Italian Village

09/16/2008 Posted by bitalian

We heard great things all about the Italian Village from our friends who live there, WOW !! they were right on. We arrived on a busy night and were greeted cordially by the Maitre'd and a Manager who took our name and politely asked if we wanted to wait in the lounge and we would be called in 20 minutes for our table. We of course headed to the lounge where we were once again greeetd by the bartender quickly and he took our drink order and presented us with food menus. We explained we were waiting for a table in the dining room. He was very polite and talked to us for a few minutes about the three different restaurants in the building. Before you knew it we were called for our table of two and were seated in about 15 minutes. We loved the atmosphere of the dining room and were taken care of by Abe who attened to all our neeeds efficiently and professionally. The captain even tossed us a salad after we ordered a great Barolo wine. Completely un-expected, we felt like royallty !. The food was hot and tasty and the price a great value. We now know why our friends love this place. The service, prices and genuine concern of the staff exceeeded our expectations. We were greeted with a thank you by three employees on the way out plus the Maitre'd and Manager. Wow they really care about their guests. We will be back soon. Thank you Italian Village .

Pros: Great Hospitality !! and a value for food and wine.

Cons: We encountere none.

09/16/2008 Posted by Thomass1

Always seated prompty! Always waited on promptly. The food is always the best and I can take leftovers home to the wife! I am a huge fan! The family owned place is not only an great place for lunch but they enjoy having you! The place is always hopping but they take the time to say hello to a familiar face and let me know they appreciate me! Hard to get that any other place in town! Everyone in the place works hard and it shows!

Pros: it works beautifully

09/14/2008 Posted by udeservebetter

The Italian Village is a Chicago dining institution. Its one of the last vestiges of ethnic european dining left in the midwest. Impeccable and sensitive service, rich and savory italian classics like chicken marsala and pasta with clam sauce are second to none in the city. If you believe this, you are exactly the kind of gullible out of town chump Italian village is looking for. Tourism is good for the city but not if it lowers the standards of a venerable cultural icon. Friendly professional greeters give way to bartenders too long in the tooth to realize that a jaded and stilted attitude given to those who require a bit more attention may not get you a tip. If you can survive the wait at the bar, you are in for a treat. For parties of 4 or more you will be navigated to your table as you bask in the festive air that is the main room. Enjoy. Enjoy the stale and tasteless bread sticks and bread that says, "Good evening, eat and then get out"! For parties of 2 or less, you may be in for a special treat. You and your guest have the privilege of being shoehorned into the Opera room, an eleven by fifteen foot room packed with 7 tables, right next to the busy and dare I say soiled kitchen staff busily at work. The room is so small and remote from the rest of the restaurant that you feel like you are in a different building. You're better off at corner bakery. At least the bread there is warm.

08/24/2008 Posted by MrsCaviar

I have been going to the Italian Village since the late 60s. I have gone during lunchtime and dinnertime It has beautiful dining rooms with warm ambiances. The wait staff is professional, knowledgeable and friendly. I have never been disappointed with my food. I have gone to other Italian restaurants in the Chicagoland area and none compare to the Italian Village.

Pros: great food, great service

Cons: none

08/21/2008 Posted by SBD3814

In early June, the girls and I (three of us and our three daughters) went to Chicago for the weekend for our girls' 9th birthdays. This restaurant was recommended to us by one of the mom's brother who lives in Chicago. From the time we stepped into the place we felt as if we really belonged there (and most of us are Dutch from G.R. MI)! Everyone was especially lovely to our three 9 year old girls (in matching American Girl outfits). We were offered split dishes for our girls (without asking) and all of the dishes were absolutely fantastic! I love the italian food that I can not cook at home and they came through on all of our dishes (we're girls, we share!). The prices were exceptionally reasonable, if you have eaten at "traditional" italian restaurants, that is. I had veal and you have to expect a bit of a higher bill for that dish. Andre' was just wonderful, wonderful, wonderful!!! We hope he recieved the photo we sent to him (the three blonde girls!). As I said, it was our girls' birthday (three of them) and Andre' really made them feel special! We are going back the weekend of the 22nd of Aug. and we are hoping that we will make it back to Italian Village if nothing more than to say "HI" to Andre!!!!!

Pros: They are so friendly!!!!!

Cons: I can not think of a single one given our single visit

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful

08/21/2008 Posted by dedeeandpaul

There are no tricks at this restaurant, just perfectly honest to goodness Treats of authentic Italian food. The versatality of the menu allows you to celebrate any tastebud you might have.The service is impeccable and the Chef really knows his way around a kitchen. For over 75 years this has been a place to dine because of the family and staff who take genuine pride in creating a piece of Italy. A do not miss restaurant.

Pros: Genuine food and service

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful

08/18/2008 Posted by susie2que

In town this weekend for a wedding ...ate there cause the rehearsal group wanted to go. A very good all around experience. Food, service, ambiance. We made the right choice.

Cons: Has everything! From food to parking

08/16/2008 Posted by gabbygirl1

My friends and I were in Chicago for the air and water show and needed a place to eat. Someone suggested the Italian Village by Millinium Park and the Art Institute. We were dirty, sweaty and tired but decided to make the walk because they said the food was great. We made it and it was a good decision. The hostess said we looked great. Ha, and sat us pretty quickly for the crowd that was there and the fact there was quite a few of us. Our waiter was very nice, knew his stuff and took his time with us even though you knew he was busy. We had the baked clams and the antipesto salad for the apetizer and then we all had a pasta dished of our own and then passed them around, each was better than the rest. We of course fit in desert, and decided to walk back we stuffed our faces so much. The decor was great. The place was very busy, all different ages, economic backgrounds, families, couples etc. We liked it very much.

08/16/2008 Posted by bdog1000

My friends and I came in without a reservation, a total of six, and the restaurant was busy. We were greeted like family and was told that we would only have to wait 25-30 minutes. Wow how about that !! Everyone at the front door, the bartenders, servers and special attention from the Captain was un-believable. It's no wonder this place has been aroun for 80 plus years. We ordered a nice bottle of wine and before you knew it we had a Captain tossing us a special salad and taking care of us along with Roberto our server. Food was tasty and plentiful. We had a very memorable experience and the hospitality from the begining we walked in to the many "thank you's" on the way out was something we have not experienced at other high end restaurants. Thank you to all !!! See you soon.

Pros: Great service and prompt seating

08/15/2008 Posted by tagman1

Our family came for the weekend recently..we were at Milliniuem park and then went over to the Village for dinner. I was a bit nervous because we did not have a reservation and there were 8 of us. I was pleased that the maiter'd Andre reconized me as I eat lunch there often, and he explained they were very busy, but if we could wait 15-20 minutes he would be honored to seat us...who can argue with that...we went to the bar, ordered drinks and is about 10 or so minutes the hostess seated us. The restaurant was very very busy, however the waiter explained all specials and promptly had our drinks -bread and had taken our appetizer order. We had to drive our waiter/server nuts...we ordered together seperate...this and that...he was quite the professional smiling all the way and bringing us our every desire. The food as always was on the mark! And each dessert better than the next. They win all the awards for wine so I'll just say they do deserve them...the choices are really amazing. Since we are regulars we will of course be there again!