Tutto Fresco
3829 N Broadway St, Chicago, IL, 60613
Tutto Fresco Menu
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Appetizers
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Zuppa
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Insalata
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Pasta
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Secondi Piatti
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Sides
Healthy Meal suggestions for Tutto Fresco
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Appetizers
-
Zuppa
-
Insalata
-
Pasta
-
Secondi Piatti
-
Sides
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Address :
3829 N Broadway St
Chicago, IL, 60613 - Phone (773) 281-1844
- Website https://www.tuttofrescochicago.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :5:00 pm - 10:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : Yes
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Intimate
Noise Level : Quiet
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
Categories
Italian Cuisine
The immense popularity of Italian cuisine globally isn't unknown. You can find an Italian Pizzeria around every corner of almost every city in the United States. Not to forget that in every house, people enjoy mac and cheese as comfort food. But it would be wrong to believe that Italian food starts with pizza and ends with good pasta as this Mediterranean country has much more to offer other than these two dishes. In Italian Cuisine, there is a high use of fresh tomatoes, all kinds of herbs, great quality of cheese, all types of meat, seafood and fresh handmade pasta. Many find it hard to believe that Italians have been making noodles long back.
Italian and Greek cuisines are always mistaken to be same, but they are poles apart. The primary difference between the two cuisines is the use of cheese in most of the Italian dishes. Italians love to cultivate their own cheese and process them as per their food requirement. It is believed that some cheese is so expensive that cheese producers secure them in lockers.
If you are bored eating the same old pasta or pizza, you can try some of the authentic Italian dishes like Risotto, Polenta, Ribollita, Lasagna, Fiorentina Steak, Bottarga, Ossobuco, Carbonara, Focaccia, Arancini and Supplì. Another item which Italians love to relish every morning is a good cup of Italian Coffee. Once you taste a freshly brewed cup of Italian Coffee, you might not visit Starbucks ever again. Authentic Italian food is made with heart and soul, so go find a restaurant where you can relish Italian cuisine in your city.
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Mike B.
Found the place somewhat by accident. Was in the neighborhood for other reasons but was ready for dinner, somewhere, as part of the plan. parked in front of this restaurant and decided to give it a shot. Food great, service great, next time won't be by accident.
(4)Julie N.
Delicious meal! We live nearby and decided to try Tutto Fresco for carry out. I ordered the Tortellini alla Crema and my boyfriend ordered the chicken parmigiana. Both were huge portions and each came with a soup or salad. The chicken was perfectly cooked. All the ingredients were fresh and meals were very tasty. I will be ordering from here again soon!
(5)Tanya F.
Intimate setting. Food is delicious. Have never been disappointed with any meal. This place serves some of the best Italian food I've ever had. Staff shows an invested interest in your service and experience. Has became one of my favorite joints.
(4)Matt G.
This is my go to place for Italian. It's very reasonably priced, the specials are fantastic, and I have yet to find anything on the menu I don't like. Had the Lobster Ravioli last night, the sauce was perfectly flavored, not overly rich, and a pleasure to eat. Rarely is there a wait, which is great. Good desert and wine selection. Overall a great place.
(5)KB C.
The pasta was fantastic as was the tortellini soup that came with the entrees. Note: The bread comes for free...but I would pay for higher quality bread. I would advise that you up the quality immediately or change suppliers...it was that bad. It cannot be that much more $ to get a real baker to supply a much better product.
(4)Brian F.
Fantastic food for such an unassuming little place. I was totally surprised by the quality Inn great taste of the food here, Mondays and Thursdays are half price wine bottle nights
(5)Colleen C.
This place is absolutely awesome. I have been two times, both great experiences. Great good, great service. Thumbs up.
(5)Liam B.
My girlfriend and I decided to check this place out finally after going past it a million times and we were not disappointed, in fact it exceeded out expectations greatly! We went on a Thursday 2 days after a blizzard when it was about 5 degrees out so it wasn't crowded at all but even so was a nice cozy atmosphere. Our waiter (the owner/chef's son) was very knowledgable about the menu and wines and made great recommendations. We ended up ordering grilled calamari from the menu and two specials of the day: a roasted red pepper gnocchi and lemon-roasted chicken with prosciutto and vegetables. Everything was delicious especially the gnocchi. We toped everything off with a slice of Lemon cello cake that was out of this world. With every bite of food I felt like I was back in Italy. Bottom line: great family owned place with great food, definitely will be back and since I live 2 blocks from it I'm sure I'll become quite the regular!
(5)Rachel L.
I really wanted to like this place. It's right around the corner. It's cute. The staff was very friendly. But the food was bleh. I got chicken, and it was salty. I mean, *really* salty. Did I mention it was salty? And I like salty foods. The chicken was also tough and overcooked. And it was expensive for the quality of food.
(3)Eric L.
What a great little neighborhood gem! What I liked about this place were several things, but most of all it's a small, quiet, intimate place. Perhaps not the most glamorous, but it's simple, comfortable and it only gets better from there. The service was attentive and personal. A good example is that we ordered the grilled calamari appetizer. We finished the calamari and when the waiter came to clear it he suggested we use bread to soak up the sauce to eat it. OMG - so good and what a friendly/cool thing to suggest! The food was excellent - well prepared, well seasoned, excellent selection. A really enjoyable evening and a "go to" place when you're looking for something simple with great food.
(4)Lexie G.
The change from summer to winter is always a bit hard for me. My instinct is to stay inside wrapped in blankets until the sunshine returns. However, yesterday, my partner was determined to leave the house and have a date night. I conceded, with the request that our destination be causal, in our neighborhood, and sell something akin to chicken pot pie, the ultimate comfort food. We settled on Tutto Fresco, a small place we had walked by dozens of times but never entered. Our waiter was fantastic, a perfect blend of courteous and knowledgeable. He recommended an excellent Sangiovese (half price bottles on Wednesdays!) and made sure our table was never short on warm bread. We started with the calamari fritti, which arrived quickly and perfectly cooked. I had the sun-dried tomato and mushroom risotto, which smelled heavenly and tasted just as good. My date had the fusilli which was dotted with hunks of mozzarella cheese. We both had enough left over for lunch the next day. Since our bottle of wine was still half full, we ordered a tiramisu to share. It arrived in a large glass dish, and was more than enough for two people. Service was prompt, but at no point did we feel rushed, which I appreciate. The candlelight and warm interior lent itself to intimate conversation. I am very happy to have a great neighborhood Italian restaurant nearby!
(5)Cheli M.
It's my first time coming to Tutto Fresco. I had only the grilled calamari. SO GOOD! Great flavor, perfect texture and the sauce...omg! Dip the bread in the sauce. Seriously, you won't regret the carbs.
(5)McKenna C.
There was literally no one else there which was a little strange but it was so incredibly delicious! I had the shrimp risotto and my friend had a chicken dish that I actually liked a little better than mine. They were both really delicious and not very expensive. Our bill totaled $35. The service was wonderful! Probably because we were the only ones there for a while, but they were very attentive and anticipated all of our needs!
(5)Rob S.
Surprised it took this long for me to try this place. Excellent service, excellent food and great portions. Growing up on the east coast Italian food in this section of town usually isn't found anywhere. But this is a great option to have.
(5)Joanne L.
Came here on a whim. Surprised at the quality of food and service! Love the fresh warm bread served first. Salad-mista! Delicious simple vinegarette and fresh ingrediants. Entree-Conchiglie alla Sugo salsiccia (pasta shells with tomato cream sauce and sausage and peas). Excellent dish! What's in that vodka cream sauce?! So good. Linguine with clams in garlic sauce-fresh clams and al Dente noodles. Side of garlic sautéed spinach. Great flavor, not heavy dish. Dessert-mango mousse cake and spumoni. Devoured every bite. This place is mom and pops. The son of the owner was our server-attentive and pleasant! Will be back !
