Absolutely an amazing place. I had the pancetta wrapped scallops and shrimp that was to die for as an app. Then came the combo 1/2 main lobster and filet that was finished off with a chianti sauce. The meal and service was legendary. Looking for that perfect meal for a special occasion or business meeting, this is the place. They will even pick you up at the local hotels in the area. A must if you are in the area.
(5)
Quentin M.
Overpriced,thumbs down,one of the worst I have had in a long time and expensive.There was four people and nobody was very happy with their meal.I had the Wild Boar sausage and pasta which tasted like Italian sausage to me and I have eaten wild boar,what cost $200+ we could have had at any diner for $50
(2)
Ericka A.
I was working in the area and decided to give Carlucci Rosemonti a try. I really enjoy Italian food and I tried some delicious things at a Yelp Elite Event I attended at the Downers Grove location a few years back. I was seated quickly and everyone who worked there was pleasant, but the staff seemed a bit confused. The service lagged in some areas and dishes were brought out to the wrong tables. They had one man whose job appeared to include bringing bread to diners (I didn't see him do anything else in the bar area while I was there), but he was very hesitant about it and it made for an awkward experience. I ordered a cup of hot tea and a Frutti di Mare "pizza." The tea was bland and the pizza was pungent. It reeked of fishy smell, and not in a good, fresh way. It also came in the form of flatbread, which was stated on the menu. However, I wouldn't even have called it flatbread. The bread portion was incredibly thin and didn't hold up to the sparse toppings. It came out cold and I had to send it back to be reheated. Even then, it remained somewhat cold, with congealed cheese. I can't imagine there were more than two entire muscles on the whole "pizza." It looked as though they shredded their seafood into tiny, overcooked, rubbery pieces and then sprinkled it lightly across the paperbread. I tried two party-cut slices and was done. I had it boxed up and gave it to my fiance when I got home. He tried it and declared it to be inedible, so I know I wasn't wrong in turning my nose up at it. After tax and tip, the meal came to $25. I was so disappointed in Carlucci but actually angry at myself. I've been watching my spending, so to throw that much money away on a horrible meal left me livid. If this was any indicator of their other dishes, you'd be better off hitting up an Olive Garden.
(1)
Tracee C.
The food was good. I got the frutti de mar which was delicious. It seemed a bit overpriced. And our server was inattentive and rude. But again. The food was good.
(3)
Seth R.
No complaints and very nice decor. Food was prepared perfectly and very tasty. Hostess & Servers were great and attentive. Only downside was that due to it being in a hotel - bathroom location was a bit far from restaurant. Overall great food and I'm stuffed!
(4)
Ashley A.
My husband and I recently stayed in the area for our one year anniversary weekend. We got a deal for dinner here and then a show at the Zanie's in Rosemont. I can't remember exactly, but there was a percentage off our dinner bill. The restaurant has a shuttle van picked us up from the Crowne Plaza Hotel and then dropped us back there after. Super nice since we didn't want to drive since we wanted to split a bottle of wine with dinner. However, I do remember the van could have smelled better... The ambiance is great and feels very welcoming. We got a corner booth and our waiter was attentive and friendly. It wasn't too loud so we were able to really enjoy each others company without the noise of everyone else there. Both meals, appetizers and dessert were great. I can't wait to come back for another good meal. Since it was our anniversary we decided to splurge on our meal. The prices were high but that was to be expected with house nice this place is. On a really high note, as we asked for our check our waiter told us it had been taken care of, but he couldn't divulge who had covered our bill. We later learned it was a friend of ours who called ahead to take care of it. It was very nice that this place was able to accommodate that and it made our night all the better! I can't wait to go back!
(5)
Angela D.
Excellent bread and oil variety, quick service and good food. I went for lunch on a Tuesday. Service was super quick and good. We enjoyed some varieties of bread with oil and vinegar. Bread was awesome. I ordered the angel hair pasta with broccoli and shrimp. It was a perfect lunch portion and full of shrimp. The other entrees ordered were the gnocchi and Cobb salad. They both received fair reviews. My only wish was for a homemade pasta and a server who wouldn't rush the meal. When I'm done, you will know. Overall a pleasant dining experience!
(4)
Pete S.
Had been a while since my last visit - this time I took my 70 year old aunt and 90 year old grandmother for a late lunch. The staff did a great job treating them like queens (they loved it!). Food was good, from the grilled octopus app to the pasta with sausage and brocollini. Good stuff!!
(4)
Timothy H.
When I first dined here back in 2000 everything on the menu had that "wow" taste. You could point at anything on the menu and it would be 5 stars. The past few years, while the food is still good, I would say that it has lost that "wow" factor. The food here is a solid three stars. I'll be honest though, as many others have stated, after you eat and the bill arrives, there is that nagging feeling of, "not worth it". Of everything on the menu, their appetizers are my favorite. The fried calamari and bruschetta are great. We have also ordered their Margherita pizza as an appetizer because it is also very good. Just keep in mind, as a friend of mine has told me more than once, "the appetizers are always good, even when they're not all that good...because you're hungry, and everything tastes good when you're hungry". All in all...this is not a place to go if you're dining on a budget. Look out if you're ordering drinks, beer, or wine...that'll easily tack on $20-$40 to your bill. One element that hasn't changed over the years is the service. They still have excellent service. If you order appetizers, drinks (2 per person), entrees, and dessert w/coffee or drink...plus tip...count on spending $110-$150 per couple. You can also do the following if on a budget: Substitute alcohol for soda or coffee, skip the appetizer (because you still get a bread basket), share a dessert (I recommend the tiramisu), and order a modest pizza or pasta bowl. If you go that route, including tip, two people will spend around $60-$80.
(3)
Matt C.
Calamari and Chicken Parmesan are wonderful! A great restaurant near the O'Hare International.
(5)
Melissa D.
Definitely one of my top choices in the area. Very attentive and friendly service from the entire staff. Our waiter was extremely knowledgable about the menu and wine list. Our meal was delicious and cooked to perfection. The wine selection is varied with very lovely choices. Just an overall great experience.
(4)
Casey C.
Attentive service. The food was good. I enjoyed the seafood ravioli. They made an off menu getti and meatballs for my kid. Desserts were stellar.
I would not recommend this restaurant to my friends. The Caesar Salad was great (but really... How hard is it to screw up a salad?) The mains we ordered were the " Filettino di Manzo con Gamberi" (the 5oz filet) and my friend ordered the "Fettina di Vitello" (nature fed veal cutlets). When my main came, I was the least bit impressed. The filet was so dry and not cooked to my order (I had asked for medium to medium rare)... It was more like well done with a bit of pink right in the centre. My friend enjoyed his veal but said it was quite dry as well. We didn't finish our meals but we happily finished our bottle of wine. Overall, I wouldn't come back.. The only plus to Carlucci's Rosemont is being so close to the airport hotels.
(2)
Hari M.
Great food. Appetizers to dessert. Pricey? Yes. But worth every cent. Good wine selection and service. Waitresses may is better off with some more knowledge on wine selection. But I overlooked it. Will be back if I am in the area.
(4)
Margie C.
The food was excellent can't say a bad thing about it! But the service was ok we went here with a large group and the waiter seemed annoyed and did not want to deal with us. Although in the beginning he was very friendly but towards the night his mood changed. I would def come back here for the food!
(3)
Laura H.
Just finished Easter brunch, very disappointing. Food on the buffet was dry, and the service was terrible. We had to ask for water refills, he didn't put in our omelet order, and we basically felt ignored for two hours. For $45 a person and a fixed service charge, this was not the experience it should have been. I'm giving it two stars only because they had the Easter bunny there for the kids.
(2)
Jen D.
The food was fantastic. I had the lamb shank and it was falling off the bone to perfection. The polenta was a bit firm, but overall I couldn't stop eating my meal. Our waitress was awesome. Attentive and friendly. Would definitely return
(4)
Rhonda G.
I found a place that has replaced my beloved Olivetti's. Can't get the spaghetti and meatballs, but it's okay. I had the most exceptional veal marsala with a mushroom sauce. After 4 pieces, I just laid back in the chair. It was also accompanied by the best sauteed spinach with thin garlic slivers, I've ever had. They really should make it the vegetable of the day all the time. In the right weather, sit on the gorgeous patio. We missed the heat by a day. The waitress was from Europe, very professional, helpful, and a living doll. I can't wait for the next trip. I wish the hotel I stayed at had a restaurant this exceptional.
(5)
Ebony K.
We always make sure to come to Carlucci's whenever we are in town for our trade show. They are best known for not only their great Italian food, but for Linguine con Prosciutto di Parma e Basilico which is tossed tableside Inside a Fresh Parmesan Cheese Wheel. Sweet baby jesus that is some good eats! Although I was being good and had Pollo alla Vesuvio which was a Half Chicken Roasted with Yukon Gold Potatoes, Peas, Red Bell Peppers, and Oregano Garlic White Wine Sauce, I still made sure to have a taste of that yummy pasta bowl. The ambiance is nice but going to the ladies room is an adventure since it is outside the restaurant and over the woods to grandma's house ( well not really but it seems that far when you really have to use the restroom) All in all, we love coming here just to have a great meal before the start of our show. It makes for a nice "family" gathering and we always have a good time. I mean good food, good drinks, great people, what is not to like?
(4)
John L.
To put it simply Carlucci's is just okay. Service was very good but food was average and I expected it to be better. I could have had better meal for much less cost.
(3)
Mandy P.
Conveniently located pretty close to the Blue Line, I came to Carlucci for a baby shower. The service was pretty decent (other than the guy who smelled like cigarette smoke). Of course babies make me want wine, and the female server was able to pinpoint something on their wine list that was what I wanted. It was great that she was so familiar with the list. She was 100% accurate and I appreciated her interest in helping me find something I would like. The food was also good, though I didn't see the whole menu; just what was already pre-ordered for the group. They do catering/showers right! If I must sojourn to the suburbs again, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this spot.
(4)
Debbie C.
LOVE this place!! The servers were wonderful and always paying attention to when we need refills on drinks!! Food was terrific, has the Pesci dinner omg!!!! Must try!!
(5)
Peter g.
After reading a few reviews I was ready for anything, some great, some not so great, and a 3? I was not sure what to think so I went in mixed and came out happy. So right out, yes, its very busy and tightly packed, so noise levels are higher than other choices, but it was not small inside compared to many city places, just very busy and sound levels had to be expected to be high. I came here on a weeknight, and expecting it to be busy made a reservation and got seated directly with no waiting. (because it is in a hotel, I would guess they can get slammed internally so from the outside I would def recommend you make a res). We sat down and as my date had just gotten off a plane we did not take too long to decide on some choices. The bread came out but was not anything to write home about, so yes, here they could easily improve on the food, but after that everything was very good. Our server made recommendations, and even warned about how dishes were served in case we had different expectations, such as my pasta and chicken dish was in a lite tomato basil sauce, but it was not a hot red or even warm marinara, it was very lite and room temp tomatoes and basil, so her confirming it was a lite summer dish was exactly what I hoped to find but I can see how some would want a hot red sauce with more substance. My date had a seafood medley and it was very fresh. The Caprese salad came out after our meals, and she did not know how that happened but she fixed that with a free large Tiramisu at the end. (the tomatoes were very large cut and quite fresh and they had a small spring mix next to it so it was like a small salad next to the main salad, nice touch) The food time was not bad considering it was a full house, be prepared for a little wait and some tight quarters but the food is worth it. I would go again as long as I gave them a res and if you can ask for a rear or back table.
(4)
T Y.
Made a reservation here for news years eve dinner, with my wife, two sons, and my son's girlfriend. I have had bad experiences elsewhere on New Year's Eve, either being rushed through dinner or waiting for our table. Neither occurred here. We were seated upon arrival and The waiter was attentive, but Not pushy. We tested all aspects of the menu, from the tilapia, to the encrusted ahi tuna, to the veal, the lamb and the chicken parm. We kicked it off with calamari and salads. All the food was excellent. It's a little pricy, but I don't mind paying when the food and service are good.
Went here for a date night with my boyfriend this past weekend and our experience as a whole was great!! Made reservations for 7:45, walked in and got seated right away. Our waiter was great with answering any questions we had about the menu and making suggestions. We ordered the filet with crab stuffed shrimp and Pasta and chicken with vodka sauce, both were very good, great portion sizes. I liked that the manager on that night was walking around to all of the tables making sure everyone was having a good experience!!!
(5)
Maxwell G.
Whoa, this was terrible. I was in Chicago for a meeting and this place was recommended. Food AND service were no Bueno. The waiter had to come over 3 times because he forgot things (before food arrived). He finally came over bc he forgot what 2 of the orders were. When the food finally came, 2 or our steaks had clearly been sitting under a heating lamp for quite some time. The polenta was molted and gross. The filet was dry and over salted. I complained and the manager offered to replace it. I said no, because it took Soooooo long for the first order. He brought one out anyway. This time, it was fresh, but completely RAW in the middle (actually freezing cold). I like medium rare and sometimes rare, but this was raw. They brought out a free dessert, which wasn't that bad. Definitely NOT recommended!
(2)
M A.
I recently held a private event at Carlucci. John Campangna was very easy to work with setting up the event. He was quick to respond to emails, flexible with the pricing structure and available to help me set-up on the day of the event. Maj, our server did an excellent job of serving our group inobtrusively during the presentation. Everyone at the host stand is very friendly. The food was good and the room very conducive to our meeting, holding 17 of us comfortably. The flat screen tv looks much more professional for displaying a presentation than using an LCD and unfolding screen.
(5)
Pastor Andy G.
Pros: -Staff is friendly -Portions are pretty huge -We all got full after a few bites -Free wifi. Cons: -A bit loud -Expensive -Very tasty appetizers -The taste of the main course, however, was not as awesome as I was expecting for the price. (pork chops were either extra salty or too dry, Lamb didn't have much taste to it). -MSG ALERT! (It may not have been MSG straight out, but something about the food resulted in a similar MSG headache) --another element I would not expect from a place with $30+ meals).
(2)
Smith L.
Celebrated my husbands birthday here after he arrived at O'Hare on a Friday evening flight. Atmosphere in both the bar and restaurant were warm and inviting and wine list is reasonable. There were three of us and we shared the bacon wrapped scallop & shrimp for an appetizer and for entrees we had Tilapia, Lamb Shank, and Veal Marsala which were all excellent. A very good dining experience.
Ask for "Grumpy" for your waiter. Phenomenal waiter who never disappoints!
(4)
Kyle H.
Came to Carlucci's in the Marriott Hotel with a group of about 12 for a work dinner, and was incredibly impressed by the family style dinner and service. We reserved a private dining area, and it was set apart from the restaurant by glass doors- no noise besides our own revelry! We were well-taken care of all night, with course upon course, enough food to feed a horse! Pizzas, a very nice salad course, pastas, breads, and main entrees were all amazing. Our vegetarian diners found enough to their liking, and one even got to order off-menu and got her own big bowl o' pasta! I was kinda jealous, it looked so good. Staff is very knowledgeable about wine selection, and glasses were never empty, making everybody happy.
(4)
Luna M.
Have been here with co workers. Food is great. The steak salad is really good (but I suggest ordering the dressing on the side). They even have about 6-7 different pasta dishes (which cost less on Mon & Tues for lunch). I also look forward to seeing what their daily specials are. Server, Bill, makes our visit enjoyable. Love the decor, and during the summer, they have outdoor seating.
(3)
Keith F.
Over priced, only fair service The entree dinner (seafood) salad - generous portion of dry/stale seafood
(2)
Annie R.
My favorite spot for lunch on Mondays and Tuesdays, the half-off pasta days! The pasta is delicious, and very customizable. Be careful of the long wait for food, though. My lunches often end up being over an hour, even if I get seated immediately, because of how long the food takes.
(3)
Richard S.
Last night was my first and last time. While the atmosphere was full of life, it was noisy and difficult to hear others around the table. The restaurant is in a commercial building and the restrooms are located about 60 yards from the front door. The stalls were rusted on the bottom and I expected better from an upscale restaurant. As far as the meal, the waiter recommended the lamb, so I put my faith in the server. It was served with a brown sauce that had a good taste but seemed full of fat. I couldn't eat about a quarter of the portion. Additionally the polenta was cold and hard. In all, the experience was alright but the taste of the entree and the portion size were underwhelming.
(2)
Jaycee M.
This place is okay IF: 1) Your company is picking up the check 2) You can wait longer than average for your meal to be served (tasty when it does arrive, though) 3) You are okay with inconsistent customer service 4) You don't mind a really loud dining room 5) You happen to be in one of the office complexes surrounding it If these things don't apply, then PUH-LEEZE, venture out a bit of that 'hood and find a better place to dine. There are other places to choose from that are sure to fit your needs. If however, 3 out of 5 apply (with #1 being a must) then go for it. Since I visit a company within walking distance, I'm sure I will go back to Carlucci's ...when someone else is picking up the check.
(2)
Katie L.
Two stars only because I enjoyed my meal, but the service was terrible. My boyfriend and I are young--but our money holds just as much value. I ordered wine right at the beginning and did not get it until AFTER my meal, I would have asked our waitress to bring it but I think she came by our table once...to give me my wine and the check. The reason I bring up our age is because our waitress was very attentive to every table (with older couples) except ours, and my boyfriend and I felt she wanted to turn our table and get us out. I would have ordered dessert but between my boyfriends meal being cold, my wine coming so late, and the complete lack of service, we were too annoyed and left without any intention on coming back. Again, I'm not sure if our age had anything to do with it, but that's what it sure felt like.
(2)
Mitch K.
Hard to find as it is inside a bank logoed building in an office park. Signage is minimal. Has the potential for 4 stars, but fell short, mostly from the formula, pushy waitress offering her "favorites" as suggestions. Amazing that each of her favorites matched the specials menu! Simply amazing. If you can get past that phonyness you will find an excellent menu of options. Lots of great choices and variety. It is difficult to choose just which appitizers, salads, mains and desserts you will sample. One of the items was a pasta rolled around in an open pit ikn a wheel of cheese. Big yum there that you will feel like a sated and bloated richie. Very good. The veal dishes are supurb. The good old picatta with lemon and capers in white wine sauce can't be beat. Very classy place that is expensive and very noisy. Hard to talk across from each other. Give this one a try, if you can find it. They do offer a free shuttle if you are in the general area and THAT is the way to go.
