Chicago GREAT Italian?

Kathryn W. wrote:
> We will be in Chicago for only two nights to see the Monet exhibit. We
> would like to go to a really good Italian restaurant . Mariani on Prodigy
> highly reccomends Spiagia but other there say that the service is quite
> snobbish. Any comments or other recomendations? We will be staying in the
> loop  but are not of course limited to that area-well not a two hour cab
> ride either[GGG]!
> Thanks A lot!!! Kathryn
>

My favorite Italian place is Carlucci's on Halsted (about 2200N?).  It is elegant, but not snobby.

Vivere in the Italian Village complex (on Monroe near State) is suppose to be great too, but I have yet to try it.

There are also some great more 'mom and pop' places in little Italy.  Maybe someone else has some info on these.

Good Luck,

PamD

Kathryn W. wrote:
>We will be in Chicago for only two nights to see the Monet exhibit. We
>would like to go to a really good Italian restaurant . Mariani on Prodigy
>highly reccomends Spiagia but other there say that the service is quite
>snobbish. Any comments or other recomendations? We will be staying in the
>loop  but are not of course limited to that area-well not a two hour cab
>ride either[GGG]!
>Thanks A lot!!! Kathryn
>

I've enjoyed Harry Caray's for italian in Chicago. It's also convenient to the loop.

Mike Morgan

mailto:[email removed]

Kathryn W. wrote:
KW>We will be in Chicago for only two nights to see the Monet exhibit. We KW>would like to go to a really good Italian restaurant . Mariani on Prodigy KW>highly reccomends Spiagia but other there say that the service is quite KW>snobbish. Any comments or other recomendations? We will be staying in the KW>loop  but are not of course limited to that area-well not a two hour cab KW>ride either[GGG]! KW>Thanks A lot!!! Kathryn

Try Magianno's on Clark St. It is part of the Lettuce Entertain You chain, but the food is better than average, the prices are reasonable, and the portions are huge. I've been there 4 or 5 times and ALWAYS had great service. A reservation is a must or you will have at least a 2 hour wait.

....Gil

[email removed]

Kathryn W. wrote:
>We will be in Chicago for only two nights to see the Monet exhibit. We
>would like to go to a really good Italian restaurant .
>Any comments or other recomendations? We will be staying in the
>loop  but are not of course limited to that area-well not a two hour cab
>ride either[GGG]!
>Thanks A lot!!! Kathryn

I've always had a wonderful time at Vivere in the Italian Village complex on Monroe near State St.. They have one of the finest wine lists (especially Italian) anywhere - and at reasonable prices.  They do not mark them up very much at all.  Have the wine stewart pick something out for you.

regards,

-mm

I agree wholeheartedly with the recommendation of
Maggiano's.  The portions are huge, even when you
order a half order.  The Caesar Salad is great.
The atmosphere is fun, like a neighborhood place.
We were just there last month.

Kathryn W. wrote:
>From: [email removed] (Kathryn Whittington)
>Subject: Chicago GREAT Italian?
>Date: 28 Sep 1995 12:06:44 GMT

>I would recommend Maggianno's it's near Grand and Clark.  Anything Goes!
They have large portions, I would suggest you split the  orders. Prices are moderate, the only drawback is the wait. Call first.

Lucky