Anteprima Reviews

Nice ambiance and attentive service. Raves for the pasta, fresh bread and the Brussels sprouts. Good vegetarian options as well. I had the quail with roasted vegetables on a sweet potato purée. Not a lot of protein amongst the vegetables and I had to search for the purée. So, I was not as pleased as my dining companions were. I would go back but would order something else.

We celebrated my brother's birthday here and loved it. Great menu and wine. Service very good - we were there on a crowded Friday night and the wait staff was very busy but did a good job checking in - sometimes a bit slow but understandable given the crowd. All orders came out quickly. We enjoyed the assortment of starters for our appetizer, most of the party ordered the short rib and I had the risotto. Heavenly. There is not a kids menu but they were very gracious to cook some pasta w/ butter for my 4-year old. When he dumped the entire container of parmesan on it to make mac-and-cheese I was a bit horrified but they smiled. I will go back again next time I'm in Chicago. Reservations a must, they were ready for us when we arrived which was great.

This has become a destination when we want a great meal close to home. Anteprima never disappoints with fresh ingredients prepared in classic Italian style. Their outdoor dining is well lit, service is always attentive and it is always a wonderful overall experience.

You cannot have a bad experience here...the staff is just so professional and seem to enjoy working here. This time we were served by Melissa, who was terrific. Dishes we enjoyed: grilled octopus, the grilled mushrooms (so savory and delicious), the Pici special with chicken liver ragu, and the pappardelle with mushrooms and tomatoes. The pasta tastes like it was just made! Only dish that was less than tops was the fregola with pesto - kind of meh. Enjoyed a chianti and a cabernet blend as well. Always a superb evening dining here!

I had not been there before, met two friends for dinner on a Friday. Very crowded venue, not a lot of space between tables. The window tables (where we ended up) had a bit more space. The crowd was age diverse and, though our group was small, it seems like they are able to accomodate large groups. We had a good experience with the wine--the waiter brought out the first bottle to taste and it was off. He made an excellent recommendation for a second bottle that went with our orders. The food was quite good--I'd eaten late in the day so went with a few different appetizers. The waiter gave some great recommendations overall. We all enjoyed our meals, none had dessert. I like the venue well enough but I would really say that the food and the staff are what makes the experience great.

This authentic Italian spot in Chicago's quaint Andersonville neighborhood is a must-try. Homemade pastas are amazing! Service is impeccable. If the weather permits, dine outside on their back patio - it's like dining in a backyard!

Friends who live in Andersonville took us to this wonderful, unique spot, and it made me realize that other Italian restaurants, even ones that I like very much, all seem to do the same things. This one is deliciously different. The pastas, the risotto, even my salmon main course were all fabulous and yet different from the kinds of preparations we've had at other Italian restaurants. The combination appetizer/starter plate and the crusty bread were also fantastic. We ate indoors--the patio was full--and our window seat was indeed a lovely window on "the world." While the waiter seemed a bit indifferent, the service was nonetheless very good and fairly attentive; my husband and our friends thought that the wine list was quite good, too. (We were too full to try the desserts, but perhaps next time.) We will definitely go back.

We have been to Anteprima several times and I was surprised I haven't reviewed them before. We made reservations for a Friday night and were sat immediately on arrival. The menu is fairly small. They offer a few vegetarian options. We ordered a bottle of wine to split. We decided to order the beet salad to split for an appetizer. I ordered the green garlic cavatelli and my partner ordered the orecchiette with lamb. Our appetizer came quickly and it was delicious. Greens, beets and goat cheese. Really a winner. They also served bread basket a well. Our entrees arrived after about 10 mins. Both looked great. My pasta was spectacular, and my partner liked his pasta too. Overall the food was great, service was great, and wine as well. Anteprima has not always been consistent, we hope they have turn things around. We will return.

We were going to the Black Ensemble Theater and were looking for a restaurant near the theater. My daughter suggested this restaurant and am I glad she did. Our waiter was knowledgeable about both the food and liquor menu. My husband and I shared the orange salad with pomegranate seeds and my friend had the soup - the salad was interesting and my friend raved about the soup. Two of us had the orecchiette - it was delicious. My friend had the smaller plate of butternut squash ravioli and my husband had the bucatelli which he really enjoyed. My husband and I each had a Peroni and my friend had one of the evenings specialty drinks ($12). We did not have dessert. It was about $65 per couple for dinner. My only criticism is that the place was really crowded (a good thing) and the tables are very close together. The restaurant was noisy due to the fact it was filled to capacity - even at 6:00pm. The tables kept turning over. I will definitely come back. PS - parking is on the street!

