Simply the best authentic Northern Italian food in Chicago! (unless your mom makes it) We have been dining here for over 25 yrs. finally decided to write a review. Its truly good homemade food and a great dining experience! If you dont see it on the menu, ask they will make it. The antipasto salad is awesome. Try one of the appetizers on the special board always good and made daily. if you are still hungry, the homemade ravioli in meat sauce is incredible! By far one of the best!! We frequent at least once a month and have never been disappointed!! The staff is always warm & gracious! As for the negative reviews? The neighborhood is old school Chicago its not the "gold coast" get out of your shell!! When a menu says "meat sauce" and it has meat, well then thats what it should have!!! If you want tomato sauce try a sicilian restaurant. Im sure the negative diners must think the "olive gardens" institutional processed frozen entrees are "authentic old school Italian" and probably give BK's chicken parm sandwich 5 stars!!! This place is old school Italian neighborhood, food, and atmosphere!! Simply awesome!!
(5)
RoseMary P.
Hidden gem. Great food. Great portions. Great service. Old school Italian done right. Off the beaten path but totally worth it.
(4)
Jetaime C.
Was excited reading the reviews. However, this definitely fell short. Meat sauce gnocchi. It's a nice attempt in a heavy taqueria area. If I want authentic, I cooking at home.
(2)
Steve J.
Try to get here several times per year. Authentic, tasty, attentive staff. Nuff said.
(4)
Melissa P.
My boyfriend and I drove past this place on our way to another restaurant. We decided to turn back because traffic was horrid and we were really hungry. We decided to try this place out since it looked really nice on the outside. On the inside the ambiance is perfect, not too dark not too bright and luckily not to crowded! We were seated immediately and had Rose as our waitress. She was great, very attentive and gave us some good recommendations. I had the salmon which was delicious, my boyfriend had the steak which was also delicious. I am not too knowledgeable when it comes to wine and Rose recommended one of her favorites. Not only is she a doll, but she's got great taste buds as well! Overall our experience was a great one. We will definitely have to go back to try the dish the woman next to us was having. She kept raving about it so much I felt like I was watching Meg Ryan's scene from When Harry meet Sally!
(4)
John K.
Another local haunt we used to visit frequently many years ago. Tried it again after a friend raved about his usual meal. A long time ago it was french fried zucchini, antipasto salad, ravioli or one of the veal dishes. Still pretty decent and worth another visit. Nothing really changed but the cook bought the business awhile back. Wait staff is accomodating and very real, neighborhood type not pretentious. Opened with Pieroni beer, boy was that reasonably priced! Had the antipasto salad and it was exactly the same taste and quality (iceberg lettuce, gorgonzola cheese, salami, mortadella, parmesean chesse, pitted olives, pepperocini, vinegar, oil and spices). It met my expectations except they could have at least used romaine instead of an ordinary iceberg. Had the homemade veal ravioli with marinara sauce (they were always willing to accomodate a change). Again the very same taste and quality. Really nice spiced marinara, finely diced veal but the dough was a little thick, nonetheless still good. Menu on the wall (still has Pasta Roger on it ... forgot what that was) willing to take some minor risks. Ambiance is hardwood floors, tablecloths and stucco walls. It wasn't busy in there for a Friday night but I imagine it could be loud. I've taken dates there but wouldn't consider it romantic, but it's a nice old school neighborhood restaurant. Again worth resuming take out and another visit .. stay tuned to see if I can raise that rating.
(3)
Dean H.
Old school Italian restaurant. Food was very good with the lobster ravioli being exceptional as was the beefsteak tomato/onion/blue cheese crumbles salad. Waiter was old school Italian and extremely good. Atmosphere is like eating on the set of The Godfather. Only drawback was the location. While the restaurant itself is very safe, the surrounding area is a bit sketchy.
(4)
NaKisha L.
I liked Il Vicinato Ristorante but it was a little pricey. The one thing that stood out to me is that a salad does not come complimentary with your entree. I had the lobster ravioli and it was it was okay but the pasta was a little too thick for my liking. Overall, it's worth a try!
(3)
MoonUnit Z.
We were there last Thursday evening. Everything was great as usual. This is my son's favorite place to spend his birthday. The only complaint I have is that they don't give free refills on soft drinks. The food is great, service is great too! Best meat sauce ever ... And the chicken vesusivio is to die for! Well be back again and again! We love it!!
(5)
Sharyn M.
The main reason I wrote my initial review was the fact that I had an evening ruined by anticipation of a fabulous authentic Italian dinner. The disappointment level for Il Vincinato was overwhelming to the point where it hurt. Not just the "brush under the rug" forgivable. We had planned this outing...hoping for the best..and I just do not want to see anyone else to fall into this trap of fake reviews as we did. I beg u all out there to rethink your choice. I am not an Olive Garden Connoisseur nor a hateful reviewer. Just a patron looking out for others who may be bamboozled into spending over a hundred dollars as we did on horrible food. Show some trust. I wish I would have had the same on my hunt 3 weeks ago.
(1)
Shin M.
I got a side salad and the meat ravioli with the sauce of the day which had tomato sauce and other vegetables. It was really good! The portions for both the salad and ravioli were very large too. It wasn't one of those places that gives you like 5 pieces of tiny ravioli squares. These ravioli squares were home made and huge. I had to take some home! Unfortunately, i do not live close to this place so I can't say I'd return as often as I would like to. I was there for a short work assignment. Anyway, thumbs up!
(4)
kat v.
I took my grandparents here for Father's Day lunch. We got to sit outside on a beautiful day, of course the great weather impacted our experience! Everyone was friendly and the service was SUPER top notch. They were kind and considerate and we had a fabulous time. The food was great, too!
(4)
Stephanie M.
Great food. I mean, really great. I had homemade ravioli with cheese and mushrooms and it was perfect. My friend had the veal ravioli and said it was literally the best she had ever had. That's saying something. We had great wine and coffee and dessert was delicious. The cannoli was excellent and the bananas foster was pretty good. Service was a bit slow- but as long as you are not in a hurry and don't mind lingering over the meal, I don't think it will be a big problem.
(4)
Jacqueline K.
Great service, pretty good food. I wasn't blown away but it was good. Not busy at all on Sunday around 6 pm which seemed odd but overall, a pretty good experience.
(4)
Leslie D.
ANTIPASTO SALAD. Best ever!!! I honestly crave this on a regular basis!! Their pasta, meat and appetizers are the best. And, they make the best chicken parmesan in the city!!! I love this place for the neighborhood feel, and they are totally affordable.
(5)
Colleen A.
I will agree with what others have said: The homemade ravioli is to die for. Best pasta I've ever had. You can tell it is as fresh as can be. This is a cute little restaurant - very authentic. Parking is easy; staff is friendly and not over-bearing. Prices are reasonable, especially for the quality. They are also part of restaurant.com so you can get a gift certificate at a cheaper price and go all out. I will come back again and again - but I don't know if I'll be able to order anything except the ravioli!
(5)
Bob D.
Hell yeah, just what the doctor ordered after my three day Little Italy walking tour. After two very disappointing meals i have found a spot. Tasteful decor-check out door seating-check good bread and EVOO-check Smiling service-check Decent reasonably priced wines-check Now for the food..................... We started with some very fresh very nice oysters, nothing crazy, just a squirt of lemon. They were nice and at $6.50 Then I asked the waitress to decide between a couple of shrimp dishes for me, she chose the shrimp arancini. It was delicious, 6 big shrimp in a sauce of orange, white wine, tomato parsley and garlic it was excellent. I tried a side of sausage, it came smothered in meat sauce, at first I was a little beside myself, but the meat sauce was decadent. It had an intensely roasted flavor, there are many ways to make this sauce and I have never had it this aggressive. I was quite glad I had the opportunity. The next time it is ten below I will come and get a simple dish of spaghetti in meat sauce. As for the sausage, it was the real deal, rich, complex, a touch salty but balanced with sweet fennel and garlic. The texture was a little harder than the commercial grades and the thickness was smaller. A very fine sausage indeed. We had to try the famous gnocchi in Gorgonzola sauce, you better love Gorgonzola because kaboom! This is an atomic bomb o Gorgonzola. More than I could ever dream of splitting with another. Maybe order this to share around a big table. I have no complaints. I really enjoyed the food and the overall dining experience, can't wait to go back.
(5)
Matt M.
Il Vicinato was an extremely charming restaurant. The service was spot on, very knowledgeable of the wine list, and extremely friendly. The appetizers and entrees were perfectly made, pleased our table entirely. The dining room was very full, and lively, we had to make reservations for a Saturday night. The only drawback is that it's a bit far if you live downtown or on the north side, but well worth the trip! Highly recommend Il Vicinato, great for group dinners or date night!
(4)
Carolynne M.
From a rather nondescript exterior comes the most wonderful and amazing Italian food. I couldn't believe the diversity of the menu, the beautiful presentation, or the efficient and impeccable manner of the staff from this rather small restaurant. I took my mother here for her birthday, and having never been here before was a little concerned. She takes her Italian cuisine very seriously. But it worked out fantastic all around. I had a salad and the grilled octopus appetizer (which was much larger than expected). The octopus was prepared excellently, with just a tiny drizzle of balsamic vinaigrette. My mother ordered the ravioli (there are both meat and veg options). You could tell they were handmade, in a wonderful, rich sauce and giant meatballs that were the size of lemons. I don't get to this neighborhood very often but I know from now on any time I am there this will be my go-to place.
(5)
Andy M.
If I had to use one word to describe Vicinato Ristorante, it would be amazing. There is a beautiful bar area in the front and dinner seating in the back. It looks like a place you would find in little Italy in New York City or the North End in Boston. The interior both Cozy and Classy. My Chicken Parmesan entree was delicious. I have been to places that just butcher this dish. It's either overcooked and Hard as a Hockey Puck, or undercooked which gives it the texture of Goulash. The portions were huge and the Chicken was cooked to perfection. It was crispy on the outside, moist and tender on the inside. The side order of Spaghetti and Meat sauce was a meal in itself. The Pasta was perfectly cooked, and the meat sauce was delicious. I'm a hard core Northsider, but the next time I'm in the mood to get my Italian Grub on, I'm making a road trip to the South Side. The food at Vicinato Ristorante was delicious, and the service was top notch. I enjoyed every tasty morsel.
(5)
Daphne R.
Horrible! Didn't think it was possible to mess up Italian food, but they did it. Pasta had gross meat/tomato sauce. My friend is a vegetarian and had to reorder once she ordered her dish. The menu did not say anything about meat. The neighborhood is sketchy. Only people in the restaurant seemed to be lost tourist, like us. We had the hardest time getting a cab and once we did, the cab got lost (we should have gotten the clue then). We asked the waiter to call a cab 45 mins before us leaving but ending up waiting for 30 minutes after our meal. Save your money and skip this place!
(1)
Charles W.
Hands down one of the if not they best Italian restaurant. Came to this place by just randomly picking places of yelp. But after we left we decided we would have to come back again again. The menu was outstanding, all the food was perfect. The staff and owners are extremely friendly and helpful.
(5)
Tim O.
Il Vicinato is my favorite southen Italian cuisine restaurant in Chicago! Hand made ravioli is hard to find anywhere these days, and it is exquisite at Vicinato. Reasonably priced all the basics are 17-19$, specials are slightly higher. Chef Jim is an outstanding master at meat sauces...his process is tedious and time consuming but it is the old fashioned way to create a great meat sauce. If you prefer fish, his lake perch is divine, lightly battered and pan fried with a touch of peccorino romano and garlic. Lake superior white fish is also fresh and prepared without breading to a delicous tenderness. Start with the anti-pasta house salad, its filled with five meats and five cheese and serve with italian dressing....astounding! I recommend any and all basic his Italian recipes: Eggplant Parmesian, Chicken Marsala, Spaghetti, Ravioli. The veal is tender and amazing ...best recipe is Veal Parmisiana and the Tortellinni with sage cream sauce. Be prepared for lots of oil and butter...this is not a health concious menu. Il Vicinato is the best of all the nearby southside Italian village restaurants!
(5)
Chuck E.
Quite simply, the best Italian restaurant in America. At least that I've eaten at, and I'm trying to get to as many as I can before I head to that big Cardiology Clinic in the Sky. The Homemade Ravioli? Delivered straight from Heaven on the wings of Angels. The shrimp appetizer. The sausages & peppers. Any of the daily special meat dishes, and more of the fish dishes. Skip the vegetables, they're sometimes overcooked, but you can eat veggies at home. Don't know about their desserts, never had room. Heaven......with a wine list.