(3)
Carolyn L.
I came here last night because Carlucci is one of the restaurants celebrating Chicago's Restaurant Week. I decided to go with the $44 menu and I'm so glad I did. I started off with a bowl of the minestrone soup (other option was salad). My mom ordered the salad as part of her $33 menu. Both options were extremely tasty and fresh. I love having fresh vegetables in my soup and there were big chunks of squash and zucchini. Very yummy. Next I had the pasta course. I chose the bow-tie farfalle with the creamy vodka sauce. It had shrimp, peas, and chili flakes. There was enough to feed the entire table so we all chipped away at it. I have to say one thing...Carlucci definitely knows how to do pasta! Next, our main courses came. I had chosen the NY Strip steak done medium rare. It was served with mashed potatoes (with skin bits in them) and roasted veggies. The steak was cooked to perfection but unfortunately the NY Strip is not my fave cut of meat (that would be Filet, of course, dahling). My dad ordered the Manhattan strip (a center cut piece of NY Strip), which was also very good. It was off of a separate specials menu. On his plate were also crab-stuffed shrimp and the ABSOLUTE BEST FREAKIN' PASTA we've ever eaten. It was angel hair with a light creamy citrus caper sauce. There wasn't a bite of food left on his plate by the end of the meal. That pasta made me believe in love again. I wanted to have babies with it. OK I digress...sorry for that image. My mother had ordered the veal strip steak as part of her prix fixe menu. It was tender and served in a marsala sauce. The mushrooms that were served with it were so flavorful and really added to the sauce. Everything was just plain awesome. Finally, we closed out the night with tiramisu and mascarpone cheesecake. The tiramisu was pretty good, but it's not my fave dessert. On the other hand, we couldn't get enough of the creamy rich cheesecake. I was so stuffed, though, that I took half of it home to enjoy tonight! Overall, bravo to Carlucci for participating in Chicago Restaurant Week 2011 and for producing such great dishes. It was such an enjoyable evening!
(5)
Len W.
I'm lucky enough to dine here during occasional business trips to the Windy City. I can't believe that I'm the (mobile app) check-in "Duke" of this fine Italian dining place in Chicago, when I live out in So. Cal (NOT "Cali") and only travel to Chicago 1-2 times a year. Carlucci's is aways booming busy at night, no matter what night of the week. No recession here! They do a fantastic presentation of their Alfredo Pastas - the hot pasta is brought table-side on a quarter wheel of cheese. The server scrapes the cheese and folds it into the pasta, then serves it on your plate (check out my photo). The veal and rib-eye steaks are pricey but outstanding. They have an extensive wine list that is very appropriately matched to their cuisine. I think its a privilege to dine here. Its especially convenient for people staying at the O'hare Marriott Suites - you can walk a few steps from the hotel lobby without stepping outside during chilly winter weather.
(5)
Paul K.
Overall, a good experience...........had a Caesar salad and the linguine served in a cheesewheel- there's no sauce, they just carve out some of the cheese and put it on the pasta. Very rich dish, but tasty and filling- couldn't finish it. Service was good but not speedy. Not a bad option when staying in the O'hare area........
(4)
Kai R.
It is hard to rate this place, because if you love carbs, this is your place. I didn't eat anything, but it looked good. This is a beautiful establishment, though.
(3)
Kevin T.
Carlucci is average--the food is decent, the prices are actually okay for the area, and the service works. That said, absolutely nothing about this spot "inspires" me. The menu is fairly dated, the bathroom is a 20 minute walk down the hall, the dining room is always a little too crowded and loud, and I feel like if Carlucci quit taking corporate credit cards, they would be out of business in ten minutes.
(2)
Melissa T.
Carlucci Rosemont is overpriced and unless someone else is paying- it's not worth it. I take that back, I didn't pay this time and I definitely won't be going back! AWFUL service and my girlfriend got sick after eating her steak pasta. STAY AWAY.
(1)
Nicole M.
I had the opportunity to dine here tonight for a work function. Everyone's meals were very impressive. The family style apps were great. Awesome wine selection and terrific dessert. Highly recommended for a large group Service was top notch and shuttle service was convenient to hotel. They've got it all going on.
(5)
Greg R.
I like Carlucci's. Yes, this is a restaurant that thrives on corporate clientellle,especially the trade-show set, but they deliver excellent food and superlative service. I've eaten there many times and have received consistently excellent service. The Ossobuco is very well executed; the marscapone pollenta is just perfect. Their Frutti de Mar is fresh and delicious. Margherita Pizza is simple and satisfying. My only negative was the risotto, which was overcooked this time. Their tableside caesar salad service is congenial and responsive to individual requests - I love their Parmigiano-Reggiano wheel. Caprese salad is equally good. When I'm on a high protein-kick, I particularly enjoy their Salumi e Formaggi which is a diverse presentation of cured meats and cheeses (a little different each time) that never fails to satisfy. Desserts were elegant and not cloying. Tiramisu is particularly good.
(4)
Jennifer S.
Busy, good restaurant located near O'Hare airport. I enjoyed the minestrone soup and the tortelloni - yum! My friend and I shared the apple and chocolate desserts...again, very tasty!
(4)
Phil S.
The only item that stood out of the plethora of dishes that we chose was the scallop appetizer. Fresh bacon wrapped scallops with a little bit of char to the bacon just melts in your mouth. The steak was good especially with their vesuvio sauce and the seafood pasta was good but nothing really justified the ridiculously large bill we received. Service was excellent with a genuine Italian with an Italian accent and humor but after the bill was paid he didn't even bother looking our way in case we might want something else. This is a great place to bring a date if you're looking for a more genuine Italian experience outside of the city but be prepared to pay.
(3)
Gina F.
My parents are big fans of this place, which is tucked away next to the Marriott in a building shared with a bank, so we celebrated their anniversary there. My husband and I arrived early & had drinks in the bar, which seemed nice, if nothing special, and was nicely decorated for the Christmas holiday. We had a party of 8 and were seated on time, in spite of one diner being quite late (though we ordered for him to keep the flow). We did a price fix menu and, for the price, it's an insane amount of food. Each person gets dinner, dessert, and an appetizer that could easily feed 2-3 people. This was my favorite part of the meal, so I was happy to devour it all. I love bruschetta, and theirs comes with fresh mozzarella & goat cheese. What more could I want? The entrees were pretty good--nothing super special. They had few vegetarian options (not my experience in other Italian restaurants) so I had eggplant parmigiana. My dad had the pork, which he found to be a little over cooked. My husband had the seafood ravioli, which were described as coming in a butter sauce. This conjured up visions of a light butter sauce, or brown butter sauce, but was in fact a thick, creamy, super rich sauce. He only ate 2 ravioli due to it's richness. Dessert was delish--choclate lava cake. Overall it was a good experience. The food was plentiful and pretty good. The atmosphere was decent, though on the loud side. The service was very nice, from the host stand, to the bar, to the server. The complimentary valet is a great touch. I'd return if my parents wanted to go, but I don't think I'd seek it out. It was good, just not "knock your socks off" good.
(3)
Greg S.
I've had the opportunity to visit Carlucci's Rosemont location on several occasions - dinner, lunch and a rehearsal dinner. Each dining experience was great. The staff was wonderfully attentive and the service they provided, tremendous. The menu is varied and the pasta dishes are light and fresh. Great venue for dining with friends or a corporate event.
(5)
Steve A.
Overpriced and food was mediocre.
(2)
Whitney S.
I went here with a large work party a few nights ago and I have to say, I've experienced better Italian in Chicago and probably wouldn't come back here. We had a private room and the food was served buffet style with servers coming around and taking our drink orders. The food was okay and the service was pretty good but with all the options out there, I would definitely recommend other places before I recommended Carlucci's. It was hard to find and the bathrooms were in a really weird, out of the way area. I did love the polenta balls and pear and walnut salad, however. But the pizza and salmon (like I said, I had a little bit of everything!) we're subpar. Kind of disappointing.
(2)
M D.
Anytime I'm in Rosemont on business, I make a point to have at least one meal at Carlucci's. The food is amazing, the service is delightful, the wine list is inspired. My favorites include the veal hangar steak and the special linguine. They also make a mean pizza. I have yet to try their desserts, but I'll be back in the area again soon. Yes, it's expensive, but if you're with a group and want to make a great impression, this is the spot. If you're alone and on expense account, dine at the bar - very congenial bartenders. Enjoy!
(5)
Andrea R.
Back in the day of long commutes (no fun) I had a few lunches here. And it was always a nice change from some of the chains (subway, baja fresh, etc) that we frequented. Years later I found myself back at Carlucci's, but this time in their private dining room for a good friend's rehearsal dinner. We wined (white for me) and dined on salad, pizzas, marinara and meat sauce pastas and chicken. It was served family style so we got a taste of everything. Probably a few too many tastes for the dress I wanted to wear to the wedding the following night. And eating a huge piece of tiramisu (mmmm) for dessert probably didn't help that cause either. The private room was a good size for the 60 or so people that were there and the waiters seemed on top of it, although my friends did have to ask several times for their pieces of tiramisu. I'm now lucky to have a very short commute to my couch so there probably won't be many future trips back to Carlucci's for me. However, check it out if you do happen to work in the area OR are looking for a private dining room in this area.
(4)
Peter R.
So yesterday we had an office party here after work. I still don't know what the occasion was for, but when free food and booze are involved you can expect 99.9% attendance. The restaurant is tucked away from River Road, its in the building right next to the Marriot Suites. We occupied a private room just beyond the bar. They had a nice appetizer spread with bruschetta, calamari, ravioli, various pizzas, and bacon wrapped shrimp. I am a firm believer in "bacon makes anything taste better." I am not a big fan of shrimp, but I found myself enjoying quite a few pieces. The other apps was just OK, nothing to get excited about. I will say that the bartenders hooked it up with the drinks. I ordered a Kettle and Tonic, and lets just say all I could taste was vodka. It got pretty crowded in that room, but the servers darted in and out of the crowd and made sure we were taken care of. The liquor and conversations flowed thru the night, and its nice to get to hang with my cohorts outside of work. This was a good place to have our office party and the service was excellent. I will have to try the actual menu if I find myself back, but I can't see myself going out of my way to dine here.
(3)
Daniel C.
Our flight was delayed into ORD and arrived a bit after their last kitchen order at 9:30 but they still took care of us. We had an interesting beer called Imper Ale. Wine was a reasonable priced Barolo called Monte Degli Angeli. Calamari was nicely done and pasta was right on. Everybody was happy.
(4)
Bryan B.
Carlucci still has it. My wife and I took cooking classes at Carlucci when Vince Tyler was head chef. We thought that the restaurant would tank after he left, but we were wrong. It's a good place to go pre-show at the Rosemont Theatre (now Akoo Theatre) or the Allstate Arena. All of the restaurants near O'Hare airport in the hotel zone are a bit overpriced, but this is definitely the best call for variety and taste unless you're into the boring steak and seafood places. If you have to/need to eat near O'Hare, this is it.
(4)
Candice G.
That review from Edward is extremely harsh. My fiance and I really enjoy this place. They go the extra mile in all aspects to make it a great dining experience. Apparently the guy got an inexperienced waitress that messed up but she was obviously new and people are human jeez. I find it weird to review a place that you did not even dine at, just upset about some wine. Anyways, I felt the need to defend this restaurant because the managers are simply amazing and truly make everyone feel special. The food is dynamite, I get the fish often which is great, but if you were good during the week and want to splurge on calories the pasta is extremely flavorful. Nice wine list, waiters that have been there for years and take their job seriously, great management, and excellent food. It's both our second time around in the marriage arena so my fiance and I want a small wedding and have thought this would be a romantic place, beautiful rooms. Don't be swayed by a couple negative reviews.
(5)
Three g.
This is a solid Italian place in Rosemont. The main reason most people would find themselves dining in Rosemont is because they are staying at nearby hotels... and Carlucci is certainly the best Italian restaurant in the area, and compares pretty favorably with some of my favorite Italian places in the city. I've been here about a half dozen times, always for business, and its always been a hit with my guests (those types that dont want Gibsons...). I'm currently scheduled to return with a party of 12 - and I'm quite comfortable that it will be a good to excellent experience for all. The food is very good - not great, but not an afterthought. Service generally has been quite good, and the waiters I have had have been quite knowledgable. I've never been with anyone who complained about the food or service, thats for sure. If your're in Rosemont and want good italian food, this is the place to go.
(4)
Chris C.
Update: Still pretty crappy. Unfortunately, their service just sucks and is ridiculously slow. They still have the 5.99 pasta lunch but they've reduced the number of options available. Boo.
(2)
Sandra B.
Being Italian, I am quite particular about the Italian food I eat. To be honest, I dislike most of it. I cannot say the same about the food at Carlucci. I've eaten here two times now and the food is absolutely delicious. The service is a bit slow and it is a little loud; if not for those two issues, I would have given 5 stars. I highly recommend it to anybody looking for great Italian food! Buon appetito!
(4)
Dave S.
I love Italian food! I am always on the lookout for new places to try. I was tremendously looking forward to trying this place out. I was not disappointed. Our server was top notch. Hew knew the menu inside and out and gave us some great suggestions. He was very friendly yet professional and he was very efficient. All of the staff here was very pleasant. From the initial look at the decor, I was expecting everyone to be much more formal so I was VERY pleased with how I was treated. We started out with the calamari which was really delicious. The breading was not very heavy and they were not greasy at all. For my main course, I decided on something basic: Rigatoni Bolognese. It was very good. The meat sauce had a good flavor and it was loaded with meat. It was a very rich sauce and filled me up very quickly. I really enjoyed my meal here and I will be looking for a reason to get back for more!
(4)
Z P.
Attending an annual trade show for the pet industry, we are left with very little choice to take our clients after the show. I booked Carlucci's for two nights. First, on FRI for a party of 6, then on SAT for a party of 5. Both nights we had a waiter named Rico who was very sweet BUT had zero ability to read the table and constantly kept interrupting whomever was speaking to either recite the specials of ask if everything was okay, or make some kind of crazy recommendation for apps. It made it really uncomfortable. Read your table, Rico! And nobody wants your waiter business card after the meal. That makes no sense. On the Saturday night, we sat outside where it was an unusual 79 degrees. Crazy weather for mid-October. I ordered the "special" salmon dish and was brought the wrong salmon. At first they denied making any mistake, and later admitted their error, and took it off the bill. I come from the restaurant biz, and my husband is a chef. At best, Carlucci's is pedestrian Italian food with absolutely no finesse. I am hoping to go to McCormick's next year with my clients.
(1)
Laine K.
The food is good. Not great. I went for a work-related thing and there was six of us. We knew a guy who knew a guy and that was the only way we got in so quickly (it was right after the close of convention). The server kept slopping water when he refilled the water glasses which annoyed me. We got calamari as an appetizer and for the first time in what seems like forever it WASN'T OVERCOOKED!!! Calamari was delicious!! I had the chicken parm which was very good and it was a huge portion. I didn't like the amount of provolone on the chicken but I liked the marinara (it was a little spicy, chunky and very tomatoey!!). The pasta was well cooked. Ambience-wise it was loud and busy. Not necessarily a romantic date place. Seems like more of a necessity place to eat since it's so close to the convention center. It was good in a pinch (we had only eaten pizza most of the day). I say try it if your stuck nearby.
(3)
Carol M.
Bridal Shower August 2011 25 ladies- Lindsey's shower Saturday was excellent. You were right- the room was perfect. I really thought it would be too big for the amount of people, but your staff spaced it perfectly. The food was exceptional. Your staff was polite and helpful until the end including helping loading the car! If you need a recommendation in the future, feel free to contact me. I will definitely use your venue again! Thanks again John!
(5)
Rebecca S.
Owner Graziano is nothing short of the best host in the Chicago area. Carlucci's is easily the best Italian west of the Delaware river. I was greeted with hospitality and service. Each employee whom I met embodied the pride they felt for their restaurant and their product. The daily gourmet special menu was mouthwatering with mentions of sockeye salmon, seasonal apples and the magical word "homemade." The waitstaff directed me to order my salad off the menu - I love arugula and tomato! I had an incredible entree of farfalle that was also a ravioli! Chef Alex is friendly and open to commentary while Cathy was an attentive helpful new best friend who gave me great recommendations. Check in here on every visit to Chicago to fuel your fire to take on the windy city!
(5)
Edward H.
My experiences here have been mediocre. I've come on lunch a few times in the past and have had mixed results. They frequently have pasta specials for lunch so it's easy on your wallet but the quality's extremely inconsistent. What I've really enjoyed here, however, was their grilled octopus salad. Each bite was succulent and had amazing grill flavor. The biggest turn off has been the service. The last server was scatterbrained and half-assed. He offered everyone a choice of black napkins but tossed a white on me - he told me it was because I had jeans on. The problem is I was wearing a black shirt - I spent the rest of the day walking around with tons of white lint all over my shirt. He also mixed up everyone's order leaving us to figure out who had what. Carlucci Rosemont is good for a quick lunch with low expectations. Definitely skip this place if you have someone to impress. Instead, go 1/2 a block off to Rosewood. You'll thank me for it.
(2)
Steven T.
Horrid....absolutely Horrid experience here. Do not eat here as a group, because our meals (mostly veal) came out sorely undercooked, and the staff couldn't care less. We ordered a particular beer, which they ran out of and they tried to pawn off another beer as the same thing (even though the second was a light beer and the second a dark one!) The only redeeming thing here was the pasta orrechiete with sausage, but I will never be back!
(1)
Renee M.
Came here with a party of 7 after a Illinois Pageant. We were promptly seated, the service was excellent. I love love love the seafood chowder.... my steak was cooked to perfection. My daughter had pasta & it was excellent as well. The prices are high, but you pay for what you get, & we got excellent service, awesome food and an overall great experience here.
(5)
Tom T.
My experience and review is based on a visit with ~20 business colleagues and was limited to a fixed menu. Service was excellent. Appetizer pizzas were exceptional. Pasta course was also very above average. Entree of NY strip steak was overcooked and cold when served (may be a function of trying to serve group of 20 simultaneously). Generally speaking a decent Italian food experience, but I have had much better. Ambiance was typical upscale dining (white table cloths, dark wood finishes, etc.).
