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Eat/Drink

Italian

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Fresh food, cooking classes & wine! All of Italy in one place: Eataly!

Eataly, Chicago features a 63,000-square-foot market including 23 unique eateries. There are 25 Eataly market places throughout the world: 13 in Japan, 10 in Italy and single locations in New York City, Dubai and Turkey. Chicago is the latest city to experience this Italian global phenomenon. Co-owned by Mario Batali and Joe Bastianich, this location is the largest in the United States and cost upwards of $20 million to complete. Check out this video to see what the buzz is all about.

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Balena

The Bristol and Boka Restaurant Group have teamed up for this rustic Italian restaurant in the Landmark space in Lincoln Park, where a wood-burning grill and roasting spits work hard to turn out dishes such as cherry and duck bruschetta, whole grilled fish, pizza and panzanella.

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Piccolo Sogno is a little dream, especially on the outdoor patio

[gallery]Situated on the corner of Milwaukee, Grand, and Halsted, you don’t expect to find a beautiful Italian restaurant. But that’s what you’ll get -- along with outstanding service, meals, and wine -- at Piccolo Sogno. While inside the restaurant is nice, it’s the expansive outdoor patio, where about 75-percent of the seating is, that’ll make you swoon. Surrounded by large trees and sparkling lights at night, patrons can easily enjoy their exquisite but large Italian food portions that use seasonal ingredients. Rather have a lighter dinner? Piccolo Sogno also offers smaller appetizer portions of all their house-made pasta dishes.

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Spacca Napoli: not Chicago’s typical pizza place

Forget Chicago’s famous deep-dish stuffed pizza. Ravenswood’s Spacca Napoli Pizzeria is all about Neapolitan pizza perfectly toasted in a wood-fire oven. While Spacca is known for its super-thin crust pizza--forget a fork and just roll it up--the Italian eatery also offers a mix of traditional Naples appetizers. Even simple dishes like caprese con bufala are mouth-watering delicious. Also check for cannoli on your way out. The hostess will occasionally offer the dessert for free. Insider’s Tip: Just want your pizza to go? Spacca will make it in a jiffy but still offer a sample of Prosecco on the house for while you wait.[caption id="attachment_51809" align="alignleft" width="273" caption="Spacca offers the thinnest pizzas available in all of Chicago."]Spacca offers the thinnest pizzas available in all of Chicago.[/caption]

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Spiaggia: Killer Clientele, Killer Food

5It has been said that Spiaggia has the best Italian food in all of America by notables for Travel & Leisure and Esquire. Yep, read it and weep Northeast coasters who think you're the only people to recreate Italian masterpieces.

Going strong since 1984, chef and partner Tony Mantuano is a name to be reckoned with in the world of cuisine. Everyone knows he's a master, no contests necessary. Just take a look at the crowd that eats here: Michelle Obama, Sir Elton John, the late Princess Diana, Sir Mick Jagger, Julia Roberts, Oprah Winfrey, Billy Joel, Paul Newman, Fergie and Josh Duhamel, Wolfgang Puck and Joel Robuchon.

En sum, "Il mio sogno realizzato" says Spiaggia owner and founder Larry Levy, his dream come true.

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Diggin’ Deep Dish at Gino’s

ginos_pizza_chicago-0953There are two types of pizza in this world. New York thin slice and Chicago deep dish. Sorry, Italy - your pizza doesn't really even register anymore. If you ask the DJs Deep Dish, their answer is simple - Chicago pizza takes the cake (or pie). When they moved to the USA, they fell so in love with it, that they named themselves after it. When looking for that classic Chicago deep dish, the place to go is Gino's East . Don't expect the most glamorous ambiance or the best service, no, no. This is all about the checkered table cloth, simple service but amazing pizza. There's just something about that cornbread crust. Beginner's beware: You don't need a lot of pie here. One piece will likely fill you up in a beautiful way. Also, if you think you're in a hurry - forget it! A deep dish pizza at Gino's will run you a minimum of 30 minutes - but hey, heavenly taste don't come easy baby, so chill.

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So Chic And So Good: Terzo Piano at the AIC

When the Modern Wing of the AIC unveiled in 2009, it gave the already gigantic museum an additional whopping 65,000 square feet of modern galleries designed by Renzo Piano. Thankfully, Chicago also got a restaurant out of it: Terzo Piano. Those who don't have time to do the museum can still enjoy the fresher-than-fresh offerings from the restaurant as well as its striking views of Millennium Park and Chi-town skyline.Picture 6 With salads so fresh you wonder where the garden is, delectable flatbreads and entrees, taste anything they offer and you'll realize Chef Tony Mantuano (of Spiaggia) can do no wrong! And after your main course, it's simply a must that you indulge in the cava di stagionatura or the authentic cheese cave. Fresh picks of cheese from neighboring masters in Wisconsin and imported delights from around the globe are the perfect way to finish your extended lunch or dinner. As for the decor, think Modern Wing baby. Just as the wing was designed, so was the restaurant. Stark, clean white is complemented by earth accents of subtle metal and wood: so chic and so, so good.

