Pelago is a great dining destination in Chicago for Italian food. They have several vegetarian options on the menu and everything is expertly prepared. My friend and I both had a mushroom and shaved truffle dish over fresh make fettuccine. It was one of the best dishes we’ve ever had. For dessert I had a banana cheese flan that was out of this world. The wait staff expertly takes care of you. They operate like a well coached soccer team. They are attentive without being instructive.
Ridiculously delicious. Must try if you want to experience authentic Chicago food! Get the sweet and spicy peppers on it. So good we ate there twice in one day. Also, the hot dog is incredible. Chili on chili dog was a bit sweet, so we didn't care for it.
Be prepared for large crowds but very well worth the wait.
Best Meal Ever. My Best meal ever was at Pelago Ristorante in Chicago by Chef Mauro Mafrici. PELAGO, redefines up-scale Italian dining with a focus on homemade pastas and fresh seafood. I recently had a wonderful Carnaroli Risotto with mixed herbs from Pelago, and I can honestly say it was the best Risotto I have ever had. My 2nd plate was an exceptional Roasted Filet of Cod with Potato, Back Olives and Cherry Tomato. The Cod Filet was seasoned perfectly and was very fresh. The attention to detail in each plates presentation and the passion that is put into to each dish was above and beyond any restaurant I have ever dine at.
The perfect Stripped Bass. My Stripped Bass was perfect. Nice lunch portion size and excellent taste and flavor. Not the normal lunch dish and an excellent value when you choose the 2 course menu option. Our server - Franco really understand good food and gave us great service.
Amazingly Outstanding. I can not say any more, ignore the complaints. This is the place for a real high quality meal. Pricy but well worth it. It can be noisy when busy. A definite return trip is planned
Best. Lamb. EVER.. Ate there with friends from NYC twice in November - lunch on a Sunday and immediately went back with a bigger group the next day for dinner. Rack of lamb so good I literally teared up, and the chef was great - sent out all kinds of goodies, including more dessert than we could eat. The next night I got a great wine recommendation from the bartender, had very good lamb (not as good as the rack of lamb), and my companions were also all really happy. And FULL! I'm definitely going back sometime soon. One tiny flaw? Sunday lunch waitstaff had a couple of small hiccups, but the next day's dinner staff was perfect even with a busier service.
Atmosphere is elegant and inviting. Service personal and knowledgeable. Food choices limited, but every available choice is inviting. Highly recommended for a relaxing long lunch.
Yumm. Best meal in ages,and it was gluten free! My dinner guest had a gluten and dairy free meal, which was also excellent. Very attentive service, fresh seafood, classy place, great wine and a pleasing atmosphere. It was not cheep, but it was a good value. Highly recommend for anyone and so exciting to have a gluten free friendly place.
Magnifico!. Pelago well exceeded my expectations. It's easy to underestimate its extravagance just by walking by or looking at the website. To start, the ambiance is top notch and the service was impeccable from the maitre de to the busboys. The food was truly delicious, and you will savor every bite. They had a tasting menu that all can enjoy and the portions were just right. If you enjoy wine with your meal you will not be disappointed as they have some wonderful choices. We had a large party and they catered to our every need, ensuring that we all had a great experience. Pelago would be a great choice for any occasion, from a romantic dinner for two to larger celebration. This is a truly magnificent restaurant and you will surely not be disappointed.
Best Italian restaurant in town.. Food, Styling and Service are triple A.
Fabulous Food/Beatifully Appointed Space!. Mauro Mafrici made me love asparagus! That's no small feat. I had the opportunity to have lunch there and had one of the most heavenly risotto dishes w/asparagus. I've returned several times and have NEVER had a disappointing meal. The food melts in your mouth...and don't even get me started on the desserts. Even Mauro's petite Italian cookies, make you long for an Italian grandmother!
We went for breakfast, excellent! Prices were very good for downtown Chicago! And the quality and quantity of food was exceptional! We have not had service like this in a very long time. Highly recommend.
One of best dining experiences yet!. From the time you walk in to the time you leave, you will not be disappointed. The environment is upscale, interesting and beautiful but at the same time it does not break the bank. They really pay close attention to detail here. We went for lunch and the menu is amazing. It is not to large so you are overwelmed but you have some great dishes to chose from. The food was some of the best I have had since moving to the city 2 years ago. We couldnt stop talking about how well everything was. We got a pasta dish with crab and spinach in a garlic sauce and a veal with goat cheese dish. Needless to say we did not have any left overs. Then we went for dessert (after seeing some dishes come out we couldnt pass it up). This too topped our expectations! The presentation was great. Service was spectacular. The Chef Mauro is a genius! I will definitely be recommending this to everyone I can!
