Looking for great Italian food and tired of the crowds in the triangle? This place never disappoints. Daughter and I wandered in last night and had a perfect meal. Carpaccio and bruschetta starters that were imaginatively presented and tasty. We ordered a pesto pasta and bolognese pasta and shared. Both great. The bolognese would win in a city wide contest . Fresh pasta cooked correctly as well. Washed it down with a couple of glasses of Super Tuscan. And daughter had a 10/10 Tiramisu for dessert. Try this hidden gem on Chestnut . read more

We stopped for and early dinner so they were not busy at that time , however our waiter was very good , knowledgeable of the menu & polite The food was excellent, my wife had the Beet salad & Brazzo fish dinner and had the carbonara Both our meals were delicious The ambience was very nice as well as a nice outdoor seating area ! read more

The Doctor and I are doing our usual staycation downtown at The Drake and this was one of the restaurants I chose because we could walk there from the hotel. Well what a pleasant surprise as this was our first time there and we had such a great meal that we returned on Saturday for dinner. Osteria Del Pastaio is an unassuming spot located on Chestnut. The space itself isn't huge, but they do have an outdoor area. You have the option of selecting indoor or outdoor when you make your reservation on OpenTable. We were greeted by a friendly woman who looked our reservation and was going to seat us in the main dining area, but I saw this two top that was right next to the hostess stand and asked if we could be seated there as it was by itself and next to the window so I could people watch. Just for clarification, all activities at the hostess table were in front of us, so we were not being bother. The overall vibe is a chilled one. Osteria Del Pastaio isn't overly large space, but the open ceiling gives the illusion of there being a lot of space. There is a lot of dark colors in the joint, but someone chose some great lighting for the space. While at first glance it looks dark in the joint, in reality it is not. I was happy to see a light directly over us, which made reading the menu great, but the way the lights were set up, you could see and still feel like you were in a dimly lighted and cozy space. On Friday we started dinner with a lovely bottle of Prosecco Rosé and two appetizers (Sauteed Fresh Calamari & Jumbo Shrimp in a White Wine Herb Sauce and the Fresh Maine Lobster Ceviche with Mango, Cilantro, Limes, Avocado). Both of these dishes were very good. The ceviche was fresh and the addition of the other ingredients made this a wonderful starter. The calamari and shrimp were prepared just right and were tender to the bite. The white wine sauce they were in enhance the flavor profile without overpowering the taste of the seafood, Our server, Irene, asked if we wanted a bread service as well and I said yes and so glad I did as it was a house-made Focaccia. It was denser than some focaccias I have had in the past, but I was not mad about that as it had a good bite to it and was solid enough to allow me to put the ceviche as well as the diced tomatoes on top of it. The bread has a lovely olive oil and sun-dried tomato flavor which worked well with the ceviche and the diced tomatoes. For dinner I got the Pappardelle con Anatra (Duck Confit Ragout, Pappardelle Pasta) and The Doctor got the Penne Arrabbiata (Short tube penne pasta, Mozzarella, light spicy tomato sauce). Pasta is made in-house and you could tell it was fresh. The Penne Arrabbiata is not a dish I typically order because it is usually too spicy for me, but this preparation was very good. Usually when I do my reviews, I want to be able to speak to certain dishes, even if I did not order them. I went in for a taste of The Doctor's Penne Arrabbiata, but ended up going back in to get two additional bites. The sauce was really good and while there was a kick to it, it would not be anything that a glass of bubbles couldn't deal with. The Pappardelle con Anatra was wonderful as well. The duck confit was prepared perfectly, with the meat separately cleanly from the bone and into that wonderful pasta. Overall, the flavor profiles were just right. I am that person that will put salt on stuff right after tasting...for these pasta dishes, that was not required. For dessert, I got the Magic Cake and the Fig-Goat Cheese Gelato. I don't normally do desserts, but sometimes I get a hankering for something sweet after dinner. The Fig-Goat Cheese Gelato was pretty good. I was curious how those two flavors would work out and they did. Each flavor complimented the other without overpowering each other and I enjoyed this very much. The Magic Cake was a vanilla cake with berries...it was okay, just didn't wow me. Irene as well as the gentleman that was our busser were very nice and attentive on both days. They were not intrusive but definitely kept an eye out on us, which was great. Irene went above and reserved our same table for us for Saturday, with a sign holding it for us. Also as a side note, the bathrooms are outside of the restaurant in a corridor. You need a code to open the doors and fortunately they are posted above the keypad. From the looks of it, the bathrooms are shared with the connecting building as I saw a bike rack there. As some folks have mentioned in their reviews, the prices could be considered on the high side, but for us we look at that as the price of eating in downtown Chicago. Our bill clocked in $289 for the two of us, which I did not think was all that bad considering the bottle of bubbles was $78. We would definitely come back here for dinner. read more

