I have dined many, many times at La Storia, which is housed in a lovely historic two story Victorian house with two patios located in the Gold Coast neighborhood. Zone in the front and the other in the back. First off the staff are friendly and professional and provide too notch service. Sometimes when dining out, if you're lucky, you will have an experience where a staff member makes the experience because of not only their service, but because their charm, personality and clever conversation made your evening so much better. Danny, the bartender is that person, and bonus, he also makes great cocktails. The ambiance of the cozy and upscale with a fireplace and the most comfortable bar stools that I ever sat on. On Saturday I met at friend for Brunch. Our server Allie was attentive and delightful. I didn't drink, but my friend had a few Aperol Spritzes which they said were excellent. To start out with we shared the Mediterranea Salad with arugula spinach, sliced peaches, bite sized fresh mozzarella pearls and walnuts with a balsamic honey dressing. It was so fresh and tasty. It comes highly recommend. There are two Eggs Benedict on the menu and my friend had Benedict Pugliese which is two fried eggs on toasted grain bread with arugula, basil pesto and cream buratta with a drizzle of saba which they enjoyed immensely. I had the Benedetto Prosciutto which is two poached eggs on top of sautéed spinach with shallots, prosciutto, a toasted English Muffin with hollandaise sauce and a side of tasty breakfast potatoes. My dish was fabulous with everything cooked perfectly.We did not have dessert, but I have had most, if not all of them. The gelatos are made in house with the flavors being chocolate, vanilla and blueberry. Incidentally, the blueberry gelato is the perfect foil for the lemon olive oil cake. The tiramisu strikes the perfect balance of mascarpone to chocolate, sweet but not cloyingly sweet. Last but not least is their chocolate cake, not too heavy and rich, but perfectly balanced to cap off your evening. The dinner menu is not overwhelming. I feel there is something for everyone on their menus. The provide freshly baked plain foccacia with extra virgin olive oil for the table. As far as appetizers are concerned, my personal favorites are the Arancini, Beet Salad, Salumi Plate, Polpette(meatballs,) and Roasted Octopus for an appetizer. The Bolognese Lasagne and Paparelle Alla Bolognese are my favorites of the traditional pastas. However, if you are feeling adventurous the Malloradeus Chingale is outstanding and is not an easy dish to find elsewhere. The Branzino Livornese is the best Branzino I have ever had so it is a top favorite for me. Some other dishes that come recommended are Spalla Maiale(pork shoulder,) Costelette di Agnello(rack of lamb,) and the Filetto Mignon. So if you're seeking excellent Italian cuisine, with a classy ambiance in charming historical house and fabulous service you cannot go wrong with La Storia. read more

A little underwhelming for Brunch. It's a condensed menu with only one pasta option. We tried: - Polpette - Burger Mediterraneo - Benedict Pugliese It was all just fine. It tasted fresh, but not like anything that couldn't be made at home. It's not a slam but it just didn't really drive that I want to come back feeling. The atmosphere was great and the service was phenomenal. I was just left wanting something more. It sounded like Brunch was just happening again and they are usually focused on dinner, so if we come back it will be to try the dinner menu read more

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This small hidden Italian restaurant completely surprised me in the best way. The atmosphere is warm and intimate, with low lighting, cozy seating, and a stylish mix of cool paintings and elegant décor. There's a bar to the left as you walk in and the dining area to the right, giving the space a really balanced, welcoming feel. We started with two glasses of Pinot Grigio, which were crisp and pretty good. They brought out fresh, fluffy bread with olive oil--simple but really well done. For appetizers, we tried the fried confit potatoes. They were different than I expected, but still tasty, with a nice crisp on the outside. The entrées were the highlight. The ravioli was a 10/10--the tomato sauce was flavorful, and the ricotta filling was blended perfectly. The bucatini cacio e pepe was also really good; it could use just a touch more flavor, but overall it was satisfying and well prepared. Service was great throughout--attentive, friendly, and the whole place was clean and comfortable. Definitely a spot I'd come back to and recommend if you're looking for a cozy, elegant Italian dinner. read more

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The food was not good! The place had only a few diners on Friday night and the other Italian places we wanted to go to had no reservations so we went with the yelp rating to choose this place. The positives - the bread was good and our server was very upbeat. Unfortunately that was it. The Caesar salad was odd with giant pieces of bacon and didn't taste quite right. The rigatoni alla vodka was very strange with peas and was sweet. The ravioli wasn't good either and the pomodoro sauce it came with was sweet. The cacio e Pepe was the best dish we had and it was just ok. Skip this place!!!! read more

