Great spot grab a dinner before the theater. The hustle and bustle of this dinner club is old school Chicago. The service is prompt and professional. The food is fine. I wouldn't call it fabulous but it's ok. The prices are reasonable for downtown and the walls are covered with vintage looking caricature drawing like old school hollywood. On the weekends they are hopping and the vibe is perfect if you're having a theater night. Don't miss the dessert. They did not disappoint. read more

I have been to Petterinos's a few years ago but only sat at the bar...Tonight me and a friend called and Justin helped me get a reservation in the first place. Well, it started snowing and it was a Saturday night and the drive was a long and crazy one getting there with tons of people crossing the streets and lots of traffic. On 94 east the traffic had a backup of 20 minutes so I am afraid we were running later, however I did call Justin and then I talked to Paula another manager at the front desk and she said if I am more than 15 minutes late, I won't get my reservation I made a wrong turn and then there were busses, but I did call again and again about every 10 minutes until we arrived and then talked to Justin he said don't worry about it. The hostesses were horrible. Paula and a young rookie named Nikki whom she did not want to give me her name, ignored us and made sneering remarks (and you can read other yelps about Petterinos and see that someone wrote the same thing!) to us all night long. When our table was ready Nikki came over to the bar snickering mumbling that our table was ready then she asked my guests some strange questions. She seemed whacked out and should not even be a hostess same with Paula. If you don't like what you do, then don't do the job.......you are representing Rich Melman the king of restaurants. The bus men were great and well groomed and eager to please. Justin was our hero last night. He was polite, very neatly dressed, and he guided us to a table and was extremely nice to us to make up for Paula and Nikki's VERY rude behavior upon our arrival by blaming me for being late in a witchy tone and mean to us for no reason a couple of times, then she put us at a tight space and I am handicapped and could not sit there. I walked over and Justin said he would handle it. I am sorry Rich Melman, I sure hope you read these YELPS, because I have been to many of your establishments and its sad that you do not know who is greeting your customers at such a hot spot dinner place. I probably will not return here again. read more

We arrive at the corner of Randolph and Clark, with 60 minutes to spare before our, what was to be a crappy one, play at the Oriental was to begin. We are hungry and there is Petterino's. It is a Lettuce establishment, and we are shameless points gatherers. Into the crowded place we go and we luck into a couple of seats at the bar. Quick bartender, Manhattan, Martini, crab bisque, 100 layer lasagna, all ordered. Minutes later, drinks up, bisque up, all 4 star LEYE standard. Then came the $25, 100 layer lasagna. Shoulda been called 5 layer lasagna. No meat, contrary to the menu. Tiny portion making one long for an Olive Garden. We were rushed, tasted good but lacking in every way. We paid our bill and ran off to theater with 10 minutes to spare. This Petterino's should be better, like all the other LEYE places like Wildfire and Pescara. Something is amiss. I really want my $25 back, but I would be happy with just getting what I expected in my food. You going to theater? Try someplace else skip old Petterino's. We will. read more

Not a great experience from start to finish. The waiter was not friendly or helpful. My son's chicken farm came with a few lonely pieces of spaghetti and when I asked for a few more he told me I could order a side for $7. Thanks. The fish I order had skin left on that made it tasty especially fishy. Speaking of my son, they forgot to acknowledge it was his birthday and I was scared to tell the waiter. I think the bread was the best part. read more

Amazing service! My friend and I were having a long day at the office and decided to come for a last minute dinner. The manager JUSTIN squeezed in and got us a comfortable booth. Our waiters name was EDWIN and he was super professional and hilarious! Given the large group of people that they served tonight, he got us our orders and drinks with no problems and a huge smile! He is literally the best server I have ever had in Chicago. And now we want to come back just for him. ;) read more

I meet my sisters here for the ocasional birthday dinner and drinks. We all three love their shrimp fettuccine Alfredo. Can't stop here without having a Cosmo! This place gets really crowded so I recommend making reservations few weeks in advance! read more

