Osteria Via Stato

04/16/10

Great!!

by PIMPBOT5000 at Citysearch

All my women like it there

06/10/09

Just ok

by emom at Citysearch

We had a Lettuce Entertain You gift card to use, and decided to try Osteria Via Stato. We had a drink at the bar before being seated - the bartender was really nice. The atmosphere in the place is a little odd. Some very modern light fixtures in one spot, a medieval looking sconce on the wall in another, and then a bare light bulb dangling from the ceiling on the other side of the room. It's like they're not even sure what it's supposed to look like.

We really enjoyed the cheese platter with "seasonal accompaniments" (honey, almonds, crostini, etc.). For our entrees, I had the carbonara and my husband had the gnocchi. The carbonara was tasty, but a little boring. I would've like to see some peas or something in it - other than the pasta and bacon (with the egg of course). The gnocchi was good - very traditional.

Overall, it was fine, but I'm not sure we'd return unless we had another gift card, of course. :)

• Pros: cheese course
• Cons: atmosphere

04/13/08

Terrible host service

by kmg8421 at Citysearch

Let me start by saying that our food actually was quite good. This does not compensate, however, for the terrible hosting staff. We had a reservation for my birthday for 9:30 and checked in at 9:15. 9:30 came and went and we were standing in front of the station until 9:45 when I asked when we could expect be seated. They then told me that they didn't have our name in the system. When they finally seated us at 10:00, we received no apology. Also annoying was the fact that my husband had told them that it was my birthday and asked for a cake, which never arrived. (Adding insult to injury, the table next to us was also celebrating a birthday, complete with a cake.) By the end of the night, we were extremely frustrated by the staff. I would never go back.

• Cons: service, close set tables

07/15/07

Would Not Return

by azwinick at Citysearch

Went with great expectations. Were greatly disappointed. Felt like cattle being herded in and out. Very much a chain feel and quality of food far below expectations. Food not remarkable and too pricey based on the quality of food and service. Too noisy, service too fast and brusque. Nothing tasted special. In some cases, food was over oily and too salty. Six of us rated the restaurant exactly the same. Two stars. Definitely would not return.

05/17/07

Rosebud is good, this is "slightly" better ; )

by vegitoboi at Citysearch

If you're willing to walk a little farther south from where Rosebud is located at (from Rush and Superior to Ontario and State) you'll find this classy restaurant adjacent to the even classier hotel. I've been here twice with friends and family members and I get the same consistant good treatment each and every time. Last time I was here was on New Years Eve 06-07 and you'd think there wouldn't be any seating at around 7:30PM with the hustle and bustle of everyone going out to eat before counting down the new year. To my surprise, we got seated right awayand left without feeling any rush from the staff. The staff is knowledgeable about the food and the 10 some page wine list they have to offer. The food may be small portioned to some who are used to the Olive Garden big plate-o-spaghetti crowd, but this is due to that French approach of plating (a mentality of a little goes a long way). You do get a choice once you walk in, you can either do a traditional 5 course Italian style meal which is usually a packaged deal, or order a la carte. You won't find much on their food menu since there main focus is mostly the wine. But nonetheless, I liked the experience and it is once of the best places to go for upscale but not too overpriced Italian cuisine.

• Pros: Wine, Valet, Knowledgeable Service, Food
• Cons: Portions, Menu Choices