(4)BR S.
What a great meal reservations for 9 via opentable.com . tender veal saltimbocca. Fresh salad. Service that I rarely get anymore; even at high end restaurants. Even got a parking spot, free, across from the front door. Try it and you won't be disappointed.
(5)Rich K.
Good food and service. Little pricey but large portions. Great wine selection. Overall we had a very nice experience. Will come back again.
(4)Veronica B.
Great place. Perfect for meeting with old friends as well as a great atmosphere for date night. Wait staff is great, they are never too pushy or annoyingly helpful. The portions are large but very much worth the price. Will be returning many times to come!
(5)Vicky M.
Everything was delish. The calamari was ok. But we both got specials for our meal and the portions were HUGE and great leftovers for atleast three additional meals! Our server was very friendly and helpful with the menu. The ambiance was perfect! Such a cute great little place!
(4)Comensal A.
We had a nice meal at Tutto Fresco. The staff was friendly and helpful, and the food was A-OK. The grilled squid appetizer was tender and delicious. I liked my TF risotto with stuffed shrimp (though the risotto could have had a little more crunch. My companion's lamb chops were OK, as was gelato for dessert. Not a fancy place, but good food at a decent price...
(3)Natalia K.
After reading all the positive reviews of this little place which apparently serves consistently good food, I was excited to come here on a groupon and get my pasta fix. I wasn't entirely disappointed, but I wasn't working hard to try and eat as much off my plate as possible. And I hate to admit that I didn't eat my leftovers either. The decor was nothing to impress, but the service was friendly- how could you be upset with someone who calls you "bella?" My friend and I both ordered pasta, I the Fusilli Roma and she the shells. We ate a decent portion of our plates but I noticed her turning over her shells a lot like she was looking for more of something or trying to mix the sauce in better. I don't know, I didn't ask. Mine had chicken and pancetta in there and I realized, that I just don't like bacon, even the Italian version of it. The chicken was cut really small and it was dry. The sauce was ok, but nothing crave-worthy. We ordered a tiramisu to share and it came in a chalice looking container where it was mostly cream and not much ladyfinger, which made it pretty tasteless since only the ladyfinger portion had that rich cofee flavor that I love. We didn't finish the dessert either. I didn't hate the place, but I won't be back.
(3)Libby B.
Delicious food, friendly and attentive service, and the best tiramasu I've had in Chicago. I love this place!
(5)Justin N.
Amazing little Italian spot. Truly authentic. I always try something new when I go and have never been disappointed. It has a legit Italian mafia type feel similar to what you get at the true Italian restaurants in Boston. The service is always top notch. If you want authentic Italian with a true Italian ambiance & amazing food this is your spot. The best secret in Chicago when it comes to Italian food.
(5)Jeff D.
Great place for real Italian food!! I had a bowl of mushroom soup that was to die for. My main course was linguini and clam with a white sauce, this too was awsome. My wife had chicken lemon' and send it was a great dish.
(5)Amanda M.
I live down the street & have been here twice now. Both times have been exquisite. The service is amazing & the servers are authentic Italian & know what they are talking about. I had the tortellini soup, fried calamari & penne a la vodka with pancetta. All three were fresh & the pancetta was amazing. All this, warm bread, enough to take home for only $30. This will definitely become my new neighborhood spot!
(5)Rebecca D.
I rarely give a place 5 stars or really ever find a place review-worthy.... I went to Tutto Fresco for the first time tonight with my mom, who was visiting, and we both LOVED it. My mom had veal limone and we were both literally about to lick the plate it was that good. I hade the zuppa di pesci -- wow is all I can say! Tons of seafood in this amazing soup - usually twice the cost at Italian restaurants. I can't believe this place isn't packed on a regular basis, it is truly a hidden gem. Can't wait to go back -- already planning to take my girlfriends for my birthday in a few weeks!!
(5)Hillary B.
My husband and I went here for Valentine's day with another couple. This was our first time dining here. Truthfully, it was not a great experience. The service was slow and inattentive (that is putting it nicely). We had to flag down our waiter, a busboy, anyone for basic items, like water, at one point even serving ourselves... We are pretty accepting and open-minded, however, so we decided that, perhaps, the Valentine's Day rush was giving them a tough time. We ordered two appetizers: grilled calamari and carpaccio. The calamari was DELICIOUS. The carpaccio was absolutely tasteless. It was served with slices of white mushrooms that you would find at the local grocery store...very strange combo. Our entrees took a VERY LONG TIME to come to the table. And, we were talking, enjoying each others' company, so we weren't clock watching. But, boy, it was a long time. Finally, our entrees showed up. I ordered the Spaghetti Diavola. It was supposed to have clams, shrimp and scallops in a spicy sauce. The sauce was not only not spicy, it was bland. There were no clams in it. The shrimp was rubbery and so were the two extremely tiny scallops. It was such a disappointment! Another entree at the table was good, old-fashioned spaghetti and meatballs. It seems that they had microwaved it prior to serving it. It was so hot, it was inedible at first. The veal marsala was okay, but it was incredibly thinly sliced veal. No flavors really stood out...the breading weak. I can't even remember the fourth entree, but you get the idea. The bill was $160.00, including two bottles of wine (the wine, btw, is very fairly priced). The price for such a poor experience was quite a bad rub! argh! We had been told this was such a great place! Maybe this was a bad night... The bottom line is that, regardless of what the reasons are for this experience, we will not be patronizing this place again.
(2)Jerry M.
We've eaten at this friendly family owned & operated restaurant about 5-6 times. In short, the food and wine are excellent, the service is quite good & very personal. The only area for improvement is the facility...it could use a face-lift. All in all, though, this restaurant provides great food and great value. Three of us had dinner there yesterday. We started with their Calamari alla Griglia appetizer. It was wonderful! The Barbara d'Alba wine they served was also excellent. As for the main courses, one of us had the veal limone, I had the zuppa di pesce & the other person had one of the day's specials, a black linguine in a red sauce with shrimp, calamari & other seafoods. All three dishes were great! We ended the meal with a cannoli. You can certainly pay more for Italian food of this caliber but you can't find better. You need to go to this place!!
(4)John G.
Stopped her before our niece's play at the Straw Dog theater next door. Food was terrific and service was great. We had a portobello salad that was loaded with flavor. All our dishes were tasty.
(4)Xants M.
I'm really not sure why I haven't written a review for this place considering IM KINDA IN LOVE WITH THE FOOD AND ALWAYS CRAVE IT!!!! I have never. ever. ever. been disappointed with the freshness or quality of food they serve. The restaurant itself is pretty small but do not let that deceive you. This is the kind of Italian food which you can taste developed flavors and which serves awesome portions. The calamari and the marinara sauce are... How I shall I put this??..AHHHMAZING. You literally think about doing marinara shots the sauce is that good. The tortellini soup is soo yummy and is just goodness in a bowl. The eggplant parmigiana is a favorite FOR SURE. Now the pastas...I've had quite a number of them and really love the three I've had (sorry I can't remember the names--party foul, I know). The only thing I can think of that hasn't blown my mind is the risotto. My husband thinks I make a better one, so in comparison to the other things on the menu...it's not as epic. So the short of it is this: FOR ALL ITALIAN FOOD LOVERS AND ALL THOSE WHO ARE NOT, GO TO TUTTO!! You will not be disappointed!!