A wedding reception was held here and I was pleasantly surprised with the experience - I have never heard of Petterino's, but it's located in the theater district off of Dearborn and Randolph. An Italian restaurant that offers appetizers (such as bruschetta, artichoke, meatballs, mussels, calamari, etc.), salads, sandwiches, pasta, steaks, roasts, seafood entrees, chicken, and dessert. There is a private banquet room downstairs (entrance off of Randolph); you can either take the winding staircase or the elevator downstairs. There was a cocktail reception where there was an awesome waitstaff offering delicious mini sausages in a flaky phyllo crust with a mustard dip, eggplant bites, mini bruschetta, a salad ceviche, and an open bar with some efficient and sweet bartenders. valet parking is available off of Dearborn. When we were seated, we had the option of ordering either the Horseradish Crusted Whitefish, Short Ribs of Beef, or Chicken Parmigiana. A platter of the Housemade Pork & Veal Meatballs were served in a nice marinara sauce; the meatballs were not overly-gigantic, and they were quite delicious - I liked the slight crispiness on the exterior. There was a little cup of Tomato Bisque with a couple of croutons that was very thick and hearty, and it was quite delicious. Warm bread was served with spreadable butter. The entrees were also all very tasty and in large portions - the short ribs were very fork tender, and this came with a side of mashed potatoes. The fish itself was light and flaky, and you can taste the tanginess from the horseradish/mustard sauce - the side of the fresh slawed brussel sprouts was also quite tasty! The chicken in the Chicken Parmigiana was very thick and generously-sized, and this was also a solid dish. The waitstaff was very quick and efficient, and they were quick in clearing everything away. I would love to go back and try out their other items on the menu, and I think this place is a great option if you're in the area, catching a musical! +Housemade Pork & Veal Meatballs +Tomato Bisque +Short Ribs of Beef +Brussel Sprouts Slaw read more

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This was a hard rating for me. The entree that I had was just okay, but this restaurant has many pluses on its side. Walking distance to a number of the theaters. Valet parking for dinner and the theater for $14. Try to find a lot that you can park in while you attend the theater for $14 ~ it's not going to happen. Dave, our waiter, was the best. I could have made a meal out of what was in the bread basket and the Irv Kupcinet salad. Fresh baked scones only available on Sundays ~ to die for, and the other offerings were just as tasty. A preset theater menu to get you there for curtain time, at a most reasonable price. Crisp white tablecloths, intimate lighting makes dining a much more pleasurable experience. read more

Petterino's is a good place in the Loop. It works before the theater on a night out or for drinks after work. I have also attended numerous business lunches downstairs at Petterino's.Food is good. Drinks are also good, beer options slightly limited as compared to so many other nearby places that have lots of craft brew options. Service is professional. Decor is cool. Like vintage Hollywood. Valet parking or public transportation is best. read more

Because of Petterino's close proximity to Goodman, the restaurant isn't necessarily my number one choice. I like to avoid tourists, can you blame me? But, on this particular night, the clientele ranged from clearly affluent regulars, dressed up theater going peeps and...the out of place tourists. Nice mix, I suppose. IF you do decide to venture here, please come for the 7 after 7 deal. This is basically a 3 course meal for $20. Great deal...especially since the food here is VERY good and wonderfully presented. They also offer a 'Theater Menu' (3-courses for $30). This is the menu I ordered off of because I wasn't really paying attention when the waitress came by, so I didn't realize there were TWO menus. (Make sure you pay attention, so you don't turn out surprised at the end of the meal like me!). Fantastic meal, for sure. I'm glad I chose the crab cake (HUGE lumps of fresh crab and not too overly fried) and the chicken pot pie. Check out the picture of it...as my sister described it as a deconstructed pot pie. It's more of a puff pastry crust over the chicken, broth, peas and carrots. I topped it off with peppermint ice cream...based off the rec of our waitress. My nieces and I both ordered this and were IN LOVE with it. It's alot of food, so come hungry! Props to our super friendly and enthusiastic waitress. She did a great job tending to my (usually picky and unfriendly) family. To note: -Check out the tons and tons of caricatures of celebs on the walls. You'll have a grand old time trying to figure out who the picture are of! -The bar has a tv in the back, so you can sneak a peek at ESPN if you get bored at the table. -Most importantly: VALET PARKING IS FREE AFTER 7 (if you eat here). Make sure they stamp your ticket, so that you're not charged on the way out. read more