Very charming little Italian place in the middle of Andersonville. Lovely ambiance, delicious food. Your plate doesn't arrive with an entire box of pasta cooked on it like other places. Can't wait to go back.

Great vibe from the moment you enter. Unpretentious, homey, welcoming atmosphere. Wonderful menu - so hard to choose! We had: Beets app Lamb meatball app Pumpkin ravioli course to share She - trout w/couscous Me - lamb shank w/roasted veggies We - fantastic bottle of wine from the varied wine list Very subtle but appreciable flavors. Neither slight nor overhanded with the seasonings. You can really appreciate flavors of the dishes! Can't wait to go back!

This is a popular Italian restaurant in Andersonville. It includes a small full service bar serving speciality cocktails and other drinks. The interior is comfortable and warm but not spacious so I would imagine it to be necessary to make advance reservations. Our drinks, appetizers and pasta dishes were all delicious and the waiter chose a nice wine to accompany the evening. Service was attentive and professional. Prices seem very reasonable given the high quality. Definitely want to return.

My husband and I had a delightful birthday dinner here. The noise level is a bit high but it is very lively. The waiters seemed to know the regulars names. The meat was cooked to perfection and the pasta was very tasty. Highly recommended.

Great relaxed, yet elegant atmosphere. True Italian cuisine with great variety...not just a bunch of dishes covered in sauce and cheese, as you get at so many Chicago "Italian" eateries. Highly recommend the trotter and anything with chicken liver. I believe the menu changes seasonally, but if you can get the venison, do it.

A restaurant that should have been very pleasant. But the level of noise in the restaurant was searing. Conversation was impossible. The food was good, the service jolly and the wine generous. But enjoyment was muffled by the shrieks and guffaws. Loud music encouraged this when we first arrived, but was eventually turned off. We couldn't wait to leave.

My new favorite Italian restaurant! Everything is organic, and they even grow a lot of their greens in the backyard of the restaurant... try and eat outside there if you can. And the Grappa de Fichi is a nice finish to the night!

So you really want to see 16 Candles play on the Midsommarfest stage but their show doesn't start until 8, and you're going to need to keep up your strength. Solution: a simple Italian meal of small plates. Maybe you'll select the delectable octopus or maybe your tastes run toward the more traditional. You'll get a mix of breads and olive oil of course. Since it's a warm June night, why not try the dry rosé brut in an icy bucket. They'll keep you well watered, so feel free to go for the creamy cauliflower soup and veal meatballs in a spicy ragu. Yum. As the sun dips, you're ready to take on Andersonville hospitality at its best.

The food here was quite good. The menu offers some interesting weekly specials and we sampled from various beef, poultry and fish choices for our starters and main courses. The risotto was a bit too runny for my liking and we passed on any of the other many pasta selections. Before dinner drink specials were very interesting and delicious, however, the chianti with dinner was disappointing and probably needed to be sent back. Dolce were good with a variety of choices. Service was mostly above average even for a busy night. Atmosphere was pleasant. Would definitely consider eating here again.

A friend and I went here. My first visit, he has been many times. Its not a large place, but we didn't need the reservation we had. I had the grilled polenta appetizer and it was good, not amazing. Friend raved about the octopus appetizer. Not a fan of octopus here though. I had one of the pastas (pappardelle) for my entree and it was excellent. Dessert was chocolate hazelnut torte. Sounded better than it was. It was really cold and I think it could have been excellent if it had been at room temperature. Service was fine, nothing that memorable. Good neighborhood joint overall, probably not worth a trip from downtown.

We went here for our annual year end dinner. My boss loves this restaurant, but I think it leaves a lot to be desired. The waiter was snobbish and the food was just ok. For being a pasta place, the portions are a little small (I don't think I have ever eaten a pasta dinner and left still feeling hungry like I did here).