See all

I came here for dinner with a friend and I had never been here before so I deferred the ordering to them. We started out with the house made focaccia and they served it with olive oil, cheese and tapenade. For dinner, we shared the pecorini al tartufo Nero which was served inside the Parmesan wheel. The sauce was incredible with the truffle and the cream, it was so delicious. I'm drooling still thinking about it. I, of course, had to take some of the focaccia and scraped the saucy goodness from the plate and the dinner was so satisfying. I had no room for anything else so maybe next time I'll learn not to load up on the bread (rookie mistake) and save some room for dessert. read more

Osteria del Pastaio - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

See all

If a restaurant is going to be a little rough around the edges, it really needs to earn it. More on that later. Osteria del Pastaio has the right ingredients for something truly special. However, issues with execution and high prices put a damper on the overall experience. What I Had and My Thoughts: - House-Made Focaccia: The good news is that the bread was cooked through, not the "play-dough" so many places pass off as bread, and it had pleasant olive oil and sun-dried tomato flavors. On the other hand, I felt it lacked the airiness of a great focaccia, becoming simply a solid loaf. The slightly acidic diced tomato on top did earn some points. - Calamari Fritti: The sauce was the calamari's undoing. I loved that these were hot, fresh, and lightly fried with only a thin crust. The squid itself was perfectly cooked and not at all rubbery. The issue is that on their own, they were bland. While there was a tasty tomato sauce, it was so watery that it barely adhered. Getting any on a piece required creating a modern work of art on the plate, which became impractical, especially when sharing with a larger table. - Fresh Maine Lobster Ceviche (special): With this one, I have no notes - it was perfect! I happily devoured this dish like no one's business. The flavors hit all five "receptors" of the tongue, making it the undeniable highlight of the night. - Gnocchi con Ragu di Carne: I fear this dish suffered from the same problem as the calamari: the sauce was too thin to properly adhere. The gnocchi themselves were soft and pillowy, and the braised beef was excellent! It was flavorful, savory, and melted in my mouth--and this is coming from someone who generally doesn't even like braised beef. Being cooked in the sauce, the beef absorbed plenty of flavor. However, because the sauce was watery, the gnocchi barely got any. This necessitated eating it with a spoon (which I did, shamelessly) for maximum enjoyment. As a closing note, the tiny amount of greens, carrot, and Parmesan seemed like afterthoughts. The greens, in particular, left little red stems sticking out of my mouth like a farmer with wheat between their teeth! Non-Food Notes: - Service: I want to give credit to the server for his efficiency. Typical pleasantries were discarded, which led to orders being taken quickly. I'm not saying the service was rude; not at all. I'm saying it was a bit gruff and surly, in the best way possible. When it came to speed, I appreciated that drinks and appetizers came out fast, though mains took longer than I expected. Finally, I liked that the service staff worked as a team. - Vibe: I felt that the vibe was tastefully done. The open ceiling gives the feeling of more space. The brown, gray, and black notes work well and aren't depressing, especially since they bring the focus to the table. This is aided by well-executed lighting, with LEDs illuminating the table and not much else with bright white light. The white tablecloths rounded out the experience. - Value: The jury is still out on this one. Osteria del Pastaio's prices are higher than I would expect. This might have something to do with the Mag Mile location. Still, I judge things based on the amount of sticker shock I feel when the bill comes, and there was definitely some. I think the reason is that the aforementioned execution errors made the dishes less than spectacular, which made the prices less justifiable, in my opinion. Then there was the water... - Water?!: Traffic on LSD meant I was last to my table. There was already a glass bottle of water there, and I saw most tables around me had the same. I thought this was them being "cute" and filling it with tap or filtered water... until I saw a waiter open a sealed one. Then the bill came, at a rate of $5 a bottle. It's better to be smart early: if you're offered still water, ask for tap water instead. Final Verdict: Osteria del Pastaio shines through great proteins and a well-executed atmosphere. However, the aqueous sauces and rough-around-the-edges service meant the overall experience was less than spectacular. All of this, combined with prices that demand a more refined experience, means the only thing truly enticing me to come back is the Lobster Ceviche. While not cheap at $26, the price for that dish is more or less understandable given its quality. read more

