This place is a gem! We came here for our monthly dinner club, and had the best time. The staff was SO accommodating and gave us some great recommendations. We started off with one of the best red wines Ive had in a while. It was very earthy and spicy and delicious! Great wine recommendation. There were 7 of us so we started with 4 starters and we each ordered our own dinner and this was plenty of food. We ordered the following: Vitello Tonnato - absolutely delicious!!! Must order Polipo BLT - Nice pieces of octopus with pork belly. VERY good - one of my faves Brussel Sprouts - they were good, but they're everywhere. I like the uniqueness with the olives, though. Plin - TO. DIE. FOR. These little pillows of heaven were amazing. I could have eaten 3 dishes! For my main I had the scallops and they were very good! Nice crust on them and buttery on the inside. I love lentils and it paired nicely with the scallops. I would HIGHLY recommend checking this place out. Its a small, intimate spot that would be perfect for a girls night out - like we did - or even the perfect spot to bring a date. I will definitely be bringing my boyfriend back here to check it out!!
(5)
Tiffany L.
I'm a fan of this quaint neighborhood restaurant. We've already visited a few times over the period of the handful of months it's been open and it's nice to see that it's been consistent in quality and service since opening. From the hand-rolled olive breadsticks to the generous pours of wine (great selection of Italian wines btw), you can feel the love that goes into this restaurant. I feel like the prices are reasonable. Though the supersized majority might be irked by the smaller portion sizes, these are probably portion sizes we should be eating. I really enjoyed the rock shrimp appetizer and the panna cotta dessert. There was also a seafood stew type dish that I enjoyed but didn't see on the menu this last visit, but it seems the menu's changed a little bit each time we visit. Street parking has always been easy to find in this area (but then again we tend to eat early, like senior-discount early). Tuesdays are $30 3-course prix fixe days, and you get to pick from the entire menu (minus the risotto) so it's a fantastic deal. Pro Tip: If none of the desserts strike your fancy, Tastee Freez is right across the street. Just saying.
(4)
Cindy W.
The food is good but overpriced for sure. I spent a lot on my meal but I don't think it was worth that much money... Also I hate it when waiters pester you to order a drink. A no is a no... now please go away.
(3)
Ami B.
One of the best dining experiences I've had in a very long time. The atmosphere was warm...service was excellent. Everyone was very accommodating and relaxed. Highlights from dinner were the Agnello, the halibut, and the Panna Cotta. We loved the Agnello and Panna Cotta so much, we ordered it again. Wine list was exceptional. Cocktails also great! I can't say enough about this place...all I can say is check it out, you won't be disappointed.
(5)
Elizabeth E.
So I've now been here twice... once with the boyfriend and once with the parents. The Food: First time we started with the Plin, Tajarin & Carne Cruda. Both of us loved all three. The plin is their signature dish - it's basically like cheese ravioli's - what's not to like? Not sure it's MIND-BLOWING but they're addicting and tasty! Carne Cruda is their steak tartare - not the best I have ever had but was also enjoyable. The Tajarin was recco'd by the waitress - pretty basic angel hair pasta with some mild seasonings. I enjoyed it but I'm a sucker for white carbs & garlic. Second time we went with the Vitello Tonnato, Plin & Gamberini. We asked the server between the Vitello Tonnato & the Carne Cruda - and he said FOR SURE Vitello Tonnato, so since I had the CC before, we went with the VT - big disappointment. This was literally deli meat on a plate with a soft boiled egg which unfortunately didn't add much to the dish. I love raw meat and I love eggs and this was a miss. Don't listen to your server - go with the carne cruda!! My parents weren't wild about the plin but they did like the Gamberini - fried shrimp served with garbanzo beans. This to me was something that you'd see duplicated at any restaurant with fried shrimp. While tasty, it felt out of place. For the main dishes, the first time we went with the rabbit and the lamb. The rabbit was the favorite but the lamb was surprisingly inside pasta! The lamb was also really yummy. You could really taste the olives which I love. The pasta was light if you can imagine that in a white pasta, but I think that's a sign of high quality? Maybe? The rabbit was also a waitress recommendation. It's wrapped in pork belly which acts like bacon & it's incredibly juicy and crisp. Would order this again in any situation. With the rents - we added to the rabbit/lamb and went with the steak. The steak was disappointing though i'm not sure what we were expecting. it was 5 tiny small bites and white it was well seasoned it did not feel like the highest quality meat. I hate to say it but almost resembled hamburger meat (in flavor not in looks). My dad who is a meat and potatoes type guy, and struggles when my mom and I make him share everything was not overly thrilled with this one, though he did like the rabbit. Comments around the lamb this time were around how garlicky it was... I didn't remember it quite so garlicky the first time around though it wasn't a turn off for me. The ambiance: This place is cute. It is a gem on Armitage street - twinkle lights all around. Across the street from the tasty freeze :) Would love to try outdoor dining in the summer. The first time I went it was just my boyfriend and I and we were at a small two top table along the wall. The table next to us was SO LOUD and because they were so close to us, there was really nothing we could do about it. We weren't about to ask to be moved considering it was a busy Friday night but overall the restaurant is loud. This was also an issue with my parents who are 65+... I would recommend to all servers everywhere, if you are waiting on a table with older folks, PROJECT YOUR VOICE. No one can hear you and then it just gets awkward when you have to keep repeating yourself... Service: The owner came to our table on my second visit. He told my mom, dad and me all about where the inspiration for the restaurant came from - the little region in Italy that borders France and was invaded by the Austrians - hence why there's more champagne on the menu than prosecco. He called this region, Piemonte, the birthplace of Italy. Really nice guy and I like it when owners roam their restaurants to say hello to the guests. Extra star here :) Waitress on the first visit was nicer than the guy we had with my parents... again back to being loud enough... major issue for the older folk. Plus steering us away from the carne crude was also a ding.
(4)
Rawlins R.
Osteria Langhe is a phenomenal Northern Italian restaurant that recently opened in May 2014. Located in the southern area of Logan Square, it brings a great fine dining experience with a true Italian menu. Osteria is located just west of California off of Armitage. Osteria is definitely a fine dining experience with only the best ingredients used on their menu. The menu is based of the Piemonte region of Italy. They have outdoor seating for about 10. They also have indoor seating with low lighting provided by candlelight. They have a seasonal menu that changes daily based on what is best made available to the chef. They only seek out the best ingredients and you will be able to tell when you are presented with your dishes. The staff is very kind and knowledgeable of not only the menu but of the drink menu. They will provide suggestions on how to build your meal as well as the drinks that you may like. Outdoor tables are covered with a brown paper material and you are presented with either tap water or sparkling water. Traditional Italian bread sticks are given and the service is attentive to refilling water and clearing plates. I had the polipo which was grilled octopus with tomatoes and greens. It was phenomenal. I have only had octopus one other time that was nearly this good and it is something that you cannot pass on. The waitress suggested that I have the paloma with my meal and it was quite tasty. A tequila based drink with grapefruit juice and a salted rim. I had the coniglio for my main course which was rabbit, pork stomach, roasted peppers and potatoes. The first two items might not sound the most appealing but I can tell you it was some of the best pieces of meat I've ever had. Finally, for dessert we had semi freddo which is an Italian cherry parfait and even that was phenomenal, as I'm not really a dessert kind of guy. All in all, Osteria brings a great dining experience to an area that semi lacks in fine dining options. If you are looking for a truly authentic dining experience for perhaps a romantic night out you won't go wrong with coming to Osteria.
(5)
Arnold F.
Hands down one of the most disappointing meals I've had in Chicago. Every dish we had was a slap in the face to Italian cuisine. The octopus was rubbery with crusty turds they called "pork belly," the poached beef was tasteless and chewy with an overdone egg, and the brussels sprouts were beyond overdone. We also had some pasta dish that was edible but so forgettable that I don't even recall what it was. By far the best part of this place was the cocktails. We sat at the bar and the bartender graciously plied us with various tasty amaros. But the food at this place is a complete joke. If you're going to contribute to gentrification, at least justify it with a decent product.
(1)
Melissa S.
I had such high expectations, and I really wanted to like this restaurant. The ambiance was intimate and nice for a date night. The "insalata" was delicious along with the selection of red wine that I had. Here's the bad: 1. The grilled octopus (polipo)was dry and chewy. 2. My husband's shrimp and clam risotto had small pieces of clam shells mixed in with the pasta. He was literally spitting out his food into a napkin. 3. The guy at the table next to us kept taking off his leather loafers under the table. Enough said. 4. The rabbit was overcooked. The manager comped two of our drinks and the dessert, which was great, but we just had such a bad food experience that we will not be back.
(2)
Tavi J.
I was looking to try this place out forever....well since they open 12 days ago. :) We made a reservation for 6:15 this pass Sunday and they are very good at confirming. I received two voice mails and another follow up phone call and text after I confirmed. We thought that was little funny and knew there was no way we could not make it now. We drove and the nice part is it's pretty easy to find parking. Added bonus was since it was Sunday the parking was free. When we arrived we were seated right away. Only one in my party of 3 drank, but she said the bartender did a really good job of helping her decide what to get and mixing the drinks. The owner of the restaurant was a sweetheart. He came over to explain the theme and to tell us about what part of Italy the food is inspired from. The menu is in all Italian, so it was nice he gave us a round down on all the food items. We absolutely loved all the food we ordered. We started with an appetizer of the Polipo (which is Octopus). I am a fan! For my main meal I had the Tagliatta which is steak with fried asparagus. Check out my pic because this was delicious! My friends shared a salad and had the risotto, which was also good they said. The portions are on the smaller side, so we definitely saved room for dessert. We tried 3 of the 4 desserts listed on the menu. We had the Semi Freddo (sort of like an ice cream cookie), Cioccolato (chocolate cake with ice cream), and the Nocciloa (Hazel Nut cake). We shared everything. I'm sad to say the dessert was a let down for me. I found the hazel nut cake (one I ordered) to be on the dry side. In all fairness I'm not a huge fan of chocolate and definitely not dark chocolate, so I didn't like that at all. All in all our experience was good and we plan on going back to try more items on the menu. Excellent service, Gracious owner, and flavorful food.
(4)
Stephanie S.
This was just not my cup of tea. Hubs thought it was pretty good though, so I'll add a star. The majority of my distaste is that it's expensive and small food. I think I should be able to spend $50 a person and feel full, but that wasn't the case here. We had the vitello tonatto to start, which is basically deli cold cuts with half a soft-boiled egg and some sauce. Majorly underwhelming. We also got the risotto, which on this day had pork belly and a lamb sausage. The amount of pork belly was pretty laughable (a bite for each of us), but the risotto was pretty tasty. Hubs said it tasted "like gyros" (not sure if that's what they were going for). I had the tagliata (NY strip with some greens and potatoes), which was barely OK. The steak (about seven or eight bites-worth) was tough to the point that it was hard to chew (and I had ordered it medium). The three or so small potatoes were very nice and crispy, but the greens had a not-so-tasty vinegar-y dressing that made me leave most of it uneaten. Hubs had the rabbit (coniglio), which looked and tasted like chicken. None of the gamey taste, but I think that's what hubs had been gaming for (pun intended). None of the desserts looked appealing so we passed. But there were a number of nice and affordable wines by the glass, so props to that. There are a dozen or two other places in town at this price point I would go before here again.
(3)
Lindsay Y.
Had a fab birthday dinner with a great friend last night! We decided to venture out of the downtown area and head to Logan Square. Everything we ordered was super delicious (Especially the homemade pasta) the ambiance was very mellow and nicely decorated, as well as romantic (a great place for a date) The manager, Enzo was also very charming and knowledgable. I highly recommend this place!
(4)
Grace G.
I dined here a week ago and had a wonderful experience. The food was fantastic, great wine selection, and our server looked like a combination between Super Mario and an 80s porn star. It was awesome. FOOD & instant reactions: -Breadsticks - These were standard hard, skinny, long breadsticks -Charcuterie - I particularly enjoyed the tongue & foie gras pate -Risotto- Oh my... this makes you want to close your eyes and imagine sleeping on purring kittens. That's what this felt like in my mouth. This is a MUST GET -Anatra - Freaking delicious, flavorful, rich, and savory. It may be too rich for some, but duck is my favorite poultry. -Coniglio - This was also good, but personally, not as good as Anatra, although it is a house favorite.
(4)
Natalie P.
My husband and I went to Osteria Langhe last night for my birthday, and I was very happy with my birthday dinner selection! Our server was extremely friendly and suggested a great bottle of wine for dinner. For starers we had the pomodor, plin and fritto misto. The plin was like a little pillow of goodness and the fritto misto is a must if you like octopus. For my entree, I had the pan roasted halibut. The fish was perfectly cooked and the puttanesca provided a nice kick. My husband had the braised rabbit and finished the entire plate. Overall, we were extremely satisfied with our dinner. Thanks, Osteria Langhe!
(5)
Cristian S.
Traditional food made in a non traditional way. Must try.
(4)
Dave G.
Absolutely AMAZING!! Great addition to Logan Square. I can't believe it took us a year to try this place. We'll be coming back to try everything in the menu. The staff is laid back amd very knowledgeable. Highly recommended!
(5)
Elaine B.
I love this place. Every mouthful was delicious, perfectly seasoned, imaginatively executed. The service was fantastic, the staff so wonderful and friendly. The wine list is superb. I can't wait to come back and work my way through the outstanding menu.
(5)
James F.
Delicious pasta to start and steak main course. Fun mystery wine selection from the owner which kept me guessing and entertained. I'd recommend booking a table. Fraz
(5)
sandra j.
Best pasta in Chicago, hands down. I never thought we'd find a place here that does it right. And the past portions are appropriately sized. This is definitely quality over quantity. Wonderful wine selection. Really great service--attentive but still very relaxed and casual. The crudo was not that good but it still gets 5 stars because the pasta knocked our socks off. Also, I have to respond to someone's critique of the hazelnut cake. It's supposed to by on the dry side, and not too sweet. Thrilled that they chose our neighborhood. So excited.
(5)
Keith A.
When I found out that there would be a Piedmont restaurant replacing Brand BBQ, a massive smile grew on my face. This is not to say that I didn't enjoy Brand (I did), but all one has to do is look at my profile and notice that I'd want my last meal to be in Piedmont and with a ton of amazing Barolo. Since I can't accomplish that, Osteria Langhe is more than an acceptable substitute. I really like what they have done with the old Brand BBQ location. You still have the tables along the wall, but the feel is very classy and there is a bar right in the front. I like how they have used what was in place, but they've definitely have changed things up too. The food was done perfectly. I love the cuisine from Piedmont as it's rustic and savory. You don't see much pasta from here, so this may be some unfamiliar territory for a lot of people. So, take away your normal conceptions on what Italian food is, and enjoy the hell out of this. I started off with the Panino Aperto and the daily spread was crab. This is me nodding with a grin on my face. I then moved onto the roasted chicken. While that may not be the most exciting dish in the world, it was done beautifully. The sauce alone was worth the price of admission. I also sampled some of my friend's salmon (that was on special) and they did a killer job of this too. I can't end my review without mentioning how fantastic the owner Aldo is. You can really tell his passion for all things Piedmont. This passion follows through with the food and the killer wine list. I'm not gonna lie, it was gonna take something downright awful for me not to be a real fan of Osteria Langhe. But, even with me having a good bias towards the food and wine, Osteria Langhe executed every expectation to perfection. This is a great opening and I really hope people give this the support it deserves. I know I will be back as often as I can be.
(5)
Michael H.
Great Place! Went last Saturday and they were full but not packed. Inside it's actually bigger than it looks with a nice bar, tables towards the back and a communal table up front in the big picture window! First things first.. The Wine List is great/ think the owner is a wine broker so it's very well done. The food is excellent, all the antipasti we had were good and for secondi def try the NY Strip! So good// owner on hand and came over to chat about his new venture & wine.. Highly recommend! Get dat did
(5)
Christopher M.
We went to Osteria Langhe, and then the next week we went to the actual Langhe, and I can tell you that Osteria Langhe has the atmosphere, food, and drink of a similar place in the Piedmont region. Nothing but great things to say about the food, and the wine places were absurdly cheap. After our meal the owner, Aldo, sat down and gave us some grappa and chatted with us about his place, Langhe, and what we should see when we are there. We will be back! 130/365
(5)
Adrianna S.
I was here once before and it was amazing! I love that it's small, simple and cozy! Honestly, being here during the winter, the only thing missing is a fireplace...hint, hint :-) the food is exquisite, the servers are attentive, and the wine is excellent! I love that you can order additional truffles to pretty much anything, but the servers give great suggestions to what dishes it will go best with. I can't say I had anything I didn't like, and I think we were lucky enough to go through A LOT! A great place for a date, if you want to impress her with amazing food!
(5)
Kimberly S.
Yelp has a lot of problems. Let's take the review of a John S. below where he gives Osteria Langhe 2 stars, and he goes on to write his review as if he actually wrote the handbook on "proper dining out." Yelp should just be a blog for people to say if they've had a good or bad experience, and give their opinion on why, either way. Even successful business owners will have different opinions on how to do things, successfully. The great news is we're not the judge and jury for these businesses. We're merely patrons who, if we don't like their offerings, don't have to patronize their establishments. Clearly setting out to "define on a public opinion blog that they do things wrong," is not only inaccurate, but downright indicative of how insecure that person must be. Osteria Langhe was one of the better meals I've had in Chicago in a long time. Everything wasn't perfect, but everything was very good. If you're someone who nit picks price/portion, maybe this place won't be for you? But if you want a great meal, prepared exceptionally well, with consistent, friendly service, this place is excellent.
(5)
Tyler F.
Small and romantic. Great up and coming chefs with excellent food to back their expertise. My wife and I ate there for the majority of our date night. We experienced 3 parts of their Italian cuisine (antipasti, primipasti, and secondi). The wine selection there is definitely worth your time as well. The menu items were reasonably portioned and maintained their gourmet nature nicely. Each dish was equally as exciting. We had the grilled octopus, capisante, braised rabbit, and something else I can't remember the name of. Each were great! Pleasant manager, humorous staff, and romantic (candle-lit) environment. We will definitely be returning.
(5)
Rita W.
Beautiful restaurant on the outskirts of Logan Square. It is bright and airy in the front where we sat, and intimate and cozy toward the back of the restaurant. Our server was very knowledge about the food and wine served there, and he was a great salesman. We pretty much ordered everything he suggested. For starters, we had the Vitello Tonnato (poached beef), Frog Legs, Polipo, and the snails. The frog legs were very good, they were fried so it was hard to go wrong there. I had read a lot of hype about the polipo and was a little disappointed that all of the hype did not meet my expectations. Not that they were bad, they just were not that memorable. Nor were the poached beef and snails. Now where Osteria Langhe stood out for me, was more our primi courses. We went adventurous and ordered some fried veal brains. Yes it sounds gross but it was really good, it melted in your mouth. Just don't think too much about it and just enjoy the experience! We ordered two orders of the plin. They were like a cross between tiny raviolis and gnocchi. They were delicious and very unique. For entrees, our group of six ordered the fish, steak, and rabbit. I found the rabbit to be dry but everyone else loved the rabbit. The steak was my favorite part of the entree. For dessert we shared the hazelnut cake and the panna cotta. The hazelnut cake was a disappointment, it was very crumbly..and not in a good way but in a very dry way. My friend and I were very sad as we were very excited about the prospect of the hazelnut cake. The panna cotta more than made up for the hazelnut cake. It was silky and creamy and had more of a creme brulee consistency. It was delicious. All in all, Osteria Langhe is worth a trip.
