I'm somewhat torn on my rating... I really liked the service and I thought the atmosphere looked quite nice. However, it wasn't very busy and for me, for dinner, I like a lively atmosphere in a place like this. We, however, sat at the bar and shared an appetizer. The bar area is quite appealing with some high tables and a relatively long bar. The service was pleasant and very helpful about drink choices, etc. The ricotta appetizer was delicious - I could have licked the container. There are plenty of drink options and we had fun watching them make some interesting cocktails. All in all a good spot, I just would have liked a little more liveliness for dinner on a weekend. The outdoor patio looks really cute (though it was pouring rain, so I skipped that....)
(4)
Leah C.
casual, non-chain dining in a chainy area that is mag mile... love this place for lunch when you want to meet up with a friend but can't spare too much of your lunch hour. it's not fast food and not table service so you can better manage your time. the kale burger was good...the bun for it was better, haha. it lacked something and i can quite put my finger on it. perhaps it was a bit on the dry side and needed some accompaniments like avocado or extra tomato? no sides come with the sandwiches but they are filling on their own. pass on the iced tea - pretty watery. disappointed too that the outdoor seating is only for table service dining. still come early to snag al fresco window seat instead.
(3)
Christian M.
My sister and I decided to try something new for lunch and Labriola's caught our eyes. We were greeted by very friendly staff who explained the menu with great detail. The staff made it feel very welcoming. We were first given some bread with butter imported from France. The butter itself had set our high expectations. We were both given a house salad that had a citrusy-like kick to it. Their house-made pasta was one of the best pastas both my sister and I had tasted. I highly recommend the Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo! It boasted a wide array of flavors! The French/Italian music in the background gave the essence of having lunch in an Italian Cafe. My sister and I have plans to return soon!
(5)
Steve A.
This is one of the best places for outside dining in the Magnificent Mile area, because the sidewalk cafe is actually a balcony far above Grand Street, so there's no automobile traffic. The usual pasta dishes are on offer, but we concentrated on appetizers, and loved everything we tried, particularly the zucchini blossoms, which were very lightly fried and stuffed with a creamy smoked mozzarella that was delicious. The ricotta appetizer was also excellent, with fresh honey and crusty toasted bread. Clams and mussels are served in a garlic laced broth that's not too rich. We also shared a pizza. The offering changes weekly, so your mileage may vary. We loved the authentic Naples-style crust, but didn't care for the raspberry and onion based sauce on our particular offering. There are some nice selections on the wine list, and the service was friendly yet professional.
(4)
Evie H.
I love eating at Labriola on a warm/hot day! They have two separate seating sections - one for the cafe, and one for the restaurant. The restaurant side is "fancier" in that you get a menu when you are seated. On the cafe side, you can order at the counter and your food is brought to you. Note that the menus are not the same on the restaurant vs. cafe side so I would make sure to check out the menus first before deciding which side you want to go to. We decided on the cafe side due to its more relaxing vibe. I loved the mushroom, arugula, and spinach pizza. Though I rarely order pizza when I eat out, this one was pretty delicious, healthy, and super refreshing. We also tried the Berkshire Porchetta sandwich which was enjoyable too. Two things I didn't like as much: the tough bread and the excessively fatty porchetta. I get that porchetta is supposed to be fatty, but I would've liked more of the lean parts. Finish off your meal with a delicious Stan's donut. All in all, Labriola is a great place to come and enjoy the nice weather. The cafe food is very decently priced especially considering its close proximity to Michigan Ave. so that's always a plus. The outside seating is really gorgeous too. Don't miss out!
(4)
Bonnie E.
Over, under Love the bread, of course, and the thought of warm bread, a glass of wine and pasta is what brought me in as I was walking along Michigan Ave. on a chilly evening. I was greeted by three people all standing at/near the hostess stand. Sure, this happens from time to time but it was awkward here as if I were interrupting a discussion. Service continued to be awkward, so much so that I thought they couldn't have been open more than a few days but I was incorrect on that assumption. Though I was seated in a booth, (on the bar side but a ways from the bar) the bartender was my server. She brought my wine and I didn't think to request bread, I waited on it, but it never arrived. it was only after my lukewarmish pasta dish was brought from the kitchen after some time by a line person did I realize that I should request the bread. And the fresh grated parm. And maybe go behind the bar and pour myself another glass of Chardonnay. I had to summon the only person passing by - a different host than the three by whom I'd already been greeted - and he brought out the fresh-grated parm. The bread arrived shortly after by the busboy. Although I was several tables back and there was a Bulls game on, I unfortunately was still privy to hearing one suited gentleman scold a hostess about having left the podium. Maybe she off was filling someone's water! Obviously, service issues prevailed. My calamari pasta dish was OK but not "rave-able." I wouldn't order it again - there was an odd combination of textures between the dense noodle, firm calamari, limp arugula, and wrinkled roasted tomato. Also, overly-garlicky. I could see how one could have an enjoyable experience here however I really couldn't recommend it. I have no problem penning a review on a single visit. Why would I go back? Overstaffed, undertrained?
Stumbled upon this place on a walk. It's somewhat hidden: on the upper walkway above Grand just off Michigan. It's worth seeking out. It has two sides, a casual cafe (where we ate) and a more formal dining side (which we haven't tried yet). We got the filet sliders which are excellent. We also got dessert: a piece of risotto cake and a turtle cheesecake. Both were excellent. Highly recommend the cafe side for a quick bite.
(5)
Renaud S.
Had brunch here on a beautiful sunny Sunday morning, seating on the terrace - I guess we were lucky to find some table available there. The staff was very nice to us, which made the experience pleasant. The food was very good, we ordered scrambled eggs, pancakes, fruits, a chocolate croissant, juices and expresso. All of these were tasty and we had some pleasure eating. Also the location is ideal, just by Michigan Avenue.
(4)
Laura C.
Visited Labriola for a pre-opening dinner as well as lunch the next day. I had been to the Oak Brook location before and thought it was just eh, but that was years ago. Food highlights... The salmon entree and beef brisket are both great dinner choices. Margherita pizza was divine. The fries are simply perfect (seriously, order them). Awesome chopped salad. This place is going to be a great spot to hang out and nibble on a meat/cheese platter, as the options are endless and the amount you receive for the price is far from modest. Pair with a glass (or bottle) of wine and you've got yourself a relaxing, affordable evening on Michigan Avenue. I'm confident Labriola is worthy of five stars, they just have to get some kinks (which aren't even worth mentioning) ironed out.
(4)
Norm J.
My date and I came to Labriola Cafe & Bakery for a sneak preview of the restaurant as it officially opens downtown on January 29th. From the moment we walked into the restaurant we experienced nothing, but great service. The hostess was friendly when we entered the restaurant and the staff working the cashier/ordering area was extremely helpful; explaining the menu and giving recommendations. Being that everyone was on the house we were not shy with our ordering. We got: - Romaine Caesar Salad: what you would expect a Caesar Salad to taste like. - Traditional Chopped Salad: had a good amount of chicken and the dressing seemed to have a nice vinegar base that made this salad not so traditional. I'd try it again. - Sausage & Pepper Pizza: was hands down the best thing I ate here. The pizza was cheesy (which I love), had nice chunks of sausage (which I greatly appreciated) and the red peppers were a nice touch making the pizza visually appealing. - Goat Cheese & Grilled Vegetable Pizza: when my date ordered this pizza I was thinking mmm wrong choice as I feel pizza needs at least one meat topping. However, the pizza was actually really good. - Brownies & Red Velvet Cake: the brownies were chocolatey delicious and the red velvet cake was rich and creamy as a red velvet cake should be. Seeing how Labriola restaurant is pretty much in my backyard I will definitely be coming here again...and again. I recommend you give this place a try when they officially open on January 28th.
(4)
Donnie Y.
First time here and I'm very impressed from the way you were greeted to the way they treat you throughout. Very impressed. The waitress Victoria was lovely and the manager David I think it's his name was very accommodating I'm not usually a gang of Italian restaurants but this one is an exception. Try the seafood salad with some white wine. Definitely will make you come back for more . 5 stars for sure for this one of a kind Italian place.
(5)
#NAME?
This review is only for one thing I ordered, I will come back again to give it a second chance- I ordered the fettuccine, and I guess in my mind it would taste different-To me it was egg noodles in a bland beef broth with roasted garlic-Not an al dente pasta with a unique flavor just so bland tasting- At first I was starving, so I ate a couple bites thinking it would get better, then I was thinking to ask for some pepper but I don't think that would have helped-It just was lacking something... I made myself eat a couple more bites but then I had to stop-I started thinking how I walked by my beloved Shake Shack, how that would have tasted so much better than what I was eating- I paid and when I did I realized I had been charged for the dinner portion, not lunch-The waiter was nice and corrected it-
If you didn't know it was there, you'd totally miss it, but this is a great spot to eat. The interior is very cool, Italian deli-style with white tiles and aperol lining the walls. The patio is amazing on a warm spring day, it's shaded and you can't beat the people watching as tourists try to navigate their way to Navy Pier. We sampled various items on the menu and all enjoyed our meals. Meals included spaghetti & meatballs (she cleaned her plate pretty quickly), squid ink pasta (looked delicious, and the diner was pretty quiet. You know it's good when they're not talking!), eggplant parmesan (huge portion with delicious sauce), pizza du jour (prosciutto with roasted apples, a nice mix of salty and crunchy sweetness, I really enjoyed this!), and chicken sandwich (very messy, but apparently good). Italian is a tough racket in Chicago, and the food is good but not amazing. I'd probably give it 3.5 for food and lackluster service, but the ambiance was so great, it's getting bumped up 0.5 a star. A good option if you're shopping along Michigan.
(4)
Allison B.
Food: Awesome. Great soups, fantastic sandwiches with pillow-like bread, exceptional desserts. Service: Terrible for takeout. My purchase receipt was date stamped 12:17pm. I didn't receive my takeout order until 12:40pm. All I ordered was half a sandwich and a cup of soup. And in all that time they still managed to stiff me on the bread that usually comes with the soup. What the heck were they doing for over 20 minutes?!
(4)
Carolyn I.
My friend wanted to check this place out because she heard they serve Stan's donuts. It was a little hard to find at first because the entrance is not off Michigan Ave., but we soon found it after turning the corner. They were no longer serving donuts by the time we got there. We ended up ordering drinks instead. Drinks: Red Ruby Daisy - CH Vodka, St. Germain elderflower liqueur, grapefruit, lime and club soda Bellini - Prosecco, Blood Orange cardamom shrub and orange bitters Both drinks were really good and the presentation was beautiful. The bartender was nice enough to let me try the dried fruit that was in the bellini. I'm usually very critical of craft cocktails and these drinks were some of the best I've had in a long time. Everything was well-balanced. The atmosphere was very low key and quiet. It was a nice place to go for a drink and talk.
(4)
Peter Q.
Stopped in for breakfast and had a good visit. You order at the counter and then it is delivered to your table. Food was good and service was quick. I would definitely give them a try for lunch or dinner.
(3)
John G.