Petterinos - American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Cool ambiance, probably cool history?? But very pricey, which can be expected for the neighborhood. Not many pasta options which was disappointing. Food was not exceptionally great to warrant the price either. read more

Great spot before a show! Old skool style Italian atmosphere, with fantastic food. Vegan risotto was a great find. The Blueberry Lemontini is the best! Fantastic service! read more

Petterinos - Cool illustration of politicians, actors, celebs, etc - American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

This place is almost a carbon copy of Maggiano's--everything from the decor to the menu. I would have to say the food itself is probably at about a 3, but I gave an extra star for the good service that we received during lunch. Our waiter was attentive and polite. I had the chicken parmesan, which was good and tasted really fresh, and also tried a bite of the chicken pot pie, which was also good. Most of the lunch entrees come with your choice of soup or salad. I was really surprised with how fast they bring out your food. They're speedy--I guess that's why they're known for being a good pre-theater dinner place. I was also surprised at how packed the place was on a Monday during lunch, so definitely make reservations or get there before noon. read more

Came to Chicago to see a show and tried Petterinos , they did not disappoint!! Made reservations, the staff was super attentive and friendly, even helped with taking coat off which was a first! Had cocktails and tried the lemon martini, one of THE BEST! Shrimp Alfredo was excellent with homemade pasta they make in house daily and offer half or full portions. I had the half and it was plenty for me. Dessert was lemon tart, the meringue was not toasted like I like but the tart was good. My daughter had the tiramisu and it was wonderful! If you're in the theater district and looking for food and like Italian this is the place. Kid friendly and COVID friendly. Need proof of vaccinations and ID and masks are required anywhere in Chic read more

Petterinos - Fettuccine & Shrimp Alfredo - American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I have never heard of anyone speak of this restaurant, yet I have passed by this place so many times walking towards the Goodman Theater! Thank goodness we picked the worst snow storm of the season to visit for dinner! We arrived for a super early dinner, before 5pm. We had no reservations but was lucky enough to snag a table. I would recommend making reservations if you plan to come here anytime after 5:30pm because the place was packed with a line by the door. Thats a sign this place is good if people are coming here during a blizzard. Anyways, we were seated and Cara was our server. She was AWESOME!!!!!!! Very sweet and very accommodating to our requests. The old man next to us that complained about everything from the food to the service, decided to target us and told us to speak quietly. Cara came by, saw the whole thing happen, and apologized to us for his rude behavior. Totally not her fault but she was so sweet so she apologized any way!! As for the food, it was very good. I opted for the prix fixe menu and had the fritzel salad. One of the BEST salads I have ever had. Great ingredients and delicious dressing! The potato crusted tilapia was good but not great. It had a great crunch and was tender but again, Chicago seafood sucks! So this was on a scale of 6.5 out of 10 for me. Dessert was their banana pudding pie which was soooooo good I ate the whole thing myself. My friend had the stuffed pepper (which has meat for those vegetarians reading this) which she thought was good but was too soft for her taste. Overall my experience here was awesome. Despite the rude old man, the food was good, the service from Cara was great, the food came out quickly, and the atmosphere was really nice. I will be back! read more

Just had drinks here while waiting on a show @ the Goodman Theater. The Sparkling French Martini is pretty good...its a $12 spend though Service was ok as we sat outside. read more

We went in for a drink, it was a chill place. Nice attentive waiters. Tomato soup was good. Would return read more

