Macello Ristorante
(312) 850-9870
1235 W Lake St
Chicago,
IL
60661
41.8857
-87.6474
Neighborhoods: Near West Side, West Side
What People Are Saying About Macello Ristorante
The Editor
Contributor
Citysearch
The Scene
Tattooed twosomes to mainstream middle-agers populate this dramatic industrial-chic transformation of a 20's-era slaughterhouse. A white-tiled front market with meathooks and carcass photography (mercifully black and white) leads to a warm warehouse dining room with trestle ceiling and skylights, wine storage wall (for the primarily-Puglian collection), giant handpainted glass orbs and two wood-burning ovens.
The Food
A compact menu of Puglian (Southern Italian) cuisine includes pricey prime meats, whole-roasted market fish and seriously good, seriously thin pizzas. Sinful pizza barese is a creamy explosion of fresh mozzarella and burrata (fresh mozzarella with cream) paved with salty prosciutto crudo. Wood-roasting and simple seasoning unmask full-flavored chops and a hunky bone-in filet mignon. Enormous roasted prawns--a spectacular presentation drawing gasps from nearby tables--would benefit from a touch of sauce. Distinctive Italian cheese desserts include ricotta-raisin panzerotti (mini calzone) and mascarpone semifreddo with walnuts.
Hits: The setting is the star, though sublime pizzas and flavorful meats are close behind.
Misses: Food temperature issues and meat-is-murder decorative elements strike sour notes.
User Reviews
Anonymous
December 09, 2008
This place had one of the best pizza I have ever tasted! I finally knew what people were talking about when they said they had the best pizza in Chicago! My favorite was the Hawaiian pizza! They had a wide selections of pizza and you can even somewhat make your own! It was so delicious and so freshly baked! I will definitely stop by this place next time I am in town!
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heather260
November 19, 2008
Truly great food, with an atmosphere to match! Our table ate family style and loved each course. We had a homemade pasta that night that was outstanding and cooked perfectly, with such amazing texture. One of my favorite Italian eats (and typically I am not that impressed by Italian). The atmosphere is also cool, although the location off the beaten track. My extremely hard to please foodie mother also thought it was great!
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juiceny
October 25, 2008
Very happy when arriving, plenty of parking on the street. My only concern was that I thought we were underdressed, UNTIL... we walked in and anything from jeans to suits, sneakers to Bruno Magli. Your eyes immediately go to the colored glass lights hanging from the ceiling, pretty cool. The smells bring you in, as well as the wall of wine. Pizza, appetizers, salads and especially the dessert, all outstanding. We will definitely go back. It was only two of us but 1/2 the tables were easily 'date night', the other half were tables of 4 or more, just as comfortable and having just as much fun. Not intimate, per se, but two people can carry on a conversation. Service was great, everyone knows their duties - believe me, you'll end up tipping heavily. 5 stars.
read full reviewThe Details on Macello Ristorante
Late-Night Dining:
Haunt this deserted hood after hours for a late-night weekend menu (11:30pm-1am Friday and Saturday).
The Extras:
The front market counter sells salumi, cheese, olives, bread and other foodstuffs of Puglia.
Know Before You Go:
Dress in layers so you can remove one (or more) if the ovens overheat the room.
Category:
Payment Methods:
American Express, Discover, Visa, MasterCard
Restaurant Special Features:
Local Favorite, Romantic Dining, Special Occasion Dining, Fine Dining, Private Rooms, Historic Setting, People Watching, Date Spot, Group Dining, Notable Wine List
General Info:
Cuisine:
Smoking Permitted:
No