It's a cafe in one part and a full service restaurant in another. I walked through the cafe and need to come back for lunch or a light meal. We ate in the dining room and had a delicious meal and great service from Rodney. We started with some salumi which offered some nice cuts of meat. I had the Bucantini all'amatriciana which had a nice kick to it. My wife had a very inventive seasonal risotto with shrimp and seasonal veggies. Tasted and looked good.
(4)
Ashlee T.
Let me start off by saying how much I appreciate the staff and management of this restaurant. After speaking with them about a less than savory experience I encountered with a hostess, they made sure that this experience was totally different. I ordered the shrimp risotto that had goat cheese, garlic, mandarin oranges with an apricot reduction. It was AMAZING and I highly recommend. I also ordered a side of the asparagus that was grilled and buttered to perfection. I had a glass of pinot grigio (5oz but I secretly wanted more lol) and it was a perfect pairing. My date ordered the same but in addition, he order the soup of the day. I can't remember what kind of soup it was but he enjoyed it and ate it all! What shouldn't go without mentioning is the bread!!! It's made fresh and the butter that accompanies it is also made fresh. It's sweet, it's salty and it's everything butter should be! HUGE shout out to Labriola for an excellent dining experience!!! I can't wait to return. :)
(5)
Don P.
Arrived and were promptly seated with our reservation. Ordered an appetizer, a Mai-Tai, a Beer, our entrees and a dessert. The appetizer was prepared perfectly. It was a unique cream filled mozarella. It was great. Our entrees, I felt, were small portioned but they were both delicious and well prepared. Our dessert was a unique take on the Tiramisu. It was served in a cup with marscapone mousse, a hazelnut pudding, an espresso biscotti stick, and "iced" espresso. It was delicious. Staff was friendly and our waiter was attentive.
(4)
Julie N.
Really a 3.5... Labriola is a strong addition to list of Mag Mile dining options. We've been here about 5-6 times, with different sized groups and sitting in different locations (outside, back dining room, high tops in the bar). Here is my take... Outside seating is nice for a weekday lunch. There isn't much noise from street traffic as you're on a balcony and the seating/flowers are nice. At night, though, the nearby streetlights cast a very harsh white glow that (for me) kills the ambience. The seating out there is very tight as well, so if the restaurant is busy be prepared for a tight squeeze. Back dining room is elegant and relaxed, but doesn't get filled up that often (at least from what I've seen), so can seem a little lonely if you're one of only a few parties back there. High tops at the bar is my go-to. Lively, good and quick service, great atmosphere. Perfect spot for a post-shopping casual dinner. Unlike the back room or outside tables, the service is less formal, so you can pace out your own meal and just hang out if you want. And here is my experience on some of the menu items proscuitto and melon - great preparation caprese salad - standard presentation, good but not special fried calamari - crispy and crunchy - yum fig salad - outstanding, really unique baby kale caesar - good, solid salad pizza of the day - great option to split as a starter pasta vesuvius - delicious and unique chicken dominic - my favorite, very very good halibut - just had this one time, but was dry... pretty disappointing for the price point. Finally, beer/wine list is good, but too pricy IMO.
(3)
Pat B.
Great special salad ! Love the atmosphere! Many choices depending on if u want cafe or bistro or full restaurant My first time today and I will go back!!
(5)
John M.
Great service foremost. Gave us everything we wanted despite some tables being closed and offered a pizza that wasn't on the menu since I was a vegetarian. Jimmy was helpful with good recommendations. Slightly tucked away nice establishment for a fun lunch with friends or a date
(5)
Denea J.
Great options.... Sit down classy and cafe style. Staff is friendly. Patio seating is always good. Would recommend if you like Italian.
(4)
Kathy L.
Great place period. My boyfriend and I stumbled on this place yesterday and we call it a diamond in the rough. They have a patio and a dining room The other side is a deli/cafe and they serve breakfast lunch and dinner Great food awesome service on Tuesdays they have 535 drink specials Great deal!!!!! We will be back
(5)
Lucy C.
omg this bread. I want my bed to be made of this stuff and eat my way out of it every morning. I was very surprised to see how large this space is. The cafe space alone is pretty sizable, and there's a whole other restaurant section. My friend and I went around 11:30 on a Friday and basically had the place to ourselves until people started trickling in at noon. By the time we left, both the cafe and the restaurant were decently filled up with people and their shopping bags. All the while, the staff was very helpful and had great attitudes. You can order from both the cafe and restaurant menu when seated at the restaurant. My friend and I tried our best to not fill up on their delicious bread, and we decided to split a pizza and order of pasta. The bucatini pasta had a great mouth feel, between the perfectly cooked pasta and the sauce with a kick. The pizza was also very delicious, even a few hours later as a pre-dinner snack. Considering our relatively large appetites, we left completely full and with a doggy bag to go. I definitely can't wait until it warms up more and they (hopefully??) set up patio seating, and eat all the desserts on the menu.
(5)
Tzivia M.
I walked in with a friend and requested a table outside around 8:30 at night. I saw several vacant tables and so I was a bit surprised when the hostess mentioned it would be a 15-20 minute wait. I mentioned the vacant tables and she said there were others waiting at the bar to be seated. Ok fine, gave our name and number and went to wait at the bar. No big deal. Not even 3 seconds after I walked away, I overheard her complaining about me to the other staff standing around the host desk. Seriously lady. Give me a minute to walk away (where I'm about to start spending money at your bar) before you start complaining about me to your coworkers. Not impressive.
(2)
Meredith K.
The food and the atmosphere are great! Its like a hidden gem on the Mag Mile! I'm taking off 1 star b/c our waiter was a little aloof (as compared to the host who was awesome) and because the cocktails were a little weak. We ordered an aperol spritz that seemed more spritz than aperol, and had olives. It was nice for color but the savory in a sweet drink seemed odd. Then I tried a negroni which was also a little weak. We were there at lunchtime. One comment - if you want their famous meatballs in the restaurant area at lunch you have to order the spaghetti. They'll serve you different kinds of meatballs but will not tell you what they are when they put the plate down. Why they don't off a meatball sandwich is crazy to me! I had the eggplant terrine which was a little heavy for lunch but delicious. Its pretty much eggplant parmesan with a side of fried kale. I'd share it if I were back there for lunch again. I know it doesn't seem like it but we were all happy and impressed with this restaurant. I know that we'll all be back for drinks, maybe more food, and definitely for gelato. Its a nice oasis in the touristy area.
(4)
Isaac S.
I've eaten here a few times now. Overall, prices are a little high and food is definitely above average but not stellar. Service is very good. Both times, I have had some sort of burger variation and it's nothing to complain about. Their lemonade is good and should be ordered as it includes free refills. For a quick bite near Michigan Ave, this is a good option.
(4)
Ruby M.
Worst restaurant experience ever. I really enjoy labriola at Oakbrook, the waiters there are outstanding, so I would expect the same from the Michigan Ave. location, but I was wrong. First, this guy in a suit who looked like a manager had the worst demeanor reaching in front of you to put things down while I was ordering, so rude. Since we got there at 10:40 a.m. we were told breakfast was over so we ordered two burgers, which we assumed came with fries since the cashier did not ask if we wanted fries. Our burgers were burned at the bottom as well as the bottom buns. We were brought coffee and cream, but no sugar or spoons. We asked for sugar and just stirred our coffee with knives. We later asked for more coffee and were not brought any cream or sugar (again). I would not go back to this location.
(1)
Ali D.
I wanted to like this neighborhood joint. Food was good but too pricey for a casual Thur. The value equation is a bit off ... A few nicer Italian places for the value.
(3)
Veronica V.
This restaurant/cafe was awesome!!! We came here first for coffee the girls behind the counter were sweet and helpful! Wonderful staff the coffee was delicious and exactly what we asked for! We came back on our last day for dinner and our experience was even better. Same exceptionally sweet and helpful staff and the food was absolutely delicious! Fresh bread and the most amazing butter "just like really being in Italy" trust me I've been there! I orders the calamari pasta, the flavors were so simple and complimentary to one another, it was perfect. My husband had the spaghetti and meatballs that was absolutely delicious as well! I would recommend this restaurant to anyone! It was very authentic and delicious in the middle of the craziness that is the Magnificent mile!
(5)
Lori R.
Labriola ROCKS my world! Neapolitan pizzas are like straight out of Italy! I had to close my eyes to enjoy the buffalo pizza :) Labriola crust has Chicago water; giving it a perfect oomph! Previously we tried the sandwiches, that include great side salads-fresh & delicious! Love the location. Just amidst the busy area of Michigan that could drive anyone insane w/crowds....so it's a lil haven and oasis off of the chaos. Patio is great-nice size & you can still people watch which is a bonus; just like you're in Italy! Can't wait to try all the desserts. They look decadent & the gelato wheel is something I have never seen! Staff also very attentive & provided excellent service.
(5)
Kim H.
If I could have given this place 2 1/2 stars I would. It was not bad, I just was not great. We went for breakfast. It was nothing special. No presentation whatsoever. I have had better breakfast plates at a diner. Egg white scramble is what I ordered. It was a small portion and came with potatoes that were okay but this place is known for their bread, and they give you one very small piece of bread. Daughter had a skillet. Average at best. Our bill was $40. At that price I'd expect full service, not counter service. We went at 10am on a Thursday and we were the only ones in there. I guess I'm not the only one who has been disappointed.
(2)
Nicole H.
I was looking forward to trying this place out. I stopped by yesterday and it was a welcome refuge from the rain and pretty empty. After perusing the menu, I decided on a Richie burger, lemonade, chocolate mousse cake and coffee. These are some of my favorite items to have and I never pass up the opportunity to try them at various places. Well, I enjoyed the burger. It was a juicy and perfectly done Black Angus hand-formed patty with Black Diamond white cheddar, lettuce and tomato on a pretzel bun. Deelish. The lemonade was okay. They serve Intelligentsia coffee which I love and had several mugs of. The cake was a HUGE disappointment. It was really dry and the mousse tasted like buttercream frosting. I did however sample some blueberry bramble and brownies and they were both pretty good. As far as prices, seating etc. the burgers don't come with sides and start at around $10. There is a fair amount of seating and they are open for breakfast. The staff was pleasant and helpful. I think if you want to treat yourself to lunch, this is a decent spot.
(3)
Ragip U.
Had brunch here this morning. I had an omelette with a croissant and my friend had an eggs Benedict. We both enjoyed our meals as well as the service. There is a very positive vibe to the whole experience. Good for families and dates with great outdoor seating.
(5)
Laura C.
Was pleasantly surprised at this place. The ordering at the register put me off initially, but the food and the coffee was good. Would recommend for a good, easy breakfast. They serve intelligentsia coffee which was a big bonus for me.
(4)
P P.
I went there for appetizers and beer so I cannot give it a 5 star review. We were a group of 3, tasted different beers and got fries and other appetizers. Service was good and the food was excellent. They have good selection of beers. I would definitely go there again to try other food.
(4)
Jim L.
What a great place! Best Turkey Burger ever! Great staff! Friendly and helpful. We ate on the Cafe side where you place your order and the staff serves it when it's ready. The full service side has a different and is a tad more high end. Bring the family or bring a date. Either way you will not be disappointed .
(5)
Jett P.