Staying in the Gold Coast area and was looking for desserts and drinks when we found La Storia. Sat in the cozy bar. Danny was our bartender. He has a great spirit! Funny & personable. This is what we had. Dessert: Gelato Trio - Creamy & tasty! Tiramisu - Good! Olive Oil Cake - Lemony and moist! Drinks: Dirty Martini - Extra dirty with charred ice. Very good! Manhattan - Excellent! Afterwards we met Mike (Manager). He took us on a tour of the historic building. Great experience and will definitely be back to have some dinner! read more

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This was our 2 nd time ding here. Our server Jessica took very good care of us and walked us through the whole menu. For starters we enjoyed the salami plate which had ham, salami, provolone and Romano cheese along with some fresh crostini. We also enjoyed the creamy burrata on a bed of fresh pea pesto. Our last app was the amazing arancini stuffed with cheese. All the food is made in house and it shows. They use quality imported ingredients. For our primi piatti we had the spinach ravioli filled with ricotta in a light tomato sauce and gnocchi in a delish basil pesto and pine nut sauce. For our secondi we shared the chicken Parmesan lightly bread and topped with fresh mozzerella abs cherry tomatoes. We also had a beautiful roasted rack of lamb on a bed of hummus and artichokes. For dessert we enjoyed their helot and a light as air tiramisu. I had some very authentic Italian coffee. This is true Italian fine dining. If you want good service and authentic Italian food then this is the place to go. Both the chef and the manager were so hospitable too read more

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Pretty shocked at all these glowing reviews. I've always loved this building for years and never got around to trying the restaurant until recently. Was excited to finally make it in. We had a reservation for Saturday afternoon and we were the only people dining here the entire visit. Now I understand why that was. This was one of the worst food experiences we have had in some time (and my husband and I eat out at higher end restaurants near daily). We started with the burrata (that isn't homemade) and it had some type of ice cold tomato/olive situation underneath. We really didn't care for it at all. It was presented nicely but that's where the positives end. I got the orecchiette and he got the pollo parmigiana. The orecchiette was ok but not memorable. The big offender here is the chicken parmigiana..it was bad. My husband is Italian and we have had many lovely chicken parm's in our day & this was truly insulting to Italian cuisine. The oddest breading with no flavor and cheap mozz shreds thrown on top. The red sauce again, tasted store bought and quite unappetizing. We were pretty surprised all around. I saw many people mention the service and we didn't find it to be great. Again, we were the only people dining here and our waitress was not very attentive. The restaurant seems well taken care of and the interior is inviting (although the music was way too loud). But we paid over $100 for a very mediocre lunch and I wouldn't come back. I would much rather support a place like this but we both knew we would at least have somewhat enjoyed our food had we dined at Rosebud down the street. Bummer. read more

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I don't get the rave reviews. This place was disappointing and not crowded on a Saturday evening when many nearby restaurants were packed. The bread and dessert were good. Everything else was just OK, and it was over $100 per person with tax and tip even though we shared a salad and our entrees were pasta, nothing fancy. read more

I have celiac and our waiter was so accommodating! He let me know what could and couldn't be made gluten free and I got the risotto which was soooo delicious and naturally gluten free! We also got the salumi and loved the cheeses especially, no gluten free bread though. My girlfriend got the italian sausage pasta. She loved it, but could've used less meat, it was very filling. Our table had flowers and an (unlit) candle but I had a lighter on me so it ended up being fine! Super nice ambiance, we will be returning. read more

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I really enjoyed my experience recently at La Storia. I was able to enjoy the end of Summer on their patio. This is a hidden gem in Gold Coast with absolutely delicious food. They have a large selection of wines which was a great start to the meal. The server was very knowledgeable about the restaurant and menu. He was able to answer all my questions. They deliver fresh, soft bread to the table which is always a plus! My favorite dishes were the filet, pesto gnocchi and mushroom risotto! I was too full to have any dessert but would definitely save room next time as they had lovely options. read more

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Went for a holiday celebration meal and everything was delicious. Complementary bread, arancini, burrata and a few pastas. The interior is cozy. read more

La Storia Ristorante - Mushroom Risotto al Funghi Porcini - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