(5)Sophia C.
Walked by in search of something good to eat and stopped by, not expecting much. I was very pleasantly surprised to have authentic and flavorful Italian food in my neighborhood. You get a small loaf of fresh bread and olive oil to start - always welcome. I started with the calamari, which was delicious. It wasn't overly cooked and still maintained the clean flavor without being doused in lemon and garlic. I got the mushroom risotto and it was cooked perfectly. The flavors were bright and complimented well. My date got the lamb shank, which was extremely tender and melted off the bone. We got a canoli for dessert, which was authentic and fresh. I'd highly recommend this place for fresh flavors of Italy.
(4)Anna C.
My BF and I stopped in here after walking around one Saturday afternoon as we had a craving for Italian and hadn't tried this place yet. First impressions was that it was a bit run down. There were only two other couples in the entire place and the decor leaves you feeling very uninspired. However, as it was still early in the evening we figured that maybe it was really great food and that it would pick up later on. My boyfriend ordered the Conchiglie alla Sugo de Salsiccia and I had the Risotto Tutto Fresco. As we had hoped, both were delicious. HOWEVER, I was completely thrown off by the fact that not only do they not make their own pasta (which I feel is a sin for any authentic Italian place) they also proudly display their Barilla boxes on the wall. Overall: Food - Good Atmosphere - Poor Service - Good Will I be going back? Most likely not. I would honestly rather go down a few blocks to Angelina's and pay a bit more to have handmade pasta in a better atmosphere. P.S. The place also did not pick up as we had hoped. The two other couples were the only other patrons we saw enter or leave the place the entire time we were there and we left at about 730p which is peak dinner time...
(3)Joel F.
The food is delicious. The service in the restaurant is great, warm and friendly. The delivery was on time. But here's why I really love this restaurant. They made us a dish that wasn't on the menu and it was delicious. Where else can you get that kind of service? We were floored by it.
(5)Tek I.
Girlfriend and I went here a few weeks ago for my birthday. Its literally right around the corner so it was a quick 5 minute walk. A little disconcerting when you walk in and the room is empty, until they take you to the room next door where there were 4 other tables there. The decor is a little dated, but it still gives off a nice, romantic ambiance. I really love the fact that they have giant windows that can open up in the summer time to provide the patio-esque feeling without actually being out on the sidewalk. We started off with the fried calamari and it was bomb diggity. We also had some bread and olive oil, as is standard far at almost any italian place (both were deelish as well). I ordered the chicken marsala and the girlfriend got grilled tilapia. Both were awesome and savory. The portions are a little oversized and gave us both ample leftovers. As with any italian, you have to get wine. They have a pretty decent wine list, though nothing to rave about. I settled with a glass of the house pinot noir, as most of the wines are by the bottle only. I have ordered house wines in the past and been quite disappointed. This was definitely not the case. I don't know what or who makes the house wine but it sure was worth the 6.50/7 bucks for that glass. On top of the food, the servers were quick to make sure everything was alright and kept our water glasses filled. Extremely satisfied with this place and I'm sure i'll be returning very shortly.
(4)Ciera H.
My friend and I just went tonight because he had Groupon. When we walked in we were a little worried because the dining area was empty. Then we went to the back and there were 3 other tables in there. The ambience is quite romantic dimmed light, intimate spacing so you dont feel like you are on top of the table next to you. My date and I really enjoyed the food he had spaghetti and meatballs and I had the Chicken Limon and a glass Riesling. I was expecting to be a little more full then what i was but I would go back and prob suggest it to friends that were looking to stay within budget. Even without Groupon it was fairly reasonable.
(3)Christy B.
Great food, lots of non-pasta options for those seeking gluten/low carb, good service. 1/2 priced bottles of wine on Wednesdays (and I think Mondays, too). Perfect for a ladies night or date night.
(5)Mike C.
We found this gem while walking one summer nite and what a gem it is. Start with Portabello mushrooms on polenta, it's out of this world, their homemade soups thru their deserts are fabulous. The chicken marsella and all the dishes melt in your mouth. I don't think I have ever used a knife here, all the food is very tender and juicy. The waiters and bus boys are fantastic. it is the perfect romantic place for dinner.
(5)Molly L.
Tutto Fresco is a solid neighborhood Italian spot when you want Italian comfort food. The marinara is delicious! Portions are huge.
(3)Brad A.
Staff was friendly, food was great, atmosphere was nice (romantic ish). Spicy means spicy, at least more so than most places say - this was a good thing for me! I loved the Spaghetti Diavola and grilled calamari. Both were really great. 4 stars because of decor. It wasn't bad, but better decor would have really made this place a hit in my book. As it stands, it feels a little empty. And I'm not just saying that because there weren't many people there. Just felt like it was missing something that would make it really nice. If you are looking for a quiet dinner with great food, go here! If you are looking for a fun place to go that is a little noisy, yet still nice, I wouldn't really recommend it.
(4)Alex B.
Overall, an enjoyable experience. I'd give five stars for ambiance and service, but less than that for the food itself. Vegetarian options were limited, but available. I would go return if I was in the area with a hankering for Italian food, but likely wouldn't go out of my way to dine at Tutto Fresco again.
(3)Leanne A.
Pleasant place for a peaceful Italian dinner. I wish there were some more patrons so the excitement could be amped up a bit, but you can count on getting a table immediately, and getting plenty of attention from your server. I was there when bottles were half off, which is really the only way to buy wine when dining out. (come on, when one small glass of wine is 11 dollars, I just can't do it) What I recall most about my meal was the perfectly grilled calamari. They were not cut in to little rings; they were served in their full tube form. YUM. The balsamic sauce made them completely perfect. We spent 50 bucks for two people, including tip. I hope to come back soon!
(4)Jeff R.
Food was average at best and the service there was poor. It took us a very long time to get us food. They did try to make it up afterwards by providing an entree for free. Yet, I will not be making another trip to this establishment.
(2)Eileen T.
Food was ok but service is really good!
(3)Abby V.
Love, Love, Love this little gem! The boyfriend and I stumbled upon it last fall on a walk. We decided to pop in for an appetizer and stayed for a bottle of wine and dinner too!! The mushroom over poletna is delicious, as well as the Carpaccio (which we always ask them to add arugula to as we are obsessed with arugula). Everytime we have a meal here, we always enjoy it. Service is great, i'm a big fan of water and my glass is always full when I come here. They have a nice wine list and have my favorite, prosecco, all reasonably priced. It's never jam-packed which can be a good or a bad thing depending on the kind of atmosphere you want to dine in. Thankfully, they always have nice music playing so that the folks at the table across from us don't have to hear every word that my boyfriend utters (he tends to always speak in his "outside" voice). Have been here many times, cannot wait to go back!
(4)Brooke B.
Not a bad place at all! Small, intimate, and not at all busy; you can tell this is a family ran business. My boyfriend and I went after I had read that the place had a prix fixe dinner on Tuesdays and Thursdays for $18/person. We had to ask about the deal to our waiter since he never said anything about it and it wasn't advertised; he said he had to ask his brother but came back with little menus outlining what we could order for appetizers, entrée, and dessert. Not a bad deal at all! I got the tortellini soup (kind of bland to me, but my boyfriend liked it), spaghetti diavola (Which is $2 more for the seafood. It was spicy but just the right amount of spiciness but had amazing shrimp, clams, and scallops!), and cannoli. My boyfriend got the mista salad, risotto tutto fresco (Again, $2 more for the seafood. Yummy stuffed shrimp on a bed of creamy risotto.), and no dessert (which they still charged the full $20 anyway, which still is a good deal when you add up what everything would cost individually: appetizers are $9, entrees are about $15-20/each, and desserts are $6). He and I ended-up switching entrees midway through since we both liked what the other one had more. All in all, the experience was a pleasant one. Service was good, atmosphere was good. I don't know if he and I would go back to pay full price since the dishes are good, but not overwhelming good for the prices they do charge. Although the cannoli was amazing!