Shared a panini and an arugula salad with my wife and it was perfect...her Stella and my Manhattan helped. All of it was great. We ate at the bar which gave us a view of the alley, just off Michigan on the Magnificent Mile, so it's centrally located. The ambience is nice, the bar is cool.
(4)
John H.
4 stars for the food itself. Service mediocre. My biggest disappointment with this place is no salad and bread with my meal. Plenty of other great Italian places in the city who offer that.
We went here for a nice dinner Valentine's weekend and had a great experience. The food was delicious-- I especially liked the lobster bisque soup. Our server James was excellent- very gracious and efficient. He made fantastic wine and food recommendations. His outstanding service really elevated our experience. Great, reasonably priced spot to grab a nice lunch or dinner downtown without a major wait or bill. The back dining room is beautiful for dinner.
(5)
Michelle K.
I really wish I could review one of the home made pasta dishes offered on their menu after stopping in earlier this evening, but unfortunately I am not able to do so due to the lack of customer service. After waiting approximately 10 minutes to be seated (the hostess left the seating area multiple times; pretty much after every customer was seated she ran to the back of the restaurant and returned a few minutes later), my friend and I were finally seated in a booth near the bar area. We waited 20 minutes for a waiter to acknowledge us before we decided to take our appetite and money elsewhere.
(1)
Alanna P.
Absolutely amazing! I can't wait to go back. We were walking around Chicago in frigid temperatures and could not have been more excited to find this place. Our group went there for lunch and had the veggie burger and fries (one of the best we had ever tasted), minestrone soup and the chicken orzo soup. The cappuccinos were excellent, too. Highly recommend!
(5)
Kockyo X.
I went here with my boyfriend on Valentine's Day. We ordered the smoked swordfish and the lamb sausage as our appetizers. We shared a risotto as our second course. Then for entree we had the steak for two and a burger to share. Food: three stars We liked the chef's risotto for the day. It was cooked perfectly. The sauce is creamy but not too thick. The smoked swordfish and the lamb sausage was ok. We were disappointed about our steak. We ordered it to be medium cooked. However, it was obviously over cooked. The center has no red in it at all. I would say the steak is well cooked instead of a medium. Environment: four stars Don't get disappointed when you first walked in the restaurant. It is a bakery outside but there is a nice private dining area for dinners. The environment is fairly ambient and romantic. Service: six stars!!!!!!!! During our dinner, a waiter spoiled a glass of champagne on my boyfriend's coat. Immediately after the incident, the manager walked over to us and gave us his card. He apologized to us and said we could take the recipe for dry clean back to him to get reimbursement. Today we went back to the restaurant and to get reimbursed for the dry clean. It was another manager who listened to our situation and he was very friendly and helpful. He offered to give us pastries from the bakery on him, which was really nice. I would love to revisit this restaurant again.
(5)
Seth B.
Very good new cafe, restaurant and bar. I've tried a donut and coffee in the morning, and two dinners in the cafe so far. Stan's Donuts are great - and this is the same company so you can go here or visit the new Stan's also in Streeterville. Coffee is Intelligentsia and it was good, flavorful and made well. For dinner one night had the Italian beef and another had the pizza. Italian beef was refined, tasty, good flavor mix. A bit dry coming out since they give you the juice on the side, and the giardiniera could be kicked up a notch or two. Pizza was neopolitan and excellent crust with everything working well on the other parts of the pizza. Overall very nice new amenity for the neighborhood. BTW I noticed an increasing selection of pastries. This might become a popular breakfast option in the neighborhood soon...
(4)
Joselyn E.
I work down the street and have been coming here for months now. Today was the worst experience I've had here and I'm very disappointed. I ordered the meatball sub, something of a regular purchase for me, and Briam at the counter asked if I wanted chips or a side salad. It's listed as coming with fries, which is what I wanted and what I answered with as I pointed to the giant menu behind his head. I work in retail and I know that if there's something listed, you honor it. He rolled his eyes and asked again if I wanted chips or a side salad. Rude. At the very least he could have given some reason as to why he wouldn't honor the menu. I've seen the general manager go out of his way to give everyone a great experience, which made Briam's attitude both disappointing and surprising. I got stuck with a side I didn't want, and for the amount I'm paying, ($10.95 for a meatball sub, soggy bottom bread and chips), I should be able to have the side I want within reason. Our busboy Cesar was very nice and helpful, but I don't think anything could rectify the terrible service first thing. Labriola is no longer my go to, good job Briam.
(2)
James R.
Some family came down to visit and we decided to take them to this new Italian restaurant just off Michigan Ave. We were greeted by a very friendly host. As we were being taken to our seats, he pointed out the venue's new bar and cafe, ideal for those looking for a casual dining experience. The place was immaculate and with great layout and design! Our server was equally as friendly, and was prompt in taking our drinks order and providing some advice on our food choices. Between the 4 of us, we chose the pizza, the ravioli, the Lamb meatballs and the Porchetta. All were excellent, although the Porchetta could have had a little more sauce. The dessert options were excellent. My wife and I shared the chocolate cake (trust me, you'll want to share this!) and the others had the tiramisu and the "Sacripatina" rice crispy dessert. All fine choices! So here's where it misses a star. The "water" guy. Rather than filling up our glasses in an elegant manner, he literally tipped the water carafe upside down, making the water splash out into our glasses and onto the table in front of us! We feel like we needed to make a little splash zone as water was going everywhere and he didn't seem to care. It may seem like a small thing, but service touches are a big part of the experience! Don't let that take away from the overall experience though. We would certainly return!
I visited Labriola Cafe (3/29/15) first time. I recently saw it reviewed on ABC 7 News. I had the nueske smoked bacon, black diamond cheddar, bbq burger. Delicious! Burger med-perfectly cooked, great flavorful juicy beef & fresh tomato. Sweet smokey sauce. The burger served on a moist, chewy pretzel roll. Burger takes a while to cook-my order took 20 mins from placing order to burger served @ my table. Service is courteous/attentive. My soda glass was never empty.
(4)
Nicole S.
Absolutely fabulous. Worth every penny. The staff is curious. The food is delicious paricularly thw parmasan chips. And I'm very pleased to find a gluten free option.
(5)
Yuki Y.
Nice place, but food was only okay. I did not care for the lasagna, my date's pasta was better. I will go back and try a few other dishes.
(3)
Magdaline V.
The location is convenient off Michigan Avenue. The decor was a little stark for my taste, not a "pretty" place, but, oh, the food! The long, thin, crusty bread is I believe what they are known for, but of course, they did not serve it. We had to ask for it and when we told the owner how much we love it, he gave us a loaf. The spaghetti and meatballs were some of the best I ever had. Oddly, there is no small dinner salad on the menu, so they put some lettuce in a bowl with a few cherry tomatoes and charged us $7 apiece for it. I went back the next day for dessert and coffee in the afternoon. Excellent coffee.
(5)
Malaika P.
Food ok not impressive. But horrible service. We were left waiting for about 30 minutes for the appetizers and another 45 minutes for the meal and it was not even full. The server seemed to not even know about our order.
(1)
Joy W.
Awesome spot! Had the hanger steak and it was scrumptious--juicy and tender! Service from Raul was great and were checked by Matt to make sure everything was good. Great tasting food and excellent service! Highly recommended. Come hungry :) thank you again labriola for a nice evening and the most satisfying dinner!
(5)
K M.
Nice patio just steps away from Michigan Ave. Short wait time. Risotto with scallops was fantastic. Baby kale salad was also very good.
(4)
Scott C.
Just returned from 2 weeks in Italy and Greece, this place is amazing!! Equals anything that we had in Venice or Stressa Italy. Can't wait to come back!!
(5)
Sergey G.
We went for breakfast, service was slow, I got my food but friends plate arrived only 5 minutes later. Food was just ok, croissant was not good at all, not cooked through and crispy outside, eggs Benedict were ok, but served with pretty bland potatoes. My friend's French toast was mushy and maple syrup was not great.
(3)
Garfer B.
Checked it out last night and had a great time. We sat at the bar Kristine and Rachel were excellent. The drinks were creative and very reasonably priced. The menu was good. The food tasted very good and had nice size portions. Towards the back is a very nicely decorated restaurant area. Do not be deceived by the front bakery area. This was a very nice restaurant. I would return and would recommend it.
(5)
Margie T.
Great ambiance, lovely outdoor patio, amazing food (they make their own pasta!), and reasonably-priced lunch menu and daily specials. The service is exceptional!
(5)
Kris P.
Came here on a recent Friday night with my husband and it was very disappointing. We've been to the La Briola in Oak Brook many times, and we love it there, so we were eager to try this new Chicago location. Unfortunately, this Chicago location does not measure up. The menu is much different and not as good. They didn't have my favorite pasta with meat sauce entree and they also didn't have the item my husband usually orders. After we sat down, someone brought us bread but no plates or water. We had to ask for water and it came about ten minutes later. Why are there no little plates for the bread? The turkey burger I ordered was not good at all and I only ate half. The recipe is much different than what they use at their Oak Brook location. My burger had green and red peppers cooked into it and it was super salty. I could barely eat it. This surprised me because I love their Turkey burgers at the Oak Brook location. My husband ordered some kind of chicken sandwich and he didn't like his either. Also, I ordered fries but the girl at the counter forgot to add it to our order, so I didn't get them. We both agreed that we will not be returning here. This is my advice to the management of this new Chicago location: Duplicate the exact same menu as the Oak Brook location and offer the exact same menu items. Duplicate their recipes as well, down to the letter. When bread is served to the tables, have the servers bring small plates and glasses of water at the same time.
(2)
Valentina V.
My family and I were wandering down Michigan ave for someplace nice to have dinner. We stumbled upon Labriola and decided to try it. We came in and was seated efficiently. The waiter had a couple tables so we patiently waited for him to come by and greet us. First he wasn't entirely sure of the specials, secondly, his communication with the kitchen was poor. He had to return to our table three times to tell us that our dishes were unavailable. When our order finally arrived, it was a funky mix of something completely different from what he recited. Overall the service really sucked and we're never coming back again.
(2)
Heather T.
Nice new restaurant in the area. The food is good and portions are the right size. It is a little expensive so keep that in mind, but the dishes can be shared. I gave this 4-stars for the price but the food, service, and atmosphere are great.
My wife was so excited to go to this place! However, after the drinks had arrived and a quarter of the way into the appetizer I lost my appetite. This was because after I excused myself to the restroom I encountered my biggest pet peeve in any restaurant. I have been in the industry for twenty years and one of the cardinal sins is going into the restroom with your apron. If a man stands his urine can splash 3 to 5 feet, if it lands on an apron where do you think it ends up. Well, it ends up in your face since you are sitting and the server is standing. Over reacting? I don't think so, this is gross. Then the manager made excuses for the whole thing and really never apologized sincerely. Not the kind of place I want to take my family! And, after not eating the rest of the appetizer the manager still left it on the bill. Customer service where are you? So, I boxed up the left overs and gave them to a homeless person on the way back to the hotel.
(1)
Betsy W.
This place was impossible to find at night, walking in the rain. The address provided was to Bandera, and 10 minutes of searching did not reveal where this was (even after several trips up/down the Men's Wearhouse elevator and searching the Michigan Ave. side of the building for ways in.
