Antico
1946 N Leavitt St, Chicago, IL, 60647
Antico Menu
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Address :
1946 N Leavitt St
Chicago, IL, 60647 - Phone (773) 489-4895
- Website https://www.anticochicago.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Tue
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Intimate, Romantic
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
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.
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Scott B.
Found this place by accident. It is off the main street and is an excellent Italian restaurant. I had the bone in ribeye and it was one of the best ribeyes I have ever had, The waiter could have been a little more attentive, but that was OK. Highly recommended and we will go back.
(5)Shalini P.
We love this place! The food is fantastic and the service is always friendly, consistent and efficient. This is our go-to neighborhood joint for out-of-town company, special occasions or almost any other "we want a special meal but don't want to drive." The gnocchi is delicious, particularly with sage/brown butter.
(5)Taylor W.
Great service, great food, small portions, expensive.
(3)Mike K.
The bone-in ribeye (bisteca) for 2 we had at Antico absolutely blew away any ribeye I've ever had at a downtown steakhouse (which I find fatty beyond my ability or desire to chew or eat). This one was tender, juicy, and an awesome salt crust. Just spectacular. And for 2 people, all of $28 per mouth. Oh yeah, and the pastas and wine list and staff are all outstanding. This place is just a winner.
(5)Kaaren S.
We live 2 blocks from Antico and anxiously awaited its opening. We walked in on a Saturday night, and were happy to see the place is already bustling (note: reservations recommended especially for a Sat night). They were good enough to accommodate us, though. We had a special grilled octopus salad, clams with house-made spaghetti, short ribs over polenta and the fish of the day: grouper. Everything we had was incredibly fresh and tasty. For dessert, the chocolate tart and the "Italian donut/pastry" dessert were phenomenal, with truly great cappuccino. They have a diverse Italian wine selection as well, which the manager/host was helpful to walk us through. Wait staff was well-versed on the details of the menu and provided super friendly service. A comfortable, lovely place with delicious food - we cannot wait to return.
(5)D M.
We went on a Sunday night and the restaurant was quiet- maybe one or two couples. The Short rib appetizer was just okay but the Fig-mozzarella salad was delicious. Lamb chops were good but the Risotto special was watery and just okay. Sides: sauteed greens- excellent, sweet potato soufflé contained big chunks of cooked egg and gooey egg--not good. Gelato was very tasty. Wine list- All the Amarone wines listed were unavailable, despite being listed as as a braising ingredient for the ribs. Hmmmm. The service was awesome though and the ambiance was romantic. We would give the restaurant one more shot.
(3)Reas B.
A perfect neighborhood restaurant. Everything I've eaten there over two dinners has been excellent, excellent service, great space (both inside and the outdoor patio in back), and reasonable price for the quality. Entrees can get expensive -- in the $30-$40 range -- but can be split, and there are good number of tasty wines in the $30 range.
(5)Bob S.
Having recently moved to Chicago after living in a fairly rural area with few restaurants to choose from, I love exploring my neighborhood restaurants. Antico is definitely a find, which I hope everyone will seek out! It is a cozy restaurant with such a warm and comfortable feel, yet it felt contemporary and fresh. The real find is the food. The pasta was excellent and the ribeye perfect! The service was unobtrusive but always on cue without a nod or line from us.I highly recommend Antico!
(5)Blue S.
I ordered the risotto and it was heaven in my mouth! All food ordered at our table got two thumbs up and we were delighted with the cozy atmosphere and friendly service. We'll be back for more!!
(5)Tony T.
Antico is a very promising up and comer in Bucktown -- a neighborhood lacking in solid Italian fare. We dropped in and found the room cozy but crowded. The server was very slow getting to us but the owner jumped in and took care of us. I was heartbroken that they had run out of short-ribs, but our substitutions were quite good. Gnocchi with burnt butter and sage, a delightful chilled salad of asparagus tips and fava beans, and rib eye with marrow bone. All were quite good but I was disappointed at the lack of bone marrow with my steak. As a huge fan of marrow bone, I would like to see that as a free-standing app on the menu. The staff was warm and accommodating and I plan on returning soon!
(4)Timothy L.
Wow! Wow! Wow! I live in the neighborhood and I would have never found this place unless I walked by. A hidden gem of Bucktown, Antico is one of my top 3 favorite restaurants. The braised short rib was exquisite. It's so easy for a chef to take this dish for granted and ruin it, but Antico takes special pride in its food. Mmm...and the risotto is perfect. It's a very small place. Each time I went without a reservation and had to wait in the tiny 3 seat bar, so Indefinitely recommend calling ahead for reservations. But trust me, any wait is well worth it!
(5)Jessica C.
I know... pasta is indulgent, safe, and overdone. In addition, gnocchi is the "fair food" of pasta, so it's really at the bottom of my list. But when I find a place that boasts about their homemade pasta, I'll splurge. The waiter suggested I try the sage buttered gnocchi... mmmmmm. I have to admit it enlightened me. I am officially a pasta lover and a gnocchi obsessor. I don't think they should call it gnocchi, it's deceiving!!! Maybe "little puffs of heaven" would work better.
(5)Sarah G.
We ate at Antico last night to celebrate fiancé's birthday. What a fun evening! The GREAT stuff: The food. The food. The FOOD!!!!! The pasta is made in-house, and it is exquisite! Here's what we ordered-- Truffled Duck & Chicken Liver Crostini. So velvety, light and mild. Made me laugh... since I enjoyed eating påté, I'm officially an adult. Oh well... Gnocchi with the sage butter sauce. Little puffy pillows, lighter than air. We got a double portion, and we wanted MORE! Refill please? I was a bit gauche, and got a pasta for my entrée. Tagliatelle Bolognese was life-changing. Again, we got the double portion size. Homemade tagliatelle was tissue-paper thin and the bolognese sauce was perfection. I can't wait to eat the leftovers for lunch today! Fiancé ordered Braised Short Ribs with Saffron Polenta & Horseradish Gremolata for his entrée, which I promptly stole as much as possible. The short ribs were extremely tender, they melted in your mouth. We wanted a refill on this dish too! The other stuff: It was LOUD. Not a good pace for a first date or heavy conversation. They forgot the polenta I ordered...but on the 'plus' side, we weren't charged for it. The knives were weird. (To quote fiancé.) We can't wait to go back to Antico. You should go too!
(4)Justin T.
One of the best meals we have had in Chicago! Undoubtably surpasses Piccolo Songa and the other old school establishments that have had a foothold on the Italian scene for years. The wait staff are not only knowledgable but more accommodating than any we have encountered in the city -- with a kitchen that is willing to go the extra mile to make sure the food is....perfect! Can't wait for our next visit!
(5)Paul T.
The Tagliatelle Bolognese make me wish I were bulemic just so I could keep ordering it over and over and over. Damn you stomach!
(5)chris c.
Stopped in here for cup of coffee and a couple pastries with the gf. The croissant was very well done, a good crust and light and flaky inside. The chocolate croissant was very good as well. The muffin was a little dry but still with good flavor. The coffee is house roasted and well done even if it is a little lighter of a roast than I normally prefer. I wish I could do half stars as this place is a 3.5 but as this is in the neighborhood it will have chances to raise the score later.
(3)NRyan K.
Pasta, arugula salad, everything with fig divine. Wine also excellent. Strawberry rhubarb with vanilla gelato yum!
(4)Nicolas H.
A welcome addition to the neighborhood indeed. We sat on the patio, so can't really comment much about the atmosphere except it felt great to be eating outside. Our server was very helpful and attentive especially with the wine selection as she was knowledgeable and helped us make a perfect choice. As for food we started with a couple of the salads (the beet and the fennel). Both were very good but the beet was my favorite. For mains we had the gnocchi (with sage and copious amounts of oil) and the pesce which happened to be salmon. The gnocchi was great but they might have gone a little overboard on the oil. The salmon was good as well, but I think the gnocchi stole the show. For dessert we finished with the doughnuts which were decent but seemed to be missing some kind of sauce (I would have preferred chocolate...
(4)Magglio M.
As we all know, there are many options in Chicago. We wanted to try this place and we did on a Sunday night since we had a gift certificate to the place. To summarize, the place tries real hard to be a high-end dining experience meaning it is expensive and the server explained the dishes in an elaborate manner. Our opinion is that it was overpriced and underwhelming. The risotto milanese literally tasted like rice a roni. The gnocchi was good but again, there are many better options in Chicago. The pastas on the menu are not main entrees rather (since this is a high-end experience) they are "second courses" on your way to a main entree. Not impressed. Ohhh and if you have a Restaurant.com gift card be prepared to feel like the biggest a** hole. We gave the server the gift card for $25 and then a credit card for the rest of the bill and watched the two servers try to figure out the gift card and call the number to make sure it was valid. Really don't you think if we were trying to pull some kind of scam it would be a $100 gift card not $25?!?!?!?! I even witnessed one of the servers slam down the phone because he couldn't get through. This alone makes me and my wife not want to go back there. NOTE TO RESTAURANT: don't be on Restaurant.com if you're going to make your guests feel like losers for using a giftcard
(1)Allison W.