This is one of the worst restaurant experiences I have ever had (One extra star because the gnocchi was delicious). We went on Valentine's Day, and my boyfriend and I received the worst service I have ever had. We were sat at our table for over 30 minutes before anyone even filled our waters. Then, the server comes over and completely unapologetically spews an excuse. That's fine, seating mishaps happen, but he only came back to check on us once the entire meal. We paid in cash and asked for change, and he intentionally tried to wait us out to make an extra $80 on tip after we had asked multiple times for the change urgently. I have truly never felt this strongly about poor service, but I used to love this place and I am so disappointed they ruined our Valentine's Day. read more

Cute find while in Chicago. Building is beautiful inside and out. Service was great. Greated and seated right away. Food was delicious. Desert was yummo. read more

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La Storia has the cutest outdoor patio - Perfect for a girls night or date night. They have a great happy hour with cocktails & apps. The crab cakes and spinach salad were both really good. The ravioli pasta & pesto gnocchi were perfectly al dente & delicious sauces. Also loved the tiramisu dessert. Great service & ambiance! read more

La Storia Ristorante - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Amazing wine dinner! Sign up to find out when it's the next one! Great food and great wine selection!

Went to an amazing wine dinner with ZD Wines from Napa Valley. Staff was amazing and they really ensured we had plenty to taste & enjoy. Intimate setting that was a great experience to enjoy wine in a communal setting. Thanks for a great night. read more

First time customer at La Storia tonight with my friend and we loved our experience. Built in the 1800s and still standing well past the chicago fire, this restaurant holds a lot of special history. Ivo was our server and provided 10/10 service. He gave us great recommendations on wine to accompany our pastas. After our meal Mike gave us a tour of the building and a mini history lesson. Overall everyone was so friendly and kind throughout our whole experience. We enjoyed the arancini, the agnolotti, and the orecchiette. Everything was delicious and we will be back! read more

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Dark and moody interior. The food was great and the portions were a little bit on the smaller side but still great food. Service was a teeny bit slow but it was a pretty busy weekend so understandable. read more

La Storia Ristorante - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Had an amazing dinner at La Storia tonight. Food was amazing. Great atmosphere. The service by Mike K and Evel was excellent!! read more

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What a cute little restaurant nestled in Gold Coast! We were first welcomed by Mike K, who had greeted us with such a big smile! He very kindly brought us to our table and recommended a few things based off his favorites on the menu. At the end of dinner, he took the time to show us the BEAUTIFUL back patio and the upstairs of the restaurant where he revealed that the room upstairs survived The Great Chicago fire. It was amazing to see this room with its original wood boards, wood carvings, and chandelier. The food itself was delicious! We ended up coming in for happy hour and the salami + pizza on the happy hour menu. The salami plate was more like a little snack (as seen in the picture) and the pizza was more than enough for us. All of it were absolutely worth it. Mike had recommended the rice balls and they were perfection. Our waitress was so lovely and took the time to make recommendations for drinks. She also surprised us with a tiramisu to celebrate! Highly recommended dinning here! read more

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La Storia Italian Ristorante offers a truly enchanting dining experience that captures the essence of Italy. From the moment you step inside, the original architectural decor sweeps you away to a rustic Italian villa. The intricate details--such as the original woodwork and interesting muraled walls--exude charm and sophistication, creating an ambiance that feels both timeless and intimate. The romantic atmosphere at La Storia is perfect for a date night or special occasion. Soft, warm lighting and elegant table settings complement the space. The staff are incredibly attentive and make you feel welcomed as if you're family. Ivo, our server, who has been there since day one was incredibly knowledgeable and attentive. After our orders were taken and the wine was poured, the manager, Mike K, offered to take us for a mini tour of the restaurant to show us the courtyard and upstairs seating areas original to the building which was a delight to see. As for the food, it was nothing short of perfection. From the deliciously light homemade 'Ravioli Di Melanzane e Ricotta' to perfectly seasoned pork shoulder, Spalla di Maiale, the use of fresh, high-quality ingredients shines through in every bite. I'm sorry I didn't take any photos. I just dove right in! After a wonderful meal on our way out, passing by the charming bar area, we decided to have an after-hour Frangelico for desert with the bartender, Danny, who offered up lively conversation and some great recommendations of things to do in Chicago. La Storia is not just a restaurant; it's a journey to Italy that tantalizes your taste buds and enchants your senses. If you're looking for a combination of exquisite cuisine, stunning decor, and an amorous atmosphere, this hidden gem is a must-visit! read more