(2)
Jeff L.
I wish we could rate 3.5. They need a little work. Food was OK. Enjoyed the wine. Service was stiff. Space is too large for number of clients. Very nice decor. I hope they make it and I can review again but feel no urge to return.
(3)
Brian S.
Newly opened place and we loved it. They own Stan's Donuts, which in my opinion, easily the best donuts in the city. Nice space that was broken up between restaurant and cafe. We chose the cafe side and food and staff were wonderful. I had the gnocchi in garlic cream sauce. Gnocchi was pillowy and delicious. The sauce was so good and I loved dipping my bread into it. Labriola bread is so good. Kids had pizza and the crust was charred perfectly and the toppings were fresh. Of course we had to get some stan's donuts for dessert. Great place and can't wait to go back.
Sorprendente (amazing) Started with a byoootiful minestrone, picante salumi, and then the "main course," in every way: Bucatini all'Amatriciana. Guanciale (kinda like bacon from Pork jowls), carmelized onions in a fantastic, slightly spicy, tomato sauce. The only thing matching the food? Great service by Rachel Peace!
(5)
O K.
A solid choice for lunch or dinner. Good, fresh tasting food, lots of variety, reasonable prices. I like the decor too--spacious and clean. They also have gelato!
(4)
Tyler M.
Labriola has been a long time favorite of mine at their other location in Oakbrook. Their food is amazing and the service is great as well. This location doesn't have as many menu options which is a bit of a disappointment seeing as I love the Chicken Parmesan at the other location, but none the less the grilled chicken pesto panini was amazing and I will have no problem ordering this in the future. Give it a shot, it's totally worth your time, and its great to have this location near me in the city!
(5)
Karen J.
David Prainito - manager - went out of his way to ensure that my friend and I had a fabulous experience during our recent Girls Weekend to Chicago. We had breakfast there one day - it was phenomenal. We went back a second time for a light pizza and cocktail - again, out of this world. Their gelato is amazing as well. David checked in on each table of guests on both visits - it is clear that he cares about his customers, staff, and restaurant. This will be a go-to spot for all future Chicago excursions.
(5)
Saul T.
Awesome restaurant, sat at the bar and they were super friendly! Also the food was epically authentic!
(5)
Fuudcritic C.
Stick with baking bread! VERY average at best (food). It was a bit of a disaster. Food was eehhh.Staff was friendly & helpful though. Cashiers were friendly but gentleman behind bakery area needed more training (bakery items were not good!). Maybe great place for families who just want a quick bite...kids don't know the difference. Would go back just for bread because that's what they're known for.
(1)
Emily L.
Probably the best meal overall that we had on our 5-day trip. We ate on the "casual side" and it was great for a family of four - economical and delicious. I have teen boys who loved the pasta and meatball sandwich. The gelato was delicious and by far, the staff was the friendliest of any people we encountered our entire stay in Chicago. They even threw in some free cookies to go - such nice people. Would highly recommend!
(5)
C. Paula D.
I've been to the cafe part of Labriola twice now--once for dessert (gelato) and once for a lab lunch. Both times were tasty. I'm relatively picky about gelato, and the gelato was good here. Quick and easy lunch place for large groups!
(4)
K C.
Labriola is a favorite of ours! When we're in the city, we're eating here. Great food and impeccable service; a nearly impossible combination to find these days. If you're in the area, stop by, you won't regret it.
(5)
Jack M.
Great service, also the best burger I've ever had. A must eat in Chicago. Also very good house made chips.
(5)
Juliette C.
Very happy about the new addition on Michigan Avenue! My friends and I had the Special Margherita and the risotto of the day. Both were really good. The atmosphere was lacking though as the place was mostly empty. Service was really good. Will definitely go again to try more food!
(4)
Erik K.
Great spot, casual dining, super-friendly staff and, most importantly, excellent food! I went to the sit-down half of the establishment (with servers) but the self-service side also had an excellent menu and atmosphere. Truly a great experience!
(5)
Chris V.
We only went here for dessert, but the chocolate and almond croissant is highly recommended. Ask them to warm it up, so the chocolate is warm and gooey! Blood orange and mango sorbet as well as the carrot cake were delicious.
(4)
Fatima M.
I was there once for to go, waiters were welcoming and respectful. I ordered from the bakery a coffee cake and it was so delicious and symphonic. Highly recommend this restaurant and cafè
(5)
Christine R.
Delicious, attentive, and tasteful. We went to Labriola for lunch during a long day of shopping. As a Streeterville native, I have been waiting for this place to open up, we need some 'European' cafes around. The view of Labriola from the outside does not do justice to the well designed, thoughtfully detailed interior of the restaurant. There is a cafe side, where you can order from the counter and sample everything from gelato to the baked goods. The staff was so warm and helpful, it was very sweet how friendly they were and how they cared about their products and services. Anyways, we ate in the restaurant/bar area. I love the atmosphere- tiles, dark wood, great lighting. This place was well thought out and it shows. Great for a date, and great to take people from out of town when they come to visit. We split the kale caesar salad, it was good- came with a great Parmesan crisp, needed a bit more dressing, tad less cheese. For entrees we had the spaghetti with meatballs three ways, one of the meatballs was egg & Parmesan- this 'meatball' was wet and mushy without much flavor. We also got the Short Rib Angolotti Pasta, and had no idea what that meant. It was spectacular- homemade short rib raviolis basically with a savory and light cream sauce beautifully garnished with a few beets, pear, and sprouts. One of the best ravioli dishes I've had. This place should be packed! It is tucked away a little and is only a matter of time before locals and tourists start discovering Labriola. I can't wait to go back.
(4)
Tim F.
Braved the cold last night and went to LaBriola. Space is unique and nice the way they separated the bar/dining room/cafe. Dining room really classic and upscale without being over the top. Like the flat/sparkling water options. Wine list extensive and interesting, we found a Sicilian and a Portugese wine both yummy and nicely priced. Really tired of be gouged for wine at restaurants and that is definitely not the case here. Food really tasty. Cannot find a better pizza crust and toppings in the city, normally my wife doesn't eat the edges, we were fighting for them. Pastas overly good, the amatriciana was perfectly spiced, the chicken entree is really tasty. Lasagne special was super and the lamb sausage app is nicely prepared. All food is eye appealing, portions are good and prices are extremely fair. Can't wait to go back and work my way through the rest of the menu
(5)
Michael K.
I had the risotto, it was A++, my friend had the ravioli, which were a little bland and dry. Wine was excellent and the dessert (chocolate cake w/ citrus) was unique a interesting, in a good way :)
(4)
Norah S.
Try the squid ink pasta! I'm those person that just generally dislike italian food but go anyway when with friends. I've been there three times now for dinner and coffee, and this place is consistently awesome.
(5)
Kristin G.
The food and service was excellent. I have been to both the cafe and restaurant and am very impressed. Highly recommended!!!
(5)
Duke S.
We just ran into this restaurant as we were looking for a place to have dinner in this neighborhood. The food was delicious. Ambience attractive. Service super. The manager recommended Pine Nut Tart for desert. It was magnificent. We were happy to be surprised by this new restaurant.
(5)
Sam T.
Had lunch here yesterday and was impressed. Firstly the place is huge with the cafe in the front and ristorante in the rear. Cozy dining room. Had an excellent arugula salad which was lightly dressed followed by the Buccatini ala amarticiana which was very good but could have more kick. Will go back!
(4)
Yanping T.
food is ok. experience is good.
(3)
Michael B.
We tried this place out for Sunday lunch and was very impressed. First, the staff couldn't have been nicer. The decor was extremely well done - it's a classy spot and a much larger space than you can see from the outside. I am looking forward to sitting in the main dining room for dinner. I will be frequenting this place. The food was excellent. There were a lot of great options to choose from on the menu. I went with the Turkey Burger on a pretzel bun. Big fan. The fries were mediocre though. My date had the veggie pizza which was awesome! So many veggies, light on the cheese - delicious. Can't wait to come back!
(5)
Karen S.
MUST DO!! We are in town from Virginia Beach for a volleyball tournament and stumbled upon this place. It was truly an unexpected and much appreciated 5 star experience. They treated us as if we were the only table in the restaurant! The food was fabulous and the wait staff was too notch! Definitely a must do if you are downtown Chicago!!
(5)
Aurora B.
second times dining here food is not bad the ambiance is great and people are welcoming but i really didn't like the fact that the waitress was very unprofessional by calling my husband "baby, honey"anytime he would request something. i kept myself from making scene but today is the last day we're dining at that restaurant.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : Yes Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Accepts Bitcoin : No Good For : Lunch Parking : Valet, Garage, Validated Bike Parking : No Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Dogs Allowed : No 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.
Kathleen C.
I'm somewhat torn on my rating... I really liked the service and I thought the atmosphere looked quite nice. However, it wasn't very busy and for me, for dinner, I like a lively atmosphere in a place like this. We, however, sat at the bar and shared an appetizer. The bar area is quite appealing with some high tables and a relatively long bar. The service was pleasant and very helpful about drink choices, etc. The ricotta appetizer was delicious - I could have licked the container. There are plenty of drink options and we had fun watching them make some interesting cocktails. All in all a good spot, I just would have liked a little more liveliness for dinner on a weekend. The outdoor patio looks really cute (though it was pouring rain, so I skipped that....)
(4)Leah C.
casual, non-chain dining in a chainy area that is mag mile... love this place for lunch when you want to meet up with a friend but can't spare too much of your lunch hour. it's not fast food and not table service so you can better manage your time. the kale burger was good...the bun for it was better, haha. it lacked something and i can quite put my finger on it. perhaps it was a bit on the dry side and needed some accompaniments like avocado or extra tomato? no sides come with the sandwiches but they are filling on their own. pass on the iced tea - pretty watery. disappointed too that the outdoor seating is only for table service dining. still come early to snag al fresco window seat instead.
(3)Christian M.
My sister and I decided to try something new for lunch and Labriola's caught our eyes. We were greeted by very friendly staff who explained the menu with great detail. The staff made it feel very welcoming. We were first given some bread with butter imported from France. The butter itself had set our high expectations. We were both given a house salad that had a citrusy-like kick to it. Their house-made pasta was one of the best pastas both my sister and I had tasted. I highly recommend the Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo! It boasted a wide array of flavors! The French/Italian music in the background gave the essence of having lunch in an Italian Cafe. My sister and I have plans to return soon!
(5)Steve A.
This is one of the best places for outside dining in the Magnificent Mile area, because the sidewalk cafe is actually a balcony far above Grand Street, so there's no automobile traffic. The usual pasta dishes are on offer, but we concentrated on appetizers, and loved everything we tried, particularly the zucchini blossoms, which were very lightly fried and stuffed with a creamy smoked mozzarella that was delicious. The ricotta appetizer was also excellent, with fresh honey and crusty toasted bread. Clams and mussels are served in a garlic laced broth that's not too rich. We also shared a pizza. The offering changes weekly, so your mileage may vary. We loved the authentic Naples-style crust, but didn't care for the raspberry and onion based sauce on our particular offering. There are some nice selections on the wine list, and the service was friendly yet professional.