(3)Erin Q.
I found this place and chose it by its location to our next outing and I am so glad we did! Everyone loved their dishes and wished we could take them back with us. I ordered the Penne alla Vodka and really just wanted to become one with the dish. Superb! Highly recommend this place.. we decided that there was indeed a little Italian lady in the kitchen making everything! Service was great and they were all friendly. I would make it a point to go back here when in the Chicago area!
(5)Laura B.
I've been to Tutto Fresco twice now. First time it was with a group of 6 on a Saturday night. We drank wonderful wine. We ate amazing food that appealed to everyone's interests. We drank more wine. When the bill came at the end of the night, we weren't horrified with it. The second time was a weekday night (Monday) with my boyfriend. We again got amazing food and wine for a great price. There weren't many people in the restaurant which almost made it a little more private. The server was very knowledgeable on the wine selections (and bottles were half price!). Both times I had the Risotto Tutto Fresco which was a shrimp with spinach on a plate of lemon, garlic risotto amazingness. My boyfriend had the veal special on parmasean risotto. Others have had the Chicken Limone and Chicken Marsala as well. All loved the entrees. The Portobella Polenta, Bruschetta, and Mussels are also great appetizers to have. Bottom line: we will be going back here and spreading the word to friends. A great place to enjoy some amazing Italian dishes and wines!
(5)Mary D.
Wow - what a delightful gem in Lakeview! I have been here twice in a month and continue to be impressed. Great food, great service, good wine -- all really reasonsble. I honestly don't know why it's not slammed every day. I truly think the food is better than the Francesca joints.... admittedly the atmosphere is a little less impressive, but the food and service more than make up for it. The great news about nobody finding it yet is it's nice and quite, perfect for an intimate night (or taking over it for your birthday like I did!) Adding this to my go-to's!
(5)Katie F.
We wanted a nice, easy, cheap dinner on a Tuesday night, and this place was great. They have an $18 Prix Fixe meal that included an appetizer, pasta, and small dessert. The service was wonderful, really friendly. And the food-their name is correct, all fresh. From the parmagiono on the table, with warm bread and olive oil, to the BEST bruschetta I've ever had (bursting with flavor, spicy from garlic), and gorgeous pasta and sauce, this place did not disappoint. One note-the place kind of smelled like cat litter (we got used to it in a few minutes) and the place was decorated pretty hokey. So if you are looking to throw down a lot of money for the same kind of food, go to Angelinas. But if you want a great meal from nice people, this is the place.
(4)Nicholas W.
Service was a little slow taking out order but I think he was just swamped. A gentleman kept our glasses full and bread flowing. The Egg Plant parm is excellent, best in the city. The bruschetta was also very good.. The inside looked clean. To top it all off they went around to every table to let people know that they were starting serving marshmallows and strawberries that you can dip in their chocolate fountain. I plan on going again.
(4)Lindsey B.
Bought their $15 for $30 Groupon and went on a Wed night. I was excited because I saw on other reviews that they had 1/2 price wine on Wed nights, but didn't see anything anywhere about that at the restaurant. We ended up getting a 1/2 liter (which actually felt more like a full liter) of wine for only $14 and it was basically 2 glasses each for 2 people, so still a good deal. It wasn't totally empty either, like I expected, so that was nice. Great service - nice older real Italian man who was the main server. Good bread and olive oil. I got the spaghetti meatballs, and it was a MASSIVE portion. I think I'll be able to get 3 meals out of it total, so it's a really good value for the $13 price. Plus the meat sauce it came with was delicious. Not bland at all. The bf got the shell pasta with tomato cream sauce, sausage, and peas. You definitely have to like peas to eat that because that's kind of all the sauce tasted like to me, but he does so he was happy with it. Also a massive portion. Overall just a really solid Italian place. I'll probably go back even though I don't have another coupon.
(3)Sara B.
A. MAZING!!! I eat hear every few months (I would go more often if I had the time) and each time I do, it's the best meal I've had since the last time I ate here. The risotto is the best I've ever had - the portions are big enough to have leftovers for lunch the next day (if i have enough self control at dinner to stop eating when I'm full). The wait staff is incredibly sweet. I feel like each one of them is personally invested in making sure I have a great experience each time. It's not in the best location but don't let that stop you. This place is one of Chicago's best.
(5)Meg O.
This restaurant opened just last Friday in the old El Mariachi location on Broadway. Now the Mariach is located across the street and down the block in a much bigger venue. But the same owner has joined up with a new partner to form this Italian delight. For those of you who don't remember, its a small space which they split into two areas - one the dining room and the other as a bar. The man and I went for dinner tonight. It's the usual suspects as far as the menu. Chicken, fish, a couple of beef and of course the beloved pasta dishes. It started with bread to dip in olive oil and Parmesan cheese. It was love at first sight from that point on. I'm a carb lover so they had me at "would you like some more bread?" It was a little dry but I just took it for another swim in that pool of oil on my plate. I ordered the fusilli primavera - pasta with veggies in garlic and olive oil. I would definitely get it again. And for $13 it was worth every penny (still undecided as to whether it was worth every calorie). The man ordered a pasta dish with sausage and peas in a tomato cream sauce, again $13. I can't remember the name, and we definitely couldn't pronounce it ,but he loved it! I ate around the sausage and even went back for a second bite. Service was prompt. Atmosphere was casual. Our waiter had a very thick Italian accent. Anyone remember Sneaky Sneaky from Old Deeds?! His brother is the chef. And the Sneakster told us he made the tiramisu himself. The man and I actually opted for spumoni. Ice cream and bread - the perfect couple. Overall for the price it was a great deal. We will go back.
(4)D.L. P.
I ordered from this place tonight. I'd love to tell you about the quality of their food, but the delivery driver never showed up. He called me once to say he didn't see my name on the buzzer, which is really funny considering I've lived here 4 years and there's only three units in my building. The manager was less than helpful, to say the least. He said they contracted some delivery service out. That's really not what you should be saying. Some things that would come to my mind might be...."sorry for the inconveniece" or "I'll get right on it and call you back directly". I guess he wasn't interested in that. And the delivery guy apparently just didn't feel overly committed to finding my place. How hard can it be? If you're at 4400 N on the right street and the addres is 4300 N, WALK SOUTH. Sound like a good place to you? Avoid.
(1)YellowStar B.
I love this place. I adore it. I've been to Italy twice and something about it reminds me of being on vacation, the waiter with the accent, the open windows....the food is really good and both times I went there was so much that they boxed the rest for me to take home.
(5)Jeff R.
Solid, if unspectacular Italian food. Dishes were enjoyable but not something you'd find especially good and make you want to return to this Italian restaurant above any other.
(3)James K.
Had a very nice experience last night at Tutto Fresco. The atmosphere is pleasant and the staff was helpful and attentive. The Mista salad I had was good and my linguine with clams tasted great. There were 3 of us and we all enjoyed the restaurant.
(4)Katy B.
This place was delicious! I got the eggplant parmesan, my friends got liguine with clams and spinach stuffed shrimp, and I can say first hand they were all very good. We came in on a Friday around 7:30, and were a little nervous to be the only people inthe restaurant, but the place was great! The location is not perfect, but it is a short walk from the Sheridan red line. Try it out if you are in the neighborhood!