We ate here last Friday for Valentine's Day since we've live in the neighborhood and kept hearing great things. We couldn't have been more impressed! The service was outstanding- we were seated immediately at a table of our choosing and the waiter was incredibly knowledgeable about the food preparation, pairings and wines. We relied on his recommendations the entire way through the meal- from wine to appetizers to pastas and entrees, and he definitely did right by us. The gnocchi is hands-down the best I've ever had (get the one prepared with sage, butter, parmesan) and I will probably just order two of them as my entree next time. My boyfriend and I split the bone-in rib-eye for 2 and we had plenty to take home. Also, he wanted his rare and me medium-rare, so they carved up the meat such that he got the red center and I got the outside pieces that were cooked medium-rare. It was perfect.
(5)Allison C.
Antico's food and service deserve a 5. It was an incredible meal. But it gets a 4 overall because it is kind of pricey for the portions that you get. My husband and I shared everything. We started with fig caprese salad. The juicy fig went nicely with subtle buffala mozzarella. Then we had fried cuttlefish, sort of like calamari. They had 2 fried lemon slices, which were very interesting. Our pasta dish was homemade gnocchi with bolognese. The bolognese was rich and flavorful. On the side, we had kale and cabbage salad. For dessert, we shared vanilla bean gelato with toasted hazelnuts on top. Yum! The pasta is made from scratch, and many herbs are hand grown and picked from the garden in the back. We sat outside, in a romantic walled patio with herbs growing all around. We had a great time, and a delicious meal. The price to portion ratio keeps it at a 4. An hour later, we needed a light snack. I'm sure that if you order a heavier meat dish, you're more full. But the food was great.
(4)Tony C.
This restaurant was fantastic. From the Fennel salad onto the pasta course and into the meat dishes every plate that came out was a perfect blend of subtlety and flavor. We will be back again very very soon.
(5)Tom P.
Delicious fresh northern Italian food. Menu is short but diverse. We had the antipasti cured meats, the caprese salad, the tagliatelle, the gnocchi, egg yolk risotto, the fresh fish (wild salmon), which came with a very interesting smoked potato, the veal milanese, and a couple orders of parmesean gratin. All of it was delicious. The portions were somewhat small for the price (hence 4 stars instead of 5). The total bill for 4 (not including alcohol) was about $135 (not including tip). Overall, it was a great experience in a quiet, rustic, intimate atmosphere. Can't wait to return in the summer and enjoy their outdoor patio "al fresco" style. Truly a hidden gem in Bucktown. Also, check out Restaurant.com - gift certificates are currently available for this place.
(4)Chris D.
Absolutely love this place. The food is to die for! Bone in Ribeye rocks!! Service is very appropriate for a restaurant of this caliber. Small place, yes, but they don't need to be bigger to try to impress folks who only are ambiance hounds. Keep rocking Antico!!!
(5)Kara V.
I absolutely adore A Tavola, so maybe my expectations were a bit too high... And perhaps the high prices and tiny portions added to the very underwhelmed aftertaste I am currently experiencing. Still, as much as I want to excuse Antico into a higher rating, my disappointment gets in the way. Appetizers were good and would have bordered on great if I had had more than 2 small bites (there were 5 of us, and the portions are humorously small). Entrees were very meh. Desserts were good - very simple, but good. What we had: APPETIZERS - Scallops (good), Whole wheat pasta with mushrooms (pretty good), Gnocchi (pretty great as this is what they are known for). My brother had the Summer Salad, which was very small - nearing insultingly small, especially after the waitress had asked if that was going to be his entree. Overall, expect to be happy with the apps. ENTREE Grouper: the fish was somewhat flavorless, and the very thin asparagus and ONE baby red potato had an odd charcoal flavor that is better reserved for meat. The flavors really did not work on the sides and weren't developed enough in the fish. Short ribs: the meat was again, underwhelming. Yes, short ribs are always at least good, but these were quite forgettable. The polenta on the side could make a person not like polenta. It just tasted strange. DESSERTS Panna cotta: Simple, pretty good, nothing inventive. Chocolate torta: I'm not a big chocolate fan, but the rest of the table really liked this. My brother had the Zeppole - warm beignets. He liked them. The bills was $270 for 5 people who didn't drink anything but tap water, and most of whom were not full. The only thing on the menu I will think about again is the gnocchi, but I can always have them at A Tavola paired with better options. 3 stars for the type of restaurant it is, 4 stars if I am comparing it to something like White Castle (which isn't fair because I've never been, but I can imagine the awfulness).
(3)Mike R.
We had a pretty amazing meal here last night. We contacted the manager prior because we were going to be a large group (13) on NYE. The meal was to celebrate my brother's 40th birthday, and since he is a restaurant owner, we were hoping for something special. The chef put together a family-style 3-course meal that was quite easily the best food I've had at any restaurant this year, and I am a very persnickety foodie who eats out for dinner around 3x a week. The meal started with some apps: an arugula salad, rice clams in a garlic wine sauce, and homemade sausage. All three appetizer dishes were spectacular. The second course was pasta, and we were served gnocchi in a brown butter sauce with fried sage, and a pappardelle with boar sauce (I think it was boar, but that would be my best guess based on classic Italian fare). The gnocchi was easily the best I've had anywhere, including Italy. The pappardelle was likewise fresh and full of flavor. Just when we thought the meal was over, our final course came out: one dish was a lightly fried white fish with braised mustard greens and roast potatoes. The greens were a perfect complement to the light fish, and they were braised perfectly to allow the flavor and the crunch to come through. Finally, they prepared a short rib braised in bourbon, which was particular to my brother who is from Kentucky. From start to finish, it was an amazing meal. The service was attentive and friendly, and the atmosphere was exciting. I can't say enough positive things about this experience. I hope you are able to try it out soon. This place deserves more attention, and i gladly hand it the award for best Italian in the city, which was previously held by Riccardo (which is fabulous in its own right).
(5)Christine D.
This is just down the street from us so we've been there a few times and have always had a great experience. Last time we took friends of ours and they also really loved it. Everything tastes so fresh and perfectly done.
(5)Ceal P.
i can't but give this place 5 stars! not the best meal ever, but its 5 stars for executing it's intention in a fantastic way. it's meant to be a neighborhood restaurant that serves awesome food, at a great price. simple. the space is small, which makes it perfect to get to if you're walking down the street for a nice meal anytime. the service is attentive and friendly. the wine list is extensive. hits: - mussel & clam appetizer: came with a great sauce and flanked with pieces of pancetta. not heavy although sauce appeared to have some cream in it - chicken liver/duck liver and truffle spread with crostini: DELICIOUS! oh man is this stuff good. a very generous portion. if you love pate, GET THIS! - tagliatelle bolognese: all of their pasta is made in house, great dish, perfectly seasoned and perfectly portioned - rib eye with bone marrow: got a very generous portion of bone marrow perfectly done and paired with a well cooked and again generous portion of rib eye steak. for $28! can't get better. - kale and mushroom sides were great additions. no misses. had a glass of rosso from italy, went perfectly with the steak. they are open during the day for coffee and pastries. the server implied they're open during the day to be part of the neighborhood, so great! love this addition. don't wanna spread the word because i won't be able to get a reservation, but even without my word, they seem to be doing great!
(5)Michele S.
Since Antico opened last week, my husband and I have been there three times - twice for dinner and once for morning coffee. Antico is exactly what the Bucktown neighborhood needed - a reasonabley priced, unpretencious place to get outstanding food and service. The menu is perfectly appointed with just enough options to meet many types of dietary preferences/requirements, but not so large that you feel overwhelmed. The coffee is out of this world, and the desserts are simply divine. If you decide to go (which, I highly recommend) and you are a chicken lover (which, I TOTALLY am) you must, must, must get the roast chicken. It is easily the best I've ever had. The service is impecible and the ambiance is simple and pure. A jaunt to Antico will leave you wanting more - of that I have no doubt. Hope to see you there!
(5)Vlad T.
Went here during the week for dinner with my wife. Had appetizers, some pasta - all were good. But gnocchi with sage and brown butter - superb!!!! May not sound as good to some when reading a menu, but its worth it to come here just for this!!! Wow! As far as service - I thought it was just OK. Place was full and only two waiters and a bartender (all very nice though). This place has a neighborhood feel to it, quiet, casual, more of a cold weekday type thing with the significant other and/or a friend or two for a great conversation and food as I see it.
(4)Haydee N.
I absolutely loved this place!!! The portions are small but perfect for trying several things. We started with scallops, they were perfectly seared. We had the nocchi since it was the specialty and it's probably the best I ever had. We finished with the filet mignon and it was very tender and flavorful. I would skip the desert, the chocolate cake was too rich.
(5)Joe S.
Simple dining room and simple menu...not a lot of decisions to be made. Nice place.
(3)janice m.
When a restaurant advertises home made gnocchi, honey, I am there. One of my favorite dishes since I was a kid, gnocchi is the ultimate comfort food. We tasted two different kinds, and got to say I preferred the brown butter and sage sauce over the pomodore, but they both were quite good. The short ribs were fantastic, and the arugula salad was fresh and spicy with sweet tomatoes and shaved parmagiana. Our servers were attentive, and although noisy and a little cramped we had a great time. Will be planning to go back just for dessert very soon!
(4)Sarah D.