Mixed reviews due to major inconsistency and service. The place had a good vibe upon entering and we had good expectations from reading reviews. Enter the place but watch the step. Bar on the left and dining room on the right. With reservations, we were seated quickly. Place is small with one round table left beside the caricature painted wall. Odd for 2 couples as it felt we were viewing a show of diners in the room. Luckily we switched to a regular table as a table freed up. We chatted while waiting for menus, water, etc. It's a small establishment and while there was lots of staff, I can't say that our actual server was attentive. More to come. Octopus was the true highlight. And for me, the lamb lollipops rack looked so good from afar that I changed my mind when ordering. But unfortunately it went downhill with the supposed medium-rare but instead medium-well overcooked lamb chops that being tough. After over 25-30 minutes later and asking a few times, the dish comes back tender now yes but then I'd say an under-whelmingly seasoned lacking any sear, baked or grill character. Did they need to find and slaughter the protein? No apologies, offer of a desert, nothing. We were dining with friends so I didn't make a fuss. Didn't finish it, not truly appreciate it. Wife had the boar pasta, good and not amazing but still better. Am I expecting too much? Price and value proposition wasn't met and service was indifferent. We were having a good time that service would have made up for deficiencies, if they cared. Did I feel they were ready to close and we were in the way, definitely! Our 815 reservations left enough time but guess that's more important. Left a disappointed and with a bad taste. read more

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I have walked by this place almost every single day since living in Chicago (3 years) and so happy I finally came in! I tried their happy hour which has a great menu selection for cocktails, wine and bites ($8-$12). The arancini was absolutely incredible! I haven't had arancini this tasty since I was Italy-- I can't recommend enough! The crab cakes, perfection. There's a generous amount of crab meat, and it's not overpowered by breading or being fried. The staff was incredible, and the patio is a peaceful setting in this bustling neighborhood. read more

La Storia Ristorante - Crab cake Arancini alla Amatriciana - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Stopped here on an unusually warm Monday in March. We had a wonderful time dining at La Storia, enjoying the charming outdoor seating with our dogs. The service was exceptional--attentive and friendly--while Mike from the management staff went above and beyond, personally offering us a tour of the restaurant and courtyard, sharing interesting historical insights along the way. The food and wine were very good, complementing the warm and inviting ambience. Overall, a fantastic dining experience that blends great hospitality with a touch of history. Highly recommended! read more

La Storia Ristorante - Happy hour menu on the patio - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Food was excellent- all 5 of my party loved their pasta! Also appreciated free dessert for my bday! Great neighborhood and cozy ambience!! read more

La Storia Ristorante - Chocolate torte and vanilla gelato.:) - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

We found this diamond in the ruff. We sat in the bar area and Danny....WOW! He is the ABSOLUTE BEST! He is celebrating 7 years with La Storia. He is such a warm and welcoming soul! Drinks were really good and the desserts were beyond perfect. We were seated by the window and fireplace. So cozy! Mike (the manager) took us on a tour of the restaurant. What a beautiful place. My wife was on the hunt for Tiramisu in the area and she got exactly what she was looking for and much more. We travel a lot and we come across places that have good food but lack service. La Storia is the best of all worlds. Give them a try. read more

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Charming and romantic ambiance. The music wasn't too loud and we were able to enjoy our own company without shouting at each other. The service was delightful. The food was tasty however did not really justify the steep price tag. The size of the portions left us wanting more. Would however come here again to try the dessert and have some cocktails. read more

La Storia Ristorante - Decor - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Great food and friendly staff. We visited the restaurant on a cold winter Sunday. The manager gave us a wonderful tour of the second floor, sharing the history of the building and some interesting stories. read more

La Storia Ristorante - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Wonderful food and ambience in the Gold Coast of Chicago! The Fried Chicken is excellent!

We saw the great reviews. But we weren't very impressed. The service was very slow and not friendly. We asked for an extra chair for a friend that joined us late and they were really perplexed- there were a lot of empty tables so we didn't think it was a big deal. They don't have refills on soft drinks. I had the gnocchi- the noodle was excellent but the pesto was very dark and very strong. One of us ordered the filet medium rare and it came out medium well. The kids loved the spaghetti with marinara. We didn't complain because they never asked how we liked our meal. It wasn't cheap and it just wasn't good. read more

Delicious food and great service. Mushroom pizza and pappardelle and calamari were particularly amazing. The buffalo pizza had a tad too much tomato sauce for my taste but I'm sure it would be to other people's taste. In general all restaurants in Miami have been exceptionally noisy indoors with echoing acoustics and outdoors with music, therefore difficult for conversation so I don't think it's its specific to any one restaurant it's just a Miami thing read more

Beautiful building with great service and a delicious meal! Can't wait to bring family and friends back here to show off this hidden gem. read more