Petterinos - American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Seemingly, the only time I go to Petterinos, is when I have tickets for the Goodman next door. But that's all right because every time I've been here (for dinner or brunch) the food has been good, the service impeccable and they get you in and out in time for your show. On my most recent visit, we went for brunch. The place was hopping as there was a matinee show at the Goodman and people were trying to get in and get on their way but it didn't faze any of the staff. The ambiance is very "old school" with the white table cloths and dark wood, and red upholstered booths, but with out any of the pretense that goes along with that. We were seated in a large booth in the back and had Danny as our our server extraordinaire! This guy knows his stuff and is so pleasant and helpful that you want him just to sit down and have breakfast with you. He even asked my friend if she was right handed so he could put the coffee cup down on the side most convenient for her. I had a Bloody Mary to start my meal (delicious with just the right amount of spice) and then on to my Eggs Benedict. Other than they needed just a smidge more hollandaise sauce (ask for more if you go) they were perfect with just the right tang from the lemon in the sauce. The dessert cart is complimentary at breakfast so be sure to try the small puddings, or macaroons or any of the other delicacies on the cart as they are all the perfect way to end your brunch. Valet parking is available (and they will keep your car until after the show) or there is a parking garage located across Dearborn which is just as easy. And when you are done, know that Petterinos and the theater are connected so there is no need to go back out doors (perfect for those shows during the Winter season). The perfect spot for when you have tickets for any of the theaters in the area. But make reservations, or you will surely be out of luck! read more

I came to Petterino's for a company lunch last week. The service we received was great and the food was excellent. The portions were really generous and all of the entrees on the second page of the menu came with a soup or salad. I decided to order the Baked Rigatoni with Italian Sausage and it was delicious! Also, I got a garden salad instead of the soup (they're known for their tomato bisque soup) and the Italian dressing that was served with it was very tasty. I would definitely go back for the same dish, and even to try something different. Our company was celebrating three birthdays and a new employee starting that week. The waiter asked if there was a special occasion we were there for, and once we told him he brought about 6 pieces of their chocolate cake to try. It was one of the best chocolate cakes I've ever had. Definitely a must! read more

Petterinos - Baked rigatoni with Italian sausage - American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

The location makes this place busy, or maybe families enjoy going here. I assume a lot of people from out-of-town would go here because it's near the theatre. The food is average, but expensive for the quality/taste. Most of their cocktails were too sweet and tart. The lobster risotto was okay- I appreciated the bits of lobster, but the risotto was overcooked and undercooked all in the same dish. Not sure if they forgot my Brussels sprouts because they came out after I was nearly finished with my entree, and they were hardly roasted. The grilled calamari was good, but the fried calamari was just okay. Nothing crazy special, but no one hated their meal.. Our server was attentive, and the restaurant itself is casual. read more

Probably 3.5 stars. Nice place, with a fine dining atmosphere and good food, but a little pricey to my taste. I came here with my parents when they visited Chicago. We had soup and salad for starters, both were pretty good. For the main I had a linguine with shrimps which was really good, my dad had crab cakes which he liked, and my mom had chicken parmigiana which she didn't like so much. All in all the atmosphere and great service made our experience very positive, but in the end it is a pricey restaurant if you're looking for casual dining. read more

Petterinos - American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

We ate at Petterino's before IL Trovatore at the Lyric opera. We were there around noon and subsequently ordered off of the brunch menu. First, I ordered a "Matilda" cocktail. Heaven!! Highly recommended! For brunch I ordered the Short Rib Chilaquiles - (look it up!) A - This dish was a somewhat latin influenced crispy tortilla tower. It was truly unique, huge and really tasty. Service was solid and the dessert cart was overwhelming. I would definitely eat here again! (see photos as well!) read more

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I work across the street. I go to lunch here and get the "Deluxe Toasted Cheese," aka an amazing (and surprisingly not greasy at all) grilled cheese w/ bacon + tomato. It also comes with literally the best tomato soup in the entire country, and some pretty good fries. Try it. You won't be disappointed. I've never ordered anything else. I'm going to get on the VIP wall just by ordering grilled cheese at lunch. read more

