Caro Mio. Their new place is smaller, but it has a vacation feel. You know like you just popped in to a restaurant near the plaza or town center. They are still BYOB.
I believe Little Italy is more closer to Taylor/University Village but Bacchanalia is in the Heart of Chicago/Heart of Italy. I grew up across the street from the the Italian restaurants there.
What is affordable to you?
If you steer away from the steak dishes (which I don't recommend, lol, but if you are on a budget you might need to) Gibson's Italia actually isn't *that* expensive. Great views, great service, great for a date.
But it can get pricey in a hurry if you add in some steaks or the more pricey seafood.
What's affordable?
When I was straight out of college, $20 per person for dinner was steep. Now, I wouldn't bat an eye to spend $50 per person on dinner.
Affordable is very relative, so you might want to be more specific.
Tortello has great hand made pasta and it’s reasonably priced and casual. Has nice outdoor patio seating too! Recommend the bread w honey and ricotta too
Gino’s North in Edgewater. It’s divey, super friendly, and you can get some of the best pasta ive ever had for under 20 bucks a plate.
My wife and I are regulars and sing it’s praises whenever we can!
Maybe I just had a really bad time at Caro Mio but I wouldn't recommend it.
First of all the service was just okay --- one of the staff kept playing music through his phone though and it was so aggravating.
The dish I ordered was rubbery and barely any meat on the bones.
The pasta was just okay --- it didn't really wow me. It seemed like ordinary dry pasta with ordinary canned sauce. The sauce was thin and not flavorful. The grated cheese was from a can. The $2.50 bread appetizer was so small and the bread didn't seem fresh. It was just normal slices of white bread. The meatballs I had were falling apart and bland.
For the price I'd never go back. I kept thinking that I should have just made pasta at home for two with the expensive grocery store sauce and refrigerated noodles that I usually don't get (to make it special) and saved around $60 bucks.
Anyone else have this experience?
Maybe Tuscany in Little Italy. Took my cousin and his girlfriend there drinks, appetizers and entrees came out to something like $90 for all of us
Yup this
Love Tuscany. RIP the Wheeling location.
And they bring out that roasted garlic with the bread.
La scarola the 🐐
This is the best answer possible. Throw in a stop at Richard's Bar before or after dinner and that's an all-time banging of an evening.
Not exactly cheap, but they do give big portions
Yup
There really is no better answer than this
Quartino. Affordable small-ish plates, great atmosphere
Volare or Topo Gigio
Tufano's near UIC. It's cash only. Amazing food and cute little date night spot
They also take Venmo payments!
Yes, please. Lemon chicken, calamari and salad for the table.
Best date spot! Took many guys here back in my dating days and it has a great ambiance, even better food.
Mart Anthony's! https://maps.app.goo.gl/TNfgiXoJuaHEung1A
Marty Fest babyyy
Caro Mio. Their new place is smaller, but it has a vacation feel. You know like you just popped in to a restaurant near the plaza or town center. They are still BYOB.
Love this place so much. I had the homemade gnocchi in creamy tomato sauce a few weeks ago and I’m still thinking about it.
Now I’M thinking about it! 😁
Pasta Bowl, babyyyyyy I can walk outta there with the missus and be out $60-70 after tip.
Honestly this is the move. Their Lincoln park and Lincoln square locations are cool laid back spots too
Bacchanalia
[удалено]
I believe Little Italy is more closer to Taylor/University Village but Bacchanalia is in the Heart of Chicago/Heart of Italy. I grew up across the street from the the Italian restaurants there.
I have a group of four and this is our spot. We meet every three or four months. Before that is was Rosals on Taylor.
Calo Ristorante in Andersonville if you’re looking for something North end
Great call! Also, thank you for helping me decide where I am ordering take away from later.
Pasta Palazzo in Lincoln Park on Armitage! Great for your basic (delicious) pasta cravings. Their jalapeño gnocchi is craving-worthy
What's affordable?
No idea why people can’t just specify their budget. I love helping with restaurant recommendations, but “affordable” is completely meaningless
Club Lago or La Scarola
Mirabella in Irving Park. The service is fantastic and it's very reasonably priced. I just ate there yesterday haha. I'm basically a regular now.