(3)
J G.
Carlucci's food was amazing and the staff was great. I would recommend this place to anyone who wants to be catered to and get a great, fresh real Italian meal with a professional wait staff. Highly recommended...
(4)
Yuly M.
STILL think this place is overpriced. I mean $3 4 a 6oz cup of pop is just silly, but DAMN there pasta specials get me to come back. Next time I'll just order a cup of water. Which will probably b $2! If you don't like lunch rushes this is definetely NOT the place to go. 2 stars because the food is still good even if its overpriced and the service is fast considering they are jam packed!
(2)
Marc M.
Although business must be suffering because of the economy, this place remains one of my favorite places in Chicago for a business dinner - especially if you are near the airport. I stay across the street at the Westin hotel and can walk there (be careful not to drink too much because crossing back can be dangerous!). I would describe this place as a scaled-up version of Macaroni Grill. The owners of the restaurant may cringe when they read my review, but I think it is a pretty good analogy for the people. It is NOT a typical italian restaurant, but definitely has the influence. The steaks are very good, but everyone in our party tried different veal dishes. We also ordered sides, which were totally unnecessary since all of our entrees came with a couple of them. The asparagus side was our favorite, and the potatoes vesuvius was the biggest disappointment. The wine selection is good - not too big - and a pleasant selection of both inexpensive wines and italian wines. We had a bottle of the valpocella, which was unremarkable. Desert of raspberries in a cream tart was a good end to the meal, but the raspberries were not very fresh. Service was adequate, but not very friendly.
(4)
Eric X.
Family came here because they offer a shuttle bus to the Arena for events. But as we arrived, we were informed that the shuttle broke down last night and was not going to be running. Had they informed us ahead of time, we could have changed our res to a restaurant closer to the arena or made other arrangements. It was a selfish tactic to keep business on their part and they lose a star for this. Now let's talk food. The eggplant parmesean app was excellent with lots of intact crust to savor. Some of the best I've ever had. The surf and turf, a combination of skirt steak and crab stuffed shrimp scampi, was more hit and miss. While the shrimp were great, the steak was chewy and bland. The house zinfandel was awful -- Chuck Shaw is a better wine (yes I know it's a cab). For $8 a glass, they could have at least offered up a low end Ravenswood, Fetzer, or any number of good $10 Napa/Sonoma/Lodi Zins. Three stars if it weren't for the shuttle fiasco. They should have offered to pay our cab fare or comped SOMETHING on the bill.
(2)
David A.
What a disappointment. Had not been there for many years. Used to love this place. It now is an over priced production factory with high prices and average food. I will remember the old days fondly but will not go back. Gibsons is a much better local option.
(2)
Elizabeth T.
Dinner at Carlucci with a group of friends for New Year's Eve. Everything was "average". Nothing that "wowed" us. Food - Average. It wasn't bad. It wasn't "wow" either. Service - Our waitress was average. Maybe next time we'll ask for Grumpy based on other yelpers' feedback on Grumpy's great service. Ambiance - It was a fun place for New Year's Eve. Lots of diners & everyone was in a good mood. Washroom - It's weird how one has to exit Carlucci, and walk to a bathroom in another part of the building. Our experience wasn't bad/nor super awesome. It was average. Would probably not go back unless friends insist we go there or if someone treated me there for free. =)
(3)
Purvi R.
3 nights a week, I live across the street from Carlucci at the Westin O'Hare. As a result, I am a frequent guest / carry-out-er at Carlucci Rosemont. I've had very good, just fine, and so-so experiences. All this adds up to a solid 3 stars in my book. Very good are some dishes of note. In particular, the homemade basil linguini dish with fresh sage (yum!) is worth a try. Be sure to order the dish with LIGHT sauce (otherwise, you may find yourself with a massive pool of melted butter at the bottom of the dish). Also try the baby spinach salad. I still can't get over that orange vinegrette dressing and I have had it dozens of times. Another 'very good' is the ability to substitute types of pasta in any of their dishes, as each is made to order. This bodes well for me; it's so tough to eat healthy on the road, so the fact that I can get some simple whole wheat pasta and a salad is comforting. Just fine is the menu. It's large and diverse (even though it's Italian), and they always have many specials that keep things interesting. There's something for the healthy eaters and something for the indulgers, and everyone in between who just wants some good pasta. In typical American (esp Midwest) style everything is huge. They could back of portions (and perhaps prices??) and still fill the majority of their guests. So-so is their service. They are friendly enough, but more than once my meal has taken a long lonnnng time. And I almost always get carded for wine. This is flattering at bars and clubs. This isn't as flattering at a business-clientele-filled restaurant that I frequent. That borders on annoying. Since it is attached to the Marriott, it comes with hotel-restaurant prices, so be prepared for that. A meal with salad and wine, with tip, will still be around $45 or so. Fortunately expense accounts help with this in my case, but I wouldn't eliminate the suggestion of having a special meal here. Lord knows good cuisine is limited in this part of town.
(3)
Brooke S.
Had a fabulous dining experience for date night at Carlucci. It was my first visit, and will not be the last. We ordered a cocktail and an appetizer at the bar while deciding whether to dine in the formal dining room, or in the bar area. We opted for seating in the bar area, as the atmosphere was very cozy. The food was incredible! I highly recommend the Arancini appetizer- the bartender suggested it, and I know why! The Casalinga salad was amazing. For dinner, I chose one of the specials- crabmeat stuffed snapper, over marscapone polenta, with sauteed spinach and a lemon saffron butter. The portions were generous, and had tremendous flavor. I couldn't finish it all, so I'll be enjoying the rest tonight. Other people have commented on how the restrooms are down a hallway outside of the restaurant- to me, that wasn't a big deal, and would not stop me from returning. I can't wait to go back to try some of the other items on the menu!
(5)
Michelle W.
I have used Carlucci's twice for large work dinners - both times in a private room. They were accommodating to our party on both occasions (2 years apart) and understood our need to be minimally disturbed while still offering excellent service. The food itself was mostly very good - especially the pastas - though our diners found the steak served hit or miss. They had wines to fit our (non-profit) budget and palate. I would definitely use them again for a Hilton-centric event, though being outside the immediate area I'm not sure how they are for more intimate dinners. But given my past good experiences I would definitely give them a shot.
(4)
Molly O.
I organized a group dinner here for my executive committee. I called with pretty short notice for a dinner for 25 but they were able to help me. I chose my menu, the cheapest one is 4 courses, and emailed in my selections. I was all set. However, not once was it mentioned that there is a complimentary shuttle to pick you up from your hotel, my concierge told me this. Finally a couple of hours before dinner I got ahold of the restaurant and asked them to pick us up, which they did, which was very nice. I had arranged for a private room and asked for a room with windows. To begin with, the restaurant is in a business office on the main level. The main restaurant is in one room and the private rooms are little retail spaces that haven't been filled with anything else. We were in sort of alike a fish bowl. I didn't like it, but others didn't seem to mind. The food was good, nothing spectacular. They gave us the wrong dessert, tiramisu instead of cheesecake, but it was still good. I would go back for a group dinner, but not for anything else.
(3)
Edward S.
I went for dinner with a business colleague this past Friday and I was shocked! To start off we were seated near the entrance to the kitchen and all I heard was a server bitching about her job. The server came too the table and did not present a wine list so I had to ask for one. I selected one of my favorite wines (Duckhorn Decoy). Not an expensive wine but I wanted to have it decanted.The the server literally dumped the bottle of wine into a water pitcher. The explanation was that the server did know any better. We recieved what appeared to be yesterdays bread without any olive oil and I had to ask for grated cheese, which should be a staple. At this point I am mortified and go to the hostess stand to have a manager come to the table. In the meantime, a back waiter approaches the table with his tie undone and sleaves rolled up. The manager shows up and is the biggest idiot in food service I have every met (and I am a FB Director). I explained to him the basics of service and what the purpose of a preshift meeting and line up were. He expalined that he has given me a new server. What about training them in the first place. At this point I am leaving, I offered to pay for the wine that was opened, but thes only saving grace was that he said that he would take care of it (gee thanks..and buy the manager some collar stays). We left as I was afraid to witness what a travesty dinner would be like. Additionally, the service at the bar was great and the food good, but the bartender was complaining about her hours. That is a back of the house conversation. Interesting to know that they pay different for the day shift than in the evening. FYI..she was missing 3 hours of day pay Charlie, you and I met once and I must say you should be ashamed to put your family name on this cut rate restaurant.
(1)
Reed V.
Good food, but a little expensive for my taste! Has a nice, upscale atmosphere and the dinner servers are good. All of the bar tenders are good too (especially Rebecca and Eric!!!), and I frequently go during my lunch breaks and after work for a few drinks. Foreign and domestic beers are a little pricey. The food is good, and it's super convenient for me. If you are going for food, go on a Monday or Tuesday during lunch and get the $5.99 pasta deal...
(3)
Jackie N.
Visiting this place was always bittersweet for me because it usually meant I was heading on a jet plane and didn't know when I would be back (to Chicago) again. Though the circumstances weren't always ideal, I was grateful that the establishment was so close to O'Hare as the options are limited in that area i.e. fast food only alternatives. Considering the available choices, this restaurant serves pretty decent food. In fact some of the dishes are downright tasty. That being said, the prices are a bit exorbitant . However, the wait (if any) is minimal, and if you prefer not to spend mucho dinero, pizza in the bar seating area is always an option. Also, if you are dropping someone off at the airport and want to prolong the inevitable, there is a strange cement industrial park/ seating area near the restaurant that permits lingering goodbyes. Talk about warm and fuzzy.
(3)
Amanda C.
I came here for my college graduation and I enjoyed it. The place is a little over the top with the decor considering it is a casual place... But still nice! We got a little dressed up and I felt somewhat out of place :/ The place settings are formal along with all of the china that the food is served in. It did feel a little special, and I liked that since it was a special day for me! My family got a pick 3 type appetizer and it was amazing. Consisted of calamari and a few other things (cannot remember! Sorry!); I remember everything being very tasty! If you go definitely go with the pick 3 app! I got an alfredo pasta and it was delicious! The alfredo sauce was out of this world. The portions were a little small, which I found disappointing since most Italian restaurants give huge portions. At least it was good though! That is clearly what is most important :) A little overpriced and over the top, but the food was good :)
(3)
Mike H.
Good pasta lunch deal. The restaurant was quite busy but service was still good.
(4)
Steve M.
Attended a work function here last week and it was OK. It wasn't awful but it wasn't great it was just in the middle. There are so many Italian restaurants in the area it is very hard to find one any better than another. We had the bruschetta, and the calimari served in a tower which actually made it hard to get to. People trying to get food onto their plate was a little challenging. My main course was chicken ravioli in a veal sauce which was again just OK. The service was good. We didn't find it slow or fast. No one had dessert so I can't say anything about that. The wine list good but I am not a wine person. I probably wouldn't be back unless it was another planned work event.
(3)
Andrew S.
Had dinner there a week ago. The oven baked pizza was outstanding, reminded me of the homemade pizza my nani used to make. Great pasta. More than anything else, the service was truly top-notch. The wait staff that we had wereamong the nicest I can remember. And I get around. CeeCee in particular was very friendly and so were the others working with her.
(5)
cristene g.
Certainly marginal at best. The order was screwed up. The food was eh, and the service felt forced - like trying too hard. Maybe it was a Russian Italian accent. The table location was loud and bad as it was too busy and not conducive to the work we were trying to do. I'd expected better from my prior outings. Certainly missed the mark this time.
(2)
Kate S.
Very friendly and polite staff. Bar area is great. Quiet with booths that make it a great place to have dinner or appetizers and a drink with friends or on a date. Main dining room is very bright and very loud. I'll be back, but just stick to the bar. Free valet is a nice feature.
(3)
Tony D.
Great place for a business dinner. Food and service were great. A solid 4 1/2 stars.
(4)
TJ K.
A client took me here this past week and I enjoyed the food. The caesar salad was very good and the chicken entree was, too. I recommend the place!
(4)
Melissa H.
We went here for Mother's Day-my choice. It took forever for our waitress to get to our table to order drinks and greet us. I had my 3 yr old with, my Dad, and my boyfriend. I finally just got up and went to the buffet and served myself. I was disappointed there wasn't an omelette station. The fried chicken was dried out and the food was sub par at most. The apple juice my boyfriend ordered tasted like cider and after 2 glasses he said forget it. Then our check comes and they automatically added a $16 tip. For 3 adults and a 3 yr old? I commented to the hostess on the way out that we shouldn't be expected to pay for bad service. She just looked at me and we walked out. I would never go back here.
(1)
Oscar A.
For the price per plate, I was expecting a litte more. There are more options in the rosemont area for the price. Nothing special.
(3)
S A.
Good location for a flight out of ohare. Nice atmosphere and friendly staff. All the ingredients for a good dinner before travelling. Now the food. Ok at best. Pleasant but forgettable. Nothing offensive but you won't brag about this place. Had the special grouper with risotto. Fish a bit overlooked and risotto sticky rather than creamy. Sauce was passable but uninspired. Like I said...was a pleasant visit but could be so much more. Place was crowded so must be a demand they are filling.
(2)
Jennifer C.
An associate recommended this so I went with high hopes and was pretty disappointed. The server sucked and the service was slow. The pasta was dry.
(2)
Veganstylist W.
The food was nothing special. The order was mixed up. I asked for gluten-free pasta and did not receive it. I had a stomach ache later that day. My friends order was not right. She asked for mozzerella cheese and recieved goat cheese. It's not a restaurant I would return to.
(2)
Tony E.
On the positive side, the food is excellent, with the minor exception of the blue cheese salad dressing. I really want to emphasize that the food *was* truly delicious because I have a few negative things to say below. Overall, I think I could describe Carlucci's in three words: overpriced, overpriced and overpriced. Although the food was delicious, it wasn't a good value. The decor is, as another reviewer mentioned, similar to a glorified Macaroni Grill. For the price we paid I would have preferred a quieter environment. It was difficult to carry on a conversation with all the noise. Our waiter also seemed too busy to attend to us. A final minor negative point is that the restaurant was hard to find. It is located on the south side of the Marriot hotel.
(3)
Jennifer H.
This is simply not my kind of Italian food. Give me a tasty marinara, lots of cheese and some warm garlic bread anytime over what they have at this place! I ate here on a Tuesday night with several coworkers and it was very busy so apparently someone likes this style of Italian food it's just not me. The service was good and prompt. The dining room was crowded and rather loud. I had trouble deciding what to order because nothing on the menu struck me as particularly appealing. I finally decided on the tortelloni which was ok, but it was paired with a wretched butter sage sauce which was oily and greasy. I had to let the sauce drain off of each peice of tortelloni before I could eat it. Our appetizers were not stellar either-- calamari (average), carpaccio (I can't speak to this one because I'm not down with raw beef so I didn't try it), and bruschette (not very good). Apparently my tablemates were not very thrilled with their dinner selections either because no one was ooohing and ahhhing, "this is so good" or "you have to try this." If I wasn't there for a business meal I would have just ordered one of their pizzas. That's pretty hard to mess up. Bottom line-- this place is not worth the price unless you are particularly fond of this type of Italian food. I recommend checking out their menu on-line before you decide to make a reservation.
(2)
Bob C.
Great food. Great atmosphere. A repeat next time in Chicago.
(4)
Justin N.
Bar was okay, a bit slow and uncaring. Food was overpriced for poorly prepared stake and not so good seafood. Salads of all varieties were very good though. My biggest gripe is I ordered a 05 wine and didn't check the label, reading the cork after dinner it was an 08. Waiter feigned ignorance and said he would send over wine guy, never happened, waiter said he was unavailable. I didn't push the issue since I was in front of customers. Guess its my fault for not checking label. Can't believe I left such a generous tip.
(2)
Joel A.
A favorite restaurant of ours, plus my business associates. Always good service, talented waiters and excellent food (plus the Manhattans are top drawer)
(5)
Charisa A.
We had very important customers and business associates from out of the country, and planned to take them out to dinner last Sat. Oct. 9. We had 8 people at our party, two of whom were vegetarian. Since we were in the Rosemont area, that left us with practically no choices (as most of the restaurants in the area were steak houses). The experience was unbelievably disappointing and frankly I'm surprised the restaurant is still in business. To keep it short, here is the summary: 1. Vegetarian guest ordered a chicken pasta dish with white sauce and peas, and asked to omit the chicken. She then asked if the chef could simply add any vegetables in the pasta in place of the chicken. The waitress flatly said "No". The pasta (with peas) came luke warm, the white sauce was congealed as if the dish hd been sitting on the counter for 3 hours. The dish was room-temperature. 2. Guest ordered the SPECIAL Tilapia dish with scallops, because she loves scallops. The dish came WITHOUT a single scallop! Furthermore, the dish was also luke warm. We had to send the dish back to get the scallops added and the dish reheated. The dish came back with two scallops. Needless to say, she hardly touched her food. 3. Guest ordered chicken parmesan. You would think that would be a basic dish in an Italian restaurant. After waiting for some time, a wait staff came to tell her that they were "out of chicken parmesan". So she substitued another dish. Her meal came out COLD, and she had to send it back to be reheated. She also hardly touched her food. 4. Guest ordered the Risotto SPECIAL, with shrimp and scallops. The breaded shrimp was horrifically over-cooked, which rendered the shrimps like rubber. The scallops were also dried out. The dish was, you guessed it, luckewarm, makiing the risotto stiff and cheesy. For a special dish for the night, the dish tasted more like left-overs. Of the 8 guests, 7 of our dishes were lukewarm to almost cold. We waited for over 30 minutes for our meal, which is probabaly why most of our dishes were lukewarm/cold. The salmon special was fishy. The tilapia special was dried. The shrimp in the risotto special was over-cooked. You would think that at the very least, the SPECIAL dishes would be prepared better than the regular dishes! The dinner experience was terrible and embarrasing, especially because we had out-of-country guests. One of us talked to a manager on the side, who made the excuse that they were "swamped" at the kitchen. BAD excuse. The compensation: they offered complimentary dessert on the house. However, we could not wait to get out of the restaurant. He then took 2 dishes off the tab, but in my opinion, he should have given us entire meal for free (except maybe, left the wine on the tab!). Sub-standard restaurant. Below-standard food. And I'm trying to be diplomatic here. Will never go back.