(3)
Kari B.
Came here about 2 weeks ago with my husband and we were both very pleased. We ordered: Carne Cruda - needed a bit more salt, lacking flavor but had great texture Pollo e funghi - delicious, second favorite dish of the evening Coniglio - The rabbit was cooked perfectly. The dish could have used more of the crunchy pork belly to add the salt that the dish needed MP Risotto - This was by far our favorite dish and we were very happy that we ordered it. The risotto had braised beef and fresh truffles, so rich and decadent. Limetta e Cocco - Delicious end to our meal. I normally don't like coconut desserts but it was very understated. The raspberry sauce served with it was delicious, not too sweet or fake tasting like dessert sauces tend to be. Overall experience I would give 3 stars. The service was so-so. Our waiter sort of explained the menu but when we asked for suggestions, you could tell he was just answering with what we wanted to hear. He was also non-existent throughout our meal, which was fine because we didn't have anyone bothering us, but he should have checked in at some point to see how we were doing. The only people we had at our table throughout the night were the food runners and they weren't the best, they didn't explain the dishes very well and kind of just sloppily threw the next dish on the table. Our first experience with one of the runners was really off putting because he brought someone else's food to our table and when we said we didn't order that, he said, "yes you did." That was an odd way to start the evening.... The owner stopped by at the end of our meal and said hello which was a nice touch. They have a great weekly special (3 course prix-fix meal for $30 on Tuesday's) so we'll definitely come back then since we live nearby.
(4)
Todd M.
This is by no means your typical pasta & meatballs Italian restaurant. I'm not a fan of fancy restaurants, and many Italian places just don't do it for me, but Osteria Langhe is exceptionally good. Its atmosphere is very nice and not stuffy, and the food is some of the best I've ever had. The prices are reasonable and the theme is very unique.
Osteria Langhe - a restaurant created by elitists to serve those who are either too wealthy to care or simply uninitiated to how a restaurant is supposed to operate. Stuck back on Armitage west of the Kennedy, this miniature version of a real Italian restaurant pretends to serve food and wine typical of Italy's Piedmont region. Suffice it to say "no". In Italy, they actually give you some food. Actually lots of food - more than you can eat in one sitting - which is definitely not the case here. With table room for approximately 30 people and maybe 8 more at the bar, the facility is physically thin and cramped. The bar carries only one vodka (Modest) which is apparently made by a friend of the owner in Wisconsin. My martini was served in a traditional 1960's era stubby, cocktail glass. When served (in an un-chilled glass) there wasn't enough liquid in the glass to cover the olives resting on the bottom. These weren't Colossal olives mind you, they were the small ones that you get when you're a college kid on a budget. The vodka itself was pretty good - from what I could tell. It was gone in one sip - or it may have evaporated, it's hard to tell. My wife had a Manhattan, which had one more sip than mine. Oddly, they kept re-filling the couple next to us every two minutes! They must've been regulars - but to make the disparity so obvious was strange. I decided to switch to a glass of wine. Maybe it's just me but when I start to feel that I'm being ripped off, I begin to gauge what I'm getting not so much with reference to the service and surroundings but more to the amount of product being delivered. I was served about 6 ounces for $14. I rate my wine choice as a 6 out of 10 for quality. The menu is written in a combination of just enough English and broken Italian to confuse the even the most experienced of weekend foodies. As an example, listed as an appetizer, the "Panino Aperto" (which translates as "open sandwich") is described as "grilled bread, please ask your server for seasonal daily dressing". This, like several other menu options is "MP" or "Market Priced". Are you serious?! Market price for bread?! As we were out for the evening and the Panino Aperto was recommended by the couple next to us, I didn't ask the price. So what did we get for our MP open sandwich appetizer? Three very small pieces of thinly sliced charred bread, topped with fatty, chewy, prosciutto, parmesan cheese and olive oil. The price was $14. We then tried the "Insalata - farm greens & vegetables, summer tomato vinaigrette". Small, passable but bland. What can you say about salad unless someone really takes the time to invent something new and interesting? This is not. Now onto the first course ("primi"). Let's take a second here to ask the question, "why first and second courses on an otherwise limited menu?" Ah yes, to run up your tab because no one entree is enough to feed anyone who's not the field of modeling or hasn't undergone a weight reduction procedure. Having been to other like establishments in the past (all of which are now out of business) we were getting suspect and had a sneaking feeling of how the entrees were going to be presented. We opted for one order of the "PLIN" (la tur) which was described as ravioli with parmesan, butter and thyme by our server ($14). Sure enough, a large, wide rimmed bowl arrived with 8 pieces of diminutive, gnocchi-sized pasta bites in the center. I completely understand "al dente" (firm to the bite without being soft) but this was cooked so that the exterior edges were hard and chewy, with the interior cooked perfectly. So one gets the impression that the kitchen let these sit out in the air for a while before cooking. The second course list includes novelties such as braised rabbit. Given our experience so far, I have to say that my guess would be that the whiskers, ears and tail would have been interesting but a waste of time and money. Same for the desserts - which again are listed at "Market Price". For after dessert, Osteria Langhe features digestives ("digestivi"). As a rule I don't drink sweet things but our server was kind enough to bring us two Nardini Amaro cordials. As I said, cordials are not my thing but I tasted it anyway. I would describe the flavor as a combination of chocolate, ginger, chalk and ash. My wife agreed. When the bill came I noticed that our server had added the cordials to the bill and then deducted them off again. This may have been simply for the purpose of noting stock, as many servers have the authority to give away a certain amount of product. Then again, it may have also been to let the customer know that they are responsible for an additional $16 in service. We measure our experience on everything we know about good service, good food and fair pricing based on the quality, preparation and freshness of the ingredients. Osteria Langhe - fails.
(1)
Bizzle Z.
It's really like a 4 and a half but, #Yelp. Hopefully I will make a 2nd visit and up this review to 5 stars soon;) We visited this past Saturday evening. The bad: -It took an exceedingly long time to get even our wine & appetizer. But they are surely working out the kinks and we diiid get a reservation 2 hours beforehand on a Saturday night - not too shabby. -The portions are rather small for the price. That being said - it was well worth the wait & something we'd pay for again! And again. And again... The good: -Cozy! Love the atmosphere. Great place for a date. -Great service. Friendly, welcoming, unpretentious. It really does make a difference. And once the courses started coming out it was all perfectly timed. Aldo stopped by to check in as well. The hostess was the highlight, an absolute doll. -Food is deliziosissima! All of it. Every single bite. Not a bad forkful was in there. Not a one. Unique flavors done right. We had the poached beef/crispy egg (gives a sharp kiss to my fingertips), insalata (fresh to def), risotto (melts in your mouth), and then the rabbit (amazing). Logan Square is killin it these days. This place makes a welcome addition to the 'hood. WE WILL BE BACK (wipes the slobber off keypad).
(4)
John M.
I had been excited to try Osteria Langhe after walking past it a few times and thinking it had a nice atmosphere and interesting menu. Unfortunately, it didn't live up to expectations. We were seated outside and had to physically signal down another waiter after about 15 minutes without any contact. The portions are pretty small so it is expected that you get multiple plates, but the price of the bill went up pretty quickly. All of the food we had was good, but nothing so memorable that I could recall any of the 6 dishes we got as I'm writing this about a week later. If you're in the neighborhood and looking for expensive Italian, I'd go, but Chicago has so many great Italian restaurants that it probably isn't worth the trip.
(3)
Brian F.
Rockstar chef, efficient/friendly staff, and some of the best food I've tasted in some time. I had 3 items, the polipo (grilled octopus), the plin (mini-ravioli pasta), and the crespella (cheese & veggie crepe). Each of these dishes were the best I've ever tasted in their categories. Octopus in particular is so difficult to cook properly without getting a chalky or rubbery result. Theirs was tender and juicy beyond belief. Granola on the crepe? Yes it works amazingly well. Can't wait to go back!
(5)
Adam D.
One of the best meals I have ever had. The food and drinks were outstanding. The service was excellent. You have to try at least two of their amazing antipasti. Also the risotto of the day. The day I went it was risotto with mussels and it was phenomenal! The dish that will keep me coming back for more is the rabbit with pork belly. The flavor profile of that dish was beautiful. The wine selection is excellent but you should really try one the three negroni choices. I wish I could eat there everyday. Seriously.
(5)
min r.
The food is amazing. My issue is with the severs. Have been several times. One is a bit too involved, the other tried to rush us with the "Chef would like your entire order in now". When we still had not gotten our drinks. Pet Peeve!!!! Don't rush people at this level of restaurant.
(3)
Eric B.
Osteria Langhe serves elevated Italian cuisine at neighborhood prices. It is to be treasured. The food is rich and savory and delicious. We've eaten here three times in the month its been open and will be back soon again. The owners have adapted the former Brand BBQ space well, whitewashing the walls to offset the dark wood floors, and covering the banquette with a massive rural mural that really ties the room together. It is a clean, well lighted space that makes for pleasant rustic dining. They've also installed a bar, which I don't recall at the prior space, to show off their rich and varied spirit collection. As for the food, you must, you simply must, get the octopus. It is the best I've ever had, and I've eaten a lot of octopus. The secret is a 24 hour marinade, which makes it as tender as soft butter. It yields to your teeth effortlessly, unlike so many other instances of octopus. Similarly, the rabbit is juicy and lovingly complemented with pork belly. Their risotto is impeccable; upon my second visit it was duck breast risotto soaked in a light creamy cheese. It too had no faults I could find. Our third visit was for a wine dinner, at which I dined on a delicious ribeye steak, brisket, and cow brains. All were delicious but the cow brains had a savory unctuousness matched only by its intellectual qualities. I have absorbed all bovine knowledge and now contemplate things which no man has before. Today, I will share a little of my bovine knowledge, which is to always get chocolate desserts; they are delicious here. Finally, drinks. The wine list is excellent, all Italian, if I recall correctly, and very attractively priced. I recommend the Franco Serra Barbaresco. Ahoy, my fellow bourbon boozers! I have not neglected you. You will love the cocktails here; the manhattan is superb, as is the negroni. They have several amaros as well, if you require a digestif.
(5)
Dustin M.
We first visited Langhe on its second week open (earlier this summer) and we have been back 6-7 times since. We obviously love it. It is simply a wonderful addition to the neighborhood. It is now a go-to spot when we have friends in from out of the area or for an impromptu date-night. Some of the highlights include: Aldo, the owner, who epitomizes what a local proprietor should be. Always warm and charming. Helpful with recommendations. And treats his regulars well... after dinner drinks, etc. The food is always solid, the drinks are interesting and the wine selection is good (staff is very helpful with selection too). We have probably had 3/4 of the menu by now and we always try something from the specials board. I have a few favorites but there have really been no big misses. Very good, top to bottom. My only minimal critique is on the portion sizes, especially with the pastas. An extra 50% in volume, even if it came with a slightly higher price, would help with sharing portions.
(5)
Pat O.
Heard via Twitter this place was a gem in the area. It was a really fine dinner spot, prices were decent and the service was at a high level without being overbearing. The bartender skewed to the 'mixologist' edge of the spectrum which can grate but the entire staff was exceptionally educated about the wine list and able to recommend wines and drinks (they have a killer amaro list) very well. The food was terrific and they were more than willing to cater to a few preparation requests, even going so far as to offer to pull the pork garnish from a risotto special when I made a joke about it being a Lent Friday. The room is comfortable and it would be a great date spot. We were in late on a Saturday night and it was definitely a loud room but not unbearable. Highly recommended.
(5)
Jason A.
The food overall was pretty good. We started with the Plin and it was very good. My wife had a few apps for her entree and I had the rabbit. She liked her apps but my rabbit was too salty. The service was good. Here's my problem. It was our anniversary and they had us sitting at the communal 8 top table in the front. We didn't tell them it was our anniversary in advance, so I don't fault them for sitting us there on a special occasion. I fault them for sitting ANYONE there who has a reservation made a week in advance. Once I saw where we were sitting I let them know it was our anniversary and I would prefer different seating, but nothing else was available. They did offer to seat us at the bar but I didn't find that to be helpful. Sitting on a stool with my wife and five other people was not how I envisioned our evening in this restaurant. I expected the nice, quaint experience everyone talks about. In fact, I would look over at the tables wistfully, fantasizing about how comfortable it would be to move there and sit in a proper chair. But they never offered to move us during our time at the restaurant. While the service was good, and the owner(?) even came by to help my wife with wine (great call) and later to check how everything was (I lied, didn't want to complain), they lose a star for the front of the house.
(3)
Sandy R.
I loved everything about Osteria Langhe. First, it's about a mile from my house and there is free parking. That aside, the food was delicious and service was top notch. We tried the carne crudo, grilled bread where the daily offering was with lamb meatballs, plin, braised rabbit and the sea bass. The plin is described as little agnolotti filled with a delicious, slightly tangy cheese. The rabbit was my favorite and I didn't really want to share with my sister but I relinguished my plate after eating 1/2 and as a reward I got to finish her sea bass. My only complaint is with the bread sticks that are brought to the table when you arrive and were also with the carne crudo. They are dry and not very appealing. We met the owner, Aldo, who couldn't have been nicer. I definitely will return.
(5)
Dawn K.
Interior very cute! Went here for anniversary dinner at 7 pm on a Wednesday. Not full when we arrived, but as we dined it got packed! Our waiter was not super friendly, very matter of fact, which is fine. As the crowds came, our service started to lack. Dirty dishes piled up and it took forever to order dessert. The food is really outstanding. We ordered the octopus, which I highly recommend! We also ordered the tonnato, which was absolutely amazing! The tajarin with meat sauce was very flavorful, but the portion was humorous, you could definitely not split this one. It is literally two mouthfuls. My husband ordered the rabbit, again, very delicious, but it was two tiny pieces of rabbit. I ordered the chicken which was served with beans. Incredible. The chicken portion was decent. The wines are fairly over-priced as are the deserts, which are nothing to write home about. All in all, great flavors but be warned, the portions are really really tiny. You may need to stop for a pizza after eating here. Service needs some help especially when crowded. I would vote for a better wine list also. Flavors of appetizers and entries are amazing!
(4)
Dale B.
This was one of the best meals I've had in a long time. I've found my new favorite Italian place in the city -- not just the neighborhood. Thankfully it also happens to be a few blocks away. The wine recommendations were spot on, the food was devine, and the service was friendly and thoughtful. I am still basking in the afterglow of the Plin -- perfectly al dente, pillowy, creamy, buttery, thymey -- just so freaking good. I loved the light and fresh octopus, while my wife devoured the cauliflower and nettle flan. The steak was cooked just as we ordered and the reduction and fondue accompaniments were fantastic. We were in a rush, so no dessert, but I can't wait to go back. It's not going to be long before the word gets out.
(5)
Sara M.
this restaurant was really great! very traditional italian cuisine. i went with my friend's family for a yummy dinner last night and they are a very traditional, northern italian family (i'm italian too but more of the "americanized italian") and they definitely made the waiter work his italian knowledge last night! he know all sorts of things about the dishes and history of italy; he was great! the food was so delicious and the restaurant was very accommodating to my vegetarianism (caution: the majority of their dishes are cooked in chicken stock unless you request that they aren't!). we had appetizers, salad, pasta, main dishes, and dessert. we ate until we were stuffed! try the crepes if you're looking for vegetarian, cheesy bliss and any dessert on the menu is delicious. the only downside is that i got really bad stomach cramps & pain later during the night. i'm going to try not to hold that against the restaurant in my review because i did have a few things to eat that i shouldn't have had (wine, chocolate, espresso), but eating those things doesn't typically cause tummy pain. that and the price will probably influence my personal decision to return but it was a fun one time meal!
(4)
T V.
This location has been the home to various restaurants over the years and I'm hoping that it has finally found a permanent owner. I like that they have a menu with pricing. This way you know what you are getting yourself into. We ordered the grilled octopus for our appetizer. It was OK. For entrees, I had the sea bass and my husband had the crab risotto. The sea bass was super delicious. My husband really enjoyed the crab risotto. Don't expect Olive Garden size portions here. I felt the portions are decent. You will not feel overly stuffed leaving here but super satisfied. Oh and try the ginger beer. Taste like a mix between ginger ale and rootbeer, my two favorite drinks! They get it from a local Chicago brewery.
(4)
Molli H.
Stumbled on this place while on a day trip to Chicago. We were not expecting the exquisite fine dining experience we were treated to here. The food was soooo good. We had the snails, the peas, the risotto and the rabbit and all were fantastic. The risotto was the best I have ever had, it was porcini and white asparagus. It had intense flavor and depth which was not overly reliant on cheese, as many risottos can be. Perfectly cooked and buttery. I wish I was closer, would love to go again as soon as possible.
(5)
Michael W.
Never before written a review based solely on a reservation system, but I will let the facts speak for themselves: Make reservation through Open Table for 8:15pm on Saturday. Arrive at 8:15. Hostess tells us in weary, unapologetic tone that they are running behind, and table will be ready in 20 min. Fine. Order wine at the bar while waiting -- the place is packed. At 8:35, after waiting 20 minutes, check in with the hostess to see if the table is ready. Annoyed, she says, "I have no idea. Maybe 30 more minutes? There are several people ahead of you." After waiting 10 more minutes it's clear we won't get a table until 9:15 or so -- more than an hour after our reservation. We leave. Look, the world doesn't owe me delicious Piedmontese food at the snap of my fingers. (I wish). But if Osteria Langhe is going to take reservations on Open Table, then it needs to honor those reservations capably and honestly, which it's clearly not doing. When people are making arrangements with others, driving across town, etc., only to be told to wait an hour after the reservation, that's disrespectful. The Barbaresco I had while waiting was outstanding. If the clueless hostess had said, "Hey, I know this is a drag, let me comp your drinks," I wouldn't be writing this negative review, and I would have enjoyed what so many posters say is excellent cuisine.
(1)
Betsy P.
Great restaurant and company. My girlfriend recommended this place and I absolutely loved it. For starters, we tasted the Fonduta which is a artichoke and celery flan. All I can say is YUM! And then we had the Polipo aka Grilled Octopus and that deserves a double YUM! Let's move on to entrees....my friend had the risotto and said it was outstanding. My other friend tried the Grilled NY Strip Steak and she loved it. I, myself, me....well I went back and tried the Fonduta and their Shrimp Salad. Shrimp Salad, sadly I thought it would come with greens and it only came with very little greens. So that was ok and I honestly would never order it again. Let's move on to dessert... we had the Panna Cotta and that my friends was AMAZING. The Cioccolata was very decadent and too much for my taste buds to handle. Dessert should be for sharing and that's what we did and I Loved It. Loved the atmosphere, loved the service and we were able to bring in our own bottles of wine and they charged us a $15 per bottle corkage fee. If you are looking for a hip newer restaurant that delivers in taste, atmosphere and service, BOOM! Osteria Langhe is your place. What are you waiting for... Pick up that phone and make your reso today. They will not disappoint.