Petterinos - Deluxe Toasted Cheese - American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

What an amazing experience. The food was delicious. But the service was truly outstanding. My 7yo and I had tix for frozen, and the waiter (Wally) had to break the news that it was cancelled. To help offset any disappointment, he comped our dessert, brought out the chef to meet him, and generally went out of his way to make sure we had a great time. Thank you Petterino's, for showing such thoughtful care for a little boy's heart. read more

I've been dining here for years. I didn't realize I had not reviewed this venue on Yelp. I may have enjoyed everything on their menu. The crab cakes are excellent. I enjoy corn which accompanies this appetizer as well. The Irv Kupcinet salad is great as well. They will customize your salad as well by request. The addition of Salmon on their cesar salad is amazing. The steaks, burgers, and all other food items are great. Jose (server) is one of the BEST in the business. This place is just awesome! read more

I love this place and try to get there at least once a trip whilst in Chicago. I've had the filet mignon and salmon and both were fabulous, cooked perfectly. Knowledgeable wait staff, great food, excellent location, celebrity decor (aka Sardi's NY), what's not to like. It's a little on the pricey side but worth every penny. I highly recommend the Monday Cabaret night, that was a blast. It's classy karaoke, accompanied by a pianist and a lively MC. Songs are all Broadway tunes. Thoroughly enjoyed myself. read more

After a long day my work team here for lunch. The manager, server, and team were fantastic! Ask for Jan as your server, he is friendly, attestation, and a great person. Thank you!​​​​​ read more

Jan was awesome. Thanks for being attentive and even apologetic when asking if we needed anything while me and my colleagues conversed.

Delightful old school restaurant. Walls filled with caricatures of famous people, many signed. We dined under George Wendt. Amazingly efficient pre-theater staff. This place has their business down. Got through meal pleasantly, quickly and early to show. Crispy burrata is a pool of deliciousness on a plate. Tomato bisque is perfect. Chicken pot pie tasty, but underseasoned and lots of chunks of slightly too chewy white meat. I blame myself a little for not sticking with the favorites. Tiramisu was a light, not too sweet, perfect ending. I don't know when I'll be dining in Chicago's theater district before a show again, but when I do... read more

Two of us came here on a Saturday around 5 o'clock. We were seated immediately, outdoors per request. The seats were great! Location is my favorite part about this restaurant. It is in the center of the city, with plenty to look at; yet it's still a very pleasant place to eat outside- you don't feel like you're on a sidewalk. And if you choose to sit indoors, the atmosphere there seemed terrific as well. The food was good- better than Maggiano's, worse than home made Italian. The SHRIMP LOUIS SALAD was fantastic- I'm tend not to get salads at restaurants, because they are rarely anything special, but this one is an exception. The spicy remoulade dressing gets 5 stars. My friend ordered SHRIMP DIABLO- a spicy red sauce shrimp & pasta dish. Good, but nothing to write home about. Serving sizes are huge. At first it does seem a bit pricy for the quality, but keeping in mind the location & the large portion sizes, prices were right on point. The bartender is a miracle worker- SPRING MOJITO is highly recommended. The service was a bit slow, but I liked that! We didn't feel rushed to leave, and the waiter was always around, so we could always catch his attention and ask for a check if we wanted to. Highly recommended! read more

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As a Lettuce Entertain You Rewards member (which I'd definitely recommend becoming) who is constantly at the Daley Center for work, this is a great place for a sit-down traditional Italian quick lunch with colleagues. My favorite entree is the gnocchi a la vodka. It comes with lots of sauce to dip bread into and it's rich, tomato-y and creamy. For dessert, I'd recommend the tiramisu. It's light and moist with just the right amount of coffee and whipped cream. The food isn't particularly glamorous or unique, but the chefs stick to what they know and cook it well. It's also fun to look at all the caricatures on the wall and see who you recognize! read more