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Experience the Familia that is Mia Francesca

You know you're a success when you're rocking 16 locations in Chicagoland. Such is the story of Mia Francesca, not your average run of the mill Italiano eatery. With name recognition by all Chicagoans, one would think the restaurant had been thriving for the past century. Au contraire, only having been open since 1992, Chef Scott Harris opened the original location on N. Clark Street and hence created a sensation. Not that he came out of nowhere, mind you. Chef Scott Harris was no stranger to finePicture 21 cuisine having worked in The 95th, Ambria, Cucina Cucina, Harry's Café, Sole Mio, Trattoria L'Angelo di Roma and Petthany's in St. Croix. But it was his rustic Italian comfort food, homemade pastas and sauces, delicate but pungent salads and cozy Euro-style ambiance that gained him name-status fame and the "Critics Choice - Rookie of the Year" award by Chicago Magazine. From his first opening to the next 15, all corners of Chicago and its food-loving suburbs called for Mia Francesca locations of their own, and Harris delivered. He stuck to the same rustic Italian menus and paired with more notable chefs to make each restaurant stand on its own. What you can count on at any of its locations is a casual atmosphere with the cuisine of a restaurant charging triple what you'll find at Mia Francesca- mamma mia!

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A Chicago Classic: The Rosebud

Chicago is known for its restaurants, but some stand out far above others, and one of them is Rosebud. For 30 years, this landmark restaurant has attracted famous Picture 12Chicagoans and the visiting elite for its dreamy ambiance of shiny wood floors, mahogony framed mirrored walls and white linen covered tables. With impeccable service and mouth watering steaks, the Rosebud has gained such a fan base that it now has several addresses including a specialty Italian restaurant on Chicago's bustling Rush Street, a trattoria, an express shop and several suburban locales. It's hard to believe that back in 1977, it was just a mundane grocery store. What's easy to picture is the array of guests who have frequented the place: Tony Bennett, Oprah Winfrey and even magical ol' Blue Eyes, Frank Sinatra. From the starting line-up of the Bulls to the Bears, this place tends to be crawling with stars and big wigs. Just check out the "Wall of Fame" if you need assurance while there. Celeb watching aside, this is a place to indulge so don't hold back and get that 14 oz. Italiano steak - delicioso!

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Drink Your Way Through Dinner at Prosecco

Picture 10Making a toast is oh-so-easy at Chicago's chic River North Gallery district's restaurant, Prosecco. After all, they have the largest selection of sparkling wines in the whole city. White linen tables, authentic seasonal Italian cuisine with homemade pastas, and plenty of romantic ambiance make this place a hotspot for dates-- and for those looking for love. At Prosecco it's not just about making that initial toast with the sparkling wine, however. The mantra is that the sparkling wines of Italy stand alone, both the reds and the whites and need not/should not be limited only as a starter beverage, but rather enjoyed throughout the duration of the meal. For those unfamiliar with the pairing of sparkling wines for each course, leave it to the friendly staff to guide you to the bubbly of your preferences. And don't forget about the elegant Italian food that's made Prosecco one of the best new restaurants in Chicago. The bar here is equally as fun as the ristorante. Painted to look like Caravaggio's "Confessional of St. Paul," it's the drinks that will have people confessing, like the Mionetto Brut Prosecco with Chambord and 24 carat gold dust! The long, classic bar is one of the best in the city, making it perfect for those wishing to get buzzed on bubbly wine with a new, special someone. When a quick trip to Veneto, Italia isn't quite doable, Prosecco should suffice just fine. Cheers to that.

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Billy Dec’s Favorite Italian Restaurant is La Scarola

Even though restaurateur Billy Dec's Rockit Bar & Grill may make the best burger in town, it doesn't mean he doesn't have cravings for some good, hearty Italian fooPicture 7d. Whenever he's in need of some pasta and marinara sauce, the Chicago social mover always heads to La Scarola. The Italian restaurant is known for its low key environment that brings high-profile diners like Billy. It's been awarded the Zagat Excellent Rating year after year for their gigantic proportions and delicious cannolis. La Scarola's dishes taste like the ones from the Italian grandmother you never had. Sure, Billy Dec is well-known about town, but La Scarola's great because regardless of your residence, you'll feel like a local. The place is small so everyone knows each other, and if they don't, you'll feel like they do after the meal is over. With a crackling fireplace and the likes of Billie Holiday setting the mood, it's impossible not to relax and enjoy a great dinner at La Scarola. *** Billy Dec is the CEO and Founder of Rockit Ranch Productions, Chicago's premier restaurant and entertainment development company. The company owns the new hotspot Sunda, The Underground club, and the award-winning Rockit Bar & Grill.
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