If you're searching for an authentic Italian dining experience that transports you straight to the heart of Italy, look no further than Osteria del Pastaio in Chicago. This charming restaurant is a hidden gem that beautifully captures the essence of Italian cuisine and hospitality.
Atmosphere: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Service: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Cuisine: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Must-Try Dishes: 🍴
* Fettuccini Alfredo
Unforgettable meal at a Chicago classic. I've been looking for cheese wheel pasta for so long and this one knocked it outta the park!
First, George, our server, was fantastic. He shared that the restaurant has been family owned for many years and all pastas are handmade.
The Loster Ceviche and Sauteed Calamari are great light and refreshing appetizers. The Cheese Wheel will have the whole restaurant watching! Made tableside, it is a true experience and the flavor is so amazing. Black truffle, mushroom and leek in a creamy parmesean sauce that is rich but somehow still light and delicious.
Don't forget the sambuca for health, happiness, and prosperity!
After coming back from Italy, I have to say this did not disappoint!! Definitely much better than the average Italian restaurant in Chicago. Our wine was smooth and delicious, and there’s an expansive wine menu (both by the glass and bottle) and full bar. The bread service was very good (focaccia and tomatoes). The Caesar salad was mostly good although some of the lettuce was bitter. We loved the mushroom risotto and spaghetti cacio e pepe. Portions for pasta/risotto are HUGE and you can easily share or have extra for lunch the next day! Lastly, we enjoyed the peaceful patio (with our dog) and the servers were wonderful, friendly, and very professional. Nice classy place!
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50-LB CHEESE 🧀 WHEEL PASTA in gold coast- @osteriadelpastaio
It was packed on a weekday evening, people celebrating birthdays, families visiting for graduation, and date nights/friend outings
❤️ We got a small table by the window. Nice and moody, perfect for a date night to celebrate our 4 year anniversary and chose from a large menu of wines. Seriously, front and back of an a4 paper JIST for wines available for THAT DAY. I'm super impressed
Got the:
- Chardonnay from Italy
- House bread - tomato focaccia+ tomato topping
- Creamy burrata - imported
- 50lb cheese wheel pasta they are known for with black truffle, leek, fresh wild mushrooms
- Extra fennel sausage on the side
- tiramisu
I didn't know what to expect with the cheese wheel. Was my first time, definitely a bucket list time fulfilled 😂 he walked through the whole procedure and why he added different ingredients. SOOOOOO glad we shared because it was HUGE. We even took a portion home
This meal was around $120, which is decent for gold coast. Note that you'll get charged for Italian spring water (which I don't mind) and the utmost Italian service 😂
there was an older man, around 90 years old? Celebrating his birthday and ALL the staff sang together in their Italian accents. The wife was delighted and the entire restaurant joined in. What a super cute moment
Overall I liked the service and flavors. Nicely balanced and aromatic with fresh herbs. would love to come back and try the white truffle spaghetti 🤤
Find parking on spothero or easily take a train!
Fetuchini Alfredo I’ve always felt it tasted basic. Until after I tasted the one from here. Flavors were amazing, Lobster was to die for. Overall a great meal. Impressive place !
Went here for a 1st date, and it was amazing, especially for the price. This was my 1st time at a fancy and pricey restaurant so...I had to get the most popular item on the menu, Pecorini Al Tartufo Nero, which was delicious. The truffle was a tad overwhelming, and the tequila wasn't burned/cooked thru completely so the taste was strong bit tolerable and still tasty. I'll get it again, but without the truffle shavings. The waitress was patient and offered suggestions. Etc. Definitely a nice place to go but smaller than I anticipated.
Decent restaurant but very expensive. Service was slow and they actually charge for bread service. In the end it’s still only pasta . A $250 bill for 2 is not necessary.