This was the third time we have visited Anteprima and each occasion has been a memorable dining experience. The food is fresh, expertly prepared and extraordinarily flavorful. Be careful not to make a meal on the breads. It is very easy to do. If there are four or more in your party I would recommend the assortment of eight starters as a great way to tempt your palate in preparation for a scrumptious plate of freshly made pasta. Great Italian wine selections at very reasonable prices are an added bonus. I am constantly reading about the forgettable desserts, but must confess the Chocolate Hazelnut Tart, the Raisin Rosemary Bread Pudding and the Blackberry Crema were delicious. My only complaints are the cramped seating and the noise level. This could be remedied by eliminating a couple of tables in the middle of the dining room, but realistically this will not happen. I am certain this is driven by the cost of the lease which I can certainly understand. If you can, request a table around the perimeter of the dining room. Regardless, this is worth the visit even if you are staying downtown.

I have been here several times, most recently this past Friday evening. The menu is interesting and also intriguing. Innovative, even. Too bad the execution doesn't match the vision. As others have said, the food is ok. I expected more. On this evening, it seemed the kitchen was a bit overwhelmed. The wait for our food bordered on the egregious. The servers tried but you can refill water glasses only so many times. The noise was very high both inside and on their patio outside where we moved to try for a little quieter space. I will wait awhile before going back hoping things get better.

I have come here from time to time over the past several years and I am never disappointed. Everything is well-prepared, creative and delicious. Service is uniformly excellent. The atmosphere is homey and it is quiet enough to speak comfortably even when full. Pricing is moderate and fair. I was very pleased with their COVID precautions when I was there last month. It's a great go-to place when you're trying to find a North Side restaurant that everyone will probably be happy with. I strongly recommend them.

Food quality is top notch, and prices are reasonable too. We went with the 3 course menu and were very satisfied! The service is quite good and waitstaff are very knowledgeable. I'd highly recommend. Definitely make a reservation in advance as the restaurant is small and cozy and tables really fill up (even on weekdays). The terrace out back is great in the summertime.

We have been here several times and it is always fantastic food, great service and a lovely place to eat. Highly recommended.

do not miss this jewel in andersonville. welcoming service, friendly and efficient. you could go with small plates only, because the choices are appealing. but so are the entrees. i loved the grilled trumpet mushrooms to start, and the pork chop was exceptionally flavorful. we needed help with the obscure wine list, and ended up with exactly the right choice thanks to the owner.

To celebrate my birthday, my husband selected Anteprima, hoping to find an authentic Italian, neighborhood restaurant. When we walked in, we thought he had hit the mark. He started with a salmon carpaccio that was magnificent, served with capers, onions, and "lemon enhanced" Greek yogurt Unfortunately, it went downhill from there. My buffalo mozzarella with tomatoes, to my surprise, was served without olive oil or balsamic vinegar, and was garnished with three tiny pieces of basil. We both ordered small portions of the spaghetti with rock shrimp and tomatoes as an entree. When it was served to us, mine was the dinner portion, and both arrived without spoons for the pasta. The dish was so salty that we requested some marinara on the side, which totally irritated our waiter. In the end we were disappointed with the food and the service. Plus, although my husband noted that it was my birthday on our reservation, made via open table, two other birthdays that evening were acknowledged, but not mine.

My wife and I ate there last night with a client. We LOVED it. My client raved about it. I highly recommend ordering the three course meal for $29. The food was fresh and perfectly made. The service was also prompt and very attentive. We will be back.

Went with some business clients who had steak and said it was great. Started with mussels and I had the seafood risotto which was wonderful. Great wines - good prices.

Let's start with the pluses: great cocktails and wine list; reasonable prices; warm greeting and friendly waiter; pleasant outdoor patio. The downside was really the food. The worst of the four main courses was the cod special. Tiny, thin pieces of fish were practically invisible under a cover of mushrooms. The entire concoction was drowning in a bath of oregano and bay leaves. Just how many dried bay leaves and oregano twigs do three measly ounces of fish need? The herbs overwhelmed the fish. The brick chicken was very bony, although it was cooked and seasoned okay. The Veal milanese was okay, nothing special. The best of the four was the golden beet ravioli. A very light and appealing meal. And while our server was very nice, service was slow. It was a beautiful night on the patio and we were with friends so that didn't matter as much. I've always wanted to try the restaurant and am glad we did. But I don't think we'll be returning when there are so many other great Chicago restaurants to try.