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DIVINE. Petterino's is magnificent! Outstanding service by our waiter John. Superb food - Steak Diane, cooked to perfection, absolutely mouthwatering!! Andy's Easy Living Drink (Smirnoff Honey Vodka, Grand Marnier, Ginger Beer & Fresh Lemon) is a splendid summertime drink. Plus, we were there to view the private dinning area and the manager, Darius, was unbelievably welcoming and showed us all around. The area has a complete private entrance, coat check, awesome staircase to downstairs, private bar and the entire downstairs is yours - very cool!! *Best tip about this place: downstairs has a piano! read more

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Week night and after being seated, I waited 20 min in a half full restaurant before flagging down a server to order a drink. Service was slow but polite. Had the fixed price menu for about $34. Crab cake is not Maryland style- at least not what I have had all over Maryland. Too much breading, dry and dark brown crunchy exterior. Steak Dianne for the entree was not bad - tender and cooked perfectly. Sauce was under seasoned with a few mushrooms. Looked sparse on the plate. You have to order a vegetable or starch on the side (not included in this fixed price menu) so I ordered mashed potatoes for $6.95 and it is enough for 2 at least (too bad if dining solo on business). I got the chocolate mousse cake for dessert- nothing special but enjoyable. I think there may be other spots with higher quality service and cuisine, but for the price this may be the best atmosphere and food possible. read more

My family and I visited after a night at the theatre. They've been in this location for years, and some of my family had previously frequented the place. They were slightly disappointed that some of their favorite items were missing from the menu...crab cakes, but apparently the restaurant is under new ownership. Despite the changes, we were all pleased. The staff is super friendly and attentive. The drinks were on point and the food was great. The restaurant closes pretty early, 10:30 on a Saturday night, but I guess it's not profitable to stay open later. Anywho, It's worth a visit. read more

Petterino's hearkens back to another era -- red plush banquettes, tuxedo-clad waiters, and framed caricatures of actors on the walls. This was also clearly a time period when restaurants weren't nearly as noisy as they are today; we enjoyed a wonderfully quiet meal on a Friday night and could hear everyone around the table (as opposed to dinner at Quartino last Friday, when no one in the party was audible). The food is fair. We had a party of five, and several of us opted for the "theater menu," from which you can select a soup or salad, an entree and a dessert for a set price. The corn chowder had a good taste and was full of vegetables, though seemed a bit thin for something calling itself a "chowder". The entree of potato-crusted tilapia with a sherry-caper-butter sauce had a nicely browned exterior, although the texture of the fish leaned precariously towards mushy in the center; the sauce married well with the potato crust and was not greasy (sometimes a problem with butter sauces). The dessert of "strawberry tall cake" was a deconstructed strawberry shortcake: angel food cake (not spongy or flavorless like the kind you get at the store; you could see flecks of vanilla beans in it too) sat on the powdered-sugar-dusted plate beside a small heap of sliced strawberries and a dollop of fresh whipped cream. Tasty, though why not put it all together? If you don't order from the "theater menu," everything is a la carte, and side dishes are meant to be shared by two people (so be prepared for spoon wars...). Service was polished in an old-school manner, overseen by the aforementioned tuxedo-attired waiter, (in our case, John) who'd clearly been doing this for more than a few years and didn't mind telling us what to do a little bit. His recommendations ended up being good ones. You're here for the setting, even more so than the food; I really liked that it was subdued as far as noise, and when the theater crowd departed, it got even quieter! For this fact alone I would come back. Petterino's is attached to the Goodman Theater, so it does draw the theater crowd of course, though other groups were in evidence as well. Dress was toward the nicer end (thanks to the theater group), though people were in jeans as well. Valet parking was available and convenient; $10 for dinner, and $14 for dinner and the show. I'd definitely come back to Petterino's for a quiet and classy meal in the Loop. read more

