Mentioned by Condé Nast Traveler
Where to Eat in Chicago Right Now
"Fancy housemade pasta is always a treat, but it's even nicer when enjoyed with a vista—and you'll find views in spades at the riverfront digs at Gibsons Italia, which features three levels of dining areas with floor-to-ceiling windows facing the water. Plus, you can book a table for Friday or Saturday night for seats on the rooftop, a space formerly reserved for private events."
"Technically an Italian steakhouse, Gibsons features a large lunch menu with a large variety for diners with a variety of..."
"Situated in the hip and busy Fulton Market District in Chicago's West Loop, Formento's is, at its core, a homage to traditional Italian home cooking. Executive Chef Todd Stein features the light and bright flavors of Italy with the best ingredients he can get his hands on. Meanwhile, the recipes are all based on traditional family recipes from the owner's grandmother, while Chef Todd contributes new-age dishes to the menu as well."
"925 W Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60607 Situated in Chicago’s West Loop, Formento’s dons a classic look complete with white interiors and leather boots combined with an intimate kitchen filled with Italian American staples. The aromatic scents that fill the air near Formento’s attract many diners who find this spot becomes a new favorite."
"Formento’s is an old-school Italian with a classic look with white tablecloths and big leather booths. The menu reflects the look of the restaurant as it serves Italian-American staples. Some typical examples of the dishes on this menu include bone-in veal parmesan, bucatini carbonara, and canestri in pork neck gravy."
"Restaurants Italian Armour Square. Don’t waste your time searching the menu for the crudo and truffles. This is Bridgeport, where locals eat thick, roasted pork chops (how one person could eat the order of two is beyond us) and big bowls of penne tossed with spicy pesto, capers and succulent nibs of prosciutto."
"Indulge in some shopping, veer off a couple blocks to grab an espresso at the beloved Italian market Eataly, or continue to the DuSable Bridge for a fantastic photo-op of the emerald green Chicago River surrounded by sparkling skyscrapers. The most iconic spot in the entire city is just a couple blocks further: Millennium Park, a sprawling downtown green space that’s home to Cloud Gate, more commonly known as ‘The Bean.’ The stainless steel plates reflect the surrounding city skyline which makes for some epic shots–especially if you make it there first thing in the morning before the throngs of tourists arrive. Be sure to walk below Cloud Gate’s 12-foot-high arch to snap some cool perspective pics from underneath."
"This family-owned restaurant started as a carry-out Italian place in 1972 and has since grown into the popular spot at Pulaski and Addison that it is today. Offering pizza, pasta, and a whole host of other entrees, La Villa has something for everyone."
"We can bet that some of your favorite Italian dishes are Roman: Cacio e Pepe studded with black pepper and Pecorino Romano cheese; Bucatini all'Amatriciana starring spicy pork cheek ragu; and eggy Carbonara. You can get exceptional versions of all as well as other Roman delights like crispy Jewish style fried baby artichokes, stuffed rice croquettes (Suppli) and an array of different meatballs at Bar Roma. Chef Fred Ramos (Printer's Row, Gioco, Angelina) steers the gondola at the Andersonville charmer that features a tavern style bar/lounge and an open kitchen dining room."
"Roman-style cuisine with terrifically varied meatballs A relative newcomer to the Italian dining scene, this Andersonville restaurant has become something of a mecca for meatballs. While the Roman-style, hand-rolled pastas and wood-fired pizzas here are simply delicious, people keep coming back for the balls, or "polpette" on the menu. Get yourself an Italian-inspired craft cocktail and dive into whatever meatballs strike your fancy: braised beef cheek, veal sweetbread, spicy pork belly, chicken and pistachio, and lamb merguez-style sliders."
"It is located in the Andersonville neighborhood and had an awesome vibe and ambiance. The menu is somewhat limited as there isn’t a kids menu, but they were super accommodating and were able to make a simple pasta for our picky eaters. Plus they have a meatball option – 3 giant meatballs – that the kids loved!"
"The Wooden Pavilion at the Lincoln Park Zoo’s South Pond is a fantastic way to frame Chicago’s skyline around the John Hancock Center. Additionally the structure itself is fun to photograph and a fun spot for portraits. South Pond on Google Maps"
"Oz Park is an ode to author L Frank Baum’s most famous book, The Wizard of Oz. Baum was a resident of the surrounding Lincoln Park neighborhood back in the 1890s, before it became the established community it is today. Between 1995 and 2007, the Oz Park Advisory Council commissioned sculptures of the book’s characters including the Tin Man, Cowardly Lion, Scarecrow, and Dorothy and Toto."
"OZ Park is a community garden that celebrates a fun-filled “The Wizard of Oz” theme. The park features “Dorothy’s Playlot”, with play equipment for young children to climb, swing, and run. Families can then leisurely enjoy their afternoon among the beautiful flowers in the “Emerald Garden”."
"A post shared by elly’s (@ellysbrunchcafe) on Nov 18, 2019 at 5:02pm PST. Do not come here if you don’t plan on ordering the oven-baked pancakes. That’s not to say there’s no other reason to visit—it’s to say you’d have regrets for daaays."
"Indulge in some shopping, veer off a couple blocks to grab an espresso at the beloved Italian market Eataly, or continue to the DuSable Bridge for a fantastic photo-op of the emerald green Chicago River surrounded by sparkling skyscrapers. The most iconic spot in the entire city is just a couple blocks further: Millennium Park, a sprawling downtown green space that’s home to Cloud Gate, more commonly known as ‘The Bean.’ The stainless steel plates reflect the surrounding city skyline which makes for some epic shots–especially if you make it there first thing in the morning before the throngs of tourists arrive. Be sure to walk below Cloud Gate’s 12-foot-high arch to snap some cool perspective pics from underneath."
"Start off your morning with a beautiful cruise down the Chicago River. This cruise only runs during the warmer months (and can be a bit too chilly during the early spring and late fall, even if it is running), so we recommend reserving this attraction for the warmest times of year"
"The Wooden Pavilion at the Lincoln Park Zoo’s South Pond is a fantastic way to frame Chicago’s skyline around the John Hancock Center. Additionally the structure itself is fun to photograph and a fun spot for portraits. South Pond on Google Maps"