See all

Just walked into this place with a party of four on a Saturday night at 8pm. No wait, they sat us immediately. Our Italian host welcomed us and asked about our visit to Chicago, teased us and was genuinely charming. We all had a cocktail and shared a bottle of wine. Caesar salads were great but the pasta was all a standout the cacio y pepe was soooooo good. Another person had the short rib gnocchi which was delicious and someone else had the mushroom risotto. Now my family and I tend to be risotto snobs, and this risotto was excellent. Pretty place, prompt friendly service, the pasta is all homemade. I am delighted that I had the experience of eating dinner here. Epic Italian! read more

The cheese wheel pasta was the best and most flavorful pasta dish I have ever had in my life. Well worth the money and you get the tableside experience which is a bonus. The carbonara wasn't the greatest but it still was good. I have made better carbonara at home. read more

Osteria del Pastaio - Cheese wheel pasta - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

See all

Wow Wow Wow I stumbled upon this great place by shear luck & certainly elated I did! It's a cute & quaint spot with a super friendly staff! I cannot remember the bartenders name but she guided me through her recommendations & made a killer dirty martini, too! I went with the short rib gnocchi (to go). The bartender explained the gnocchi is fresh & will absorb the sauce rather quickly so she had the chef give me a side of extra sauce! OMG! What a great dish! The short rib gnocchi was so tender & the flavor just exploded in my mouth. Probably THE BEST DISH I've had in a long time! Thank you! 5 Stars & I HIGHLY RECOMMEND! read more

Loved the fresh homemade pasta and it was perfectly cooked as well. The standout dish for me was the duck pappadelle- the duck was tender and the flavors were well balanced. I would also recommend their espresso martinis- they're more on the strong side but the espresso flavor was delicious. Of course we had to try the viral pasta in a Parmesan wheel and it was creamy and a great show but the truffle flavor got a little overwhelming. I'd recommend skipping the tiramisu since it was mainly cream and the coffee flavor wasn't strong enough. The lobster ceviche was fresh but i felt like the mango overpowered everything. Service was friendly and attentive. The ambience is also super romantic so this would be a great date night spot. read more

See all

The butternut squash ravioli was excellent. As was the bruschetta. Lovely dining room on a quieter street off Mag Mile. read more

Osteria del Pastaio - Tortellini di Zucca - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Incredible food, unforgettable lobster linguine! I had dinner at Osteria Del Pastaio and was completely blown away. I ordered the lobster linguine, and I can say without hesitation--it was the best I've ever had. Perfectly cooked pasta, fresh and tender lobster, and a sauce that was rich, balanced, and absolutely unforgettable. The ambiance is warm and inviting, and the service was attentive without being rushed. Everything about the experience felt authentically Italian and thoughtfully done. If you're anywhere near the area, do yourself a favor and order the lobster linguine. It's truly outstanding. I'll definitely be back! read more

Amazing. I have to go again and take my sister. I absolutely enjoyed the food. The service was simple amazing.

Food was GREAT. I had a GrubHub carry out, and the door was slammed in my face upon arrival. Ahhhh, a traditional Chicago greeting. The burrata, the pasta, everyrhing was SO good. I'm very glad I got it to-go. read more

