Gioco
(312) 939-3870
1312 S Wabash Ave
Chicago,
IL
60605
41.8655
-87.626
Neighborhoods: Central, Near South Side
What People Are Saying About Gioco
The Editor
Contributor
Citysearch
The Scene
Once deserted, this stretch of Wabash Street now positively pulses with activity. Gioco can take some credit, having opened up shop in this 'hood back in late '99. The space is stylish, comfortable and loud with the buzz of conversation from a hip, all-ages crowd.
The Food
Gioco's still got it, serving simple, excellent Italian fare with a contemporary twist. Nearly every dish scores: paper-thin octopus carpaccio, savory steamed mussels with white wine, seared sea scallops with crispy artichokes ... who needs entrees when you can choose from starters like these? A salad of buffalo mozzarella and tomato sprinkled with fresh basil is basic, and perfect. Pasta-lovers will swoon over the hand-rolled penne, light as air and bathing in a delicate cream sauce studded with peas and prosciutto. Or skip noodles and go for flaky, tender grilled salmon or whole bass with rapini, mouth-watering seafood options both.
User Reviews
Anonymous
October 14, 2008
I went here this past weekend and I was very impressed with the service. The food came extremely fast and the waiter was very friendly. The prices are a bit high but sometimes you have to pay that for a nice meal, I feel like I got my moneys worth.
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bokworm
September 12, 2008
Last night, 7pm, we went to get pizzas, with no reservation and a convention in town, they were able to seat the two of us, very quickly I might add. No hassels from the hostess, just a friendly smile and the way to our table. Water, bread w/ super mellow olive oil and parmesan cheese quickly adored the table. Our waitstaffer told us about the specials of the day and was very nice. Watching her at other tables showed us she was very nice to everybody. Our carpacio salad was served to us very soon after we ordered. The salad was super!! The super thinly sliced rare beef was so soft it melted in your mouth. Crisp fresh 'rouggala' greens were nice and sweet. With the cheese,greens and sauce the salad came so nicely together. Well, the cappers were on the very salty side. But that was so minor because there probably were only 4 cappers on the plate. So far so good. Thin crust pizzas were next! Gee, what a bargin!! They had to be 12 inches across and the ingredients, the pizzas were created w/, fanatastic! One mushroom and one prosciutto, fresh everything, oh so good. They were very good. We each took 1/2 of our pies home. OK....the smoke from the kitchen. What's that about? Well we were seated on the level that the bar was and the kitchen was down one level, it is an open kitchen. The smoke from the cook staff, when they "flamed up" something in the pans overywhelmed the vent fans (I'm guessing) above the stoves which then rose up to the ceiling and then through the arched openings in the wall between the two levels to our level and filled the room. At times my eyes were watering from the smoke. You could see the smoke billowing from the kitchen it was that thick. The smoke did not have a bad smell to it, quite the contrary, a pleasent flavor of your backyard/deck grill. But still alot of smoke. Waitstaff was very attentive and nice. We'd definitely go back again. No we don't work there, we just live in the cily of Chicago. Enjoy as we did.
read full reviewAnonymous
April 28, 2008
My husband and I went to Gioco over the weekend. I very much enjoyed my meatball appetizer. I had the beef filet and he had the scallops. The scallops were very good and he enjoyed his entree. I felt the beef fillet was far to smokey and was overwhelming. The wine selection was great. Our desert was the chocolate cake and i took this home to enjoy with my girlfriends over wine. We all 3 enjoyed this as well. This only thing i could have lived without was the overwhelming smokey of my beef fillet. Great date night place. Ambiance was nice too.
read full reviewThe Details on Gioco
Save Money:
Going to a play? Show the parking valet your ticket and get free parking, plus a free chef's choice appetizer. The offer is valid 5:30pm-7:30pm nightly; be sure to mention the offer when you make your reservation.
The Extras:
Parties of 20 to 40 can hang in the intimate "Speakeasy," which features high ceilings, mahogany-accented walls, and exposed brick.
Category:
Payment Methods:
American Express, Discover, Diners Club, Visa, MasterCard
Restaurant Special Features:
Romantic Dining, Special Occasion Dining, Outdoor Dining, Private Rooms, People Watching, Group Dining
Cuisine:
Smoking Permitted:
At Bar