(5)
Kim H.
Just ate at ilVincinatos. It really looked promising, old school and all. We ordered an appetizer from the specials board and found out they really didn't have any of what we ordered. Then ordered the special pasta, shells with sausage and peas in a cream tomato sauce. Well, the dish came out luke warm and upon tasting, the sausage went mush in my mouth, it was RAW!! That was awful. Sent it back, and the sausage was still not cooked all the way, and the pasta was chewy, not al dente, really stick to your teeth chewy. Don't bother ot was really gross.
(2)
SoxSide Mike R.
This was my first visit to Il Vicinato, but it came highly recommended from some friends. I went on a Friday night with my mom, I made reservations thru Open Table, but we didn't need them since it was still pretty empty when we arrived at 7pm. We were greeted and seated very quickly. The waiter that first came by was quick to check on us for our wine selection, but failed to tell us about the specials for the evening. Since their specials board is up on the wall near the ceiling, we didn't even notice it until our waitress was taking our order. We started with the minestrone soup which was delicious, then we had the bruschetta, GREAT! As mentioned by other Yelpers, the girl who brought out our bread and water was completely stone faced and looked as if she hated to be there..... That being said, I had the veal ravioli, which tasted fantastic, my mom had the half and half spaghetti and veal ravioli, she loved it. Now we get to dessert, our waitress highly recommended the Homemade Tiramisu, which was absolutely fantastic!!!! Delicious, creamy, but not overwhelmingly sweet. Overall, nice atmosphere, but can get noisy; great waitstaff, very attentive and pleasant; fantastic food, and all for a good price. I will be back to work my way thru their menu!
(4)
Nancy L.
I worked at this joint when I was High School and I must say the food is superb. The chef is so passionate about his food..this place is always packed...I love the food here. :)
(5)
Victoria O.
Excellent restaurant! The food was great and service was outstanding! Made reservations for a Saturday night (highly recommended!), but it was packed, so we didnt get seated until maybe a half an hour later. It was ok though because they gave us a free glass of wine while we waited. The escargot was the best I ever had! My new York strip was so tender and full of seasoning, delicious! I can go on and on, but I won't..lol...This place is definitely a must to go to!
(5)
Ziggy K.
I've been here twice before for dinner and was very happy with my meals. Yesterday, I took a group of folks there for lunch. Everyone was very disappointed. I had the veal and it had an almost rotten odor. A couple people had the salmon and it was clearly very dry. The only thing I really enjoyed was the bread and the gumbo soup which was very good. I don't like giving this place a bad review, but the meal I had there yesterday was truly unacceptable.
(1)
Kevin B.
Finally found my favorite Italian place in Chicago! Best pasta I've had in a very long time. I had the crab/lobster ravioli, which was perfectly cooked. My girlfriend had this chicken inverno, which was a chicken breast with this artichoke/garlic cream sauce...the sauce was the best thing that has ever entered my mouth! We left there in a food coma. We will be coming back here!
(5)
John M.
I really was looking forward to this restaurant after reading the stellar reviews on here. Unfortunately, my experience was mixed. On the plus side: The restaurant decor is charming, especially the front room/bar area. The drinks were generous pours. The salad and bread were good. The proveletta and roasted red peppers appetizer was good, although very rich. The veal ravioli, by itself, was good and had a nice flavor. The male bartender that waited on us was friendly and efficient. Now, the bad: The meat sauce that came with the ravioli was hardly a sauce at all, more like crumbled ground beef, had very little tomato flavor and detracted from the veal ravioli. I honestly do not understand the comments on here praising their meat sauce (mine is much better, and I am not Italian). The spaghetti with vodka sauce that my fiance ordered was ok, but nothing special. The "Chicago cut" pork chop that I ordered was a beautiful 2" thick piece of meat, but it was overcooked and dry. For $24, I felt that I had a right to expect a properly cooked, moist pork chop, not a dried out chop that I would have had to force down. I could not eat it, and when I politely complained, I had a difficult time getting them to take it off our bill. They finally relented, but the female owner (I think) acted as if I committed a grave insult and/or was trying to pull a fast one (I had 1 bite of the chop only). I am in my 50's and am not in the habit of going to restaurants and complaining. The chop was not edible, and I certainly didn't need nor appreciate the bad attitude displayed by the owner. Overall, based on others' reviews, it seems that there are likely a number of good dishes at Il Vicinato, but if I was to return, I would avoid the meat sauce and try some of the other dishes such as chicken/veal parmesan etc. Unfortunately, because of the way that the owner handled my complaint over the dried out pork chop, I am not inclined to return. While I enjoyed the ambiance of Il Vicinato, there are a number of other Italian restaurants in Chicago that are at least as good or better, who perhaps have a better attitude toward customer service and satisfaction. I understand that any restaurant can overcook a piece of meat, but when that happens, the restaurant should deal with that situation in a professional manner with the paramount goal of satisfying the customer so that he will come back in the future. That did not happen here.
(2)
Mrs. F.
Best Pasta Ever!!!
(5)
erik d.
droooool. I love this place. Parking's super easy, just pull up behind one of the White Escalades / Mercedes and NOBODY will touch your car. Yeah, it's kinda like that. There is only one item on the menu you need to know about. it's some of the best that I've ever had, and it's not even prominently placed on the menu... simply listed as "homemade ravioli" - $10, it's some of the best damned veal ravioli I've ever had. ever. service has always been good when I've been there, and it's very reasonably priced. 4 people can get out of there for about $100 or so unless you go crazy with the boozeahol.
(5)
Lynn P.
My husband and I started coming here when we started dating and we've probably returned at least once a month since. This is an old school Italian restaurant. The staff is incredible. Ben is typically our waiter and he knows our order by heart. We have several go to dishes: the veal ravioli is great. The raviolis are huge! The eggplant Parmesan is wonderful. It's baked not fried and the red sauce has so much flavor. Our two favorite dishes are often not on the menu, but just mention to the staff and they'll make sure you get it. The first is the pork chops Vesuvio. If you are hungry and like garlic, you cannot skip this dish. Just the smell of it is amazing and they give you two gigantic chops. The second dish is the chicken baltasana (sp?). If I had to choose a last meal it would be this. A chicken breast is stuffed with cheese, crispy prosciutto, and zucchini then baked. It comes with a lemon butter sauce which I prefer over pasta. You will feel like you are visiting family when you come to Il Vicinato.
(5)
Suze R.
Want an delicious, authentic old world italian meal that will meet every expectation? You must go to Il Vincinato's. The drinks are well made and the wine was nice too. We love the pizza bread and fried zucchini appetizers. The service was great, it wasn't that busy and we were able to have a nice leisurely meal without being rushed. We ordered the homemade veal ravioli with meat sauce. Soooo good! This is a neighborhood place that has not changed for 25 years. Oh, don't forget to leave room for a cannoli or the tiramisu, we ordered both, best cannoli I've ever had. We enjoyed an excellent meal at Il Vincianto's.
(5)
Gerry H.
I always visit this restaurant with some guys that grew up in the hood, and are intimates of the owner and wait staff, so I suspect that we receive VIP treatment. It's hard to describe this place. It's cozy, but certainly nothing fancy. The bar area is nice but by today's standards, unremarkable, and the bathroom needs to be remodeled. However, and this is a monumental however, the food is breathtaking. The Pasta Shuta(sp) is absolutely to die for. The Chicken Vesuvio is sublime, and the salad is perhaps the best I've had. In fact, everything that I've tried has been perhaps the best I've had. The prices are pricey, so be prepared
(4)
Mehak S.
I came here with a friend for lunch. First things first- while this restaurant is in a random location, let's remember the pluses. Parking was very easy and I didn't bother with a reservation. My girlfriend and I started with a plate of calamari for our appetizer. It wasn't on the menu, but the waiter was nice enough to let us know that the kitchen could whip up pretty much anything off the dinner appetizer menu. While waiting for that to come out, we gorged ourselves on the bread and olive oil, which was very fresh and tasty. The calamari was good, not the best I've ever had because it was a little oily, but good nonetheless. For our entrees, I ordered the cheese ravioli and my girlfriend ordered the "half and half"- half spaghetti and half veal ravioli. I enjoyed my dish. The sauce was incredible and had a smoky flavor I have never encountered in a tomato sauce. The pasta was cooked perfectly. My girlfriend said her veal ravioli was delicious, but admitted the spaghetti could have been cooked a little more. For dessert, I continued binging and ordered a cannoli. I was incredibly disappointed. It was so hard I couldn't break it with a fork! My teeth hurt after awhile because of the effort it took to gnaw through the thing so I just gave up. I'll forgive the cannoli debacle because of the excellent pasta and the incredibly nice and accomodating waitstaff. I would definitely come back to try more dishes to meet my italian food fix.
(4)
Lauren K.
We had the prosciutto and fruit, delicious homemade meat ravioli (they were the size of pierogi and very filling), and a tasty bananas foster for dessert. We never felt rushed and our waiter was very attentive and courteous. The place was also very busy which is always a good sign. We'll be back!
(5)
Scott r.
Was recommended by a south-side Sicilian friend of mine when asked, "Where would your family go out for Italian food?" A little off the beaten track, but worth the cab-ride. All dishes were great and service attentive. Decor not fancy, but perfect for family get-togethers.
(5)
robert m.
This restaurant is a throwback to the Italian restaurants that thrived in Chicago thirty years ago, before the chains like Rosebud and Francesca's took over the scene. The room is the same as it was twenty years ago, right down to the call buttons on the walls. Everything is homemade to order, so be prepared to wait for your food. We had Chicken Vesuvio, Eggplant Parmesan, and Fettucine Carbonara. Entrees came with house salad. Everyone loved the food and we all thought it was a great find. I gave it five stars because I think it's a great neighborhood place, with very good food at low prices. This is not sophisticated gourmet Italian food like Spiaggia or Coco Pazzo, but I loved it for what it is and will definitely return.
(5)
Luke F.
i have been to italy and have dined at alot of italian reastaurants and this is by far one of the best. im going there tonight and wanted to share how good this place is. the inside is nothing special but the sause stains the dishes its that authentic. the chef / owner from luca italy is usually there hanging out so after the meal on the way out say hello. chkn parm was awesome and a rigatoni lugi was good to...
(5)
Pamela W.
I didn't think the food was worth the price. The salad dressing had little flavor and was very oily. I was especially frustrated by some contradictions in the menu; it specifically said "Entrees include soup or salad and a potato or spaghetti." My husband and I ordered entrees off the 'specials' board. I asked my server if they were all entrees, and he said yes. But neither of our meals came with the potato/pasta side. When I asked his only explanation was that the dishes we had ordered didn't count, they were just exceptions. Well, I ordered my meal based on the information listed on the menu; if that information doesn't apply to the dish I ordered I should be told when I order, or they should make it up to me after I order because they didn't inform me. Especially if I complain. I ordered pasta with shrimp and asparagus. It was mediocre. My husband ordered some kind of fish with vegetables and some kind of cornbread. I didn't like it at all, it was just a really strong smelly fish flavor. He said he liked the fish well enough, but wasn't impressed and didn't like the cornbread at all. I felt crowded, it was a bit too loud and close to be very romantic.
(2)
Eddie U.
I was not sure what to expect at this eatery. I was very pleased with their service, menu and very nice looking 1920/30s environment. It transported me to old Chicago. Now, the food menu: these people know their veal. My boyfriend had this awesome place. it was a total pleasure watching him enjoy that meal. I had the wheat pasta and shrimp with veggies. I loved it and wish I could eat some more now. If you are in the area, I would definitely say -- go for it and enjoy!
(5)
Y M.
Like some of the people mentioned ravioli is great. I love it. I liked the meatballs alot too but the meat sauce on ravioli has alot of meat already so it's up to you if you need more. its a very very meaty delicious sauce. big portion, I packed like half my entree to go but I am small so it's def. a meal to feel a big man too.
(4)
Bob S.
Fits in perfect with this great area around 24th and Oakley/Western. The homemade ravioli is amazing, and the chicken parm was chicken overkill. Put aside your unpleasant 40yr lifer wait staff, and enjoy the great food Il Vicinato has to offer. I'd still prefer Bacchanalia, but this place is very much worth a shot. The breaded zucchini is great too.
(4)
Shawn L.