Had an amazing dinner here. This is a family owned restaurant with lots of attention to quality and details. We had the truffle pasta which is prepared table side in a parmesan cheese roll...Yum! The appetizers had a unique and fresh taste as well as the special of the day, veal dish which was so light and flavorful. Don't miss out and check out this Italian delight next.
There is a little slice of Italy right here in Chicago and it’s here at Osteria del Pasatio. I’ve been seeing the amazing pasta that this restaurant makes in that drool worthy cheese wheel and I had to get here!
From beginning to end my experience, here was great! I had a very attentive waiter, who was more than patient with walking my guest and I through the menu to answer any questions.
The lamb chops we tried were cooked as requested. It’s all too common for an establishment to not be able to cook lamb chops properly, but they got it right! 8/10
The start of the show is the pasta in the cheese wheel! I can honestly say that it is some of the best pasta I’ve EVER had. It’s made in a pecorino cheese wheel with shaved black truffles, mushrooms and more. I’d gladly eat another full plate RIGHT NOW! Definitely a 10/10!!!
Swing by to try their famous cheese wheel and let me know how much you love it and tell em that Bri from Planes and Plates sent you!
Superb authentic Italian food, incredibly friendly and professional staff. Loved cheese wheel truffle pasta and flourless chocolate cake garnished with raspberries.
Good location, nice relaxing ambience, soothing music, and lovely aromas of freshly cooked delights. Plenty of seating for solo, couples, or small groups. Reservation recommended but not required. The reception staff and the servers were all very pleasant and welcoming. The food was awesome, flavorful and fresh, from the appetizers to the main courses. Selection of wines and non alcoholic drinks available. It's a special treat to watch the preparation of the Pecorini Al Tartufo Nero at your table. A great dining experience.
Fantastic. I was in town for a conference and I took a flyer on this place. When I walked in the door I knew I got it right as I was hit with great kitchen smells. The wait staff was attentive, but a little disorganized, it was very European. Don’t worry, we got everything we needed with a smile. They left us alone to enjoy ourselves. The food was amazing. Everything was cooked right, and presented well. They have a decent wine list with lots of options. The prices are reasonable based on the quality. The management is approachable and proud of their team. I travel a lot and generally avoid Italian places (tends to be mediocre in most cities) but every now and again you need something familiar. This place was great!
I came here for a date night and to try the cheese wheel pasta (they make your pasta table side in a huge cheese wheel). I loved the ambience of this restaurant and how intimate it was. Their wine selection was very large, and it gave off a fancy vibe, perfect for special occasions.
For starters we tried the Lobster Ceviche was fairly priced and very delicious. Not a ton of lobster, but still a good balance of flavor. We also tried the bread and meatballs, for dinner I got the cheese wheel pasta and while it was about $48 (more than I normally spend on pasta), I thoroughly enjoyed it, and I was able to split with my boyfriend and have leftovers! All pasta was homemade which is a huge plus.
Overall, id recommend this restaurant for a date night! The food and service was quick, and we enjoyed our visit. We utilized paid street parking to visit.
Ps save room for tiramisu and dessert!!! They had a wide selection of dessert sweets and drinks.
Great place to grab a nice dinner. The food was delicious, wine & service were good as well. The temperature in the restaurant was hot then cold and hot then cold. It wasn’t a very comfortable dining experience. The other thing that was very disturbing was the Pecorini Al Tartufo Nero. It’s cooked in a 50 lb pecorino cheese wheel. However they light a twig of rosemary on fire and it smokes up the restaurant, leaving you chocking if you’re sensitive to smoke. If they get the ventilation issues fixed, I’d eat there again. But being sensitive to smoke and that dish being ordered by most, I’ll have to pass.
Osteria Del Pastaio was just as good as the last time I went. Great service. You do have to pay for water, and it is the Italian still water. Food was exceptionally delicious, and the portions on the pasta were large. I skipped on true cheese wheel pasta, and I promise you that getting the osetra caviar white truffle pasta is going to knock your socks off.
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