What a perfectly lovely meal. Spent more than we may have intended but ultimately were happy with the experience. I had the trout which was delicious and my husband had the pappardelle which he raved about. We tried several apps that were good, liked the suggested wine, and very much enjoyed the cheesecake (billed as red wine cheesecake but really just tasted like cheesecake). Definitely recommended if budget isn't your top concern!

We had gone here a couple of years ago and decided to try it again. We live in the Andersonville neighborhood and we like to support our local businesses. We were seated immediately and the first sign of trouble was that it took 20 minutes before someone other than our waiter asked for a drink order. Should have bolted before the drinks arrived! A table of six was seated after our drink order was taken and they had their drinks delivered, wine poured and bread basket on the table before ours were even poured. You can imagine the rest! You can probably count on a drink after 30 minutes, a salad delivered 30 minutes later, the appetizer served 30 minutes later, the soup served 30 minutes later, the entrees delivered 30 minutes later and dessert. I guess that accounts for 8:30-11:00 P.M. Let's just say with so many wonderful restaurants in Chicago to choose from this probably shouldn't be your first choice. It will be a hit out of the park or a missed opportunity to support some other more deserving establishment.

We were taken such good care of we couldn't believe it. Incredibly accommodating and polite staff. Each course was timed perfectly and each plate or piece of silverware was fresh with each course and was removed promptly upon finishing a course with no waiting around time for the meal to keep moving forward. Our server could not have been more polite and well educated on the food or wine. Oh, and the food. We ordered so much and we ate every bite. It was insanely delicious!! I wish every time I went to a restaurant I could get service like this. It was truly seamless. Bravo, Anteprima!

After an awesome first-time experience, we returned to the loudest restaurant atmosphere we've ever suffered through. The food didn't stack up to our first, very delightful experience, reservations were running behind and the wait staff was indifferent at best. With 29 other restaurants nearby, we'll give some others a try next time.

The food here is excellent, as is the service. This was my first time here, and was quite happy with everything. My manhattan was delish, and the risotto was excellent!!! My friends chicken was to.die.for! Andersonville has many place to choose from, this should be on your list!

Professionalism is the theme here, as every member of the serving staff (all men) works hard to deliver the classic Italian dining experience that patrons expect. Our waiter was a Steve Carrell lookalike who was knowledgeable, helpful and efficient. We had the "variety plate" of eight appetizers, followed by ravioli for my wife and a rustic stew for me. All was very good, as was the bottle of Barolo that accompanied the meal. This is definitely not a hipster joint like many of the establishments blooming in the neighborhood, but we enjoyed it very much, and recommend it highly if you want a traditional high-end Italian dinner experience.

Great food, wine and service (thanks, Armando!). The grilled octopus is perfection, as are the mushrooms, the cavatelli and the tagliatelle. Great tiramisu and lemon panna cotta. Always a great meal here.

The fixed price menu is $29.00 for 3 courses -- and you have excellent choices offered here. I had stuffed squash blossoms -- very delicately flash fried and stuffed with cheese. The risotto with shrimp has been mentioned elsewhere, but it really was excellent. My entree was Scottish salmon, over vegetables. Also wonderful. The service was great -- just enough attentiveness. My daughter lives in the neighborhood and I'm sure we will be back!

Well, you just can't go wrong here. It is in a wonderful neighborhood. The food is spectacular and the martinis are great. We sat outside on the deck and felt entirely Covid safe.

If anyone doesn't give this gem high praise, I can assure you - ignore them! Been here several times with my wife, and it just keeps getting better! Quaint atmosphere, charming staff, professional service. Tonite we had skirt steak (most tender and succulent - and the pan sauce was plate-lickable!) and a very grown-up boar sausage with onions and peppers. Divine! We had a divine tuna tartar app, as well as superb asparagus side. We left completely satisfied! Eat like the locals - go to Anteprima, a lovely, highly underrated and undiscovered Chicago gem!

Delicious food, excellent service, in a lively (but not too loud) atmosphere, allowing good Conversation over the meal. Prices were reasonable, service was friendly and patient (two of us were first-timers and took a while to go through menu), food came out promptly but meal was not rushed. Space was attractive.