Great food. Sometimes lousy service. I've been here several times over the last few years as my father knows the owner. The food has been consistently excellent, every time I've been. On the other hand, the service can REALLY suck. I took a friend about six months ago and we didn't leave a tip. And we ALWAYS leave a 20% tip, minimum. It was that bad. The waitress had a major attitude and was VERY rude and short with us (she's probably been waitressing for 30 years and should rethink her career), and the busgirl was, well, dumb as a post and kept bringing us the wrong things (at least she was nice...and pretty). I'm still going back for the food, but I'd seriously consider asking for another server next time.
(4)
Arjun C.
Great food -- old school, quality, large portions. Whether it's the tortellini, gnochhi, ravioli, chicken marsala, or whatever, I enjoyed my first jaunt into the "Heart of Chicago" area.The waitress definitely has an attitude, but I actually found her to be helpful in a strange way. Came away generally satisfied.
(4)
Kevin K.
I have eaten here many times and I have never had a bad meal. There vodka sauce is my favorite as well as the homemade fried ravioli. Check there daily specials those are great as well!!!
(5)
Andrea H.
This place is a diamond in the rough! Atmosphere sucks but you won't notice because this will probably be one of the best meals you'll ever eat. We got the seafood gumbo (amazing,) crab cakes, garlic shrimp, salad, and sea bass, all of which were incredibly good. The meal started with a basket of soft, fresh bread. The sea bass was a huge, perfectly cooked piece of fish that is probably the best I have had anywhere ever. It was melt in your mouth perfect. Drinks were strong and service was attentive. On-point from start to finish, a really great meal. Oh and super cheap taking into consideration the high quality of the food.
(4)
Clinton S.
If you like Italian food - you should go here! Seriously, sometimes the fewer words you use to describe a dining experience the better, and that certainly was the case with Il Vicinato. First, our waiter was outstanding....made great recommendations, was attentive, but as I've said many times before did not try to be our best new friend. One of the absolutely best suggestions he made was to have our dishes family style, that way no one person had to make a decision of what they would order - we all got to try some of what was ordered! We had appetizers, fried calamari (tender and fried to a perfect golden brown), shrimp alanari (I think that's how it's spelled), and prosciutto wrapped melon. Great choices and enough for all to try. Then an Italian salad, largest enough for the table, and served family style. The dressing could have used a little more vinegar, but that's being really picky. The main entrees consisted of the chicken vesuvio, homemade ravioli with veal stuffing, and black linguine with lobster. All excellent, three dishes more than enough for the four of us, and my favorite was the ravioli. Lastly, we had a dessert sampler - make room for dessert, you won't be sorry. I think my favorite (besides tiramisu, which I love) was the cannoli - rich filling and crispy exterior. This is the place for good neighborhood Italian food - if you're looking for ambiance or fancy decorating, don't go, but if you want good food, outstanding service, and good value, this is the place.
(5)
Michael B.
IL Vicinato is classic, traditional Italian done very well. Real, authentic, traditional Italian is becoming harder to find as contemporary Italian and contemporized traditional Italian are currently on trend. The interior has a rustic, charming, welcoming bygone era charm. Everything is home cooked, slow cooked, in generous portions, reasonably priced. The drinks are big, strong and half the price of downturn Chicago with probably twice the alcohol content. There is a family pride that noticeably goes into the food and service. The Chicken Vesuvio and Veal Ravioli are signature dishes. My friend had the ravioli, which are packed with meat, in abundance on the plate, of course home made and very tasty. My Osso Buco special was also excellent. I tried another friend's Red Snapper, which was also generosity portioned and tasty. Lots of classic homemade desserts like Ricotta Cheese Cake, Chocolate Mousse Cake etc. We weren't rushed, did not have to shout over the house music mix and could enjoy our delicious meal and conversation with dear friends. Easy free street parking or $5 valet. Outdoor seating.
(4)
Steve S.
One reason this place is successful -- besides very good food, of course-- is that it manages to feel true to its old school roots while not seeming like a hole in the wall that time completely forgot. The dining room is relatively small -- about 16 tables -- with lovely wood paneling, soft lighting, and stucco upper walls and ceiling. It's slightly spiffier and more formal than the idiosyncratic orange walls and green linoleum floors of Bruna's down the street (though I love that place too.) The place isn't ancient -- it opened in the 80s, apparently -- but its bloodlines run back to a long-gone place that opened in the '50s on the next block called Febo, where my parents used to go, and apparently the building and interior space date back to Prohibition. Antipasto chopped salad and house made veal ravioli (an old specialty of theirs -- very plump pillows of delicately seasoned ground meat, topped with meat sauce which thankfully wasn't too thick or heavy) were both excellent, as was the glass of San Polo "Rubio" Tuscan red wine. The house made ricotta cheesecake was very nice -- that's a very hard item to find -- but needed a touch more sugar to be satisfying as dessert. Service was courteous and accommodating. Unfortunately, between my main course and dessert, my initial waiter (very friendly, knowledgeable, claimed to be the owner's son) apparently clocked out without a word to me, and I was handed off to his more senior colleague. The guest checks are still written and tabulated by hand, and the new waiter made a $5 error on the total, but corrected it and seemed genuinely apologetic. I love authentic, unique places like this, and am glad they're still able to make a go of it.
(4)
David S.
A nice sunny and warm Friday afternoon and patio seating. A bit off the beaten path and I have dined here several times. The food is excellent as is the wine list. Extremely reasonable too!! Hugo was a friendly waiter who know his stuff. Now - try the snails with a a glass or 2 of white and wash down with a couple Pieroni's. MMM good, a tasty treat to wrap the week up!!!
(5)
Stacy S.
Great restaurant and the food was great. We stopped in for appetizers and the staff were all very friendly.
(5)
Jemimah K.
In light of my 8th graders graduating, and this being my last year as an eighth grade teacher, I am writing another review about this place. It's a tradition where the teachers eat lunch here after the ceremony, and I don't know if it's because I came here with a different group of people, but I wasn't as satisfied leaving as I was a year ago. I regret not getting the steak like I did before, but I tried out the spaghetti this time around and it wasn't anything special. Then again, how amazing can you make spaghetti with meat sauce? It's a pretty simple dish. I thought the overall meal was bland, but I did enjoy the bread and my coke! The service here though is always amazing.
(3)
Ruby D.
A women behind the bar took notice to us upon entry with a cheerful greeting. We were more than excited because we read the specials while waiting for a table. Juan was our server, he explained the specials in great detail. We had the Jumbo Shrimp appetizer and were Blown away! We also ordered the pork chops stuffed with prosciutto. I also had the veal fillet with a side of pasta. And for dessert we had chocolate mouse. Juan was attentive and Charming and we'll definitely be back with a crowd.
(5)
Chris P.
Excellent food, went here after visiting my grandmother at Mt. Sinai. Fresh, nice servers and staff. Quiet, dimly lit. Fast and breezy service. Went on a Saturday night. Had veal parmigiana, with spaghetti and marinara sauce. The garden salad with thousand island sauce is ridiculous good
(4)
Hugh P.
Waiter Ben have great recommendations. Everything is worth tasting. The gumbo soup, pork chop, and cheesecake. You will be happy with this choice for Italian food. Just treat yourself and you will be happy.
(4)
City D.
I have been to so many bad restaurants that it's really refreshing to finally find a restaurant with great food. The bread is home made and crispy on the outside and soft in the inside. The Margarita pizza appetizer was fantasic and only $6.00. The stuffed mushroom appetizer was the best I ever had. The steak dinner was large and the meat was very tender and cooked to perfection. Our wait staff was very attentive and the service was top notch. I can't believe I have lived in Chicago my entire life and never heard of this restaurant before. Can't wait to go back.
(5)
Phil P.
Consistency.....again...service was great and Walters recommendation was spot on....not a lot of people here tonight......2nd plate was Vesuvio. ......
(4)
Christine A.
AWESOME Italian Food, "Old Style"! Everyone that works at the restaurant is very nice. You will always "run into" the owner or a member of his family and they are VERY nice to talk to! I have family from out of town and EVERY TIME they come into town, they want to go to "Il Vish"!!! All of their food is outstanding, from the veal to the pasta to their meat spaghetti sauce.
(5)
Ashley M.
The best. Chicken vesuvio, shrimp scampi, baked clams, and the swordfish special are all excellent. Great service and atmosphere.
(5)
Jon G.
If you have not been here, you need to go. It is a one hour drive for me, and it is well worth it. I have been here twice, once for the ravioli with meat sauce, and today for the chicken vesuvio. Everything is great. Good fresh, chewy bread with olive oil. Great cocktails, appetizers, and desserts. My 3 guests were vegan, vegetarian, a pescatarian, and me a meat eater, and we all found a delicious option. Homemade pasta and a kitchen willing to modify anything for their customers. Reservations are needed on evenings and weekends, and the valet parking is helpful most times of the day.
(5)
Michelle G.
Called at 6pm on NYE and they were gracious enough to give us 8:30 reservations. The food and the service were outstanding! This place is already a favorite of mine...now they went up a few notches. You definitely need to try this place if you haven't yet!!
(4)
Miharu H.
First, I'd like to preface this with the fact that this used to be my uncle's favorite Italian restaurant in Chicago. He lived in Hyde Park and now lives in Denver so he's taken me to the restaurant three times. This last time was my last straw and I kind of just needed to write a review. The good. Chicken Vesuvio. The bad. Everything else. A couple of us ordered meatballs on the side and we couldn't cut through them because the bottom to all the meatballs were hard as a rock. Once we were able to cut it, the meatball was just like eating lots of salt with some tomato sauce. For the calamari, the sauce on the side was a cold cocktail sauce that tasted like it came from a can. I really want to like the restaurant because of it's old school atmosphere but the food is probably one of the worst Italian dining experiences that I have ever had.
(1)
Mike K.
Great food and service. Was stuffed for 2 days. Chicken Vesuvio. Some angel hair with beef gravy. Sausage and peppers. Some dish with beef tenderloin. Pistachio gelato. I'm German so I can't remember the names of the items. All of it was awesome. Ate like a death row inmate. Atmosphere was simple and quiet. Great dining room and bar area up front.
(5)
Sujay K.
Having lived in the UIC/Little Italy area for 8 years, I was completely surprised to learn about the rarely talked about Heart of Italy neighborhood. After eating at Il Vicinato, I can't wait to explore the area further. This place is just great. Delicious food, HUGE portions. Our server was ridiculously knowledgeable and helpful about the menu, and was accommodating to minor additions and subtractions on all the dishes (not that we made any, but he was apt to suggest variations on dishes after he asked us what we liked). He even made a great vino suggestion. Solid food and service. Price can't be beat. Highly recommended.
(5)
Jim M.
Il Vicinato....WHAT A JOKE!!!! Hellooooo Tourists...and locals - Welcome to Chicago!! Ok so me and Smalls are always on the hunt for good Italian. And over the past year Il Vicinato keeps landing on our radar. Even my buddy Ray who is as much a wop as the Dago-s long. LOL! recommended this place, with comments like "It's old school, It's where Sinatra would go, blah, blah, blah". Ok maybe that was the case 40 years ago...but NOT now! Let me give you a run down of the events and why this place Suuuuuuxxxx! We went last night, 01/31/2015. We pull up to the Valet parking stand (It's snowing like crazy!!) - and the douche bag attendant just stands there listening to his iPod. Doesn't even open the door for Smalls! I go around the car and I says - "here's how we do this pal." And he says "Well, I was going to get the door for your wife" and I'm like "how you gonna do that from ten feet away?" Anyway, We go inside.... Very bright, no ambiance, no charm, nothing like the pictures online. Nobody was there (on a Saturday Night) No Italian in site. In fact, we found out later, that the place is owned by a dude from Guadalajara. We sat down and our waiter Hugo who was excellent!! (the best part of the experience) starts the ball rolling. And all the specials sound great yada, yada, yada. We order two Manhattans - thinking "Hey old school restaurant, old school drinks" And besides.. Smalls get a little frisky when she's knockin back the whiskey. Hahaha. We get two absolutely HORRIBLE drinks my OMG!! You know when you take a sip and your head does that EWWWWW involuntary tweak to the side and yours lips curl up... you got a bad drink - and the bartender was looking right at me when I did that! AND ELEVEN BUCKS A DRINK?? So Smalls orders the twice baked clams, because the dish came highly recommended by Hugo. He expressed that it was one of the most popular appetizers on the menu. The plate comes with what I think was a really bland gloppy stuffing that we wouldn't even dare insult a dead turkey with. And if that wasn't bad enough, they were served in recycled clam shells. Hey Il Vicinato, if you're going to put twice baked clams on the menu, please put actual clams in the dish and please, please, please, don't use recycled clam shells! This dish was so friggin gross, smalls spit hers out in her napkin. I tried to eat a couple, but couldn't swallow them and just began turning the shells over so they looked like they were eaten. We asked Hugo if they made their own pasta... and he tells us - no, they don't make anything from scratch there! Except for the Gnochi. MAMA MIA WTF?! This experience was so disappointing we couldn't go on any further. What? Yep, it was actually so bad we left after the appetizer round - which we have never done. Risk having to spit out more into the napkin, and unnecessarily spend more money? No. And when we left... the Valet Douche Bag was leaning up against the wall listening to his iPod. Didn't get my car, didn't open the door for Smalls or myself. What a disappointment, I don't know if I'll even go back to little Italy in Chicago again. I would rather open a can of Chef Boyardee or Spaghetti-O's than go back to Il Vicinato - that's for damn sure! Now for those of you who don't appreciate fine Italian cuisine, or how food should taste, this might be the place for you. We will not be returning.
