Impeccable top rate service with a relaxed vibe. I'd give 5 more stars if I could. I set out after work with one thing on my mind: authentic Italian food without pretense... and this is precisely what I found here at Coco Pazzo!! I was greeted right away at the door by a cheerful man who offered me a table or the open bar. I chose the bar. It was sizeable and in perfect view of the beautiful open Kitchen with pizza stone oven, along with a number of busy chefs. The bartender Omberto was an equal mix of a good conversationist and a true service professional. He has been there three years and knows the menu very well. As I looked over the menu, I nibbled on fresh breadsticks and was soon presented with a complimentary sample of a mushroom tart which was not even on the menu yet should be. I was offered a few meal recommendations - one of which was getting the smaller meal portion to allow room for dessert (gah, I so should have so next time). I think its nice they offer full and smaller portions on all mains so that you can savor the flavor and not overstuff yourself as I did. I decided on fresh in-house made potato gnocci over red sauce with mozzarella and basil (full size) which was absolutely delicious yet oh-so filling! One observation that should not go unnoticed is the tables don't have salt and pepper shakers... that's the TRUE sign of a confident chef! Eat the meal exactly as it was intended and enjoy as is. The General Manager Francesco came by to see how I was enjoying my meal and welcome me into the restaurant with a glass of red on the house. Wow! Suddenly I'm feeling like a VIP and I'm loving it! Thank you for making a tired, hungry gal feel so good! He encouraged me to enjoy a desert but I passed due to being very content. I did look at the menu and you can bet my next time(s) I'll be splurging on desserts!! Along with my check came a lovely dark chocolate truffle. Instant love!! It is an experience like this that makes me wonder where I've been dinning all of my life. I think Grandma would be happy to know I found my Family Italian spot in Chicago! read more

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Service - Excellent. Very courteous and attentive throughout the meal. Ambiance - The restaurant has a rustic feel and is elegantly designed and allows for friendly conversation without shouting above each other. The windows are also lovely because you can see the city around you. It also has heavy velvet curtains that you can draw to separate you if you want more distance from the table behind you. An excellent design feature. Food - The branzino was delicious according to my husband and plated table side. However the sides dishes were overcooked. I ordered the seafood stew and it was way over salted and almost inedible. My husband has had this dish before and it was absolutely delicious. It is still one of our favorite restaurants and we have had many memorable meals there before. read more

Food was fantastic and service was great as well. Will come back for other dishes. Very happy with this restaurant. read more

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Service, food, ability to have conversation at table (quiet). Restaurant Week option.

Delicious fresh made pasta! I couldn't decide which to order when I finally got to try this place- I ended up going with the rigatoni, which was hearty and delicious. The fresh made focaccia bread is also divine and herby. Unfortunately, the restaurant was out of the artichoke salad that we also wanted to share, so we had a Caesar salad as an appetizer. This was a small portion but tasty and crisp. My chianti went down nicely with it all! Service was great as well- I'll have to come back to try some more pasta dishes! read more

Coco Pazzo - Rigatoni alla Buttera - Tuscan Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I'm a huge fan of Coco Pazzo. It's got a vibe where they consistently have packed 12 or 15 tops. Filled with large families and a really great backdrop to have a spirited catch up with friends. There's usually small tables available for reservation pretty conveniently. Interior dining room is huge and packed with tables. Service is extremely attentive, more so than the price point would suggest. Menu isn't huge but the options are all very solid, including the pastas - my favorite is the pappardelle and the risotto / farro has never disappointed. The portions are generous but never overwhelming and you can get the pasta in a smaller size if you want to order a second course. They also have regular rotating seasonal menu with specials in all the categories. Bread comes served individually in the bread basket and the wine list has quite a few solid options in the $10-15 a glass range. The Branzino fish is also incredibly popular - almost every table seems to order it, and the fish comes whole and is carved / filleted tableside. Absolutely love Coco Pazzo - a top favorite in Chicago. read more

I am sitting in one of my favorite places anywhere! Restaurants included. First, the space Restored brick, Chicago warehouse, blocks from The Mart Classic views of people and the El passing by large windows on a bustling city. A classic bar with a centered wood fired pizza oven in case you are headed there! A wine by the glass menu that I wish was available in the rest of travels or home town Familiar and friendly staff/owners Okay ch Home made pastas, sauces, fresh veggies of the day, classic meats and fresh fish. Too much to choose from! Still the music and attention......... all just right May my travels always include Chicago and this treasure!!!! read more

