08/16/04

good local fare

by abst16

Good food, good portions, good prices. The service was also good. Older, local establishment with traditional italian meals. Pizza was crispy and cheesy. Small was way too big for one person. Salad crisp, pasta dishes also big portions and flavorful. Surprise small slice of cake at the end was tasty and a nice bonus to a reasonably priced meal. Would definitely return with a big appetite.

• Pros: reasonably priced, comfy atmosphere, good food
• Cons: , small bathroom

08/19/08

CLOSED

by TheAFYears

This was the BEST Italian Food in the city but it is closed, gone. I was told some store has bought the space. What a shame!!!

03/23/07

The real thing

by chowfunner

Forget the trendy trattorias, this old-time Chicago establishment has hearty Italian-American food that is well -prepared, ample and fair-priced.

06/22/06

not too impressing

by turbo5150

I chose this restaurant based upon other revivers and was not overly impressed. My friends and I like to go out and try new restaurants and this was not our favorite. We were seated quickly and we placed our orders but the service was not too quick. Also, our waiters were not overly polite. They were not rude but seemed annoyed, kind of like your grumpy uncle. The food was ok. I had chicken parmigiana and it was quite tasty but my friends lamb was quite salty and my others friends lasagna would be better with some spinach (it was mostly ricotta and marinara sauce). Not tragic but had better Italian for the same price. Their tiramisu was very good, but when we wanted to order some more our waiter informed us that he closed our check. It was surprising as we were still eating and when we insisted on getting the desert he was annoyed that he would need to start a new bill. However, the experience would not be so bad until we received our check and were charged $20 service charge. It was only four of us eating and gratuity is usually added for party of 6 or 7. So that was really surprising and put a huge dent on our experience.

• Pros: good tiramisu
• Cons: service, food

08/31/05

Great little find

by ironsij0287

My friends and I were walking down Rush St. trying to find a place to eat when we happened to come across this place. The wonderful smell drew us in. The place was packed so we had to wait about 15 minutes for a table, but once we were seated we had fast friendly service and some great food. I had the gnocchi and it was very tasty. Some other friends had a pizza and it looked excellent as well. Prices were very reasonable for that area. Definitely a place I would go back.

• Pros: Good food, Friendly service
• Cons: A bit cramp

03/19/05

Good down home italian food

by tcdalton

I love this place and try to eat there whenever I am in the city. It is nothing fancy, but the pasta reminds me of the stuff my grandma used to cook. I always order the cheese ravioli and the salad with house dressing. A cannolli for dessert tops off the meal. The price is right, and the food is great--not that nouveau-style Italian food, but just down home cooking like my grandma used to do.

• Pros: great food, great prices

This cozy Italian spot has been a Gold Coast fixture for decades.

by Contributor

In Short
Whether longtime regulars or newcomers, diners feel comfortable and welcomed at this Gold Coast spot. The tiny dining room fills up fast, and in warm weather, the outdoor patio along posh Oak Street is filled. The menu offers Italian dishes, including an entire section devoted to spaghetti. It also includes salads, cannoli and ricotta-stuffed crepes filled tableside.

05/28/04

Yuck

by bluetulip

I went with a friend and we both thought the pasta sauce tasted like Ragu from a jar. Also, the salad dressing was about 95% mayonnaise, plopped onto a plate of iceberg lettuce. I haven't tried the pizza---maybe it is better than the salads and pasta. But I don't think I will be back. I can honestly say it was some of the worst food I have tasted in Chicago.

• Pros: neighborhood

07/25/02

Quick thin pizza

by mgryd01

A neighborhood place with great pizza (if you like thin crust which we do). Quick meals, quick service, and very little room between the tables. The food is good and consistent. There are photographs from Italy, and the place is always busy.

• Pros: Quick, Inexpensive, Consistent
• Cons: Crowded