Sabatino's

The Scene – This windowless trattoria could be the setting for a gangster movie. To the right of the entrance, locals sit in vinyl chairs or booths in a dark piano bar while a suited-up maitre d' ushers diners to one of three unique dining rooms. The first resembles an outdoor garden with statuettes and white lights; the second and most intimate has private alcoves for couples; and the last offers several large round tables for group dining. The old-school soundtrack marries Sinatra and strolling violinists who serenade lovers upon request. – – The Food – Reasonably…

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Editor's Tips

When to Go:: Strolling musicians entertain Monday through Thursday evenings, while Friday and Saturday feature a live piano player starting at 8pm.
The Extras:: Order the baked Alaska for tableside entertainment. Everyone coos when the alcohol turns the flames blue.
Where to Sit:: Call ahead to reserve one of the dimly lit enclosed booths in the middle room; the intimate space is perfect for a secret romantic rendezvous.

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User Reviews (40)

ambiance	88.88999938964844% positive	“The food is great and if you're lucky enough to get one of their private booths it makes for a very romantic evening.” “Though the service and decor can be iffy, the food is completely amazing.” “good food kinna fun and decent service.” “I've been going here for years and have never seen anything but the best service, food and atmosphere.” “Seemed a bit Soprano's-esque which was fun!” “The area we were located in was definitely not a romantic spot - it was too noisy you can practicately hear everyone's conversations.” “This neighborhood restaurant has wonderful ambience.” “In addition to the horrific service, the once charming decor has begun to look dated and worn.” “The ambience is perfect for a date - the lighting was low but not too dark and the decor was charming.”
dessert	100.0% positive	“I've only tried the vegeitarian part of the menu and the bow tie pasta with cream sauce and the fettucine with mushroom cream sauce are the best.”
drinks	80.0% positive	“Good drinks and huge portions.” “Sabatino's comperhensive attention to detail shines with its experienced waitstaff, vast wine selection, excellent pizza bread, appetizers, soup and salads.” “There was no room and the bar was full.” “Both food and wine are very reasonable.” “They have a very good wine selection (Shiraz was wonderful) and Italian beers.”
food quality	87.84000396728516% positive	“The service is usually great and the amount of quality food you get for your money is terrific.” “.. growing up with the owner's son, i know they take great pride in the quality of their food.” “love my pasta al dente and they.” “.. best Itallian food!” “Though the service and decor can be iffy, the food is completely amazing.” “Great value & great food” “We had a family banquet here and the food and service were excellent.” “We loved the attentive service, the large portions and the tasty food.” “The pizza bread you are served when you first sit down is excellent and the fettucini alfredo is some of the best I've ever had.” “I've only tried the vegeitarian part of the menu and the bow tie pasta with cream sauce and the fettucine with mushroom cream sauce are the best.” “meal was cold all were dissapointed” “There food is very good.” “I've been going here for years and have never seen anything but the best service, food and atmosphere.” “The pasta dishes were delicious.” “We were really looking forward to a good Itailian meal and got pasta that tasted like it was out of a can.” “Both food and wine are very reasonable.” “Sabatino's comperhensive attention to detail shines with its experienced waitstaff, vast wine selection, excellent pizza bread, appetizers, soup and salads.” “The shrimp was great, mushrooms were great.” “The food is great and if you're lucky enough to get one of their private booths it makes for a very romantic evening.” “Thats a great meal.” “The food is amazing.” “came looking for an authentic Italian meal.” “The antipaste platter had nice meats on it, but unfresh and stale.” “Sabatino's truly meets all the criteria for an authentic dining experience and delicious food.” “had the fettucini alfredo which was really good, and my husband had a farafalle dish which was one of the best dishes either of us have ever had.” “The service is hit or miss, however the food is always fantastic and reservations are strongly recommended.” “If someone is unhappy with the food.” “The food was great.” “The food was excellent, truly authentic Italian cuisine.” “Growing up in a pure Italian household, you develop a keen sense for truly good and authentic food.” “There is obvious attention to detail in the preparation, resulting in authentic and flavorful dishes.” “The food tasted great and they give you generous portions.” “The food was outstanding.” “Good food, lousy service!” “good food kinna fun and decent service.” “would go again just because of the food but never go again if the service was lousy.” “The food was bad- I ordered a simple pasta dish, and only ate a few bites.”
menu variety	100.0% positive	“They have a very good wine selection (Shiraz was wonderful) and Italian beers.” “Whatever you go with ends up great so order what you want the menu could satisfy anyone.” “I've only tried the vegeitarian part of the menu and the bow tie pasta with cream sauce and the fettucine with mushroom cream sauce are the best.” “Sabatino's comperhensive attention to detail shines with its experienced waitstaff, vast wine selection, excellent pizza bread, appetizers, soup and salads.”
overall	100.0% positive	“Sabatinos by far is the best restaurant in Chicago.” “Its a great place for a romatic date or for some solo endulgence.” “If your looking for a good itailian restaurant, do not waist your time nor Money on this place.” “Overall a great Italian place.” “Simply my favorite restaurant around.” “Very nice Italian fare and lowered lights makes this a PERFECT place for a group of friends to quietly chat and enjoy dinner together.”
return potential	100.0% positive	“We hope that Sabatino's makes the necessary improvements to return it to the nice family resturant it once was.”
service	81.57999992370605% positive	“We loved the attentive service, the large portions and the tasty food.” “Our waitress was fantastic.” “The waitstaff was wonderful and attentive.” “went here on Friday with my husband after receiving some very rude service at La Gondola.” “The service is usually great and the amount of quality food you get for your money is terrific.” “Though the service and decor can be iffy, the food is completely amazing.” “Very attentive but not TOO much so and she had great recomendations.” “good food kinna fun and decent service.” “The service is hit or miss, however the food is always fantastic and reservations are strongly recommended.” “would go again just because of the food but never go again if the service was lousy.” “We had a family banquet here and the food and service were excellent.” “Bartenders were also attentive and knowledgable.” “I've been going here for years and have never seen anything but the best service, food and atmosphere.” “The service is fantastic Every table in the house is number one for owners Enzo and Angelo Pagni.” “In addition to the horrific service, the once charming decor has begun to look dated and worn.” “Waiters are very attentive to all customers - first timers as well as semi-regulars and regulars.” “The service was not good at all.” “Good food, lousy service!” “the service is also great.”
value	100.0% positive	“The food tasted great and they give you generous portions.” “Great value & great food” “The service is usually great and the amount of quality food you get for your money is terrific.” “Good value” “Good drinks and huge portions.” “We loved the attentive service, the large portions and the tasty food.”