Ravioli please!!! I've been coming here since a child and it is hands down the best Italian food I've had. I never really ventured out from the ravioli till a couple years ago. When you run out of rav. for the week, you know it's good! The wine choices are fantastic and always stocked and if they do run out, don't worry your bartender will find something better! I've never tasted anything bad here and the specials are special so don't be afraid to try them. I recommend valet parking unless you can find something right in front. I've never had any issues with valet though. This place is also perfect for a date night as it is dimmed lighting, candles and more private. The service is outstanding- they don't bother you with silly questions or add side notes, they are simple, knowledgable and to the point. It's def. one of the best atmospheres I've encountered in this type of dining. Live a little and don't be scared to try this place as you won't regret it!
(5)
Sharon K.
The canollis are as light as air and are to die for. The main meal was great too. Good, family feeling, great service. Not much more to say.
(5)
Paul B.
I have to admit I have a soft spot in my heart for the restaurants in this neighborhood. I was born at 23d and Bell and my family had a pharmacy (at Cermak and Leavitt) from 1899 to the early 80s. I have fond memories of (now long gone) Febo's, Toscana, Fontanella and others that are all like visits to restaurant 'Central Casting' for old-school Italian eateries. This is where I had my Wonder Bread years of eating Italian. I used to think it was the definition, until I went to work for the Alfa Romeo Indy Car Team in Milano and splitting living between here and there. The taste bud renaissance I went through as I explored northern cuisine rather than central or southern (and Sicilian) versions was great fun. It made me a bit of a snob on Italian, to be honest, and the trips to Oakley or Western Ave seemed to drop off my radar. This past weekend was a moment to visit my roots and a visit to Il Vincinato was in order. The Open Table res worked great, even on a Saturday night res made on Friday. Nice. The wait staff and bus boys were cordial, attentive, informative. The specials were explained well and questions answered well. We chose to try the minestrone as a first course, and it was quite good and served hot, not warm. Also nice, and something I wish more restos would be more attentive about. Entree' choices were their signature home-made ravioli with veal sauce, and one of the specials: Tortellini with gorgonzola and fig in an Alfredo sauce. Both were delicious, but the tortellini was good enough that last night (five days later) I was jones'n for it that I almost considered calling there and seeing if they were going to offer it again. Yup. That good. The ravioli were genuinely home made, not frozen or bought in as fas as I could tell, and the sauce wasn't big and gooey, but just tasty. We passed on dessert, but they looked great. If you're looking for high-zoot Italian, head for the downtown regulars I like for that kind of thing (Coco Pazzo, Spiaggia, etc) but you'll enjoy a great home-style meal at Il Vincinato. Prices were perfectly in line. Drinks weren't small and poured with a proper hand. I'm angry at myself for not visiting more often. I'm not going to make that mistake again.
(4)
Cesar M.
Simple and nice. I was there on a rainy Tuesday evening. My friend and I were craving cheese and bread so I jumped to yelp and did a quick search. Italian of course. Closest to where we where driving by???? Il Vicinato. So we pulled over, parked and in we go. The place is simple, yet very nice. The service is nice, yet not readily available. Tables were readily available since they were only 4 other parties. We had: bruschetta, soup, eggplant parmegiana, and gnocchi with gorgonzola cheese sauce. The bruschetta was really good and the eggplant was super good. perfectly coated and moist. And I found out that gorgonzola is not for everyone. The bread was good bread, but extremely cold. It was a decent dinner
(3)
Ron C.
Best Pasta Arrabiata I've ever had.
(5)
Phil J R.
Lunch was great this reminds me of walking into a scene from sopranos or goodfellas! The staff was helpful and the food was great had the special but tried the veal ravioli which was fantastic. Highly recommend as it's a great place with excellent staff.
(4)
Colleen B.
I was notified that we would be joining my boyfriend's parents and their friends for dinner here last Saturday night. As I looked up the information, I was shocked to see how close it was to UIC/Taylor Street area where I used to live and that I'd never heard of this place. So I walked in with a mindset of comparing this to my favorite Italian place on Taylor Street. And I walked out feeling about 10 lbs heavier and very, very sleeper. First of all, we were there for like three hours. The service here was not slow, but I learned that it's a staple of having dinner with the in-laws that you'll be there forever. We ordered three appetizers and had them finished before we could even order our entree's. Again, not due to the restaurant but to the company we were dining with. Our waiter did not rush us and kept bringing drinks quickly. For the appetizer, we ordered the Polenta and the clams (I think raw and baked). I don't eat seafood at all or meat for the that matter. But everyone at the table seemed to enjoy the clams and I loved the polenta (though I can't compare it with any other time since I'd never had polenta before). Finally we order our entree's and I had my eye on the Gnocchi all night. I ended up having it with regular marinara sauce but kind of wish I'd gotten the gorgonzola sauce. The waiter warned that it was very strong tasting and some people did not like it too much, but oh well. I also added mushrooms to it. I had the salad and scarfed it down quickly. My boyfriend really liked his soup. The ghocchi was awesome tasting. My only regret is that I could only have a few bites and was so overwhelming full. I took the rest home and am excited to eat for lunch today. My boyfriend got the shrimp fettuccine and loved it. I tried his mother's entree (it was either the Pasta Roger or the Mostaccioli) and wow it was awesome. It had the right amount of bread crumbs and a very flavorful sauce and cheese on it. I think everyone loved this meal. My boyfriend is Italian and very picky about his Italian food. After all, his mother is an amazing cook and even makes pasta from scratch. Everyone was happy and I'd definitely recommend this place to others.
(4)
Adam J.
I've been here a few times since my first review, and if this isn't the best Italian restaurant in the city, I'd like to know what is. Everything isn't consistently good, it's consistently perfect. Sure, it's nothing modern. Truth be told, I love that it's not modern. It's like walking into a Mad Men episode with perfect service and perfect food. Honestly, anyone that rates this place low knows nothing of food or how it should be served.
(5)
Isa C.
Drove past this restaurant on many occasions and always wanted to try it. I finally dined here this week and truly enjoyed it. I had the pasta carbonara and it was absolutely delicious. The portion was huge and I was happy I had leftovers for the next day. We tried the pistachio gelato which was also very yummy. I will definitely add this to my list of favorite Italian restaurants. The environment is very laid back and the customer service was great.
(5)
Larry D.
Great food, great service, great atmosphere. Just a wonderful old fashioned neighborhood Italian eating experience. It's what the chains try to emulate and never can.
(5)
Benjamin R.
My wife and I loved the atmosphere and the service here--very friendly. We started with an order of bruschetta, which was delicious; I highly recommend it. The salads that came with our meal were so-so, but the bread on our table was excellent. Unfortunately, our main courses weren't so great. I ordered mostaccioli, which came with a meat sauce. The sauce wasn't to my liking--too heavy, and not sweet enough. It was competently done, though, so I chalk this up to a matter of taste. You might feel differently. However, my wife ordered eggplant parmesan, which turned out rubbery and overcooked. It's possible we just ordered the wrong things, and again the staff was great. I don't know that we'll be going back, though.
(3)
Diana A.
Phenomenal restaurant. My family is very picky when it comes to Italian food, and we all agreed that the food at Il Vicinato was some of the best we have had outside of our own family's kitchen. The veal ravioli was to die for. My dad had the Chicken Vesuvio and my mom had the Salmon which were both great. The calamari was also delicious. Do not be fooled by the ambience, it is a very old school restaurant for sure, but the food makes up for it. My only concern is why they serve gumbo..I wouldn't order it. Other than that, I highly recommend this Italian restaurant.
(5)
Greg M.
I've eaten here about 8 times over the past year. After having tried most of their dishes, I have to say unfortunately the food is pretty bad. I've liked this place because the cost is considerably below the mainstay Italian restaurants up on Taylor Street. There are 4 or 5 small Italian restaurants in this neighborhood, which is considered the original Little Italy. But after having dined at most of them, I have to say Il Vicinato is towards the bottom of the list of these budget spots. Their basic things like red Marina sauce is very odd - it is very dark in color with a burnt taste - it is oily and overly chuncky. It looks wrong and certainly tastes wrong; something is wrong with it. The meatsauce is also pretty bad. Other dishes like Chicken Vesuvio is nothing more than fried chicken with vesuvio sauce poured over it. The chicken did not taste fresh and was very small. The veal dishes do not taste very good, and again have that odd ball sauce. The portions of most dishes are small, which is probably the reason their entrees are cheaper than other restaurants. Other pasta dishes are just so-so. Even the Minestroni soup does not taste up to standard in the neighborhood - I would doubt it is home-made. The service is OK when the restaurant is not busy. But it really suffers if busy. My overall rating is 6 out of 10 for Italian restaurants in Chicago. You are much better off down the street, up on Taylor street, or closer to the city. In retrospect, I would much rather pay a bit more and have a much better, higher quality meal with better service elsewhere! I therefore no longer can recommend this restaurant.
(1)
Raymond B.
There are several fine Italian restaurants in this neighborhood, this one's the best. Always check the specials.
(5)
Joe B.
Went here last night for a family gathering. It was simply outstanding. Had the bruschetta for the appetizer. The bread was soft, which for some reason is not always the case in other restaurants. The tomatoes were diced just right and the dressing was not too bitter or oily. It overshadowed the other app, the provoletta and roasted red pepper, which was great in its own right. Among the dinner choices were salmon, pasta Roger, and sfuffed pork chops. As it was a family event, we all shared from each other's plates. No doggy bags needed this night, as we were all good little boys and girl and cleared our plates. The MVP of these dishes was the pork chops. Because of this dish it took a bit longer to get our food from the kitchen, but after one bite we realized it was well worth the wait. Awesome. When I tried to finish the chop by picking it up by the bone I was admonished by my wife, who said I'm not allowed to eat it "Fred Flintstone-style." But I digress. For dessert it was creme brulee and tiramisu. Practically licked clean. I must also mention the outstanding service. The server and server assistants were constantly tending to us. It is not a big place, so one could expect for the place to have a light support staff. But not so here. The service was every bit as good as the food (see above). I also love the old-school cash register at the bar. Gives the feel that this place has been around a while If you're looking for an old-fashioned Italian restaurant, one that is--to quote "The Godfather"--"nice family restaurant, good food, everyone minds his business," this is the place. Valet parking is $5.
(5)
Jeff C.
This is solid old Italian food for the price. Been going here for years and miss Febo up the street. The wine isn't great-pretty mediocre. I had the whitefish and it was really good. The clams were good. It's a very traditional old style Chicago place-not haute cuisine or trendy new stuff.
(4)
Patrick F.
The spicy Italian pasta was great. Ambiance was nice and they let me play the piano. Great experience. Excellent coffee too. Owner is a nice Mexican fellow.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Street Wheelchair Accessible : No Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
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.
Discriminating One '.
Simply the best authentic Northern Italian food in Chicago! (unless your mom makes it) We have been dining here for over 25 yrs. finally decided to write a review. Its truly good homemade food and a great dining experience! If you dont see it on the menu, ask they will make it. The antipasto salad is awesome. Try one of the appetizers on the special board always good and made daily. if you are still hungry, the homemade ravioli in meat sauce is incredible! By far one of the best!! We frequent at least once a month and have never been disappointed!! The staff is always warm & gracious! As for the negative reviews? The neighborhood is old school Chicago its not the "gold coast" get out of your shell!! When a menu says "meat sauce" and it has meat, well then thats what it should have!!! If you want tomato sauce try a sicilian restaurant. Im sure the negative diners must think the "olive gardens" institutional processed frozen entrees are "authentic old school Italian" and probably give BK's chicken parm sandwich 5 stars!!! This place is old school Italian neighborhood, food, and atmosphere!! Simply awesome!!