(1)
Noel A.
The combination of a neighborhood bar and fantastic italian food. Every now and then Carlucci's lets their young chef, Alex out of the box to cook some really creative and delicious dishes. While the traditional dishes are very good (e.g., try the linguini in the cheese bowl--yummy), Alex's flatbreads are creative, flavorful with just enough variety.
(5)
Brad S.
I've never had a good long-term relationship with a restaurant...until Carlucci's. We did out wedding dinner here and we are sold. We have come here for dinner on our own since and we have always been happy. In addition, we have used their back room for events ranging from my father-in-law's funeral luncheon to one of our son's Christening party. Hats off always to John Campagna, the events manager, who has ALWAYS taken care of us. Also worth mentioning in the Mother's Day champagne brunch - we've done it twice in four years and the years we didn't we wish we did! When our 2nd son was born right before our wedding anniversary, we brought our newborn home on our anniversary date and we decided to order take-out from Carlucci's. They included all the trimmings to include rolls, butter, olive oil, and more. We could not be happier and we look forward to doing more business with this restaurant and the staff. Kudos! Oh, if you decide to try it here, I recommend the Radiatori pasta - it is truly first rate.
(5)
J. Bradford R.
Another weekend bites the dust but garners a chance to make a review. Dinner at Carlucci's is a treat. The Mrs. and I decided to splurge a bit to celebrate a certain anniversary...you know, the kind of anniversary that only the two of you can talk about because anybody that you tried to explain it to would immediately cut you out of their will.?! Yeah, so we got a bit spiffed up and took it over to Rosemont. While I had been there before on business, this was my first time with a romantic agenda. So get this, just as we are pulling up to the restaurant, it begins to rain heavily. The Mrs. goes into hair panic, of course, and I have no umbrella in the car. The valet has me pull up on the sidewalk...yes, the sidewalk, to make sure that no hairs became dampened. Nice. The Mrs. felt like a rock star and what could be better than that? A drink at the bar with Eric brandishing the bottles is always a nice preamble to dinner. A first for me was a five-piece blues group playing in the bar. They were fine, just too loud. That is a small area to have a TRUMPET player blowing in my freakin' ear. We were seated in a booth with a view of the kitchen through a glass wall...not that we watched them much as we were lovingly lost in each others eyes. *sigh* Oops...Sorry 'bout that. As I was saying, the ambiance is as rich as the Alfredo sauce. Top shelf service and beautiful presentation. It is on the expensive side to be sure but if you have something unmentionable to celebrate this is a fine place to do it.
(4)
Marynell C.
A fantastic Italian restaurant, pretty busy tonight but the food was delicious, veal scallopini and the spinach was perfect, even splurged with dessert
(4)
Nastassia J.
Went here for my husband's holiday party with his firm. Service was nice, decor was nice, and even though I wasn't paying, I thought the food was terribly overpriced. I don't know, $30 for a NY Strip is a bit steep no? Overall the food was pretty good, and if the prices were a bit more reasonable, I'd give the place 4 stars. However, its not a memorable place. Its just a copy of a copy of a copy. Sorta like an upscale macaroni grill. Also, I had a hard time figuring out exactly where the resturant was. Looks more like an office building. They need a bigger sign.
(3)
Jenna B.
I've been here a couple times and each time I think that it will be better than the last. But I think that Carlucci's is a solid 3 stars. The appetizers were good, we had calamari, stuffed clams (although a bit salty), and the meat and cheese platter. I had the linguine with seafood and the portion was ridiculous! Our whole table of 6 could've split the dish. My colleagues had other pasta dishes and one had a steak. They all were satisfied, meaning their meals filled their stomachs. It's not anything to rave about, thus a solid 3 starts- A OK.
(3)
Doug K.
Decent food, a little above average service. Of the four pizza choices Margarita Pizza is no doubt the best. Their pasta dishes are around the same quality/taste as the Olive Garden. Would go again if someone was buying my dinner.
(3)
charles r.
First night into Chicago and stayed near the Ohare airport. We waited for over an hour but maybe that is to be expected on a Sat evening. The food was overpriced and the service horrible. The waiter was quite rude and when I asked him about a fish special, he had the nerve to say "Didn't you read the menu"? I ended up going with his recommendation and the fish (Char) was good. But the waiter's attitude was evident throughout the night and doomed the experience. When in the Rosemont area again, I will go out of my way to eat elsewhere.
(1)
Rahshonda K.
I am frequenter of the 5.99 pasta lunch special on Monday and Tuesday and I have to say its very good. The reason I am giving only two stars because the portions are smaller than the regular orders. I think they should put that on the menu that the special will be smaller. The bread is really awesome I could go just to eat the bread. This place is not for the cheap the dinner is very pricey and honestly there is two things on the menu that I only order because when I have ordered outside of those items it has not been a pleasant food experience. So stick with the pastas Route, and Campanelle.
(2)
Stacey S.
The food at Carlucci was hit or miss. My salad was good, but nothing special. The veal picatta was good, but a little tough and drenched in the sauce. The side of spinach was not edible because it was burnt. Excellent cappuccino! Very expensive overall for the quality.
(3)
David C.
It is with a heavy heart that I award 4 stars to Carlucci Rosemont...dining out with a group of 10 tonight, I had the chance to see more than a few different entrees and they all looked terrific. Unfortunately, our waiter was such a prick, I didn't know what to do or say (anybody who knows me knows how rare that is)...we were all just so tired and I chose to just shut my mouth and eat my pesce al forno, which was stylishly served over marscapone polenta with grilled asparagus. Anyway, this guy's attitude is surpassed only by the surly waiters at the Carneghi Deli in Manhattan where people go literally hoping to be abused. Without going into details, in fact turning the other cheek, I was thrilled to see the place jam packed on a Tuesday night. This place really puts out some quality food. The osso bucco, seafood risotto, veal, pizzas, the soups, the tiramisu - across the board - outstanding. I'll definitely be back, but i'll be on the look-out for that pompous ass...who I will never again let interfer with a perfectly fine meal.
(4)
Leang E.
This is one of those places where you raise your eyebrows and your pupils dilate over when someone suggests you come here. I think it's because people identify it as being a pricey brand recognition place. This place is top notch. I've met an acquaintance here for drinks at the bar, and it's nice and casual. I've also had a birthday lunch here along with business lunches, and they have excellent appetizers. I had the grilled mushrooms and calamari. They have this $5 pasta lunch special going on. The portion is kind of small and disappointing - so you may be better off if you order a full order from the menu if you are hungry. I can't remember if it's every day of the week or a certain day of the week. I'm a big fan of their steak salads. I've had the tiramisu and it was pretty good as well. It's hard to mess that one up, and the coffee and cappuccino is not bad as a finisher. Shoot, you don't need a reason to come here to eat - just come.
(4)
Michael K.
We hit this place with a couple of friends that were floating through town and staying near the airport to catch a flight out, so we met them here. Nice menu, food is excellent. Staff is very friendly. Manager wandered by to check on us a couple of times, the support staff was all over us in a good timely way. The waiter knew his menu and was gracious about the fact that we'd opted to sit in the back of the bar, well away from his station, as we had a baby with us and didn't want to bug people in the main eating area. This meant he had to hike for us and only for us primarily and he was seamlessly cool about that inconvenience to his feet. Anyhow, I'd do this place again. Everything we ordered was very good, prices are not at all ridiculous and the selections of food, wine, etc are all more than adequate. Atmosphere is nice and relatively upscale, so you you're going to have a fairly decent experience here, most likely. It is also good to know that they have a $0 corkage fee on the weekends, so if you want to bring in that lovely bottle, tote it on in and they'll pop and pour for nothing- which is pretty nice also.
(4)
William C.
Based upon my experience, Carlucci's is nearly perfect. Had dinner here with 2 friends / business associates. Each of us raved about how great the dinner was. I had the pork chop Saltimboca. It was HUGE and prepared perfectly. My Caesar salad was the best I have had in many years (and I order it regularly). My only complaints (minor) are that it is a bit loud and the servers seem to be over worked (they may need 1 or 2 more servers per shift). Having said that, our service was excellent and they even made a special preparation for one of my friends at the busiest time of the night. We would have understood if they couldn't accommodate him at the peek time of the evening. I have eaten here before but it was several years ago. It is one of my favorite places to eat when I'm in the area. I am certain that I will be back.
Business lunches can be a bit boring, but when you walk into Carlucci's the nice ambiance grabs you. We were greeted immediately and sat in a very comfy booth. We both had salads, my colleague had the Caesar and had the special. My salad was the most flavorful tender chicken breast I have had in a long time. It was served over grilled romaine, and it had roasted red peppers and peas on it. The white wine dressing was to die for! Order it you will not be disappointed! The service was impeccable, and the staff was helpful in recommending the salad. It's not cheap but it was good. One minor issue since your in a business park... The bathrooms are far away.
(4)
Maureen B.
Absolute best meal and experience! Over the top meal and great waitress. Steak with shrimp stuffed with crabmeat on a bed a fresh spinach was perfect! Definitely a 10+++.
Solid Italian food when you're stuck around O'Hare
(5)
Felize C.
Literally just left after spending Mother's Day brunch here. $45/per person with automatic 18% gratuity added. Definitely not worth it. Food was dry and tasteless with not as much variety as they made it seem. They served blue bunny ice cream that they labeled as "gelato" and chocolate cake that was from Costco. The service also left little to the imagination, we constantly had to flag servers down if we needed anything. There were a couple of hosts and servers that were very kind and patient for how busy it was, and for that I gave 2 stars instead of 1. I'm sure it's probably much different dining here on a regular day, but I wouldn't recommend Mother's Day brunch here to anyone.
(2)
Mary Locke M.
I had dinner at Carlucci while I was in Chicago for work last week. The whole experience was enjoyable, but mostly because I didn't pay for it. We had 7:00 reservations on a Tuesday night (via courtesy shuttle bus which is obviously a sign that they do most of their reservation to nearby hotel guests). We were promptly seated in a booth in the back corner. Ordinarily I'm all "Nobody puts Baby in a corner" at a restaurant, but this time I was appreciative to be tucked away in the corner because the acoustics are horrible and Carlucci Rosemont is LOUD. I should mention that the interior of this place also reminded me of a scene from Goodfellas or something. When I go to an expensive-ish restaurant, I want aesthetically pleasing ambiance. Here, not so much. It could use a little updating... The food runner immediately delivered a massive plate of bread. We're talking 6-8 slices for a table of 3. No carb shortage here kids! Our server promptly arrived and she couldn't have been any nicer throughout the course of the meal. She offered several recommendations and went over the specials. My boss got veal and my coworker got pizza (what?). I went for the salmon al forno. Salmon, shrimp, calamari, cous cous, bread, they don't mess around! Quality was average but quantity was gigantic. We all agreed it wasn't the best Italian we'd ever had, but it was definitely satisfying nonetheless. Honestly for the price and ambiance, I wouldn't come back on my own. I would, however, eat here again if in the area with a corporate credit card.
The food was great but the service was terrible. Sat down with 6:30 reservation and waiter rushed us through the ordering process. By 7:10pm all salads and dinners had been delivered. Unfortunately, mostly at the same time! Not much time for cocktails and/or wine list perusal. If you're in a hurry, this might be your place. Given location, it's no surprise that they cater to area hotels but we were surprised about the lack of front room support for the kitchen/bar. Maybe just a bad night but there are better overall choices in the area.
(2)
Elisabeth C.
Love their lunch menu, especially their version of a cobb salad. It's really delicious! We come here often for business lunches and they always have excellent food and service.
(4)
Christie P.
We were driving around trying to find something decent before our flight, so we came here. Great service and food. I particularly liked the tilapia.
(4)
Paul L.
Had a great experience with a group from work. The steaks and fish dishes were very good and the apps were all great. The fruiti del mar was awesome.
(4)
Bernie M.
Picked my wife and son from the airport on Sunday after they returned from a service mission trip for a week, building homes for folks that live off the garbage dumps in Guatemala and thought a sit down meal would be appropriate. Have been there in the past and food was generally acceptable and the service has been very good and the fact that they are just off the expressway going home downtown is a plus. We arrived at 4:35 on Sunday afternoon and because we could not see anyone in the restaurant we stopped outside and I ran in to see if they were opened, although the hours posted on the door said they open at 4:30. When I came in there was no one there, so I went into the dining room and saw the manager working behind the line and asked if they were opened. He hollered out to the other service staff and asked them if they were opened to which they said "yes it's after 4:30". So I parked the car and we came in and saw nobody there and walked into the dining room but as we were sitting down a rude and loud "host" charged at us and started to berate us for not checking in with him! What the heck is wrong with him! We had no idea where the heck Nick was, was I supposed to call into the bathroom looking for the host and request that he get up off the toilet seat and seat us? We were all in shock as there was not one customer or staff in the restaurant to be seen, not one just the Nick the "angry host"! I had even sat down yet and the rest of the family got up from the table and told the guy who' said his name was Nick, that we did not appreciate being treated like that and walked out. We went to Gibson's and had a good experience. I promised the angry host Nick that I would give him full credit for driving customers out of the restaurant in this Yelp review... so done and done.
(1)
michael w.
I had a business lunch date that really required the proper venue to facilitate, without hesitation I suggested Carluccis Rosemont. Open table made the reservation a breeze, we were seated immediately and the service and food were outstanding as usual. My business colleague had never been, and I could tell that he was quite impressed and mentioned he would definitely use Carluccis in the future. We needed the better part of ninety minutes to discuss matters and we never felt rushed or hurried to wrap it up. The free valet parking outside makes it very convenient for those attending, and the location of the restaurant facing River road makes it an easy find. I would encourage you to make the time to get to know the people that work at this establishment, one because they are a great group of people overall, two because it adds so much to the experience, you feel like you are dining with family and friends
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Valet Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Upscale Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : No Dogs Allowed : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
The immense popularity of Italian cuisine globally isn't unknown. You can find an Italian Pizzeria around every corner of almost every city in the United States. Not to forget that in every house, people enjoy mac and cheese as comfort food. But it would be wrong to believe that Italian food starts with pizza and ends with good pasta as this Mediterranean country has much more to offer other than these two dishes. In Italian Cuisine, there is a high use of fresh tomatoes, all kinds of herbs, great quality of cheese, all types of meat, seafood and fresh handmade pasta. Many find it hard to believe that Italians have been making noodles long back.
Italian and Greek cuisines are always mistaken to be same, but they are poles apart. The primary difference between the two cuisines is the use of cheese in most of the Italian dishes. Italians love to cultivate their own cheese and process them as per their food requirement. It is believed that some cheese is so expensive that cheese producers secure them in lockers.
If you are bored eating the same old pasta or pizza, you can try some of the authentic Italian dishes like Risotto, Polenta, Ribollita, Lasagna, Fiorentina Steak, Bottarga, Ossobuco, Carbonara, Focaccia, Arancini and Supplì. Another item which Italians love to relish every morning is a good cup of Italian Coffee. Once you taste a freshly brewed cup of Italian Coffee, you might not visit Starbucks ever again. Authentic Italian food is made with heart and soul, so go find a restaurant where you can relish Italian cuisine in your city.
Damon B.
Oh my. How I really wanted to like Carlucci. All of the food choices in Chicago, we decided on Carlucci, based on a recommendation from a frequent diner. I was wanting Ditka's, Harry Caray's, or Giordono's. Yes, I was staying close to ORD, but I do like good food, and from the recommendation of a local, we decided on Carlucci's. We arrived for an early dinner (5:00) and we were seated right away. The restaurant has a nice feel, look, and my first impression was, "This is going to be a great dining experience". Well, until our server arrived. I wish I could remember his name, but he had an attitude from the beginning (Now I could pick up after some time, it was more sarcasm, which I am used to from a very confident waiter at some nice Italian restaurants) but as the evening went on, I gladly threw his sarcasm back in his face, which I think he was waiting for. The bread was hot and fresh, and with the olive oil on the table was a great fit. I like fresh parmesan, but you will not get it here. I asked for some, and got a cup of cheese to mix in with my olive oil. The combo was OK, but fresh shave cheese would have been better. I had the lentil soup with bacon, and it was really, really bland. I wanted Tabasco to flavor it up but was afraid to ask. My dining companion had the Caesar's , and he thought it was OK, not great. We both ordered specials. I had the Risotto with Crab Cake and he ordered the Tilapia in Padella. I love a great Risotto. What I received was overcooked rice with cheese that had no flavor, and a crab cake that was more filler than crab. Fresh parmesan....Nope. For $30.00, I expected better. My friends special sounded so great. Pan Seared Tilapia, Scallops, a nice cream sauce, over pasta. You should have seen the look at both of us when they delivered his entrée. I thought I made the wrong mistake, and I could see the drool coming from his mouth. As I took my first bite of my horrible dish, he took his and what I thought would be an expression of bliss, turned into an agony of defeat. He hated it. He said that is was very bland, did not taste fresh, and after a few bites, he was done. Another failure of a $30.00 entrée. With a couple of drinks, soup, salad, and entrees, our tab was $130.00. Did we over pay? Yep. We both walked out disappointed, but here is the thing about this restaurant. Close to hotels. Hotel shuttles dropping off business travelers in droves, and I think they don't care about quality. Go to the restroom? Sure, not in the restaurant. It's a hike and the valet. Jerk. If you are looking for good Italian, don't come here. Over priced. Over rated, and very average. Not worth the price. Man, I knew we should have gone somewhere else....
(2)Art R.
Absolutely an amazing place. I had the pancetta wrapped scallops and shrimp that was to die for as an app. Then came the combo 1/2 main lobster and filet that was finished off with a chianti sauce. The meal and service was legendary. Looking for that perfect meal for a special occasion or business meeting, this is the place. They will even pick you up at the local hotels in the area. A must if you are in the area.
(5)Quentin M.
Overpriced,thumbs down,one of the worst I have had in a long time and expensive.There was four people and nobody was very happy with their meal.I had the Wild Boar sausage and pasta which tasted like Italian sausage to me and I have eaten wild boar,what cost $200+ we could have had at any diner for $50
(2)Ericka A.