(5)Steven N.
Small, quiet place for pretty good Italian food. Service is prompt and friendly, but this is place is a tad bit too "hole-in-the-wall" feel for me. The calamari is good, and the pastas don't disappoint. Overall we enjoyed a nice dinner, but this place just isn't memorable at all.
(2)Jorge M.
I've been here three times and every time was a delight. The servers are great and the food is as good as it gets when it comes to Rustic Italian Cooking. Buonissimo! The menu has a variety of dishes that are all delicious and there are specials every day. The desserts are also great. Try to go when they aren't as busy and they make you feel as though you're family.
(5)matt b.
Finally went to this place. Went for lunch on a Saturday. Very happy with my chicken dish, fiance got fusilli alla roma, which was very nice as well. Big portions, cheap prices. Will definitely be back. Now if they could do something about that dump of a hotel across the street.....
(4)e e.
finally tried this place after saying i was going to for a year - and im glad i did! small intimate dining room, with flowers and candles on each table. service was great - he explained the specials, helped with menu items, attentive, not annoying. i ordered a shell pasta with sausage and peas in a cream tomato sauce - it came shortly after, piping hot! large portions (i will have the rest today for dinner), great sauce that had tons of flavor but wasn't heavy. my boyfriend had the lobster ravioli special, which he loved! large chunks of lobster, hot, delish too! this place is great for date night, or taking out of town family to a nice but reasonably priced dinner. i will be returning soon soon!
(5)Matilda E.
Amazing Discovery! My boyfriend and I decided to go for a walk & have dinner at a nearby restaurant & we read the menu posted in the windows & gave it a shot. The Chickin Vesuvio and the Penne all Vodka were both delicious. The service was quick & pleasant, they refilled our waters & brought us more bread right away. Would definitely recommend to friends. We are happy to have found our new neighborhood spot! Will be coming back soon :)
(5)Zac K.
Well, I really wanted to like this place, but just wasn't anything worthwile. the ceilings are cool in here, but I don't know, wasn't sold. started with soup, which didn't have much flavor to it at all. Then moved onto the pasta. The pasta itself wasn't that bad, but the sauce was like blech! I think prego is better. The date had a different selection that also wasn't great. so, would I comeback here, probably not. Is it horrible? no....
(2)Ash M.
I've been here twice, once as part of a table of 12, another time as part of a table of 10. The food was great both times, and the service was attentive and outstanding. I never had to pour my own glass of wine or signal for a server at any point. For some reason this place seems to be a hidden gem- not too busy even on a weekend night. I guess if you just want good food and great service, and you're not looking for a "scene", then this place is an excellent choice. Oh, and the prices are great. Shared apps, entree, and more wine than I needed to drink for about $50/person including a generous tip for our server. I highly recommend it for groups, but its great for anyone looking for a quality quiet meal without any of that weekend nonsense you're likely to find at the other more trendy neighborhood Italian spots.
(5)Sierra I.
Went out for a spontaneous date with my husband, walked in and out of this restaurant because we had already bought wine to go to Pizza Rustica which is a BYOB. Walked all the way over to Pizza Rustica and it completely was not what we were expecting.. so we went back to Tutto Fresco. It's the perfect Italian ambiance except the tables aren't completely on top of one another which is great. The service was fantastic, although I would like to see what it's like when the restaurant is super packed. My water never went below half full, which is a big plus for me on service. We each had the mixed salad which was.. a mixed salad. Nothing special. I had the Spaghetti with clams, scallops and shrimp and it was fantastic! This is pretty much my staple dish, and I would compare it to the same dish at Scoozi or Sapori Trattoria. (two of our favorites) I was pleasantly surprised. My husband had the gnocchi, which he said was good but not great. He likes is gnocchi heartier and he said the sauce wasn't anything special, but it was still good. Our experience here was really great and we will definitely go back. Let's keep this restaurant in business!!
(4)Josh And Dawn A.
Small seating area, but did not feel crowded. In fact, since it was such a nice night they had their large front windows open to the street/sidewalk, which brought in a wonderful breeze. We were informed that it was half off wine bottle night (which really just brings the price down to retail, but still very nice!), so we began with a nice bottle of Santa Cristina. The table shared some bruschetta, which was small, simple, and very good. I had the chicken parm, which was a huge portion and extremely good! Wife had a special, which was salmon and steamed vegetables. She said the vegetables were fresh and steamed perfectly, and that her salmon was fantastic. Another at our table had tortellini with creme sauce, mushrooms, and peas. He almost licked his plate clean!! Service was top notch...my water was never below half full the whole dinner, and yet we did not get the impression that they were hovering over us. One of the best Italian meals we have had in awhile (probably since our last visit to Chicago!). Thank you Tutto Fresco!!!
(5)D S.
Love this place-everything I tried was fantastic. Great mussels and calamari, I had the whitefish for a main course and it was really nice. I tasted a fewif my friends dishes and they were great as well. Wait staff was charming and friendly. We had the homemade limoncellos to cleanse our palates after dinner-perfect!
(5)Jen R.
I've been to Tutto Fresco twice and plan on it again Thursday for their fixed menu. I guess it's a salad or soup or bruschetta, an entree and a dessert for 18 bucks! (They also have half price bottles of wine Mon. and Wed.) Each time we go here the wait staff is impeccable. Really attentive. I love the beautiful, calm atmosphere and love even more that you get bread with oil and parm when you come in : ) Pasta is delicious too of course. Most of all I think it's important to support these new businesses. Tutto Fresco is on a slightly rough part of the street and it really spruces up the neighborhood. I hope they can stick around!
(4)John L.
Had a groupon deal and tried it for the first time. Very good service by an older gentleman and even the bus boy was very helpful. The food was great. Very good solid Italian food. Definitely will go back.
(4)Richard C.
A charming, casual, neighborhood Italian restaurant. The waiters are attentive, but don't interrupt your romantic evening. White-fish with lemon caper wine sauce is excellent, as are the mista salad and antipasto. Wine is fairly price.
(5)Linda P.
Very average Italian food. Had a Restaurant.com coupon so it was a bargain but I would not go back. The mussels in white wine sauce were excellent and the service was good but the other two dishes, pasta with seafood and chicken vesuivo missed the mark.
(2)Kathryn F.
This is my second visit to Tutto Fresco, and I was equally pleased, along with my friend. The ambiance of the room is Italian with an accent of Mexico. Efram, the chef, makes fresh tomatoe sauce and their eggplant parmegian is delicious; the breading is light and the serving generous. My friend had the polenta with portobello mushrooms, and the sauce was rich and flavorful. It's great to have an Italian restaurant of this caliber in the Lakeview area.
(4)Krystyna F.
My friend and I decided to try this place last night since we live in the neighborhood and noticed that it had just opened. We left very unimpressed. The waiter was very attentive and the service was good, but we could not say the same for the food. She ordered the gnocci and I had the chicken parmesan. My chicken was big enough for 2-3 meals and tasted a little soggy. I also thought it was odd that it was served with mashed potatoes instead of the usual spaghetti. My friend's gnocci also seemed a bit overcooked. It was ok, but definitely not memorable. For dessert we ordered the tiramisu and neither of us finished it. For us not to finish dessert is nearly unheard of, but it was too bland and unsatisfying. We both agreed that our favorite area Italian place Sapori is much better, and we will not be coming back to Tutto Fresco.
(2)Carolyn B.