So disappointing. We were seated quickly for pre-show dining on a Sunday. Our server approached, (his name starts with the letter D). We asked for separate checks, and he said that would take "additional processing". It is 2018. If a restaurant cannot run individual checks, than get with the program. There are self driving cars, and you cannot separate out checks? WTH. Additional processing to me = laziness on the server's part. The grumpiness continued with our order. I asked for the avocado toast on gluten free toast, and he said that "I'm not sure that option is available", and I showed him the menu where it said, yes it is. He ROLLED his eyes and then let me know that the tater tots would not be gluten free, so I asked for fruit instead. At least he didn't give me a glare for that one. The guy coming around to refill water in our glass overfilled it. Water all over the table. No apology, no towel to clean it up. It took 25 minutes for our food to come. Mine was cold. We were running late by this point, so I just ate it. I grew up eating cheese after Mom pulled the moldy parts off, so I can do cold avocado toast. Side note: It is not just avocado on the toast. It is actually a guacamole with jalapenos in it. So the menu is wrong. And since I am sensitive to spicy food, that was a really fun process for me. Because our server was so grumpy, I did not even bother using my electronic gift card. I just gave him my credit card and called it a day. It is a shame. I think the food has potential. The ambiance in the place is fun. But the service is an embarrassment to the Lettuce Entertain You brand. read more

My husband and I went here for the first time last night before catching a show at the Chicago Theatre. We appreciated all the Yelp reviews that helped us make our decision. As other people have mentioned, reservations are highly recommended, especially before a show. Petterino's is close to many of the theaters. We did the valet and it was $14 to park there during dinner and the show. They had the car ready for us on the street when our show was over. The restaurant has a great ambiance and there is so much to look at. This is actually a fancier restaurant than we tend to frequent (they even have those little crumb scraper things to clean off the table in between courses!) :) so we really enjoyed ourselves and it felt like a special occasion. Our waiter was professional and helpful- the service was excellent. This is the kind of place that they refill your water glass practically every time you take a sip. That sometimes felt a little distracting to us, but we were never without water! :) We got the pre-theatre menu which is $29.95 per person. We added the deviled egg appetizer. Have you EVER seen that on a menu? We had to try them and we actually loved them. You get 5 deviled egg halves and it's on a plate with an arugula salad with Italian dressing- so delicious!!! Wow- the bread basket is amazing! They have these pretzel-type rolls that weren't hard- they were really soft and delicious. They had very thin cheese crisps and then a dark bread with fruit in it and another kind of Italian bread. It comes with butter and I was happy it wasn't hard- I hate when the butter at restaurants is too cold to spread. The bread really was delicious and our waiter kept asking if we wanted more, which is thoughtful because I always feel like a pig when I ask for more bread on my own. My husband's first course was the crab cake, and he LOVED it. It is one of the specialities. I had the Irv Kupcinet salad (if you're from Chicago you just have to order that with such a cool namesake). I had it without the blue cheese and without the blue cheese dressing- it came with the Italian vinaigrette and was full of lettuce, bacon, egg, black olives, corn, onions, and avocado- I loved it. My husband's main course was the chicken pot pie, which is another one of the specialities on the menu. He didn't love it and I didn't care for it either. The puffed pastry was a nice touch and it came in a rich cream sauce. It just wasn't really our thing. I had the Yankee Pot Roast which came with mashed potatoes and carrots and onions. It was pretty good- very tender- but pretty salty and the carrots were under-cooked. We chose the chocolate mousse cake and the peppermint ice cream for dessert. The milk chocolate mousse cake was pretty good, with drizzled raspberry puree and chocolate sauce and fresh whipped cream. The peppermint ice cream was served with delicious warm fudge sauce and it had three scoops of pink ice cream and big pieces of peppermint candy- it was refreshing. Our waiter told us that Vince Vaughn and John Cusack (some of our favorites) came in one time and were really nice and down to earth and ordered iced tea and salads. We enjoyed looking at all the caricatures on the wall, and our waiter explained that if there was a signature on the caricature that meant that the person had dined there. Cool! We wished that we had realized ahead of time that they would package up any leftovers and hold them in their cooler for us until after the show- that's a nice service especially because it is SO much food! One downside we found was that the chairs were pretty uncomfortable- next time we will definitely try a booth. We really enjoyed our experience and the food and will definitely be back for a special occasion. read more