(5)RoseMary P.
Hidden gem. Great food. Great portions. Great service. Old school Italian done right. Off the beaten path but totally worth it.
(4)Jetaime C.
Was excited reading the reviews. However, this definitely fell short. Meat sauce gnocchi. It's a nice attempt in a heavy taqueria area. If I want authentic, I cooking at home.
(2)Steve J.
Try to get here several times per year. Authentic, tasty, attentive staff. Nuff said.
(4)Melissa P.
My boyfriend and I drove past this place on our way to another restaurant. We decided to turn back because traffic was horrid and we were really hungry. We decided to try this place out since it looked really nice on the outside. On the inside the ambiance is perfect, not too dark not too bright and luckily not to crowded! We were seated immediately and had Rose as our waitress. She was great, very attentive and gave us some good recommendations. I had the salmon which was delicious, my boyfriend had the steak which was also delicious. I am not too knowledgeable when it comes to wine and Rose recommended one of her favorites. Not only is she a doll, but she's got great taste buds as well! Overall our experience was a great one. We will definitely have to go back to try the dish the woman next to us was having. She kept raving about it so much I felt like I was watching Meg Ryan's scene from When Harry meet Sally!
(4)John K.
Another local haunt we used to visit frequently many years ago. Tried it again after a friend raved about his usual meal. A long time ago it was french fried zucchini, antipasto salad, ravioli or one of the veal dishes. Still pretty decent and worth another visit. Nothing really changed but the cook bought the business awhile back. Wait staff is accomodating and very real, neighborhood type not pretentious. Opened with Pieroni beer, boy was that reasonably priced! Had the antipasto salad and it was exactly the same taste and quality (iceberg lettuce, gorgonzola cheese, salami, mortadella, parmesean chesse, pitted olives, pepperocini, vinegar, oil and spices). It met my expectations except they could have at least used romaine instead of an ordinary iceberg. Had the homemade veal ravioli with marinara sauce (they were always willing to accomodate a change). Again the very same taste and quality. Really nice spiced marinara, finely diced veal but the dough was a little thick, nonetheless still good. Menu on the wall (still has Pasta Roger on it ... forgot what that was) willing to take some minor risks. Ambiance is hardwood floors, tablecloths and stucco walls. It wasn't busy in there for a Friday night but I imagine it could be loud. I've taken dates there but wouldn't consider it romantic, but it's a nice old school neighborhood restaurant. Again worth resuming take out and another visit .. stay tuned to see if I can raise that rating.
(3)Dean H.
Old school Italian restaurant. Food was very good with the lobster ravioli being exceptional as was the beefsteak tomato/onion/blue cheese crumbles salad. Waiter was old school Italian and extremely good. Atmosphere is like eating on the set of The Godfather. Only drawback was the location. While the restaurant itself is very safe, the surrounding area is a bit sketchy.
(4)NaKisha L.
I liked Il Vicinato Ristorante but it was a little pricey. The one thing that stood out to me is that a salad does not come complimentary with your entree. I had the lobster ravioli and it was it was okay but the pasta was a little too thick for my liking. Overall, it's worth a try!
(3)MoonUnit Z.
We were there last Thursday evening. Everything was great as usual. This is my son's favorite place to spend his birthday. The only complaint I have is that they don't give free refills on soft drinks. The food is great, service is great too! Best meat sauce ever ... And the chicken vesusivio is to die for! Well be back again and again! We love it!!
(5)Sharyn M.
The main reason I wrote my initial review was the fact that I had an evening ruined by anticipation of a fabulous authentic Italian dinner. The disappointment level for Il Vincinato was overwhelming to the point where it hurt. Not just the "brush under the rug" forgivable. We had planned this outing...hoping for the best..and I just do not want to see anyone else to fall into this trap of fake reviews as we did. I beg u all out there to rethink your choice. I am not an Olive Garden Connoisseur nor a hateful reviewer. Just a patron looking out for others who may be bamboozled into spending over a hundred dollars as we did on horrible food. Show some trust. I wish I would have had the same on my hunt 3 weeks ago.
(1)Shin M.
I got a side salad and the meat ravioli with the sauce of the day which had tomato sauce and other vegetables. It was really good! The portions for both the salad and ravioli were very large too. It wasn't one of those places that gives you like 5 pieces of tiny ravioli squares. These ravioli squares were home made and huge. I had to take some home! Unfortunately, i do not live close to this place so I can't say I'd return as often as I would like to. I was there for a short work assignment. Anyway, thumbs up!
(4)kat v.
I took my grandparents here for Father's Day lunch. We got to sit outside on a beautiful day, of course the great weather impacted our experience! Everyone was friendly and the service was SUPER top notch. They were kind and considerate and we had a fabulous time. The food was great, too!
(4)Stephanie M.
Great food. I mean, really great. I had homemade ravioli with cheese and mushrooms and it was perfect. My friend had the veal ravioli and said it was literally the best she had ever had. That's saying something. We had great wine and coffee and dessert was delicious. The cannoli was excellent and the bananas foster was pretty good. Service was a bit slow- but as long as you are not in a hurry and don't mind lingering over the meal, I don't think it will be a big problem.
(4)Jacqueline K.
Great service, pretty good food. I wasn't blown away but it was good. Not busy at all on Sunday around 6 pm which seemed odd but overall, a pretty good experience.
(4)Leslie D.
ANTIPASTO SALAD. Best ever!!! I honestly crave this on a regular basis!! Their pasta, meat and appetizers are the best. And, they make the best chicken parmesan in the city!!! I love this place for the neighborhood feel, and they are totally affordable.
(5)Colleen A.
I will agree with what others have said: The homemade ravioli is to die for. Best pasta I've ever had. You can tell it is as fresh as can be. This is a cute little restaurant - very authentic. Parking is easy; staff is friendly and not over-bearing. Prices are reasonable, especially for the quality. They are also part of restaurant.com so you can get a gift certificate at a cheaper price and go all out. I will come back again and again - but I don't know if I'll be able to order anything except the ravioli!
(5)Bob D.
Hell yeah, just what the doctor ordered after my three day Little Italy walking tour. After two very disappointing meals i have found a spot. Tasteful decor-check out door seating-check good bread and EVOO-check Smiling service-check Decent reasonably priced wines-check Now for the food..................... We started with some very fresh very nice oysters, nothing crazy, just a squirt of lemon. They were nice and at $6.50 Then I asked the waitress to decide between a couple of shrimp dishes for me, she chose the shrimp arancini. It was delicious, 6 big shrimp in a sauce of orange, white wine, tomato parsley and garlic it was excellent. I tried a side of sausage, it came smothered in meat sauce, at first I was a little beside myself, but the meat sauce was decadent. It had an intensely roasted flavor, there are many ways to make this sauce and I have never had it this aggressive. I was quite glad I had the opportunity. The next time it is ten below I will come and get a simple dish of spaghetti in meat sauce. As for the sausage, it was the real deal, rich, complex, a touch salty but balanced with sweet fennel and garlic. The texture was a little harder than the commercial grades and the thickness was smaller. A very fine sausage indeed. We had to try the famous gnocchi in Gorgonzola sauce, you better love Gorgonzola because kaboom! This is an atomic bomb o Gorgonzola. More than I could ever dream of splitting with another. Maybe order this to share around a big table. I have no complaints. I really enjoyed the food and the overall dining experience, can't wait to go back.
(5)Matt M.
Il Vicinato was an extremely charming restaurant. The service was spot on, very knowledgeable of the wine list, and extremely friendly. The appetizers and entrees were perfectly made, pleased our table entirely. The dining room was very full, and lively, we had to make reservations for a Saturday night. The only drawback is that it's a bit far if you live downtown or on the north side, but well worth the trip! Highly recommend Il Vicinato, great for group dinners or date night!
(4)Carolynne M.
From a rather nondescript exterior comes the most wonderful and amazing Italian food. I couldn't believe the diversity of the menu, the beautiful presentation, or the efficient and impeccable manner of the staff from this rather small restaurant. I took my mother here for her birthday, and having never been here before was a little concerned. She takes her Italian cuisine very seriously. But it worked out fantastic all around. I had a salad and the grilled octopus appetizer (which was much larger than expected). The octopus was prepared excellently, with just a tiny drizzle of balsamic vinaigrette. My mother ordered the ravioli (there are both meat and veg options). You could tell they were handmade, in a wonderful, rich sauce and giant meatballs that were the size of lemons. I don't get to this neighborhood very often but I know from now on any time I am there this will be my go-to place.
(5)Andy M.
If I had to use one word to describe Vicinato Ristorante, it would be amazing. There is a beautiful bar area in the front and dinner seating in the back. It looks like a place you would find in little Italy in New York City or the North End in Boston. The interior both Cozy and Classy. My Chicken Parmesan entree was delicious. I have been to places that just butcher this dish. It's either overcooked and Hard as a Hockey Puck, or undercooked which gives it the texture of Goulash. The portions were huge and the Chicken was cooked to perfection. It was crispy on the outside, moist and tender on the inside. The side order of Spaghetti and Meat sauce was a meal in itself. The Pasta was perfectly cooked, and the meat sauce was delicious. I'm a hard core Northsider, but the next time I'm in the mood to get my Italian Grub on, I'm making a road trip to the South Side. The food at Vicinato Ristorante was delicious, and the service was top notch. I enjoyed every tasty morsel.
(5)Daphne R.
Horrible! Didn't think it was possible to mess up Italian food, but they did it. Pasta had gross meat/tomato sauce. My friend is a vegetarian and had to reorder once she ordered her dish. The menu did not say anything about meat. The neighborhood is sketchy. Only people in the restaurant seemed to be lost tourist, like us. We had the hardest time getting a cab and once we did, the cab got lost (we should have gotten the clue then). We asked the waiter to call a cab 45 mins before us leaving but ending up waiting for 30 minutes after our meal. Save your money and skip this place!
(1)Charles W.
Hands down one of the if not they best Italian restaurant. Came to this place by just randomly picking places of yelp. But after we left we decided we would have to come back again again. The menu was outstanding, all the food was perfect. The staff and owners are extremely friendly and helpful.
(5)Tim O.
Il Vicinato is my favorite southen Italian cuisine restaurant in Chicago! Hand made ravioli is hard to find anywhere these days, and it is exquisite at Vicinato. Reasonably priced all the basics are 17-19$, specials are slightly higher. Chef Jim is an outstanding master at meat sauces...his process is tedious and time consuming but it is the old fashioned way to create a great meat sauce. If you prefer fish, his lake perch is divine, lightly battered and pan fried with a touch of peccorino romano and garlic. Lake superior white fish is also fresh and prepared without breading to a delicous tenderness. Start with the anti-pasta house salad, its filled with five meats and five cheese and serve with italian dressing....astounding! I recommend any and all basic his Italian recipes: Eggplant Parmesian, Chicken Marsala, Spaghetti, Ravioli. The veal is tender and amazing ...best recipe is Veal Parmisiana and the Tortellinni with sage cream sauce. Be prepared for lots of oil and butter...this is not a health concious menu. Il Vicinato is the best of all the nearby southside Italian village restaurants!
(5)Chuck E.
Quite simply, the best Italian restaurant in America. At least that I've eaten at, and I'm trying to get to as many as I can before I head to that big Cardiology Clinic in the Sky. The Homemade Ravioli? Delivered straight from Heaven on the wings of Angels. The shrimp appetizer. The sausages & peppers. Any of the daily special meat dishes, and more of the fish dishes. Skip the vegetables, they're sometimes overcooked, but you can eat veggies at home. Don't know about their desserts, never had room. Heaven......with a wine list.
(5)Kim H.
Just ate at ilVincinatos. It really looked promising, old school and all. We ordered an appetizer from the specials board and found out they really didn't have any of what we ordered. Then ordered the special pasta, shells with sausage and peas in a cream tomato sauce. Well, the dish came out luke warm and upon tasting, the sausage went mush in my mouth, it was RAW!! That was awful. Sent it back, and the sausage was still not cooked all the way, and the pasta was chewy, not al dente, really stick to your teeth chewy. Don't bother ot was really gross.
