Best Italian Restaurants in Chicago

The City of Chicago has superb Italian food. Chicago Styled pizza is famous the world over. In a city famous for Italian food, the Italian Village stands out as a Chicago landmark. The Italian Village Restaurant was openied in 1927 by Alfredo Capitanini, an Italian immigrant. The Italian Village made good, authentic, Italian food in ample portions, and became a success. The Italian Village is now the oldest Italian eatery in Chicago. The third generation of Capitaninis, Al and Gina Capitanini, is now managing the Italian Village Restaurants..

Italian Village is located in the heart of downtown Chicago, known as "The Loop". There are three restaurants in the Italian Village: The Village, La Cantina, and Vivere. The three Italian Village restaurant share a wine cellar, which is celebrateed as the larges wine cellar in the Midwest.

The Village
71 West Monroe Street
Second Floor
Chicago, Illinois
312-332-7005
The Village is a casual, romantic restaurant on the second floor. The interior is designed like a small Italian town. The tables are set within cozy nooks, with names such as La Taverna (The Tavern), or La Banca (The Bank). Twinkling white lights add a romantic atmosphere. The combination of the romantic atmosphere and cozy nooks make this a great choice for a romantic, intimate date. The menu is Northern Italian and features pasta, veal, beef, seafood, chicken, pizza, panini and salads. Established in 1927. The Village is a Chicago landmark. They are open Monday through Thursday from 11:00 AM to Midnight. Friday and Saturday 11:00 AM to 1:00 AM, Sunday: Noon to Midnight. Lunch entrées range from $8.00 to $20.00. dinner entrées range from $10.00 to $30.00. All Major credit cards accepted.

La Cantina
71 West Monroe Street
Lower Level
Chicago, Illinois
312-332-7005
La Cantina, an Italian Steak and Seafood House, is located on the lower level of the Italian Village Restaurants. The decor is patterned after a wine cellar, with a narrow isle and tucked away booths. Salt water fish tanks add interest to the restaurant and are fascinating to watch. The menu is filed with traditional Italian favorites and steak and seafood dishes from all regions of Italy. Lunch entrees are priced from $10.00 to $23.00. Dinners are $15.00 to $32.00.

Vivere
71 West Monroe Street
Chicago, Illinois
312-332-7005
Vivere has become a world renowned restaurant. Since it's inception in 1990, Vivere has won many fine dining awards, including the Di Rona Fine Dining Award. Vivere in a contemporary restaurant featuring "new" Regional Italian cuisine. Lunch entrées range in price from $12.00 to $25.00. Dinner entrées range from $15.00 to $36.00.

Midwest's Largest Wine Cellar
The three restaurants of Italian Village share at 45,000 bottle wine list. Italian Village's wine cellar in the largest in the Midwest. Wine Director, Ron Balter, oversees a list of over 500 Italian wines, 200 French wines, 200 California wines, and over 100 wines from the rest of the world. There are over 100 wines that are priced under $30.00 per bottle.

Italian Village has received a lot of critical acclaim over the years. Their website lists some of the recognition that they have received:

1) Oldest "Italian Restaurant in Chicago".
2) Wine Spectator's "Grand Award".
3) Vivere: three stars from Chicago Tribune.
4) The Village: two and a half stars from "Chicago Sun Times.
5) Vivere: Esquire's "Best New Restaurants of 1991".
6) Vivere: Wine Spectator "America's Ten Best Italian Restaurants".
7) Vivere: Two Stars from Chciago Magazine, 2003.
8) Di Rona Award, Distinguished Restaurants of North America, since 1998.
9) Cheers Magazine, "Cheers Award".
10) First Place Interior Design by Restaurants and Institutions.

If you are looking for an excellent Italian meal in Chicago, The Italian Village is a superb choice. The three restaurants have different atmospheres and menus, but all offer a fine, romantic dining experience. The spectacular selction of wines, enhance any meal, making the total dining experience evern better.