(4)
Jonathan S.
We thoroughly enjoyed our visit and highly recommend this fine neighborhood establishment. Choosing from a great selection of fine Italian wines helped kick off the evening. The food's flavors were all wonderful, and was prepared with so much care and attention. The owner came over to chat with us and made the experience even more special. A real treat.
(5)
Ryan M.
Went here for my birthday on Friday with the family and it was amazing. Was of my best friends is the Chef de Cuisine, so I knew I needed to come and check the place out and what better time? This place has everything one could want in a dinning experience: quality food perfectly prepared, outside the box thinking, great service, lively atmosphere and great drinks. This is not a place you go to order pasta and meatballs or chicken parm. We tried the brains for an app, and even my 5 and 6 year old loved them (of course we told them after the fact haha). Never the less, they were readily eating more. Also, the cauliflower/nettle fondue is mind-blowing. I don't remember the name of the 3rd app we tried, but it was bread with duck, sunny-side eggs and fresh truffle (sliced at the table). My parent split a salad as well and really like it (grilled none-the-less). I had the braised rabbit for an entree and it was perfectly cooked, one of the more tender pieces of meat I have experienced. Again, kids loved it, I think my 6 year old ate half of it. Served over some potatoes and diced veggies with amazing flavor (you could eat them alone and be happy). My parents ordered the steak and were very pleased, presentation was perfect. Others ordered the "pline", which is like a small ravioli and those were packed with flavor as well. They looked plain coming out, but all you need to do is taste them to realize they are far from plain. The cap it off we tried a few desserts and for my birthday the head chef brought out some scotch for the family to try (single malt, Talisker, which is one of my favorites). Desserts were inspiring and delicious... not as much as the scotch, but that's a weak spot for me. Overall, go and try it, no reason not to. Thanks for the great evening boys, definite home run here!
(5)
Amy G.
The octopus as a first course was the perfect firm but tender texture, seasoned with delicious smokey spices enhancing the natural meat flavor. It was garnished with fresh, in-season cherry tomatoes of differing colors and served with grilled bread. We moved on to pasta-- the meat ragu and risotto of the day- creamy but spicy tomato sauce, shrimp, and prosciutto. It was so delicious, we really wanted more. (Note to self- order more next time!) We ended with the panna cotta which was light and heavenly, full of flavor, and garnished with honey. All of this went fantastically well with our server's recommendation of a beautiful but simple bottle of dolcetto wine. Wish I could remember the name. Just another reason to go back. There are a few tables outside, under a string of twinkling lights. You might even forget you are across the street from Food Smart, Cricket, and Tastee Freeze It's not cheap, especially for the area, but you can tell you are eating something special. You can feel the pride of the Piemonte region of Italy in each bite. The restaurant is getting much-deserved press, so make a reservation!
(5)
Tu'ens N.
Had an excellent meal and the staff and owner (?) were great. Tajarin al ragù in particular stuck out but everything we had was great. Saw some yelp complaints about small portions but for us a primo and secondo apiece was more than enough and we left stuffed, skipping dessert we really wanted to try.
(5)
Holly D.
Went here for my birthday this week after reading the rave reviews and hearing great things from a co-worker. We really enjoyed our experience. The plin pasta, as many others have mentioned, is to-die-for - HIGHLY RECOMMEND! The only thing that threw us off was that you have to put your whole order in at once, which makes you feel a little rushed at the beginning. We would've liked a little time between ordering our appetizers to think about which main courses we wanted. After we asked why they did it this way, the waiter explained it would help streamline things for the kitchen so that if you ordered an entree that takes a really long time (i.e. risotto), you wouldn't have to wait forever for it to come out. As it turned out, the food came out perfectly timed so it was all good and we ate every last bite. Overall, liked this place a lot and felt the prices were more than fair. It's a great to have a low-key, yet authentic Italian restaurant in our neighborhood -especially along an area of Armitage that could use the boost.
(4)
Stephanie B.
I was at Osteria Langhe in December for the first time and can't wait to go back. The food and the service were excellent. I was there for a company holiday party and the staff made it a fun experience for all. The Fonduta was so yummy I would order it again and not share with anyone; the Plin is my all-time favorite and I even liked the Cavolini and I am not fond of brussel sprouts or italian sausage! It just proves that Chef Cameron can make everything taste wonderful! And I must not forget their wine and cocktail menu. Wines from great vineyards like Vietti, La Spinetta, Contratto and Scavino and Andrew, the bartender, makes excellent mixed drinks. It was a great evening and I look forward to having another in the near future.
(5)
Alan C.
Went here yesterday for a birthday / Father's Day with a group of 6. Service was excellent. Every single thing I ate was better than the last. Drinks were good as well. I hope this place sticks around for a long time. Don't expect 2 pounds of pasta per serving. Portions were on the smaller side, but everything is so fresh and high quality it totally makes up for it.
(5)
Anne M.
Thrilled to have been the first patrons for Osteria's first official brunch service. The four of us had a fantastic meal and felt that the owner genuinely cared about our experience. I had a wonderful rock shrimp and polenta dish that was sized just right, very rich and luxurious. We also tried the duck ciabatta sandwich, frittata and (OMG) Bang!Bang! Biscuits with unbelievable housemade carbonara gravy. Half our party was nursing mild hangovers so we had to keep asking for coffee (pots are not much bigger than the mugs). The bloody mary was really nice and had an atypical taste with Piemontese vodka. I can't wait to go back for dinner!
(5)
Nikki A.
Their Tuesday $30 prix-fixe menu was absolutely amazing. The tender rabbit, melt-in-your-mouth duck, perfectly cooked pasta, and delicious chocolate desserts were all impeccable. Osteria Langhe might not be one of the high end restaurants, but it definitely was one of the *best* meals I've had in Chicago. Their wine list is a bit overwhelming, but fear not, the servers will help you out. Delizioso!
(5)
Karen S.
Phenomenal. I could list everything I loved but that would basically be copying and pasting the menu. I went with a group and we did a lot of sharing which was perfect. I'd have to say the home made pastas were my favorite. I could eat the plin every day for the rest of my life. I loved that the menu was a combination of familiar and the unknown. I tried barnacles and veal fries for the first time. I had a perfectly done steak and was surprised to fine that I enjoyed that parsnip puree just as much. The service was excellent and they did a wonderful job of walking us through the menu and answering any questions. Don't go expecting to order just an entree and have left overs for tomorrow. The idea is to have an Italian meal which means multiple courses. The courses are portioned correctly so that you're not full after the first course. Allow time to enjoy a slow dinner and make an evening out of it.
(5)
S.A.M. R.
I thought this place was quite overpriced for what it was. Their homemade pasta was great but the main courses were tiny and not good enough for the price. It was extremely loud when we were there, so much so we couldn't talk to the other side of the table because they couldn't hear us . Cute atmosphere but I don't see myself returning . Overall was disappointed in our experience
(3)
Katie Y.
I loved everything about our meal here. My husband and I stopped in for dinner a few weeks ago, and I am still thinking about the wine I had and the vegetarian crepe dish (FONDUTA like whoah). The service was everything you want it to be - friendly, attentive, and well informed. The owner came over to chat with us which was nice. The wine list - so good that I took it home with me. If we lived closer to this place, our bank account would hurt, but our quality of life would skyrocket.
(5)
Dixie D.
I had the plin, which was possibly the most amazing pasta I have ever tasted. Also I had the CONIGLIO which was the braised rabbit, that was cooked to perfection. The staff was more than welcoming, and the whole experience was everything that I hoped it would be.
(5)
Joe D.
If you are looking for trendy, this is the place. If you are looking for good value and a place to return to often, this isn't it. The portions are extremely small as is the restaurant. I found it sad that we were told we had to place our entire order at once; you are not allowed to order an appetizer as you decide on an entree. I'm not a big fan of the giant portions served at chain restaurants, but this time I left hungry. I don't have a big appetite, but this place really disappointed. If you are looking for trendy, this is the spot. If you are looking for value, keep looking.
(1)
Kathleen R.
This is the kind of fresh, light Italian food that leaves you feeling totally satisfied and wanting more, not overly-stuffed. Excellent wine list to pair with the menu, and well-informed waitstaff to steer you in the right direction. Highly recommend any of their pastas- they are homemade and cooked perfectly al dente. The owner makes his rounds too, stopping by each table, which creates a really quaint, friendly vibe. Definitely will be back for more at this great addition to Logan Square.
(5)
Mandy R.
I was very impressed by this restaurant. We found out it was recently opened in May 2014. The owner talked with us for a little about the roots of the restaurants menu. He was very passionate about the food as well as his native country, Italy. The staff was extremely attentive and helpful as well. We tried the Polipo, which is grilled squid. It had phenomenal texture and tasted delightfully light and summery. For my main course, I had the tajarin, which is a type of Noodle. It was prepared with brown Butter and sage. Again, an outstanding dish with tons of flavor. My husband had the rabbit with pork belly, which he was also quite impressed with the wonderful texture and flavor. For dessert we had the semi freddo, which had the most delightfully rich cherries I've ever tasted. This place was truly enjoyable. It has a great outdoor patio space as well as a welcoming interior. The wine selection was a perfect amount for the size of the restaurant. The waitress allowed me to try two wines since I was unsure of which to choose. We will definitely be returning for more outstanding dishes and service.
(5)
Connie Y.
Came here with a friend last Saturday and, while we had reservations, we ended up waiting a good 15 minutes or so before we were finally seated waiting for a table to open up (they were filled to capacity). The hostess and a gentleman that I am assuming was the manager or owner were very sensitive and responsive to our waiting. The gentleman even gave us both a complimentary glass of champagne for us to sip on because we had been waiting for awhile and even took the time out to explain to us its origin. We ordered the following: vitello tonnato, plin, risotto, and the burro e salvia. Everything was pretty good. The plin was full of flavor, yet light. The risotto was also very good, although some of the mushrooms were a little on the uncooked side. I really liked the fact that the dishes were not heavy, rather light yet had a lot of savory flavors.
(4)
Aleah A.
I'm only giving 3 stars because they are new, and we all have tough time when new. Otherwise it would be two starts. I could deal with the cold soup and taking forever to get our meal but 5 tortellinis?? 5 pieces of pasta for $15 ? I am a tiny girl. 110 lbs, i should not order a soup and a dinner and leave so hungry that i need to order a pizza when i get home. I hate places with stingy portions. I hate leaving hungry after ordering an entree
(3)
jennalee W.
Everything here is fantastic, and the service and ambiance are wonderful. Probably my favorite restaurant in Chicago currently. No matter what you order you will not be disappointed. Highly recommend!
(5)
janet f.
Though I was able to try plin and tajarin for the first time, the preparations fell short of their full potential. I wanted to love this place so much, but the food was just ok. And I am Piedmontese.
(3)
K L.
Lovely, unpretentious restaurant with a great vibe. The artichoke/sunchoke appetizer was rich and creamy, a very elegant comfort food. I highly recommend it. I don't think you can find a dish like this anywhere else in the city. It paired nicely with the garlicky Carne Cruda. The "Plin" pasta consisted of little pockets of parmesan tucked inside perfectly cooked pasta - salty, buttery goodness. My only suggestion would be to sprinkle some of the thyme on top of the dish for even better flavor and to cut through the richness. It comes with a giant sprig on the side, which is attractive but useless in that form. (It felt weird and a little uncivilized to be picking apart herbs with my hands at the dinner table, but I am so glad I did. Why do chefs like to mess with us like this, I wonder?!) The sea bass was perfectly cooked, but the accompanying "sweet and sour" peppers were an epic failure - they added little to the dish, and the cooked vinegar gave the entire restaurant the hideous aroma of dirty diapers festering in a hot dumpster. I am not kidding - I almost walked out when we first sat down. My dinner companion and I were distracted by the disgusting smell all evening. It's a shame, but I don't think I will be back to this wonderful spot until that preparation is off the menu. My only other minor complaint for this otherwise outstanding restaurant is that the menu descriptions are lacking - just a list of ingredients. As a diner wanting to make selections that I will truly enjoy, I want to know how those ingredients will actually be prepared and arrive at our table. Sadly, our server could not offer any useful embellishment. A disappointing contrast, since the rest of the staff was attentive, helpful and genuinely engaged, from hostess to proprietor/wine steward (with the dreamy accent) to the swiftly-moving bussers.
(4)
Alex E.
The owner of this place is A-Awesome. Seriously, the guy is super nice, super chatty, knows his stuff. Sadly, the food falls short ... esp. given the price tag ... and the ambitious category of the cuisine (Italy's Piemonte region). We had a four course meal, and dish after dish, the flavors were bland and uninspired. Alas, I'm adding the restaurant to the list of disappointing Italian restaurants in this venerable home of the Italian-American diaspora. If you want more interesting Italian offerings (maybe a tad "rich", which might put them more in the fancy Italian-American tradition), check out Gaetano's in the near west burbs. Seriously, you won't be disappointed. Sadly, the owner of Osteria Langhe is not a fan of Gaetano's. Maybe that says something :).
(3)
Leah H.
815 reservations; one hour wait and still no seats. Wine is ok; go to Spiaggia cafe or Anteprima for better regional wines.
(1)
T-Ronto S.
Phenomenal. The best risotto (wild mushroom and black truffle on this particular day) and panna cotta (Italian plum) that I've ever had. And I've eaten a lot of each. Funny thing: the men's room is labeled "Uomo" which means "Man," (singular) and the ladies room is labeled "Signore" which means either "Sir" (singular) or "Madames" (plural) depending on the context. Sure enough, a lot of ladies were wandering into the "Uomo" room. Not really a detractor from an amazing meal- just slightly amusing.
(5)
Alexis S.
Really wanted to like this restaurant but was underwhelmed. First of all, when we arrived for our reservation the hostess wanted us to sit at the communal table top, which was near the large front window (which was cold) while there were three tables open. I told her we'd like to sit at a regular table in the main area and she sat us in a table (after telling us they were very full) in the dining room. I think that communal table up front should be for walk ins only as it is a very undesirable table and location (near the front door and cold windows). I just don't understand why you would sit a reservation up here while other two top tables in the main dining room were open. Cocktail list was okay, nothing special. Service was very nice but the atmosphere seemed cold to me. I was expecting a more warm, romantic vibe and I felt it to be cold and not very cozy. I left hungry, portions are VERY small for the price, and the food was just okay, in my opinion. I liked my ravioli appetizer the best, tasted homemade and the sauce was very good. We ordered prawns and we were expecting big prawns and instead had three small battered shrimp. Usually if you say Prawns you expect the big open prawns with the eyes and the delicious sauce but we were surprised to find three small shrimp (I know the word "prawn" doesn't always mean the big shrimp, but in most cases, especially when used in restaurants it does). Our waiter was very nice and gave good explanations of all the food and menu, he told us how the menu was inspired by the Piedmont and Umbria regions of Italy and all the dishes on the menu would be what you would find in that region.. which is why I was surprised to find an oreo dessert on the menu? I was expecting more seasonal (maybe citrus?) on the menu and something more italian... Just too many good italian restaurants in Chicago and for the price, I don't' think I would recommend or return.
(3)
Meredith A.
I ate here solo last night and sat at the bar. I live in the neighborhood and was coming home from work. I was greeted by a querkie bartender who for sure knew what she was talking about when it came to wine but it threw me off when she had to read from her notes what was in the salad. I let her be my guide for the wine and I ordered the salad and homemade pasta ragu. The flavor was good but I kinda felt like it was missing something. I finished the meal with a great desert wine. My bill was around $50! Yikes!! I should of picked out my own glass of $9 wine...and not allowed the bartender to choose a $15 glass. In all the experience was pleasant. This is more so a date place or for a special occasion. Its a nice local Italian restaurant.
(4)
Sam M.
We had the fonduta, cavolini and the meat sauce pasta ("taja" something) and it was all fantastic. The owner had just returned from Italy and was taking orders and checking on patrons. Great date spot.
(5)
Christine L.
The food is amazing. Beautiful, creative dishes with flavors that make your eyes roll right back in your head. Be aware all the dishes are small plate tapas style. Service was excellent. Everything we had was a hit but the sea bass was probably the standout.
(5)
Bob M.
I've lived in the neighborhood for 5 years and Osteria is a welcome addition. I have been twice and everything I have tried is amazing. Make sure you get a wine recommendation from Aldo.
(5)
Jerry C.
The service was very helpful and friendly. I mean helpful because we did not know about the Gavis and they were really helpful with cheerfully teaching you about their offerings. They have bottles or glasses. We had the octopus appetizer which was tender, tasty and cooked perfectly; on par with MK's octopus. The risotto was absolutely perfect: nice and creamy, just enough cheese, with good texture. The pheasant in the risotto was probably the most tender and juicy pheasant I ever ate: I am only used to locally-shot pheasant wrapped in bacon. We had the chicken and cannellini beans. The chicken meat and skin were perfect. The cannellini beans were not from a can, so they had a firmness that was a welcome surprise (canned can be mushy). Cannellini with honey sauce sounded like an odd idea, but the two go together very well. In a central European style, Osteria's portions are small, but the food is so rich and flavorful that you're left satisfied. OK, well, they could have put maybe 50% more octopus on that particular dish. That's my only suggestion to the chef. The crowd here is varied, and there were even two small very well behaved kids. There are a few outdoor tables on the sidewalk.
(5)
Molly G.
Had a lovely meal here last week. We sat outside as we brought our dog, and they gladly welcomed us to sit at their pet friendly patio out front of the restaurant. The menu is small, but we enjoyed every bite of food we had. We had the polipo (octopus) to start, and it was amazing. Marinaded and cooked to perfection. I had the risotto with scallop and duck for my main course, and it was lovely, just rich enough to be decadent without being over the top in taste. My husband had the rabbit and pork belly which he thought was wonderful. Aldo (I assume the owner) came and introduced himself to us, and talked to us about the restaurant, the world cup, and the menu. Extremely well mannered and likeable, and I'm hopeful that Osteria Langhe will be super successful and an asset to the area.
(5)
James M.
Top notch. Stopped in for quick apps. Really impressed with frog legs, pasta and overall feel. Nice work. Will be back for sure.
(5)
T V.
Dined here on Easter Sunday early afternoon. Food, service, setting, and experience .....was A+. Only thing a bit bothersome were the high metal stools used at the front high top table. That's my old back and bottom talking, not my stomach.
(4)
L.E. S.
