Need some recommendations on an Italian spot (for good pasta specifically) (Chicago: club, best)

[Golfer31]

Originally Posted by southkakkatlantan

I'm craving some good Italian pasta...recommendations?

A friend of mine said try Tuscany on West Taylor. Looks good...any other suggestions??

La Scarola on Grand Avenue.

http://www.lascarola.com/reviews.html

P.S. Make sure to watch the video.

[deadplant]

Francesca's

[emathias]

Originally Posted by chicagobear

Coco Pazzo is one of the best Italian restaurants I've been to in Chicago.

eh. they suck at making risotto, though.

For pasta, I'd go to Ceres Table - they don't always have a lot of pasta dishes on the menu (oddly) but when they do, they're excellent.

[Vlajos]

Originally Posted by emathias

eh. they suck at making risotto, though.

For pasta, I'd go to Ceres Table - they don't always have a lot of pasta dishes on the menu (oddly) but when they do, they're excellent.

Guisseppe Scurrato, owner chef, makes all the pasta in house. It's good.

[emathias]

Originally Posted by Vlajos

Guisseppe Scurrato, owner chef, makes all the pasta in house. It's good.

I didn't even know that, I just knew the pasta dishes there are among the most memorable I've had in any restaurant.

[Vlajos]

Originally Posted by emathias

I didn't even know that, I just knew the pasta dishes there are among the most memorable I've had in any restaurant.

Pm me some time. Guisseppe is a great guy.
About a year ago, ceres had a red wine risotto which was mind blowing.

[jonnynonos]

La Scarola for atmosphere, pretty good food.
Tufano's Vernor Park Tap for really good food in a real old Italian neighborhood with very good food.
Oggi on Grand for very casual but real (old) Italian neighborhood pretty good food
My friend is from Italy and likes boca de la verite in lincoln square
Bertucci's Corner for another REAL old Italian in a real Chicago neighborhood
RoSal's is the only Italian I like in Little Italy and it's very good and family run
Any of the restaurants in "Heart of Italy" (corny name) in Pilsen; Ignot's is probably the most popular

If you're downtown Club Lago is a real old, cool place, not sure about the food

Piccolo Sogno is one of the better ones; new but in a real old Italian neighbohorhood and the chef is an Italian from the northside of Chicago. Hard to beat the garden here if you are looking for really, really good food, in a (formerly) Italian neighborhood

Like others said it depends what you want. Those are my favorite places.

The "best" Italian food, though, is going to be Spiaggia, pane caldo, probably... but it will cost you as much as a small car. Even Cafe Spiaggia is very expensive.

[jonnynonos]

I would also add that if you are just someone staying downtown and want a good Italian meal, despite what you might hear, some of the tourist traps like Tavern on Rush and Rosebud are very good. Like, if you're willing to shell out, and you just want a good chicken parm with a glass of good wine, and the experience of really finding an old neighborhood place isn't that important to you, the food is very good at those places. Not really my thing, but, again, it just depends what you're after.

Hell Tony Bennett eats at Rosebud every time he is in town and adores it. If it's good enough for him, it's good enough for you!

[Golfer31]

Originally Posted by jonnynonos

La Scarola for atmosphere, pretty good food.
Tufano's Vernor Park Tap for really good food in a real old Italian neighborhood with very good food.
Oggi on Grand for very casual but real (old) Italian neighborhood pretty good food
My friend is from Italy and likes boca de la verite in lincoln square
Bertucci's Corner for another REAL old Italian in a real Chicago neighborhood
RoSal's is the only Italian I like in Little Italy and it's very good and family run
Any of the restaurants in "Heart of Italy" (corny name) in Pilsen; Ignot's is probably the most popular

If you're downtown Club Lago is a real old, cool place, not sure about the food

Piccolo Sogno is one of the better ones; new but in a real old Italian neighbohorhood and the chef is an Italian from the northside of Chicago. Hard to beat the garden here if you are looking for really, really good food, in a (formerly) Italian neighborhood

Like others said it depends what you want. Those are my favorite places.

The "best" Italian food, though, is going to be Spiaggia, pane caldo, probably... but it will cost you as much as a small car. Even Cafe Spiaggia is very expensive.

Bertucci's Corner is great. The atmosphere makes ya think you are sitting in a place that would have been in the Godfather. I love the place. The food is wonderful as well

[tomcho]

I know it has the pseudo-celebrity tie in, but has anyone been to RPM Italian yet? I've been wanting to go and I'm not afraid to admit I watch their show. I met Bill years ago at Bears game before he even did the Apprentice, 12 months later he was the guest speaker at a work event and he remembered tailgating with us, really cool guy.