Good Italian food at downtown prices -- surprised? There isn't really anything remarkable here except for the cool caricatures on the wall. Other than that, it's like Maggiano's -- tightly packed tables, loud, and carries the regular Italian fare. read more

I came here for Sunday brunch with my girlfriends before seeing a show later that day. Dave was our server who was very attentive and so accommodating knowing that we have a show to go to afterwards so he made sure our meals were severed to us in a timely manner. This is my first time here and I enjoyed the theater like décor and the customer service. Petterino's is one of many restaurant establishments that accommodates customers who has plans to see a show around the area. It's at a corner and there's valet parking which you can park for $15 most of the day. That's a pretty good deal parking in downtown Chicago. We took this tip and kept our car there since we ate there and enjoyed our walk to the theater down the street. Yes, we lucked out on the beautiful weather. There is a fixed menu for Sunday brunch and you can also order off the "full menu" or their fixed menu for dinner as well. They are very accommodating, just the way you like it. Everyone enjoyed their meals, most of them got the Maryland lump crab cakes eggs benedict which came with two HUGE potato patties, we thought at first they were the carb cakes. The dish had plenty of crab meat and the eggs were made perfectly, yolk oozing onto the lumb crabs. Their basket of house made baked goods were tasty. Different kinds of breads from flat bread cracker, sweet corn bread, and a favorite their fresh scones. I think we asked for 3 orders of breads that day man talk about carb loading lol! The place has separate rooms and we were more in the smaller private room vs the grand spacious room. I liked where we sat, long plush bench seat and chairs on the other side of the white linen tables. The décor felt like you were in a old movie theater with red velvet curtains They even had celebrities comic characters pictures and we were guessing who they were. Hey, are you sure that looks like Scottie Pippen?!? For myself, I had the Lobster Mac n cheese and a bowl chowder soup. I liked them both. the Lobster Mac n cheese was cheese, elbow pasta with different parts of lobster meats in it. I had more claw pieces vs. lobster tail. It was enough for a meal but not to get you full. I'm more of a gooey stretchy cheesy mac n cheese but it's was ok. I liked their bowl of clam chowder, it was thick and hearty with good portions on clams and potatoes. The waiter actually presented it to me in a mini pot and poured the hot soup into my bowl in front of me, ooo fancy:) I'd get the soup again. Keep in mind to check your receipt before you pay, as I did noticed my soup price was over $1.00 more on the bill than the menu. But I have to give them credit, the hostess apologized and fixed the issue right away. The dessert for Sunday brunch had a "sweet table" were mini size samples were displayed. When it was time for us to satisfy our sweet tooth, I had the chocolate mousse which was creamy and not overly sweet. I'd get that again. There was also mini strawberry cupcakes and other treats too. While we walked out the dessert table had changed to different desserts ooo chocolate covered strawberries what! Overall, the food was good and the staff was friendly. They were even nice to take a few group pictures of us at our table. I'd go back here when I'm in the area. I would like to try out their dinner menu especially if I'm planning on seeing a show near by. read more

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Bit expensive overall but the spinach and ricotta gnocchi in vodka sauce is worth it. Drool over the picture, just delicious. The pappardelle bolognese was a bit dry and the sauce was not as flavorful, but we mixed the extra vodka sauce from the gnocchi in and the dish was saved. Busy on weekends for brunch, although it's large and there is a reasonable amount of table turnover (so the expected wait time is probably shorter than a host/ess would tell you). read more

Petterinos - Pappardelle bolognese - American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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