Coco Pazzo - Tuscan Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Melgrano cocktail, pastas, fritto misto and chicken ripieno are must try's. Awesome space and a long standing Chicago classic! read more

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Everything here was fabulous. The food, the wine, the service, it was just *chefs kiss*. Sarah, our server was stellar. She was knowledgeable, personable and attentive. The restaurant was even able to accommodate a vegan at our table. I can not wait to return to Coco Pazzo. read more

Coco Pazzo - Tuscan Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Not worth the money. We ordered for delivery on Grubhub, so I won't hold the messiness of the packaging or fact that it was cold against this place, but everything else I will mention is why it's not worth the price... The ravioli was a good concept and sounded really delicious on the menu. In reality, the sauce was somewhat bland as well as the nuts that were a garnish. The inside was really overpowering and the cheese was too strong. It was also to sweet. The texture of the pasta was really nice though. The gnocchetii had a nice texture and the sauce was good too, but it was also underwhelming and nothing to rave about. Not worth $22. The rigatoni was bland and didn't taste fresh or homemade at all. Again, underwhelming... The bread was actually pretty good. Some pieces were harder than others, but the ones that were the right texture were enjoyable. Dessert was kinda lame... The pana cotta just tasted like whipped cream and the lava cake had a bitter taste. Also, what I'm assuming was gelato was barely a scoop for delivery. Basically, I'm saying that this place is not worth the price or getting for delivery at all. Is it hotter/fresher in person? Probably... but I wouldn't bother. read more

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One of my favorite Italian spots in River North. It's classy Italian. During the summer, there is great outdoor dining on the sidewalk. Winter it's cozy inside. The staff is always attentive and the food is beyond delicious. This is a must visit! read more

Finally came to Coco Pazzo for dinner with a group of friends, after having learned that this is a favorite of a well-known Italian in Chicago (Maestro Muti of the CSO!), and I was not disappointed! The dishes are simple, in terms of its construction, but simplicity is often the hardest to achieve. The fresh, flavorful ingredients and yummy textures speak for themselves, whether its the creamy buffalo mozzarella, light but savory tomato sauce in the spaghetti, or the star of the night--the oven roasted branzino that's filleted table-side and finished with lemon and olive oil. Great food and service--one of the best Italian restaurants in Chicago! read more

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Arguably the best Italian food in the city. I see some comments about it being expensive, well you get what you pay for. Food, wine, and service is on point. Classic Italian feel, can't go wrong with this environment and experience. read more

Coco Pazzo offers a wonderful dining experience. The restaurant is lively, but does not feel crowded as tables are spread out and the sound does not travel. The owner, Jack is charming and the staff very attentive. The best part is the food is outstanding! It is presented nicely, tastes were delicious and this restaurant is first class Italian dining. The wine list is extensive and we totally enjoyed our evening. We can not wait to go back and bring friends with us as well. Don't miss this restaurant... we have been to many many Chicago restaurants and Coco Passo ranks as one of our favorites after dinner last night! read more

I truly could not recommend a more perfect place for a meal. We had reservations for 8 of us and they had everything ready when we arrived. The chef sent out a sample plate to our table and it was delicious. We ordered calamari and the antipasti misti and it was enough for all of us to share. I ordered the butternut squash ravioli and one of my friends ordered the wild boar Ragu. The ragu was so good, but wow, the ravioli was amazing. If it had not been a work dinner, I may have licked my plate clean. The service could not have been better. The atmosphere was great. I cannot wait to visit again! read more

I love this place!! Ask for Alberto he will treat you well! He has a warm jovial personality plus an entertaining combination of wit and honesty. We split the shaved artichoke arugula salad and complimentary focaccia/ breadsticks to start. Yummmm Entrees- i had the bucatini with sausage cream and cheese which I was told was the best pasta on the menu-TRUE One of my buds had the spicy veal papperadelle special - just the right amount of heat - slow cooked veal for 8 hours until perfection. My other friend had the juicy chicken under a brick - another winner! This is my second time coming here I tell everyone who comes to Chicago have great Coco Pazzo is!! Alberto is the BOMB! read more