An unforgettable night getting wined and dined on the patio by the brilliant waiter, Cristiano. Beginning with the refreshing and quickly served aperol spritz the evening was looking promising, especially with placing an order for the calamari and focaccia starters. This would have been enhanced with a larger portion of tomato tapenade as I finished the appetizers with the feeling of wanting more. Progressing to the entrees and hoping for an entertaining meal, I ordered the PECORINI AL TARTUFO NERO with extra truffle. I was invited inside to watch the making of this dish, full of flames and flair. This was a plate with so much flavor, I quickly realized I would really need to take my time and savor each bite. The pecorini was the star of the show followed by its supporting guest, the PAPPARDELLE CON ANATRA. This was an interesting entree to share on a date as we had to determine how to split up the leg of duck but nevertheless appreciated the palate cleanser the lighter red sauce provided. The staff at Osteria del pastaio, by the end of the meal, felt more like family. They checked in frequently and did their due diligence in making sure I was okay. They tried not to put too much pressure on me when making my selections. Cristiano personally shook hands with me after the meal and that really what pushed this review to a 4. read more

Had to come here for the iconic cheese wheel! It is a pretty small place, dimly lit but I like the vibes for an Italian place! All our food and drinks came out very quick! To start I had a dirty martini, this was great! I had a Cosmo later which was also very good. We had the calamari and bread service to start. Bread service was good, I liked that it came with tomatoes to put on. The calamari was ok. We had three of us at dinner and we split the cheese wheel for our main, it was the perfect amount of food between 3 people. It was amazing. Sooo cheesy and the truffle flavor was perfection. Overall a great vibe! read more

Osteria del Pastaio - Cheese wheel pasta - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

How this place does not have 5-stars is BEYOND ME! The service is exquisite, the drinks are superb and the food was some of the best I've ever had. I would recommend any of the fresh pasta or the ceviche if you are looking for something light. read more

Osteria del Pastaio - Lobster Ceviche - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

did this restaurant make me like gnocchi?!? - I have always been confused why someone would get gnocchi when you can get pasta.... but the gnocchi con ragu changed everything for me - every aspect of this dish melted in your mouth. the gnocchi just needed to be pressed with your tongue to melt away. the short rib was the same, soft meat that broke apart with a touch of the fork. the deep rich meaty sauced stuck to each bite like a glaze. - we started with a Caesar to offset the heavy dishes coming next. you can tell they make the own dressing, it's more parm than anchovy heavy. a bit grainy and thicker than usual but not a bad thing, just unique. solid salad but because not anchovy or pepper heavy it wasn't very rememberable or special - the duck pappardelle had way more Duck than it seems from the photos. there was a duck leg than ripped up bits beneath the stack of pasta. the cooked tomato's added a refreshing texture change. - the outdoor seating was super cute and our server was so so kind. perfect snout of attention to enjoy our table conversation but also feel cared for. only qualm is the price of the non meat dishes, pretty insane to think that's what it needs to be at to make a profit! the inside of the restaurant did not match that price tag, so sit outside! read more

See all

Vitello tonnato (roasted veal with a tuna sauce)... roasted artic char ( one of my favorites) with mashed potatoes, vegetables and a mustard sauce. It was really a superb meal read more

Twirl your fork into pasta perfection at Osteria del Pastaio! This charming spot has quickly become one of my favorite Italian restaurants in Chicago. The housemade noodles are a game-changer--especially when they're tossed tableside in a giant cheese wheel. Yes, it's as indulgent and dreamy as it sounds! Every dish radiates freshness and elegance, but the truffle pasta was the real star for me, bursting with rich, bold flavors that had me savoring every bite. And let me tell you, the Limoncello Martini is a must-try. It's the perfect balance of tart and sweet, truly a chef's kiss in cocktail form. Whether you're here for date night or a special celebration, the cozy, warm ambiance makes it feel like an elevated yet approachable dining experience. Our waiter was very helpful and knowledgeable about the menu. I was practically scraping my plate by the end and already thinking about my next visit before dessert even arrived. This place is an absolute gem! Can't recommend it enough. read more

Osteria del Pastaio - Calamari Fritti - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