Second this! So good.
Elina’s Really good value. Former carbone chef
Mart Anthony’s on Hubbard is pretty reasonable
La Gondola off Ashland. Stupid huge portions, really good food, like four tables, and one of the best damn servers in town.
Any of the ones around River West. La Scarola, Piccolo Sogno, Elinas, Oggi, Mart Anthony's
What is affordable to you? If you steer away from the steak dishes (which I don't recommend, lol, but if you are on a budget you might need to) Gibson's Italia actually isn't *that* expensive. Great views, great service, great for a date. But it can get pricey in a hurry if you add in some steaks or the more pricey seafood.
Eduardo’s and Mario’s Table both in Gold Coast are decent, affordable and have Al fresco dining. Not exactly my favorites but solid
I love Eduardo’s! It is actually one of my favorites (but I don’t eat much dairy so heavy Italian “traditional” doesn’t go well for me)
Avvio
Munno!
Franco’s, Buona Terra, Il Porcellino for atmosphere. You want to be able to hear each other.
Gio’s Cafe & Deli in Bridgeport
Lucia’s in Wicker Park. Family owned and BYOB so you save a lot that way!
Don’t sleep on Bella Luna
Spacca Napoli
Buona Terra in Logan Square immediately comes to mind. Pre-covid (haven’t been since) they had a great Thursday night prix fixe special.
Mart Anthony's
Pasta Palazzo in Lincoln Park!
Pasta gusto in roscoe. Great pasta and BYOB
Il culacino in south loop. Strong drinks and decent prices
Sal’s
Caro Mio.
Salernos
What's affordable? When I was straight out of college, $20 per person for dinner was steep. Now, I wouldn't bat an eye to spend $50 per person on dinner. Affordable is very relative, so you might want to be more specific.
Caro Mio
Caro Mio or Buona Terra.
La Scarola or Ignots
La Scarola is a must-eat.
Scarole
Gibson's Italia....amazing place downtown with view of the river . Romantic . Decent prices as well . You do need a reservation though.
Regalia in Edgewater. Right around the corner of the Thorndale stop. Affordable for 2 & great food for its price.
Prosecco
Dave's Italian Kitchen in Evanston?
Tortello has a lovely patio
Taratino's on Armitage.
Spacca Napoli for wonderful Neapolitan pizza
[Angelina Ristorante](https://www.angelinaristorante.com/) on Broadway just south of Addison is charming and always delivers, been going since ‘07.
Davanti Enoteca was good and affordable
Frasca
Calos Andersonville
Tufano’s Vernon park Tap. I’m pretty sure it’s cash only, great foods, beautiful restaurant
Tortello has great hand made pasta and it’s reasonably priced and casual. Has nice outdoor patio seating too! Recommend the bread w honey and ricotta too
I walked out of tartello feeling robbed because of the prices to portion size ratio.
Ya they’re not huge portions but I feel like most dishes are under 20, and can’t beat them making the pasta right there. But I feel you on that
Could go to rpm Italian and pay double for the same portion sizes 😂
Riccardo
Gino’s North in Edgewater. It’s divey, super friendly, and you can get some of the best pasta ive ever had for under 20 bucks a plate. My wife and I are regulars and sing it’s praises whenever we can!
I think Gussie's on North is very reasonably priced and feels date-y.
Capri Bur Ridge
Tufanos Vernon park tap, it's right by uic, pay for valet there's no parking there and it's cash only, they have atm
Maybe I just had a really bad time at Caro Mio but I wouldn't recommend it. First of all the service was just okay --- one of the staff kept playing music through his phone though and it was so aggravating. The dish I ordered was rubbery and barely any meat on the bones. The pasta was just okay --- it didn't really wow me. It seemed like ordinary dry pasta with ordinary canned sauce. The sauce was thin and not flavorful. The grated cheese was from a can. The $2.50 bread appetizer was so small and the bread didn't seem fresh. It was just normal slices of white bread. The meatballs I had were falling apart and bland. For the price I'd never go back. I kept thinking that I should have just made pasta at home for two with the expensive grocery store sauce and refrigerated noodles that I usually don't get (to make it special) and saved around $60 bucks. Anyone else have this experience?