Vinci Restaurant

Doesn't Recommend

p54

Joined 6 years ago

Disappointing at Best. Vinci was a real disappointment. Although the appetizers were average, the pasta dishes were bland. It appeared that the ingredients were all cooked separately, simply added together, and without the accompaniment of necessary sauces. None of the food items were savory, and simply not the expectation at an Italian eatery. I see no reason to return to the restaurant for a second chance as there are so many wonderful Italian restaurants in Chicago. The service was friendly, but mediocre. With so many other restaurants on the strip next to Steppenwolf, another choice will certainly be made next time.

Recommends

pink75

Joined 7 years ago

excellent food, nice ambience. We went for lunch and the food was excellent, nice atmosphere, i will be going back for sure. you will not be disappointed.

Doesn't Recommend

eblum

Joined 7 years ago

Don't Valet Park Your Car!. Used to be a favorite of ours, but hadn't been there is a few years until last Saturday night. The dinner was very nice, food was fine and our waiter was great! But when we went to get our cars (2 if them), we were told one of the cars had been towed. After conversations with the Towing Company and a local police officer at the scene, and 45 minutes later we discovered that BOTH cars had been towed because they and many other cars were parked in a private retail parking lot by the valet. While the towing fees were paid by LoPardo Valet Service, the Manager of Vinci was most unhelpful. Beyond offering a drink, he was USELESS!! He said the Valet Service had nothing to do with the restaurant. I called the City of Chicago on Monday: the Valet Service was not licensed by the City, they were cited for 10 violations on 2 visits by City of Chicago Consumer Services that week, and continued to operate at the front door of Vinci Restaurant WITHOUT A VALID CITY LICENSE. BEWARE!!! We will not go there again, even by cab, because we feel that a good Restauranteer cares about clients from the beginning to the end of their dining experience, and would not allow an unlicensed vendor illegally parking cars, at their door. This is the same Valet Parking service, by the way, that is at The Steppenwolf Theatre.

Recommends

Contributor

Joined 10 years ago

Satisfyingly rustic Italian fare in the Halsted Street theater district.. The Scene
The decor--plain wood, silky drapes and trompe l'oeil walls--is warm, but not overly done. Servers are sharp and speedy, catering to in-a-hurry, pre-theater diners on their way to Steppenwolf (which has its own table signified by a brass nameplate) and the Royal George just down the street.

The Food
The kitchen specializes in hearty Italian dishes that throw the occasional curve ball. Crusty, thin pizza di mare is topped with tender calamari and grilled rock shrimp; an appetizer of grilled polenta with portobello and crimini mushrooms is a signature. Entrees like penne with tomato basil sauce and goat cheese (light and buoyantly fresh) and rigatoni with sausage and broccoli (drenched in a delicious tomato cream sauce) work tangy variations on basic dishes. Panna cotta, a creamy mound of mouthwatering white custard ringed with dried cherry balsam and almonds, is a confident finish.

Recommends

wlevitt

Joined 10 years ago

One of the best. Vinci is one the best italian restaurants in the city. the food really is rustic cooking. the polenta is truly their specialty-most every other dish is top-notch. Service can be busy as they handle the pre-theater crowd alot-seating is communal which can be fun. not inexpensive but definitely worthwhile.

Recommends

Zappagrrl

Joined 10 years ago

Incredible Food!. Vinci is probably my favorite restaraunt in Chicago. The service is excellent and the food is even better. Be sure to try the Spaghetti Della Nona or the Ravioli in brown butter and sage sauce!

Recommends

gerardkaz

Joined 11 years ago

Fine Before or After Theatre Dining. I have dined at Vinci on several occasions & have always been pleased. Down the street from the Steppenwolf Theatre, it is good before or after show dining. Their bar is a beautiful solid oak masterpiece, wonderful for before or after dinner drinks. The food is well made & wonderfully presented. The only downfall is service. Many employees cannot answer basic questions about the food (IE - are there tomatoes in this dish?). If if you ask for something special (IE - hold the onions) they don't always accomodate the first time and the dish has to be sent back. On the whole however, a true fine dining experience.