What a terrific addition to the neighborhood! A few friends and I went in on their second night open and could not have been happier with the food, service, and ambiance. We ordered several menu items but our favorites were the piselle (spring peas with pork belly and parmigiano), the fonduta, and the risotto ( that day's preparation was with white asparagus and porcini mushrooms). The risotto was done perfectly and we almost ordered another one to share for "dessert." The wine list is really interesting, the space is beautiful, and the owner is extremely gracious and friendly. Check it out before word gets out and it gets crowded!
(5)
Lindsay T.
So happy to have Osteria Langhe in the neighborhood! The space is simplistic and beautiful, the service and attention to detail is outstanding, and the food is seasonal, fresh, and authentic! My husband and I took our two-year-old daughter here and the staff was welcoming and accommodating. The owner told us all about the concept and how it came to fruition and guided us through the wine list and menu. You won't find beef Ragu or vodka sauce in this place, but rather a fresh take on classic dishes that are sure to make your mouth water. We had the octopus appetizer, the peas, the plin and the risotto, and then the chicken. The plin and risotto where my favorite, but everything was cooked perfectly, the ingredients were thoughtful and each dish was totally delicious. We will be back often, this is the best food I've had since being in Italy last year!
(5)
Sarah D.
I had a perfect birthday dinner here. Anthony was our server. He made amazing suggestions for wine and pairings. I can't wait to bring friends and family here to share an awesome experience with. If I could give 10 stars, I would. Thank you for such a great experience here in our neighborhood.
(5)
J. M.
Wow. Osteria Langhe is now one of my favorite restaurants in Chicago. The chef features northern Italian small plates that are out of this world. We sampled many items off of the menu (tajarin w/ ragu, plin, and cavolini), however, the polipo (octopus) and rabbit truly stood out - just phenomenal. Everything was great. Thank you Aldo!!
(5)
ginny b.
We had a lovely dinner for two here this week. Appetizers (Capesante, Lumache Slow Food), shared entree (Tagliatta) and dessert (Semi Freddo) were all delicious, and just the right amount of food. The hosts and servers were welcoming and knowledgeable. We went on a Monday night and the restaurant looked pretty busy from our vantage point on the patio, so I imagine things might be more hectic on a weekend. The atmosphere on the patio was really nice, though! We made a reservation about 45 minutes ahead of time, did not have to wait for a table, and had speedy service.
(5)
Virginia I.
Awesome service, food and drinks. Relaxed and unpretentious atmosphere. I look forward to going back soon.
(5)
Jonathan C.
Aldo, the owner, super cool, personable, and knowledgeable about everything Piemonte. Great food, great wine, and great cocktails.
(5)
Scott V.
I took the advice from the reader and the chibbqking, and gayot dam they were right. The food was excellent - especially the plin, rabbit and panna cotta. Great food and great service.
(5)
Michael D.
My wife and I took my mother here. The food was great and the staff was very attentive. Aldo, the owner, spent time at our table and was very gracious. We will definitely be back!
(4)
Gretchen H.
Overall our experience was amazing. The server was very knowledgeable and provided the right level of contact while not being intrusive. He helped us to pick an amazing wine and all of the food recommendations were also great. We had the pasta starter (his recommendation) which was outstanding. We also tried the octopus which I loved. For entrees we had the rabbit (outstanding), lamb tortelloni (very interesting flavor combo and tasty), and the duck. The duck was the only item which wasn't 100% what I'd hoped. Although the flavors were amazing, it was very chewy. It seemed perhaps the fat needed to be rendered a bit more. I eat duck often, and this texture wasn't what I would have expected. We also tried the tobacco cheesecake and the chocolate bombe which were both great. Overall awesome experience and I plan to go back soon with friends.
(4)
Neel V.
Went here to celebrate my girlfriend's birthday. Ordered the scallop and sweetbreads to start, followed by the Brussels sprouts and sausage, the plin, and the crespelle. Scallop was perfectly cooked and I have never tasted such good sweetbreads- they were almost chicken fried, but still had the distinct sweetbread taste. At this point, things went a little sour. Our second course never came, and after 25 min, I asked the waitress to check on the order- she said she thought it was taking a bit too long, and then came back with the plin, instead of the sprouts. When we told her we never got our second course, she was extremely apologetic and had the kitchen quickly make a new order of sprouts and follow it up quickly with the plin. Sprouts were really good and paired well with the spicy sausage- if they were roasted a little more to the point of crispiness, this would have been a perfect dish. The plin were absolutely fantastic- exactly as pasta should be, where you could taste the pasta and the filling. Like little pillows that melted in your mouth. The crespelle came next and was also amazing. After the crespelle, the waitress apologized again and offered to comp us with a round of drinks and dessert. We didn't want more alcohol, but gladly took the dessert. I wish I could remember what it was, but I do remember it being delicious. Osteria rates 5 stars for the food, no doubt. What I really liked is when the waitress made a mistake, she owned up to it. She didn't blame the kitchen or a mixup or software. She acknowledged the blame, apologized, and made up for it. This is a lesson on how every restaurant should operate- your customers aren't idiots and they appreciate sincerity and honesty. Big fan of the restaurant and its services and I will definitely be back
(5)
Jason W.
Went to this place with 6 of our friends. The food here was amazing. Every course we had was delicious. The main courses were out of this world. The chicken dish was fantastic. the bar had some fantastic drinks and the owner was very gracious in meeting with us.
(5)
R D.
Edit: This place is legit and totally earns the 5th star. Great addition to the neighborhood. We went for Mother's Day brunch, and while the serving staff was a bit inexperienced (they were all very cheerful) it was evident the owner and chef each know what they're doing. The food was quite good, and appropriately priced, and I'll be going back often. It won't be hard for them to earn the 5th star.
(5)
Erin P.
Food and service were absolutely great. My server recommended a wine that was right on point with what I wanted to eat. I wouldn't have thought to order this light red with tons of flavor (I usually go for heavier and fruitier wines, especially with a dish like rabbit and pork belly). The rabbit was so flavorful and delicate! I genuinely thought it was some kind of exotic cheese omelette and that I had been served the wrong thing when I first bit into it. I have never had meat that was so tender and had such a light texture, but by the end of the meal I was absolutely stuffed by this reasonable, human-sized portion. I felt like I wouldn't be able to walk the few blocks to California station! My one and only complaint is that the space is loud and echo-y, with a din of voices competing to have conversations. Other than that, this place is absolutely perfect.
(5)
ellen r.
The food is fantastic. The service great. The atmosphere warm and welcoming. So glad you guys are in the neighborhood.
(4)
Chad B.
This place was amazing! The owner was walking the room and checked in on us several times, he suggested wine pairings with our food as we did not want to purchase a bottle and they were spot on. The food was so different but everything we had was so good. Will def be coming back here often.
(5)
John M.
Had a wonderful, midweek birthday dinner, here and found absolutely everything that came to the table (Cool Cocktails, Spinach Salad, Risotto, Duck, Steak, Scallops) to be outstanding. From the seasonings to the service, our party was impressed with this place, and we three had no trouble getting enough to eat. We just shared everything, so that everybody got a taste of all of the different and delicious dishes. Portion sizes were totally appropriate. Dessert was a scoop of hazelnut gelato swimming in a shot of espresso.
(5)
Michael L.
This place deserves more stars. Everything here is excellent.
(5)
Hillary G.
Excellent food, great ambiance. Loved the grilled octopus BLT and the pastas. Extensive wine list.
(5)
D G.
We discovered this special spot when we took our kids to Tasty Freeze across the street mid afternoon. My husband noticed that Brand BBQ had been taken over by this restaurant. He peeked in the window then told me to do the same. The owner, Aldo, caught me by surprise as he walked up behind me and invited me in to see the restaurant, and explained the unique Piedmonte cuisine (no spaghetti and meatballs here). We decided to make it a date night the following weekend. Good grief, what a treat. Everything is top notch - service, food/flavors, beverages, and reasonable prices for upscale cuisine! We tried the Paloma cocktail (delicious and reasonable at $8), octopus (don't normally like it) but WOW, plin (still dreaming about it), chicken (outstanding) and rabbit (terrific). Sadly we were too full for dessert. Don't walk, RUN here. We can't wait to return.
(5)
S H.
Great barolo's selection! The Plim, pesce (Chilean sea bass) and our cioccolato were simply delicious!! Come for quality and flavorful dishes :)
(5)
Mark F.
What a great place! We went on Wednesday, May 7, the third night that they were open. Service was outstanding. The food was excellent. For starters we had the vitello tonnato (beef and tuna) and the piselle (fresh spring peas, pork belly, etc.), both of which were excellent. We then had pasta and risotto that were also excellent. The Plin is like a miniature tortellini with a light savory sauce. The risotto was spot on and had fresh fiddleheads. The wine list has a very nice variety and is very reasonably priced. Will be going back on a regular basis :-)
(5)
Christina C.
Great little spot for fine food, cocktails, and wine. Every morsel was delicious. My old fashion was spot on. The rabbit was divine. The entire staff is extremely friendly and passionate about food. I wish the menu had side dishes like vegetables to help fill me up. The portions are extremely small and that is the only reason they didn't get 5 stars.
(4)
Joe M.
We went to Osteria Langhe with our sons and daughter-in-law last night, Sunday May 11. Mother's Day dinner was well above average with the staff and owner very friendly. We will easily go back here again.
(5)
Sarah E.
Great food. Good prices. Extremely friendly service. Highly recommend!
(5)
Luca P.
OUTSTANDING Osteria Langhe is hands-off one of the best Italian restaurants in town. The low-key atmosphere and relatively affordable prices hide a true gem: fresh ingredients, perfectly executed dishes, and an interesting menu with more traditional Italian delicacies as well as some more liberal creation of the chef. We started off with the Vitello Tonnato and the Plin. The former blended very well together the crispy egg, the velvety tuna aioli, and the poached meat. The plin were just fantastic - smooth and creamy, but with a kick of tasty cheese. The best part of the meal however were the sublime Tajarin Tartufo Nero. The Coniglio had a tough job after the truffle pasta, but it stood up to the challenge. Service was also very good. Fantastic place, absolutely recommended!
(5)
D F.
Disappointed as I was really excited to go here. Hostess/Manager at the door outright rude. Unapologetic for 20 min delay of table. Kitchen was out of a couple dishes. Server was trying to up sell way too hard. Portions are not fit for the prices charged and food doesn't have any excitement. I've been to the Piedmont and know what dishes I loved and remember. These don't come close. Further on the server: I ordered wine for our table, a glass for each person based on their taste, and he tried to talk me out of a selection made for a dining companion. She told him to put in what I ordered. He tried talking her out of it. She enjoyed it very much. Not sure why he was trying to talk her out of it. Won't be back, and sad, because really wanted it to be great as I love good Piedmontese dishes from when I spent time there. Too bad.
(1)
Rebecca N.
Really different Italian food. I loved that it focuses on one specific area (one that ive never heard of!) The service was definitely spotty. Would not be going for the service, but it is small and the atmosphere is nice/relaxed with outside seating as well. Antipasti - lamb and fig ravioli: Loved this. Really different flavors - truffle pasta: my absolute favorite. paper thin spaghetti. just perfect. real truffles on top (not just the fake oil). We added the sunny side egg. Great touch -cheese raviloli:Really good. JUst like buttered noodles, but probably the least "special" even though they are know for it because of the simpleness - mussels and frites: bomb.com . Perfect. Amazing sauce. Ask for break *** all pasta are handmade which makes ALL the difference!!!!* Secondi: -- halibut: good, but i thought the others were better. everyone at my table loved though. -- meat ragu: also really good, but i thought some of the other pastas stood out more --duck: this was my favorite entree hands down. If you got all the components in one bite it was an explosion in your mouth of deliciousness.
(4)
Derek S.
Hidden brunch gem!!! The food is amazing and they have $3 bloody Mary's and $4 mimosa! Only a handful of brunch options, but from the ones we tried you really can't go wrong with any of them. If you like sweet, then you have to try the French toast with raspberries. Perfectly cooked ciabatta bread. If you like savory, the the pork shoulder is excellent with eggs. Biscuits and gravy are good too from bang bang. Also - dinner they have an all you can eat meat ragu on Sunday's for their dinner special. So tasty and perfectly savory!
(5)
Tera D.
Well I'm pretty sure we ate everything here. Ok, probably not, but it definitely felt like we enjoyed a feast after dining here with another couple. The place is really cute, and the menu is packed with tasty looking goodies. Absolute standouts are the plin (ridiculously delicious stuffed pasta), the cavalfiore (cauliflower), coniglio (rabbit). But pretty much everything was very good. It's definitely a little pricey, especially for the area, but that might have been because we splurged a bit on wine. Very unique and different than most run of the mill Italian places in Chicago. Perfect for date night, or a small group.
(4)
Emily B.
This place shines bright in a neighborhood already saturated with great food. The combination of the most thoughtful, quality ingredients paired together in artfully simple ways is the truest indication of a chef who really knows Italian culture at its core. The Italian staff with their charming accents is all the reaffirmation I need. We try to order different things each time, but the Plin makes the cut every time. Other favorites include the Crespella (vegetarian crepes), the cauliflower appetizer, and the halibut. And don't miss out on half price cocktail Mondays!!
(5)
Casey N.
Words cannot adequately describe the delicious plin at Osteria Langhe. I was in heaven eating this dish and I am not even a ravioli fan. Absolutely do not miss! We also enjoyed the pomodoro appetizer and the duck entree. The latter is extremely rich, so keep that in mind when ordering. For dessert we shared the stimolazione, a tobacco and marsala cheesecake served with a shot of bourbon espresso liquer. We had to order because it was so unique and we were totally wowed. Great end to a great meal! Service was solid and our wine was amazing (the Albe barolo). My only critique would be that they don't serve Prosecco, only sparkling Chardonnay, which I wasn't a huge fan of. Oh, and the breadsticks are pretty blah. Otherwise, thumbs up all around.
(4)
Lisa P.
Ventured to Logan Square to check this place out the other wknd. It was great! The plin was by far my favorite dish and I'd also highly recommend the cauliflower. The owner stopped by our table a few times to answer questions about the menu and share his favorites. He was really welcoming and passionate and that showed in every aspect of the restaurant. Can't wait to go back!
(5)
Dylan M.
This is one of those places I so want to give a 5 star but certain things lacked so it would be more like a 4.5. The services was outstanding...so nice and accommodating which really makes me love this place and its intimate, romantic setting. Parking is also easy and free ...gotta love Logan square for dat! The food menu and wine list are super interesting offering lots of things to try...defiantly ask your server for advice on both as there are a lot of uncommon wines and ingredients which may leave you a little lost. The pacing of the food had hugely LONNGG gaps between courses which left things lingering to the point when the entrees arrived I was ready to go. This may have been in part our fault as we asked things not to come too rushed as we each ordered 3 courses but I just didn't want them to all come at once which sometimes happens when you order small plates. The vegetarian crepe was the one menu item that really stood out as a winner all other items we tried were very fresh and tastee but nothing overly impressive. With that said the positives all out way the constructive criticism and I could very well see myself adjusting this review to a 5 after my next visit. GREAT SPOT!
(4)
Luke P.
Awesome place - split a few plates, housemade noodles, ravioli, tomato salad and a lamb & boiled-then-fried potato entree. The ravioli and lamb in particular rocked!
(5)
neeta b.
Ordered the Agnello (lamb and green olive tortellini w feta and hazelnut) to start and the Tanjarin ( simple delicious housemade noodles w Ragu). The meal was delicious and flavorful. The casual yet upscale dining atmosphere made it a perfect setting for a low key neighborhood dining experience. Best Italian in Logan square area.
(5)
Gino W.
Osteria Langhe serves Italian cuisine that is more customary in the Piemonte region. One may say that there is a such thing as too many Italian restaurants. However, there is never a bad thing when it comes to discovering more to Italian dining than pasta and pizza. Polipo. Insalata. Seafood risotto. Soft shell crab. Panna cotta. The dish of grilled octopus, heirloom tomatoes, basil, capers, saffron oil, and grilled bread was a fantastic starter. The octopus did not have a rubbery texture to it. The tenderness of it made cutting into it feel almost like slicing through very tender chicken. Although the salad of tomatoes and mini greens came without much of a vinaigrette, there was enough to accompany the salad while letting the octopus have the stage as the star. The insalata was a salad of spicy mixed greens, kohlrabi, green peas, parmesan, and croutons of fried veal brains. The "sweetbread" croutons were like fried cotton candy -- if you can imagine that. The risotto comes as a different variety per day and I was fortunate that I got the seafood version that had plump scallop and shrimp. A very, very creamy base to it, the risotto is reminiscent of French cooking. This dish, however, was Italian cooking at its finest. The plate of soft shell crab and insalata russa is one that everyone should try, especially those who think that they know where the best Italian food is served. The soft shell crab had an egg batter that made it very light and there was so much meat in the crab that each bite was an explosion. The insalata russa, which is a combination of potato salad and tuna salad, an ideal choice for this dish and a great introduction to something authentically Italian that is not served in America-side Italian eateries. Nothing spectacular like a tiramisu, tartufo, biscotti, or cannoli, but creamy and outstanding for a wrap-up, the panna cotta served with mixed berries is an idyllic dessert finale. Along with that came a small glass of Amaro liqueur. Having a dessert like this prepared at the restaurant means it comes without artificial ingredients. All you get is greatness in taste. The introduction to Piemonte cuisine was absolutely luscious and a draw for what will be a constant return. The service is out of this world, from the owner who is fully engaging in conversation the way restaurant owners are in Italy to servers who can offer tempting recommendations to the bar service that mixes liquid satisfaction without any disappointment. Osteria Langhe has a "Make yourself at home" feel to it and regular customers will attest that another Italian restaurant on the Logan Square landscape is a dream come true.
(5)
svetlana k.
Lovely small restaurant in Logan square. Could use a little more decor on the walls in the back area. The staff is super nice and the owner makes you feel special coming to each table. The food was good but I won't be running back anytime soon for seconds, especially since I do not leave near Logan square. The food itself could use more flavor and bigger plating, small entrees. Started off with the octopus which was screaming "need salt now." I don't think we even finished it between three people. The artichoke and sunchoke flan was the most unappealing dish I've seen in awhile but it was definitely a stand out dish in terms of flavor. Delicious. The rabbit was perfectly cooked considering how lean rabbit is, the meat was juicy wrapped and seared in bacon. Lovely dish. The seabass was a tiny portion but lacked flavor. The vegetable underneath was delicious. But really nothing special about the dish, skip it. For dessert, we ordered the panna cotta. One of the best I've had. Almost licked the plate. Overall, the prices are reasonable. Without alcohol, 3 apps 2 entrees and 1 dessert cost $80 for three people. We were not stuffed but we were not hungry either.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Intimate Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
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.
Kori E.