(2)SoxSide Mike R.
This was my first visit to Il Vicinato, but it came highly recommended from some friends. I went on a Friday night with my mom, I made reservations thru Open Table, but we didn't need them since it was still pretty empty when we arrived at 7pm. We were greeted and seated very quickly. The waiter that first came by was quick to check on us for our wine selection, but failed to tell us about the specials for the evening. Since their specials board is up on the wall near the ceiling, we didn't even notice it until our waitress was taking our order. We started with the minestrone soup which was delicious, then we had the bruschetta, GREAT! As mentioned by other Yelpers, the girl who brought out our bread and water was completely stone faced and looked as if she hated to be there..... That being said, I had the veal ravioli, which tasted fantastic, my mom had the half and half spaghetti and veal ravioli, she loved it. Now we get to dessert, our waitress highly recommended the Homemade Tiramisu, which was absolutely fantastic!!!! Delicious, creamy, but not overwhelmingly sweet. Overall, nice atmosphere, but can get noisy; great waitstaff, very attentive and pleasant; fantastic food, and all for a good price. I will be back to work my way thru their menu!
(4)Nancy L.
I worked at this joint when I was High School and I must say the food is superb. The chef is so passionate about his food..this place is always packed...I love the food here. :)
(5)Victoria O.
Excellent restaurant! The food was great and service was outstanding! Made reservations for a Saturday night (highly recommended!), but it was packed, so we didnt get seated until maybe a half an hour later. It was ok though because they gave us a free glass of wine while we waited. The escargot was the best I ever had! My new York strip was so tender and full of seasoning, delicious! I can go on and on, but I won't..lol...This place is definitely a must to go to!
(5)Ziggy K.
I've been here twice before for dinner and was very happy with my meals. Yesterday, I took a group of folks there for lunch. Everyone was very disappointed. I had the veal and it had an almost rotten odor. A couple people had the salmon and it was clearly very dry. The only thing I really enjoyed was the bread and the gumbo soup which was very good. I don't like giving this place a bad review, but the meal I had there yesterday was truly unacceptable.
(1)Kevin B.
Finally found my favorite Italian place in Chicago! Best pasta I've had in a very long time. I had the crab/lobster ravioli, which was perfectly cooked. My girlfriend had this chicken inverno, which was a chicken breast with this artichoke/garlic cream sauce...the sauce was the best thing that has ever entered my mouth! We left there in a food coma. We will be coming back here!
(5)John M.
I really was looking forward to this restaurant after reading the stellar reviews on here. Unfortunately, my experience was mixed. On the plus side: The restaurant decor is charming, especially the front room/bar area. The drinks were generous pours. The salad and bread were good. The proveletta and roasted red peppers appetizer was good, although very rich. The veal ravioli, by itself, was good and had a nice flavor. The male bartender that waited on us was friendly and efficient. Now, the bad: The meat sauce that came with the ravioli was hardly a sauce at all, more like crumbled ground beef, had very little tomato flavor and detracted from the veal ravioli. I honestly do not understand the comments on here praising their meat sauce (mine is much better, and I am not Italian). The spaghetti with vodka sauce that my fiance ordered was ok, but nothing special. The "Chicago cut" pork chop that I ordered was a beautiful 2" thick piece of meat, but it was overcooked and dry. For $24, I felt that I had a right to expect a properly cooked, moist pork chop, not a dried out chop that I would have had to force down. I could not eat it, and when I politely complained, I had a difficult time getting them to take it off our bill. They finally relented, but the female owner (I think) acted as if I committed a grave insult and/or was trying to pull a fast one (I had 1 bite of the chop only). I am in my 50's and am not in the habit of going to restaurants and complaining. The chop was not edible, and I certainly didn't need nor appreciate the bad attitude displayed by the owner. Overall, based on others' reviews, it seems that there are likely a number of good dishes at Il Vicinato, but if I was to return, I would avoid the meat sauce and try some of the other dishes such as chicken/veal parmesan etc. Unfortunately, because of the way that the owner handled my complaint over the dried out pork chop, I am not inclined to return. While I enjoyed the ambiance of Il Vicinato, there are a number of other Italian restaurants in Chicago that are at least as good or better, who perhaps have a better attitude toward customer service and satisfaction. I understand that any restaurant can overcook a piece of meat, but when that happens, the restaurant should deal with that situation in a professional manner with the paramount goal of satisfying the customer so that he will come back in the future. That did not happen here.
(2)Mrs. F.
Best Pasta Ever!!!
(5)erik d.
droooool. I love this place. Parking's super easy, just pull up behind one of the White Escalades / Mercedes and NOBODY will touch your car. Yeah, it's kinda like that. There is only one item on the menu you need to know about. it's some of the best that I've ever had, and it's not even prominently placed on the menu... simply listed as "homemade ravioli" - $10, it's some of the best damned veal ravioli I've ever had. ever. service has always been good when I've been there, and it's very reasonably priced. 4 people can get out of there for about $100 or so unless you go crazy with the boozeahol.
(5)Lynn P.
My husband and I started coming here when we started dating and we've probably returned at least once a month since. This is an old school Italian restaurant. The staff is incredible. Ben is typically our waiter and he knows our order by heart. We have several go to dishes: the veal ravioli is great. The raviolis are huge! The eggplant Parmesan is wonderful. It's baked not fried and the red sauce has so much flavor. Our two favorite dishes are often not on the menu, but just mention to the staff and they'll make sure you get it. The first is the pork chops Vesuvio. If you are hungry and like garlic, you cannot skip this dish. Just the smell of it is amazing and they give you two gigantic chops. The second dish is the chicken baltasana (sp?). If I had to choose a last meal it would be this. A chicken breast is stuffed with cheese, crispy prosciutto, and zucchini then baked. It comes with a lemon butter sauce which I prefer over pasta. You will feel like you are visiting family when you come to Il Vicinato.
(5)Suze R.
Want an delicious, authentic old world italian meal that will meet every expectation? You must go to Il Vincinato's. The drinks are well made and the wine was nice too. We love the pizza bread and fried zucchini appetizers. The service was great, it wasn't that busy and we were able to have a nice leisurely meal without being rushed. We ordered the homemade veal ravioli with meat sauce. Soooo good! This is a neighborhood place that has not changed for 25 years. Oh, don't forget to leave room for a cannoli or the tiramisu, we ordered both, best cannoli I've ever had. We enjoyed an excellent meal at Il Vincianto's.
(5)Gerry H.
I always visit this restaurant with some guys that grew up in the hood, and are intimates of the owner and wait staff, so I suspect that we receive VIP treatment. It's hard to describe this place. It's cozy, but certainly nothing fancy. The bar area is nice but by today's standards, unremarkable, and the bathroom needs to be remodeled. However, and this is a monumental however, the food is breathtaking. The Pasta Shuta(sp) is absolutely to die for. The Chicken Vesuvio is sublime, and the salad is perhaps the best I've had. In fact, everything that I've tried has been perhaps the best I've had. The prices are pricey, so be prepared
(4)Mehak S.
I came here with a friend for lunch. First things first- while this restaurant is in a random location, let's remember the pluses. Parking was very easy and I didn't bother with a reservation. My girlfriend and I started with a plate of calamari for our appetizer. It wasn't on the menu, but the waiter was nice enough to let us know that the kitchen could whip up pretty much anything off the dinner appetizer menu. While waiting for that to come out, we gorged ourselves on the bread and olive oil, which was very fresh and tasty. The calamari was good, not the best I've ever had because it was a little oily, but good nonetheless. For our entrees, I ordered the cheese ravioli and my girlfriend ordered the "half and half"- half spaghetti and half veal ravioli. I enjoyed my dish. The sauce was incredible and had a smoky flavor I have never encountered in a tomato sauce. The pasta was cooked perfectly. My girlfriend said her veal ravioli was delicious, but admitted the spaghetti could have been cooked a little more. For dessert, I continued binging and ordered a cannoli. I was incredibly disappointed. It was so hard I couldn't break it with a fork! My teeth hurt after awhile because of the effort it took to gnaw through the thing so I just gave up. I'll forgive the cannoli debacle because of the excellent pasta and the incredibly nice and accomodating waitstaff. I would definitely come back to try more dishes to meet my italian food fix.
(4)Lauren K.
We had the prosciutto and fruit, delicious homemade meat ravioli (they were the size of pierogi and very filling), and a tasty bananas foster for dessert. We never felt rushed and our waiter was very attentive and courteous. The place was also very busy which is always a good sign. We'll be back!
(5)Scott r.
Was recommended by a south-side Sicilian friend of mine when asked, "Where would your family go out for Italian food?" A little off the beaten track, but worth the cab-ride. All dishes were great and service attentive. Decor not fancy, but perfect for family get-togethers.
(5)robert m.
This restaurant is a throwback to the Italian restaurants that thrived in Chicago thirty years ago, before the chains like Rosebud and Francesca's took over the scene. The room is the same as it was twenty years ago, right down to the call buttons on the walls. Everything is homemade to order, so be prepared to wait for your food. We had Chicken Vesuvio, Eggplant Parmesan, and Fettucine Carbonara. Entrees came with house salad. Everyone loved the food and we all thought it was a great find. I gave it five stars because I think it's a great neighborhood place, with very good food at low prices. This is not sophisticated gourmet Italian food like Spiaggia or Coco Pazzo, but I loved it for what it is and will definitely return.
(5)Luke F.
i have been to italy and have dined at alot of italian reastaurants and this is by far one of the best. im going there tonight and wanted to share how good this place is. the inside is nothing special but the sause stains the dishes its that authentic. the chef / owner from luca italy is usually there hanging out so after the meal on the way out say hello. chkn parm was awesome and a rigatoni lugi was good to...
(5)Pamela W.
I didn't think the food was worth the price. The salad dressing had little flavor and was very oily. I was especially frustrated by some contradictions in the menu; it specifically said "Entrees include soup or salad and a potato or spaghetti." My husband and I ordered entrees off the 'specials' board. I asked my server if they were all entrees, and he said yes. But neither of our meals came with the potato/pasta side. When I asked his only explanation was that the dishes we had ordered didn't count, they were just exceptions. Well, I ordered my meal based on the information listed on the menu; if that information doesn't apply to the dish I ordered I should be told when I order, or they should make it up to me after I order because they didn't inform me. Especially if I complain. I ordered pasta with shrimp and asparagus. It was mediocre. My husband ordered some kind of fish with vegetables and some kind of cornbread. I didn't like it at all, it was just a really strong smelly fish flavor. He said he liked the fish well enough, but wasn't impressed and didn't like the cornbread at all. I felt crowded, it was a bit too loud and close to be very romantic.
(2)Eddie U.
I was not sure what to expect at this eatery. I was very pleased with their service, menu and very nice looking 1920/30s environment. It transported me to old Chicago. Now, the food menu: these people know their veal. My boyfriend had this awesome place. it was a total pleasure watching him enjoy that meal. I had the wheat pasta and shrimp with veggies. I loved it and wish I could eat some more now. If you are in the area, I would definitely say -- go for it and enjoy!
(5)Y M.
Like some of the people mentioned ravioli is great. I love it. I liked the meatballs alot too but the meat sauce on ravioli has alot of meat already so it's up to you if you need more. its a very very meaty delicious sauce. big portion, I packed like half my entree to go but I am small so it's def. a meal to feel a big man too.
(4)Bob S.
Fits in perfect with this great area around 24th and Oakley/Western. The homemade ravioli is amazing, and the chicken parm was chicken overkill. Put aside your unpleasant 40yr lifer wait staff, and enjoy the great food Il Vicinato has to offer. I'd still prefer Bacchanalia, but this place is very much worth a shot. The breaded zucchini is great too.
(4)Shawn L.
Great food. Sometimes lousy service. I've been here several times over the last few years as my father knows the owner. The food has been consistently excellent, every time I've been. On the other hand, the service can REALLY suck. I took a friend about six months ago and we didn't leave a tip. And we ALWAYS leave a 20% tip, minimum. It was that bad. The waitress had a major attitude and was VERY rude and short with us (she's probably been waitressing for 30 years and should rethink her career), and the busgirl was, well, dumb as a post and kept bringing us the wrong things (at least she was nice...and pretty). I'm still going back for the food, but I'd seriously consider asking for another server next time.
(4)Arjun C.
