lamb ragu. There are several cheese and salamis from which to pick. The chalk board hosts the pizza of the day, and fresh white truffles from Alba can be added to any dish for $30. If you like the Gage, you will love Acanto! It's the Italian counterpart.

    (5)

  • Kath W.

    A business colleague and I had a great dinner last night at Acanto. It was a first visit for both of us since the changeover from the excellent Henri, and we were immediately appreciative of the warm, inviting new decor. Despite being a rainy Tuesday evening, the place was packed. Our server was very attentive and helpful in answering questions about the menu and specials. We had the beet salad, the daily special salad, the whole rainbow trout and the daily special pasta dish, and all were delicious. The portions were nicely sized, presented artfully on what seemed to be custom dishes, and arrived promptly. As were enjoying the last of our wine, the owner stopped by our table to say hello. It was fun to chat with him about the new concept and decor. All in all, a great dining experience. On a side note, I thought the valet service around the corner at the University Club was a nice alternative to parking alone at night in the Grant Park garage.

    (4)

  • Alicia S.

    We loved Henri but Acanto has replaced it with great style. I have been twice in a week and both times have been so impressed. Not only is the food truly outstanding, interesting and beautifully presented but the staff are all brilliant as well. One night Tony was our server and he really made our meal such a fun event. He suggested perfect wines to accompany our meals and was so personable and helpful. Look forward to going again with friends and family.

    (4)

  • E J.

    This is a review only of the cocktails! Met a friend here around 5:30 PM for drinks. The cocktails were lovely, well-thought out, and the server was super-friendly! Appreciated the free breadsticks too. The only down-side was the cost of the cocktails ($13) but considering it is in the Loop, I am guessing they need those couple extra dollars to pay their rent. :-) Would definitely come back after a visit to the Art Institute, or before a performance in the area.

    (4)

  • Armando M.

    It's a nice place for a fine dinner. My wife and I reserved a table at this restaurant before heading to the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and both of us left with a positive experience. My Baked Clams and Apple Taleggio Tortellini were tasty and delicate at the same time; well balanced the mix of the ingredients. My wife had Beet Salad and Escarole Soup, both very good. Probably the soup was just a little bit too peppery. The espresso coffe was good as well my Affogato (espresso with vanilla gelato). The wine (Pinot Grigio) was good even if, in my opinion, the quantity served per glass was a little bit less than expected. The service was professional and courteous from the moment we arrived until we left. We always prefer quality over quantity and I think that Acanto eventually gave us a good reason to go back again.

    (5)

  • Teresa D.

    Everything we had was wonderful. Two of my friends and I stumbled upon this restaurant and we each ordered a pasta dish and then tasted each other. All were wonderful. Do not skip the cookie plate..it sounds simple but it was just enough

    (5)

  • Keith S.

    I really liked Acanto and will return. Partner and I dined here about 5 weeks after its opening. The atmosphere and design are very nice. The food -- with one exception -- was excellent. For a starter I had the polenta, which was awesome. Partner had a crudo, which was sent back because it tasted oddly fishy (this was the one exception). The highlights were the pastas...both were excellent and on a par with Balena. Both had scoops of gelato for a little dessert, which were fine. Very nice overall.

    (4)

  • Bill R.