(4)Evie H.
I love eating at Labriola on a warm/hot day! They have two separate seating sections - one for the cafe, and one for the restaurant. The restaurant side is "fancier" in that you get a menu when you are seated. On the cafe side, you can order at the counter and your food is brought to you. Note that the menus are not the same on the restaurant vs. cafe side so I would make sure to check out the menus first before deciding which side you want to go to. We decided on the cafe side due to its more relaxing vibe. I loved the mushroom, arugula, and spinach pizza. Though I rarely order pizza when I eat out, this one was pretty delicious, healthy, and super refreshing. We also tried the Berkshire Porchetta sandwich which was enjoyable too. Two things I didn't like as much: the tough bread and the excessively fatty porchetta. I get that porchetta is supposed to be fatty, but I would've liked more of the lean parts. Finish off your meal with a delicious Stan's donut. All in all, Labriola is a great place to come and enjoy the nice weather. The cafe food is very decently priced especially considering its close proximity to Michigan Ave. so that's always a plus. The outside seating is really gorgeous too. Don't miss out!
(4)Bonnie E.
Over, under Love the bread, of course, and the thought of warm bread, a glass of wine and pasta is what brought me in as I was walking along Michigan Ave. on a chilly evening. I was greeted by three people all standing at/near the hostess stand. Sure, this happens from time to time but it was awkward here as if I were interrupting a discussion. Service continued to be awkward, so much so that I thought they couldn't have been open more than a few days but I was incorrect on that assumption. Though I was seated in a booth, (on the bar side but a ways from the bar) the bartender was my server. She brought my wine and I didn't think to request bread, I waited on it, but it never arrived. it was only after my lukewarmish pasta dish was brought from the kitchen after some time by a line person did I realize that I should request the bread. And the fresh grated parm. And maybe go behind the bar and pour myself another glass of Chardonnay. I had to summon the only person passing by - a different host than the three by whom I'd already been greeted - and he brought out the fresh-grated parm. The bread arrived shortly after by the busboy. Although I was several tables back and there was a Bulls game on, I unfortunately was still privy to hearing one suited gentleman scold a hostess about having left the podium. Maybe she off was filling someone's water! Obviously, service issues prevailed. My calamari pasta dish was OK but not "rave-able." I wouldn't order it again - there was an odd combination of textures between the dense noodle, firm calamari, limp arugula, and wrinkled roasted tomato. Also, overly-garlicky. I could see how one could have an enjoyable experience here however I really couldn't recommend it. I have no problem penning a review on a single visit. Why would I go back? Overstaffed, undertrained?
(2)Jamie M.
Review for the Labriola Ristorante and Cafe on Michigan Ave at Grand Ave The wife and I dropped in on a recent Saturday afternoon before the lunch rush and ordered on the café side of the house. I had to place my order several times with the patient cashier who was obviously frustrated with the clanging going on behind her at the soda fountain. After ordering from the television monitors above the register, we walked over to the dining area to find a smattering of food and crumbs on the floor and tables - nothing too discouraging, just more of a post-rush hour dusting of debris than a time-to-start-a-new-day look for 11:30am. Our food arrived very quickly, delivered tableside by a waiter we never saw again - my soup and sandwich combo included a half tuna salad sammich, topped with fennel and olives, perched on a large bagel-like onion roll that was a bit too thick to tackle. The soup of the day was a rich and flavorful creamy tomato soup ($9.95) - one of the freshest I have ever sampled. The tuna was just how I hoped - lightly dressed, with just enough fennel to make it taste like it had a little pickle relish in the mix. The wife's plate overflowed with fresh-cut, super-crispy potato chips and her prosciutto-wrapped chicken panini ($9.95) was welded together by a thick layer of gooey provolone cheese, some fresh spinach, slices of dried tomato, dressed with a pesto mayo. Both sandwiches were certainly flavorful and came at a very decent price point, considering the proximity to Michigan Ave. We look forward to trying them again.
(4)Chet S.
Stumbled upon this place on a walk. It's somewhat hidden: on the upper walkway above Grand just off Michigan. It's worth seeking out. It has two sides, a casual cafe (where we ate) and a more formal dining side (which we haven't tried yet). We got the filet sliders which are excellent. We also got dessert: a piece of risotto cake and a turtle cheesecake. Both were excellent. Highly recommend the cafe side for a quick bite.
(5)Renaud S.
Had brunch here on a beautiful sunny Sunday morning, seating on the terrace - I guess we were lucky to find some table available there. The staff was very nice to us, which made the experience pleasant. The food was very good, we ordered scrambled eggs, pancakes, fruits, a chocolate croissant, juices and expresso. All of these were tasty and we had some pleasure eating. Also the location is ideal, just by Michigan Avenue.
(4)Laura C.
Visited Labriola for a pre-opening dinner as well as lunch the next day. I had been to the Oak Brook location before and thought it was just eh, but that was years ago. Food highlights... The salmon entree and beef brisket are both great dinner choices. Margherita pizza was divine. The fries are simply perfect (seriously, order them). Awesome chopped salad. This place is going to be a great spot to hang out and nibble on a meat/cheese platter, as the options are endless and the amount you receive for the price is far from modest. Pair with a glass (or bottle) of wine and you've got yourself a relaxing, affordable evening on Michigan Avenue. I'm confident Labriola is worthy of five stars, they just have to get some kinks (which aren't even worth mentioning) ironed out.
(4)Norm J.
My date and I came to Labriola Cafe & Bakery for a sneak preview of the restaurant as it officially opens downtown on January 29th. From the moment we walked into the restaurant we experienced nothing, but great service. The hostess was friendly when we entered the restaurant and the staff working the cashier/ordering area was extremely helpful; explaining the menu and giving recommendations. Being that everyone was on the house we were not shy with our ordering. We got: - Romaine Caesar Salad: what you would expect a Caesar Salad to taste like. - Traditional Chopped Salad: had a good amount of chicken and the dressing seemed to have a nice vinegar base that made this salad not so traditional. I'd try it again. - Sausage & Pepper Pizza: was hands down the best thing I ate here. The pizza was cheesy (which I love), had nice chunks of sausage (which I greatly appreciated) and the red peppers were a nice touch making the pizza visually appealing. - Goat Cheese & Grilled Vegetable Pizza: when my date ordered this pizza I was thinking mmm wrong choice as I feel pizza needs at least one meat topping. However, the pizza was actually really good. - Brownies & Red Velvet Cake: the brownies were chocolatey delicious and the red velvet cake was rich and creamy as a red velvet cake should be. Seeing how Labriola restaurant is pretty much in my backyard I will definitely be coming here again...and again. I recommend you give this place a try when they officially open on January 28th.
(4)Donnie Y.
First time here and I'm very impressed from the way you were greeted to the way they treat you throughout. Very impressed. The waitress Victoria was lovely and the manager David I think it's his name was very accommodating I'm not usually a gang of Italian restaurants but this one is an exception. Try the seafood salad with some white wine. Definitely will make you come back for more . 5 stars for sure for this one of a kind Italian place.
(5)#NAME?
This review is only for one thing I ordered, I will come back again to give it a second chance- I ordered the fettuccine, and I guess in my mind it would taste different-To me it was egg noodles in a bland beef broth with roasted garlic-Not an al dente pasta with a unique flavor just so bland tasting- At first I was starving, so I ate a couple bites thinking it would get better, then I was thinking to ask for some pepper but I don't think that would have helped-It just was lacking something... I made myself eat a couple more bites but then I had to stop-I started thinking how I walked by my beloved Shake Shack, how that would have tasted so much better than what I was eating- I paid and when I did I realized I had been charged for the dinner portion, not lunch-The waiter was nice and corrected it-
(2)Ryan K.
Stopping here for lunch was one of the best decisions of my trip to Chi town. They have a great selection of food, even in the café area, and a surprisingly wide selection of alcoholic drinks as well. I hade the cheddar bacon burger on pretzel bun and it was one of the best pretzel burgers I've had. I asked for the burger medium and it was cooked spot on. Too often, all burgers are cooked well done. The fries were decent as well. Nothing necessarily stood out about the service but it was good. I would love to come back and try some different dishes as I have no doubt in my mind they are all top notch.
(4)Kristin M.
If you didn't know it was there, you'd totally miss it, but this is a great spot to eat. The interior is very cool, Italian deli-style with white tiles and aperol lining the walls. The patio is amazing on a warm spring day, it's shaded and you can't beat the people watching as tourists try to navigate their way to Navy Pier. We sampled various items on the menu and all enjoyed our meals. Meals included spaghetti & meatballs (she cleaned her plate pretty quickly), squid ink pasta (looked delicious, and the diner was pretty quiet. You know it's good when they're not talking!), eggplant parmesan (huge portion with delicious sauce), pizza du jour (prosciutto with roasted apples, a nice mix of salty and crunchy sweetness, I really enjoyed this!), and chicken sandwich (very messy, but apparently good). Italian is a tough racket in Chicago, and the food is good but not amazing. I'd probably give it 3.5 for food and lackluster service, but the ambiance was so great, it's getting bumped up 0.5 a star. A good option if you're shopping along Michigan.
(4)Allison B.
Food: Awesome. Great soups, fantastic sandwiches with pillow-like bread, exceptional desserts. Service: Terrible for takeout. My purchase receipt was date stamped 12:17pm. I didn't receive my takeout order until 12:40pm. All I ordered was half a sandwich and a cup of soup. And in all that time they still managed to stiff me on the bread that usually comes with the soup. What the heck were they doing for over 20 minutes?!
(4)Carolyn I.
My friend wanted to check this place out because she heard they serve Stan's donuts. It was a little hard to find at first because the entrance is not off Michigan Ave., but we soon found it after turning the corner. They were no longer serving donuts by the time we got there. We ended up ordering drinks instead. Drinks: Red Ruby Daisy - CH Vodka, St. Germain elderflower liqueur, grapefruit, lime and club soda Bellini - Prosecco, Blood Orange cardamom shrub and orange bitters Both drinks were really good and the presentation was beautiful. The bartender was nice enough to let me try the dried fruit that was in the bellini. I'm usually very critical of craft cocktails and these drinks were some of the best I've had in a long time. Everything was well-balanced. The atmosphere was very low key and quiet. It was a nice place to go for a drink and talk.
(4)Peter Q.
Stopped in for breakfast and had a good visit. You order at the counter and then it is delivered to your table. Food was good and service was quick. I would definitely give them a try for lunch or dinner.
(3)John G.
It's a cafe in one part and a full service restaurant in another. I walked through the cafe and need to come back for lunch or a light meal. We ate in the dining room and had a delicious meal and great service from Rodney. We started with some salumi which offered some nice cuts of meat. I had the Bucantini all'amatriciana which had a nice kick to it. My wife had a very inventive seasonal risotto with shrimp and seasonal veggies. Tasted and looked good.
(4)Ashlee T.