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Really great experience tonight at La Storia! We enjoyed the arancini and meatballs as an appetizer. The red snapper was delicious as a main, and many in my party also enjoyed the lasagna. We were seated out on the back terrace on what ended up being quite a rainy evening. The wait staff was highly accommodating despite being very busy. I recommend you check out this restaurant :) read more

La Storia Ristorante - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

What an absolute gem!! We stumbled upon this place on chance while visiting the city and are SO HAPPY we did!! The atmosphere is quiet and intimate with a very elegant feel. Our dishes were all superb and the management staff was extremely attentive. Would definitely recommend to anyone!! And come back whenever we're in town!! read more

Had an amazing celebration dinner last night. Food was excellent and service was outstanding. Ivo, our server is the best as is Danny the bartender. And our host, Michael was very sweet, even gave us a tour of the older part of the building. Thanks La Storia team! Pete & Jenny Stefani read more

Booked La Storia for a graduation dinner for just over a dozen people. They were super accommodating and helped chill the champagne we dropped off the day before (there is a $35 corkage fee per bottle which was totally fine). Day of the staff was really helpful and just the right level of service. Food was excellent and would highly recommend. Thanks for helping with our special occasion!! read more

Danny the bar tender welcomed us into a cozy bar area with a few high boys, candle light, bar seating and a warm fire place. The room was decorated smartly for the holidays. The main dining area is also quaint, with colorful art and a number of 2-8 top tables. The bread is made in house daily and is wonderful. The pastas were very good featuring a delicious meat sauce and a gnocchi with fresh pesto. The desert was equally high quality and house made. A new favorite for the neighborhood, they also have outdoor seating in warmer months. Wine specials on Wednesdays when we were there. read more

La Storia Ristorante - Outdoors - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Great spot for business dinner, date night, cute dinner with friends. I hadn't heard of La Storia but a friend recommended it so we decided to give it a try. It was very empty on a Monday night. If you need last minute space for a team or client dinner this might be an amazing choice that will likely have space. The service was solid. Annie and Mike both were friendly and gave great recommendations. The beet salad was good as was the spinach salad. Personally would have liked a bit more acid in either of them! But very fresh and overall tasty. The mushroom risotto was outstanding!!! My friend had pasta and loved it. They also do have gluten free pasta available which I really appreciate. We had a couple of glasses of wine and the wine list was good, focused, and reasonably priced. Definitely would return, and hope this place thrives! A really great option not far from downtown read more

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Highly recommend. It's a quaint cute restaurant tucked in on Elm street. We got the burrata, black squid pasta and the branzino. Service was great with Ivo and Mike K. holding it down. Frankly, hard to find small cute restaurants like these since we moved from NYC to Chicago and glad we found another spot to put to the roster. Btw blue kitchen we also had last weekend and they're owned by the same group and fantastic! Go Mike k! read more

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I spent a couple of nights in Chicago. We were walking through the neighborhood looking for someplace to eat that wasn't overly busy. We came upon La Storia. It's located in a beautiful building, and the inside is very welcoming giving off a warm feeling. In the room we sat there was a mural on the wall with many prominent Chicago figures... which we spent much time trying to figure out who was everyone portrayed. The staff was friendly. They answered my girlfriend's questions regarding gluten-free options. It was not very busy on a Tuesday night, and after being sat I realized that I was woefully underdressed... In my true style I looked more like I arrived on the back of a motorcycle than a respectable member of society. Yet, no one made any comments or made me feel judged for it. After perusing the menu for a couple of minutes, it didn't take long for either of us to decide what we were going to order. I chose the Agnolotti. It's a ravioli stuff with goat cheese and asparagus and served with asparagus with a rosemary butter sauce and cheese. My girlfriend chose the Tagliatelle Verdi Alla Bolognese, only with Gluten Free pasta. Our meals were pleasing to both of us. Where I thoroughly enjoy both goat cheese and asparagus, I've never had them together in a pasta dish. I was not disappointed. The flavor combination sparked a gastric joy in my mouth the likes I had never experienced in the past. My girlfriend stated that her dish was beyond her expectations. While we were dining the staff would check on us regularly. At one point I'm not sure if it was the manager or the owner that stopped by the table, but he was personable and very informative about the building. He informed us that the building was one which survived the Chicago Fire, and even offered to take us up to the second story to look at some of the restored rooms after our meal. Unfortunately, we were unable to accept his hospitality due to time constraints. If you are in the Gold Coast, La Storia is well worth the visit. read more

La Storia Ristorante - Agnolotti - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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