I was working in the area and decided to give Carlucci Rosemonti a try. I really enjoy Italian food and I tried some delicious things at a Yelp Elite Event I attended at the Downers Grove location a few years back. I was seated quickly and everyone who worked there was pleasant, but the staff seemed a bit confused. The service lagged in some areas and dishes were brought out to the wrong tables. They had one man whose job appeared to include bringing bread to diners (I didn't see him do anything else in the bar area while I was there), but he was very hesitant about it and it made for an awkward experience. I ordered a cup of hot tea and a Frutti di Mare "pizza." The tea was bland and the pizza was pungent. It reeked of fishy smell, and not in a good, fresh way. It also came in the form of flatbread, which was stated on the menu. However, I wouldn't even have called it flatbread. The bread portion was incredibly thin and didn't hold up to the sparse toppings. It came out cold and I had to send it back to be reheated. Even then, it remained somewhat cold, with congealed cheese. I can't imagine there were more than two entire muscles on the whole "pizza." It looked as though they shredded their seafood into tiny, overcooked, rubbery pieces and then sprinkled it lightly across the paperbread. I tried two party-cut slices and was done. I had it boxed up and gave it to my fiance when I got home. He tried it and declared it to be inedible, so I know I wasn't wrong in turning my nose up at it. After tax and tip, the meal came to $25. I was so disappointed in Carlucci but actually angry at myself. I've been watching my spending, so to throw that much money away on a horrible meal left me livid. If this was any indicator of their other dishes, you'd be better off hitting up an Olive Garden.
(1)Tracee C.
The food was good. I got the frutti de mar which was delicious. It seemed a bit overpriced. And our server was inattentive and rude. But again. The food was good.
(3)Seth R.
No complaints and very nice decor. Food was prepared perfectly and very tasty. Hostess & Servers were great and attentive. Only downside was that due to it being in a hotel - bathroom location was a bit far from restaurant. Overall great food and I'm stuffed!
(4)Ashley A.
My husband and I recently stayed in the area for our one year anniversary weekend. We got a deal for dinner here and then a show at the Zanie's in Rosemont. I can't remember exactly, but there was a percentage off our dinner bill. The restaurant has a shuttle van picked us up from the Crowne Plaza Hotel and then dropped us back there after. Super nice since we didn't want to drive since we wanted to split a bottle of wine with dinner. However, I do remember the van could have smelled better... The ambiance is great and feels very welcoming. We got a corner booth and our waiter was attentive and friendly. It wasn't too loud so we were able to really enjoy each others company without the noise of everyone else there. Both meals, appetizers and dessert were great. I can't wait to come back for another good meal. Since it was our anniversary we decided to splurge on our meal. The prices were high but that was to be expected with house nice this place is. On a really high note, as we asked for our check our waiter told us it had been taken care of, but he couldn't divulge who had covered our bill. We later learned it was a friend of ours who called ahead to take care of it. It was very nice that this place was able to accommodate that and it made our night all the better! I can't wait to go back!
(5)Angela D.
Excellent bread and oil variety, quick service and good food. I went for lunch on a Tuesday. Service was super quick and good. We enjoyed some varieties of bread with oil and vinegar. Bread was awesome. I ordered the angel hair pasta with broccoli and shrimp. It was a perfect lunch portion and full of shrimp. The other entrees ordered were the gnocchi and Cobb salad. They both received fair reviews. My only wish was for a homemade pasta and a server who wouldn't rush the meal. When I'm done, you will know. Overall a pleasant dining experience!
(4)Pete S.
Had been a while since my last visit - this time I took my 70 year old aunt and 90 year old grandmother for a late lunch. The staff did a great job treating them like queens (they loved it!). Food was good, from the grilled octopus app to the pasta with sausage and brocollini. Good stuff!!
(4)Timothy H.
When I first dined here back in 2000 everything on the menu had that "wow" taste. You could point at anything on the menu and it would be 5 stars. The past few years, while the food is still good, I would say that it has lost that "wow" factor. The food here is a solid three stars. I'll be honest though, as many others have stated, after you eat and the bill arrives, there is that nagging feeling of, "not worth it". Of everything on the menu, their appetizers are my favorite. The fried calamari and bruschetta are great. We have also ordered their Margherita pizza as an appetizer because it is also very good. Just keep in mind, as a friend of mine has told me more than once, "the appetizers are always good, even when they're not all that good...because you're hungry, and everything tastes good when you're hungry". All in all...this is not a place to go if you're dining on a budget. Look out if you're ordering drinks, beer, or wine...that'll easily tack on $20-$40 to your bill. One element that hasn't changed over the years is the service. They still have excellent service. If you order appetizers, drinks (2 per person), entrees, and dessert w/coffee or drink...plus tip...count on spending $110-$150 per couple. You can also do the following if on a budget: Substitute alcohol for soda or coffee, skip the appetizer (because you still get a bread basket), share a dessert (I recommend the tiramisu), and order a modest pizza or pasta bowl. If you go that route, including tip, two people will spend around $60-$80.
(3)Matt C.
Calamari and Chicken Parmesan are wonderful! A great restaurant near the O'Hare International.
(5)Melissa D.
Definitely one of my top choices in the area. Very attentive and friendly service from the entire staff. Our waiter was extremely knowledgable about the menu and wine list. Our meal was delicious and cooked to perfection. The wine selection is varied with very lovely choices. Just an overall great experience.
(4)Casey C.
Attentive service. The food was good. I enjoyed the seafood ravioli. They made an off menu getti and meatballs for my kid. Desserts were stellar.
(4)Jennie W.
I went to Carlucci on a Friday night with a party of 7. We were staying at a nearby hotel for a work meeting, and we rode their free shuttle on a very chilly evening. We had reservations, and as we made our way to the table, I noticed the dining room was full. Our waiter was attentive, courteous and helpful. He made suggestions where appropriate and answered questions. Bread was nothing special, which was very disappointing in an Italian restaurant. Chianti was perfect, though. For my entree, I ordered the ravioli stuffed with seafood, covered in a lemon cream sauce, and topped with shrimp scampi. Delicious, perfectly cooked. Someone else ordered the pasta with prosciutto and peas that got swirled in the giant wedge of Parmesan. What a treat! Our table also enjoyed the veal Marsala and the Insalata. Can't remember what the others got, but everyone loved their entrees. Most of us ordered dessert. I asked for the bread pudding, but it came out in flat slices drizzled with whiskey cream sauce. Not this Southern girl's idea of bread pudding. I heard good things about the creme brûlée that others ordered, but I would suggest sharing it (huge portion size). Thank goodness I did not have to pay (probably $50 for just me). And I heard from my colleagues that it was quite a hike to the bathrooms. I would recommend this place to nearby visitors. Great food, great service.
(4)Raveena P.
I would not recommend this restaurant to my friends. The Caesar Salad was great (but really... How hard is it to screw up a salad?) The mains we ordered were the " Filettino di Manzo con Gamberi" (the 5oz filet) and my friend ordered the "Fettina di Vitello" (nature fed veal cutlets). When my main came, I was the least bit impressed. The filet was so dry and not cooked to my order (I had asked for medium to medium rare)... It was more like well done with a bit of pink right in the centre. My friend enjoyed his veal but said it was quite dry as well. We didn't finish our meals but we happily finished our bottle of wine. Overall, I wouldn't come back.. The only plus to Carlucci's Rosemont is being so close to the airport hotels.
(2)Hari M.
Great food. Appetizers to dessert. Pricey? Yes. But worth every cent. Good wine selection and service. Waitresses may is better off with some more knowledge on wine selection. But I overlooked it. Will be back if I am in the area.
(4)Margie C.
The food was excellent can't say a bad thing about it! But the service was ok we went here with a large group and the waiter seemed annoyed and did not want to deal with us. Although in the beginning he was very friendly but towards the night his mood changed. I would def come back here for the food!
(3)Laura H.
Just finished Easter brunch, very disappointing. Food on the buffet was dry, and the service was terrible. We had to ask for water refills, he didn't put in our omelet order, and we basically felt ignored for two hours. For $45 a person and a fixed service charge, this was not the experience it should have been. I'm giving it two stars only because they had the Easter bunny there for the kids.
(2)Jen D.
The food was fantastic. I had the lamb shank and it was falling off the bone to perfection. The polenta was a bit firm, but overall I couldn't stop eating my meal. Our waitress was awesome. Attentive and friendly. Would definitely return
(4)Rhonda G.
I found a place that has replaced my beloved Olivetti's. Can't get the spaghetti and meatballs, but it's okay. I had the most exceptional veal marsala with a mushroom sauce. After 4 pieces, I just laid back in the chair. It was also accompanied by the best sauteed spinach with thin garlic slivers, I've ever had. They really should make it the vegetable of the day all the time. In the right weather, sit on the gorgeous patio. We missed the heat by a day. The waitress was from Europe, very professional, helpful, and a living doll. I can't wait for the next trip. I wish the hotel I stayed at had a restaurant this exceptional.
(5)Ebony K.
We always make sure to come to Carlucci's whenever we are in town for our trade show. They are best known for not only their great Italian food, but for Linguine con Prosciutto di Parma e Basilico which is tossed tableside Inside a Fresh Parmesan Cheese Wheel. Sweet baby jesus that is some good eats! Although I was being good and had Pollo alla Vesuvio which was a Half Chicken Roasted with Yukon Gold Potatoes, Peas, Red Bell Peppers, and Oregano Garlic White Wine Sauce, I still made sure to have a taste of that yummy pasta bowl. The ambiance is nice but going to the ladies room is an adventure since it is outside the restaurant and over the woods to grandma's house ( well not really but it seems that far when you really have to use the restroom) All in all, we love coming here just to have a great meal before the start of our show. It makes for a nice "family" gathering and we always have a good time. I mean good food, good drinks, great people, what is not to like?
(4)John L.
To put it simply Carlucci's is just okay. Service was very good but food was average and I expected it to be better. I could have had better meal for much less cost.
(3)Mandy P.
Conveniently located pretty close to the Blue Line, I came to Carlucci for a baby shower. The service was pretty decent (other than the guy who smelled like cigarette smoke). Of course babies make me want wine, and the female server was able to pinpoint something on their wine list that was what I wanted. It was great that she was so familiar with the list. She was 100% accurate and I appreciated her interest in helping me find something I would like. The food was also good, though I didn't see the whole menu; just what was already pre-ordered for the group. They do catering/showers right! If I must sojourn to the suburbs again, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this spot.
(4)Debbie C.
LOVE this place!! The servers were wonderful and always paying attention to when we need refills on drinks!! Food was terrific, has the Pesci dinner omg!!!! Must try!!
(5)Peter g.
After reading a few reviews I was ready for anything, some great, some not so great, and a 3? I was not sure what to think so I went in mixed and came out happy. So right out, yes, its very busy and tightly packed, so noise levels are higher than other choices, but it was not small inside compared to many city places, just very busy and sound levels had to be expected to be high. I came here on a weeknight, and expecting it to be busy made a reservation and got seated directly with no waiting. (because it is in a hotel, I would guess they can get slammed internally so from the outside I would def recommend you make a res). We sat down and as my date had just gotten off a plane we did not take too long to decide on some choices. The bread came out but was not anything to write home about, so yes, here they could easily improve on the food, but after that everything was very good. Our server made recommendations, and even warned about how dishes were served in case we had different expectations, such as my pasta and chicken dish was in a lite tomato basil sauce, but it was not a hot red or even warm marinara, it was very lite and room temp tomatoes and basil, so her confirming it was a lite summer dish was exactly what I hoped to find but I can see how some would want a hot red sauce with more substance. My date had a seafood medley and it was very fresh. The Caprese salad came out after our meals, and she did not know how that happened but she fixed that with a free large Tiramisu at the end. (the tomatoes were very large cut and quite fresh and they had a small spring mix next to it so it was like a small salad next to the main salad, nice touch) The food time was not bad considering it was a full house, be prepared for a little wait and some tight quarters but the food is worth it. I would go again as long as I gave them a res and if you can ask for a rear or back table.
(4)T Y.
Made a reservation here for news years eve dinner, with my wife, two sons, and my son's girlfriend. I have had bad experiences elsewhere on New Year's Eve, either being rushed through dinner or waiting for our table. Neither occurred here. We were seated upon arrival and The waiter was attentive, but Not pushy. We tested all aspects of the menu, from the tilapia, to the encrusted ahi tuna, to the veal, the lamb and the chicken parm. We kicked it off with calamari and salads. All the food was excellent. It's a little pricy, but I don't mind paying when the food and service are good.
(4)Jason Q.
This restaurant has many awards, but I think it doesn't serve it correctly. Best Italian?? Maybe in Rosemont... First off, the wait time was shorter than expected so that was good and so was the bread. Now when it came time to order I was disappointed. Food was bland and unflavorful, the risotto which the waiter recommended me was unflavorful. It was even a special dish. The rest of the dishes my colleagues ordered were just the same. The food is edible but not great tasting. As an Italian place the flavors should be strong and pleasant, not bland. Then came desert, I ordered a creme brulee which the flambé at your table. Normally this is done with sugar and torch. However they just poured some liqueur on it and took a lighter to it. When it was done there was still a bit of liqueur which I didn't enjoy and frankly had to pour out. Under the flambé it tasted okay surprisingly, given our food. I would not come back here however, this food could have been better. It is overpriced and not worth the money. You want real Italian food? Then go somewhere else, not here.
(2)Tiffany F.
Went here for a date night with my boyfriend this past weekend and our experience as a whole was great!! Made reservations for 7:45, walked in and got seated right away. Our waiter was great with answering any questions we had about the menu and making suggestions. We ordered the filet with crab stuffed shrimp and Pasta and chicken with vodka sauce, both were very good, great portion sizes. I liked that the manager on that night was walking around to all of the tables making sure everyone was having a good experience!!!
(5)Maxwell G.
Whoa, this was terrible. I was in Chicago for a meeting and this place was recommended. Food AND service were no Bueno. The waiter had to come over 3 times because he forgot things (before food arrived). He finally came over bc he forgot what 2 of the orders were. When the food finally came, 2 or our steaks had clearly been sitting under a heating lamp for quite some time. The polenta was molted and gross. The filet was dry and over salted. I complained and the manager offered to replace it. I said no, because it took Soooooo long for the first order. He brought one out anyway. This time, it was fresh, but completely RAW in the middle (actually freezing cold). I like medium rare and sometimes rare, but this was raw. They brought out a free dessert, which wasn't that bad. Definitely NOT recommended!
(2)M A.
I recently held a private event at Carlucci. John Campangna was very easy to work with setting up the event. He was quick to respond to emails, flexible with the pricing structure and available to help me set-up on the day of the event. Maj, our server did an excellent job of serving our group inobtrusively during the presentation. Everyone at the host stand is very friendly. The food was good and the room very conducive to our meeting, holding 17 of us comfortably. The flat screen tv looks much more professional for displaying a presentation than using an LCD and unfolding screen.
(5)Pastor Andy G.
Pros: -Staff is friendly -Portions are pretty huge -We all got full after a few bites -Free wifi. Cons: -A bit loud -Expensive -Very tasty appetizers -The taste of the main course, however, was not as awesome as I was expecting for the price. (pork chops were either extra salty or too dry, Lamb didn't have much taste to it). -MSG ALERT! (It may not have been MSG straight out, but something about the food resulted in a similar MSG headache) --another element I would not expect from a place with $30+ meals).
(2)Smith L.
Celebrated my husbands birthday here after he arrived at O'Hare on a Friday evening flight. Atmosphere in both the bar and restaurant were warm and inviting and wine list is reasonable. There were three of us and we shared the bacon wrapped scallop & shrimp for an appetizer and for entrees we had Tilapia, Lamb Shank, and Veal Marsala which were all excellent. A very good dining experience.
(5)Steve A.
Stopped in here for an after hours dinner with some work colleagues - you're in the Chicago area, usually you can find decent Italian food and that is what they have here. A little noisy, so if you are looking for a date night place or your first time out with someone, you'll be yelling across the table to be heard. For starters I had the Cesar Salad, which came nicely dressed and included a crumble your own crostini and two anchovies - not a fan of those, so put them on the side, but there was enough of that flavor nestled into the salad to give it that Cesar taste. I choose the Linguini pasta that they actually toss in a head of Parmesan Cheese, so it picks up a really good cheese flavor as they prepare it, mixed in with a little Prosciutto ham and tomatoes - I asked if it was going to be overly dry and the waiter with the thick accent said, no it is budda, and I thought okay, not sure what that was - ended up being Butter sauce, so it was still a little dry, but the spectacle of having him make it was pretty cool. Dessert was also ignited table side with their version of Creme Brûlée, which was oaky, it still was a little heavy on the booze even after it burned off at the table, so only okay - a couple of the other desserts looked much better - the chocolate cake in particular, but it didn't come with any fancy table side flair, so if you just want something tasty, try one of the other items. Service was pretty attentive and not too intrusive. Not the best, not the worst, put it in the middle somewhere - you'll get a decent meal here.
(3)Jason A.
Ask for "Grumpy" for your waiter. Phenomenal waiter who never disappoints!
(4)Kyle H.
Came to Carlucci's in the Marriott Hotel with a group of about 12 for a work dinner, and was incredibly impressed by the family style dinner and service. We reserved a private dining area, and it was set apart from the restaurant by glass doors- no noise besides our own revelry! We were well-taken care of all night, with course upon course, enough food to feed a horse! Pizzas, a very nice salad course, pastas, breads, and main entrees were all amazing. Our vegetarian diners found enough to their liking, and one even got to order off-menu and got her own big bowl o' pasta! I was kinda jealous, it looked so good. Staff is very knowledgeable about wine selection, and glasses were never empty, making everybody happy.
(4)Luna M.
Have been here with co workers. Food is great. The steak salad is really good (but I suggest ordering the dressing on the side). They even have about 6-7 different pasta dishes (which cost less on Mon & Tues for lunch). I also look forward to seeing what their daily specials are. Server, Bill, makes our visit enjoyable. Love the decor, and during the summer, they have outdoor seating.
(3)Keith F.
Over priced, only fair service The entree dinner (seafood) salad - generous portion of dry/stale seafood
(2)Annie R.
