(312) 332-4040

71 W Monroe St (Dearborn Street)
Chicago, IL 60603 41.8806 -87.63

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Neighborhoods: Loop, Central

Vivere-chicago.com

Hours:

Mon-Thu 11:30am-2:30pm, 5pm-10pm

Fri 11:30am-2:30pm, 5pm-11pm

Sat 5pm-11pm

Price:

$$$$

Last updated 10.15.11

Category:

Restaurants

Restaurant Special Features:

Local Favorite, Romantic Dining, Special Occasion Dining, Fine Dining, Theater District Dining, Lunch Spot, Date Spot, Group Dining, Notable Wine List

Cuisine:

Italian

Smoking Permitted:

At the bar

Editor's Tips

What People Are Saying About Vivere

Featured Review

Contributor

Contributor

The Scene – All swirly reds and golds, with hanging light fixtures and trippy copper sculptures, stylish Vivere is the mod, slightly rebellious youngster among the three Italian Village restaurants (La Cantina and Italian Village are the others). Despite its flashy style, the place is warm and intimate, thanks to cozy two-person booths and a low-ceilinged bar. The room teems with power-lunching businesspeople at noontime and theatergoing families and couples at dinner. – – The Food – Spaghetti and meatballs? Forget it. The light, contemporary Italian cuisine is as…

