Joe Flamm is a highly acclaimed chef and restaurateur, best known as the winner of Top Chef Season 15. He is the Chef/Owner of several popular Italian restaurants in Chicago, showcasing his expertise in modern and...
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Our initial courses and cocktails came out quickly, but the remainder of the meal lagged. The pasta course took a really long time to come to the table. Then it took an additional long time to get our check and then even more time to actually close out. Our server was really personable and made helpful recommendations, but it seemed like maybe their section was too big or they were maybe having a hard time managing their tables.
The outdoor patio seating was lovely. They also told back the trifold doors along the side of the restaurant and pull down screens, so indoor tables near the windows also have an outdoor feel.
The carciofo alla giudia and insalata di asparagi were excellent. I would come back for these antipasti and the cocktails (basil daisy and art of choke) alone. The cippola pizza was good, but the crust was kind of hard and crunchy - I prefer something a little more chewy. The gnocchetti verde was very summery with the peas, and the gnocchi itself was light and a pleasant texture. The rigatoni alla amatriciana was just okay. The rigatoni itself was great, but the sauce was a little oily/slimy. Due to the meal lagging, we opted to skip dessert but I’d be open to coming back and trying something.
Had the best time at il carciofo celebrating a friend’s birthday! From food, to service, and atmosphere I will definitely be making my way back.
We got the fritto misto calamari as an appetizer and they fry their lemons (a personal favorite)! For mains we got the carbonara, amatriciana, and manzo aprugineo. Everything came out in a timely manner and was flavorful! The carbonara in particular was my star of the night and I will be coming back for it specifically. Since we were celebrating a birthday we got a spread of their gelatos (strawberry and pistachio were my top two, but everyone in the group had a favorite). Drinks were all delicious as well!
A huge shoutout to our serve Alejandro who kept the vibes high and was extremely attentive. Overall, I definitely recommend this for anyone looking for a celebratory dinner/fun date spot!
5
Manuel our server is very knowledgeable and very kind, he made the entire experience flawless. With a bigger group of 7 it felt like no wait and just as intimate as a 2 top.
We started with the prosciutto di Parma. And that was just a treat to start the night perfectly made inhouse bread and delicious 30 month cured prosciutto.
Moved on to some ravioli that was a cheesy and perfect.
Now the main the veal porterhouse, stole the show the flavors were crazy topped with prosciutto on a perfectly cooked veal porterhouse,
Others not featured are the carbonara, artichoke, lamb chops, and scallops
We ate them to fast to take photos but they were all just to good. The artichoke tasted like a lemon funnel cake and somehow was the best app! I highly recommend this place and I'm happy it was recommended to me. Please come experience this fine dining!
3
It’s nice that this place has a vegan menu, but the flavors were lacking. I tried the carciofo alla guida and the mezze rigatoni amatriciana and was underwhelmed. Nothing special there. The coconut gelato was amazing however - definitely worth a try. Also tried one of the cocktails and split a special bottle of lambrusco that was delicious. I’d only come back for drinks and dessert. Maybe the food is better if you eat dairy and meat.
5
Two years in a row I've gone to Il Carciofo while in Chicago for the LMT Lab Day. They have gone above and beyond every visit! Angela was so kind to show my father and I a wonderful tour through the menu, and this year showed my lady and I a whole other side of the menu, that did not disappoint. Roman style aged bone in steak with the glaze and. Some wonderful pizza! 🤤 and they even spoiled us with compliments from the kitchen! A Gelato plate with a birthday candle to make her day extra special(shes still thinking about all those flavors, the vanilla bean and pistachio are simply unmatched in our opinions). Also they treated us to a squash dish that was out of this world, and had a picky eater super satisfied!
The star i think has got to be the artichoke app. Its to die for.
Thank you il Carciofo for a grand experience anytime in town. Ask for Angela and be amazed!