Let me start off by saying how much I appreciate the staff and management of this restaurant. After speaking with them about a less than savory experience I encountered with a hostess, they made sure that this experience was totally different. I ordered the shrimp risotto that had goat cheese, garlic, mandarin oranges with an apricot reduction. It was AMAZING and I highly recommend. I also ordered a side of the asparagus that was grilled and buttered to perfection. I had a glass of pinot grigio (5oz but I secretly wanted more lol) and it was a perfect pairing. My date ordered the same but in addition, he order the soup of the day. I can't remember what kind of soup it was but he enjoyed it and ate it all! What shouldn't go without mentioning is the bread!!! It's made fresh and the butter that accompanies it is also made fresh. It's sweet, it's salty and it's everything butter should be! HUGE shout out to Labriola for an excellent dining experience!!! I can't wait to return. :)
(5)Don P.
Arrived and were promptly seated with our reservation. Ordered an appetizer, a Mai-Tai, a Beer, our entrees and a dessert. The appetizer was prepared perfectly. It was a unique cream filled mozarella. It was great. Our entrees, I felt, were small portioned but they were both delicious and well prepared. Our dessert was a unique take on the Tiramisu. It was served in a cup with marscapone mousse, a hazelnut pudding, an espresso biscotti stick, and "iced" espresso. It was delicious. Staff was friendly and our waiter was attentive.
(4)Julie N.
Really a 3.5... Labriola is a strong addition to list of Mag Mile dining options. We've been here about 5-6 times, with different sized groups and sitting in different locations (outside, back dining room, high tops in the bar). Here is my take... Outside seating is nice for a weekday lunch. There isn't much noise from street traffic as you're on a balcony and the seating/flowers are nice. At night, though, the nearby streetlights cast a very harsh white glow that (for me) kills the ambience. The seating out there is very tight as well, so if the restaurant is busy be prepared for a tight squeeze. Back dining room is elegant and relaxed, but doesn't get filled up that often (at least from what I've seen), so can seem a little lonely if you're one of only a few parties back there. High tops at the bar is my go-to. Lively, good and quick service, great atmosphere. Perfect spot for a post-shopping casual dinner. Unlike the back room or outside tables, the service is less formal, so you can pace out your own meal and just hang out if you want. And here is my experience on some of the menu items proscuitto and melon - great preparation caprese salad - standard presentation, good but not special fried calamari - crispy and crunchy - yum fig salad - outstanding, really unique baby kale caesar - good, solid salad pizza of the day - great option to split as a starter pasta vesuvius - delicious and unique chicken dominic - my favorite, very very good halibut - just had this one time, but was dry... pretty disappointing for the price point. Finally, beer/wine list is good, but too pricy IMO.
(3)Pat B.
Great special salad ! Love the atmosphere! Many choices depending on if u want cafe or bistro or full restaurant My first time today and I will go back!!
(5)John M.
Great service foremost. Gave us everything we wanted despite some tables being closed and offered a pizza that wasn't on the menu since I was a vegetarian. Jimmy was helpful with good recommendations. Slightly tucked away nice establishment for a fun lunch with friends or a date
(5)Denea J.
Great options.... Sit down classy and cafe style. Staff is friendly. Patio seating is always good. Would recommend if you like Italian.
(4)Kathy L.
Great place period. My boyfriend and I stumbled on this place yesterday and we call it a diamond in the rough. They have a patio and a dining room The other side is a deli/cafe and they serve breakfast lunch and dinner Great food awesome service on Tuesdays they have 535 drink specials Great deal!!!!! We will be back
(5)Lucy C.
omg this bread. I want my bed to be made of this stuff and eat my way out of it every morning. I was very surprised to see how large this space is. The cafe space alone is pretty sizable, and there's a whole other restaurant section. My friend and I went around 11:30 on a Friday and basically had the place to ourselves until people started trickling in at noon. By the time we left, both the cafe and the restaurant were decently filled up with people and their shopping bags. All the while, the staff was very helpful and had great attitudes. You can order from both the cafe and restaurant menu when seated at the restaurant. My friend and I tried our best to not fill up on their delicious bread, and we decided to split a pizza and order of pasta. The bucatini pasta had a great mouth feel, between the perfectly cooked pasta and the sauce with a kick. The pizza was also very delicious, even a few hours later as a pre-dinner snack. Considering our relatively large appetites, we left completely full and with a doggy bag to go. I definitely can't wait until it warms up more and they (hopefully??) set up patio seating, and eat all the desserts on the menu.
(5)Tzivia M.
I walked in with a friend and requested a table outside around 8:30 at night. I saw several vacant tables and so I was a bit surprised when the hostess mentioned it would be a 15-20 minute wait. I mentioned the vacant tables and she said there were others waiting at the bar to be seated. Ok fine, gave our name and number and went to wait at the bar. No big deal. Not even 3 seconds after I walked away, I overheard her complaining about me to the other staff standing around the host desk. Seriously lady. Give me a minute to walk away (where I'm about to start spending money at your bar) before you start complaining about me to your coworkers. Not impressive.
(2)Meredith K.
The food and the atmosphere are great! Its like a hidden gem on the Mag Mile! I'm taking off 1 star b/c our waiter was a little aloof (as compared to the host who was awesome) and because the cocktails were a little weak. We ordered an aperol spritz that seemed more spritz than aperol, and had olives. It was nice for color but the savory in a sweet drink seemed odd. Then I tried a negroni which was also a little weak. We were there at lunchtime. One comment - if you want their famous meatballs in the restaurant area at lunch you have to order the spaghetti. They'll serve you different kinds of meatballs but will not tell you what they are when they put the plate down. Why they don't off a meatball sandwich is crazy to me! I had the eggplant terrine which was a little heavy for lunch but delicious. Its pretty much eggplant parmesan with a side of fried kale. I'd share it if I were back there for lunch again. I know it doesn't seem like it but we were all happy and impressed with this restaurant. I know that we'll all be back for drinks, maybe more food, and definitely for gelato. Its a nice oasis in the touristy area.
(4)Isaac S.
I've eaten here a few times now. Overall, prices are a little high and food is definitely above average but not stellar. Service is very good. Both times, I have had some sort of burger variation and it's nothing to complain about. Their lemonade is good and should be ordered as it includes free refills. For a quick bite near Michigan Ave, this is a good option.
(4)Ruby M.
Worst restaurant experience ever. I really enjoy labriola at Oakbrook, the waiters there are outstanding, so I would expect the same from the Michigan Ave. location, but I was wrong. First, this guy in a suit who looked like a manager had the worst demeanor reaching in front of you to put things down while I was ordering, so rude. Since we got there at 10:40 a.m. we were told breakfast was over so we ordered two burgers, which we assumed came with fries since the cashier did not ask if we wanted fries. Our burgers were burned at the bottom as well as the bottom buns. We were brought coffee and cream, but no sugar or spoons. We asked for sugar and just stirred our coffee with knives. We later asked for more coffee and were not brought any cream or sugar (again). I would not go back to this location.
(1)Ali D.
I wanted to like this neighborhood joint. Food was good but too pricey for a casual Thur. The value equation is a bit off ... A few nicer Italian places for the value.
(3)Veronica V.
This restaurant/cafe was awesome!!! We came here first for coffee the girls behind the counter were sweet and helpful! Wonderful staff the coffee was delicious and exactly what we asked for! We came back on our last day for dinner and our experience was even better. Same exceptionally sweet and helpful staff and the food was absolutely delicious! Fresh bread and the most amazing butter "just like really being in Italy" trust me I've been there! I orders the calamari pasta, the flavors were so simple and complimentary to one another, it was perfect. My husband had the spaghetti and meatballs that was absolutely delicious as well! I would recommend this restaurant to anyone! It was very authentic and delicious in the middle of the craziness that is the Magnificent mile!
(5)Lori R.
Labriola ROCKS my world! Neapolitan pizzas are like straight out of Italy! I had to close my eyes to enjoy the buffalo pizza :) Labriola crust has Chicago water; giving it a perfect oomph! Previously we tried the sandwiches, that include great side salads-fresh & delicious! Love the location. Just amidst the busy area of Michigan that could drive anyone insane w/crowds....so it's a lil haven and oasis off of the chaos. Patio is great-nice size & you can still people watch which is a bonus; just like you're in Italy! Can't wait to try all the desserts. They look decadent & the gelato wheel is something I have never seen! Staff also very attentive & provided excellent service.
(5)Kim H.
If I could have given this place 2 1/2 stars I would. It was not bad, I just was not great. We went for breakfast. It was nothing special. No presentation whatsoever. I have had better breakfast plates at a diner. Egg white scramble is what I ordered. It was a small portion and came with potatoes that were okay but this place is known for their bread, and they give you one very small piece of bread. Daughter had a skillet. Average at best. Our bill was $40. At that price I'd expect full service, not counter service. We went at 10am on a Thursday and we were the only ones in there. I guess I'm not the only one who has been disappointed.
(2)Nicole H.
I was looking forward to trying this place out. I stopped by yesterday and it was a welcome refuge from the rain and pretty empty. After perusing the menu, I decided on a Richie burger, lemonade, chocolate mousse cake and coffee. These are some of my favorite items to have and I never pass up the opportunity to try them at various places. Well, I enjoyed the burger. It was a juicy and perfectly done Black Angus hand-formed patty with Black Diamond white cheddar, lettuce and tomato on a pretzel bun. Deelish. The lemonade was okay. They serve Intelligentsia coffee which I love and had several mugs of. The cake was a HUGE disappointment. It was really dry and the mousse tasted like buttercream frosting. I did however sample some blueberry bramble and brownies and they were both pretty good. As far as prices, seating etc. the burgers don't come with sides and start at around $10. There is a fair amount of seating and they are open for breakfast. The staff was pleasant and helpful. I think if you want to treat yourself to lunch, this is a decent spot.
(3)Ragip U.
Had brunch here this morning. I had an omelette with a croissant and my friend had an eggs Benedict. We both enjoyed our meals as well as the service. There is a very positive vibe to the whole experience. Good for families and dates with great outdoor seating.
(5)Laura C.
Was pleasantly surprised at this place. The ordering at the register put me off initially, but the food and the coffee was good. Would recommend for a good, easy breakfast. They serve intelligentsia coffee which was a big bonus for me.
(4)P P.
I went there for appetizers and beer so I cannot give it a 5 star review. We were a group of 3, tasted different beers and got fries and other appetizers. Service was good and the food was excellent. They have good selection of beers. I would definitely go there again to try other food.
(4)Jim L.
What a great place! Best Turkey Burger ever! Great staff! Friendly and helpful. We ate on the Cafe side where you place your order and the staff serves it when it's ready. The full service side has a different and is a tad more high end. Bring the family or bring a date. Either way you will not be disappointed .
(5)Jett P.
Shared a panini and an arugula salad with my wife and it was perfect...her Stella and my Manhattan helped. All of it was great. We ate at the bar which gave us a view of the alley, just off Michigan on the Magnificent Mile, so it's centrally located. The ambience is nice, the bar is cool.
(4)John H.
4 stars for the food itself. Service mediocre. My biggest disappointment with this place is no salad and bread with my meal. Plenty of other great Italian places in the city who offer that.
(4)Kim T.