The sage butter gnocchi was awesome! Was as good as what I had in Italy. I can't wait to go back. Great outdoor seating. Beautiful!
(4)Risa J.
I really enjoyed the gnocchi to start and then the braised short ribs. So flavorful and cooked perfectly. What a great meal! The service was really good as well, although a little slow. It was nice to not feel rushed though. I will definitely be going back!
(4)Trey S.
Great food, service and atmosphere. Upscale Italian with some fun and interesting combinations (blueberry risotto). Everything was delicious and fairly priced. The weather was not great so we weren't able to take advantage of the really neat back patio, next time...
(4)Henry S.
It is always a welcome addition to the Chicago restaurant scene when another small, neighborhood restaurant doing food from heart and soul opens... Antico is tiny. 10 4-top tables, and 2 booths. A tiny bar with no space for waiting. There is a very welcoming patio bench and table setup out front. Right now though, one would need a brolly and mac out there braving the elements. The menu is small, but there are specials galore. On this visit, we felt lucky having our table waiting when we walked in 10 minutes earlier than our booking time. Seafood specials galore. To start, we decided on the Cuttlefish Fritti, and a special of Chitarra with Octopus. The fried cuttlefish, and specially the fried lemon slices, hinted at promises of sunnier days. I found it a tad over-salted though, and the breading too thick. The pasta, on the other hand, was perfect. Soft textured, with a nice bite. Small slices of octopus punctuated by garlicky oil. We were sharing the starters. When the food runner came, he plopped down one dish each in front of us. We waited a bit to get someone's attention to get plates. 3 quarters of the way through the starters, the silverware for our entrees were laid down. A few moments later, our entrees came. The entrees: Lamb Loin Chops with Parmigiano Gratin, and a special of Veal Chop Milanese. The lamb was very well seasoned. There were minor temperature differences between the 2 chops, but that's nothing major. The gratin was one of the most delicious potato dishes I've had. The texture and flavor was just spot on. All night, you could hear pounding coming from the kitchen for the Milanese. A minor annoyance when I was rewarded with a giant flat piece of fried meat larger than the dinner plate. The large bone attached added to the Flintstone mood. A whole mess of arugula and grape tomatoes covered most of the meat. This was heaven on a platter. It reminded me of a similar dish I've had in Florence called Orecchia di Elefante (yes, elephant ears!). The traditional breading was crispy and flavorful. The subtly sweet dressing on the salad was a nice tie-in and counterpoint to the meat. A variety of dessert items sounded enticing. But given this was Black Saturday, what would have been more appropriate than a plate of Zeppole? 4 large pieces of nicely fried dough sprinkled liberally with powdered sugar. For $3! These days, there are single doughnuts that cost just as much, and you have to stand in line for 2 hours to get it. Why 3 stars? Antico is a good neighborhood place serving genuinely authentic Italian food. There were a few pacing and service kinks that hopefully can be ironed out in due time. I don't live in the area, but this is one of those places where I wish I do.
(3)David H.
Excellent food, great specials, nice space. A little noisy. Great addition to Bucktown dining!
(5)K T Y.
You will not be disappointed by the food, service or the wine list. We had the rib-eye for two. Presented to us and then finished and slice. Served at table with a side of bone marrow. Also had the salad special. Very good.
(4)Aaron G.
all around excellent. great back patio
(5)Irina M.
I've been trying to eat at Antico for almost a year, and so glad that I finally made it on a cozy Sunday evening. The atmosphere was great (after we asked the server to turn on some music), and the service was excellent. We started out by ordering a fairly priced bottle of prosecco and some starters: we got the sausage app and the small pasta plate made of mushrooms and prosciutto - both were delicious. For the entree, I got the rib-eye with marrow and my friend got the seared pork chop. We also ordered a side of potatoes and greens. My steak was perfect - as someone who likes meat on the rare side of medium-rare, I couldn't have asked for a better steak, not to mention that it was huge. My friend's pork was delicious and made to her liking as well. The greens were good, but I wish they were more sauteed, though I think this is a matter of preference. We ordered the bread pudding for desert, and it was excellent as well. Can't wait to come back.
(5)Judy Y.
Enjoyed dinner there Saturday night. Food was terrific, service OUTSTANDING, ambiance a delight, drinks inventive and wine options very good. We had the special risotto and special grouper and the menu option for short ribs. All were presented beautifully and the taste was special due to fresh herbs taken from the garden surrounding the outdoor back seating area. It was a treat to be surrounded by herbs, kale, collard greens, etc. Our waiters Shawn and Peter were talented. Shawn recited the numerous specials with great details and Peter helped serve and inform us of the restaurant and chef's history, as well as the herbs. All in all I'd highly recommend trying this neighborhood gem!
(5)Candi B.
My husband and I were elated to learn of this new restaurant in our neighborhood and we're happy to tell you that it did not disappoint. The service was top notch and the food was fresh, innovative and delicious. I would recommend this excellent dining experience for anyone - from family dinner to special night out - there is something tasty and satisfying for everyone.
(5)Maria G.
A few friends and I went to Antico last night and loved it! We had the tagliatelle bolognese, asparagus risotto, gnocchi bolognese and veal chop, they were all AMAZING. I even liked this place better than Cafe Spiaggia. Also try the flourless chocolate cake for dessert, delicious!! The service was awesome as well, a well deserved 5-stars!!! Definitely going back!
(5)cindy g.
Nice, small restaurant although somewhat noisy. They were out of the duck/chicken liver crostini which was a disappointment. the gnocchi were phenomenal - The rib chop was delicious but we were unimpressed with the short ribs (tasteless) and the fish-a special- which the waitress said was awesome- it was NOT- rather fishy and not at all what I had expected from her description. Overall I will go back and order a full course of the gnocchi- they really were that good!
(4)Katie K.
This may be our new go-to Italian in the Chicago area. We discovered it by accident while walking around Bucktown - it's tucked away and not too easy to spot. Checked the ratings - lots of praise. Booked a reservation for Thursday night; it was about half full when we arrived at 7:30 on a bitter cold night. The place is very cozy and comfortable - small and intimate with appropriately low, romantic lighting. Service was attentive and helpful explanations were given for specials. Started with melt-in-your-mouth diver scallops; for mains my husband had the special, pasta with pork ragu and I had wild mushroom pappardelle; both were exceptional. We are not frequent dessert eaters but it was a special occasion so we had the italian donuts (can't remember the fancy name) and those were great too. Only tiny gripe is that if we had ordered cheese, they can't do an ASSORTED cheese plate "because the cheese portions are already pre-arranged" which seemed kind of curious. But there are plenty of fantastic alternatives here - we'll be back soon!!
(5)Kevin W.
I am a longtime fan and customer of this restaurant's staff and concept. Moreover, I'm also a serious foodie-snob who has checked out ALL of their competition throughout the city AND in every genre! The bottom line is their staff is deftly skilled with superb tact and polish. It's as though they both read and memorized the recent Chicago Sun Times article from the founding partner of the Boka group and took that to heart, BUT more then 8 years ago! Furthermore, their food at Antico is absolutely divine! In all honesty, I truly believe it's one of the top-5 Italian restaurants within our state(for me a top-3)and you'd be absolutely insane not to have it within your Italian top-10. So, culinary-wise, what's so amazing? First, their rosemary focaccia bread and olive oil are beyond authentic and rival the absolute best at the Dining Room of Spiaggia, Pelago and Prosecco. Next, the Brown Butter Sage Gnocchi is worthy of being served at Grant Achatz's restaurants! The textural-flavor contrast between the ever so delicately fried sage leaf with all of these seasonings perfectly seared in and fossilized within its' thinner then potato chip composition and the pillow-feathery soft, almost light as a cloud, organic pasta casing beneath with all of the sauce and seasonings perfectly encased within, it's heaven! Be sure to inquire about daily specials, particularly the soups because those can be quite impressive as well. They really seem to have the texture, composition and seasoning down quite well with most of them. As for entrees, I would heavily endorse the prime-center-cut-filet-mignon special, the veal chop prepared the same way(I wouldn't do their Milanese breading because I think that's way too thick, heavy and completely overpowers the natural flavors and seasonings of the meat), the pork in the red-wine reduction sauce and the daily seafood specials are all excellent as well. Definitely get their parmigiano gratin and polenta sides, those are not to be missed. As for dessert, you absolutely must get the panna cotta and you will have egregiously errored if you leave without trying this, much like the gnocchi experience! Consider pairing that with some of their house made vanilla bean and nutmeg gelato. If you are in a larger party, then try the Zeppole and chocolate torte(the zeppole are so damn good, I always get those just to take home with me for the next morning)! Their house made expressos, cappuccinos and lattes work wonders after dinner as well. Do not be afraid to ask for wine recommendations from Peter, Maggie and Nadia because they truly aim to please here and the owner - Brad - is an absolute wine genius in terms of pairing a milieu of grape varietals, from small and eclectic niche producers, for optimizing taste preferences. Yes, their staff is phenomenal in every facet. In conclusion, after having dined at 15 of this year's 19 Michelin starred restaurants and almost all of the top Zagat rated from 29 down to 20, I can definitely assure you that this is one venue not to be missed!
(5)y s.
Good mocha. Friendly service.
(5)Joanna W.