05/05/11

Great Italian place

by sarah74s at Citysearch

Super charming, authentic Italian spot. The atmosphere is very welcoming. Great ambience for an impromptu date night. Delicious pastas! Great place! Highly recommend.

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02/08/10

Old school Italian at it's best

by thelemalove at Citysearch

I went here on Friday with my husband after receiving some very rude service at La Gondola. We were seated right away and we were in for a treat. First, the decore is old school, but in a good way. Reminds me of my great aunts living room or a place where the mob would go for dinner. Really, really cool. Also, it is classy. The hosts are in tuxs and the wait staff is in old school black and white uniforms. The food is amazing. You get soup AND salad with your meal. I had the fettucini alfredo which was really good, and my husband had a farafalle dish which was one of the best dishes either of us have ever had. We both had a ton of left overs! For desert we had their in house made canollis. They also do banana fosters table side along with cherries jubilee which I am definitely trying next time. This place really blew me away.

Pros: the food, the old school feel
Cons: Nothing- just perfect

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12/03/08

Very romantic .. best Itallian food!

by Munchkin79 at Citysearch

This is one of the best Itallian restaurants... my husband and I have been going here for years now and the best feature is their romantic booths!! This is the place we celebrate our special ocassions!

I've only tried the vegeitarian part of the menu and the bow tie pasta with cream sauce and the fettucine with mushroom cream sauce are the best. Good drinks and huge portions... we always walk out with lunch for the next day! Bit pricy but its well worth it!!

The tiramasu and the baked alaska is a very good dessert choice.

Make reservation for the booth... its prefect for couples!! I would definately recommend this to families and couples.... dont be fooled by the outside... You have to walk inside and try this place!!

Pros: Romantic, good food, free and valet parking...
Cons: gets really crowded .. make reservations

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06/26/08

Recently Disappointed

by AprilMae at Citysearch

Sabatino's had always been one of my family's favorite resturants. I grew up in the neighborhood and looked forward to going for special occaisons. We loved the attentive service, the large portions and the tasty food. Chicken Parm and Chateaubriand were are favorites. We recommend Sabatino's to all of our family and friends.

Recently we visted and had a bad experience. We were very disappointed. One of the steaks was overcooked and we asked for a replacement. One of the owners came to the table and argued that the steak was cooked correctly. He was extremely rude. Never-the-less, the steak was replaced but came back still overcooked and tough. We were most shocked by the owner's behavior since this was a man who had greeted us warmly in the past and knew us from the neighborhood.

That night, my sister became extremely ill. She was rushed to the emergency room and told she had food psnng. The doctor said that based on the timing of the symptoms, the food psnng must have come from the meal at Sabaino's. A few days later my sister called Sabatino's and told them she had gotten food psnng. She mostly wanted to make them aware. They were very rude and insisted that it was not because of thier food. They also told my sister, "she could not prove it was thier food that got her sick."

In addition to the horrific service, the once charming decor has begun to look dated and worn. We hope that Sabatino's makes the necessary improvements to return it to the nice family resturant it once was. At this point, we are not interested in returning.

Pros: traditional italian food
Cons: RUDE service

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01/10/08

Mangia! Mangia!

by biscotti11 at Citysearch

My husband and I have been visiting Sabatino's from the South Side for nearly 30 years and have never (I repeat NEVER) been disappointed in their fine food and service. It is one of the truly precious Italian (real ITALIAN) restaurants left in Chicagoland. It is affordable and friendly. If someone is unhappy with the food....say something!! I'm sure that it will be remedied immediately. The owners aim to please.....like I said, I've been going there for nearly 30 years. Oh, did I say that I, too, am a chef?

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What People Are Saying About Sabatino's

Valerie Moloney

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Editor's Tips

05/05/11

Great Italian place

by sarah74s at Citysearch

02/08/10

Old school Italian at it's best

by thelemalove at Citysearch

12/03/08

Very romantic .. best Itallian food!

by Munchkin79 at Citysearch

06/26/08

Recently Disappointed

by AprilMae at Citysearch

01/10/08

Mangia! Mangia!

by biscotti11 at Citysearch

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