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We came to Coco for a nice dinner in March 2021 on a Saturday night. Hand sanitizer was available and all staff were wearing masks and asked people entering the restaurant to put a mask on if they didn't have one on. We arrived at 7:35 for a 7:30 reservation, but weren't seated until 8:00pm, with the only apology for the delay when we were being taken to our table. Service throughout was inconsistent, there were times where I felt like we were getting checked on and water topped up every minute (which means raising your mask), but then we sat for 20 mins after finishing our entrees before anyone came by to clear our plates or ask if we wanted dessert. Food wise, also inconsistent. The Fries were AMAZING as was the fresh mozzarella, but my Maiale Alla Milanese was dry and over cooked, as was the Crostata di Mele that I ordered for dessert. Overall, very disappointing experience. I'd have given this visit a two star rating, but am giving the restaurant the benefit of the doubt that these are temporary teething problems as they ramp back up post COVID. read more

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Coco Pazzo offered a large open dining room that was welcoming and friendly. The branzino paired well with the wine that night and the pasta dishes were delicious. The service was prompt and overall we enjoyed ourselves on our first visit. read more

Great service and ambiance. Food is mediocre. Also, at the end the manager comes to say, our credit card system is down, so can you please pay electronically with a QR code. So far no problem. I add a 20% tip as suggested by a shortcut even though food was mediocre. Since I have no way of knowing before the transaction goes through what the tip amounts to I tap on it. It turns out the 20% is charged over the sum of subtotal plus tax. Tip should never be payed over tax. It's disingenuous and a rip off. I brought this up with the manager who agreed it was wrong but did not take any steps to correct it. How can this inspire patronage? read more

Coco Pazzo - The bill including tip on tax. Not cool. - Tuscan Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Terrible service mediocre food staff made us wait 45 min to get our reserved table and were completely unapologetic to the matter

Coco Pazzo takes service to the highest level. The servers are well versed with the menu items and are extremely helpful with order suggestions. Mushrooms have always been my favorite, and we asked if they could sautee a side for me and they did. It was so earthy and tasty. There was no attitude about the special request. The antipasto was equally delicious as was the caesar salad which was tossed in front of us. We need to return more often. It was a delightful relaxing and welcoming atmosphere. read more

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I've been coming here for years and every experience is always awesome. The staff are amazing, the ambiance is wonderful, and the food is fabulous. This place makes a mean French martini and the wine list is splendid. This particular visit, my party and I enjoyed the mozzarella di bufala and salumi appetizers. The last several times I've been here, I've ordered the rigatoni alla buttera entree, which is just magnificent. We had flan and gelato and a cookie plate and port and after-dinner martinis of which I cannot comment much on because I was feeling all sorts of awesome and also everything WAS awesome. The bill was amazing and a great value considering what we had. I cannot wait to go back. Love Coco Pazzo: don't ever change!!! read more

Tried this place for the first time with some friends. We started with the mozzarella di bufala (courtesy of the kitchen- thank you!) My girlfriend got the bolognese and it was delicious. I enjoyed the caciucco livernese. Two of my friends shared the fiorentina and enjoyed it. Another friend got the funghi e gorgonzola and really enjoyed it (large portion). Drinks: I tried the Italian 75 and it wasn't my favorite, but switched to the moscow mule and enjoyed it. Several of my friends enjoyed their moscow mules, old fashioned, aperol spritz, and negroni classico. The service was attentive and friendly. Deducting one star because we were charged for drinks we didn't order. Overall, I'd recommend Coco Pazzo, but make sure to review your bill. read more

Coco Pazzo - Cacciucco Livornese - Tuscan Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Came here a few weeks ago with my fiance since we just moved to the neighborhood. It's a slightly upscale old school Italian spot. We tried a few things: -Artichoke Salad -Rigatoni Buttera -Veal Saltimboca All three dishes were good not great. The Rigatoni was probably my favorite, but I don't need to come back and get it with so many good Italian restaurants in the city. If you're in the neighborhood and want to try a new spot, give it a go but don't go out of your way. read more

Came here with a friend on a weekday and had their restaurant menu lunch. Food was okay but nothing super memorable to me. The service was a bit odd - in the span of 5 minutes we were asked twice if we were ready to order. While we were eating as well 3 different waiters asked us how we were doing. While I appreciate it, it was a little annoying as we kept getting interrupted during our meal. read more