Great food -- old school, quality, large portions. Whether it's the tortellini, gnochhi, ravioli, chicken marsala, or whatever, I enjoyed my first jaunt into the "Heart of Chicago" area.The waitress definitely has an attitude, but I actually found her to be helpful in a strange way. Came away generally satisfied.
(4)Kevin K.
I have eaten here many times and I have never had a bad meal. There vodka sauce is my favorite as well as the homemade fried ravioli. Check there daily specials those are great as well!!!
(5)Andrea H.
This place is a diamond in the rough! Atmosphere sucks but you won't notice because this will probably be one of the best meals you'll ever eat. We got the seafood gumbo (amazing,) crab cakes, garlic shrimp, salad, and sea bass, all of which were incredibly good. The meal started with a basket of soft, fresh bread. The sea bass was a huge, perfectly cooked piece of fish that is probably the best I have had anywhere ever. It was melt in your mouth perfect. Drinks were strong and service was attentive. On-point from start to finish, a really great meal. Oh and super cheap taking into consideration the high quality of the food.
(4)Clinton S.
If you like Italian food - you should go here! Seriously, sometimes the fewer words you use to describe a dining experience the better, and that certainly was the case with Il Vicinato. First, our waiter was outstanding....made great recommendations, was attentive, but as I've said many times before did not try to be our best new friend. One of the absolutely best suggestions he made was to have our dishes family style, that way no one person had to make a decision of what they would order - we all got to try some of what was ordered! We had appetizers, fried calamari (tender and fried to a perfect golden brown), shrimp alanari (I think that's how it's spelled), and prosciutto wrapped melon. Great choices and enough for all to try. Then an Italian salad, largest enough for the table, and served family style. The dressing could have used a little more vinegar, but that's being really picky. The main entrees consisted of the chicken vesuvio, homemade ravioli with veal stuffing, and black linguine with lobster. All excellent, three dishes more than enough for the four of us, and my favorite was the ravioli. Lastly, we had a dessert sampler - make room for dessert, you won't be sorry. I think my favorite (besides tiramisu, which I love) was the cannoli - rich filling and crispy exterior. This is the place for good neighborhood Italian food - if you're looking for ambiance or fancy decorating, don't go, but if you want good food, outstanding service, and good value, this is the place.
(5)Michael B.
IL Vicinato is classic, traditional Italian done very well. Real, authentic, traditional Italian is becoming harder to find as contemporary Italian and contemporized traditional Italian are currently on trend. The interior has a rustic, charming, welcoming bygone era charm. Everything is home cooked, slow cooked, in generous portions, reasonably priced. The drinks are big, strong and half the price of downturn Chicago with probably twice the alcohol content. There is a family pride that noticeably goes into the food and service. The Chicken Vesuvio and Veal Ravioli are signature dishes. My friend had the ravioli, which are packed with meat, in abundance on the plate, of course home made and very tasty. My Osso Buco special was also excellent. I tried another friend's Red Snapper, which was also generosity portioned and tasty. Lots of classic homemade desserts like Ricotta Cheese Cake, Chocolate Mousse Cake etc. We weren't rushed, did not have to shout over the house music mix and could enjoy our delicious meal and conversation with dear friends. Easy free street parking or $5 valet. Outdoor seating.
(4)Steve S.
One reason this place is successful -- besides very good food, of course-- is that it manages to feel true to its old school roots while not seeming like a hole in the wall that time completely forgot. The dining room is relatively small -- about 16 tables -- with lovely wood paneling, soft lighting, and stucco upper walls and ceiling. It's slightly spiffier and more formal than the idiosyncratic orange walls and green linoleum floors of Bruna's down the street (though I love that place too.) The place isn't ancient -- it opened in the 80s, apparently -- but its bloodlines run back to a long-gone place that opened in the '50s on the next block called Febo, where my parents used to go, and apparently the building and interior space date back to Prohibition. Antipasto chopped salad and house made veal ravioli (an old specialty of theirs -- very plump pillows of delicately seasoned ground meat, topped with meat sauce which thankfully wasn't too thick or heavy) were both excellent, as was the glass of San Polo "Rubio" Tuscan red wine. The house made ricotta cheesecake was very nice -- that's a very hard item to find -- but needed a touch more sugar to be satisfying as dessert. Service was courteous and accommodating. Unfortunately, between my main course and dessert, my initial waiter (very friendly, knowledgeable, claimed to be the owner's son) apparently clocked out without a word to me, and I was handed off to his more senior colleague. The guest checks are still written and tabulated by hand, and the new waiter made a $5 error on the total, but corrected it and seemed genuinely apologetic. I love authentic, unique places like this, and am glad they're still able to make a go of it.
(4)David S.
A nice sunny and warm Friday afternoon and patio seating. A bit off the beaten path and I have dined here several times. The food is excellent as is the wine list. Extremely reasonable too!! Hugo was a friendly waiter who know his stuff. Now - try the snails with a a glass or 2 of white and wash down with a couple Pieroni's. MMM good, a tasty treat to wrap the week up!!!
(5)Stacy S.
Great restaurant and the food was great. We stopped in for appetizers and the staff were all very friendly.
(5)Jemimah K.
In light of my 8th graders graduating, and this being my last year as an eighth grade teacher, I am writing another review about this place. It's a tradition where the teachers eat lunch here after the ceremony, and I don't know if it's because I came here with a different group of people, but I wasn't as satisfied leaving as I was a year ago. I regret not getting the steak like I did before, but I tried out the spaghetti this time around and it wasn't anything special. Then again, how amazing can you make spaghetti with meat sauce? It's a pretty simple dish. I thought the overall meal was bland, but I did enjoy the bread and my coke! The service here though is always amazing.
(3)Ruby D.
A women behind the bar took notice to us upon entry with a cheerful greeting. We were more than excited because we read the specials while waiting for a table. Juan was our server, he explained the specials in great detail. We had the Jumbo Shrimp appetizer and were Blown away! We also ordered the pork chops stuffed with prosciutto. I also had the veal fillet with a side of pasta. And for dessert we had chocolate mouse. Juan was attentive and Charming and we'll definitely be back with a crowd.
(5)Chris P.
Excellent food, went here after visiting my grandmother at Mt. Sinai. Fresh, nice servers and staff. Quiet, dimly lit. Fast and breezy service. Went on a Saturday night. Had veal parmigiana, with spaghetti and marinara sauce. The garden salad with thousand island sauce is ridiculous good
(4)Hugh P.
Waiter Ben have great recommendations. Everything is worth tasting. The gumbo soup, pork chop, and cheesecake. You will be happy with this choice for Italian food. Just treat yourself and you will be happy.
(4)City D.
I have been to so many bad restaurants that it's really refreshing to finally find a restaurant with great food. The bread is home made and crispy on the outside and soft in the inside. The Margarita pizza appetizer was fantasic and only $6.00. The stuffed mushroom appetizer was the best I ever had. The steak dinner was large and the meat was very tender and cooked to perfection. Our wait staff was very attentive and the service was top notch. I can't believe I have lived in Chicago my entire life and never heard of this restaurant before. Can't wait to go back.
(5)Phil P.
Consistency.....again...service was great and Walters recommendation was spot on....not a lot of people here tonight......2nd plate was Vesuvio. ......
(4)Christine A.
AWESOME Italian Food, "Old Style"! Everyone that works at the restaurant is very nice. You will always "run into" the owner or a member of his family and they are VERY nice to talk to! I have family from out of town and EVERY TIME they come into town, they want to go to "Il Vish"!!! All of their food is outstanding, from the veal to the pasta to their meat spaghetti sauce.
(5)Ashley M.
The best. Chicken vesuvio, shrimp scampi, baked clams, and the swordfish special are all excellent. Great service and atmosphere.
(5)Jon G.
If you have not been here, you need to go. It is a one hour drive for me, and it is well worth it. I have been here twice, once for the ravioli with meat sauce, and today for the chicken vesuvio. Everything is great. Good fresh, chewy bread with olive oil. Great cocktails, appetizers, and desserts. My 3 guests were vegan, vegetarian, a pescatarian, and me a meat eater, and we all found a delicious option. Homemade pasta and a kitchen willing to modify anything for their customers. Reservations are needed on evenings and weekends, and the valet parking is helpful most times of the day.
(5)Michelle G.
Called at 6pm on NYE and they were gracious enough to give us 8:30 reservations. The food and the service were outstanding! This place is already a favorite of mine...now they went up a few notches. You definitely need to try this place if you haven't yet!!
(4)Miharu H.
First, I'd like to preface this with the fact that this used to be my uncle's favorite Italian restaurant in Chicago. He lived in Hyde Park and now lives in Denver so he's taken me to the restaurant three times. This last time was my last straw and I kind of just needed to write a review. The good. Chicken Vesuvio. The bad. Everything else. A couple of us ordered meatballs on the side and we couldn't cut through them because the bottom to all the meatballs were hard as a rock. Once we were able to cut it, the meatball was just like eating lots of salt with some tomato sauce. For the calamari, the sauce on the side was a cold cocktail sauce that tasted like it came from a can. I really want to like the restaurant because of it's old school atmosphere but the food is probably one of the worst Italian dining experiences that I have ever had.
(1)Mike K.
Great food and service. Was stuffed for 2 days. Chicken Vesuvio. Some angel hair with beef gravy. Sausage and peppers. Some dish with beef tenderloin. Pistachio gelato. I'm German so I can't remember the names of the items. All of it was awesome. Ate like a death row inmate. Atmosphere was simple and quiet. Great dining room and bar area up front.
(5)Sujay K.
Having lived in the UIC/Little Italy area for 8 years, I was completely surprised to learn about the rarely talked about Heart of Italy neighborhood. After eating at Il Vicinato, I can't wait to explore the area further. This place is just great. Delicious food, HUGE portions. Our server was ridiculously knowledgeable and helpful about the menu, and was accommodating to minor additions and subtractions on all the dishes (not that we made any, but he was apt to suggest variations on dishes after he asked us what we liked). He even made a great vino suggestion. Solid food and service. Price can't be beat. Highly recommended.
(5)Jim M.
Il Vicinato....WHAT A JOKE!!!! Hellooooo Tourists...and locals - Welcome to Chicago!! Ok so me and Smalls are always on the hunt for good Italian. And over the past year Il Vicinato keeps landing on our radar. Even my buddy Ray who is as much a wop as the Dago-s long. LOL! recommended this place, with comments like "It's old school, It's where Sinatra would go, blah, blah, blah". Ok maybe that was the case 40 years ago...but NOT now! Let me give you a run down of the events and why this place Suuuuuuxxxx! We went last night, 01/31/2015. We pull up to the Valet parking stand (It's snowing like crazy!!) - and the douche bag attendant just stands there listening to his iPod. Doesn't even open the door for Smalls! I go around the car and I says - "here's how we do this pal." And he says "Well, I was going to get the door for your wife" and I'm like "how you gonna do that from ten feet away?" Anyway, We go inside.... Very bright, no ambiance, no charm, nothing like the pictures online. Nobody was there (on a Saturday Night) No Italian in site. In fact, we found out later, that the place is owned by a dude from Guadalajara. We sat down and our waiter Hugo who was excellent!! (the best part of the experience) starts the ball rolling. And all the specials sound great yada, yada, yada. We order two Manhattans - thinking "Hey old school restaurant, old school drinks" And besides.. Smalls get a little frisky when she's knockin back the whiskey. Hahaha. We get two absolutely HORRIBLE drinks my OMG!! You know when you take a sip and your head does that EWWWWW involuntary tweak to the side and yours lips curl up... you got a bad drink - and the bartender was looking right at me when I did that! AND ELEVEN BUCKS A DRINK?? So Smalls orders the twice baked clams, because the dish came highly recommended by Hugo. He expressed that it was one of the most popular appetizers on the menu. The plate comes with what I think was a really bland gloppy stuffing that we wouldn't even dare insult a dead turkey with. And if that wasn't bad enough, they were served in recycled clam shells. Hey Il Vicinato, if you're going to put twice baked clams on the menu, please put actual clams in the dish and please, please, please, don't use recycled clam shells! This dish was so friggin gross, smalls spit hers out in her napkin. I tried to eat a couple, but couldn't swallow them and just began turning the shells over so they looked like they were eaten. We asked Hugo if they made their own pasta... and he tells us - no, they don't make anything from scratch there! Except for the Gnochi. MAMA MIA WTF?! This experience was so disappointing we couldn't go on any further. What? Yep, it was actually so bad we left after the appetizer round - which we have never done. Risk having to spit out more into the napkin, and unnecessarily spend more money? No. And when we left... the Valet Douche Bag was leaning up against the wall listening to his iPod. Didn't get my car, didn't open the door for Smalls or myself. What a disappointment, I don't know if I'll even go back to little Italy in Chicago again. I would rather open a can of Chef Boyardee or Spaghetti-O's than go back to Il Vicinato - that's for damn sure! Now for those of you who don't appreciate fine Italian cuisine, or how food should taste, this might be the place for you. We will not be returning.