See all

If you're looking for authentic Italian flavors, tableside theatrics, and an unforgettable dining experience, Osteria Del Pastaio is an absolute must-visit. From the moment you walk in, the warm, inviting atmosphere sets the stage for a meal that feels both elevated and comforting. The Showstopper - Cheese Wheel Pasta The tableside cheese wheel pasta is hands-down the highlight! They prepare it right in front of you, melting the pasta into a creamy, velvety dream inside a giant wheel of cheese, while burnt rosemary fills the air with an incredible aroma. To top it off, freshly shaved black truffle adds that rich, earthy depth--pure indulgence. Watching the process alone is mesmerizing, but tasting it? Even better. What Else I Loved: Focaccia - Soft, airy, and packed with flavor. Perfect for soaking up every last bit of sauce. Amazing Wine Selection - A thoughtfully curated list with fantastic Italian wines to pair perfectly with any dish. Panna Cotta - Silky smooth, light yet decadent, and beautifully balanced. Tiramisu - Classic, rich, and just the right amount of espresso-soaked goodness. Final Thoughts: Incredible tableside experience with the cheese wheel pasta Authentic Italian flavors & high-quality ingredients Fantastic service & a cozy, elegant ambiance Perfect for a romantic date night or a special dinner with friends This place delivers on both taste and experience, and I can't wait to come back for another round of that cheese wheel magic! read more

See all

A memorable Evening at Osteria Del Pastaio Osteria Del Pastaio is the perfect cozy, comforting spot for a Chicago winter meal. The pastas are incredibly creamy and flavorful--the penne and gnocchi were standout favorites. We mentioned we were sharing, and they graciously split the dishes onto two plates, which made everything so convenient. Each half portion looked hearty enough for a full meal, so we ended up with great leftovers. And the chocolate cake for dessert is delicious--a delightful finish to the meal. Thank you to Christian and the team of Osteria Del Pastaio! The best restaurant in the city of Chicago. read more

This place is one of the better Italian restaurants in the city - every single pasta dish our group ordered was unique and very flavorful, with the perfect amount of seasonings and sauce. They have the viral cheese wheel and we loved it - they prepare it table side and it tasted amazing - truffle, creamy, and very rich. It was double the price as the other dishes though, which I am not sure is worth it. The only downside was the service - It took 1 hour to get our focaccia appetizer and another 40 minutes to get the food. We weren't checked on for water or anything throughout and they brought the crushed red pepper after we finished eating. If it wasn't for the service, I would go back here often because the pastas were great! read more

Osteria del Pastaio - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

A solid find and the kitchen is open until 10:30! Located just off Michigan Ave near Fourth Presbyterian Church and The Four Seasons Hotel. FOOD Each item was bursting with flavor and very reasonably priced. Roasted rabbit tenderloin wrapped in crispy prosciutto- 5/5 Penne Arrabbiata with sausage - 3/5 *full of flavor and fresh short pasta though not a fave. I wouldn't be inclined to order it again. Sautéed Calamari with Shrimp - 4/5 Gnocchi short rib - 5/5 (gluten free option available) SERVICE Service was what you'd expect close to closing. AMBIANCE The chairs in the restaurant have seen better days almost every seat in the front of the restaurant have a clear view of who heads to and leaves from the bathroom. MISCELLANEOUS There's a 3% charge for using a credit card. We dined as walk ins at 10:20p on a Friday night and things were pretty quiet. In terms of occupancy, there were a couple of other diners who were wrapping up their meals while we were there. read more

See all

Went here for a date night with my boyfriend and the service was amazing! We go the cheese wheel pasta and WOW! What an experience! Our server was also so sweet! read more

See all

I had the best night here. Our waiter was such a cool Italian dude and made us feel like we were in Venice. My aperol spritz was fire and the food was out of this worlddddddd read more

Osteria del Pastaio - gnocchi with braised beef, aperol spritz, lobster ceviche, shrimp - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Finally got to check out the cheese wheel experience! I will say that it's pricey but you do get a lot of pasta. I would recommend sharing with 1-2 other people. We had three ladies and still took some home. The pasta is tasty but I wouldn't spend that to get it again, I would try something different. The experience lasts just a minute but worth doing if you're with a group or on a special occasion. We also got the chicken dish which was tasty and the endive salad which we enjoyed. Good wine selection, mid to high pricing. I would say I thoroughly enjoyed the meal but with so much Italian in Chicago, prob would opt for another spot to try something new. read more

Osteria del Pastaio - Cheese wheel pasta - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