Based on the coffee only. It was smooth and delicious. The space is really bright and exposed brick warms it up. I'm looking forward to checking it out for dinner soon.
(5)Brian K.
Amazing experience! A group of 7 of us went there for New Years Eve, and despite the place being packed, the wait staff was courteous and gracious, even those not serving our table. All the meals were delicious, and while everyone finished every bite, the portions were well sized. The prices are what you would expect for a nice restaurant, so certainly within reason. We went to give our compliments tithe owner at the end of the evening, and it winds up he is also the head chef. Antico is a great, local, neighborhood restaurant, and it's one I'd visit anytime I'm back in the neighborhood. I have an extremely tough time believing the review from Brendan M. posted on 12/18/11. We had several questions about the menu and throughout the evening we NEVER felt poorly treated in the least. I have a Resturant.com gift certificate waiting for me to use, and I will not hesitate to use it here.
(5)David F.
Let me tell ya, this is one of the best Italian restaurants I"ve eaten at in a long time. Now, that may be because I live in San Diego where they really don't know what a good Italian restaurant is. But.... this place was excellent. The staff is friendly and accomodating. They truly understand that they are there in order to make your experience not just a good one, but enjoyable. OUr waitress was happy and ready to serve. She showed confidence in the the wines and the menu. Her recommendations were right on. There were four of us. Three had the fish of the evening, Salmon. It was tender, perfectly cooked and served with baby asparagus over the top. The asparagus was sweet and crunchy. I had the pasta special which was a barbeque pork ragu over a taglitelle pasta. Did I say the pasta is made fresh daily? Well, if not, the past is made fresh daily -- it was magnifico. The best I've had in years -- honestly. OUr waitress was also helpful in recommending wines to match our meals. Again, she was right on. The arugala salad was fresh and tasty. Finally we finished with the Italian donuts -- oh my! Sweet, hot and crunchy. This is the second time I"ve been to Antico. Based on both experiences I will go back again and again and again. Highly recommended!
(5)Sara K.
The food was great, and the service was even better. The waiter was very knowledgable and friendly. The only thing more I could ask for was larger pasta portions.
(4)Gordon W.
This is truly the best restaurant in the city. My husband and I go at least 3 times a month usually with friends. The food is out of this world and the service even better. Standouts are really any pasta dish and the seared scallops are outstanding. Antico is worth the trip no matter where you live in the city
(5)Carolynne M.
Wow, Antico was definitely an unexpected find on our Friday night dating adventures! So unassuming and laid back from the outside, you would never guess at the culinary wonders residing within. We started out with the Truffled Duck & Chicken Liver Crostini. Silky, salty, earthy and totally decadent. They give you more pate than crostini, so you will need to either ask for more or save the bread plate. You arent going to want to waste a single scoop of this. Andy had the Veal Milanese, which was huge veal chop, pounded thin and covered in a fantastic breading - sort of an Italian chicken-fried steak. I had one of their specials (and there was quite a few to pick from) which was...wait for it...Blueberry Risotto!? YES. And let me tell you, as strange as it sounds, it was so freaking delicious I will be making this on my own. They only gave you a tiny bowl, but it was so rich, so amazing with the blueberries and salty Parmesan - I had no idea this flavour combination could work so brilliantly. Of course, in true Italian fashion, we ended the meal with espresso and a plate of Zeppole, which are tiny fritters served piping hot and dusted with powdered sugar. For a meager $3 you really should make some room in the belly and try these. Do be aware, this place is tiny and you will want to call in a reservation if you want to come, especially for a weekend night. We lucked out in snagging the last available table, but better be safe than sorry.
(5)Johnny R.
It was my birthday this past weekend. I usually don't like to make a fuss, and usually opt to hang out at home, eating some take-out 'za while watching Blade III for the umpteenth time. But the wife and a couple that we like to hang out with a lot went out and navigated the quaint quiet streets of Bucktown to try Antico. Short: Liked it a lot. Long. We had a reservation, which I think is a generally a good idea for any decent Northside restaurant. Our reservation was for 7:30pm, and we were seated promptly. As others have said, the space is small, but it's nicely decorated and it works. There is not much of a waiting area, but I think it would be cool to wait outside if need be. We had the fritti and pate' crostini appetizers. I greatly enjoyed both of them. Fritti, cuttlefish, think more-tender calamari. Yum. The portion size was enough for four to have a little bit each. The pate' was great. I love pate' and was not disappointed. We also had the gnocchi with sage, and that was fantastic. I was particularly struck by the taste and texture of the sage, which had been sauteed I'm assuming in the sauce. We also have the asparagus salad. This salad did not stand out but frankly the other flavors were so great that the salad never had a chance. My wife had the lamb chops, they were great. Her 'gratin potato side was really good. I had the ribeye with the marrow bone. The steak comes with crostini, so you can spread the marrow on it, and nosh away. Great. The steak was cooked medium-rare as ordered. We had a nice wine, I think it was a $42 Valpolicella, and went well with our meal. Also had the Zep desert with a latte. Friends had the flan, it tasted amazing. I would get that next time.... what a creamy texture. Friend had the vanilla ice cream with the neat topping that included sea salt... very nice and well done. My suggestion to a couple dining here would be to split a meat entree, like the lamb chops. You'd get one each. I'd get the gnocchi and two or more appetizers. The steak is big, and even though I can be a big eater the little angel that sits on my right shoulder told me that I shouldn't eat steaks as big as a plate. To the restaurant, I would say bravo, and hurrah. But I'd caution you to go lighter on the salt for the steak and the veal chops that my friend had, someone loves the sea salt too much. I also suggested to the manager who had stopped at our table to slow down the appetizers, the pacing was a bit quick at start. I'm splitting hairs to make you excellent. I'm giving you 5 stars, wanted to give you 4.5 so you could grow into 5, but honestly, the dishes were really well done. Restaurants like Antico are what make Chicago amazing. The attention to flavors coupled with the coziness of the space make it a nice place for a couple or couples to have a very nice meal with a nice ambiance.
(5)Lesley H.
Delicious, homemade pasta; Great service and warm atmosphere. The type of place you want to patronize and support. My only super picky critique would be that its wine list features no French or American reds (at least none that I saw...). It was fun to drink outside my usual wines, though! They also have a lovely patio for the summer months.
(4)sandra t.
Good stuff. We started with the sauteed mushrooms on saffron polenta and the arugula salad - both were good, though the citrus vinaigrette on the arugula salad was too strong. (I couldn't taste the arugula itself very much.) We both had pasta specials, which were great. Root vegetable gnocchi for me and he had a pork-sauce pasta. Excellent, and just the right size. We split a pork chop in wine reduction (the sage leaves were SO GOOD) and staggered away without room for dessert.
(4)julie ann p.
I was very excited to try this newish spot as I am a big fan of A Tavola. The prices here make me consider it a special occasion place though the vibe is very welcoming and fairly casual. It was an anniversary celebration so we came with plans for a leisurely evening and while the service was excellent I did feel a bit rushed. We ordered an appetizer, two first course pastas, split an entree and split a dessert and yet we still had wine left in our bottle by the end of the meal. I think that the service was almost too good - they brought out all of our courses in quick succession. The restaurant wasn't full and it was still early in the night so I am not sure why there was such a rush to get the food out. I would have preferred at bit of a breather between courses to sit and enjoy. Perhaps this is just a kink that they still need to work out. I know that this place isn't Maggiano's and the portions are intentionally modest but it is another thing to be stingy. We split the fish special (which was outstanding) that came with spring asparagus and 'potatoes'. It was nicely divided onto two plates with a nice size piece of fish and about 6 asparagus and one half of one red potato on each plate. Yes, that's right. One half of one red potato. The potato was perfect but it would have been nice to have the entire potato. I mean how much does a bag of potatoes cost? $3? It just looked pretty ridiculous on our plate. The food otherwise was divino: the gnocchi with sage is drool worthy, the pasta is perfect, the mushrooms and onions cooked in butter over polenta could not be any more delicious. The desserts were inventive and decadent. I loved the fact that there were many reasonably priced bottles of wine to choose from. I will definitely be back during the day to try their pastries and house roasted coffee. I will also be back for dinner but I'll probably tell them that we aren't in a rush in hopes for a more leisurely meal.
(4)Margaret L.
Hands down, the best restaurant in Chicago. The waitresses always remember our drink order and are absolutely lovely. We usually order: Gin with Fresh Grapefruit Juice, Prosciutto San Danielle, Butter Sage Gnocchi, and any of the main courses. Then, we usually end up ordering a bottle of champagne. I LOVE Antico. It's where I've chosen to eat after my last two job promotions, and where my fiancé took me to eat before he proposed. I am so confused by the reviews that say the food is hit or miss. Maybe they have a food allergy they don't know about or something. Friends from LA have requested we make reservations at somewhere "absurdly expensive" (as a wedding present) I don't want to go anywhere but Antico, but I feel like we are going to get dragged to some lame James Beard award place :(
(5)Karla B.
