Sapori Trattoria

05/10/2008 Posted by Mary202

This place had excellent lobster ravioli in a creamy pink sauce with a side of cameras everywhere! I have been to many small places in Lincoln Park, but none that made you feel like you were being watched by all the cameras in every room. The fresh pasta was excellent, the server was very attentive, but my friend and i felt really uncomfortable the whole meal with the owners cameras. I've worked in a bistro in the western suburbs that had security cameras at the doors and above the register, but Sapori's "pentagon security" is borderline paranoia! Red movement lights flashed everytime I used my napkin. They are watching every table eat! Security is one thing, or not trusting your staff, but at the cost of making every customer feel observed the whole meal like a polar bear at the Lincoln Park Zoo is a huge price to pay. The food is good, so get take out so you can eat it in privacy!

02/15/2008 Posted by steve_romanchuk

This cozy Italian restaurant in Lincoln Park is an ideal spot for a romantic dinner for two. The European style table arrangements combined with candle light provides the ideal cozy setting. The food is fantastic. I normally order the grilled calamari which is fresh and delicately prepared. The lasagna is my favorite dish on the menu and arguably the best in the city. The wine list is robust with many Italian vintages. Overall, this is one of my favorite spots in Chicago.

Pros: Ambience, Food, Prices

09/10/2007 Posted by pborkstrom

My parents wanted to take me out to this restaurant for my birthday. They said Sapori Trattoria was a real 'feel good' place with excellent food and exceptional service. I'd say they had 1 of the 3. I can understand a long wait on a Saturday evening, but a 1 1/2 hour wait for dinner after being seated? Unacceptable. My mother's coffee wasn't brough out 'till the 3rd round of drinks (and she ordered when everyone else did). Our waitress was in good spirits, but seemed way to busy to give us any attention greater than a fast food restaurant. After such a long wait, the server brought the manager out to talk to us. He told us that he was 'Aware of the long wait, and that would make everything SWEET'. What the heck does that even mean? 10 minutes later, he brought out the food and that was apparently he way of making everything "Sweet" - no adjustments, no desert, just a great big 'deal with it' was all our unpleasant evening was worth. We had to devour the food and leave as it was getting very late and obviously could not enjoy it the way we had hoped. What is good food with horrid service? Although my dining experience was poor, the food was delicious. I ordered the Lobster Raviolli and I really enjoyed it. I felt the portions were fair and the price was acceptable, but after waiting so long, the evening was ruined. A bar and a cheeseburger would have made my birthday much more enjoyable.

Pros: The food - delicious. What else do you go to a restaurant for?

Cons: The service - what value is good food when the service is exceptionally poor?

07/14/2007 Posted by sleopold

I went here for the deal of appetizer, salad, two entrees, wine and dessert. It really was worth it. The food was excellent. I had some pasta with seafood and it was spicy...loved it. My bf had the lasagna and he loved it. The service was ok. Pretty much our waiter took our order and then we never seen him again. It was all food runners, bus boys after that which was slightly annoying when we were trying to order another bottle of wine. Other than that, the atmosphere was cute, I would recommend it

Pros: the $59 deal

Cons: no parking, not that great of service

06/14/2007 Posted by annarohrer

My husband and I have regularly gone to Sapori over the past two years, and it's by far our favorite Italian place in the city. Their lobster ravioli is amazing. And it's so cozy and romantic- perfect for dates. In the summer they have great outdoor seating. We've never had a bad experience. You'll probably need a reservation- the restaurant has really grown in popularity over the past year, and it's getting harder and harder to just walk-in.

Pros: Ambience, free lot parking, always great food

Cons: Umm.... can't think of any

05/29/2007 Posted by fwagnerumichedu

I've eaten all over the city, and still haven't had a better meal than i've had consistently at Sapori. It's hands down our favorite restuarant. The house salad with apples and raspberries and honey-mustard dressing is very tasty, and we love the lobster ravioli, and the penne with artichokes and chicken (penne cardinale). Also try the Zuppe di Pesce - it's a humoungous dish of linguini with salmon, shrimp, clams, mussels, scallops and calamari in a red sauce. it's absolutely HUGE. Big fun. All the portions are quite large actually. We always seem to have enough leftovers for another entire meal. The staff is always friendly and helpful. The wine list is extensive, but a little pricey. Our favorite is is the house chianti, which goes great with the pastas, at about $30/bottle. They also offer a dinner for two special: You get the bruschetta and a house salad to share, 2 pasta entrees, a bottle of wine and one of their homemade desserts - all for $59, which makes it not only one of the best meals in the city, but also one of the best values. HIGHLY recommended.

Pros: Value, Quality, Service, Portion size

Cons: none

02/17/2007 Posted by poo4u

We went here a couple months ago, the service was unmemorable, but not necessarily anything to complain about. What initially drew me in was the seemingly cozy ambiance. However, the food was definitely mediocre. I've certainly had a lot better (and cheaper!) Italian food elsewhere. What really bothered me the most, though, was the portion size. The portions on the entrees, especially for the price tag, were quite unsatisfying! I don't know what they're putting the money that they're charging you towards, but it's certainly not the artwork on the walls! How awful!

Pros: Location

Cons: Portion size, food quality

01/20/2007 Posted by happiestpanda

Our first impression of our server was very negative and he didn't do much to change our view of him throughout the night. He was pretty aloof. For the most part, we enjoyed our food -- wine list was extensive, bruschetta was tasty, gnocchi was rich, good entree portions. However, the poor clams in my Linguine al Vongole were drowning in olive oil. I was expecting a light white wine sauce...hmmm. I ended up spooning out a dish-full of oil -- not too cool. Save for a courteous check-in by the owner, we weren't too pleased with our experience. We've had better Italian in Lincoln Park -- and for less money. Needless to say, we won't be returning anytime soon.

Pros: entree size, wine list

Cons: service, linguine w/clams, price

12/04/2006 Posted by kumakap

Might be the best moderately priced Italian in town. Great wine list, which is very reasonably pried. Knowledgeable staff. I always have a great time when I go to this restaurant. I have not heard any of my friends, whom I have introduced to this restaurant, complain about it.

06/20/2006 Posted by lovefood17

My husband and I are visiting from out of town. This restaurant has delicious food! The service is great. Listen to your waiter's recommendations...we got the salad, wine, and dessert he recommended and they were all unbelievable! The tiramisu is soooooooooooo delicious you will crave it later!