A MANO
(312) 629-3500
335 N Dearborn St
Chicago,
IL
60610
41.8886
-87.6296
Neighborhoods: Central, Near North Side
What People Are Saying About A MANO
The Editor
Valerie Moloney
Citysearch
The Scene
The shotgun sardine box layout typical to groundfloor restaurants isn't here, thank goodness. Instead, this trattoria uses width to its advantage with enough space for a lengthy bar, carpeted lounge and central, exhibition kitchen. Low ceilings, metal railings and exposed brick add a gallery-esque feel--until the Mag Mile tourists wander in. Servers are swift, but don't always have answers.
The Food
A rotating BIN 36 wine list complements a strong cross-section of regional Italian cuisine, from crispy, woodfired pizza to handmade pasta. Of the housecured salumi, thinly sliced, sweet Culatello, or "little rump" ham, and rich Mole Salame spiced with chocolate cinnamon and ancho chiles are stars. Shrunken clams underwhelm a parsley- and caper-dressed pizza, despite an exciting presentation with shells cooked on the pie. Tangy tomatoes marry with ricotta salata for a tasty vegetarian alternative to meatballs in spaghetti. Gelato--especially creamy pumpkin--can't be denied.
Hits: A sizeable, yet well-edited and moderately priced selection of antipasti, salumi, pasta and pizza allows for sharing.
Misses: Still wines are only offered by the glass or half carafe, but perhaps that's by design. Sister wine bar BIN 36 is next door.
User Reviews
foodsnobbery3
August 22, 2008
I'm not a manager at A Mano but I eat there quite often and I LOVE it. The menu is full of delcious, authentic Italian options. One of my favorites is the Thursday night special, veal involtini, the best veal I've ever tasted. I'm also hooked on the pizzas, they're perfect, baked in a wood-burning oven. Fun place, the people are cool - really inviting and warm. Don't forget to try the gelato!
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Emmahj
August 12, 2008
I can't believe a user on here said that this place has the best pizza in Chicago. Apparently, that person has not tried enough Chicago pizza. I had the margaritta pizza form here and it was soo bland. It tasted like cardboard! I really think the good reviews written about this restaurant is from the manager at Amano. The service is extremely slow. It took over an hour to get the food! The appetizers look very pretty, but they taste terrible. The asparagus salad consisted of a measly 6 butter drenched asparagus placed in a crisscrossed fashion. Included in the asparagus dish is diced black olives that look like goose poops. Don't eat it, it's gross! The chicken dish I ordered tasted like airline food. My friend ordered a steak and he said it had a weird chemical taste. Overall, their pleasant ambiance did not compensate for the slow service and disgusting food!
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Lombardo22
July 23, 2008
My family is Italian and I've been to Italy several times, so I tend to be a bit hard to please when it comes to claims of "authentic" Italian food. This place came the closest to the real deal by far, in comparison to other restaurants I've tried. I've especially enjoyed the lunch buffet, it's just like what you find in Italy!
read full reviewThe Details on A MANO
Outdoor Dining:
Imported Italian cypress trees attempt to create lushness to the outdoor patio, but this is still downtown Chicago. Still, from this vantage point, the people watching can't be beat.
What to Drink:
Smaller producers, with a special emphasis on organic and biodynamic wines, hold a prominent place on the menu, along with ancient grape varietals thought to be extinct.
Save Money:
Pastas come in half- and full-size orders.
Category:
Payment Methods:
American Express, Visa, MasterCard
Restaurant Special Features:
Local Favorite, Date Spot, Romantic Dining, Special Occasion Dining, Fine Dining, Outdoor Dining, Notable Chef, Theater District Dining, People Watching, Business Dining, Group Dining, Dine At The Bar, Notable Wine List