We want to Andersonville at the last-minute on a Saturday to hit the shops. Decided to stay for dinner without a reservation. Walked into anteprima without a reservation and asked if we could sneak a dinner at the bar. Turned out to be one of the best meals in Chicago. Service, food, wine list (including great NA selection). Make a reservation….or try to sneak in. It’s worth it for sure.

Reservations were accepted and my request for a quiet table included a romantic setting for two. I couldn't have done better if I tried. Anteprima is small and apparently very popular. It was packed and our table was perfect. Our waiter, Armundo, was supper and lined us up with two nice wines for our unique appetizer, pasta and main course. There is a three course special which if you eat a light lunch is perfect a couple like us. Our selections were unique to our St. Louis, Italian dining selections. I was very pleased. Both of us like variety and our not afraid of trying new things. I recall spending a little over $200 for our two hours of fine dinning. The wine honestly was well over half of the cost.

I had no plans to eat, I was not even hungry. However, it started raining heavily, just when I was in front of anteprima. All seats were taken, just the bar was available. I am glad I took that spot. Waiters were very helpful (I think they really helped me picking the best dishes). I went for the octopus starter - amazing. I have had a lot of octopus in my life, for example during a sailing tour in Greece - but this one was the best so far, soft, tasty, right amount of herbs. The main course - skid - was similarly brilliant. The sauce was to die for. I also had some pasta with tuna and capers - very good, but the two other dishes were so outstanding that I almost forgot about the very good pasta.

The patio area was very good, added to the overall experience of having dinner. Overall dinner was very good,it always helps to ask questions about menu selections. Food was very good.

Ate on their back-of-the-restaurant enclosed but open air outdoor patio, which was such a nice respite from most city dining which is often along the street (think car fumes, passers by within inches...). They have a great menu with much to choose from and an assortment of fixed priced arrangements where you can have a starter, pasta and full entree or a starter, full entree and dessert for the same price (with no exclusions). So we sampled a lot, and everything was delicious. We actually had so much food, we had to take large amounts of leftovers home. They have a nice antipasto bar, fabulous variety of both food and drink, and servers who were fun, helpful and bent over backwards to make us happy. This was our first visit here but certainly will not be our last. Made us fondly remember our recent trip to northern Italy.

Very nice Italian restaurant with real regional cuisines, it is clear that the chef put effort in finding recipes and ingredients. Well done

How about a delicious three-course Italian dinner at a prix fixe price of $32. At Anteprima, from Sunday through Thursday, you can create your own menu. Located at 5316 North Clark Street in Chicago's Andersonville neighborhood, Anteprima offers a cozy, rustic, old-world setting and an outdoor patio. The dinner bell rings at 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and at 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. My wife chose slow cooked spicy calamari, seared Scottish salmon with squash and tomatoes and tiramisu. My three choices were roasted goat meatballs, rainbow trout piccata with potatoes and lemon panna cotta. At Anteprima, the price is right. And so is the food.

My wife and I have been going for 2 years, its italian fare in a country/healthy homecooked portion, not some hyper over the top fattening italian molestation like most places in Chicago, excepts few... Great staff/owners, fun area away from the ranger rover crowds in the city, and its a nice intimate atmosphere, simple, smart, great food.

This was the site for a rehearsal dinner with guests from the US, Italy and Denmark. Fabulous is the best one word descriptive. The pastas and anti pasta were delicious. The dessert selection was divine and the portions so appropriate. A fine selection of wines to accompany the food. The outside terrace was particularly accommodating as were the staff.

Food is amazing and menu is always changing. The staff is incredible. Wait staff are professionals. Rare thing in my experience. The wine list is excellent and priced well. We love coming here. Always welcomed and always impressed with the food and services. Italian cuisine that if you went to Italy you would find. It's not American Italian restaurant its Italian restaurant if that make senses.

We had a great meal here and enjoyed the experience. The service was really good and we both had pasta which seemed to be homemade and was delicious. Our only complaint was the noise level which seems to be a common issue with us. It won't stop us from coming back and the waiter mentioned that the patio is much quieter and is open when the weather permits. A nice spot for a casual Italian dinner.

This is a feel good experience, and Marty, the owner, is very personable and welcoming. The menu is regularly updated, and you are assured of an authentic Italian meal. I disagree with Mark S. I've had Italian friends here who loved the place.