This place is a gem! We came here for our monthly dinner club, and had the best time. The staff was SO accommodating and gave us some great recommendations. We started off with one of the best red wines Ive had in a while. It was very earthy and spicy and delicious! Great wine recommendation. There were 7 of us so we started with 4 starters and we each ordered our own dinner and this was plenty of food. We ordered the following: Vitello Tonnato - absolutely delicious!!! Must order Polipo BLT - Nice pieces of octopus with pork belly. VERY good - one of my faves Brussel Sprouts - they were good, but they're everywhere. I like the uniqueness with the olives, though. Plin - TO. DIE. FOR. These little pillows of heaven were amazing. I could have eaten 3 dishes! For my main I had the scallops and they were very good! Nice crust on them and buttery on the inside. I love lentils and it paired nicely with the scallops. I would HIGHLY recommend checking this place out. Its a small, intimate spot that would be perfect for a girls night out - like we did - or even the perfect spot to bring a date. I will definitely be bringing my boyfriend back here to check it out!!
(5)Tiffany L.
I'm a fan of this quaint neighborhood restaurant. We've already visited a few times over the period of the handful of months it's been open and it's nice to see that it's been consistent in quality and service since opening. From the hand-rolled olive breadsticks to the generous pours of wine (great selection of Italian wines btw), you can feel the love that goes into this restaurant. I feel like the prices are reasonable. Though the supersized majority might be irked by the smaller portion sizes, these are probably portion sizes we should be eating. I really enjoyed the rock shrimp appetizer and the panna cotta dessert. There was also a seafood stew type dish that I enjoyed but didn't see on the menu this last visit, but it seems the menu's changed a little bit each time we visit. Street parking has always been easy to find in this area (but then again we tend to eat early, like senior-discount early). Tuesdays are $30 3-course prix fixe days, and you get to pick from the entire menu (minus the risotto) so it's a fantastic deal. Pro Tip: If none of the desserts strike your fancy, Tastee Freez is right across the street. Just saying.
(4)Cindy W.
The food is good but overpriced for sure. I spent a lot on my meal but I don't think it was worth that much money... Also I hate it when waiters pester you to order a drink. A no is a no... now please go away.
(3)Ami B.
One of the best dining experiences I've had in a very long time. The atmosphere was warm...service was excellent. Everyone was very accommodating and relaxed. Highlights from dinner were the Agnello, the halibut, and the Panna Cotta. We loved the Agnello and Panna Cotta so much, we ordered it again. Wine list was exceptional. Cocktails also great! I can't say enough about this place...all I can say is check it out, you won't be disappointed.
(5)Elizabeth E.
So I've now been here twice... once with the boyfriend and once with the parents. The Food: First time we started with the Plin, Tajarin & Carne Cruda. Both of us loved all three. The plin is their signature dish - it's basically like cheese ravioli's - what's not to like? Not sure it's MIND-BLOWING but they're addicting and tasty! Carne Cruda is their steak tartare - not the best I have ever had but was also enjoyable. The Tajarin was recco'd by the waitress - pretty basic angel hair pasta with some mild seasonings. I enjoyed it but I'm a sucker for white carbs & garlic. Second time we went with the Vitello Tonnato, Plin & Gamberini. We asked the server between the Vitello Tonnato & the Carne Cruda - and he said FOR SURE Vitello Tonnato, so since I had the CC before, we went with the VT - big disappointment. This was literally deli meat on a plate with a soft boiled egg which unfortunately didn't add much to the dish. I love raw meat and I love eggs and this was a miss. Don't listen to your server - go with the carne cruda!! My parents weren't wild about the plin but they did like the Gamberini - fried shrimp served with garbanzo beans. This to me was something that you'd see duplicated at any restaurant with fried shrimp. While tasty, it felt out of place. For the main dishes, the first time we went with the rabbit and the lamb. The rabbit was the favorite but the lamb was surprisingly inside pasta! The lamb was also really yummy. You could really taste the olives which I love. The pasta was light if you can imagine that in a white pasta, but I think that's a sign of high quality? Maybe? The rabbit was also a waitress recommendation. It's wrapped in pork belly which acts like bacon & it's incredibly juicy and crisp. Would order this again in any situation. With the rents - we added to the rabbit/lamb and went with the steak. The steak was disappointing though i'm not sure what we were expecting. it was 5 tiny small bites and white it was well seasoned it did not feel like the highest quality meat. I hate to say it but almost resembled hamburger meat (in flavor not in looks). My dad who is a meat and potatoes type guy, and struggles when my mom and I make him share everything was not overly thrilled with this one, though he did like the rabbit. Comments around the lamb this time were around how garlicky it was... I didn't remember it quite so garlicky the first time around though it wasn't a turn off for me. The ambiance: This place is cute. It is a gem on Armitage street - twinkle lights all around. Across the street from the tasty freeze :) Would love to try outdoor dining in the summer. The first time I went it was just my boyfriend and I and we were at a small two top table along the wall. The table next to us was SO LOUD and because they were so close to us, there was really nothing we could do about it. We weren't about to ask to be moved considering it was a busy Friday night but overall the restaurant is loud. This was also an issue with my parents who are 65+... I would recommend to all servers everywhere, if you are waiting on a table with older folks, PROJECT YOUR VOICE. No one can hear you and then it just gets awkward when you have to keep repeating yourself... Service: The owner came to our table on my second visit. He told my mom, dad and me all about where the inspiration for the restaurant came from - the little region in Italy that borders France and was invaded by the Austrians - hence why there's more champagne on the menu than prosecco. He called this region, Piemonte, the birthplace of Italy. Really nice guy and I like it when owners roam their restaurants to say hello to the guests. Extra star here :) Waitress on the first visit was nicer than the guy we had with my parents... again back to being loud enough... major issue for the older folk. Plus steering us away from the carne crude was also a ding.
(4)Rawlins R.
Osteria Langhe is a phenomenal Northern Italian restaurant that recently opened in May 2014. Located in the southern area of Logan Square, it brings a great fine dining experience with a true Italian menu. Osteria is located just west of California off of Armitage. Osteria is definitely a fine dining experience with only the best ingredients used on their menu. The menu is based of the Piemonte region of Italy. They have outdoor seating for about 10. They also have indoor seating with low lighting provided by candlelight. They have a seasonal menu that changes daily based on what is best made available to the chef. They only seek out the best ingredients and you will be able to tell when you are presented with your dishes. The staff is very kind and knowledgeable of not only the menu but of the drink menu. They will provide suggestions on how to build your meal as well as the drinks that you may like. Outdoor tables are covered with a brown paper material and you are presented with either tap water or sparkling water. Traditional Italian bread sticks are given and the service is attentive to refilling water and clearing plates. I had the polipo which was grilled octopus with tomatoes and greens. It was phenomenal. I have only had octopus one other time that was nearly this good and it is something that you cannot pass on. The waitress suggested that I have the paloma with my meal and it was quite tasty. A tequila based drink with grapefruit juice and a salted rim. I had the coniglio for my main course which was rabbit, pork stomach, roasted peppers and potatoes. The first two items might not sound the most appealing but I can tell you it was some of the best pieces of meat I've ever had. Finally, for dessert we had semi freddo which is an Italian cherry parfait and even that was phenomenal, as I'm not really a dessert kind of guy. All in all, Osteria brings a great dining experience to an area that semi lacks in fine dining options. If you are looking for a truly authentic dining experience for perhaps a romantic night out you won't go wrong with coming to Osteria.
(5)Arnold F.
Hands down one of the most disappointing meals I've had in Chicago. Every dish we had was a slap in the face to Italian cuisine. The octopus was rubbery with crusty turds they called "pork belly," the poached beef was tasteless and chewy with an overdone egg, and the brussels sprouts were beyond overdone. We also had some pasta dish that was edible but so forgettable that I don't even recall what it was. By far the best part of this place was the cocktails. We sat at the bar and the bartender graciously plied us with various tasty amaros. But the food at this place is a complete joke. If you're going to contribute to gentrification, at least justify it with a decent product.
(1)Melissa S.
I had such high expectations, and I really wanted to like this restaurant. The ambiance was intimate and nice for a date night. The "insalata" was delicious along with the selection of red wine that I had. Here's the bad: 1. The grilled octopus (polipo)was dry and chewy. 2. My husband's shrimp and clam risotto had small pieces of clam shells mixed in with the pasta. He was literally spitting out his food into a napkin. 3. The guy at the table next to us kept taking off his leather loafers under the table. Enough said. 4. The rabbit was overcooked. The manager comped two of our drinks and the dessert, which was great, but we just had such a bad food experience that we will not be back.
(2)Tavi J.
I was looking to try this place out forever....well since they open 12 days ago. :) We made a reservation for 6:15 this pass Sunday and they are very good at confirming. I received two voice mails and another follow up phone call and text after I confirmed. We thought that was little funny and knew there was no way we could not make it now. We drove and the nice part is it's pretty easy to find parking. Added bonus was since it was Sunday the parking was free. When we arrived we were seated right away. Only one in my party of 3 drank, but she said the bartender did a really good job of helping her decide what to get and mixing the drinks. The owner of the restaurant was a sweetheart. He came over to explain the theme and to tell us about what part of Italy the food is inspired from. The menu is in all Italian, so it was nice he gave us a round down on all the food items. We absolutely loved all the food we ordered. We started with an appetizer of the Polipo (which is Octopus). I am a fan! For my main meal I had the Tagliatta which is steak with fried asparagus. Check out my pic because this was delicious! My friends shared a salad and had the risotto, which was also good they said. The portions are on the smaller side, so we definitely saved room for dessert. We tried 3 of the 4 desserts listed on the menu. We had the Semi Freddo (sort of like an ice cream cookie), Cioccolato (chocolate cake with ice cream), and the Nocciloa (Hazel Nut cake). We shared everything. I'm sad to say the dessert was a let down for me. I found the hazel nut cake (one I ordered) to be on the dry side. In all fairness I'm not a huge fan of chocolate and definitely not dark chocolate, so I didn't like that at all. All in all our experience was good and we plan on going back to try more items on the menu. Excellent service, Gracious owner, and flavorful food.
(4)Stephanie S.
This was just not my cup of tea. Hubs thought it was pretty good though, so I'll add a star. The majority of my distaste is that it's expensive and small food. I think I should be able to spend $50 a person and feel full, but that wasn't the case here. We had the vitello tonatto to start, which is basically deli cold cuts with half a soft-boiled egg and some sauce. Majorly underwhelming. We also got the risotto, which on this day had pork belly and a lamb sausage. The amount of pork belly was pretty laughable (a bite for each of us), but the risotto was pretty tasty. Hubs said it tasted "like gyros" (not sure if that's what they were going for). I had the tagliata (NY strip with some greens and potatoes), which was barely OK. The steak (about seven or eight bites-worth) was tough to the point that it was hard to chew (and I had ordered it medium). The three or so small potatoes were very nice and crispy, but the greens had a not-so-tasty vinegar-y dressing that made me leave most of it uneaten. Hubs had the rabbit (coniglio), which looked and tasted like chicken. None of the gamey taste, but I think that's what hubs had been gaming for (pun intended). None of the desserts looked appealing so we passed. But there were a number of nice and affordable wines by the glass, so props to that. There are a dozen or two other places in town at this price point I would go before here again.
(3)Lindsay Y.
Had a fab birthday dinner with a great friend last night! We decided to venture out of the downtown area and head to Logan Square. Everything we ordered was super delicious (Especially the homemade pasta) the ambiance was very mellow and nicely decorated, as well as romantic (a great place for a date) The manager, Enzo was also very charming and knowledgable. I highly recommend this place!
(4)Grace G.
I dined here a week ago and had a wonderful experience. The food was fantastic, great wine selection, and our server looked like a combination between Super Mario and an 80s porn star. It was awesome. FOOD & instant reactions: -Breadsticks - These were standard hard, skinny, long breadsticks -Charcuterie - I particularly enjoyed the tongue & foie gras pate -Risotto- Oh my... this makes you want to close your eyes and imagine sleeping on purring kittens. That's what this felt like in my mouth. This is a MUST GET -Anatra - Freaking delicious, flavorful, rich, and savory. It may be too rich for some, but duck is my favorite poultry. -Coniglio - This was also good, but personally, not as good as Anatra, although it is a house favorite.
(4)Natalie P.
My husband and I went to Osteria Langhe last night for my birthday, and I was very happy with my birthday dinner selection! Our server was extremely friendly and suggested a great bottle of wine for dinner. For starers we had the pomodor, plin and fritto misto. The plin was like a little pillow of goodness and the fritto misto is a must if you like octopus. For my entree, I had the pan roasted halibut. The fish was perfectly cooked and the puttanesca provided a nice kick. My husband had the braised rabbit and finished the entire plate. Overall, we were extremely satisfied with our dinner. Thanks, Osteria Langhe!
(5)Cristian S.
Traditional food made in a non traditional way. Must try.
(4)Dave G.
Absolutely AMAZING!! Great addition to Logan Square. I can't believe it took us a year to try this place. We'll be coming back to try everything in the menu. The staff is laid back amd very knowledgeable. Highly recommended!
(5)Elaine B.
I love this place. Every mouthful was delicious, perfectly seasoned, imaginatively executed. The service was fantastic, the staff so wonderful and friendly. The wine list is superb. I can't wait to come back and work my way through the outstanding menu.
(5)James F.
Delicious pasta to start and steak main course. Fun mystery wine selection from the owner which kept me guessing and entertained. I'd recommend booking a table. Fraz
(5)sandra j.
Best pasta in Chicago, hands down. I never thought we'd find a place here that does it right. And the past portions are appropriately sized. This is definitely quality over quantity. Wonderful wine selection. Really great service--attentive but still very relaxed and casual. The crudo was not that good but it still gets 5 stars because the pasta knocked our socks off. Also, I have to respond to someone's critique of the hazelnut cake. It's supposed to by on the dry side, and not too sweet. Thrilled that they chose our neighborhood. So excited.
(5)Keith A.
When I found out that there would be a Piedmont restaurant replacing Brand BBQ, a massive smile grew on my face. This is not to say that I didn't enjoy Brand (I did), but all one has to do is look at my profile and notice that I'd want my last meal to be in Piedmont and with a ton of amazing Barolo. Since I can't accomplish that, Osteria Langhe is more than an acceptable substitute. I really like what they have done with the old Brand BBQ location. You still have the tables along the wall, but the feel is very classy and there is a bar right in the front. I like how they have used what was in place, but they've definitely have changed things up too. The food was done perfectly. I love the cuisine from Piedmont as it's rustic and savory. You don't see much pasta from here, so this may be some unfamiliar territory for a lot of people. So, take away your normal conceptions on what Italian food is, and enjoy the hell out of this. I started off with the Panino Aperto and the daily spread was crab. This is me nodding with a grin on my face. I then moved onto the roasted chicken. While that may not be the most exciting dish in the world, it was done beautifully. The sauce alone was worth the price of admission. I also sampled some of my friend's salmon (that was on special) and they did a killer job of this too. I can't end my review without mentioning how fantastic the owner Aldo is. You can really tell his passion for all things Piedmont. This passion follows through with the food and the killer wine list. I'm not gonna lie, it was gonna take something downright awful for me not to be a real fan of Osteria Langhe. But, even with me having a good bias towards the food and wine, Osteria Langhe executed every expectation to perfection. This is a great opening and I really hope people give this the support it deserves. I know I will be back as often as I can be.
(5)Michael H.
Great Place! Went last Saturday and they were full but not packed. Inside it's actually bigger than it looks with a nice bar, tables towards the back and a communal table up front in the big picture window! First things first.. The Wine List is great/ think the owner is a wine broker so it's very well done. The food is excellent, all the antipasti we had were good and for secondi def try the NY Strip! So good// owner on hand and came over to chat about his new venture & wine.. Highly recommend! Get dat did
(5)Christopher M.
We went to Osteria Langhe, and then the next week we went to the actual Langhe, and I can tell you that Osteria Langhe has the atmosphere, food, and drink of a similar place in the Piedmont region. Nothing but great things to say about the food, and the wine places were absurdly cheap. After our meal the owner, Aldo, sat down and gave us some grappa and chatted with us about his place, Langhe, and what we should see when we are there. We will be back! 130/365
(5)Adrianna S.
I was here once before and it was amazing! I love that it's small, simple and cozy! Honestly, being here during the winter, the only thing missing is a fireplace...hint, hint :-) the food is exquisite, the servers are attentive, and the wine is excellent! I love that you can order additional truffles to pretty much anything, but the servers give great suggestions to what dishes it will go best with. I can't say I had anything I didn't like, and I think we were lucky enough to go through A LOT! A great place for a date, if you want to impress her with amazing food!
(5)Kimberly S.
Yelp has a lot of problems. Let's take the review of a John S. below where he gives Osteria Langhe 2 stars, and he goes on to write his review as if he actually wrote the handbook on "proper dining out." Yelp should just be a blog for people to say if they've had a good or bad experience, and give their opinion on why, either way. Even successful business owners will have different opinions on how to do things, successfully. The great news is we're not the judge and jury for these businesses. We're merely patrons who, if we don't like their offerings, don't have to patronize their establishments. Clearly setting out to "define on a public opinion blog that they do things wrong," is not only inaccurate, but downright indicative of how insecure that person must be. Osteria Langhe was one of the better meals I've had in Chicago in a long time. Everything wasn't perfect, but everything was very good. If you're someone who nit picks price/portion, maybe this place won't be for you? But if you want a great meal, prepared exceptionally well, with consistent, friendly service, this place is excellent.
(5)Tyler F.
Small and romantic. Great up and coming chefs with excellent food to back their expertise. My wife and I ate there for the majority of our date night. We experienced 3 parts of their Italian cuisine (antipasti, primipasti, and secondi). The wine selection there is definitely worth your time as well. The menu items were reasonably portioned and maintained their gourmet nature nicely. Each dish was equally as exciting. We had the grilled octopus, capisante, braised rabbit, and something else I can't remember the name of. Each were great! Pleasant manager, humorous staff, and romantic (candle-lit) environment. We will definitely be returning.
(5)Rita W.
Beautiful restaurant on the outskirts of Logan Square. It is bright and airy in the front where we sat, and intimate and cozy toward the back of the restaurant. Our server was very knowledge about the food and wine served there, and he was a great salesman. We pretty much ordered everything he suggested. For starters, we had the Vitello Tonnato (poached beef), Frog Legs, Polipo, and the snails. The frog legs were very good, they were fried so it was hard to go wrong there. I had read a lot of hype about the polipo and was a little disappointed that all of the hype did not meet my expectations. Not that they were bad, they just were not that memorable. Nor were the poached beef and snails. Now where Osteria Langhe stood out for me, was more our primi courses. We went adventurous and ordered some fried veal brains. Yes it sounds gross but it was really good, it melted in your mouth. Just don't think too much about it and just enjoy the experience! We ordered two orders of the plin. They were like a cross between tiny raviolis and gnocchi. They were delicious and very unique. For entrees, our group of six ordered the fish, steak, and rabbit. I found the rabbit to be dry but everyone else loved the rabbit. The steak was my favorite part of the entree. For dessert we shared the hazelnut cake and the panna cotta. The hazelnut cake was a disappointment, it was very crumbly..and not in a good way but in a very dry way. My friend and I were very sad as we were very excited about the prospect of the hazelnut cake. The panna cotta more than made up for the hazelnut cake. It was silky and creamy and had more of a creme brulee consistency. It was delicious. All in all, Osteria Langhe is worth a trip.