    It sure doesn't feel like a restaurant open for just a few weeks. Truth be told, there is probably a lot of staff retuning from Henri. For me, this was all about the details, for a busy Saturday night, they missed nothing! First up: the wine list. I find wines from Italy and Spain to be very intimidating, mostly because there are so many grapes and regions. Besides a huge selection from every nook and cranny of Italy, the descriptions on the list were very inviting. I saw some diners that evening going BYOB with what looked to be a bottle of Silver Oak. Really? That's just insulting to some folks that obviously worked very hard assembling this list. More details: The food. There were some unpublished little surprises in every dish. The Cantaloupe and Prosciutto dish had little, pigmy cucumbers which I had never seen before. Nice touch. The Sweet Corn Angnolotti was a flavor explosion in your mouth. The Black Peppercorn Rigatoni had a lamb ragout that would make you think your were dining in Bologna. Even more details: Terrific table presence. Also it turns out the serving bowls are custom made and a work of art in themselves. Are these necessary, not really. Again, there was a lot of thought into the service experience in addition to the food & wine. One other thought on table presence. The owner strolls the room and engages with the dining public. OK, who does that anymore? When was the last time Rich Melman every wandered up to your table to thank you for dining with him? Maybe 1971 at Grunts. When he stopped by, we were on our first course, which we politely took a short break to converse. In a lot of other dining universes, this would have not stopped the kitchen from selling our second course, leaving us with both and partially completed first course and a soon to be cold second course. This didn't happen. We were giving enough time to comfortably finish course one, before the next course was delivered. This, my friends, was not a coincidence. This is a food, beverage & service gem.

    (5)

  • Kate C.

    Amazing food. Great for wheat/gluten allergies. Staff wsa very knowledgable.

    (5)

  • Clara G.

    duck egg spaghetti extremely tasty! though a bit more of pasta wouldn't hurt!cheesenut ravioli also really original!really pleasant service!fast to serve and originality,taste, and quality of the food is fair with its prices!

    (4)

  • Rick M.

    What a gem! It so nice and cozy in there; the staff also does a great job at making you feel nice and cozy. This place impressed me in several ways. The menu had a nice variety of choices; from a few interesting things in the chalkboard menu of specials to old standards for the less adventuresome. The wine list was quite extensive, considering that this is a tiny restaurant (compared to her big brother next door, The Gage). I was very impressed that the busboy cleared the silverware and brought new ones after the first course without having to ask for new (the devil is ALWAYS in the details). But what impressed me the most, and this is really when my hat came off, is when the wine arrived; the waiter decanted it for us! It wasn't even an expensive bottle of wine. Wow. I've been to much fancier restaurants with big name chefs and I've never had my wine decanted. The owner also came and mingled with the customers; it's a nice touch and it doesn't hurt that he's drop dead HOT.

    (5)

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Map

Opening Hours

  • Mon :11:00 am - 10

Specialities

  • Takes Reservations : Yes
    Delivery : No
    Take-out : Yes
    Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
    Good For : Dinner
    Bike Parking : Yes
    Good for Kids : No
    Good for Groups : Yes
    Attire : Casual
    Ambience : Classy
    Noise Level : Average
    Good For Dancing : No
    Alcohol : Full Bar
    Happy Hour : No
    Outdoor Seating : Yes
    Wi-Fi : No
    Has TV : No
    Waiter Service : Yes

Categories

Italian Cuisine

The immense popularity of Italian cuisine globally isn't unknown. You can find an Italian Pizzeria around every corner of almost every city in the United States. Not to forget that in every house, people enjoy mac and cheese as comfort food. But it would be wrong to believe that Italian food starts with pizza and ends with good pasta as this Mediterranean country has much more to offer other than these two dishes. In Italian Cuisine, there is a high use of fresh tomatoes, all kinds of herbs, great quality of cheese, all types of meat, seafood and fresh handmade pasta. Many find it hard to believe that Italians have been making noodles long back.

Italian and Greek cuisines are always mistaken to be same, but they are poles apart. The primary difference between the two cuisines is the use of cheese in most of the Italian dishes. Italians love to cultivate their own cheese and process them as per their food requirement. It is believed that some cheese is so expensive that cheese producers secure them in lockers.

If you are bored eating the same old pasta or pizza, you can try some of the authentic Italian dishes like Risotto, Polenta, Ribollita, Lasagna, Fiorentina Steak, Bottarga, Ossobuco, Carbonara, Focaccia, Arancini and Supplì. Another item which Italians love to relish every morning is a good cup of Italian Coffee. Once you taste a freshly brewed cup of Italian Coffee, you might not visit Starbucks ever again. Authentic Italian food is made with heart and soul, so go find a restaurant where you can relish Italian cuisine in your city.

Acanto

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