I don't understand the positive reviews here at all. Went here for my birthday. On a Saturday night. We were the only customers. Service was slow, in spite of noone else there. Food was DREADFUL. 5 out of 6 of us had a couple of bites then gave up. When the waiter came to clear our plates he didn't even ask how it was. We left around 9.30 and all the staff were standind round the bar, didn't look up as we left. With all the choices in Chicago, this would be my last. Don't do it
(1)M P.
A great find in the neighborhood. Nothing outlandish or crazy, just really really delicious italian food. The waitstaff isn't the most polished, but you can get a bottle of wine for $15. Plenty of veg options. I'll definitely be back!
(4)Liz S.
Delicious food, very friendly staff, and very reasonabley priced. The tortelli in cream sauce is my favorite although their calamari and brushcetta are great as well. I drive by this place a lot and it makes me sad to see so few people there. I really hope it stays in business so I plan on stopping by more often!
(4)Sherry G.
Went here last night with two girlfriends to use my Groupon and we had an excellent dinner!! We started with the fried calamari (delicious) and a bottle of wine, for dinner two of us had ravioli (pumpkin for a friend, lobster for me) and the other had a ground sauage and shell pasta (which was a huge portion so she got a lunch out of it too). We all sampled each other's dishes and they were quite yummy (although I think mine was the best!). The staff was really nice and attentive, our server was going over the specials and then told us they could make any type of sauce/pasta combo that we wanted. We all ordered straight off the menu but I appreciate places that don't bat an eye when you want to create your own dish. The server also had no issue applying our Groupon and then splitting the remainder of the bill on 3 different cards. Not the fanciest Italian resturant on the block - they could use a little more work to the interior, but definetly one I would recommend and will return to!!
(4)Happiness L.
Yummy food and cute intimate restaurant. Service was very friendly too. Get the grilled octopus and the most amazing tiramisu I have ever had. I believe they mentioned a special cake they do for the weekends. Portions are large and very delicious and I look forward to a return visit.
(4)Kimberly R.
Bought a groupon to this place. Beware the hours on their website are not accurate. I arrived at the time of my reservation made on open table and they were not open yet. However, I knocked on the door someone answered and they let us in. We had to wait a little longer because the kitchen was not open. Overall the food was good and the service was even better.
(3)Erin G.
Why does this have four stars? Yelpers, you have mislead me!! We walked in on a weeknight to a deserted, dead-quiet place. Thankfully they turned some music, on (Josh Groban) because that was awkward. Then the decor. Oh, the decor. So tacky, like white trash's version of Tuscany. Complete with those paintings with the lights in them. And the service--we had a hoverer. A heliwaiter, if you will. And I think our water glasses were filled about 17 times in an hour. Really awkward service that made us feel slightly uncomfortable and maybe...bad for them? They looked bored as hell with no customers. Perhaps they could have busied themselves cleaning, as there was something (wine or food maybe) splashed all over the wall. The high point was a half off bottle of wine, but it was presented really awkwardly like it was a fancy place. Not necessary. I guess I would appreciate it if I was a wine aficionado or something, but I just felt awkward and wanted to drink it. Don't really need to do the pour and try beforehand if it's like $10. The food was superbly mediocre. We were in the mood for spaghetti and meatballs for some reason, which was not very good and needed more, and thicker, sauce. Also got the chicken limone, which was like chicken piccata, and that was ok. Nothing I couldn't make at home and save $15. Vegetables with it were kind of awful. Not going to try again.
(2)Carla F.
What a charming place! I came on a week night and it was the perfect weather to be seated by the large, open window. And lucky for my family of wine drinkers, on Wednesdays bottles are half off! I could see this place being very appropriate for a date as it is a small, intimate setting and dimly lit. Our table shared the bruschetta and the mussels and both went over well with all. For my entree, I chose the Chicken Marsala which came with spinach. It was a good size portion and enough to have for lunch the next day. All of my dining companions had nothing but great things to say about their chosen entrees as well. Our service was good and we were treated well. I saw plenty of things on their menu that I would like to try so I can't wait to come back to Tutto Fresco!
(4)Jen M.
You have to try the tortellini soup. Very fresh and tasty... delicious on a cold evening! The chicken Parmesan is seasoned just right and a huge portion (comes with spaghetti, too.) I have ordered the caprese salad, mista salad, and calamari alla griglia and have never been disappointed! The staff is friendly and so accommodating. The restaurant is small and has a full bar! Being able to order on-line and pick it up is a plus! A great Italian, comfort food spot in Lakeview!
(5)Gessa S.
what i love about this place, is the fact that they give you a good amount of food, for a decent price. good portions, good service, and an all around good experience here. would make for a cute romantic dinner date in my opinion :]
(4)Ryan H.
My roommate and I finally checked out the new addition to our neighborhood based on her parent's emphatic raving about their great date-night here a couple of weeks ago. We went on a Wednesday, which, along with Monday, is half-priced wine bottle night. The wine list was varied yet manageable, and 3/4 of the listings were reasonably priced at $28/bottle (full price). The menu is also reasonable. The majority of dishes cap out at $15. I ordered the special Black Linguini with Seafood, my roommate had the Veal Parmesan. Both portions were realistically a meal plus lunch for the next day, but I could not stop eating mine. The service was exactly what I want in a restaurant; attentive yet not intrusive. Our water glasses were never empty, our wine glasses were always full, both feats managed without interruption of our conversation. I inquired about the ownership. It's apparently run by a chef/owner, our waiter was the owner's cousin. All in all, a great addition to our neighborhood and honestly, for the atmosphere and price, a rival to any of the better-known options downtown. I would defiantly recommend Tutto Fresco as a great place for a date or family dinner; anywhere where you want good food in an environment where you can actually hear your companions speak.
(5)Tricia W.
We get dessert takeout from here, best Tiramasu we've had in Chicago yet. Have eaten here once and it was fabulous as well.
(4)Dave G.
Stopped by Tutto Fresco tonight after hearing some pretty good things from my girlfriend and one of her friends. As a guy who has had both some good and bad experiences with Italian food both Internationally and a bunch of different places in the States, I'm always leery of food in this price range (and higher, for what its worth.) With all that said, Tutto Fresco is great bang for the buck for this local and menu. Both my girlfriend and I picked up the Thursday night $18 prix fixe three course special. She started off with the tortellini and spinach soup, which was nicely balanced and a great starter. I chose the buschetta, which was unobtrusive, light, and fresh. They do use raw garlic, however, which I find to be very traditional, but will leave your breath deliciously smelly. Second courses were chicken marsala and tortellini in cream sauce. My girlfriend measures a restaurant by their chicken marsala, and she raved about it. The chicken was cooked excellently and you could even taste a nice amount of wine in the sauce. When composed with a complete bite with the spinach, however, the salt on the spinach over powered the delicacy of the chicken. My tortellini was dressed with mushrooms, peas, and panchetta. I would have preffered to have some prettier pieces of mushroom and a bit higher ratio of panchetta to veg, but it was a very good tortellini dish, from my experience. When I cook my own cream sauces, I prefer them to be a bit thicker, but it was a very good balance since it wasn't so runny it left a puddle in the dish, but it didn't cling and clump to the small pastas either. We each got the canoli as our dessert, which we've both had before. These portions are a bit smaller than their standard size, since this was the three course menu, but they're also really, really good. The best canoli I've found in the Lakeview area. I'm definitely planning on going back on a Tuesday or Thursday night to try some of the other dishes. They also do half-price wines on Mondays and Wednesdays!
(4)Dawn G.