Started with a fresh squeezed grapefruit martini which was very refreshing and hit the spot after a long day. Next, we had the special salad of the day, which was shaved asparagus, shaved parmesan with a fresh lemon vinaigrette. Delish! For my entree, I had the gnocchi with the brown butter and crispy sage. The gnocchi was soft little pillows and just melted in my mouth. The sage was crispy and perfectly complimented the brown butter sauce. I will definitely be back to order the gnocchi again! It will be a tough decision figure out f I am willing to try something new or stick to what was so good before . . . I should also add that I was there with a friend who had a small toddler. The staff didn't seem annoyed that we brought a small child into the restaurant and instead they were very accommodating to ensure he was happy.
(4)Brittany H.
We had an incredible meal at Antico! The owner was cooking and we tried several of the specials, which were absolutely delicious. In addition, our service was exceptional! We ate on the back patio (gorgeous!) and both servers were attentive, knowledgable, and wonderful. We couldn't have been happier with our experience.
(5)Reuben H.
To mark the start of our seventh year of marriage - *and what my wife assures me as the defining year of a crumbling marriage which certainly must end (gawd - I hope she's kidding) - and to celebrate six successful years shared together, Antico quickly came to my better half's mind as a place to celebrate and have that one final hurrah before filing divorce papers and figuring out which domestic beast goes with which parent. Not sure why she feels so strongly about this. I've heard of the "seven year itch" but it makes me wonder if the sentiment of a permanent break in our marriage comes around the seven year mark, or if that seven year mark was that finish line inside her head all along and the excuse to eventually abandon me. Either way, she made an excellent choice on the venue. About the only thing that could have come off as anything other than stellar was walking in, stating we had reservations, and then being told to choose where we want to sit. As a couple who is perpetually hemming and hawing over any and every option - we probably would have preferred to just be told where our place was (the rest of society seems to have no problem doing just that). In hindsight the skilled, professional and friendly staff here went out of their way to ensure our comfort and happiness through the evening (not realizing our marriage is crumbling) - so the offer to have us choose where we sit almost certainly fit more into a conceptualized service strategy rather than complacency and poor front of house management; especially considering just how well-run the service was for the rest of the evening. On to the food - as mentioned above, my soon to be eventual ex-wife and I have a hard time with decision making, especially when there are many appetizing options on offer for our choosing. To keep things a bit simpler, we inquired into and eventually chose the four course meal for $55/person (I believe it moves up to $63 with specific entree/secondi options) and realized its value. Each diner at the table is asked to partake in that option (all or none - like how a true marriage is supposed to work), and it gives you a starter, a pasta, a main dish and finally a dessert. This four-course option made things a bit more streamlined and therefore easier to decide what to order until our thoroughly nice and attentive server rolled off the top of her head a great description of seven more specials to get us second guessing all of our choices (and not just the one around our commitment to each other). In the end, I remember having the following: - Chicken and Duck liver pate, served with pickeled beets and a house made mustard - Pan seared scallops - Gnocchi comes with choice of sauce - gasp - wifey chose wisely, going with brown butter and sage - really delicious! - Risotto done as the daily special - our meal was primavera style - Pork tenderloin cutlet milanese served with arugula salad and shaved Parmesan - Pan roasted halibut with a smoked, citrusy potato and broccoli - The greatest panna cotta one could ever devour. Seriously. We plan on coming back for at least some wine and this one day soon. - Lovely slice of flourless chocolate cake We drank a bunch of wine also to take away the reminder of my wife's promise that the seventh year equals marital doom. I'd definitely come back to Antico for another celebration or special evening out. The food was delicious, service was excellent and they played Tracy Chapman through most of the evening which was both sweet and made me sob over my food. *Our marriage is both strong and flawed, yet beautiful and funny and good. She's (I'm sure?) joking about the 7 year curse, besides - what Tracy sang over our great meal: "With you I am revealed All my shame all my faults and virtues Behold body mind and spirit Heart and soul devoted all to you Can I get a witness There is salvation and rapture for the lonely Can I get a witness Bless this day sacred and holy Sacred and Holy"
(5)Stephanie S.
How have we not been here until now?!?! This is the best Italian food I have had in the city! So cute and quaint. Excellent service and a romantic atmosphere, but also kid friendly. We went for date night - sans kid. We started with a champagne and grapefruit cocktail that was great! The wine we ordered was awesome too and our waitress knew a ton about it. In fact, she knew a lot about everything that had to do with the menu which was really nice. We did the $55 4 course special which is one of the best deals out there. We had the mushroom polenta and beet salad to start, both were awesome. Now to the pasta course...amazing! I am a sucker for homemade pasta. This was so delish! We had the braised pork paparadelle and the sweet potato gnocchi in a brown butter sauce with crispy sage. What is crispy sage you ask? The most amazing thing ever. We weren't sure if you were supposed to eat the sage, but we tried it...wow! It sounds so weird, but it was great, like deep fried sage. We had the filet, which was really big and really good. The pork tenderloin was also good, but the filet was much better. For dessert, the donuts (duh) and the flour less chocolate cake. Both incredible. I think I gained like 5 lbs. You must try this place, or maybe don't because I don't want to have to fight for a table:)
(5)Mark A.
What an awesome secret to have this little trattoria in Bucktown. (I like it being a secret, but I want to give some exposure so the doors don't shut forever!) The four course deal for $55/person is an absolute bargain. It's good, wholesome Italian cooking in a cozy environment. The waiters are fun and focused, and the food is always consistent. My favorites include the chicken liver crostini, the scallops, the gnocchi in brown butter sage, veal milanese chop, and the ribeye.
(5)Allyson W.
Great service, fresh yummy food, quaint atmosphere. The pate is amazing and the pasta sizes are just right. It's a great place to go if you want good Italian, but you don't want to feel disgustingly full!
(5)David H.
I had to go 3 times before writing the review. The first time I went and had the gnocchi Bolognese. It was good but undersea aimed. Unfortunately it rocked my stomach afterwards. The second time I had the steak. It was good, but a little tough. Calamari needed salt. The bread is great. Again, stomach didn't like it. The third time I had the pork Milanese. It had everything except... Seasoning. It needed salt. I like the people. I like the food. It needs more seasoning and I'm not sure what killed my stomach. I really wanted to love this place. Instead, it's ok and a short walk from the house.
(3)Christopher M.
Half priced wines on Tuesdays? Any bottle? Including Brunellos, Amarones, and Barolos? 17 stars. (ps the food is great and the wait staff very nice) 156/365
(5)christina h.
Such a great restaurant! I've been here many times, and even had a couple birthdays here. The food is incredible! The pastas are homemade and melt in your mouth. I highly recommend the butter sage gnocchi (it's always on the menu). I've tried almost all the main dishes, and they are all wonderful as well. Even though the restaurant is a bit small, I've always felt like the quality and service have been top notch. I will be back again and again.
(5)Laura P.
Antico is fabulous. The butter sage gnocchi is one of the best dishes I've ever had, anywhere! I went with a group and we ordered many things to share, and every single bite was incredible. A standout dish was the fig and mozzarella salad (on special). The wines we had, per our server's recommendation, were delicious. It's very a cozy/romantic spot. I can't wait to go back.
(5)Rick W.
Visiting Chicago we stayed at Ray's Bucktown B&B on N. Leavitt St. On Friday night we decided on a late dinner and found Antico on Yelp and TripAdvisor. We give it five stars for three reasons; the food, the ambiance, and the staff. In reverse order, our server was Peter, the same person who accepted our request for a reservation. A consummate professional, he enjoyed our reaction to our food, and suggested a prefect complimentary wine. We had the beets arugula salad and Prosciutto with melon, Scottish Salmon and Diver Scallops, and Italian Donuts. The salmon was perfectly dry with the right tang, the accompanying cucumber sauce balanced sweet and sour to compliment the fish. The Diver Scallops were some of the best I have ever had; a perfect crust without drying out, the center was firm and favorable. Finally the place is a real Italian Restaurant, narrow with exposed brick and white table cloths. It is worth a trip into the northwest Bucktown neighborhood to find this gem.
(5)tim d.
Antico made such an impression that I am inclined to claim it as the most pleasurable dining experience I've ever had. I've done a lot of traveling...A LOT of dining out. From the comfortable back garden to the EXTREMELY accommodating and friendly service. The pasta! ...the steak!...the apps! the desserts! The smile and friendly perfectly timed service from "Nadia." I have found my new favorite restaurant in Chicago. I hope I'll be able to get a reservation when I need one... ;cause I'll be back...OFTEN!!
(5)Eric E.
My wife and cannot get enough --- and our friends and family agree. It's our favorite Italian in the city and reminds us the most of the high quality, fresh Italian you find in Italy itself. Tuesday's have half priced wine and the late spring to early fall will find a crowded back patio that is great for an early dinner. Some favorites: - scallops: some of the best we have ever had. Always cooked to perfection with just the right mix of lemon and spice -gnocchi: even people that don't traditionally like gnocchi should give it a shot. It's so fresh it melts in your mouth. My wife prefers the pomodoro, but myself and several others swear by the brown butter sage -short rib entree: slides right off the bone. Excellent. -bone in ribeye (w bone marrow): incredible flavor. Very nice cut they get daily from a butchery. -pork Milanese: so simple and so good. Love the fresh arugula and lemon accompanying it. -chocolate flourless cake: neither of us are huge chocolate people, but drool for this. We will continue bringing friends and family here for a while!
(5)Kari E.