Anteprima is an amazing authentic Italian restaurant. This is NOT an American style spaghetti & meatball type of place. All pasta is made in house; as is everything on the menu (even the bread & breadsticks). The menu is always updated based on seasonal availability. Weekly specials reflect both new surprises as well as past favorites. The grilled octopus is so tender & flavorful. This is a great place for sharing; get some appetizers and several pastas and entrees to share amongst the table. The servers know the menu and have always been helpful with recommendations based on our needs (vegetarian, no problem). The dining room is small and lively with a happy vibe, and the outdoor patio in back is very nice when the weather is appropriate. A very casual and welcoming kind of place, where the Kitchen Staff and their food are the star.

If we lived anywhere near Anteprima, we would be regulars. We absolutely loved it. The restaurant is sized just right, with comfortable seating and not too loud. The menu impressed us even before eating anything, but when the food arrived, we were very happy. The local wild celery salad from the specials menu was brilliant - like eating the earth itself marinated in a lemony dressing - I wanted more! Our half-size pasta mains were perfectly prepared and bursting with flavor, and just the right size for a late dinner... tagliatelle with wild mushrooms and parmigiano; and paccheri with shrimp, peas, spicy tomato and basil. Alas, we had no room for dessert that evening but the dolce menu of Italian classics was tempting! The wine list is great, with variety of prices and styles, with a good number available by the glass. Our server, Jonathan, was attentive and informative. Go now!!

We moved to Andersonville this week from Roger's Park. While we have been to many restaurants in Andersonville somehow we missed Anteprima. It is now our new favourite! We were seated in the open patio out back and the ambience was fabulous. Service excellent. Wine list great. We had a cocktail and then a crisp white from the Puglia region of Italy. We shared spicy mussels and heirloom tomatoes salad - both delicious Then a fresh pasta with lamb sausage and grilled tuna. Also a side of slow roasted Fagioli. Perfect. Dessert was a berry crisp with whipped cream, coffee and port wine. Great experience. We will be back frequently!

Parking is a problem at this Andersonville popular Italian restaurant. The pasta is always the thing to order. Varied menue with specials every nite, reservation are a must.

My spouse took me to this gem of a restaurant for my birthday and it was delightful. The place is small and intimate; the decor simple. The smells are great and the food even better. I had black linguini that was delicious. The wine was also very good. Even though I live downtown I will RETURN (hence the title of my review) to have more fresh pasta. Oh yes, I tasted my spouses pastas with the lamb sausage and that was awesome. I also saw a bunch of yummy looking chickens going by our table. I will try that next time.

What a great restaurant! Wonderful authentic Italian food. The wine list is great, the service is excellent, and the servers know the menu and can help you with selecting dishes. Very charming atmosphere.

Loved the food just wish we weren't sitting right next to the guests at the next table. Food was delish! Pasta was cooked perfectly al dente. Wine selection was great too.

It’s a toss up between the food, the service and the ambience on which was better. Exceptional all around. We started with several appetizers. We started with refreshing Italian cocktails, the Luigi was a big hit. The appetizer specials all looked amazing, we shared a cauliflower cheese, green bean salad and stuffed zucchini flowers. Each one was greasy and delicious. For the main course we had more of the specials…the roast chicken, salmon, grilled Italian sausage and the tagliatelle from the regular menu. The ingredients were fresh and flavorful. The portions were perfect for the price, without having to take home leftovers. We enjoyed everything about this restaurant and look forward to going again.

Diverse menu of pastas, meats and fish. Eclectic cocktails. Great service. A locals favorite in Andersonville.

What a great experience! Armando is the best of servers - efficient, honest, funny, a real professional. We started with wine, and ordered the calamari alla piastra, grilled endive, snap peas, walnuts, lemon vinaigrette (very nice), and the roasted red & golden beets, spinach, gorgonzola, walnuts (great), and the grilled shrimp, escarole, cannellini beans, roasted onions, calabrian chilli vinaigrette (shrimp tasty but small portions for sharing). For entrees, we chose the Rigatoni Carbonara - very savory with piece of guanciale; the grilled Soft Shell crab with escarole, olives and lemon vinaigrette - wonderful and juicy; a special tagilatelle made withe stinging nettles, garlic and enoki mushrooms - wonderful and savory; and the salmon, and the pork chop - both excellent. Let's not forget the chocolate budino with toasted almonds, and some kind of rhubarb flan-ish thing that was terrific. Food and prep is of highest quality. We sat in the lovely back garden in pleasant weather. A fabulous evening.