Editor's Tips

Save Money:
For $65, get five courses, including a sumptuous dessert sampler. Add $35 for wine pairings.
What to Drink:
Boasting more than 1,100 selections and 40,000 bottles, the award-winning wine list boasts more than 100 options less than $30.
ambiance
98.52999687194824% positive
  1. “This is a definite romantic date spot.”
  2. “The decor is romantic and chic and the chairs are so comfortable.”
  3. “The atmosphere or decor is definetly romantic and original.”
  4. “Fantastic cuisine and ambiance”
  5. “The ambiance is incredible.”
  6. “think its very romantic and a great date spot.”
  7. “The design is comfortable and the Wine Director has great wines by the glass (reasonable $ ) and the Bottle List is unbelievable.”
  8. “Let me tell you, this restaurant was very romantic.”
  9. “The atmosphere and service are great.”
  10. “Not sure what people liked at Vivere but my experience there was not so good, the place and decor is nice but all of us are there for the food and service.”
  11. “The decor is amazing.”
  12. “It is alos a great date place as the mood and lighting are very romantic.”
  13. “Superb service, ambiance and interesting and unique contemporary Italian food.”
  14. “The lighting, the mood, the atmosphere were perfect.”
  15. “One of the most romantic restaurants in Chicago.”
  16. “Ambiance was romantic, and quiet.”
  17. “We are a new couple so the romantic setting was excellent.”
dessert
100.0% positive
  1. “The dessert didn't prove to be a good ending either.”
  2. “would recommend the garlic infused mushrooms for an appetizer, they have an incredible onion-thyme cream sauce, and the pork tenderloin and madagascar salt prawns for dinner, you cant go wrong.”
drinks
95.2400016784668% positive
  1. “fabulous wine list!”
  2. “great food/ great wine list/ great service”
  3. “not knowing much about wine we were abit overwhelmed with the list of 45,000 bottles but the wine person Michael, went over selections very slowly and we had the most amazing bottle of wine for only $60.”
  4. “Outstanding wine list!”
  5. “Great award-winning wine list.”
  6. “We were delighted with the on the mark service, loved the Chef Drue who came personally to our table, the food was original and delicious, the wine list the best we have ever encountered, ( and we have been to France and Italy).”
  7. “The wine list is a literal book and the sommelier is more than happy to help you find something perfect in your price range.”
  8. “Rather boring food for such a nice dining room, service and wine.”
  9. “loved this place, the waitstaff is all about customer service even tho the place was rocking, my water glass and wine glass was always full.”
  10. “The wine list is huge but the staff is helpful, they even let you taste the wines by the glass if your unsure.”
  11. “The design is comfortable and the Wine Director has great wines by the glass (reasonable $ ) and the Bottle List is unbelievable.”
  12. “Our waiter greeted us promptly and brought us a fabulous bottle of Merlot from Napa, I dont quite remember the winery, as the wine list is too die for and has so many bottles, it was hard to choose just that one.”
  13. “On top of the amazing wine, the food is outstanding.”
  14. “fabulous wine list - wonderful menu - the butternut squash ravioli is to die for!”
food quality
83.00000190734863% positive
  1. “Last time I had the Duck with the fresh figs and the Porcini Risotto.”
  2. “An authentic Italian experience”
  3. “The food is unique not your typical red sauce Italian restaurant, the menu is seasonal.”
  4. “The food was not very tasty and seemed to be overpriced.”
  5. “Not sure what people liked at Vivere but my experience there was not so good, the place and decor is nice but all of us are there for the food and service.”
  6. “My wife's dish was good, but both were overpriced for the quality.”
  7. “The pork tenderloin is also excellent.”
  8. “For the main course the chicken was very very good, and my wife enjoyed her filet.”
  9. “The food was very good.”
  10. “The food is incredible.”
  11. “would recommend the garlic infused mushrooms for an appetizer, they have an incredible onion-thyme cream sauce, and the pork tenderloin and madagascar salt prawns for dinner, you cant go wrong.”
  12. “Rather boring food for such a nice dining room, service and wine.”
  13. “On top of the amazing wine, the food is outstanding.”
  14. “The rib chops were in a fanstastic reduction and the Halibut was extremely fresh.”
  15. “We were delighted with the on the mark service, loved the Chef Drue who came personally to our table, the food was original and delicious, the wine list the best we have ever encountered, ( and we have been to France and Italy).”
  16. “great food/ great wine list/ great service”
  17. “loved the buternut squash filled pasta and the venison rib chop.”
  18. “May be good for pre-theater dining, but overall the food was lackluster.”
  19. “The seafood was very dry and the service was rushed and not very friendly.”
  20. “Superb service, ambiance and interesting and unique contemporary Italian food.”
  21. “We couldn't have been happier, i felt like I had excellent food and a good date.”
  22. “Fantastic cuisine and ambiance”
  23. “service was ok but the food is horrible and i really mean it that Olive garden is way better..., dnt go here.”
  24. “When my boyfriend and I want to have a nice meal out, we've been known to go to Vivere.”
  25. “The chicken was very dry, and I was dissapointed in overall quality of food and service.”
menu variety
100.0% positive
  1. “The food is unique not your typical red sauce Italian restaurant, the menu is seasonal.”
  2. “not knowing much about wine we were abit overwhelmed with the list of 45,000 bottles but the wine person Michael, went over selections very slowly and we had the most amazing bottle of wine for only $60.”
  3. “fabulous wine list - wonderful menu - the butternut squash ravioli is to die for!”
overall
91.66999816894531% positive
  1. “It is alos a great date place as the mood and lighting are very romantic.”
  2. “The prices are all very reasonable and this is a great place to take clients for lunch.”
  3. “Not sure what people liked at Vivere but my experience there was not so good, the place and decor is nice but all of us are there for the food and service.”
return potential
100.0% positive
  1. “Overall, I would not go back or recommend this place to friends.”
service
75.46000003814697% positive
  1. “loved this place, the waitstaff is all about customer service even tho the place was rocking, my water glass and wine glass was always full.”
  2. “The service was attentive but not overwhelming and we had a great time!”
  3. “The service is always excellent, a bit more expensive than the other two restaurants at the Village, but worth every penny!”
  4. “The seafood was very dry and the service was rushed and not very friendly.”
  5. “service was ok but the food is horrible and i really mean it that Olive garden is way better..., dnt go here.”
  6. “often entertain guests from out of town and they always enjoy the care that the staff takes to ensure my dining experience is superb.”
  7. “Like the Village the service is great.”
  8. “The atmosphere and service are great.”
  9. “The chicken was very dry, and I was dissapointed in overall quality of food and service.”
  10. “We were delighted with the on the mark service, loved the Chef Drue who came personally to our table, the food was original and delicious, the wine list the best we have ever encountered, ( and we have been to France and Italy).”
  11. “Not sure what people liked at Vivere but my experience there was not so good, the place and decor is nice but all of us are there for the food and service.”
  12. “Superb service, ambiance and interesting and unique contemporary Italian food.”
  13. “Attentive knowledgeable staff will assist you in selecting the perfect dining experience.”
  14. “Rather boring food for such a nice dining room, service and wine.”
  15. “great food/ great wine list/ great service”
  16. “The wine list is huge but the staff is helpful, they even let you taste the wines by the glass if your unsure.”
  17. “Our waiter greeted us promptly and brought us a fabulous bottle of Merlot from Napa, I dont quite remember the winery, as the wine list is too die for and has so many bottles, it was hard to choose just that one.”
  18. “My clients always enjoy the great service and personal touch”
value
81.25% positive
  1. “The wine list is a literal book and the sommelier is more than happy to help you find something perfect in your price range.”
  2. “The prices were very reasonable as well.”
  3. “The wine list is huge but the staff is helpful, they even let you taste the wines by the glass if your unsure.”
  4. “would recommend the Pollo Alla Cacciatora or the Pollo Alla Parmigiana, both are fantastic and the portions are good sized.”
  5. “The food was not very tasty and seemed to be overpriced.”
  6. “The prices are all very reasonable and this is a great place to take clients for lunch.”
  7. “My wife's dish was good, but both were overpriced for the quality.”
  8. “The service is always excellent, a bit more expensive than the other two restaurants at the Village, but worth every penny!”
wait time
100.0% positive
  1. “had a bottle of the Grasso Barolo which was one of the best I jhave had in a long time.”
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