This place is great! My husband and I went there on Saturday night. We had heard good things about it - and decided to try it out. What a good decision. This place is a 'real deal' Italian restaurant. The pasta is so fresh and tasty - it literally reminded me of when I was in Sorrento Italy. On top of that - try the duck! The best duck I've ever had. Last thing - the doughnuts... a must! Try it out- you will not be disappointed.
(5)Emma W.
I seriously cannot have a better review this place is wonderful from the atmosphere,food to the staff. It seemed to me that they pride themselves in having their staff know/ taste how good their food is. Because it is amazing my Boyfriend and I found this place on yelp with great reviews ! And I am only happy to add more stars to this amazing place. PETER was our server and very knowledgeable in not only the food but able to pick out a perfect wine for us. Don't write Many reviews but this place is amazing especially for those who have still yet to find it's amazingness
(5)Martina S.
Great food, great service, lovely atmosphere, not loud, not crowded, neighborhood gem!! I have to say the squash gnocchi with brown butter sage sauce was the most delectable thing I've had in a while! The scallops were yummy and the fennel salad was delicious. We were not rushed and were able to comfortably linger over dinner and wine. I will be back!
(5)Louy B.
This place is amazing. I was recommended by a friend who is a regular. We tried the four course meal, and everything was amazing. The food is flavorful, and the portions are decent sized. Large wine selection, and the wine that I've tried was amazing. The service is some of the best that I've had in a long time. They're very attentive and full of recommendations. Definitely recommend trying this place!
(5)Alyssa C.
I don't normally give out 5 stars, but this is a close. My fiance and I came here for a romantic dinner. This cute little restaurant is off the beaten path and a great place for a date. The service was attentive and the food was amazing. All homemade pastas and scrumptious everything. We had an app, two pastas and a chocolate cake to finish it off - amazing. We will definitely be coming back!
(4)Stephanie W.
We first stumbled upon Antico when we were apartment hunting. It was such an added bonus to finding a neighborhood and apartment we really liked! It was the summer so the back patio was open, and was lovely. You dine among the fresh vegetables, lettuces, and herbs they grow in the garden for your meals. The inside seating is also very cozy and warm in the colder months. We did the quattro corso the first time we dined there and proceed to have it every time. $50 for an antipasti, primi, secondi, and dolci - many options within each category, and a great quality and quantity of food for the price. I honestly have never picked a combo of dishes that I did not love. All of the pastas are made in house, and the brown butter gnocci is absolutely amazing. In the fall/winder they do a pumpkin/squash gnocci that is also to die for. All of the meat/fish secondi dishes are served with steamed broccoli and smokey potatoes ( the smokiness is spectacular). The panna cotta and zepule are our favorite desserts, along with port and coffee. Of course we always wash it all down with a bottle of vino - the Nebbiolo selection is great and is our standard choice. The waitstaff is always the same group of 4-5 people and all of them are very knowledgeable about the food and wines, and provide impeccable service. We come to this gem for both nights out and special occasions, because we love it that much!
(5)Maggy S.
The wine was amazing and the gnocchi was easily the best me and my boyfriend have ever had. He got some giant Flinstones style pork something or other (I don't eat meat often) and it was amazing. The servers were attentive and funny.
(5)Scott P.
This place is amazing. Walked in the door and felt like an invited friend. Service was perfect and all suggestions were appreciated... Was staying nearby and was so happy to find this local gem. Thank you!
(5)Laura K.
Very quaint neighborhood Italian restaurant. The bread was delicious, the food was good (smaller portions) and the outdoor patio was fabulous. The prices are not cheap for italian food, however we had a restaurant.com coupon which helped. Also (not valid with restaurant.com ) they have half off bottles of wine on Tuesdays which is a great deal as well. I would highly recommend this place on a nice summer night.
(4)Blake D.
This place is amazing. Wife and I ate there last night. Eat in the patio area if you can. I had the filet and it was one of the best steaks I've eaten in Chicago and I've eaten a lot of steaks at a lot of very pretentious steak houses. This place is a must visit and we will 100% be back.
(5)Mark S.
Homemade pasta and a quiet quaint dining area. Perfect for a Saturday night! The staff was exceptional!
(5)Kori E.
This is a true neighborhood gem! Came here Friday night and was super impressed. We started off with the Beet Salad and the Fig Butter Crostini - my favorite. A nice crostini with some fig butter, prosciutto and melon with a vinaigrette drizzled over the top. It was so light and so delicious. We next had the Gnocchi - brown butter sage style, and those little gnocchi's were perfect fluffly pillows that melted in your mouth. SO good!! Tagliatelle Bolognes - UMMM, this one was my favorite. They make all noodles in house and they are so light so perfect. The sauce was so flavorful, I couldnt get enough. Lastly, we split the scallops, polenta and parmigiano gratin. The scallops were absolute perfection. \ For dessert, because why not, we had the Italian Donuts. Everything was amazing. Our server was the highlight of our evening. He was AWESOME! I loved him. He made the experience that much more enjoyable. I would definitely recommend this place to anyone. Its on the smaller side, so I would recommend a reservation.
(5)Tera D.
2.5 years after moving to Bucktown, we thought it might be nice to try out the restaurant that is literally 2 blocks from our house. Why did we wait so long!? Antico was a delight. We made a day-of reservation for 9pm on a Friday, figuring the reservation was more of a formality. Boy were we wrong. Apparently Antico is the secret our neighbors never told us about. The place was packed. We probably didn't get to actually sit until 9:15, but we were able to squeeze in near the bar and get a drink while we waited. The bartender and all other staff were very helpful with wine and food recs, which I always appreciate. We had the pate for an appetizer, sweet potato gnocchi in brown butter sauce, the special risotto and the special lamb, which was all excellent. We will definitely be back when we're looking for a romantic night in the 'hood.
(4)Gina G.
Fantastic! My husband and I eat out quite frequently, and I haven't been this impressed with a meal in a long time. We headed in on a whim last night and sat outside on the back patio to enjoy the weather. The patio is adorable, it reminded me of having dinner in a friend's backyard. The service was great, our waitress was extremely knowledgable about the menu and steered us towards a few things that we really enjoyed. The food was just phenomenal! We split the seasonal risotto (leek and asparagus) and it was light and delicious! I had scallops and my husband had duck both of which we agreed were some of the best dishes we've ever had. We managed to save room for some dessert and had amaretto cheesecake which was a perfect ending to a truly great meal. I can't wait to go back and try more of the menu! You should get here ASAP!
(5)Emily C.
Cute neighborhood spot! Very good food - I had the fish special and it was great. Service was spotty the last time we went, but great the time before that. We try to go on Tuesdays for half priced bottles of wine! You can also find them on restaurant.com . 307/365
(4)K L.
Antico is a nice, intimate spot with tasty food. It can get pricey and the menu isn't huge, but everything that I have tried has been (at least) good. I particularly enjoy the scallops and gnocchi. Service here has always been excellent. One thing that cracks me up is when the server lists "the specials" - honestly, it seems like almost EVERYTHING is a special, every single time that I've gone here. They have a cute outdoor area in the back. I live only a couple of blocks away, so I may go here more out of convenience than anything else, but Antico certainly isn't a bad option to have in the neighborhood.
(4)Ben B.
We knew this place was going to be good based on a recommendation, but the recommendation didn't do it justice! We pretty much stuck to their specials for the night (scallops and lamb) but I'm pretty sure you can't go wrong with that menu. Tuesdays are half price bottles of wine too! Can't say enough about this place. Great date night spot.
(5)Roscoe V.
I have no idea how there are not lines around the corner to get into this restaurant. My wife & I had one of the best meals in recent memory and the overall experience is truly special. The back patio is the place to be on a great summer night, the staff is awesome and the food insane.
(5)Comensal A.
Wow -- I'm glad we gave Antico a try! The food was excellent, the staff was cordial, and the patio was pleasant on a mild summer evening. Our salads were very nice -- fresh, flavorful and attractive. My beet salad featured a yummy fig vinaigrette; my companion had arugula/tomato with a citrus dressing. For entrees, I had pappardelle with smoked pork -- perfect pasta, rich & succulent meat. My companion said that her gnocchi was the best she's ever had, and I second that -- they were truly light as clouds. My chocolate torte was OK; my companion's gelato was terrific. Nice selection of wines, too. I'll definitely be back!
(4)May S.