Went to meet my friends there for a birthday dinner - a Saturday evening at 8:00. We were the only patrons. There must have been some serious changes in staff as something was definitely wrong. Awkward staff - salty salty salty food. A spinach-stuffed butterfly shrimp dish which, due to the fact that the shells were still on, closely resembled a plate of trilobites. Ended the evening at a tavern with a beer and plate of nachos...
(1)Sarah K.
This place is lovely--talk about old fashioned, personalized customer service! We were treated like family and even saw a little girl putting up valentine's decorations on the walls later in the evening--so sweet. They bring you yummy bread, olive oil, and parmesan cheese to start. We started with the tortellini soup and the bruschetta, both of which were great. For our entrees we had the eggplant parmesan and the seafood risotto. The risotto was creamy, but the shrimp could have been more interesting. The eggplant was pure deliciousness. The servings were HUGE and we had plenty to take home. We finished with the cannoli and gelato. I asked for two flavors of gelato and our server said that it was only one scoop and then slyly said he would see what he could do. He returned with two smaller scoops with whipped cream and a lady finger in a cute glass. THE FACTS: Tuesday and Thursday night $18 prix fixe Prix fixe includes choice of several appetizers (soup of the day, tortellini soup, salad, or bruschetta), any pasta or chicken dish on the menu (also can order seafood pasta or fish dishes for an extra $2), and dessert (cannoli, gelato, sorbet, and spumoni).
(4)Chris B.
What a charmer! My first visit to Tutto Fresco was for an early dinner to make a play at 7 at Strawdog Theater, directly above the restaurant. Although I'm sure they get a fair amount of business that way, I'd go back on my own to try other items on the menu. My guest and I shared a generous Caprese salad and the dinner special of the day--a spinach-stuffed chicken, topped with mushrooms, sun-dried tomatoes and a Marsala cream sauce. It was delicious! We had a traditional cannoli and coffee for desert that sealed the deal quite nicely! Good to know there is an Italian restaurant in the neighborhood that can deliver such great-tasting food. The service was gracious and friendly; the ambience acceptable--the paintings of villas with the actual lighted windows are way tacky but somehow endearing!! Good first impression.
(4)Gayatri S.
I've been to this place twice. Once with a larger group of ten and once for a quieter dinner with a friend! Both times, the service was very good. The staff was extremely attentive! I reached the restaurant around 7:30 pm and awkwardly waited for my "ever tardy" friend who shall remain nameless!! The server made sure I had water, got me some fresh bread (hot) with olive oil, kept re-filling my water....the carbs sure helped time pass by faster :-) I ordered the black linguine pasta with shrimp and salmon. It was simply delicious!!! The calamari was excellent! Monday's serve wine at 1/2 price off so a bottle of Malbec tastes even better :-) This is definitely a good value for money kind of Italian place. It does not have a very large seating area, so with groups it definitely gets loud. The food is dependable and every day of the week they have some discount specials on drinks and food. I would rate this place 3.5 for now....definitely a good choice for a peaceful night out !!
(3)Maureen L.
Food was super good! I got the fried calamari. It was so fresh and tender. It was one of the best fried calamari I've ever eaten. The marinara sauce it came with was also one of the best marinara sauces I've ever tasted. Must go back! The service was excellent too!
(5)Will K.
I've been meaning to try this place since I moved to to Lakeview and finally did for a date on a Wednesday night. We were the only table in the place and I don't know how that's possible the service was fantastic and the food was phenomenal. This place should be packed! I'm not one to write reviews but this place more than earned it, I'll be a regular there now.
(5)Jeff N.
One of the consistently best Italian places we have been to recently. Both times not crowded. We went at 6:15 on a Friday. Service is outstanding, both times. I had the black linguini with shrimp and scallops. Wow! Other meals amonth the 4 of us were Veal Limone, Whitefish and Chicken Vesuvio. Our friends loved their food, too. The dessers were very good, especially the Tiramasu which was very light. Meal prices reasonable. We'l be back.
(5)jason c.
Order delivery tonight from them and it was ok at best. I understand it was delivery but still. The calamari, which i expected to be the worst due to the fact that it was delivery was the best item. Pasta was ok, kinda bland sauce. but the worst was the carpaccio, it wasn't what i expected and probably would have been better dining in. I might give them another try dining in but not for delivery unless i stick with safer items.
(3)Anthony B.
l really wanted to like this place as it is in my neighborhood but I just can't. I took a date here for Valentines Day and right off the bat I regretted it. There was a bug in her water, and my chair was so wobbly I thought it was gonna break so I had to ask for another one. Got another chair and it was worse. They apologized and said they would test out another one and get me a new one which they never did. Finally after 20 minutes they took our appetizer order. That took a half hour to come out and then we placed our entree order while waiting to save time. We were assured our food would be "right out" which it wasn't. Our original reservation was at 8pm I don't think we even ate our meal until 930 pm as we were done with dinner at 10. Our server was fine, pretty attending to us though we had to ask for bread initially and water. They had a complimentary chocolate and strawberry bar which was nice but the food was very mediocre Italian food. We got the chicken marsala and eggplant parm Even the cannoli we ordered was just ok. I understand they were slammed due to it being Valentines Day and they were apologetic that there were tons of "to go " orders and they were backed up, but I have little sympathy since they knew it was Valentines Day for months to understaff it like that. I likely won't go back here unless I feel like I am craving Italian and don't want to travel far.
(2)Natalie F.
I really liked this place, its so nice to have another restaurant on the North side and one of quality! Tonight was half off wine bottles. Fantastci selection. The menu is diverse and not huge which I loved. The sauce was not to much and just right. Service was excellent, the waiter was excited about the special and really went ouf of his way to steer me in the right direction of what I wanted. I am the worst at making up my mind. dessert was fantastic and I really liked they have a special along with daily staples. This is a cant miss for sure!
(5)Ciel D.
We were the only people in the restaurant when we went in, so we had the undivided attention of the waiters, which was very nice. The food was excellent, the house wine delicious. The only reason I didn't give 5 stars was that they are a little pricey. But I have to admit, it's worth the money, just be fore-warned.
(4)Chris S.
This was the first time I'd been to Tutto Fresco. I have lived in the neighborhood for 6 years and finally decided to give it a try when they offered a Groupon. We went on a Thursday night and there were 4 tables filled with a couple people at the bar. It was just enough to be intimate yet not too awkward. Wine was $7/glass, $14/.5 Liter and $28/bottle in most cases. I had the Risotto Tutto Fresco and it was very good. Risotto topped with spinach stuffed shrimp. I believe there were 6 shrimp. $16 The service we received was outstanding. I did not catch the servers name but he was an older man with an Italian accent and he was just wonderful. Made us feel very at home. I would probably give Tutto Fresco 4.5 stars, but I'll round up. I will be going back in the future and dinner with drinks can be had for 2 for around $60 with tip.
(5)Venetta L.
This place is incredibly charming. It's in the old El Mariachi space in what some people would call Broadway's Theatre district (not so much, but go with it) across from the ever so lovely Hotel Chateau across the street. Recently, El Mariachi, in the new location has been very busy. When I've walked by or stopped in for drinks, the place has some followers. Hearing that they are the same owners, I would assume one would help market and drive traffic toward the other. Tutto? Again, not so much. My friend and I were excited to go as it's only been open for five months and we're both crazy for Italian food. Went on a Monday night. Bought a bottle of wine for half off - not too shabby. Ordered the calamari, I've had much better, they weren't even worth the time it took to squeeze the lemon over them. I had the Tortellini ala Crema - excellent if you love white cream sauce on your pasta. Friend had the Gnocchi with red sauce, and she too enjoyed it.. Our waiter, Fernando was great. Charming accent as some other Yelper's noted, and just all around good service. Yes, we were the only table in there, all night. We arrived at 6:30 and left at 9 (yes, I know, that's too long but we were drinking wine). I would highly recommend people to check this place out. With a couple of patrons a week, they won't stay in business. There food is great, the service better than most restaurants as well, and the people of the North Lakeview/Buena Park neighborhoods complain that there aren't any options. Well, here is an option. And by the looks of it, too many people opt-out.