(3)Kari B.
Came here about 2 weeks ago with my husband and we were both very pleased. We ordered: Carne Cruda - needed a bit more salt, lacking flavor but had great texture Pollo e funghi - delicious, second favorite dish of the evening Coniglio - The rabbit was cooked perfectly. The dish could have used more of the crunchy pork belly to add the salt that the dish needed MP Risotto - This was by far our favorite dish and we were very happy that we ordered it. The risotto had braised beef and fresh truffles, so rich and decadent. Limetta e Cocco - Delicious end to our meal. I normally don't like coconut desserts but it was very understated. The raspberry sauce served with it was delicious, not too sweet or fake tasting like dessert sauces tend to be. Overall experience I would give 3 stars. The service was so-so. Our waiter sort of explained the menu but when we asked for suggestions, you could tell he was just answering with what we wanted to hear. He was also non-existent throughout our meal, which was fine because we didn't have anyone bothering us, but he should have checked in at some point to see how we were doing. The only people we had at our table throughout the night were the food runners and they weren't the best, they didn't explain the dishes very well and kind of just sloppily threw the next dish on the table. Our first experience with one of the runners was really off putting because he brought someone else's food to our table and when we said we didn't order that, he said, "yes you did." That was an odd way to start the evening.... The owner stopped by at the end of our meal and said hello which was a nice touch. They have a great weekly special (3 course prix-fix meal for $30 on Tuesday's) so we'll definitely come back then since we live nearby.
(4)Todd M.
This is by no means your typical pasta & meatballs Italian restaurant. I'm not a fan of fancy restaurants, and many Italian places just don't do it for me, but Osteria Langhe is exceptionally good. Its atmosphere is very nice and not stuffy, and the food is some of the best I've ever had. The prices are reasonable and the theme is very unique.
(5)Gen S.
My fiancé and I recently went there on a Friday night. We had a reservation at 7 and were promptly seated. We had the option of in or outside, and chose outside. Our server was very nice. She was attentive without being overbearing. We ordered the vermouth pairing - you get a light and a dark. We were excited to see this on the menu, as the only other place we've seen it is at Balena in Lincoln Park. You do not get to chose - the house chooses for you - but we were very pleased with both selections. We ordered the angliotti with lamb, fig, and honey, as well as the plin to start with. Both were delicious, with tons of flavor, but the portion size left us wishing there was just a bit more, but seemed on par with what we expected given what our server told us. We got the Crespella as our main dish, and it was also delicious and very savory. It took awhile to come out but we were very pleased with what we got. We did not order a dessert. The menu looked good but nothing really excited us, and lets be honest, the Tasty Freeze is across the street and we can get 2 for the price of 1 there. Overall the service was great and the food was delicious. The patio out front was nice. 4 out of 5 because 5 for us is blown away. We loved the meal and will go back.
(4)John S.
Osteria Langhe - a restaurant created by elitists to serve those who are either too wealthy to care or simply uninitiated to how a restaurant is supposed to operate. Stuck back on Armitage west of the Kennedy, this miniature version of a real Italian restaurant pretends to serve food and wine typical of Italy's Piedmont region. Suffice it to say "no". In Italy, they actually give you some food. Actually lots of food - more than you can eat in one sitting - which is definitely not the case here. With table room for approximately 30 people and maybe 8 more at the bar, the facility is physically thin and cramped. The bar carries only one vodka (Modest) which is apparently made by a friend of the owner in Wisconsin. My martini was served in a traditional 1960's era stubby, cocktail glass. When served (in an un-chilled glass) there wasn't enough liquid in the glass to cover the olives resting on the bottom. These weren't Colossal olives mind you, they were the small ones that you get when you're a college kid on a budget. The vodka itself was pretty good - from what I could tell. It was gone in one sip - or it may have evaporated, it's hard to tell. My wife had a Manhattan, which had one more sip than mine. Oddly, they kept re-filling the couple next to us every two minutes! They must've been regulars - but to make the disparity so obvious was strange. I decided to switch to a glass of wine. Maybe it's just me but when I start to feel that I'm being ripped off, I begin to gauge what I'm getting not so much with reference to the service and surroundings but more to the amount of product being delivered. I was served about 6 ounces for $14. I rate my wine choice as a 6 out of 10 for quality. The menu is written in a combination of just enough English and broken Italian to confuse the even the most experienced of weekend foodies. As an example, listed as an appetizer, the "Panino Aperto" (which translates as "open sandwich") is described as "grilled bread, please ask your server for seasonal daily dressing". This, like several other menu options is "MP" or "Market Priced". Are you serious?! Market price for bread?! As we were out for the evening and the Panino Aperto was recommended by the couple next to us, I didn't ask the price. So what did we get for our MP open sandwich appetizer? Three very small pieces of thinly sliced charred bread, topped with fatty, chewy, prosciutto, parmesan cheese and olive oil. The price was $14. We then tried the "Insalata - farm greens & vegetables, summer tomato vinaigrette". Small, passable but bland. What can you say about salad unless someone really takes the time to invent something new and interesting? This is not. Now onto the first course ("primi"). Let's take a second here to ask the question, "why first and second courses on an otherwise limited menu?" Ah yes, to run up your tab because no one entree is enough to feed anyone who's not the field of modeling or hasn't undergone a weight reduction procedure. Having been to other like establishments in the past (all of which are now out of business) we were getting suspect and had a sneaking feeling of how the entrees were going to be presented. We opted for one order of the "PLIN" (la tur) which was described as ravioli with parmesan, butter and thyme by our server ($14). Sure enough, a large, wide rimmed bowl arrived with 8 pieces of diminutive, gnocchi-sized pasta bites in the center. I completely understand "al dente" (firm to the bite without being soft) but this was cooked so that the exterior edges were hard and chewy, with the interior cooked perfectly. So one gets the impression that the kitchen let these sit out in the air for a while before cooking. The second course list includes novelties such as braised rabbit. Given our experience so far, I have to say that my guess would be that the whiskers, ears and tail would have been interesting but a waste of time and money. Same for the desserts - which again are listed at "Market Price". For after dessert, Osteria Langhe features digestives ("digestivi"). As a rule I don't drink sweet things but our server was kind enough to bring us two Nardini Amaro cordials. As I said, cordials are not my thing but I tasted it anyway. I would describe the flavor as a combination of chocolate, ginger, chalk and ash. My wife agreed. When the bill came I noticed that our server had added the cordials to the bill and then deducted them off again. This may have been simply for the purpose of noting stock, as many servers have the authority to give away a certain amount of product. Then again, it may have also been to let the customer know that they are responsible for an additional $16 in service. We measure our experience on everything we know about good service, good food and fair pricing based on the quality, preparation and freshness of the ingredients. Osteria Langhe - fails.
(1)Bizzle Z.
It's really like a 4 and a half but, #Yelp. Hopefully I will make a 2nd visit and up this review to 5 stars soon;) We visited this past Saturday evening. The bad: -It took an exceedingly long time to get even our wine & appetizer. But they are surely working out the kinks and we diiid get a reservation 2 hours beforehand on a Saturday night - not too shabby. -The portions are rather small for the price. That being said - it was well worth the wait & something we'd pay for again! And again. And again... The good: -Cozy! Love the atmosphere. Great place for a date. -Great service. Friendly, welcoming, unpretentious. It really does make a difference. And once the courses started coming out it was all perfectly timed. Aldo stopped by to check in as well. The hostess was the highlight, an absolute doll. -Food is deliziosissima! All of it. Every single bite. Not a bad forkful was in there. Not a one. Unique flavors done right. We had the poached beef/crispy egg (gives a sharp kiss to my fingertips), insalata (fresh to def), risotto (melts in your mouth), and then the rabbit (amazing). Logan Square is killin it these days. This place makes a welcome addition to the 'hood. WE WILL BE BACK (wipes the slobber off keypad).
(4)John M.
I had been excited to try Osteria Langhe after walking past it a few times and thinking it had a nice atmosphere and interesting menu. Unfortunately, it didn't live up to expectations. We were seated outside and had to physically signal down another waiter after about 15 minutes without any contact. The portions are pretty small so it is expected that you get multiple plates, but the price of the bill went up pretty quickly. All of the food we had was good, but nothing so memorable that I could recall any of the 6 dishes we got as I'm writing this about a week later. If you're in the neighborhood and looking for expensive Italian, I'd go, but Chicago has so many great Italian restaurants that it probably isn't worth the trip.
(3)Brian F.
Rockstar chef, efficient/friendly staff, and some of the best food I've tasted in some time. I had 3 items, the polipo (grilled octopus), the plin (mini-ravioli pasta), and the crespella (cheese & veggie crepe). Each of these dishes were the best I've ever tasted in their categories. Octopus in particular is so difficult to cook properly without getting a chalky or rubbery result. Theirs was tender and juicy beyond belief. Granola on the crepe? Yes it works amazingly well. Can't wait to go back!
(5)Adam D.
One of the best meals I have ever had. The food and drinks were outstanding. The service was excellent. You have to try at least two of their amazing antipasti. Also the risotto of the day. The day I went it was risotto with mussels and it was phenomenal! The dish that will keep me coming back for more is the rabbit with pork belly. The flavor profile of that dish was beautiful. The wine selection is excellent but you should really try one the three negroni choices. I wish I could eat there everyday. Seriously.
(5)min r.
The food is amazing. My issue is with the severs. Have been several times. One is a bit too involved, the other tried to rush us with the "Chef would like your entire order in now". When we still had not gotten our drinks. Pet Peeve!!!! Don't rush people at this level of restaurant.
(3)Eric B.
Osteria Langhe serves elevated Italian cuisine at neighborhood prices. It is to be treasured. The food is rich and savory and delicious. We've eaten here three times in the month its been open and will be back soon again. The owners have adapted the former Brand BBQ space well, whitewashing the walls to offset the dark wood floors, and covering the banquette with a massive rural mural that really ties the room together. It is a clean, well lighted space that makes for pleasant rustic dining. They've also installed a bar, which I don't recall at the prior space, to show off their rich and varied spirit collection. As for the food, you must, you simply must, get the octopus. It is the best I've ever had, and I've eaten a lot of octopus. The secret is a 24 hour marinade, which makes it as tender as soft butter. It yields to your teeth effortlessly, unlike so many other instances of octopus. Similarly, the rabbit is juicy and lovingly complemented with pork belly. Their risotto is impeccable; upon my second visit it was duck breast risotto soaked in a light creamy cheese. It too had no faults I could find. Our third visit was for a wine dinner, at which I dined on a delicious ribeye steak, brisket, and cow brains. All were delicious but the cow brains had a savory unctuousness matched only by its intellectual qualities. I have absorbed all bovine knowledge and now contemplate things which no man has before. Today, I will share a little of my bovine knowledge, which is to always get chocolate desserts; they are delicious here. Finally, drinks. The wine list is excellent, all Italian, if I recall correctly, and very attractively priced. I recommend the Franco Serra Barbaresco. Ahoy, my fellow bourbon boozers! I have not neglected you. You will love the cocktails here; the manhattan is superb, as is the negroni. They have several amaros as well, if you require a digestif.
(5)Dustin M.
We first visited Langhe on its second week open (earlier this summer) and we have been back 6-7 times since. We obviously love it. It is simply a wonderful addition to the neighborhood. It is now a go-to spot when we have friends in from out of the area or for an impromptu date-night. Some of the highlights include: Aldo, the owner, who epitomizes what a local proprietor should be. Always warm and charming. Helpful with recommendations. And treats his regulars well... after dinner drinks, etc. The food is always solid, the drinks are interesting and the wine selection is good (staff is very helpful with selection too). We have probably had 3/4 of the menu by now and we always try something from the specials board. I have a few favorites but there have really been no big misses. Very good, top to bottom. My only minimal critique is on the portion sizes, especially with the pastas. An extra 50% in volume, even if it came with a slightly higher price, would help with sharing portions.
(5)Pat O.
Heard via Twitter this place was a gem in the area. It was a really fine dinner spot, prices were decent and the service was at a high level without being overbearing. The bartender skewed to the 'mixologist' edge of the spectrum which can grate but the entire staff was exceptionally educated about the wine list and able to recommend wines and drinks (they have a killer amaro list) very well. The food was terrific and they were more than willing to cater to a few preparation requests, even going so far as to offer to pull the pork garnish from a risotto special when I made a joke about it being a Lent Friday. The room is comfortable and it would be a great date spot. We were in late on a Saturday night and it was definitely a loud room but not unbearable. Highly recommended.
(5)Jason A.
The food overall was pretty good. We started with the Plin and it was very good. My wife had a few apps for her entree and I had the rabbit. She liked her apps but my rabbit was too salty. The service was good. Here's my problem. It was our anniversary and they had us sitting at the communal 8 top table in the front. We didn't tell them it was our anniversary in advance, so I don't fault them for sitting us there on a special occasion. I fault them for sitting ANYONE there who has a reservation made a week in advance. Once I saw where we were sitting I let them know it was our anniversary and I would prefer different seating, but nothing else was available. They did offer to seat us at the bar but I didn't find that to be helpful. Sitting on a stool with my wife and five other people was not how I envisioned our evening in this restaurant. I expected the nice, quaint experience everyone talks about. In fact, I would look over at the tables wistfully, fantasizing about how comfortable it would be to move there and sit in a proper chair. But they never offered to move us during our time at the restaurant. While the service was good, and the owner(?) even came by to help my wife with wine (great call) and later to check how everything was (I lied, didn't want to complain), they lose a star for the front of the house.
(3)Sandy R.
I loved everything about Osteria Langhe. First, it's about a mile from my house and there is free parking. That aside, the food was delicious and service was top notch. We tried the carne crudo, grilled bread where the daily offering was with lamb meatballs, plin, braised rabbit and the sea bass. The plin is described as little agnolotti filled with a delicious, slightly tangy cheese. The rabbit was my favorite and I didn't really want to share with my sister but I relinguished my plate after eating 1/2 and as a reward I got to finish her sea bass. My only complaint is with the bread sticks that are brought to the table when you arrive and were also with the carne crudo. They are dry and not very appealing. We met the owner, Aldo, who couldn't have been nicer. I definitely will return.
(5)Dawn K.
Interior very cute! Went here for anniversary dinner at 7 pm on a Wednesday. Not full when we arrived, but as we dined it got packed! Our waiter was not super friendly, very matter of fact, which is fine. As the crowds came, our service started to lack. Dirty dishes piled up and it took forever to order dessert. The food is really outstanding. We ordered the octopus, which I highly recommend! We also ordered the tonnato, which was absolutely amazing! The tajarin with meat sauce was very flavorful, but the portion was humorous, you could definitely not split this one. It is literally two mouthfuls. My husband ordered the rabbit, again, very delicious, but it was two tiny pieces of rabbit. I ordered the chicken which was served with beans. Incredible. The chicken portion was decent. The wines are fairly over-priced as are the deserts, which are nothing to write home about. All in all, great flavors but be warned, the portions are really really tiny. You may need to stop for a pizza after eating here. Service needs some help especially when crowded. I would vote for a better wine list also. Flavors of appetizers and entries are amazing!
(4)Dale B.
This was one of the best meals I've had in a long time. I've found my new favorite Italian place in the city -- not just the neighborhood. Thankfully it also happens to be a few blocks away. The wine recommendations were spot on, the food was devine, and the service was friendly and thoughtful. I am still basking in the afterglow of the Plin -- perfectly al dente, pillowy, creamy, buttery, thymey -- just so freaking good. I loved the light and fresh octopus, while my wife devoured the cauliflower and nettle flan. The steak was cooked just as we ordered and the reduction and fondue accompaniments were fantastic. We were in a rush, so no dessert, but I can't wait to go back. It's not going to be long before the word gets out.
(5)Sara M.
this restaurant was really great! very traditional italian cuisine. i went with my friend's family for a yummy dinner last night and they are a very traditional, northern italian family (i'm italian too but more of the "americanized italian") and they definitely made the waiter work his italian knowledge last night! he know all sorts of things about the dishes and history of italy; he was great! the food was so delicious and the restaurant was very accommodating to my vegetarianism (caution: the majority of their dishes are cooked in chicken stock unless you request that they aren't!). we had appetizers, salad, pasta, main dishes, and dessert. we ate until we were stuffed! try the crepes if you're looking for vegetarian, cheesy bliss and any dessert on the menu is delicious. the only downside is that i got really bad stomach cramps & pain later during the night. i'm going to try not to hold that against the restaurant in my review because i did have a few things to eat that i shouldn't have had (wine, chocolate, espresso), but eating those things doesn't typically cause tummy pain. that and the price will probably influence my personal decision to return but it was a fun one time meal!
(4)T V.
This location has been the home to various restaurants over the years and I'm hoping that it has finally found a permanent owner. I like that they have a menu with pricing. This way you know what you are getting yourself into. We ordered the grilled octopus for our appetizer. It was OK. For entrees, I had the sea bass and my husband had the crab risotto. The sea bass was super delicious. My husband really enjoyed the crab risotto. Don't expect Olive Garden size portions here. I felt the portions are decent. You will not feel overly stuffed leaving here but super satisfied. Oh and try the ginger beer. Taste like a mix between ginger ale and rootbeer, my two favorite drinks! They get it from a local Chicago brewery.
(4)Molli H.
Stumbled on this place while on a day trip to Chicago. We were not expecting the exquisite fine dining experience we were treated to here. The food was soooo good. We had the snails, the peas, the risotto and the rabbit and all were fantastic. The risotto was the best I have ever had, it was porcini and white asparagus. It had intense flavor and depth which was not overly reliant on cheese, as many risottos can be. Perfectly cooked and buttery. I wish I was closer, would love to go again as soon as possible.
(5)Michael W.
Never before written a review based solely on a reservation system, but I will let the facts speak for themselves: Make reservation through Open Table for 8:15pm on Saturday. Arrive at 8:15. Hostess tells us in weary, unapologetic tone that they are running behind, and table will be ready in 20 min. Fine. Order wine at the bar while waiting -- the place is packed. At 8:35, after waiting 20 minutes, check in with the hostess to see if the table is ready. Annoyed, she says, "I have no idea. Maybe 30 more minutes? There are several people ahead of you." After waiting 10 more minutes it's clear we won't get a table until 9:15 or so -- more than an hour after our reservation. We leave. Look, the world doesn't owe me delicious Piedmontese food at the snap of my fingers. (I wish). But if Osteria Langhe is going to take reservations on Open Table, then it needs to honor those reservations capably and honestly, which it's clearly not doing. When people are making arrangements with others, driving across town, etc., only to be told to wait an hour after the reservation, that's disrespectful. The Barbaresco I had while waiting was outstanding. If the clueless hostess had said, "Hey, I know this is a drag, let me comp your drinks," I wouldn't be writing this negative review, and I would have enjoyed what so many posters say is excellent cuisine.
(1)Betsy P.