My favorite spot for lunch on Mondays and Tuesdays, the half-off pasta days! The pasta is delicious, and very customizable. Be careful of the long wait for food, though. My lunches often end up being over an hour, even if I get seated immediately, because of how long the food takes.
(3)Richard S.
Last night was my first and last time. While the atmosphere was full of life, it was noisy and difficult to hear others around the table. The restaurant is in a commercial building and the restrooms are located about 60 yards from the front door. The stalls were rusted on the bottom and I expected better from an upscale restaurant. As far as the meal, the waiter recommended the lamb, so I put my faith in the server. It was served with a brown sauce that had a good taste but seemed full of fat. I couldn't eat about a quarter of the portion. Additionally the polenta was cold and hard. In all, the experience was alright but the taste of the entree and the portion size were underwhelming.
(2)Jaycee M.
This place is okay IF: 1) Your company is picking up the check 2) You can wait longer than average for your meal to be served (tasty when it does arrive, though) 3) You are okay with inconsistent customer service 4) You don't mind a really loud dining room 5) You happen to be in one of the office complexes surrounding it If these things don't apply, then PUH-LEEZE, venture out a bit of that 'hood and find a better place to dine. There are other places to choose from that are sure to fit your needs. If however, 3 out of 5 apply (with #1 being a must) then go for it. Since I visit a company within walking distance, I'm sure I will go back to Carlucci's ...when someone else is picking up the check.
(2)Katie L.
Two stars only because I enjoyed my meal, but the service was terrible. My boyfriend and I are young--but our money holds just as much value. I ordered wine right at the beginning and did not get it until AFTER my meal, I would have asked our waitress to bring it but I think she came by our table once...to give me my wine and the check. The reason I bring up our age is because our waitress was very attentive to every table (with older couples) except ours, and my boyfriend and I felt she wanted to turn our table and get us out. I would have ordered dessert but between my boyfriends meal being cold, my wine coming so late, and the complete lack of service, we were too annoyed and left without any intention on coming back. Again, I'm not sure if our age had anything to do with it, but that's what it sure felt like.
(2)Mitch K.
Hard to find as it is inside a bank logoed building in an office park. Signage is minimal. Has the potential for 4 stars, but fell short, mostly from the formula, pushy waitress offering her "favorites" as suggestions. Amazing that each of her favorites matched the specials menu! Simply amazing. If you can get past that phonyness you will find an excellent menu of options. Lots of great choices and variety. It is difficult to choose just which appitizers, salads, mains and desserts you will sample. One of the items was a pasta rolled around in an open pit ikn a wheel of cheese. Big yum there that you will feel like a sated and bloated richie. Very good. The veal dishes are supurb. The good old picatta with lemon and capers in white wine sauce can't be beat. Very classy place that is expensive and very noisy. Hard to talk across from each other. Give this one a try, if you can find it. They do offer a free shuttle if you are in the general area and THAT is the way to go.
(3)Carolyn L.
I came here last night because Carlucci is one of the restaurants celebrating Chicago's Restaurant Week. I decided to go with the $44 menu and I'm so glad I did. I started off with a bowl of the minestrone soup (other option was salad). My mom ordered the salad as part of her $33 menu. Both options were extremely tasty and fresh. I love having fresh vegetables in my soup and there were big chunks of squash and zucchini. Very yummy. Next I had the pasta course. I chose the bow-tie farfalle with the creamy vodka sauce. It had shrimp, peas, and chili flakes. There was enough to feed the entire table so we all chipped away at it. I have to say one thing...Carlucci definitely knows how to do pasta! Next, our main courses came. I had chosen the NY Strip steak done medium rare. It was served with mashed potatoes (with skin bits in them) and roasted veggies. The steak was cooked to perfection but unfortunately the NY Strip is not my fave cut of meat (that would be Filet, of course, dahling). My dad ordered the Manhattan strip (a center cut piece of NY Strip), which was also very good. It was off of a separate specials menu. On his plate were also crab-stuffed shrimp and the ABSOLUTE BEST FREAKIN' PASTA we've ever eaten. It was angel hair with a light creamy citrus caper sauce. There wasn't a bite of food left on his plate by the end of the meal. That pasta made me believe in love again. I wanted to have babies with it. OK I digress...sorry for that image. My mother had ordered the veal strip steak as part of her prix fixe menu. It was tender and served in a marsala sauce. The mushrooms that were served with it were so flavorful and really added to the sauce. Everything was just plain awesome. Finally, we closed out the night with tiramisu and mascarpone cheesecake. The tiramisu was pretty good, but it's not my fave dessert. On the other hand, we couldn't get enough of the creamy rich cheesecake. I was so stuffed, though, that I took half of it home to enjoy tonight! Overall, bravo to Carlucci for participating in Chicago Restaurant Week 2011 and for producing such great dishes. It was such an enjoyable evening!
(5)Len W.
I'm lucky enough to dine here during occasional business trips to the Windy City. I can't believe that I'm the (mobile app) check-in "Duke" of this fine Italian dining place in Chicago, when I live out in So. Cal (NOT "Cali") and only travel to Chicago 1-2 times a year. Carlucci's is aways booming busy at night, no matter what night of the week. No recession here! They do a fantastic presentation of their Alfredo Pastas - the hot pasta is brought table-side on a quarter wheel of cheese. The server scrapes the cheese and folds it into the pasta, then serves it on your plate (check out my photo). The veal and rib-eye steaks are pricey but outstanding. They have an extensive wine list that is very appropriately matched to their cuisine. I think its a privilege to dine here. Its especially convenient for people staying at the O'hare Marriott Suites - you can walk a few steps from the hotel lobby without stepping outside during chilly winter weather.
(5)Paul K.
Overall, a good experience...........had a Caesar salad and the linguine served in a cheesewheel- there's no sauce, they just carve out some of the cheese and put it on the pasta. Very rich dish, but tasty and filling- couldn't finish it. Service was good but not speedy. Not a bad option when staying in the O'hare area........
(4)Kai R.
It is hard to rate this place, because if you love carbs, this is your place. I didn't eat anything, but it looked good. This is a beautiful establishment, though.
(3)Kevin T.
Carlucci is average--the food is decent, the prices are actually okay for the area, and the service works. That said, absolutely nothing about this spot "inspires" me. The menu is fairly dated, the bathroom is a 20 minute walk down the hall, the dining room is always a little too crowded and loud, and I feel like if Carlucci quit taking corporate credit cards, they would be out of business in ten minutes.
(2)Melissa T.
Carlucci Rosemont is overpriced and unless someone else is paying- it's not worth it. I take that back, I didn't pay this time and I definitely won't be going back! AWFUL service and my girlfriend got sick after eating her steak pasta. STAY AWAY.
(1)Nicole M.
I had the opportunity to dine here tonight for a work function. Everyone's meals were very impressive. The family style apps were great. Awesome wine selection and terrific dessert. Highly recommended for a large group Service was top notch and shuttle service was convenient to hotel. They've got it all going on.
(5)Greg R.
I like Carlucci's. Yes, this is a restaurant that thrives on corporate clientellle,especially the trade-show set, but they deliver excellent food and superlative service. I've eaten there many times and have received consistently excellent service. The Ossobuco is very well executed; the marscapone pollenta is just perfect. Their Frutti de Mar is fresh and delicious. Margherita Pizza is simple and satisfying. My only negative was the risotto, which was overcooked this time. Their tableside caesar salad service is congenial and responsive to individual requests - I love their Parmigiano-Reggiano wheel. Caprese salad is equally good. When I'm on a high protein-kick, I particularly enjoy their Salumi e Formaggi which is a diverse presentation of cured meats and cheeses (a little different each time) that never fails to satisfy. Desserts were elegant and not cloying. Tiramisu is particularly good.
(4)Jennifer S.
Busy, good restaurant located near O'Hare airport. I enjoyed the minestrone soup and the tortelloni - yum! My friend and I shared the apple and chocolate desserts...again, very tasty!
(4)Phil S.
The only item that stood out of the plethora of dishes that we chose was the scallop appetizer. Fresh bacon wrapped scallops with a little bit of char to the bacon just melts in your mouth. The steak was good especially with their vesuvio sauce and the seafood pasta was good but nothing really justified the ridiculously large bill we received. Service was excellent with a genuine Italian with an Italian accent and humor but after the bill was paid he didn't even bother looking our way in case we might want something else. This is a great place to bring a date if you're looking for a more genuine Italian experience outside of the city but be prepared to pay.
(3)Gina F.
My parents are big fans of this place, which is tucked away next to the Marriott in a building shared with a bank, so we celebrated their anniversary there. My husband and I arrived early & had drinks in the bar, which seemed nice, if nothing special, and was nicely decorated for the Christmas holiday. We had a party of 8 and were seated on time, in spite of one diner being quite late (though we ordered for him to keep the flow). We did a price fix menu and, for the price, it's an insane amount of food. Each person gets dinner, dessert, and an appetizer that could easily feed 2-3 people. This was my favorite part of the meal, so I was happy to devour it all. I love bruschetta, and theirs comes with fresh mozzarella & goat cheese. What more could I want? The entrees were pretty good--nothing super special. They had few vegetarian options (not my experience in other Italian restaurants) so I had eggplant parmigiana. My dad had the pork, which he found to be a little over cooked. My husband had the seafood ravioli, which were described as coming in a butter sauce. This conjured up visions of a light butter sauce, or brown butter sauce, but was in fact a thick, creamy, super rich sauce. He only ate 2 ravioli due to it's richness. Dessert was delish--choclate lava cake. Overall it was a good experience. The food was plentiful and pretty good. The atmosphere was decent, though on the loud side. The service was very nice, from the host stand, to the bar, to the server. The complimentary valet is a great touch. I'd return if my parents wanted to go, but I don't think I'd seek it out. It was good, just not "knock your socks off" good.
(3)Greg S.
I've had the opportunity to visit Carlucci's Rosemont location on several occasions - dinner, lunch and a rehearsal dinner. Each dining experience was great. The staff was wonderfully attentive and the service they provided, tremendous. The menu is varied and the pasta dishes are light and fresh. Great venue for dining with friends or a corporate event.
(5)Steve A.
Overpriced and food was mediocre.
(2)Whitney S.
I went here with a large work party a few nights ago and I have to say, I've experienced better Italian in Chicago and probably wouldn't come back here. We had a private room and the food was served buffet style with servers coming around and taking our drink orders. The food was okay and the service was pretty good but with all the options out there, I would definitely recommend other places before I recommended Carlucci's. It was hard to find and the bathrooms were in a really weird, out of the way area. I did love the polenta balls and pear and walnut salad, however. But the pizza and salmon (like I said, I had a little bit of everything!) we're subpar. Kind of disappointing.
(2)M D.
Anytime I'm in Rosemont on business, I make a point to have at least one meal at Carlucci's. The food is amazing, the service is delightful, the wine list is inspired. My favorites include the veal hangar steak and the special linguine. They also make a mean pizza. I have yet to try their desserts, but I'll be back in the area again soon. Yes, it's expensive, but if you're with a group and want to make a great impression, this is the spot. If you're alone and on expense account, dine at the bar - very congenial bartenders. Enjoy!
(5)Andrea R.
Back in the day of long commutes (no fun) I had a few lunches here. And it was always a nice change from some of the chains (subway, baja fresh, etc) that we frequented. Years later I found myself back at Carlucci's, but this time in their private dining room for a good friend's rehearsal dinner. We wined (white for me) and dined on salad, pizzas, marinara and meat sauce pastas and chicken. It was served family style so we got a taste of everything. Probably a few too many tastes for the dress I wanted to wear to the wedding the following night. And eating a huge piece of tiramisu (mmmm) for dessert probably didn't help that cause either. The private room was a good size for the 60 or so people that were there and the waiters seemed on top of it, although my friends did have to ask several times for their pieces of tiramisu. I'm now lucky to have a very short commute to my couch so there probably won't be many future trips back to Carlucci's for me. However, check it out if you do happen to work in the area OR are looking for a private dining room in this area.
(4)Peter R.
So yesterday we had an office party here after work. I still don't know what the occasion was for, but when free food and booze are involved you can expect 99.9% attendance. The restaurant is tucked away from River Road, its in the building right next to the Marriot Suites. We occupied a private room just beyond the bar. They had a nice appetizer spread with bruschetta, calamari, ravioli, various pizzas, and bacon wrapped shrimp. I am a firm believer in "bacon makes anything taste better." I am not a big fan of shrimp, but I found myself enjoying quite a few pieces. The other apps was just OK, nothing to get excited about. I will say that the bartenders hooked it up with the drinks. I ordered a Kettle and Tonic, and lets just say all I could taste was vodka. It got pretty crowded in that room, but the servers darted in and out of the crowd and made sure we were taken care of. The liquor and conversations flowed thru the night, and its nice to get to hang with my cohorts outside of work. This was a good place to have our office party and the service was excellent. I will have to try the actual menu if I find myself back, but I can't see myself going out of my way to dine here.
(3)Daniel C.
Our flight was delayed into ORD and arrived a bit after their last kitchen order at 9:30 but they still took care of us. We had an interesting beer called Imper Ale. Wine was a reasonable priced Barolo called Monte Degli Angeli. Calamari was nicely done and pasta was right on. Everybody was happy.
(4)Bryan B.
Carlucci still has it. My wife and I took cooking classes at Carlucci when Vince Tyler was head chef. We thought that the restaurant would tank after he left, but we were wrong. It's a good place to go pre-show at the Rosemont Theatre (now Akoo Theatre) or the Allstate Arena. All of the restaurants near O'Hare airport in the hotel zone are a bit overpriced, but this is definitely the best call for variety and taste unless you're into the boring steak and seafood places. If you have to/need to eat near O'Hare, this is it.
(4)Candice G.
That review from Edward is extremely harsh. My fiance and I really enjoy this place. They go the extra mile in all aspects to make it a great dining experience. Apparently the guy got an inexperienced waitress that messed up but she was obviously new and people are human jeez. I find it weird to review a place that you did not even dine at, just upset about some wine. Anyways, I felt the need to defend this restaurant because the managers are simply amazing and truly make everyone feel special. The food is dynamite, I get the fish often which is great, but if you were good during the week and want to splurge on calories the pasta is extremely flavorful. Nice wine list, waiters that have been there for years and take their job seriously, great management, and excellent food. It's both our second time around in the marriage arena so my fiance and I want a small wedding and have thought this would be a romantic place, beautiful rooms. Don't be swayed by a couple negative reviews.
(5)Three g.
This is a solid Italian place in Rosemont. The main reason most people would find themselves dining in Rosemont is because they are staying at nearby hotels... and Carlucci is certainly the best Italian restaurant in the area, and compares pretty favorably with some of my favorite Italian places in the city. I've been here about a half dozen times, always for business, and its always been a hit with my guests (those types that dont want Gibsons...). I'm currently scheduled to return with a party of 12 - and I'm quite comfortable that it will be a good to excellent experience for all. The food is very good - not great, but not an afterthought. Service generally has been quite good, and the waiters I have had have been quite knowledgable. I've never been with anyone who complained about the food or service, thats for sure. If your're in Rosemont and want good italian food, this is the place to go.
(4)Chris C.
Update: Still pretty crappy. Unfortunately, their service just sucks and is ridiculously slow. They still have the 5.99 pasta lunch but they've reduced the number of options available. Boo.
(2)Sandra B.
Being Italian, I am quite particular about the Italian food I eat. To be honest, I dislike most of it. I cannot say the same about the food at Carlucci. I've eaten here two times now and the food is absolutely delicious. The service is a bit slow and it is a little loud; if not for those two issues, I would have given 5 stars. I highly recommend it to anybody looking for great Italian food! Buon appetito!
(4)Dave S.
I love Italian food! I am always on the lookout for new places to try. I was tremendously looking forward to trying this place out. I was not disappointed. Our server was top notch. Hew knew the menu inside and out and gave us some great suggestions. He was very friendly yet professional and he was very efficient. All of the staff here was very pleasant. From the initial look at the decor, I was expecting everyone to be much more formal so I was VERY pleased with how I was treated. We started out with the calamari which was really delicious. The breading was not very heavy and they were not greasy at all. For my main course, I decided on something basic: Rigatoni Bolognese. It was very good. The meat sauce had a good flavor and it was loaded with meat. It was a very rich sauce and filled me up very quickly. I really enjoyed my meal here and I will be looking for a reason to get back for more!
(4)Z P.
Attending an annual trade show for the pet industry, we are left with very little choice to take our clients after the show. I booked Carlucci's for two nights. First, on FRI for a party of 6, then on SAT for a party of 5. Both nights we had a waiter named Rico who was very sweet BUT had zero ability to read the table and constantly kept interrupting whomever was speaking to either recite the specials of ask if everything was okay, or make some kind of crazy recommendation for apps. It made it really uncomfortable. Read your table, Rico! And nobody wants your waiter business card after the meal. That makes no sense. On the Saturday night, we sat outside where it was an unusual 79 degrees. Crazy weather for mid-October. I ordered the "special" salmon dish and was brought the wrong salmon. At first they denied making any mistake, and later admitted their error, and took it off the bill. I come from the restaurant biz, and my husband is a chef. At best, Carlucci's is pedestrian Italian food with absolutely no finesse. I am hoping to go to McCormick's next year with my clients.
(1)Laine K.
The food is good. Not great. I went for a work-related thing and there was six of us. We knew a guy who knew a guy and that was the only way we got in so quickly (it was right after the close of convention). The server kept slopping water when he refilled the water glasses which annoyed me. We got calamari as an appetizer and for the first time in what seems like forever it WASN'T OVERCOOKED!!! Calamari was delicious!! I had the chicken parm which was very good and it was a huge portion. I didn't like the amount of provolone on the chicken but I liked the marinara (it was a little spicy, chunky and very tomatoey!!). The pasta was well cooked. Ambience-wise it was loud and busy. Not necessarily a romantic date place. Seems like more of a necessity place to eat since it's so close to the convention center. It was good in a pinch (we had only eaten pizza most of the day). I say try it if your stuck nearby.
(3)Carol M.
Bridal Shower August 2011 25 ladies- Lindsey's shower Saturday was excellent. You were right- the room was perfect. I really thought it would be too big for the amount of people, but your staff spaced it perfectly. The food was exceptional. Your staff was polite and helpful until the end including helping loading the car! If you need a recommendation in the future, feel free to contact me. I will definitely use your venue again! Thanks again John!