(4)Dane K.
We started off with the portobello polenta. The sauce on it was great... really great. I had the chicken Vesuvio, a Chicago classic. It typically is baked with a crispy skin, but theirs felt like it was deep fried almost... It was good, but didn't have much in the way of sauce and no green peas or any vegetable w/ the potatoes. The waiter told me it was the "Italian" version (as opposed to the American), but I'd be surprised if such a thing exists since the dish is believed to have been invented in Chicago.. Our waiter was good for the most part. He had a very thick Italian accent, which felt authentic while also making it at times hard to understand. The wine menu didn't have much in the inexpensive category, they could really use some improvement there... cheapest bottle was a Robert Mondavi Pinot Noir at $28... we had two. it came up on my credit card as el mariachi, so not only is it in their old space (which they didn't change much other than painting) but probably is owned by them.
(4)Chicago D.
This place is right around the corner from me and I can't get enough of it! Because my family is italian and we make a lot of our own food (gnocci, spag sauce, ravioli, etc), I typically have a difficult time going to an Italian restaurant and walking away feeling like I had a good meal. Usually it just tastes like food that surely came out of a can. My first time here, I tried the spaghetti and meatballs to get a gauge of how this place might fare. To my surprise, it was amazing! Very flavorful!! My ultimate favorite and staple there, however, is the Conchiglie (not sure of spelling). An amazing blend of sausage, peas and pasta with a creamy-ish red sauce. Simple amazing! I recommend this place to everyone and the typical response is "Is it any good, really? It never looks busy." I think it's still relatively new and hidden, so it's not getting the traffic it should. Definitely stop in and ask for Manuel.
(4)Lindsay V.
The staff was friendly and inviting for the most part. I love the location of this spot and the environment is inviting (decor is delightfully a little bit tacky). It was Wednesday, so house wine was half off. Calamari was not greasy and melted in the mouth--done just right. I had the tortellini de crema fresca (i believe that was what it was called?) and it was delicious. Tortellini noodles, peas and pancetta with mushrooms--all in a tasty white cream sauce. The crusty bread the started the whole experience off was even just right--crusty enough and served with some good olive oil! mmmm...olive oil. I hope this place manages to survive the recession--I think it could blossom into a great little spot for italian at a reasonable price!
(4)Jack B.
Went here on a Tuesday night for the prix fixe and had a nice, leisurely dinner. Good bruschetta + very good risotto (huge portion) + tasty spumoni + complimentary limoncello = very enjoyable evening. The space is small, and the service was a tad slow, but it all kindof coalesced into a nice "you're part of the family" Italian restaurant experience. The $18 prix fixe was a good deal for the portion sizes and food quality, but after we had a couple of bottles of wine, it ended up being less of a bargain. Liked: $18 prixe fixe menu, relaxed atmosphere, complimentary limoncello, quality food. Dislikes: not BYOB, somewhat slow service. Would go back!
(3)Ashley K.
Not too many places you can just show up with a group of 8 and get a great dinner. Kudos for that. But watch out for the add ons! When ordering your main meal, the server asks you if you want soup or salad, so you figure that comes along with dinner like at other places, right? (Ahem, Olive Garden.) But apparently it's an extra $5 per plate depending on which preference.... shady! And, anybody that got the spinach had intestinal issues the rest of the night, which is less than pleasant when you are in the middle of a show at the theater... :(
(2)M R.
I was really impressed. I had the pumpkin ravioli and it was very good. I could not taste the pumpkin, but the ricotta cheese inside was the freshest I have ever had. Service was wonderful. I felt treated like I was at a 5 star restaurant. Hope more people go here so it stays open.
(4)Bradley S.
I went for dinner this evening with my other half. It was good. It could be better. The points lost were due to saltiness for the most part. (I'm really not a salt person.) I'm also allergic to shellfish which seemed to really limit my options here. We started with the portabello and polenta which was very good. My partner had the chicken parmigiana and I had the chicken Marsala. His entree was ever-so-slightly over cooked but otherwise very good. Mine was tasty albeit too salty. I have to give the proprietors props for what they did to the space. It's unexpectedly upscale for being across the street from the Chateau. The service was four star. The pastas looked very good...we'll be back. I'll be reporting again soon.
(3)Derek B.
While it may be confusing to find the front door, once inside this Italian Restaurant seems to be as authentic as it can get. All the menu it's are well priced and well portioned, the wine list is fantastic and offers something for everyone. While our appetizer was not the best thing on Earth, or entree's of Rissoto and Chicken Parmasan were very good.
(5)Julia W.
I was so excited to see this space finally being filled! And with a lovely little Italian restaurant, no less. Hubby and I came here for date night. Space is small and quaint, but lovely; definitely fits the neighborhood. Very clean and relaxing atmosphere. The staff are all very attentive and took time explaining the menu and the specials and even made a few wine recommendations. I had the ficulle primavera with the pomodoro sauce, which was excellent. And hubby practically inhaled the white fish he ordered. The dessert menu was tempting, as we saw this lovely looking plates being brought to other tables, but we were both just too full. Maybe next time... The only thing I'm not a fan of is how they split the area in to half dining room, half bar. It's just not the sort of place I'd see people going to drink, and the flat screen tv looks odd next to the paintings of italian landscapes. They should have just used one big room, imo.
(4)Brett R.
So we decided to try a new place the other night thats only a couple blocks from our house. I have to say, there were some very good points and some not so good. I had the chicken parm which honestly tasted like it was prepacked frozen and then cooked to order. Just didn't really have that fresh taste. My wife loved her dish. She had the Chicken Vesuvio and it was ALOT of food. The bread was unedible because it was so hard. We will try again but next time with a groupon.
(3)Sally S.
Excellent food at very reasonable prices. The only thing Tutto is missing is atmosphere. It is in desperate need of new decor! and sadly, the place is never busy! I hope people continue going here so they stay in business!! Great neighborhood spot!
(4)Liz P.
I had an enjoyable time at Tutto Fresco. The wine was good, the bread was warm, and the penne alla vodka was simple yet good. I had a bite of my mom's risotto and that was good as well. The decor is a little tacky but it's still kind of charming. Authentic Italian waiter was pretty cool. Not the best Italian food I've had, but very good. I would definitely come back.
(4)Bobby M.
Great food... the white fish, lobster ravioli, and spaghetti is amazing. try this place. The waiters can't speak English very well.
(4)Kristen L.
We just moved to the area near Tutto, and were looking for a new Italian restaurant. I had purchased a groupon for the Italian restaurant on Sheridan and Irving Park but was sadly, sadly disappointing with the quality and taste of the food. While the atmosphere was cute, it didn't past the taste buds. We found Tutto randomly, walking around the neighborhood and ended up ordering through Grub Hub a week later. IT was delicious. The price and portions were great, as well. I have not eaten IN Tutto - but we've ordered out several times now and are glad to say we've found our new Italian eatery. The Linguini with Clams was FULL of tastey clams - my seafood snob of a boyfriend couldn't put it down. The Gnocchi was great too. I definitely recommend eating here or ordering out from here. You won't get better in the area for the price!
(5)