Great restaurant and company. My girlfriend recommended this place and I absolutely loved it. For starters, we tasted the Fonduta which is a artichoke and celery flan. All I can say is YUM! And then we had the Polipo aka Grilled Octopus and that deserves a double YUM! Let's move on to entrees....my friend had the risotto and said it was outstanding. My other friend tried the Grilled NY Strip Steak and she loved it. I, myself, me....well I went back and tried the Fonduta and their Shrimp Salad. Shrimp Salad, sadly I thought it would come with greens and it only came with very little greens. So that was ok and I honestly would never order it again. Let's move on to dessert... we had the Panna Cotta and that my friends was AMAZING. The Cioccolata was very decadent and too much for my taste buds to handle. Dessert should be for sharing and that's what we did and I Loved It. Loved the atmosphere, loved the service and we were able to bring in our own bottles of wine and they charged us a $15 per bottle corkage fee. If you are looking for a hip newer restaurant that delivers in taste, atmosphere and service, BOOM! Osteria Langhe is your place. What are you waiting for... Pick up that phone and make your reso today. They will not disappoint.
(4)Jonathan S.
We thoroughly enjoyed our visit and highly recommend this fine neighborhood establishment. Choosing from a great selection of fine Italian wines helped kick off the evening. The food's flavors were all wonderful, and was prepared with so much care and attention. The owner came over to chat with us and made the experience even more special. A real treat.
(5)Ryan M.
Went here for my birthday on Friday with the family and it was amazing. Was of my best friends is the Chef de Cuisine, so I knew I needed to come and check the place out and what better time? This place has everything one could want in a dinning experience: quality food perfectly prepared, outside the box thinking, great service, lively atmosphere and great drinks. This is not a place you go to order pasta and meatballs or chicken parm. We tried the brains for an app, and even my 5 and 6 year old loved them (of course we told them after the fact haha). Never the less, they were readily eating more. Also, the cauliflower/nettle fondue is mind-blowing. I don't remember the name of the 3rd app we tried, but it was bread with duck, sunny-side eggs and fresh truffle (sliced at the table). My parent split a salad as well and really like it (grilled none-the-less). I had the braised rabbit for an entree and it was perfectly cooked, one of the more tender pieces of meat I have experienced. Again, kids loved it, I think my 6 year old ate half of it. Served over some potatoes and diced veggies with amazing flavor (you could eat them alone and be happy). My parents ordered the steak and were very pleased, presentation was perfect. Others ordered the "pline", which is like a small ravioli and those were packed with flavor as well. They looked plain coming out, but all you need to do is taste them to realize they are far from plain. The cap it off we tried a few desserts and for my birthday the head chef brought out some scotch for the family to try (single malt, Talisker, which is one of my favorites). Desserts were inspiring and delicious... not as much as the scotch, but that's a weak spot for me. Overall, go and try it, no reason not to. Thanks for the great evening boys, definite home run here!
(5)Amy G.
The octopus as a first course was the perfect firm but tender texture, seasoned with delicious smokey spices enhancing the natural meat flavor. It was garnished with fresh, in-season cherry tomatoes of differing colors and served with grilled bread. We moved on to pasta-- the meat ragu and risotto of the day- creamy but spicy tomato sauce, shrimp, and prosciutto. It was so delicious, we really wanted more. (Note to self- order more next time!) We ended with the panna cotta which was light and heavenly, full of flavor, and garnished with honey. All of this went fantastically well with our server's recommendation of a beautiful but simple bottle of dolcetto wine. Wish I could remember the name. Just another reason to go back. There are a few tables outside, under a string of twinkling lights. You might even forget you are across the street from Food Smart, Cricket, and Tastee Freeze It's not cheap, especially for the area, but you can tell you are eating something special. You can feel the pride of the Piemonte region of Italy in each bite. The restaurant is getting much-deserved press, so make a reservation!
(5)Tu'ens N.
Had an excellent meal and the staff and owner (?) were great. Tajarin al ragù in particular stuck out but everything we had was great. Saw some yelp complaints about small portions but for us a primo and secondo apiece was more than enough and we left stuffed, skipping dessert we really wanted to try.
(5)Holly D.
Went here for my birthday this week after reading the rave reviews and hearing great things from a co-worker. We really enjoyed our experience. The plin pasta, as many others have mentioned, is to-die-for - HIGHLY RECOMMEND! The only thing that threw us off was that you have to put your whole order in at once, which makes you feel a little rushed at the beginning. We would've liked a little time between ordering our appetizers to think about which main courses we wanted. After we asked why they did it this way, the waiter explained it would help streamline things for the kitchen so that if you ordered an entree that takes a really long time (i.e. risotto), you wouldn't have to wait forever for it to come out. As it turned out, the food came out perfectly timed so it was all good and we ate every last bite. Overall, liked this place a lot and felt the prices were more than fair. It's a great to have a low-key, yet authentic Italian restaurant in our neighborhood -especially along an area of Armitage that could use the boost.
(4)Stephanie B.
I was at Osteria Langhe in December for the first time and can't wait to go back. The food and the service were excellent. I was there for a company holiday party and the staff made it a fun experience for all. The Fonduta was so yummy I would order it again and not share with anyone; the Plin is my all-time favorite and I even liked the Cavolini and I am not fond of brussel sprouts or italian sausage! It just proves that Chef Cameron can make everything taste wonderful! And I must not forget their wine and cocktail menu. Wines from great vineyards like Vietti, La Spinetta, Contratto and Scavino and Andrew, the bartender, makes excellent mixed drinks. It was a great evening and I look forward to having another in the near future.
(5)Alan C.
Went here yesterday for a birthday / Father's Day with a group of 6. Service was excellent. Every single thing I ate was better than the last. Drinks were good as well. I hope this place sticks around for a long time. Don't expect 2 pounds of pasta per serving. Portions were on the smaller side, but everything is so fresh and high quality it totally makes up for it.
(5)Anne M.
Thrilled to have been the first patrons for Osteria's first official brunch service. The four of us had a fantastic meal and felt that the owner genuinely cared about our experience. I had a wonderful rock shrimp and polenta dish that was sized just right, very rich and luxurious. We also tried the duck ciabatta sandwich, frittata and (OMG) Bang!Bang! Biscuits with unbelievable housemade carbonara gravy. Half our party was nursing mild hangovers so we had to keep asking for coffee (pots are not much bigger than the mugs). The bloody mary was really nice and had an atypical taste with Piemontese vodka. I can't wait to go back for dinner!
(5)Nikki A.
Their Tuesday $30 prix-fixe menu was absolutely amazing. The tender rabbit, melt-in-your-mouth duck, perfectly cooked pasta, and delicious chocolate desserts were all impeccable. Osteria Langhe might not be one of the high end restaurants, but it definitely was one of the *best* meals I've had in Chicago. Their wine list is a bit overwhelming, but fear not, the servers will help you out. Delizioso!
(5)Karen S.
Phenomenal. I could list everything I loved but that would basically be copying and pasting the menu. I went with a group and we did a lot of sharing which was perfect. I'd have to say the home made pastas were my favorite. I could eat the plin every day for the rest of my life. I loved that the menu was a combination of familiar and the unknown. I tried barnacles and veal fries for the first time. I had a perfectly done steak and was surprised to fine that I enjoyed that parsnip puree just as much. The service was excellent and they did a wonderful job of walking us through the menu and answering any questions. Don't go expecting to order just an entree and have left overs for tomorrow. The idea is to have an Italian meal which means multiple courses. The courses are portioned correctly so that you're not full after the first course. Allow time to enjoy a slow dinner and make an evening out of it.
(5)S.A.M. R.
I thought this place was quite overpriced for what it was. Their homemade pasta was great but the main courses were tiny and not good enough for the price. It was extremely loud when we were there, so much so we couldn't talk to the other side of the table because they couldn't hear us . Cute atmosphere but I don't see myself returning . Overall was disappointed in our experience
(3)Katie Y.
I loved everything about our meal here. My husband and I stopped in for dinner a few weeks ago, and I am still thinking about the wine I had and the vegetarian crepe dish (FONDUTA like whoah). The service was everything you want it to be - friendly, attentive, and well informed. The owner came over to chat with us which was nice. The wine list - so good that I took it home with me. If we lived closer to this place, our bank account would hurt, but our quality of life would skyrocket.
(5)Dixie D.
I had the plin, which was possibly the most amazing pasta I have ever tasted. Also I had the CONIGLIO which was the braised rabbit, that was cooked to perfection. The staff was more than welcoming, and the whole experience was everything that I hoped it would be.
(5)Joe D.
If you are looking for trendy, this is the place. If you are looking for good value and a place to return to often, this isn't it. The portions are extremely small as is the restaurant. I found it sad that we were told we had to place our entire order at once; you are not allowed to order an appetizer as you decide on an entree. I'm not a big fan of the giant portions served at chain restaurants, but this time I left hungry. I don't have a big appetite, but this place really disappointed. If you are looking for trendy, this is the spot. If you are looking for value, keep looking.
(1)Kathleen R.
This is the kind of fresh, light Italian food that leaves you feeling totally satisfied and wanting more, not overly-stuffed. Excellent wine list to pair with the menu, and well-informed waitstaff to steer you in the right direction. Highly recommend any of their pastas- they are homemade and cooked perfectly al dente. The owner makes his rounds too, stopping by each table, which creates a really quaint, friendly vibe. Definitely will be back for more at this great addition to Logan Square.
(5)Mandy R.
I was very impressed by this restaurant. We found out it was recently opened in May 2014. The owner talked with us for a little about the roots of the restaurants menu. He was very passionate about the food as well as his native country, Italy. The staff was extremely attentive and helpful as well. We tried the Polipo, which is grilled squid. It had phenomenal texture and tasted delightfully light and summery. For my main course, I had the tajarin, which is a type of Noodle. It was prepared with brown Butter and sage. Again, an outstanding dish with tons of flavor. My husband had the rabbit with pork belly, which he was also quite impressed with the wonderful texture and flavor. For dessert we had the semi freddo, which had the most delightfully rich cherries I've ever tasted. This place was truly enjoyable. It has a great outdoor patio space as well as a welcoming interior. The wine selection was a perfect amount for the size of the restaurant. The waitress allowed me to try two wines since I was unsure of which to choose. We will definitely be returning for more outstanding dishes and service.
(5)Connie Y.
Came here with a friend last Saturday and, while we had reservations, we ended up waiting a good 15 minutes or so before we were finally seated waiting for a table to open up (they were filled to capacity). The hostess and a gentleman that I am assuming was the manager or owner were very sensitive and responsive to our waiting. The gentleman even gave us both a complimentary glass of champagne for us to sip on because we had been waiting for awhile and even took the time out to explain to us its origin. We ordered the following: vitello tonnato, plin, risotto, and the burro e salvia. Everything was pretty good. The plin was full of flavor, yet light. The risotto was also very good, although some of the mushrooms were a little on the uncooked side. I really liked the fact that the dishes were not heavy, rather light yet had a lot of savory flavors.
(4)Aleah A.
I'm only giving 3 stars because they are new, and we all have tough time when new. Otherwise it would be two starts. I could deal with the cold soup and taking forever to get our meal but 5 tortellinis?? 5 pieces of pasta for $15 ? I am a tiny girl. 110 lbs, i should not order a soup and a dinner and leave so hungry that i need to order a pizza when i get home. I hate places with stingy portions. I hate leaving hungry after ordering an entree
(3)jennalee W.
Everything here is fantastic, and the service and ambiance are wonderful. Probably my favorite restaurant in Chicago currently. No matter what you order you will not be disappointed. Highly recommend!
(5)janet f.
Though I was able to try plin and tajarin for the first time, the preparations fell short of their full potential. I wanted to love this place so much, but the food was just ok. And I am Piedmontese.
(3)K L.
Lovely, unpretentious restaurant with a great vibe. The artichoke/sunchoke appetizer was rich and creamy, a very elegant comfort food. I highly recommend it. I don't think you can find a dish like this anywhere else in the city. It paired nicely with the garlicky Carne Cruda. The "Plin" pasta consisted of little pockets of parmesan tucked inside perfectly cooked pasta - salty, buttery goodness. My only suggestion would be to sprinkle some of the thyme on top of the dish for even better flavor and to cut through the richness. It comes with a giant sprig on the side, which is attractive but useless in that form. (It felt weird and a little uncivilized to be picking apart herbs with my hands at the dinner table, but I am so glad I did. Why do chefs like to mess with us like this, I wonder?!) The sea bass was perfectly cooked, but the accompanying "sweet and sour" peppers were an epic failure - they added little to the dish, and the cooked vinegar gave the entire restaurant the hideous aroma of dirty diapers festering in a hot dumpster. I am not kidding - I almost walked out when we first sat down. My dinner companion and I were distracted by the disgusting smell all evening. It's a shame, but I don't think I will be back to this wonderful spot until that preparation is off the menu. My only other minor complaint for this otherwise outstanding restaurant is that the menu descriptions are lacking - just a list of ingredients. As a diner wanting to make selections that I will truly enjoy, I want to know how those ingredients will actually be prepared and arrive at our table. Sadly, our server could not offer any useful embellishment. A disappointing contrast, since the rest of the staff was attentive, helpful and genuinely engaged, from hostess to proprietor/wine steward (with the dreamy accent) to the swiftly-moving bussers.
(4)Alex E.
The owner of this place is A-Awesome. Seriously, the guy is super nice, super chatty, knows his stuff. Sadly, the food falls short ... esp. given the price tag ... and the ambitious category of the cuisine (Italy's Piemonte region). We had a four course meal, and dish after dish, the flavors were bland and uninspired. Alas, I'm adding the restaurant to the list of disappointing Italian restaurants in this venerable home of the Italian-American diaspora. If you want more interesting Italian offerings (maybe a tad "rich", which might put them more in the fancy Italian-American tradition), check out Gaetano's in the near west burbs. Seriously, you won't be disappointed. Sadly, the owner of Osteria Langhe is not a fan of Gaetano's. Maybe that says something :).
(3)Leah H.
815 reservations; one hour wait and still no seats. Wine is ok; go to Spiaggia cafe or Anteprima for better regional wines.
(1)T-Ronto S.
Phenomenal. The best risotto (wild mushroom and black truffle on this particular day) and panna cotta (Italian plum) that I've ever had. And I've eaten a lot of each. Funny thing: the men's room is labeled "Uomo" which means "Man," (singular) and the ladies room is labeled "Signore" which means either "Sir" (singular) or "Madames" (plural) depending on the context. Sure enough, a lot of ladies were wandering into the "Uomo" room. Not really a detractor from an amazing meal- just slightly amusing.
(5)Alexis S.
Really wanted to like this restaurant but was underwhelmed. First of all, when we arrived for our reservation the hostess wanted us to sit at the communal table top, which was near the large front window (which was cold) while there were three tables open. I told her we'd like to sit at a regular table in the main area and she sat us in a table (after telling us they were very full) in the dining room. I think that communal table up front should be for walk ins only as it is a very undesirable table and location (near the front door and cold windows). I just don't understand why you would sit a reservation up here while other two top tables in the main dining room were open. Cocktail list was okay, nothing special. Service was very nice but the atmosphere seemed cold to me. I was expecting a more warm, romantic vibe and I felt it to be cold and not very cozy. I left hungry, portions are VERY small for the price, and the food was just okay, in my opinion. I liked my ravioli appetizer the best, tasted homemade and the sauce was very good. We ordered prawns and we were expecting big prawns and instead had three small battered shrimp. Usually if you say Prawns you expect the big open prawns with the eyes and the delicious sauce but we were surprised to find three small shrimp (I know the word "prawn" doesn't always mean the big shrimp, but in most cases, especially when used in restaurants it does). Our waiter was very nice and gave good explanations of all the food and menu, he told us how the menu was inspired by the Piedmont and Umbria regions of Italy and all the dishes on the menu would be what you would find in that region.. which is why I was surprised to find an oreo dessert on the menu? I was expecting more seasonal (maybe citrus?) on the menu and something more italian... Just too many good italian restaurants in Chicago and for the price, I don't' think I would recommend or return.
(3)Meredith A.
I ate here solo last night and sat at the bar. I live in the neighborhood and was coming home from work. I was greeted by a querkie bartender who for sure knew what she was talking about when it came to wine but it threw me off when she had to read from her notes what was in the salad. I let her be my guide for the wine and I ordered the salad and homemade pasta ragu. The flavor was good but I kinda felt like it was missing something. I finished the meal with a great desert wine. My bill was around $50! Yikes!! I should of picked out my own glass of $9 wine...and not allowed the bartender to choose a $15 glass. In all the experience was pleasant. This is more so a date place or for a special occasion. Its a nice local Italian restaurant.
(4)Sam M.
We had the fonduta, cavolini and the meat sauce pasta ("taja" something) and it was all fantastic. The owner had just returned from Italy and was taking orders and checking on patrons. Great date spot.
(5)Christine L.
The food is amazing. Beautiful, creative dishes with flavors that make your eyes roll right back in your head. Be aware all the dishes are small plate tapas style. Service was excellent. Everything we had was a hit but the sea bass was probably the standout.
(5)Bob M.
I've lived in the neighborhood for 5 years and Osteria is a welcome addition. I have been twice and everything I have tried is amazing. Make sure you get a wine recommendation from Aldo.
(5)Jerry C.
The service was very helpful and friendly. I mean helpful because we did not know about the Gavis and they were really helpful with cheerfully teaching you about their offerings. They have bottles or glasses. We had the octopus appetizer which was tender, tasty and cooked perfectly; on par with MK's octopus. The risotto was absolutely perfect: nice and creamy, just enough cheese, with good texture. The pheasant in the risotto was probably the most tender and juicy pheasant I ever ate: I am only used to locally-shot pheasant wrapped in bacon. We had the chicken and cannellini beans. The chicken meat and skin were perfect. The cannellini beans were not from a can, so they had a firmness that was a welcome surprise (canned can be mushy). Cannellini with honey sauce sounded like an odd idea, but the two go together very well. In a central European style, Osteria's portions are small, but the food is so rich and flavorful that you're left satisfied. OK, well, they could have put maybe 50% more octopus on that particular dish. That's my only suggestion to the chef. The crowd here is varied, and there were even two small very well behaved kids. There are a few outdoor tables on the sidewalk.
(5)Molly G.
Had a lovely meal here last week. We sat outside as we brought our dog, and they gladly welcomed us to sit at their pet friendly patio out front of the restaurant. The menu is small, but we enjoyed every bite of food we had. We had the polipo (octopus) to start, and it was amazing. Marinaded and cooked to perfection. I had the risotto with scallop and duck for my main course, and it was lovely, just rich enough to be decadent without being over the top in taste. My husband had the rabbit and pork belly which he thought was wonderful. Aldo (I assume the owner) came and introduced himself to us, and talked to us about the restaurant, the world cup, and the menu. Extremely well mannered and likeable, and I'm hopeful that Osteria Langhe will be super successful and an asset to the area.
(5)James M.