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Ok, again, rarely do I give 5 stars because there's no where else to go after 5, so it's gotta be exceptional. This certainly was every bit of exceptional. That said, if I could give a half star it would be 4.5 for the sole reason that I ordered and Aviation at the bar, and they didn't have Crème de Violette. The entire place screamed "warm, unassuming sophistication" and the don't have this ingredient? Even Il Porcellino has it. But CJ Catalano was in charge of the bar there until he moved to LA. So, onward... The service at the bar was truly excellent and they pour a great cocktail nevertheless. This was an informal business meeting about a charity with two colleagues. We ordered a very nice bottle of wine from there very credible and expansive wine list with a very nice mix of inexpensive and pricier wines. I forgot the type of red, sorry. We were offered fresh bread to start. Offered, not thrown on the table in a basket. It included focaccia which was excellent. We ordered the quattro formaggio pizza as an appetizer. It's very clear they use quality, fresh ingredients. The olive oil used was fantastic, not too peppery but certainly of a better quality. The cheeses must have been fresh for they weren't devoid of flavor. A good blend. The pizza itself was a Neopolitan style. There was no salt and pepper on the table, no did we ask for it. A sure sign of a confident chef, well thought out menu, and just good food. Why order a dish at these prices (reasonable, but this ain't no Olive Garden) and salt the hell out of it? Eat the food the way the chef intended you to eat it. The menu was as perfect as it gets, a nice sampling of meats, fish, and pasta. The house specialty is the sea bass which looked tempting, but I was excited to try their pasta since it's all made fresh. I had the "Ravioli di Ricotta". The pasta was perfect, not overcooked. The cheese was creamy delicious without too much salt in it as is often the case when cooks fear that ricotta can't stand on its own flavor-wise. The sweet pea raviolis and onion sauce was a beautiful mix of flavors perfectly balanced. It isn't bland, but not overpowering. The portion was perfect. Lastly, I couldn't help but order the panna cotta for dessert. It was the best I had outside of Rome. It was creamy without too much vanilla. The berry sauce was a perfect portion on top. Can't say enough about the place, and plan to return often. I should also mention that not once did I need to flag down a waiter. the serving staff was just right, which is so rare anymore Thank you!!! read more

It is always a consistently good experience, my friend & I were able to stop in on short notice - the risotto of the day and carpaccio was excellent. read more

I'd give 10 stars if I could Came here for dinner with my clients and wow: what an experience. Service was beyond amazing. Our server (whose name I will update soon) was so attentive, informative and swift. Wine selection is heaven. We enjoyed a fabulous anti pasto crudites prior go dinner. We all tried a different dish and were all thrilled. Do try the seafood stew! Do try the whole Branzino Al forno they filet at table. Client loved it. Do try the amazing wine selections (loved Prim.Tormar red) Do try clams and gluten free pasta. I loved this place so much I came back next day for lunch solo. Amazing again. Will be back next time I'm in Chicago! read more

Coco Pazzo - Tuscan Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Wow so disappointed..was looking forward to a great meal..ordered the eggplant parm..it came stacked 3 high. Small potion. No pasta..ice cold center..yes I did said to the wait staff. She took it away..manager came over,we will make a new one... well my original one came back microwaved..so now all the skin on the eggplant is like tuff rubber...well no thank you 28.00 for a Small portion....with No ...gelato serving was a golf ball for like 10.00. Nope not worth it! read more

Excellent Italian food, environment, and service. If you are looking for a brightly lit cost efficient Italian place to eat out with family look no further! What I personally really enjoyed about this place is that this isn't as clamorous as other high-end Italian place where the lightings are dim and people are drunk and loud. The food is also top quality definitely worth its price tag. read more

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Fantastic dish. Just fantastic. It was the squid ink pasta. Service and ambience was also delightful. Great restaurant. But only downside is that my cousin and sister got half portions of dishes and my dad and I's full versions were the same size of the same dish. Very puzzling. So, awful bang for you buck, as I left hungry for sure, but very tasty food. Just wish there was way more of it. Half portion = full portion read more

Went here during a weekday around 5:30 without any reservations but there was no wait considering how early it was. The gentlemen at the front desk were very quick to greet us and get us to a table. The server came over within seconds with water and menus. Everything we had was delicious!! I especially enjoyed the Rigatoni Alla Buttera. The pasta was cooked a little past al dente but it still had a bite to it. It was firm enough that it held its shape and didn't taste mushy but not too hard either. The sauce was a creamy tomato sauce. I asked for it to be spicy which they did for me. The sausage was crumbles smaller than what I was expecting, it resembled ground beef. Regardless of what it looked like it was so good. Seasoned well and not over cooked. Overall a great dish and a fairly good sized portion. My husband got the Gnocchetti. He also enjoyed his dish. His portion was slightly smaller than mine but enough for him. He mentioned the gnocchi was a ginger lighter and more airy than what he's use too but he didn't mind it. The sauce was a simple tomato sauce. One my favorite items was the item the chef sent over. It was like an adult grilled cheese. It was two pieces of thin focaccia with tomato, basil and melted cheese in the middle. I don't know if this is an item on the menu but they need to add it! I didn't really care for the tiramisu. It wasn't bad but nothing to rave about either. Overall great experience and awesome food! Will def be back to try some other thing :-) read more