I'm not sure about the food here but their desserts were great. They had a gelato wheel with various flavors that you can sample. I got a small cup of pistachio gelato and a chocolate macaroon--you can't go wrong with pistachio and the macaroon had the right amount of sweetness. I came back the next morning for coffee and donuts. I loved their Nutella pocket donut; it was a chocolate icing donut with Nutella filling. Their red velvet cake, however, was average: all I tasted was plain cake and cream cheese. I liked the relaxed atmosphere of the café; you order food and seat yourself in the café. There were also several tables outside where you can sit and enjoy warm, sunny days. I think the ristorante is more formal but I didn't get a good look at it. Overall, I enjoyed the desserts here and would come back to try their food.
(4)erin m.
We went here for a nice dinner Valentine's weekend and had a great experience. The food was delicious-- I especially liked the lobster bisque soup. Our server James was excellent- very gracious and efficient. He made fantastic wine and food recommendations. His outstanding service really elevated our experience. Great, reasonably priced spot to grab a nice lunch or dinner downtown without a major wait or bill. The back dining room is beautiful for dinner.
(5)Michelle K.
I really wish I could review one of the home made pasta dishes offered on their menu after stopping in earlier this evening, but unfortunately I am not able to do so due to the lack of customer service. After waiting approximately 10 minutes to be seated (the hostess left the seating area multiple times; pretty much after every customer was seated she ran to the back of the restaurant and returned a few minutes later), my friend and I were finally seated in a booth near the bar area. We waited 20 minutes for a waiter to acknowledge us before we decided to take our appetite and money elsewhere.
(1)Alanna P.
Absolutely amazing! I can't wait to go back. We were walking around Chicago in frigid temperatures and could not have been more excited to find this place. Our group went there for lunch and had the veggie burger and fries (one of the best we had ever tasted), minestrone soup and the chicken orzo soup. The cappuccinos were excellent, too. Highly recommend!
(5)Kockyo X.
I went here with my boyfriend on Valentine's Day. We ordered the smoked swordfish and the lamb sausage as our appetizers. We shared a risotto as our second course. Then for entree we had the steak for two and a burger to share. Food: three stars We liked the chef's risotto for the day. It was cooked perfectly. The sauce is creamy but not too thick. The smoked swordfish and the lamb sausage was ok. We were disappointed about our steak. We ordered it to be medium cooked. However, it was obviously over cooked. The center has no red in it at all. I would say the steak is well cooked instead of a medium. Environment: four stars Don't get disappointed when you first walked in the restaurant. It is a bakery outside but there is a nice private dining area for dinners. The environment is fairly ambient and romantic. Service: six stars!!!!!!!! During our dinner, a waiter spoiled a glass of champagne on my boyfriend's coat. Immediately after the incident, the manager walked over to us and gave us his card. He apologized to us and said we could take the recipe for dry clean back to him to get reimbursement. Today we went back to the restaurant and to get reimbursed for the dry clean. It was another manager who listened to our situation and he was very friendly and helpful. He offered to give us pastries from the bakery on him, which was really nice. I would love to revisit this restaurant again.
(5)Seth B.
Very good new cafe, restaurant and bar. I've tried a donut and coffee in the morning, and two dinners in the cafe so far. Stan's Donuts are great - and this is the same company so you can go here or visit the new Stan's also in Streeterville. Coffee is Intelligentsia and it was good, flavorful and made well. For dinner one night had the Italian beef and another had the pizza. Italian beef was refined, tasty, good flavor mix. A bit dry coming out since they give you the juice on the side, and the giardiniera could be kicked up a notch or two. Pizza was neopolitan and excellent crust with everything working well on the other parts of the pizza. Overall very nice new amenity for the neighborhood. BTW I noticed an increasing selection of pastries. This might become a popular breakfast option in the neighborhood soon...
(4)Joselyn E.
I work down the street and have been coming here for months now. Today was the worst experience I've had here and I'm very disappointed. I ordered the meatball sub, something of a regular purchase for me, and Briam at the counter asked if I wanted chips or a side salad. It's listed as coming with fries, which is what I wanted and what I answered with as I pointed to the giant menu behind his head. I work in retail and I know that if there's something listed, you honor it. He rolled his eyes and asked again if I wanted chips or a side salad. Rude. At the very least he could have given some reason as to why he wouldn't honor the menu. I've seen the general manager go out of his way to give everyone a great experience, which made Briam's attitude both disappointing and surprising. I got stuck with a side I didn't want, and for the amount I'm paying, ($10.95 for a meatball sub, soggy bottom bread and chips), I should be able to have the side I want within reason. Our busboy Cesar was very nice and helpful, but I don't think anything could rectify the terrible service first thing. Labriola is no longer my go to, good job Briam.
(2)James R.
Some family came down to visit and we decided to take them to this new Italian restaurant just off Michigan Ave. We were greeted by a very friendly host. As we were being taken to our seats, he pointed out the venue's new bar and cafe, ideal for those looking for a casual dining experience. The place was immaculate and with great layout and design! Our server was equally as friendly, and was prompt in taking our drinks order and providing some advice on our food choices. Between the 4 of us, we chose the pizza, the ravioli, the Lamb meatballs and the Porchetta. All were excellent, although the Porchetta could have had a little more sauce. The dessert options were excellent. My wife and I shared the chocolate cake (trust me, you'll want to share this!) and the others had the tiramisu and the "Sacripatina" rice crispy dessert. All fine choices! So here's where it misses a star. The "water" guy. Rather than filling up our glasses in an elegant manner, he literally tipped the water carafe upside down, making the water splash out into our glasses and onto the table in front of us! We feel like we needed to make a little splash zone as water was going everywhere and he didn't seem to care. It may seem like a small thing, but service touches are a big part of the experience! Don't let that take away from the overall experience though. We would certainly return!
(4)Comensal A.
Having enjoyed Labriola's Oakbrook location, we were eager to try the new Michigan Ave space. We were not disappointed. It's a nice venue, with café and full-service restaurant sections, the former light, bright and airy, the latter richer yet comfortable. We stopped in for a weekday lunch in the restaurant portion. The menu has a wide variety of appealing choices from small plates to full meals. The ambiance is relaxing, with soft (but not too dim) lighting, golden wood tones, and pleasant music at a conversation-friendly level. It would be fine for business meals as well as pleasure. Service was cordial and attentive. Pizza fans that we are, we were drawn to the pizzas, choosing a goat cheese & grilled veggie offering. It was very nice -- in fact, our favorite Neapolitan-style pie so far in Chicago (Spacca Napoli is still tops for us on the basis of finer toppings). The crust was delightfully crisp yet chewy, had a good wholesome bread flavor, and was just little thinner that typical Neo pies. For starters, an arugula salad was fresh, tasty and nicely dressed with a subdued lemon vinaigrette. Labriola is a nice addition to the dining scene in this area -- I know I'll be back. It will be interesting to see how it competes with Tre Soldi, another solid Italian venue a couple of blocks away. I'm glad to have the luxury of two such appealing choices!
(4)Kevin D.
I visited Labriola Cafe (3/29/15) first time. I recently saw it reviewed on ABC 7 News. I had the nueske smoked bacon, black diamond cheddar, bbq burger. Delicious! Burger med-perfectly cooked, great flavorful juicy beef & fresh tomato. Sweet smokey sauce. The burger served on a moist, chewy pretzel roll. Burger takes a while to cook-my order took 20 mins from placing order to burger served @ my table. Service is courteous/attentive. My soda glass was never empty.
(4)Nicole S.
Absolutely fabulous. Worth every penny. The staff is curious. The food is delicious paricularly thw parmasan chips. And I'm very pleased to find a gluten free option.
(5)Yuki Y.
Nice place, but food was only okay. I did not care for the lasagna, my date's pasta was better. I will go back and try a few other dishes.
(3)Magdaline V.
The location is convenient off Michigan Avenue. The decor was a little stark for my taste, not a "pretty" place, but, oh, the food! The long, thin, crusty bread is I believe what they are known for, but of course, they did not serve it. We had to ask for it and when we told the owner how much we love it, he gave us a loaf. The spaghetti and meatballs were some of the best I ever had. Oddly, there is no small dinner salad on the menu, so they put some lettuce in a bowl with a few cherry tomatoes and charged us $7 apiece for it. I went back the next day for dessert and coffee in the afternoon. Excellent coffee.
(5)Malaika P.
Food ok not impressive. But horrible service. We were left waiting for about 30 minutes for the appetizers and another 45 minutes for the meal and it was not even full. The server seemed to not even know about our order.
(1)Joy W.
Awesome spot! Had the hanger steak and it was scrumptious--juicy and tender! Service from Raul was great and were checked by Matt to make sure everything was good. Great tasting food and excellent service! Highly recommended. Come hungry :) thank you again labriola for a nice evening and the most satisfying dinner!
(5)K M.
Nice patio just steps away from Michigan Ave. Short wait time. Risotto with scallops was fantastic. Baby kale salad was also very good.
(4)Scott C.
Just returned from 2 weeks in Italy and Greece, this place is amazing!! Equals anything that we had in Venice or Stressa Italy. Can't wait to come back!!
(5)Sergey G.
We went for breakfast, service was slow, I got my food but friends plate arrived only 5 minutes later. Food was just ok, croissant was not good at all, not cooked through and crispy outside, eggs Benedict were ok, but served with pretty bland potatoes. My friend's French toast was mushy and maple syrup was not great.
(3)Garfer B.
Checked it out last night and had a great time. We sat at the bar Kristine and Rachel were excellent. The drinks were creative and very reasonably priced. The menu was good. The food tasted very good and had nice size portions. Towards the back is a very nicely decorated restaurant area. Do not be deceived by the front bakery area. This was a very nice restaurant. I would return and would recommend it.
(5)Margie T.
Great ambiance, lovely outdoor patio, amazing food (they make their own pasta!), and reasonably-priced lunch menu and daily specials. The service is exceptional!
(5)Kris P.
Came here on a recent Friday night with my husband and it was very disappointing. We've been to the La Briola in Oak Brook many times, and we love it there, so we were eager to try this new Chicago location. Unfortunately, this Chicago location does not measure up. The menu is much different and not as good. They didn't have my favorite pasta with meat sauce entree and they also didn't have the item my husband usually orders. After we sat down, someone brought us bread but no plates or water. We had to ask for water and it came about ten minutes later. Why are there no little plates for the bread? The turkey burger I ordered was not good at all and I only ate half. The recipe is much different than what they use at their Oak Brook location. My burger had green and red peppers cooked into it and it was super salty. I could barely eat it. This surprised me because I love their Turkey burgers at the Oak Brook location. My husband ordered some kind of chicken sandwich and he didn't like his either. Also, I ordered fries but the girl at the counter forgot to add it to our order, so I didn't get them. We both agreed that we will not be returning here. This is my advice to the management of this new Chicago location: Duplicate the exact same menu as the Oak Brook location and offer the exact same menu items. Duplicate their recipes as well, down to the letter. When bread is served to the tables, have the servers bring small plates and glasses of water at the same time.
(2)Valentina V.