See all

Delicious dinner at an authentic Italian restaurant. Beautiful, simply decorated restaurant that had a relaxed and elegant vibe. We had a 6pm reservation and the restaurant was not crowded at all. We started with their bread service and cosmos, then placed our order for the Pecorini al Tartufo Nero, which is cooked and served in a cheese wheel. My daughter had eaten here before & was dying for me to try this place. It was worth the wait! The pasta was exceptional - perfectly cooked, with wild mushrooms, peas, fresh truffles, and the pecorino cheese from the wheel it's assembled in. It was so cool to see the chef work his magic right before our eyes. read more

See all

This was my third visit to the restaurant. Service is as good as before. The menu is small but contains many good choices. We split the calamari and a salad. I ordered the Bucatini Carbonara. Very good but not up to the same standards as the Carbonara I have had in Italy. My neice had the Ravioli Di Aragosta and loved it. Reasonablie priced wine list. I really like the vibe and the service at this establishment. Very good price/value relationship. read more

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! read more

Osteria del Pastaio - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

A Chicago staple. Family owned for many years with delicious handmade pasta and a ton of variety on the menu. I've been looking for cheese wheel pasta for so long and this one knocked it outta the park! George, our server, was fantastic. If you get the chance to sit with him, tell him Jamie and Liz sent you :) 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! read more

See all

I throughly enjoyed this place , I went here for their pasta wheel pasta and I really liked it. Everything we got was delicious and the vibes were very cute as well . Great date night , special occasion place . The service was also really good. read more

Osteria del Pastaio - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Came here on date night and we really enjoyed ourselves. We made sure to order different things to get a taste of everything and they did great. The calamari was soft and well crusted. We got the cheese wheel which was so fun haha! I liked the taste but my boyfriend said it was an acquired one. We didn't add meat and that was something we did regret. The tiramisu wasn't what I expected which was like a pudding cup but it was still super yummy and decadent - the fruits were a nice touch. We ordered white wine to celebrate which I recommend. Our waiter was kind and he attended to all of our needs and everything came out at a great speed. read more

Osteria del Pastaio - Tiramisu - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

See all

i made reservations for a thursday at 8PM to bring my friend who's visiting here as I've heard great things about this restaurant and their notorious cheese wheel pasta. we were seated outside which was lovely. i had read on Yelp from another reviewer that if you ask for tap water, they won't charge you- so highly recommend following that advice! my friend got a cosmopolitan and she said it was the first good cosmo she's had. the cocktails are all $20. i got a $13-14 glass of Chardonnay which was pretty good as well. for dinner, we ended up splitting the rigatoni con pesto and the pappardelle con anatra. we didn't really want a white sauce and wanted to try a couple different things, which is why we didn't end up splitting the cheese wheel pasta. i'm glad we ended up doing this since i like to try different menu items for a more well-rounded experience typically - also their portions are bigger than i expected. i would say 1 pasta dish would feed 2 people unless you are carb loading for the marathon or something. the rigatoni con pesto was yummy & creamy but not too too notable for me tbh. the pappardelle was the star of the show for me personally! the duck is sooo good and falls off the bone. i would say it's my must-try from this restaurant. our server was nice and happy to answer our questions but did make us feel a little rushed as she kept coming over, to the point where we wondered if we were overstaying and i looked up their closing time (which we weren't close to at all). probably not the intention but just a note. overall, i'd say it's great Italian restaurant with a focus on quality vs aesthetic , but i can't be completely certain as i didn't experience the indoor dining. it does feel more unassuming than I expected (not a negative!) read more

Osteria del Pastaio - Pappardelle Con Anatra - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

See all

What a kickoff night in Chicago with a great group of folks... Frutti Di Mare with black and white pasta and tons of seafood in a light tomato sauce - simply exquisite. The perfect bite of Lobster Bisque Burrata with Tomato Gazpacho read more

See all

The food is really good here!!! But the issue was the small portions!!! The gnocchi was perfect. I've never had gnocchi so pillowy soft yet the perfect al dente... The service was pretty good... our server just got distracted with some side conversations with some other patrons. read more

Osteria del Pastaio - Bread - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