Top notch. Stopped in for quick apps. Really impressed with frog legs, pasta and overall feel. Nice work. Will be back for sure.
(5)T V.
Dined here on Easter Sunday early afternoon. Food, service, setting, and experience .....was A+. Only thing a bit bothersome were the high metal stools used at the front high top table. That's my old back and bottom talking, not my stomach.
(4)L.E. S.
What a terrific addition to the neighborhood! A few friends and I went in on their second night open and could not have been happier with the food, service, and ambiance. We ordered several menu items but our favorites were the piselle (spring peas with pork belly and parmigiano), the fonduta, and the risotto ( that day's preparation was with white asparagus and porcini mushrooms). The risotto was done perfectly and we almost ordered another one to share for "dessert." The wine list is really interesting, the space is beautiful, and the owner is extremely gracious and friendly. Check it out before word gets out and it gets crowded!
(5)Lindsay T.
So happy to have Osteria Langhe in the neighborhood! The space is simplistic and beautiful, the service and attention to detail is outstanding, and the food is seasonal, fresh, and authentic! My husband and I took our two-year-old daughter here and the staff was welcoming and accommodating. The owner told us all about the concept and how it came to fruition and guided us through the wine list and menu. You won't find beef Ragu or vodka sauce in this place, but rather a fresh take on classic dishes that are sure to make your mouth water. We had the octopus appetizer, the peas, the plin and the risotto, and then the chicken. The plin and risotto where my favorite, but everything was cooked perfectly, the ingredients were thoughtful and each dish was totally delicious. We will be back often, this is the best food I've had since being in Italy last year!
(5)Sarah D.
I had a perfect birthday dinner here. Anthony was our server. He made amazing suggestions for wine and pairings. I can't wait to bring friends and family here to share an awesome experience with. If I could give 10 stars, I would. Thank you for such a great experience here in our neighborhood.
(5)J. M.
Wow. Osteria Langhe is now one of my favorite restaurants in Chicago. The chef features northern Italian small plates that are out of this world. We sampled many items off of the menu (tajarin w/ ragu, plin, and cavolini), however, the polipo (octopus) and rabbit truly stood out - just phenomenal. Everything was great. Thank you Aldo!!
(5)ginny b.
We had a lovely dinner for two here this week. Appetizers (Capesante, Lumache Slow Food), shared entree (Tagliatta) and dessert (Semi Freddo) were all delicious, and just the right amount of food. The hosts and servers were welcoming and knowledgeable. We went on a Monday night and the restaurant looked pretty busy from our vantage point on the patio, so I imagine things might be more hectic on a weekend. The atmosphere on the patio was really nice, though! We made a reservation about 45 minutes ahead of time, did not have to wait for a table, and had speedy service.
(5)Virginia I.
Awesome service, food and drinks. Relaxed and unpretentious atmosphere. I look forward to going back soon.
(5)Jonathan C.
Aldo, the owner, super cool, personable, and knowledgeable about everything Piemonte. Great food, great wine, and great cocktails.
(5)Scott V.
I took the advice from the reader and the chibbqking, and gayot dam they were right. The food was excellent - especially the plin, rabbit and panna cotta. Great food and great service.
(5)Michael D.
My wife and I took my mother here. The food was great and the staff was very attentive. Aldo, the owner, spent time at our table and was very gracious. We will definitely be back!
(4)Gretchen H.
Overall our experience was amazing. The server was very knowledgeable and provided the right level of contact while not being intrusive. He helped us to pick an amazing wine and all of the food recommendations were also great. We had the pasta starter (his recommendation) which was outstanding. We also tried the octopus which I loved. For entrees we had the rabbit (outstanding), lamb tortelloni (very interesting flavor combo and tasty), and the duck. The duck was the only item which wasn't 100% what I'd hoped. Although the flavors were amazing, it was very chewy. It seemed perhaps the fat needed to be rendered a bit more. I eat duck often, and this texture wasn't what I would have expected. We also tried the tobacco cheesecake and the chocolate bombe which were both great. Overall awesome experience and I plan to go back soon with friends.
(4)Neel V.
Went here to celebrate my girlfriend's birthday. Ordered the scallop and sweetbreads to start, followed by the Brussels sprouts and sausage, the plin, and the crespelle. Scallop was perfectly cooked and I have never tasted such good sweetbreads- they were almost chicken fried, but still had the distinct sweetbread taste. At this point, things went a little sour. Our second course never came, and after 25 min, I asked the waitress to check on the order- she said she thought it was taking a bit too long, and then came back with the plin, instead of the sprouts. When we told her we never got our second course, she was extremely apologetic and had the kitchen quickly make a new order of sprouts and follow it up quickly with the plin. Sprouts were really good and paired well with the spicy sausage- if they were roasted a little more to the point of crispiness, this would have been a perfect dish. The plin were absolutely fantastic- exactly as pasta should be, where you could taste the pasta and the filling. Like little pillows that melted in your mouth. The crespelle came next and was also amazing. After the crespelle, the waitress apologized again and offered to comp us with a round of drinks and dessert. We didn't want more alcohol, but gladly took the dessert. I wish I could remember what it was, but I do remember it being delicious. Osteria rates 5 stars for the food, no doubt. What I really liked is when the waitress made a mistake, she owned up to it. She didn't blame the kitchen or a mixup or software. She acknowledged the blame, apologized, and made up for it. This is a lesson on how every restaurant should operate- your customers aren't idiots and they appreciate sincerity and honesty. Big fan of the restaurant and its services and I will definitely be back
(5)Jason W.
Went to this place with 6 of our friends. The food here was amazing. Every course we had was delicious. The main courses were out of this world. The chicken dish was fantastic. the bar had some fantastic drinks and the owner was very gracious in meeting with us.
(5)R D.
Edit: This place is legit and totally earns the 5th star. Great addition to the neighborhood. We went for Mother's Day brunch, and while the serving staff was a bit inexperienced (they were all very cheerful) it was evident the owner and chef each know what they're doing. The food was quite good, and appropriately priced, and I'll be going back often. It won't be hard for them to earn the 5th star.
(5)Erin P.
Food and service were absolutely great. My server recommended a wine that was right on point with what I wanted to eat. I wouldn't have thought to order this light red with tons of flavor (I usually go for heavier and fruitier wines, especially with a dish like rabbit and pork belly). The rabbit was so flavorful and delicate! I genuinely thought it was some kind of exotic cheese omelette and that I had been served the wrong thing when I first bit into it. I have never had meat that was so tender and had such a light texture, but by the end of the meal I was absolutely stuffed by this reasonable, human-sized portion. I felt like I wouldn't be able to walk the few blocks to California station! My one and only complaint is that the space is loud and echo-y, with a din of voices competing to have conversations. Other than that, this place is absolutely perfect.
(5)ellen r.
The food is fantastic. The service great. The atmosphere warm and welcoming. So glad you guys are in the neighborhood.
(4)Chad B.
This place was amazing! The owner was walking the room and checked in on us several times, he suggested wine pairings with our food as we did not want to purchase a bottle and they were spot on. The food was so different but everything we had was so good. Will def be coming back here often.
(5)John M.
Had a wonderful, midweek birthday dinner, here and found absolutely everything that came to the table (Cool Cocktails, Spinach Salad, Risotto, Duck, Steak, Scallops) to be outstanding. From the seasonings to the service, our party was impressed with this place, and we three had no trouble getting enough to eat. We just shared everything, so that everybody got a taste of all of the different and delicious dishes. Portion sizes were totally appropriate. Dessert was a scoop of hazelnut gelato swimming in a shot of espresso.
(5)Michael L.
This place deserves more stars. Everything here is excellent.
(5)Hillary G.
Excellent food, great ambiance. Loved the grilled octopus BLT and the pastas. Extensive wine list.
(5)D G.
We discovered this special spot when we took our kids to Tasty Freeze across the street mid afternoon. My husband noticed that Brand BBQ had been taken over by this restaurant. He peeked in the window then told me to do the same. The owner, Aldo, caught me by surprise as he walked up behind me and invited me in to see the restaurant, and explained the unique Piedmonte cuisine (no spaghetti and meatballs here). We decided to make it a date night the following weekend. Good grief, what a treat. Everything is top notch - service, food/flavors, beverages, and reasonable prices for upscale cuisine! We tried the Paloma cocktail (delicious and reasonable at $8), octopus (don't normally like it) but WOW, plin (still dreaming about it), chicken (outstanding) and rabbit (terrific). Sadly we were too full for dessert. Don't walk, RUN here. We can't wait to return.
(5)S H.
Great barolo's selection! The Plim, pesce (Chilean sea bass) and our cioccolato were simply delicious!! Come for quality and flavorful dishes :)
(5)Mark F.
What a great place! We went on Wednesday, May 7, the third night that they were open. Service was outstanding. The food was excellent. For starters we had the vitello tonnato (beef and tuna) and the piselle (fresh spring peas, pork belly, etc.), both of which were excellent. We then had pasta and risotto that were also excellent. The Plin is like a miniature tortellini with a light savory sauce. The risotto was spot on and had fresh fiddleheads. The wine list has a very nice variety and is very reasonably priced. Will be going back on a regular basis :-)
(5)Christina C.
Great little spot for fine food, cocktails, and wine. Every morsel was delicious. My old fashion was spot on. The rabbit was divine. The entire staff is extremely friendly and passionate about food. I wish the menu had side dishes like vegetables to help fill me up. The portions are extremely small and that is the only reason they didn't get 5 stars.
(4)Joe M.
We went to Osteria Langhe with our sons and daughter-in-law last night, Sunday May 11. Mother's Day dinner was well above average with the staff and owner very friendly. We will easily go back here again.
(5)Sarah E.
Great food. Good prices. Extremely friendly service. Highly recommend!
(5)Luca P.
OUTSTANDING Osteria Langhe is hands-off one of the best Italian restaurants in town. The low-key atmosphere and relatively affordable prices hide a true gem: fresh ingredients, perfectly executed dishes, and an interesting menu with more traditional Italian delicacies as well as some more liberal creation of the chef. We started off with the Vitello Tonnato and the Plin. The former blended very well together the crispy egg, the velvety tuna aioli, and the poached meat. The plin were just fantastic - smooth and creamy, but with a kick of tasty cheese. The best part of the meal however were the sublime Tajarin Tartufo Nero. The Coniglio had a tough job after the truffle pasta, but it stood up to the challenge. Service was also very good. Fantastic place, absolutely recommended!
(5)D F.
Disappointed as I was really excited to go here. Hostess/Manager at the door outright rude. Unapologetic for 20 min delay of table. Kitchen was out of a couple dishes. Server was trying to up sell way too hard. Portions are not fit for the prices charged and food doesn't have any excitement. I've been to the Piedmont and know what dishes I loved and remember. These don't come close. Further on the server: I ordered wine for our table, a glass for each person based on their taste, and he tried to talk me out of a selection made for a dining companion. She told him to put in what I ordered. He tried talking her out of it. She enjoyed it very much. Not sure why he was trying to talk her out of it. Won't be back, and sad, because really wanted it to be great as I love good Piedmontese dishes from when I spent time there. Too bad.
(1)Rebecca N.
Really different Italian food. I loved that it focuses on one specific area (one that ive never heard of!) The service was definitely spotty. Would not be going for the service, but it is small and the atmosphere is nice/relaxed with outside seating as well. Antipasti - lamb and fig ravioli: Loved this. Really different flavors - truffle pasta: my absolute favorite. paper thin spaghetti. just perfect. real truffles on top (not just the fake oil). We added the sunny side egg. Great touch -cheese raviloli:Really good. JUst like buttered noodles, but probably the least "special" even though they are know for it because of the simpleness - mussels and frites: bomb.com . Perfect. Amazing sauce. Ask for break *** all pasta are handmade which makes ALL the difference!!!!* Secondi: -- halibut: good, but i thought the others were better. everyone at my table loved though. -- meat ragu: also really good, but i thought some of the other pastas stood out more --duck: this was my favorite entree hands down. If you got all the components in one bite it was an explosion in your mouth of deliciousness.
(4)Derek S.
Hidden brunch gem!!! The food is amazing and they have $3 bloody Mary's and $4 mimosa! Only a handful of brunch options, but from the ones we tried you really can't go wrong with any of them. If you like sweet, then you have to try the French toast with raspberries. Perfectly cooked ciabatta bread. If you like savory, the the pork shoulder is excellent with eggs. Biscuits and gravy are good too from bang bang. Also - dinner they have an all you can eat meat ragu on Sunday's for their dinner special. So tasty and perfectly savory!
(5)Tera D.
Well I'm pretty sure we ate everything here. Ok, probably not, but it definitely felt like we enjoyed a feast after dining here with another couple. The place is really cute, and the menu is packed with tasty looking goodies. Absolute standouts are the plin (ridiculously delicious stuffed pasta), the cavalfiore (cauliflower), coniglio (rabbit). But pretty much everything was very good. It's definitely a little pricey, especially for the area, but that might have been because we splurged a bit on wine. Very unique and different than most run of the mill Italian places in Chicago. Perfect for date night, or a small group.
(4)Emily B.
This place shines bright in a neighborhood already saturated with great food. The combination of the most thoughtful, quality ingredients paired together in artfully simple ways is the truest indication of a chef who really knows Italian culture at its core. The Italian staff with their charming accents is all the reaffirmation I need. We try to order different things each time, but the Plin makes the cut every time. Other favorites include the Crespella (vegetarian crepes), the cauliflower appetizer, and the halibut. And don't miss out on half price cocktail Mondays!!
(5)Casey N.
Words cannot adequately describe the delicious plin at Osteria Langhe. I was in heaven eating this dish and I am not even a ravioli fan. Absolutely do not miss! We also enjoyed the pomodoro appetizer and the duck entree. The latter is extremely rich, so keep that in mind when ordering. For dessert we shared the stimolazione, a tobacco and marsala cheesecake served with a shot of bourbon espresso liquer. We had to order because it was so unique and we were totally wowed. Great end to a great meal! Service was solid and our wine was amazing (the Albe barolo). My only critique would be that they don't serve Prosecco, only sparkling Chardonnay, which I wasn't a huge fan of. Oh, and the breadsticks are pretty blah. Otherwise, thumbs up all around.
(4)Lisa P.
Ventured to Logan Square to check this place out the other wknd. It was great! The plin was by far my favorite dish and I'd also highly recommend the cauliflower. The owner stopped by our table a few times to answer questions about the menu and share his favorites. He was really welcoming and passionate and that showed in every aspect of the restaurant. Can't wait to go back!
(5)Dylan M.
This is one of those places I so want to give a 5 star but certain things lacked so it would be more like a 4.5. The services was outstanding...so nice and accommodating which really makes me love this place and its intimate, romantic setting. Parking is also easy and free ...gotta love Logan square for dat! The food menu and wine list are super interesting offering lots of things to try...defiantly ask your server for advice on both as there are a lot of uncommon wines and ingredients which may leave you a little lost. The pacing of the food had hugely LONNGG gaps between courses which left things lingering to the point when the entrees arrived I was ready to go. This may have been in part our fault as we asked things not to come too rushed as we each ordered 3 courses but I just didn't want them to all come at once which sometimes happens when you order small plates. The vegetarian crepe was the one menu item that really stood out as a winner all other items we tried were very fresh and tastee but nothing overly impressive. With that said the positives all out way the constructive criticism and I could very well see myself adjusting this review to a 5 after my next visit. GREAT SPOT!
(4)Luke P.
Awesome place - split a few plates, housemade noodles, ravioli, tomato salad and a lamb & boiled-then-fried potato entree. The ravioli and lamb in particular rocked!
(5)neeta b.
Ordered the Agnello (lamb and green olive tortellini w feta and hazelnut) to start and the Tanjarin ( simple delicious housemade noodles w Ragu). The meal was delicious and flavorful. The casual yet upscale dining atmosphere made it a perfect setting for a low key neighborhood dining experience. Best Italian in Logan square area.
(5)Gino W.
Osteria Langhe serves Italian cuisine that is more customary in the Piemonte region. One may say that there is a such thing as too many Italian restaurants. However, there is never a bad thing when it comes to discovering more to Italian dining than pasta and pizza. Polipo. Insalata. Seafood risotto. Soft shell crab. Panna cotta. The dish of grilled octopus, heirloom tomatoes, basil, capers, saffron oil, and grilled bread was a fantastic starter. The octopus did not have a rubbery texture to it. The tenderness of it made cutting into it feel almost like slicing through very tender chicken. Although the salad of tomatoes and mini greens came without much of a vinaigrette, there was enough to accompany the salad while letting the octopus have the stage as the star. The insalata was a salad of spicy mixed greens, kohlrabi, green peas, parmesan, and croutons of fried veal brains. The "sweetbread" croutons were like fried cotton candy -- if you can imagine that. The risotto comes as a different variety per day and I was fortunate that I got the seafood version that had plump scallop and shrimp. A very, very creamy base to it, the risotto is reminiscent of French cooking. This dish, however, was Italian cooking at its finest. The plate of soft shell crab and insalata russa is one that everyone should try, especially those who think that they know where the best Italian food is served. The soft shell crab had an egg batter that made it very light and there was so much meat in the crab that each bite was an explosion. The insalata russa, which is a combination of potato salad and tuna salad, an ideal choice for this dish and a great introduction to something authentically Italian that is not served in America-side Italian eateries. Nothing spectacular like a tiramisu, tartufo, biscotti, or cannoli, but creamy and outstanding for a wrap-up, the panna cotta served with mixed berries is an idyllic dessert finale. Along with that came a small glass of Amaro liqueur. Having a dessert like this prepared at the restaurant means it comes without artificial ingredients. All you get is greatness in taste. The introduction to Piemonte cuisine was absolutely luscious and a draw for what will be a constant return. The service is out of this world, from the owner who is fully engaging in conversation the way restaurant owners are in Italy to servers who can offer tempting recommendations to the bar service that mixes liquid satisfaction without any disappointment. Osteria Langhe has a "Make yourself at home" feel to it and regular customers will attest that another Italian restaurant on the Logan Square landscape is a dream come true.
(5)svetlana k.
Lovely small restaurant in Logan square. Could use a little more decor on the walls in the back area. The staff is super nice and the owner makes you feel special coming to each table. The food was good but I won't be running back anytime soon for seconds, especially since I do not leave near Logan square. The food itself could use more flavor and bigger plating, small entrees. Started off with the octopus which was screaming "need salt now." I don't think we even finished it between three people. The artichoke and sunchoke flan was the most unappealing dish I've seen in awhile but it was definitely a stand out dish in terms of flavor. Delicious. The rabbit was perfectly cooked considering how lean rabbit is, the meat was juicy wrapped and seared in bacon. Lovely dish. The seabass was a tiny portion but lacked flavor. The vegetable underneath was delicious. But really nothing special about the dish, skip it. For dessert, we ordered the panna cotta. One of the best I've had. Almost licked the plate. Overall, the prices are reasonable. Without alcohol, 3 apps 2 entrees and 1 dessert cost $80 for three people. We were not stuffed but we were not hungry either.
(4)