10/20/09

Try the Pheasant Ravioli

by bulldog2

The pheasant ravioli is to die for! Quaint little nooks to sit and eat with privacy. The place is very chic yet, still feels cozy and not at all stuffy.

Will definitely be back!

  • Pros: Beautiful Decor
  • Cons: none
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

03/30/09

Excellent Food and Incredible Wine List

by davisjenn

I recently dined at Vivere, and it was amazing. We had been to the Village on many other occasions, but hadn't tried Vivere. We were very pleased.

We started with the Pesce Spada Crudo, swordfish, excellent, and then ordered, the Seared Alaskan Halibut and the Lamb Rib Chops. The rib chops were in a fanstastic reduction and the Halibut was extremely fresh. Our server was very knowledgable about the many wines, and I mean many, there are around 40,000 bottles in the wine cellar. Wow!!

We had an excellent time here and will definitley be back to try some of the other items on the menu.

  • Pros: Wine List
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

03/27/09

Great Ambiance, Service and Food!!

by bearsbob

Vivere is one of three restaurants at the Italian Village. I

think its very romantic and a great date spot. The wine list is incredible and if you have any questions about any of the wines, the sommelier can answer any, and I mean any, question you may have. I love the Roasted Duck in the banana parsnip puree and sherry glaze, its outstanding. The pork tenderloin is also excellent. My favorite menu item by far though is the Gnocchi- the white wine shallot sauce is to die for. I wish I could get my hands on the recipe!! The service is always excellent, a bit more expensive than the other two restaurants at the Village, but worth every penny!!

  • Pros: Wine list
1 Star Rating: Poor

11/20/08

Olive Graden is way better....

by rashad83

Not sure what people liked at Vivere but my experience there was not so good, the place and decor is nice but all of us are there for the food and service.service was ok but the food is horrible and i really mean it that Olive garden is way better..., dnt go here.

  • Pros: not so crowded
  • Cons: Food really
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

11/06/08

Outstanding wine list!!!

by wilsjack

I was amazed the first time I went here the amount of wines that Vivere had in its Cellar. Over 40,000 bottles, and from several countries and wineries. The wine sommelier is so incredibly knowledgable, I was blown away. On top of the amazing wine, the food is outstanding. I wouldn't expect anything less from the owners of Italian Village, a Chicago Icon. I would recommend the garlic infused mushrooms for an appetizer, they have an incredible onion-thyme cream sauce, and the pork tenderloin and madagascar salt prawns for dinner, you cant go wrong. The atmosphere and service are great. Keep up the good work!!

The Details on Vivere

Place Categories:

  • great service
  • unique contemporary italian food
  • great date place
  • original decor
  • incredible ambiance
  • wonderful italian restaurant
  • original atmosphere
  • not very tasty food
  • helpful knowledgeable staff
  • great dining experience
  • romantic date spot
  • fabulous bottle
  • very disappointing experience
  • very enjoyable evening
  • all very reasonable prices
  • romantic setting
  • nice dining
  • very good chicken
  • best italian meals
  • perfect lighting
  • very dry seafood
  • beautiful manner
  • great gem
  • great awardwinning wine
  • excellent pesce spada crudo

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