(1)Patti F.
Solid. As soon as you walk in the door you are greeted with a smile and the aroma of garlic - off to a great start. There was a large group there and with the high ceilings it was VERY loud, but that wasn't a deal breaker. 2 owners moving around filling up your water glasses. Making sure you are having a great experience is really appreciated. Started out with ilvincinatto martini. Pretty strong, and really the perfect mix. Twice baked clams - high end of average. I'm a baked clam snob, we had a local place that used to make them as big as your fist and delicious. These are small, flavor able and not greasy, but could pass on them next. Time. Me n hubby split caprese salad. Fresh, tasty and and the balsamic was over the top Lobster ravioli, fresh perfect balance of cheese and lobster - leftovers today just as amazing. Hubby had pork chop velasco like a vesuvio. Garlic, parsley, olive oil love. 2 huge pork chops were cooked well, would have liked a sear on them but the flavor was there and good quality. Creme brûlée a bit disappointing. Tasted good, but it had a clotted texture. We ate it, but I'm sure we could have sent it back. You do get the feel of being in an Itallian grandmas house. They are very welcoming, service oriented, and accommodating. A couple of missteps didn't take away from a truly enjoyable experience. Will definitely be back.
(4)Kadee D.
Ravioli please!!! I've been coming here since a child and it is hands down the best Italian food I've had. I never really ventured out from the ravioli till a couple years ago. When you run out of rav. for the week, you know it's good! The wine choices are fantastic and always stocked and if they do run out, don't worry your bartender will find something better! I've never tasted anything bad here and the specials are special so don't be afraid to try them. I recommend valet parking unless you can find something right in front. I've never had any issues with valet though. This place is also perfect for a date night as it is dimmed lighting, candles and more private. The service is outstanding- they don't bother you with silly questions or add side notes, they are simple, knowledgable and to the point. It's def. one of the best atmospheres I've encountered in this type of dining. Live a little and don't be scared to try this place as you won't regret it!
(5)Sharon K.
The canollis are as light as air and are to die for. The main meal was great too. Good, family feeling, great service. Not much more to say.
(5)Paul B.
I have to admit I have a soft spot in my heart for the restaurants in this neighborhood. I was born at 23d and Bell and my family had a pharmacy (at Cermak and Leavitt) from 1899 to the early 80s. I have fond memories of (now long gone) Febo's, Toscana, Fontanella and others that are all like visits to restaurant 'Central Casting' for old-school Italian eateries. This is where I had my Wonder Bread years of eating Italian. I used to think it was the definition, until I went to work for the Alfa Romeo Indy Car Team in Milano and splitting living between here and there. The taste bud renaissance I went through as I explored northern cuisine rather than central or southern (and Sicilian) versions was great fun. It made me a bit of a snob on Italian, to be honest, and the trips to Oakley or Western Ave seemed to drop off my radar. This past weekend was a moment to visit my roots and a visit to Il Vincinato was in order. The Open Table res worked great, even on a Saturday night res made on Friday. Nice. The wait staff and bus boys were cordial, attentive, informative. The specials were explained well and questions answered well. We chose to try the minestrone as a first course, and it was quite good and served hot, not warm. Also nice, and something I wish more restos would be more attentive about. Entree' choices were their signature home-made ravioli with veal sauce, and one of the specials: Tortellini with gorgonzola and fig in an Alfredo sauce. Both were delicious, but the tortellini was good enough that last night (five days later) I was jones'n for it that I almost considered calling there and seeing if they were going to offer it again. Yup. That good. The ravioli were genuinely home made, not frozen or bought in as fas as I could tell, and the sauce wasn't big and gooey, but just tasty. We passed on dessert, but they looked great. If you're looking for high-zoot Italian, head for the downtown regulars I like for that kind of thing (Coco Pazzo, Spiaggia, etc) but you'll enjoy a great home-style meal at Il Vincinato. Prices were perfectly in line. Drinks weren't small and poured with a proper hand. I'm angry at myself for not visiting more often. I'm not going to make that mistake again.
(4)Cesar M.
Simple and nice. I was there on a rainy Tuesday evening. My friend and I were craving cheese and bread so I jumped to yelp and did a quick search. Italian of course. Closest to where we where driving by???? Il Vicinato. So we pulled over, parked and in we go. The place is simple, yet very nice. The service is nice, yet not readily available. Tables were readily available since they were only 4 other parties. We had: bruschetta, soup, eggplant parmegiana, and gnocchi with gorgonzola cheese sauce. The bruschetta was really good and the eggplant was super good. perfectly coated and moist. And I found out that gorgonzola is not for everyone. The bread was good bread, but extremely cold. It was a decent dinner
(3)Ron C.
Best Pasta Arrabiata I've ever had.
(5)Phil J R.
Lunch was great this reminds me of walking into a scene from sopranos or goodfellas! The staff was helpful and the food was great had the special but tried the veal ravioli which was fantastic. Highly recommend as it's a great place with excellent staff.
(4)Colleen B.
I was notified that we would be joining my boyfriend's parents and their friends for dinner here last Saturday night. As I looked up the information, I was shocked to see how close it was to UIC/Taylor Street area where I used to live and that I'd never heard of this place. So I walked in with a mindset of comparing this to my favorite Italian place on Taylor Street. And I walked out feeling about 10 lbs heavier and very, very sleeper. First of all, we were there for like three hours. The service here was not slow, but I learned that it's a staple of having dinner with the in-laws that you'll be there forever. We ordered three appetizers and had them finished before we could even order our entree's. Again, not due to the restaurant but to the company we were dining with. Our waiter did not rush us and kept bringing drinks quickly. For the appetizer, we ordered the Polenta and the clams (I think raw and baked). I don't eat seafood at all or meat for the that matter. But everyone at the table seemed to enjoy the clams and I loved the polenta (though I can't compare it with any other time since I'd never had polenta before). Finally we order our entree's and I had my eye on the Gnocchi all night. I ended up having it with regular marinara sauce but kind of wish I'd gotten the gorgonzola sauce. The waiter warned that it was very strong tasting and some people did not like it too much, but oh well. I also added mushrooms to it. I had the salad and scarfed it down quickly. My boyfriend really liked his soup. The ghocchi was awesome tasting. My only regret is that I could only have a few bites and was so overwhelming full. I took the rest home and am excited to eat for lunch today. My boyfriend got the shrimp fettuccine and loved it. I tried his mother's entree (it was either the Pasta Roger or the Mostaccioli) and wow it was awesome. It had the right amount of bread crumbs and a very flavorful sauce and cheese on it. I think everyone loved this meal. My boyfriend is Italian and very picky about his Italian food. After all, his mother is an amazing cook and even makes pasta from scratch. Everyone was happy and I'd definitely recommend this place to others.
(4)Adam J.
I've been here a few times since my first review, and if this isn't the best Italian restaurant in the city, I'd like to know what is. Everything isn't consistently good, it's consistently perfect. Sure, it's nothing modern. Truth be told, I love that it's not modern. It's like walking into a Mad Men episode with perfect service and perfect food. Honestly, anyone that rates this place low knows nothing of food or how it should be served.
(5)Isa C.
Drove past this restaurant on many occasions and always wanted to try it. I finally dined here this week and truly enjoyed it. I had the pasta carbonara and it was absolutely delicious. The portion was huge and I was happy I had leftovers for the next day. We tried the pistachio gelato which was also very yummy. I will definitely add this to my list of favorite Italian restaurants. The environment is very laid back and the customer service was great.
(5)Larry D.
Great food, great service, great atmosphere. Just a wonderful old fashioned neighborhood Italian eating experience. It's what the chains try to emulate and never can.
(5)Benjamin R.
My wife and I loved the atmosphere and the service here--very friendly. We started with an order of bruschetta, which was delicious; I highly recommend it. The salads that came with our meal were so-so, but the bread on our table was excellent. Unfortunately, our main courses weren't so great. I ordered mostaccioli, which came with a meat sauce. The sauce wasn't to my liking--too heavy, and not sweet enough. It was competently done, though, so I chalk this up to a matter of taste. You might feel differently. However, my wife ordered eggplant parmesan, which turned out rubbery and overcooked. It's possible we just ordered the wrong things, and again the staff was great. I don't know that we'll be going back, though.
(3)Diana A.
Phenomenal restaurant. My family is very picky when it comes to Italian food, and we all agreed that the food at Il Vicinato was some of the best we have had outside of our own family's kitchen. The veal ravioli was to die for. My dad had the Chicken Vesuvio and my mom had the Salmon which were both great. The calamari was also delicious. Do not be fooled by the ambience, it is a very old school restaurant for sure, but the food makes up for it. My only concern is why they serve gumbo..I wouldn't order it. Other than that, I highly recommend this Italian restaurant.
(5)Greg M.
I've eaten here about 8 times over the past year. After having tried most of their dishes, I have to say unfortunately the food is pretty bad. I've liked this place because the cost is considerably below the mainstay Italian restaurants up on Taylor Street. There are 4 or 5 small Italian restaurants in this neighborhood, which is considered the original Little Italy. But after having dined at most of them, I have to say Il Vicinato is towards the bottom of the list of these budget spots. Their basic things like red Marina sauce is very odd - it is very dark in color with a burnt taste - it is oily and overly chuncky. It looks wrong and certainly tastes wrong; something is wrong with it. The meatsauce is also pretty bad. Other dishes like Chicken Vesuvio is nothing more than fried chicken with vesuvio sauce poured over it. The chicken did not taste fresh and was very small. The veal dishes do not taste very good, and again have that odd ball sauce. The portions of most dishes are small, which is probably the reason their entrees are cheaper than other restaurants. Other pasta dishes are just so-so. Even the Minestroni soup does not taste up to standard in the neighborhood - I would doubt it is home-made. The service is OK when the restaurant is not busy. But it really suffers if busy. My overall rating is 6 out of 10 for Italian restaurants in Chicago. You are much better off down the street, up on Taylor street, or closer to the city. In retrospect, I would much rather pay a bit more and have a much better, higher quality meal with better service elsewhere! I therefore no longer can recommend this restaurant.
(1)Raymond B.
There are several fine Italian restaurants in this neighborhood, this one's the best. Always check the specials.
(5)Joe B.
Went here last night for a family gathering. It was simply outstanding. Had the bruschetta for the appetizer. The bread was soft, which for some reason is not always the case in other restaurants. The tomatoes were diced just right and the dressing was not too bitter or oily. It overshadowed the other app, the provoletta and roasted red pepper, which was great in its own right. Among the dinner choices were salmon, pasta Roger, and sfuffed pork chops. As it was a family event, we all shared from each other's plates. No doggy bags needed this night, as we were all good little boys and girl and cleared our plates. The MVP of these dishes was the pork chops. Because of this dish it took a bit longer to get our food from the kitchen, but after one bite we realized it was well worth the wait. Awesome. When I tried to finish the chop by picking it up by the bone I was admonished by my wife, who said I'm not allowed to eat it "Fred Flintstone-style." But I digress. For dessert it was creme brulee and tiramisu. Practically licked clean. I must also mention the outstanding service. The server and server assistants were constantly tending to us. It is not a big place, so one could expect for the place to have a light support staff. But not so here. The service was every bit as good as the food (see above). I also love the old-school cash register at the bar. Gives the feel that this place has been around a while If you're looking for an old-fashioned Italian restaurant, one that is--to quote "The Godfather"--"nice family restaurant, good food, everyone minds his business," this is the place. Valet parking is $5.
(5)Jeff C.
This is solid old Italian food for the price. Been going here for years and miss Febo up the street. The wine isn't great-pretty mediocre. I had the whitefish and it was really good. The clams were good. It's a very traditional old style Chicago place-not haute cuisine or trendy new stuff.
(4)Patrick F.
The spicy Italian pasta was great. Ambiance was nice and they let me play the piano. Great experience. Excellent coffee too. Owner is a nice Mexican fellow.
(5)