My family and I were wandering down Michigan ave for someplace nice to have dinner. We stumbled upon Labriola and decided to try it. We came in and was seated efficiently. The waiter had a couple tables so we patiently waited for him to come by and greet us. First he wasn't entirely sure of the specials, secondly, his communication with the kitchen was poor. He had to return to our table three times to tell us that our dishes were unavailable. When our order finally arrived, it was a funky mix of something completely different from what he recited. Overall the service really sucked and we're never coming back again.
(2)Heather T.
Nice new restaurant in the area. The food is good and portions are the right size. It is a little expensive so keep that in mind, but the dishes can be shared. I gave this 4-stars for the price but the food, service, and atmosphere are great.
(4)Justin B.
Recently walked by Labriola's while checking out the Miracle Mile in Chicago and decided to give it a try for dinner. Found the menu to be very good for what you would expect from an Italian restaurant. This restaurant doesn't try to be trendy or cutting edge, and I think that serves them well. The fiancé went with a chicken Caesar salad and was quite impressed. She said that the chicken was great, it was soft and almost melted in your mouth. I went with the chicken parm and thought it was very good. The portion sizes of the chicken parm itself were enormous. Definitely could have fed 2 with that. I was very impressed with the side of spaghetti that came with the chicken parm. You could tell that it was homemade pasta and it was very good. Our waiter was very attentive and thorough. Overall this was a good experience and I am glad we gave it a try. I would definitely give this a try again and recommend it to anyone who wants traditional American style Italian food.
(4)Robert G.
My wife was so excited to go to this place! However, after the drinks had arrived and a quarter of the way into the appetizer I lost my appetite. This was because after I excused myself to the restroom I encountered my biggest pet peeve in any restaurant. I have been in the industry for twenty years and one of the cardinal sins is going into the restroom with your apron. If a man stands his urine can splash 3 to 5 feet, if it lands on an apron where do you think it ends up. Well, it ends up in your face since you are sitting and the server is standing. Over reacting? I don't think so, this is gross. Then the manager made excuses for the whole thing and really never apologized sincerely. Not the kind of place I want to take my family! And, after not eating the rest of the appetizer the manager still left it on the bill. Customer service where are you? So, I boxed up the left overs and gave them to a homeless person on the way back to the hotel.
(1)Betsy W.
This place was impossible to find at night, walking in the rain. The address provided was to Bandera, and 10 minutes of searching did not reveal where this was (even after several trips up/down the Men's Wearhouse elevator and searching the Michigan Ave. side of the building for ways in.
(2)Jeff L.
I wish we could rate 3.5. They need a little work. Food was OK. Enjoyed the wine. Service was stiff. Space is too large for number of clients. Very nice decor. I hope they make it and I can review again but feel no urge to return.
(3)Brian S.
Newly opened place and we loved it. They own Stan's Donuts, which in my opinion, easily the best donuts in the city. Nice space that was broken up between restaurant and cafe. We chose the cafe side and food and staff were wonderful. I had the gnocchi in garlic cream sauce. Gnocchi was pillowy and delicious. The sauce was so good and I loved dipping my bread into it. Labriola bread is so good. Kids had pizza and the crust was charred perfectly and the toppings were fresh. Of course we had to get some stan's donuts for dessert. Great place and can't wait to go back.
(5)Alan C.
There is a lot to like about Labriola. The beautiful new restaurant includes a bar, fine dining and café. I live in the building and go there daily. Employees there are very friendly and they say hi Al when I enter. The management is also very friendly and eager to please the customers. My favorites there are the burger, pasta and meatballs, great ice tea and amazing cookies. I am very much looking forward to their up coming breakfasts in March and the outdoor sitting area when it gets warmer outside.
(5)Tom B.
Sorprendente (amazing) Started with a byoootiful minestrone, picante salumi, and then the "main course," in every way: Bucatini all'Amatriciana. Guanciale (kinda like bacon from Pork jowls), carmelized onions in a fantastic, slightly spicy, tomato sauce. The only thing matching the food? Great service by Rachel Peace!
(5)O K.
A solid choice for lunch or dinner. Good, fresh tasting food, lots of variety, reasonable prices. I like the decor too--spacious and clean. They also have gelato!
(4)Tyler M.
Labriola has been a long time favorite of mine at their other location in Oakbrook. Their food is amazing and the service is great as well. This location doesn't have as many menu options which is a bit of a disappointment seeing as I love the Chicken Parmesan at the other location, but none the less the grilled chicken pesto panini was amazing and I will have no problem ordering this in the future. Give it a shot, it's totally worth your time, and its great to have this location near me in the city!
(5)Karen J.
David Prainito - manager - went out of his way to ensure that my friend and I had a fabulous experience during our recent Girls Weekend to Chicago. We had breakfast there one day - it was phenomenal. We went back a second time for a light pizza and cocktail - again, out of this world. Their gelato is amazing as well. David checked in on each table of guests on both visits - it is clear that he cares about his customers, staff, and restaurant. This will be a go-to spot for all future Chicago excursions.
(5)Saul T.
Awesome restaurant, sat at the bar and they were super friendly! Also the food was epically authentic!
(5)Fuudcritic C.
Stick with baking bread! VERY average at best (food). It was a bit of a disaster. Food was eehhh.Staff was friendly & helpful though. Cashiers were friendly but gentleman behind bakery area needed more training (bakery items were not good!). Maybe great place for families who just want a quick bite...kids don't know the difference. Would go back just for bread because that's what they're known for.
(1)Emily L.
Probably the best meal overall that we had on our 5-day trip. We ate on the "casual side" and it was great for a family of four - economical and delicious. I have teen boys who loved the pasta and meatball sandwich. The gelato was delicious and by far, the staff was the friendliest of any people we encountered our entire stay in Chicago. They even threw in some free cookies to go - such nice people. Would highly recommend!
(5)C. Paula D.
I've been to the cafe part of Labriola twice now--once for dessert (gelato) and once for a lab lunch. Both times were tasty. I'm relatively picky about gelato, and the gelato was good here. Quick and easy lunch place for large groups!
(4)K C.
Labriola is a favorite of ours! When we're in the city, we're eating here. Great food and impeccable service; a nearly impossible combination to find these days. If you're in the area, stop by, you won't regret it.
(5)Jack M.
Great service, also the best burger I've ever had. A must eat in Chicago. Also very good house made chips.
(5)Juliette C.
Very happy about the new addition on Michigan Avenue! My friends and I had the Special Margherita and the risotto of the day. Both were really good. The atmosphere was lacking though as the place was mostly empty. Service was really good. Will definitely go again to try more food!
(4)Erik K.
Great spot, casual dining, super-friendly staff and, most importantly, excellent food! I went to the sit-down half of the establishment (with servers) but the self-service side also had an excellent menu and atmosphere. Truly a great experience!
(5)Chris V.
We only went here for dessert, but the chocolate and almond croissant is highly recommended. Ask them to warm it up, so the chocolate is warm and gooey! Blood orange and mango sorbet as well as the carrot cake were delicious.
(4)Fatima M.
I was there once for to go, waiters were welcoming and respectful. I ordered from the bakery a coffee cake and it was so delicious and symphonic. Highly recommend this restaurant and cafè
(5)Christine R.
Delicious, attentive, and tasteful. We went to Labriola for lunch during a long day of shopping. As a Streeterville native, I have been waiting for this place to open up, we need some 'European' cafes around. The view of Labriola from the outside does not do justice to the well designed, thoughtfully detailed interior of the restaurant. There is a cafe side, where you can order from the counter and sample everything from gelato to the baked goods. The staff was so warm and helpful, it was very sweet how friendly they were and how they cared about their products and services. Anyways, we ate in the restaurant/bar area. I love the atmosphere- tiles, dark wood, great lighting. This place was well thought out and it shows. Great for a date, and great to take people from out of town when they come to visit. We split the kale caesar salad, it was good- came with a great Parmesan crisp, needed a bit more dressing, tad less cheese. For entrees we had the spaghetti with meatballs three ways, one of the meatballs was egg & Parmesan- this 'meatball' was wet and mushy without much flavor. We also got the Short Rib Angolotti Pasta, and had no idea what that meant. It was spectacular- homemade short rib raviolis basically with a savory and light cream sauce beautifully garnished with a few beets, pear, and sprouts. One of the best ravioli dishes I've had. This place should be packed! It is tucked away a little and is only a matter of time before locals and tourists start discovering Labriola. I can't wait to go back.
(4)Tim F.
Braved the cold last night and went to LaBriola. Space is unique and nice the way they separated the bar/dining room/cafe. Dining room really classic and upscale without being over the top. Like the flat/sparkling water options. Wine list extensive and interesting, we found a Sicilian and a Portugese wine both yummy and nicely priced. Really tired of be gouged for wine at restaurants and that is definitely not the case here. Food really tasty. Cannot find a better pizza crust and toppings in the city, normally my wife doesn't eat the edges, we were fighting for them. Pastas overly good, the amatriciana was perfectly spiced, the chicken entree is really tasty. Lasagne special was super and the lamb sausage app is nicely prepared. All food is eye appealing, portions are good and prices are extremely fair. Can't wait to go back and work my way through the rest of the menu
(5)Michael K.
I had the risotto, it was A++, my friend had the ravioli, which were a little bland and dry. Wine was excellent and the dessert (chocolate cake w/ citrus) was unique a interesting, in a good way :)
(4)Norah S.
Try the squid ink pasta! I'm those person that just generally dislike italian food but go anyway when with friends. I've been there three times now for dinner and coffee, and this place is consistently awesome.
(5)Kristin G.
The food and service was excellent. I have been to both the cafe and restaurant and am very impressed. Highly recommended!!!
(5)Duke S.
We just ran into this restaurant as we were looking for a place to have dinner in this neighborhood. The food was delicious. Ambience attractive. Service super. The manager recommended Pine Nut Tart for desert. It was magnificent. We were happy to be surprised by this new restaurant.
(5)Sam T.
Had lunch here yesterday and was impressed. Firstly the place is huge with the cafe in the front and ristorante in the rear. Cozy dining room. Had an excellent arugula salad which was lightly dressed followed by the Buccatini ala amarticiana which was very good but could have more kick. Will go back!
(4)Yanping T.
food is ok. experience is good.
(3)Michael B.
We tried this place out for Sunday lunch and was very impressed. First, the staff couldn't have been nicer. The decor was extremely well done - it's a classy spot and a much larger space than you can see from the outside. I am looking forward to sitting in the main dining room for dinner. I will be frequenting this place. The food was excellent. There were a lot of great options to choose from on the menu. I went with the Turkey Burger on a pretzel bun. Big fan. The fries were mediocre though. My date had the veggie pizza which was awesome! So many veggies, light on the cheese - delicious. Can't wait to come back!
(5)Karen S.
MUST DO!! We are in town from Virginia Beach for a volleyball tournament and stumbled upon this place. It was truly an unexpected and much appreciated 5 star experience. They treated us as if we were the only table in the restaurant! The food was fabulous and the wait staff was too notch! Definitely a must do if you are downtown Chicago!!
(5)Aurora B.
second times dining here food is not bad the ambiance is great and people are welcoming but i really didn't like the fact that the waitress was very unprofessional by calling my husband "baby, honey"anytime he would request something. i kept myself from making scene but today is the last day we're dining at that restaurant.
(3)