(5)Rebecca S.
Owner Graziano is nothing short of the best host in the Chicago area. Carlucci's is easily the best Italian west of the Delaware river. I was greeted with hospitality and service. Each employee whom I met embodied the pride they felt for their restaurant and their product. The daily gourmet special menu was mouthwatering with mentions of sockeye salmon, seasonal apples and the magical word "homemade." The waitstaff directed me to order my salad off the menu - I love arugula and tomato! I had an incredible entree of farfalle that was also a ravioli! Chef Alex is friendly and open to commentary while Cathy was an attentive helpful new best friend who gave me great recommendations. Check in here on every visit to Chicago to fuel your fire to take on the windy city!
(5)Edward H.
My experiences here have been mediocre. I've come on lunch a few times in the past and have had mixed results. They frequently have pasta specials for lunch so it's easy on your wallet but the quality's extremely inconsistent. What I've really enjoyed here, however, was their grilled octopus salad. Each bite was succulent and had amazing grill flavor. The biggest turn off has been the service. The last server was scatterbrained and half-assed. He offered everyone a choice of black napkins but tossed a white on me - he told me it was because I had jeans on. The problem is I was wearing a black shirt - I spent the rest of the day walking around with tons of white lint all over my shirt. He also mixed up everyone's order leaving us to figure out who had what. Carlucci Rosemont is good for a quick lunch with low expectations. Definitely skip this place if you have someone to impress. Instead, go 1/2 a block off to Rosewood. You'll thank me for it.
(2)Steven T.
Horrid....absolutely Horrid experience here. Do not eat here as a group, because our meals (mostly veal) came out sorely undercooked, and the staff couldn't care less. We ordered a particular beer, which they ran out of and they tried to pawn off another beer as the same thing (even though the second was a light beer and the second a dark one!) The only redeeming thing here was the pasta orrechiete with sausage, but I will never be back!
(1)Renee M.
Came here with a party of 7 after a Illinois Pageant. We were promptly seated, the service was excellent. I love love love the seafood chowder.... my steak was cooked to perfection. My daughter had pasta & it was excellent as well. The prices are high, but you pay for what you get, & we got excellent service, awesome food and an overall great experience here.
(5)Tom T.
My experience and review is based on a visit with ~20 business colleagues and was limited to a fixed menu. Service was excellent. Appetizer pizzas were exceptional. Pasta course was also very above average. Entree of NY strip steak was overcooked and cold when served (may be a function of trying to serve group of 20 simultaneously). Generally speaking a decent Italian food experience, but I have had much better. Ambiance was typical upscale dining (white table cloths, dark wood finishes, etc.).
(3)J G.
Carlucci's food was amazing and the staff was great. I would recommend this place to anyone who wants to be catered to and get a great, fresh real Italian meal with a professional wait staff. Highly recommended...
(4)Yuly M.
STILL think this place is overpriced. I mean $3 4 a 6oz cup of pop is just silly, but DAMN there pasta specials get me to come back. Next time I'll just order a cup of water. Which will probably b $2! If you don't like lunch rushes this is definetely NOT the place to go. 2 stars because the food is still good even if its overpriced and the service is fast considering they are jam packed!
(2)Marc M.
Although business must be suffering because of the economy, this place remains one of my favorite places in Chicago for a business dinner - especially if you are near the airport. I stay across the street at the Westin hotel and can walk there (be careful not to drink too much because crossing back can be dangerous!). I would describe this place as a scaled-up version of Macaroni Grill. The owners of the restaurant may cringe when they read my review, but I think it is a pretty good analogy for the people. It is NOT a typical italian restaurant, but definitely has the influence. The steaks are very good, but everyone in our party tried different veal dishes. We also ordered sides, which were totally unnecessary since all of our entrees came with a couple of them. The asparagus side was our favorite, and the potatoes vesuvius was the biggest disappointment. The wine selection is good - not too big - and a pleasant selection of both inexpensive wines and italian wines. We had a bottle of the valpocella, which was unremarkable. Desert of raspberries in a cream tart was a good end to the meal, but the raspberries were not very fresh. Service was adequate, but not very friendly.
(4)Eric X.
Family came here because they offer a shuttle bus to the Arena for events. But as we arrived, we were informed that the shuttle broke down last night and was not going to be running. Had they informed us ahead of time, we could have changed our res to a restaurant closer to the arena or made other arrangements. It was a selfish tactic to keep business on their part and they lose a star for this. Now let's talk food. The eggplant parmesean app was excellent with lots of intact crust to savor. Some of the best I've ever had. The surf and turf, a combination of skirt steak and crab stuffed shrimp scampi, was more hit and miss. While the shrimp were great, the steak was chewy and bland. The house zinfandel was awful -- Chuck Shaw is a better wine (yes I know it's a cab). For $8 a glass, they could have at least offered up a low end Ravenswood, Fetzer, or any number of good $10 Napa/Sonoma/Lodi Zins. Three stars if it weren't for the shuttle fiasco. They should have offered to pay our cab fare or comped SOMETHING on the bill.
(2)David A.
What a disappointment. Had not been there for many years. Used to love this place. It now is an over priced production factory with high prices and average food. I will remember the old days fondly but will not go back. Gibsons is a much better local option.
(2)Elizabeth T.
Dinner at Carlucci with a group of friends for New Year's Eve. Everything was "average". Nothing that "wowed" us. Food - Average. It wasn't bad. It wasn't "wow" either. Service - Our waitress was average. Maybe next time we'll ask for Grumpy based on other yelpers' feedback on Grumpy's great service. Ambiance - It was a fun place for New Year's Eve. Lots of diners & everyone was in a good mood. Washroom - It's weird how one has to exit Carlucci, and walk to a bathroom in another part of the building. Our experience wasn't bad/nor super awesome. It was average. Would probably not go back unless friends insist we go there or if someone treated me there for free. =)
(3)Purvi R.
3 nights a week, I live across the street from Carlucci at the Westin O'Hare. As a result, I am a frequent guest / carry-out-er at Carlucci Rosemont. I've had very good, just fine, and so-so experiences. All this adds up to a solid 3 stars in my book. Very good are some dishes of note. In particular, the homemade basil linguini dish with fresh sage (yum!) is worth a try. Be sure to order the dish with LIGHT sauce (otherwise, you may find yourself with a massive pool of melted butter at the bottom of the dish). Also try the baby spinach salad. I still can't get over that orange vinegrette dressing and I have had it dozens of times. Another 'very good' is the ability to substitute types of pasta in any of their dishes, as each is made to order. This bodes well for me; it's so tough to eat healthy on the road, so the fact that I can get some simple whole wheat pasta and a salad is comforting. Just fine is the menu. It's large and diverse (even though it's Italian), and they always have many specials that keep things interesting. There's something for the healthy eaters and something for the indulgers, and everyone in between who just wants some good pasta. In typical American (esp Midwest) style everything is huge. They could back of portions (and perhaps prices??) and still fill the majority of their guests. So-so is their service. They are friendly enough, but more than once my meal has taken a long lonnnng time. And I almost always get carded for wine. This is flattering at bars and clubs. This isn't as flattering at a business-clientele-filled restaurant that I frequent. That borders on annoying. Since it is attached to the Marriott, it comes with hotel-restaurant prices, so be prepared for that. A meal with salad and wine, with tip, will still be around $45 or so. Fortunately expense accounts help with this in my case, but I wouldn't eliminate the suggestion of having a special meal here. Lord knows good cuisine is limited in this part of town.
(3)Brooke S.
Had a fabulous dining experience for date night at Carlucci. It was my first visit, and will not be the last. We ordered a cocktail and an appetizer at the bar while deciding whether to dine in the formal dining room, or in the bar area. We opted for seating in the bar area, as the atmosphere was very cozy. The food was incredible! I highly recommend the Arancini appetizer- the bartender suggested it, and I know why! The Casalinga salad was amazing. For dinner, I chose one of the specials- crabmeat stuffed snapper, over marscapone polenta, with sauteed spinach and a lemon saffron butter. The portions were generous, and had tremendous flavor. I couldn't finish it all, so I'll be enjoying the rest tonight. Other people have commented on how the restrooms are down a hallway outside of the restaurant- to me, that wasn't a big deal, and would not stop me from returning. I can't wait to go back to try some of the other items on the menu!
(5)Michelle W.
I have used Carlucci's twice for large work dinners - both times in a private room. They were accommodating to our party on both occasions (2 years apart) and understood our need to be minimally disturbed while still offering excellent service. The food itself was mostly very good - especially the pastas - though our diners found the steak served hit or miss. They had wines to fit our (non-profit) budget and palate. I would definitely use them again for a Hilton-centric event, though being outside the immediate area I'm not sure how they are for more intimate dinners. But given my past good experiences I would definitely give them a shot.
(4)Molly O.
I organized a group dinner here for my executive committee. I called with pretty short notice for a dinner for 25 but they were able to help me. I chose my menu, the cheapest one is 4 courses, and emailed in my selections. I was all set. However, not once was it mentioned that there is a complimentary shuttle to pick you up from your hotel, my concierge told me this. Finally a couple of hours before dinner I got ahold of the restaurant and asked them to pick us up, which they did, which was very nice. I had arranged for a private room and asked for a room with windows. To begin with, the restaurant is in a business office on the main level. The main restaurant is in one room and the private rooms are little retail spaces that haven't been filled with anything else. We were in sort of alike a fish bowl. I didn't like it, but others didn't seem to mind. The food was good, nothing spectacular. They gave us the wrong dessert, tiramisu instead of cheesecake, but it was still good. I would go back for a group dinner, but not for anything else.
(3)Edward S.
I went for dinner with a business colleague this past Friday and I was shocked! To start off we were seated near the entrance to the kitchen and all I heard was a server bitching about her job. The server came too the table and did not present a wine list so I had to ask for one. I selected one of my favorite wines (Duckhorn Decoy). Not an expensive wine but I wanted to have it decanted.The the server literally dumped the bottle of wine into a water pitcher. The explanation was that the server did know any better. We recieved what appeared to be yesterdays bread without any olive oil and I had to ask for grated cheese, which should be a staple. At this point I am mortified and go to the hostess stand to have a manager come to the table. In the meantime, a back waiter approaches the table with his tie undone and sleaves rolled up. The manager shows up and is the biggest idiot in food service I have every met (and I am a FB Director). I explained to him the basics of service and what the purpose of a preshift meeting and line up were. He expalined that he has given me a new server. What about training them in the first place. At this point I am leaving, I offered to pay for the wine that was opened, but thes only saving grace was that he said that he would take care of it (gee thanks..and buy the manager some collar stays). We left as I was afraid to witness what a travesty dinner would be like. Additionally, the service at the bar was great and the food good, but the bartender was complaining about her hours. That is a back of the house conversation. Interesting to know that they pay different for the day shift than in the evening. FYI..she was missing 3 hours of day pay Charlie, you and I met once and I must say you should be ashamed to put your family name on this cut rate restaurant.
(1)Reed V.
Good food, but a little expensive for my taste! Has a nice, upscale atmosphere and the dinner servers are good. All of the bar tenders are good too (especially Rebecca and Eric!!!), and I frequently go during my lunch breaks and after work for a few drinks. Foreign and domestic beers are a little pricey. The food is good, and it's super convenient for me. If you are going for food, go on a Monday or Tuesday during lunch and get the $5.99 pasta deal...
(3)Jackie N.
Visiting this place was always bittersweet for me because it usually meant I was heading on a jet plane and didn't know when I would be back (to Chicago) again. Though the circumstances weren't always ideal, I was grateful that the establishment was so close to O'Hare as the options are limited in that area i.e. fast food only alternatives. Considering the available choices, this restaurant serves pretty decent food. In fact some of the dishes are downright tasty. That being said, the prices are a bit exorbitant . However, the wait (if any) is minimal, and if you prefer not to spend mucho dinero, pizza in the bar seating area is always an option. Also, if you are dropping someone off at the airport and want to prolong the inevitable, there is a strange cement industrial park/ seating area near the restaurant that permits lingering goodbyes. Talk about warm and fuzzy.
(3)Amanda C.
I came here for my college graduation and I enjoyed it. The place is a little over the top with the decor considering it is a casual place... But still nice! We got a little dressed up and I felt somewhat out of place :/ The place settings are formal along with all of the china that the food is served in. It did feel a little special, and I liked that since it was a special day for me! My family got a pick 3 type appetizer and it was amazing. Consisted of calamari and a few other things (cannot remember! Sorry!); I remember everything being very tasty! If you go definitely go with the pick 3 app! I got an alfredo pasta and it was delicious! The alfredo sauce was out of this world. The portions were a little small, which I found disappointing since most Italian restaurants give huge portions. At least it was good though! That is clearly what is most important :) A little overpriced and over the top, but the food was good :)
(3)Mike H.
Good pasta lunch deal. The restaurant was quite busy but service was still good.
(4)Steve M.
Attended a work function here last week and it was OK. It wasn't awful but it wasn't great it was just in the middle. There are so many Italian restaurants in the area it is very hard to find one any better than another. We had the bruschetta, and the calimari served in a tower which actually made it hard to get to. People trying to get food onto their plate was a little challenging. My main course was chicken ravioli in a veal sauce which was again just OK. The service was good. We didn't find it slow or fast. No one had dessert so I can't say anything about that. The wine list good but I am not a wine person. I probably wouldn't be back unless it was another planned work event.
(3)Andrew S.
Had dinner there a week ago. The oven baked pizza was outstanding, reminded me of the homemade pizza my nani used to make. Great pasta. More than anything else, the service was truly top-notch. The wait staff that we had wereamong the nicest I can remember. And I get around. CeeCee in particular was very friendly and so were the others working with her.
(5)cristene g.
Certainly marginal at best. The order was screwed up. The food was eh, and the service felt forced - like trying too hard. Maybe it was a Russian Italian accent. The table location was loud and bad as it was too busy and not conducive to the work we were trying to do. I'd expected better from my prior outings. Certainly missed the mark this time.
(2)Kate S.
Very friendly and polite staff. Bar area is great. Quiet with booths that make it a great place to have dinner or appetizers and a drink with friends or on a date. Main dining room is very bright and very loud. I'll be back, but just stick to the bar. Free valet is a nice feature.
(3)Tony D.
Great place for a business dinner. Food and service were great. A solid 4 1/2 stars.
(4)TJ K.
A client took me here this past week and I enjoyed the food. The caesar salad was very good and the chicken entree was, too. I recommend the place!
(4)Melissa H.
We went here for Mother's Day-my choice. It took forever for our waitress to get to our table to order drinks and greet us. I had my 3 yr old with, my Dad, and my boyfriend. I finally just got up and went to the buffet and served myself. I was disappointed there wasn't an omelette station. The fried chicken was dried out and the food was sub par at most. The apple juice my boyfriend ordered tasted like cider and after 2 glasses he said forget it. Then our check comes and they automatically added a $16 tip. For 3 adults and a 3 yr old? I commented to the hostess on the way out that we shouldn't be expected to pay for bad service. She just looked at me and we walked out. I would never go back here.
(1)Oscar A.
For the price per plate, I was expecting a litte more. There are more options in the rosemont area for the price. Nothing special.
(3)S A.
Good location for a flight out of ohare. Nice atmosphere and friendly staff. All the ingredients for a good dinner before travelling. Now the food. Ok at best. Pleasant but forgettable. Nothing offensive but you won't brag about this place. Had the special grouper with risotto. Fish a bit overlooked and risotto sticky rather than creamy. Sauce was passable but uninspired. Like I said...was a pleasant visit but could be so much more. Place was crowded so must be a demand they are filling.
(2)Jennifer C.
An associate recommended this so I went with high hopes and was pretty disappointed. The server sucked and the service was slow. The pasta was dry.
(2)Veganstylist W.
The food was nothing special. The order was mixed up. I asked for gluten-free pasta and did not receive it. I had a stomach ache later that day. My friends order was not right. She asked for mozzerella cheese and recieved goat cheese. It's not a restaurant I would return to.
(2)Tony E.
On the positive side, the food is excellent, with the minor exception of the blue cheese salad dressing. I really want to emphasize that the food *was* truly delicious because I have a few negative things to say below. Overall, I think I could describe Carlucci's in three words: overpriced, overpriced and overpriced. Although the food was delicious, it wasn't a good value. The decor is, as another reviewer mentioned, similar to a glorified Macaroni Grill. For the price we paid I would have preferred a quieter environment. It was difficult to carry on a conversation with all the noise. Our waiter also seemed too busy to attend to us. A final minor negative point is that the restaurant was hard to find. It is located on the south side of the Marriot hotel.
(3)Jennifer H.
This is simply not my kind of Italian food. Give me a tasty marinara, lots of cheese and some warm garlic bread anytime over what they have at this place! I ate here on a Tuesday night with several coworkers and it was very busy so apparently someone likes this style of Italian food it's just not me. The service was good and prompt. The dining room was crowded and rather loud. I had trouble deciding what to order because nothing on the menu struck me as particularly appealing. I finally decided on the tortelloni which was ok, but it was paired with a wretched butter sage sauce which was oily and greasy. I had to let the sauce drain off of each peice of tortelloni before I could eat it. Our appetizers were not stellar either-- calamari (average), carpaccio (I can't speak to this one because I'm not down with raw beef so I didn't try it), and bruschette (not very good). Apparently my tablemates were not very thrilled with their dinner selections either because no one was ooohing and ahhhing, "this is so good" or "you have to try this." If I wasn't there for a business meal I would have just ordered one of their pizzas. That's pretty hard to mess up. Bottom line-- this place is not worth the price unless you are particularly fond of this type of Italian food. I recommend checking out their menu on-line before you decide to make a reservation.
(2)Bob C.
Great food. Great atmosphere. A repeat next time in Chicago.
(4)Justin N.
Bar was okay, a bit slow and uncaring. Food was overpriced for poorly prepared stake and not so good seafood. Salads of all varieties were very good though. My biggest gripe is I ordered a 05 wine and didn't check the label, reading the cork after dinner it was an 08. Waiter feigned ignorance and said he would send over wine guy, never happened, waiter said he was unavailable. I didn't push the issue since I was in front of customers. Guess its my fault for not checking label. Can't believe I left such a generous tip.