10/10 from experience to food. This small Italian restaurant is perfect for a Chicago winter evening. Make sure to order the pasta starter which gives you a taste of about 5 different pastas. It’s fun to do with a group or partner and compare which one everyone likes the most. It’s a great idea, so you can try more than 1 pasta and not feel grossly full. Pelago is quiet, small, and classy. I love it! P.S. their starter bread and butter is addicting (see image).
Absolutely one of the best meals I've ever had. If it's your first time visiting, splurge and go for the chef's tasting and you'll get to try SO many different things. There are five courses: cheese, risotto, pasta, choice of meat or fish, and dessert. Each course comes with a sampling of 3-4 items! Everything was out of this world and the wait staff was amazing. They were attentive, warm and knowledgeable. I really felt transported to Italy!
The experience I had for each apetaizer was spectacular, I loved them all but the most explosive was that of different SPAGHETTI! Come and enjoy an exquisite plate of food!
Excellent restaurant. Food was great, service was excellent. You'll pay a little more but it's worth it.
We enjoyed a nice dinner at Pelago. Overall the food was a 3.5-4 out of 5.
We had a few dishes: the burrata (which was our favourite), the fettuccine with truffles (when I had this dish last time here about a year ago it was much better. This time it felt like the pasta was just slightly overcooked and not as good as previous), the pompano fish (it was good) and the lamb special (this was okay).
Service is always great here though and the ambiance is nice. Not sure if I would come back again though
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This upscale Italian gem will delight locals and natives alike. We had been to Pelago a few times before, but only for lunch. Last night my wife and I decided to splurge a bit for Valentine's Day, and we were rewarded with a sophisticated, yet daring 5-course performance by chef Mauro Mafrici.
The theme of the evening being Valentine, each course incorporated the color red. We started with a tomato and seafood soup, wonderfully supple yet flavorful. Next came cappelletti in a bacon sauce; if you ever wondered about the canonical definition of "al dente," this was it. The following dish, risotto with nduja sausage dressing, highlighted chef Mafrici's creative reinterpretation of Italian culinary tradition: risotto is very much a northern dish, whereas nduja comes from Calabria. I substituted branzuni for the default beef dish, though both proved delicious. The grand finale was rose petal panna cotta, featuring, yes, edible petals.
If you are looking for a classy excursion into the finest Italian cuisine, Pelago is the go-to place.
High end yet small, quiet and intimate. Delicious Italian fare. I had a lovely fish soup and sausage, peas, stuffed pasta in a delicious sauce. Cordial prompt service with a smile.
Recommend highly
A true 5 star Italian dining experience. The food and service were both excellent and the deserts and cheeses were equally tasty. A slightly more formal setting with nice small touches like a small chair for the ladies handbags. Would recommend it for a special occasion.
Best Italian food I have ever ate! Definitely reccomend! Chef Mauro is amazing! 🤗 ..My favorite part was dessert
My favorite restaurant in Chicago! It is a hidden gem. We have been coming here for the past few years for a lot of special events such as birthdays, anniversaries, etc. Everytime we come here it’s truly a memorable night. The staff is so great. The restaurant is very clean and beautiful. The food is out of this world. We love Pelago for its 5-star service every single time we go here. Highly recommend!!
We had a wonderful meal here on a Thurs evening to celebrate our Anniversary. From the moment we walked in to the moment we left, we were treated so well. The employees seemed to really like being there and wanted to show us a good time (which they did.) Our waiter was very friendly and happy to give suggestions when my husband was trying to narrow down his dinner choice. We had some nice cocktails while waiting for dinner as well as a salad that we shared. The meal was delicious! My husband had lamb and I had the gnocchi. Sure, the place is pricy, but the atmosphere and service (not to mention the spectacular food) is worth the price. This is not some place I would go all the time because of the price, but I would go for special occasions or maybe just for a nice date night. I would recommend Pelago Ristorante for sure!
Owner is the most popular and authentic Italian, his pasta is sublime and well cooked. One of the few left of Chicago. Go if you are in the Golden coast you would not be disappointed.
We're surprised to see some negative reviews here: I think most were towards the wait staff and the pricing. For us, the wait staff were very pleasant (the female hostesses were not the nicest, however our actual waiter was great). The best pasta dish by far was the truffle fettucine which is not on the menu; it is amazing. Regarding the pricing: this is always subjective. For three of us dining the bill came to $977 before tip so there you go. That's the benchmark and you can decide if you want to dine here. We chose some great wines so most likely the bill could be smaller for most people dining here with three guests
My wife and I absolutely love the food AND the staff at Pelago. The restaurant is very intimate, cozy, and comfortable and the food is fantastic. I love fish and the preparations are delightful. My wife prefers meat and is never disappointed. We highly recommend Pelago, a gem in the heart of Chicago.
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