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Came for my sister's birthday and very happy with the overall experience. The service was amazing, the staff recommendations were on point. The ambiance was perfect for date night, friends, or family dinner, but definitely a bit more of an upscale vibe. We started with mocktails, including the Bellini, Italian 75, and the red wine sangria - all with well rounded flavors, but the sangria was definitely my favorite. We got the cauliflower soup and beet salad (barbabietole), both were great but the salad was definitely the star - well balanced and well dressed. For entrees, we got the gnocchi and the tortelli fave e pisella. The gnocchi was light and fluffy, the sauce was good but on the lighter side. The tortelli was perfectly cooked, the filling was light, but the sauce was the star. For dessert we got the panda cotta (highly recommend!!) and the profiteroles with vanilla gelato, chocolate sauce, and strawberry sauce (the choux pastry was well made!) Will definitely be back on future visits to Chicago! read more

As a first timer at this restaurant, let me say that the service was remarkable. The waiters offered a complimentary appetizer and truly made my restaurant experience very comfortable. The dishes ordered were the gnocchetti and tagliatelle bolognese. The gnocchetti was soft and chewy while the tagliatelle bolognese was delicious. I truly would like to recommend this restaurant to anyone who hasn't yet gotten the chance to go! read more

Great service, good company, and really some great menu items. From pizza to pasta everything was delish. Started with an Antipasti Salumi which was excellent and perfect to share. The chilled gazpacho was spot on - balanced tangy, a little spice, and sweet - one of the best I've had. We had a Risotto, a Margherti pizza, and pasta special that I didn't catch the name of. Finished off with a couple of desserts that while good really paled compared to the meal. Affogato and crostata di mele Everyone said what they ordered was good. Timing was great, service perfect. read more

Coco Pazzo - Crostata di Mele - Tuscan Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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The strangest dinner experience I ever had. Food was very late and not worth the wait. I ordered the spicy stew and while it was full of seafood, the bread tasted burnt. I barely touched it. I was in a group of 6 and none of us were impressed. The waiter was jittery, We had to repeat our orders, and asking very weird questions. The staff was hovering out table, I have no idea if something was going on or if thats normal. I could not wait to leave but everything was so slow, we were there for 2 hours even though we didn't order much. read more

Coco Pazzo - Tuscan Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I loved the ambiance, the service, and the food at Coco Pazzo. I came here with my mom while she was in town visiting me and was looking for authentic Italian and was not disappointed. I'd definitely recommend this restaurant to friends and family looking for some tasty Italian food read more

Excellently elegant atmosphere with exquisitely delicious Italian and European style cuisine. Continental service makes you feel special. A lovely satisfying Chicago favourite. read more

Coco is a great special occasion hot spot. I took advantage of the restaurant week menu they offered to waltz in for a prix fixe dinner. The leek and potato soup was solid, and I was blown away by the 3+ serving size porkchop. It was fresh, but a little too heavy and buttery for my taste buds. The highlight though was dessert - warm chocolate cake with cappuccino gelato! Great service. Noticed nearly every table was occupied when we left. I'll be back! read more

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Went there for a family dinner. Were there early so sat at the bar for a glass of nice Italian wine. Good start. Noted the antipasto table and made a mental note to order some of the vegetables in particular. We were seated at the table once all had arrived and got a nice bottle of, yes, Italian wine (solid but pricey wine list). The opening salvo was of course the antipasto sampler and it did not disappoint. Fresh and crunchy with prosciutto to provide the balance on protein..,, other appetizers included delightful salads. Entrees varied from the Arabiata, which was creamy with the right spicy intensity to the veal cooked various ways, which was also a huge hit. The pork chop was excellent, cooked perfectly and the restaurant was generous with its portions and the ability to substitute. Appreciated that. I highly recommend this place. read more