(2)Joel A.
A favorite restaurant of ours, plus my business associates. Always good service, talented waiters and excellent food (plus the Manhattans are top drawer)
(5)Charisa A.
We had very important customers and business associates from out of the country, and planned to take them out to dinner last Sat. Oct. 9. We had 8 people at our party, two of whom were vegetarian. Since we were in the Rosemont area, that left us with practically no choices (as most of the restaurants in the area were steak houses). The experience was unbelievably disappointing and frankly I'm surprised the restaurant is still in business. To keep it short, here is the summary: 1. Vegetarian guest ordered a chicken pasta dish with white sauce and peas, and asked to omit the chicken. She then asked if the chef could simply add any vegetables in the pasta in place of the chicken. The waitress flatly said "No". The pasta (with peas) came luke warm, the white sauce was congealed as if the dish hd been sitting on the counter for 3 hours. The dish was room-temperature. 2. Guest ordered the SPECIAL Tilapia dish with scallops, because she loves scallops. The dish came WITHOUT a single scallop! Furthermore, the dish was also luke warm. We had to send the dish back to get the scallops added and the dish reheated. The dish came back with two scallops. Needless to say, she hardly touched her food. 3. Guest ordered chicken parmesan. You would think that would be a basic dish in an Italian restaurant. After waiting for some time, a wait staff came to tell her that they were "out of chicken parmesan". So she substitued another dish. Her meal came out COLD, and she had to send it back to be reheated. She also hardly touched her food. 4. Guest ordered the Risotto SPECIAL, with shrimp and scallops. The breaded shrimp was horrifically over-cooked, which rendered the shrimps like rubber. The scallops were also dried out. The dish was, you guessed it, luckewarm, makiing the risotto stiff and cheesy. For a special dish for the night, the dish tasted more like left-overs. Of the 8 guests, 7 of our dishes were lukewarm to almost cold. We waited for over 30 minutes for our meal, which is probabaly why most of our dishes were lukewarm/cold. The salmon special was fishy. The tilapia special was dried. The shrimp in the risotto special was over-cooked. You would think that at the very least, the SPECIAL dishes would be prepared better than the regular dishes! The dinner experience was terrible and embarrasing, especially because we had out-of-country guests. One of us talked to a manager on the side, who made the excuse that they were "swamped" at the kitchen. BAD excuse. The compensation: they offered complimentary dessert on the house. However, we could not wait to get out of the restaurant. He then took 2 dishes off the tab, but in my opinion, he should have given us entire meal for free (except maybe, left the wine on the tab!). Sub-standard restaurant. Below-standard food. And I'm trying to be diplomatic here. Will never go back.
(1)Noel A.
The combination of a neighborhood bar and fantastic italian food. Every now and then Carlucci's lets their young chef, Alex out of the box to cook some really creative and delicious dishes. While the traditional dishes are very good (e.g., try the linguini in the cheese bowl--yummy), Alex's flatbreads are creative, flavorful with just enough variety.
(5)Brad S.
I've never had a good long-term relationship with a restaurant...until Carlucci's. We did out wedding dinner here and we are sold. We have come here for dinner on our own since and we have always been happy. In addition, we have used their back room for events ranging from my father-in-law's funeral luncheon to one of our son's Christening party. Hats off always to John Campagna, the events manager, who has ALWAYS taken care of us. Also worth mentioning in the Mother's Day champagne brunch - we've done it twice in four years and the years we didn't we wish we did! When our 2nd son was born right before our wedding anniversary, we brought our newborn home on our anniversary date and we decided to order take-out from Carlucci's. They included all the trimmings to include rolls, butter, olive oil, and more. We could not be happier and we look forward to doing more business with this restaurant and the staff. Kudos! Oh, if you decide to try it here, I recommend the Radiatori pasta - it is truly first rate.
(5)J. Bradford R.
Another weekend bites the dust but garners a chance to make a review. Dinner at Carlucci's is a treat. The Mrs. and I decided to splurge a bit to celebrate a certain anniversary...you know, the kind of anniversary that only the two of you can talk about because anybody that you tried to explain it to would immediately cut you out of their will.?! Yeah, so we got a bit spiffed up and took it over to Rosemont. While I had been there before on business, this was my first time with a romantic agenda. So get this, just as we are pulling up to the restaurant, it begins to rain heavily. The Mrs. goes into hair panic, of course, and I have no umbrella in the car. The valet has me pull up on the sidewalk...yes, the sidewalk, to make sure that no hairs became dampened. Nice. The Mrs. felt like a rock star and what could be better than that? A drink at the bar with Eric brandishing the bottles is always a nice preamble to dinner. A first for me was a five-piece blues group playing in the bar. They were fine, just too loud. That is a small area to have a TRUMPET player blowing in my freakin' ear. We were seated in a booth with a view of the kitchen through a glass wall...not that we watched them much as we were lovingly lost in each others eyes. *sigh* Oops...Sorry 'bout that. As I was saying, the ambiance is as rich as the Alfredo sauce. Top shelf service and beautiful presentation. It is on the expensive side to be sure but if you have something unmentionable to celebrate this is a fine place to do it.
(4)Marynell C.
A fantastic Italian restaurant, pretty busy tonight but the food was delicious, veal scallopini and the spinach was perfect, even splurged with dessert
(4)Nastassia J.
Went here for my husband's holiday party with his firm. Service was nice, decor was nice, and even though I wasn't paying, I thought the food was terribly overpriced. I don't know, $30 for a NY Strip is a bit steep no? Overall the food was pretty good, and if the prices were a bit more reasonable, I'd give the place 4 stars. However, its not a memorable place. Its just a copy of a copy of a copy. Sorta like an upscale macaroni grill. Also, I had a hard time figuring out exactly where the resturant was. Looks more like an office building. They need a bigger sign.
(3)Jenna B.
I've been here a couple times and each time I think that it will be better than the last. But I think that Carlucci's is a solid 3 stars. The appetizers were good, we had calamari, stuffed clams (although a bit salty), and the meat and cheese platter. I had the linguine with seafood and the portion was ridiculous! Our whole table of 6 could've split the dish. My colleagues had other pasta dishes and one had a steak. They all were satisfied, meaning their meals filled their stomachs. It's not anything to rave about, thus a solid 3 starts- A OK.
(3)Doug K.
Decent food, a little above average service. Of the four pizza choices Margarita Pizza is no doubt the best. Their pasta dishes are around the same quality/taste as the Olive Garden. Would go again if someone was buying my dinner.
(3)charles r.
First night into Chicago and stayed near the Ohare airport. We waited for over an hour but maybe that is to be expected on a Sat evening. The food was overpriced and the service horrible. The waiter was quite rude and when I asked him about a fish special, he had the nerve to say "Didn't you read the menu"? I ended up going with his recommendation and the fish (Char) was good. But the waiter's attitude was evident throughout the night and doomed the experience. When in the Rosemont area again, I will go out of my way to eat elsewhere.
(1)Rahshonda K.
I am frequenter of the 5.99 pasta lunch special on Monday and Tuesday and I have to say its very good. The reason I am giving only two stars because the portions are smaller than the regular orders. I think they should put that on the menu that the special will be smaller. The bread is really awesome I could go just to eat the bread. This place is not for the cheap the dinner is very pricey and honestly there is two things on the menu that I only order because when I have ordered outside of those items it has not been a pleasant food experience. So stick with the pastas Route, and Campanelle.
(2)Stacey S.
The food at Carlucci was hit or miss. My salad was good, but nothing special. The veal picatta was good, but a little tough and drenched in the sauce. The side of spinach was not edible because it was burnt. Excellent cappuccino! Very expensive overall for the quality.
(3)David C.
It is with a heavy heart that I award 4 stars to Carlucci Rosemont...dining out with a group of 10 tonight, I had the chance to see more than a few different entrees and they all looked terrific. Unfortunately, our waiter was such a prick, I didn't know what to do or say (anybody who knows me knows how rare that is)...we were all just so tired and I chose to just shut my mouth and eat my pesce al forno, which was stylishly served over marscapone polenta with grilled asparagus. Anyway, this guy's attitude is surpassed only by the surly waiters at the Carneghi Deli in Manhattan where people go literally hoping to be abused. Without going into details, in fact turning the other cheek, I was thrilled to see the place jam packed on a Tuesday night. This place really puts out some quality food. The osso bucco, seafood risotto, veal, pizzas, the soups, the tiramisu - across the board - outstanding. I'll definitely be back, but i'll be on the look-out for that pompous ass...who I will never again let interfer with a perfectly fine meal.
(4)Leang E.
This is one of those places where you raise your eyebrows and your pupils dilate over when someone suggests you come here. I think it's because people identify it as being a pricey brand recognition place. This place is top notch. I've met an acquaintance here for drinks at the bar, and it's nice and casual. I've also had a birthday lunch here along with business lunches, and they have excellent appetizers. I had the grilled mushrooms and calamari. They have this $5 pasta lunch special going on. The portion is kind of small and disappointing - so you may be better off if you order a full order from the menu if you are hungry. I can't remember if it's every day of the week or a certain day of the week. I'm a big fan of their steak salads. I've had the tiramisu and it was pretty good as well. It's hard to mess that one up, and the coffee and cappuccino is not bad as a finisher. Shoot, you don't need a reason to come here to eat - just come.
(4)Michael K.
We hit this place with a couple of friends that were floating through town and staying near the airport to catch a flight out, so we met them here. Nice menu, food is excellent. Staff is very friendly. Manager wandered by to check on us a couple of times, the support staff was all over us in a good timely way. The waiter knew his menu and was gracious about the fact that we'd opted to sit in the back of the bar, well away from his station, as we had a baby with us and didn't want to bug people in the main eating area. This meant he had to hike for us and only for us primarily and he was seamlessly cool about that inconvenience to his feet. Anyhow, I'd do this place again. Everything we ordered was very good, prices are not at all ridiculous and the selections of food, wine, etc are all more than adequate. Atmosphere is nice and relatively upscale, so you you're going to have a fairly decent experience here, most likely. It is also good to know that they have a $0 corkage fee on the weekends, so if you want to bring in that lovely bottle, tote it on in and they'll pop and pour for nothing- which is pretty nice also.
(4)William C.
Based upon my experience, Carlucci's is nearly perfect. Had dinner here with 2 friends / business associates. Each of us raved about how great the dinner was. I had the pork chop Saltimboca. It was HUGE and prepared perfectly. My Caesar salad was the best I have had in many years (and I order it regularly). My only complaints (minor) are that it is a bit loud and the servers seem to be over worked (they may need 1 or 2 more servers per shift). Having said that, our service was excellent and they even made a special preparation for one of my friends at the busiest time of the night. We would have understood if they couldn't accommodate him at the peek time of the evening. I have eaten here before but it was several years ago. It is one of my favorite places to eat when I'm in the area. I am certain that I will be back.
(4)Drew P.
I got the 5oz filet with crab-stuffed shrimp. The filet was perfect. I could cut it with my fork, as one should. The flavor was excellent. They didn't over season, didn't lump the shrimp and crab on top of the steak, which takes away from it in my opinion. The cherry tomatoes with the entrée were also fantastic. They were sweet and not sour at all. The shrimp and crab weren't heavy like is often the case and the angel hair was cooked perfectly al dente.
(5)Darcy W.
Business lunches can be a bit boring, but when you walk into Carlucci's the nice ambiance grabs you. We were greeted immediately and sat in a very comfy booth. We both had salads, my colleague had the Caesar and had the special. My salad was the most flavorful tender chicken breast I have had in a long time. It was served over grilled romaine, and it had roasted red peppers and peas on it. The white wine dressing was to die for! Order it you will not be disappointed! The service was impeccable, and the staff was helpful in recommending the salad. It's not cheap but it was good. One minor issue since your in a business park... The bathrooms are far away.
(4)Maureen B.
Absolute best meal and experience! Over the top meal and great waitress. Steak with shrimp stuffed with crabmeat on a bed a fresh spinach was perfect! Definitely a 10+++.
(5)Victor L.
MAJOR DISAPPOINTMENT! Don't know where to start, service just terrible , tripped over tray laying on the floor, request for basket of bread finally brought out after fourth inquiry. Orders mixed up, was repeatedly presented with the wrong entrée , staff uniformly in a hurry and surly. My entree Osso buco was decent although too salty , the rest of the party food was average. I did not intend to overly criticize the staff and the restaurant, we have been coming to Carlucci many times before and I understand the staff works hard and demanding hours, we may have shown up on the wrong night but this was a marked departure from what we have experienced in the the past. Too bad that a family reunion at an established restaurant did not come close to meeting our expectations. One star, at least the bread was good ... If you don't mind the wait.
(1)Daniel K.
Solid Italian food when you're stuck around O'Hare
(5)Felize C.
Literally just left after spending Mother's Day brunch here. $45/per person with automatic 18% gratuity added. Definitely not worth it. Food was dry and tasteless with not as much variety as they made it seem. They served blue bunny ice cream that they labeled as "gelato" and chocolate cake that was from Costco. The service also left little to the imagination, we constantly had to flag servers down if we needed anything. There were a couple of hosts and servers that were very kind and patient for how busy it was, and for that I gave 2 stars instead of 1. I'm sure it's probably much different dining here on a regular day, but I wouldn't recommend Mother's Day brunch here to anyone.
(2)Mary Locke M.
I had dinner at Carlucci while I was in Chicago for work last week. The whole experience was enjoyable, but mostly because I didn't pay for it. We had 7:00 reservations on a Tuesday night (via courtesy shuttle bus which is obviously a sign that they do most of their reservation to nearby hotel guests). We were promptly seated in a booth in the back corner. Ordinarily I'm all "Nobody puts Baby in a corner" at a restaurant, but this time I was appreciative to be tucked away in the corner because the acoustics are horrible and Carlucci Rosemont is LOUD. I should mention that the interior of this place also reminded me of a scene from Goodfellas or something. When I go to an expensive-ish restaurant, I want aesthetically pleasing ambiance. Here, not so much. It could use a little updating... The food runner immediately delivered a massive plate of bread. We're talking 6-8 slices for a table of 3. No carb shortage here kids! Our server promptly arrived and she couldn't have been any nicer throughout the course of the meal. She offered several recommendations and went over the specials. My boss got veal and my coworker got pizza (what?). I went for the salmon al forno. Salmon, shrimp, calamari, cous cous, bread, they don't mess around! Quality was average but quantity was gigantic. We all agreed it wasn't the best Italian we'd ever had, but it was definitely satisfying nonetheless. Honestly for the price and ambiance, I wouldn't come back on my own. I would, however, eat here again if in the area with a corporate credit card.
(3)David C.
Ate there with a large party, pizza/flatbread was very good, salmon was good, seemed perfectly prepared but a bit under-seasoned, sautéed veggies that came with were excellent-- large chunks and lots of them, no stinginess with the plate. Comp Bread was good and service was prompt with all the appetizers, vino, and bread, highly unusual anymore! I'll go back for another visit and get beer and pizza or wine and pizza, that's how good their pies were.... We sampled all of the specialty pizzas at our table of 12, and the best was the Salsiccia, loaded with Italian sausage, red peppers, provolone and red sauce . Beautiful Italianate elegance, old-world style. Service was impeccable by experienced tuxedo'd wait staff. No complaints and look forward to a return visit!
(4)R M P.
The food was great but the service was terrible. Sat down with 6:30 reservation and waiter rushed us through the ordering process. By 7:10pm all salads and dinners had been delivered. Unfortunately, mostly at the same time! Not much time for cocktails and/or wine list perusal. If you're in a hurry, this might be your place. Given location, it's no surprise that they cater to area hotels but we were surprised about the lack of front room support for the kitchen/bar. Maybe just a bad night but there are better overall choices in the area.
(2)Elisabeth C.
Love their lunch menu, especially their version of a cobb salad. It's really delicious! We come here often for business lunches and they always have excellent food and service.
(4)Christie P.
We were driving around trying to find something decent before our flight, so we came here. Great service and food. I particularly liked the tilapia.
(4)Paul L.
Had a great experience with a group from work. The steaks and fish dishes were very good and the apps were all great. The fruiti del mar was awesome.
(4)Bernie M.
Picked my wife and son from the airport on Sunday after they returned from a service mission trip for a week, building homes for folks that live off the garbage dumps in Guatemala and thought a sit down meal would be appropriate. Have been there in the past and food was generally acceptable and the service has been very good and the fact that they are just off the expressway going home downtown is a plus. We arrived at 4:35 on Sunday afternoon and because we could not see anyone in the restaurant we stopped outside and I ran in to see if they were opened, although the hours posted on the door said they open at 4:30. When I came in there was no one there, so I went into the dining room and saw the manager working behind the line and asked if they were opened. He hollered out to the other service staff and asked them if they were opened to which they said "yes it's after 4:30". So I parked the car and we came in and saw nobody there and walked into the dining room but as we were sitting down a rude and loud "host" charged at us and started to berate us for not checking in with him! What the heck is wrong with him! We had no idea where the heck Nick was, was I supposed to call into the bathroom looking for the host and request that he get up off the toilet seat and seat us? We were all in shock as there was not one customer or staff in the restaurant to be seen, not one just the Nick the "angry host"! I had even sat down yet and the rest of the family got up from the table and told the guy who' said his name was Nick, that we did not appreciate being treated like that and walked out. We went to Gibson's and had a good experience. I promised the angry host Nick that I would give him full credit for driving customers out of the restaurant in this Yelp review... so done and done.
(1)michael w.
I had a business lunch date that really required the proper venue to facilitate, without hesitation I suggested Carluccis Rosemont. Open table made the reservation a breeze, we were seated immediately and the service and food were outstanding as usual. My business colleague had never been, and I could tell that he was quite impressed and mentioned he would definitely use Carluccis in the future. We needed the better part of ninety minutes to discuss matters and we never felt rushed or hurried to wrap it up. The free valet parking outside makes it very convenient for those attending, and the location of the restaurant facing River road makes it an easy find. I would encourage you to make the time to get to know the people that work at this establishment, one because they are a great group of people overall, two because it adds so much to the experience, you feel like you are dining with family and friends
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