"It is hard to get consistency in the kitchen." - waitress at Antico That is my main complaint about this restaurant and I cannot believe the waitress actually uttered those words to our table. It is a restaurant's job to be CONSISTENT. That is why people come back! The first time my husband and I went to this restaurant, everything was fantastic. We did the four course menu and everything was delicious and service was great! I think my only complaint was that I didn't really like the zeppole, but the panna cotta was really good. We liked it so much that we decided to celebrate my birthday with his family there... We had a table of ten originally, but a week before, his brother and gf cancelled so my husband called back to say we had 8. When we got to the restaurant, they had a table set up for 7. We told them it was for 8 and they actually argued a bit with us that the reservation said 7. Well we have 8...what are you going to do about it? (And on that note, we were there for at least 2 1/2 hours for dinner and there were two tables that were empty...). We all decided to do the 4 course dinner. The antipasti and primi were well received by the group (though the gnocchi I had loved the previous time did not taste as fantastic as it did the first time). The major issues came at the secondi and dolci course. My husband and I talked so much about the rib eye and five of us had decided to get it. Well when it came, we were so disappointed. On our end of the table, it was half the size than what we had gotten previously. Then on the other end of the table, my father in law had gotten the biggest portion and my brother in law had gotten the smallest - smaller than our end was. Then two of the portions were also overcooked and mine was undercooked (for me - but I was pregnant at the time and wanted something more done; it was perfectly cooked for my husband's liking). It was so crazy how uneven it was. Then dessert came. My sister in law and I ordered the panna cotta. The panna cotta I got was darker and more yellow and the one she got was super white. We didn't think hers was cooked enough yet so we asked them to send her a new one. They come back to us and tell us that the rest of the panna cotta looked the same as hers and that's the way it should be. It was just mine was cooked longer than it should have (um, it looked exactly like it did the last time we got it so did they mess it up last time too?). She decided she would keep it anyways...we decided to taste each other's - mine was sweet and perfect and hers was super light in flavor. I felt so bad about having the good one. Oh and my husband got the gelato this time and it tasted like store bought crap. Maybe it was just old? It was definitely not creamy. So yeah, after dessert was cleared and we were drinking our coffees, we started talking about the dinner. My husband was embarrassed about bringing them here and started to talk about the inconsistency when the waitress just butts into our conversation and tells us it is hard to get consistency in the kitchen. I remember staring at her and thinking, 'You seriously just said that?' Our friends and family dub us as foodies...and we kinda take pride in recommending restaurants. It was so disappointing and yes it was embarrassing. We wanted our family to have this fantastic dinner with us....but how do you mess up food so much? If you are having a consistency issue in the kitchen, shouldn't you at least make it consistent for a table? I mean, heck only two of us got the panna cotta. Was it not obvious we would say something? And service wise - how do you argue with us when we are unhappy - first about seating, then about the food...and how does a waitress just butt in on our private conversation?! We told a few friends that live in that neighborhood on how fantastic it was...I have to start backtracking...
(2)Keith A.
I have been wanting to go here since they opened up. I'm a sucker for quality italian food as is, so coming here for my birthday was the excuse I finally used. I came here with a group of 10 since we were also adding in a lot of wine for this. I had worked things out ahead of time for the menu. Granted, I was saying yes to basically everything anyway and everything was served family style for the group. There was a whole lot of food and we started off with the fig butter crostini and prosciutto. These were absolutely delicious. We also had a mushrooms and polenta dish which was one of the first things that came to my mind when setting everything up. I have to say, their polenta is absolutely bang on. This was great polenta. We also had a selection of meats as well, but I don't remember them too well (there was soooo much food that some things were quick for me). The next up was the gnocchi. I'm a gnocchi nit, and this was some quality gnocchi. It was light but perfect texture. Nearly a week later and I can still think of it. yea, it was that damn good. We also had the bolognese which was perfect with the wines we were drinking. I didn't get too much of this, but what I had I enjoyed. I'm not gonna lie, I was bogarting as much of the gnocchi as possible, so the bolognese kinda went off to the side for me. I did dig into the pappardelle and wild mushrooms though. It was exactly how I wanted and imagined it to be. We finished things off with a rib eye and a short rib. The rib eye was very good but the short rib fell slightly short of everything previously. I will say though, the polenta surrounding the short rib was absolutely wonderful and I ended up having even more of that again. I really enjoyed myself here. I look forward to coming back for a more normal dinner, but this was a full home run. The service was tremendous and extremely nice. They were always available and extremely helpful. I'm already looking for reasons to go back.
(4)Missy C.
I went to Antico with my boyfriend last night for dinner...love love love! The inside of the restaurant is pretty tiny...a couple small tables. Definitely very intimate. Their patio was open, so we decided to sit outside because it was a beautiful day. Maggie, our server, was very attentive and knowledgeable about all the menu items. In addition to that, she was super friendly and we loved her energy. We ordered: -truffled duck and chicken liver crostini - pretty good...lots of truffled duck and chicken liver...not enough crostini -egg yolk risotto - so amazing...was gone in seconds! -gnocchi - i believe this is one of their specialties...super delicious...there are many great comments about the gnocchi on foursquare which is what made me order it I can't remember what my boyfriend ordered, but that was YUMMO as well. I definitely recommend checking out this restaurant. This was actually my second time visiting it, and the experience was just as good as the first. They take reservations, so make one ASAP!
(5)John K.
I have been here 4-5 times. The food is very good. The gnochi in brown butter sage is outstanding. Service and wine selection are great. My only gripe is that they have never updated the menu. They have been making the same stuff for like 5 years!. What's worse, the chef or owner are from a tavola, which has almost the same menu! If I spent a decade making the same things over and over I would probably get pretty good at it. too. If its your first time here I am sure you will enjoy it.
(4)Caity F.
Fabulous little spot... cozy, warm dining room perfect for a date night. We each ordered the 4 course menu, where you can pick any item from each course so it is really a great deal with tons of choices. Overall everything we had was tasty, but I will highlight the favorites from each course. Antipasto - Scallop special, I don't even know what was in the sauce but it was tangy, acidic, and sweet. So flavorful! We were dipping our calamari and bread in it to get every last drop. And not to mention the scallops were cooked perfectly. Yum. Primi - Gnocchi in butter sauce with fried sage was INSANE. Pillowy gnocchi, sauce wasn't too overpowering or heavy, just a perfect compliment to the gnocchi. And then the fried sage added an herbal crunch. Secondi - this course was good, but the other courses were great. We got lamb and short rib... I think next time we will skip this course and maybe get a third pasta or antipasto... Dessert - WOW. It seemed too simple, I thought it may be a throwaway dessert choice. But WOW! Vanilla and nutmeg gelato, with berries on top, complimented by fresh, hot zeppole. mouth. watering. I hope this never moves from the menu. Will most definitely be back, will be trying out 1/2 priced bottles of wine on Tuesdays. Cheers to Antico for a job well done.
(4)Jackie F.
Homemade pasta daily. The brown sage gnocchi is what they are known for and it was really good. Portions are pretty small and it was a little pricey but overall good food. Short ribs were also good.
(4)Amer A.
Fantastic Italian Gem in Bucktown. It must be repeated, the gnochi is out of control. The dishes tend to be on the small side. A filling meal requires three courses. The first course and pasta dishes are top notch. The entrees were very good, but not the star of the show.
(4)Katie M.
Wow. I can't believe I waited so long to check this place out with my husband. I run by here all the time and see the fresh noodles being rolled out in the window. I am so glad I finally had dinner here. The vibe is cozy and romantic and is such an ideal spot for date night. The food is amazing (LOVE their chicken) and their noodles are delicious. We had some of everything and loved every last bite. Service was impeccable, food and wine suggestions were great, and we left happy and a little bit more in love (ha!). Can't wait to go back!
(5)Weston M.
I love this place! GREAT Italian food without any pretention or hussle. The staff is friendly and has a sense of humor. They also know their food and their wine. A good place for a date or to take the parents out. I would recommend anything that they smoke in-house. I had the duck and it was fantastic and a huge portion. The pasta is fresh. While the wine list isn't as expansive as I'd like, they seem to cover all the bases with good selections. Will be returning. Maybe every week.
(4)david k.
Wednesday winter night was improved by the delightful service and sublime food. Three of our 4 person party had small plates of pasta while the 4th enjoyed half a roasted chicken. Highlights the wait person is the wife of the chef so her descriptions of the food was spot on/ she was willing to make a special salad fir one of us who has issues with arugula; he got spinach and kale salad/ I had the best potatoes if my life thin sliced baked with butter and lemon topped with parmigiana/ the music is at just the right volume. Understand they also have a patio for whenever we thaw out
(4)Kristin W.
WOW. I will try to limit my posting so I don't write a book about how fantastic this place is. I know the reviews are good, and I just live down the street, but couldn't believe this small one-upon a time house, could be one of the best Italian places in Chicago. Went here on a Friday night and didn't have to wait for a table, it did get much busier, but still probably no longer than a 20 minute wait on a weekend evening for dinner. We wanted to get a bottle of wine and asked the server for a recommendation, long story short, this server was one of the BEST servers I've encountered, and that's saying a lot, and I'm a tough critic. Instead of rambling about wines, he did a small wine tasting for us from light to full-bodied reds that he felt were good wines. Each tasting came with the correctly paired, and new glass. Once we chose, he opened a fresh bottle and again had us taste that to make sure we still enjoyed it and that specific bottle was good- again correct wine glass pairing. The way he described the items on the menu, starting with the appetizers and working his way down the menu, was poetic and mouthwatering. The food, also excellent. I can't say enough about this place and am so thrilled to have it in my neighborhood. Nice job Antico. Nice job.
(5)Andy M.