See all

Had seen this spot on TikTok a few times due to it's Table-side Cheese Wheel pasta. However, I wanted to try some other items on their menu. For appetizers, I tried the Imported Creamy Burrata, with cherry tomatoes, tomato gazpacho and basil oil as well as the Polpette Di Carne (meatballs). Both dishes were very aesthetically pleasing and plated well, however the portions were rather small and neither blew me away. For my main, I had the Bucatini Carbonara and once again, looked very pretty and was decent but not my favorite Carbonara in the city. Overall, this is a nice place with great staff as well as a pretty bar and intimate vibe but not sure I'd be returning as there are much better Italian spots with much better food and portions for the price tag. read more

See all

Stopped here for dinner today overall it was a nice experience! The customer service is friendly and the restaurant has a nice ambiance. I ordered the following items: Pecorini Al Tartufo Nero Calamari Fritti Bread Service Flourless Choc Cake Definitely worth checking out if craving some Italian food! 8/10 read more

See all

We recently had the pleasure of returning to Osteria del Pastaio, which is the Chicago Gold Coast's Italian gem. Many of us know them for having an amazing tableside cheese wheel experience, but what you may not know is that their passion, here, is to serve only the freshest ingredients, including artisanal pastas and breads that are all made fresh daily, as well as use high-quality produce, meats and cheeses. They also have an excellent selection of wine to pair perfectly with just about any Italian feast. During our most recent visit, we, of course, had to get the Pecorini Al Tartufo Nero (cheese wheel), because it is THAT yummy. Creamy, cheesy, truffly goodness. However, we ordered an assortment of other menu items, too. Everything was delicious! We especially enjoyed the Fresh Heart of Palm and the Roasted Lamb Chops. The Heart of Palm was so bright and fresh, and you could just smell the truffle emanating from the dish when it hit the table. The Lamb Chops were super flavorful and tender, with an awesome mustard sauce. So good! Additionally, during our visit, we drank lovely wine and sipped a few classic cocktails, particularly a Negroni and a Dirty Gin Martini with Blue Cheese Stuffed Olives. Finally, we finished with our favorite dessert, of late--an Espresso Martini! The service was top notch, making our experience extra special, including a complementary Limoncello from our server at the end. Definitely consider this spot for your next date night! read more

See all

If service was better, I would've given it 4 stars. Dined on a Thursday evening. Located near the Magnificent mile, I would assume it's for tourists to dine. I wanted to try the cheese wheel pasta so I brought my dining mate for a birthday celebration. I've read various Yelp reviews (both fluctuating 5s and 1s) and decided to come with zero expectations. Having stated this, I still give it 3 stars based on low expectation. 1- I knew water would be a charge. They charged $6 for the bottle of water. I knew it based on reading reviews so expect it, even if you ask for "tap" water. Also know that they will charge credit card fee 3.5% if you're charging to your card. Bring cash otherwise. 2- I agree with many reviews that for its location, price isn't too bad. I ordered 2 appetizers, 1 glass of wine, 2 pastas and including bottle of water, our order came out to about $145 subtotal. Service was TERRIBLE. Our server basically didn't care about us. Took our order after sitting there for awhile. Didn't check on us, and when we were nearly done she asked if we were done. Based on reading Yelp reviews, the profile fits similarly to mine so I'm not sure if it's that. I did witness our server treating other tables differently. We paid attention to the server to see if I should take it personal or not and at the end of the meal, we agreed that only we were treated differently. Food- appetizers were good. I ordered the seared fresh foie gras and also sautéed fresh calamari & jumbo shrimp. Both were good and we were on a good track despite bad attitude from the server. Out came the infamous cheese wheel. The chef cooking the cheese wheel was very friendly and was great at his explanations. The pasta was good, except it was a bit too Al Dante for us and also the peas were a bit too hard. Truffle flavor was good. Frutti di mare was not good. Not what we expected. Seafood was basically same as appetizers with chewy pasta. Busboy, chef delivering the food, & hostess were good people. Would I go back? Nah. Was it worth a try to get my curiosity out for the cheese wheel? Yes. read more

See all

Osteria del Pastaio is located in the heart of Gold Coast. I was lucky enough to visit in a beautiful spring night and got to sit on their patio. The busboy brought bread service to our table even thought we did not order it. There is a cost for this so that was a little confusing! The food was excellent and the service was great. Highly recommend their cheese wheel pasta. It had so much flavor it was amazing. Heads up this restaurant charges for still water! read more

See all