Will I use my man-card if I call this place adorable? Sorry folks, that's the first word that came to mind when I recalled our evening at Antico. The restaurant itself is tiny, cozy and quaint. The food is big, bold and packed with flavor. The food was nothing short of amazing. We started out with the most decadent duck and chicken liver crostini. The liver was melt in your mouth delicious. For my entree I went with the Veal Milanese. This may sound like some foo foo, girly dish, but trust me when I say it's not. It's a gigantic slab of breaded veal the size of John Goodman's head that's packed with flavor. The spices in the breading and the quality of the Veal blew me away. To top things off, we ended our meal with a plate of delicious Zeppole and a couple of espresso's. The bottom line is, everything they served us was delicious. If you are looking for a nice relaxing experience and food that is shockingly delicious, add Antico to your list of must try restaurants. The staff is wonderful, the decor is soothing and the food is out of this world. Two thumbs up!!!
(5)Ray G.
My wife and I were visiting our daughter in Chicago and staying at a nice B&B in Bucktown. We were wandering around on Saturday night and just stopped in. We were seated immediately. We sampled many items from the menu and they were all delicious. We had appetizers of cured meats, seared scallops and cypress salad. We also had pork Ragu, risotto, gnocchi and bolognese. Deserts were chocolate tarta and zeppole. The food was fantastic. We met the owner and he is obviously passionate about his food and his restaurant. Our server was attentive and knowledgable. Enjoy!
(5)Allen R.
Very, very good foodie dinner. Service and atmosphere were fantastic. Get the $50 four course option for a decadent experience.
(5)Brian C.
excellent food, for the quality the price is reasonable but it is still an expensive night out. If the prices were lower I would probably go every week.
(5)Kara D.
Best gnocchi in Chicago. Refined, tasty italian food without the oversized portion sizes. Good wine list and recommendations. A little bucktown gem.
(5)Jason M.
What gives? I couldn't have been more excited to try this place. It disappointed in nearly every facet. Upon arriving, Meg L and I noted how lovely the space was. It's quaint and casual, but definitely upscale. There's a small bar and only 15-20 tables. Our server was terrific and did well describing the outstanding specials. Unfortunately, the description didn't even remotely match the food. Starter: Mussels. Rubbery with a mediocre, thin sauce. It seems like every bar in town can make a pretty scrumptious mussel dish these days. I'd like to think an expensive restaurant could at least match that. Pasta: In a hearty smoked pork ragu. Sounds amazing? I agree. Tastes boring and bland. Hearty would be the opposite of a description of this ragu and it featured about 2 oz of pork. That's not a ragu. That's leftover meat covered in warm v8. Entree: Short Ribs with Saffron Polenta. There was nothing specifically wrong with this. It just wasn't great. The Polenta was minimal (although tasted great), and the short ribs were braised at the level of quality of a decent home chef. Solid, and if I made them myself I'd be proud, but they weren't memorable. The wine was good and reasonably priced, so that was nice. The atmosphere and service were also great. It appears to have an amazing back yard space. I wish it was somewhere I'd go again. Unfortunately, I'm confused by all these high star reviews. The food could be outdone by any mediocre corner Italian place in most neighborhoods of the city. Sad.
(2)Leilo P.
Antico is located on Leavitt and you can easily pass it without thinking twice. But let me be the one to tell you - don't walk away from this place! It is AMAZING! I love how some spots in Chicago transport you to some far away land after walking in. Antico's back patio is beautiful and reminded me of Italy. They grow many herbs and vegetables in the back patio that will make their way on to your plate, which I think makes them stand out from other Italian restaurants. This is a great place to go on a date or have an intimate dinner. I started with the special appetizer of the night Fig Caprese Salad which was absolutely delicious. The figs were perfect and the mozzarella was fresh. I had the Salmon with Michigan Asparagus and it was also spot on. The Salmon was about 4 oz., a small portion, but it was so creamy I was happy with it. They unfortunately ran out of the gelato and I had their panna cotta which was standard compared to the other plates. The wine was also reasonably priced and I told the waiter to bring whichever he thought would match our food and he brought out a $30 Cabarnet. Service was impeccable as our waiter let us sit for a long time and enjoy our meal and was very informative. For an appetizer, two meals, dessert and wine the bill came out to $100, which I think is reasonable for the quality. I will definitely visit again!
(5)Ryan M.
Wonderful dinner! Food B+, Wine A, Service A++, Atmosphere A, overall A. We will definitely be back. Standouts - diver sea scallop special was a complete home run, our caprese was really simple and wonderful, the sage/brown butter gnocchi was excellent, vanilla bean gelato with nuts combined with the italian doughnuts was incredible. Although a couple dishes didn't wow, they delivered for what they were (i.e. we may not have ordered all the right things for our tastes). Overall, this is the best italian dinner we've had in a while - sorry to many of our local favorites that we frequent often.
(5)Erika H.
Outstanding!! A friend and myself came here for an early dinner after both wanting to try Antico for a year and it was amazing. We split a well-priced bottle of Pinot Noir and started with the fig caprese salad (which they kindly split into a fig half and a tomato half, for my non-fig loving amiga). Then came the scallops, gnocchi pomodoro and greens. All of these were beautifully presented and well-paced. The food itself was delicious and the service was great:..we both commented that we can't wait to go back. Our total bill was just shy of $100, which we thought to be an amazing value for the quality options, service, ambiance and overall experience. The employee pride here is so evident...every staff-member we interacted with was amazing. We will be back!
(4)Julie K.
Love how small it is, how romantic it is, and how good the food is!!! My husband and I went to Antico for our wedding anniversary dinner. The server was FANTASTIC with pairing the wine for the food we were to order, and she recommended the best ever steamed clams. I seriously would've stayed there all night long if it weren't for my husband :] Every dish was fresh, delicious, and SOOOOOOO appetizing that we forgot we had to romantic and just kept eating!!! Pricing was reasonable, considering it was gourmet food and that it was located in Bucktown. GO THERE TONIGHT!YOU WON"T REGRET IT!
(5)Alice P.
Fantastic! This is one of my go-to places. The food is always fantastic and the service is wonderful. This is not a spot for people that want to watch tv while they eat or people watch. It is a spot where you can enjoy a nice dinner with friends and converse without having to shout.
(5)Mike G.
Always reliable with excellent and attentive service. Great option for outdoor dining in a lovely and quiet spot.
(4)S G.
had dinner with the family (including a toddler.) on a quiet night. This is right down the street from our house and apparently has been open about 2 years. the appetizers were good-beet salad with nuts and goat cheese and the polenta with mushrooms. I had the fresh pasta with mushrooms, and others in the party had a variety of gnocchi and the daily fish special. the wine selection was great and service was friendly and fast. I think it would be a great place for a date or small party of adults. A bit fancy for little kids but then again we went on a very quiet night and went early.
(4)John B.
This place is really good. we ordered a whole bunch of small plates, appetizers and entrees. All were spectacular along with the service. Polenta, scallops and gnocchi appetizers were great. My rack of lamb entree was phenomenal. This place is definitely worth a visit, you won't be disappointed.
(5)Mindy S.
Folks @ Antico were very accommodating when we had to change our NYE reservation several times. When we arrived (early), they had our table ready. We really enjoyed the experience at Antico, from the friendly and incredibly knowledgeable waitress, to the quick delivery of our food, to the wine selection, all the way through dessert. The most important part of the experience - the food - was seriously fantastic. We loved the gnocchi (a reco from the couple who exited Antico as we arrived). We had their special: Pumpkin gnocchi with sage butter sauce. They cooked the sage leaves, to make them crispy, a tad sweet, and so yummy! The chestnut soup was warming and perfect for a cold evening. Not too thick and filling. The scallops were perfectly cooked as well. The entrées - short ribs that fell off the bone, pork ragout with perfect flavoring, and lamb chops - all were tasted, and promptly shared with the entire table. We devoured everything quickly but made sure to savor every bite. For the price, atmosphere, and food, I highly recommend Antico.
(4)Emily R.
Not just another Italian Restaurant! This place is a true hidden gem in the city. I've been here a few times with different groups of people, including foodies, who were blown-away by their authentic food. And, in typical Italian food service style, the menu is outlined by course with the intention of guests ordering in succinct order. Portions are not obscene so you can actually enjoy several courses. Their brown sage gnocchi is worth the trip alone! The wait staff is professional and knowledgeable. The wine list is excellent, and bottles are 1/2 off on Tuesdays. A great date spot offering a patio in the summer. This place is small, so wait times can be long.
(5)Sarah Z.
Great experience here, from two very discriminating diners. We had two appetizers, two pastas split a main course a bottle of wine and a few smooches Everything was fantastic!
(4)Geena S.
My boyfriend and I have been to Antico twice. It's been absolutely amazing both times. The first time we went was for new year's eve. We weren't sure what to expect but our waitress was so friendly and knowledgeable that we had no trouble ordering. They have an amazing wine list and our super-awesome waitress was able to recommend something that we both would like. The food is almost indescribable. They make all of the pastas in house and they they also braise (or smoke?) all of the meat on their fire pit in back. Honestly, I'm not sure what they do to it, but it tastes absolutely amazing. Each time we leave Antico, we both are fairly drunk off of good wine and we rave about how great our meal was. Definitely a good date place and has a nice atmosphere that's fairly casual.
(5)Kyle P.
Great food. Small portions. Great wine. Great service. Like tbe settings inside and out. Gnocchi is great and almost exactly like a tavala......wouldn't be surprised if they are the same......go....expensive. dont drop stars if it says its expensive and then is. Not happy when the inexpensive wines always seem to be out but the expensive ones are always available
(4)