Amazing dinner amazing restaurant. Great food, authentic and creative. One of the best in Chicago. Must go to this little gem.

We had a delicious dinner at this neighborhood restaurant. Our server was charming and helpful, and we liked everything, from the drinks through appetizers, mains, and dessert with a birthday candle. Ahi tuna, fresh pasta, zucchini flowers--and good recommendations for drinks to try. We sat inside, but the back patio looked charming too.

I was hesitant about going to Anteprima after reading a review from a customer who described "a dreadful dinner, my worst dining experience in many years." But I read several other reviews from TripAdvisor contributors who detailed an "excellent dining experience" and "an evening to remember." You can't win 'em all, right? So we decided to make the long drive north on Clark Street. We're glad we did. Have you ever had orecchiette? I'd never heard of it until then. The waiter recommended it. "Give it a try. You'll love it," he said. All he had riding on his recommendation was his tip, right? Well, orecchiette is wonderful. And you're hearing this from a guy who wouldn't touch a plate of catfish until a waitress in Donaldson, Louisiana, changed my way of thinking. Orecchiette is a home-made pasta typical of Puglia or Apulia, a region in southern Italy. Its name comes from its shape, which resembles a small ear. It contains broccoli or rapini, sweet pork sausage or miniature meatballs, garlic cloves. tomato-based sauce and a sprinkling of ricotta cheese. Delicious. The waiter earned an extra dollar. The thing about Anteprima is it is a break away from the ordinary. I'm not an expert on Italian food but my wife's relatives came from the old country so she has a pretty good education on the subject. Start with salumi, Italian cold cuts...salami, mortadella, prosciutto, bresaola. It comes with house-flavored olives and fresh and hot breadsticks. I'm not into grilled octopus or wood-grilled whole fish. But the pastas, especially orecchiette with lamb sausage and tagiatelle with pancetta ragu, were exceptional. So was the rigatoni with Italian sausage and the risotto with shrimp and lobster cream. And you haven't even ordered the main course yet. How about pancetta wrapped pork loin with parmigiano potatoes, glazed carrots and spinach? Or brick-grilled crisp baby chicken? Or sliced New York strip? Or grilled duck sausage with sweet potato puree? The menu changes from week to week so you might have a choice of veal or osso buco or lamb or quail. I'm told the wine list is exceptional, too. I've been to a lot of Italian restaurants but Anteprima separates itself from others, I think, because the food really has a genuine home-made flavor. Ownership claims their regionally inspired, rustic Italian food comes from recipes they have learned in homes throughout Italy. "You're not likely to find many of our dishes elsewhere," they say. I won't argue the point.

Lovely intimate space in a vintage building that oozes character, friendly, attentive service and reasonably priced entrees. Pasta seems to be the standout here as opposed to the meat entrees. Give it a try.

Four of us enjoyed an early dinner in early September in thee al fresco courtyard of this very pleasant restaurant. We were served by a very knowledgeable and clever waiter who helped us choose wisely from the attractive menu and match with decent wines. The food was modern Italian and we found everything to be well cooked and simply presented. I have seen some less keen reviews of Anteprima and I think some of that reflects the relatively small sized serves the restaurant provides. The serves are certainly less than I usually find in US restaurants. However, I prefer this more refined approach. The service was not only helpful but the food came quite promptly after we ordered. All of us were impressed and happy with our Anteprima experience and would return.

Friends took us to this gem of a restaurant hidden in Andersonville and it was splendid. The appetizer, half order of pasta and main course was a good deal and even better when we realized how delicious each selection was. The service was attentive. The dishes were innovative and seasonal. We went to more famous restaurants in Chicago, but this o e was a favorite.

Varied and interesting menu. Starter assortment is great as is the calamari. Reasonable wine list (although some of the by the glass selections were priced ridiculously high). Outdoor seating is lovely (of course not available on my most recent visit). Can get a little loud when very busy, but hardly enough to detract materially from the meal.

We have been going to Anteprima since it opened around 10 years ago. The service and food are always consistently spot on. Of special note is the grilled octopus and the spicy lamb orecchiette. And of course the pana cotta is delicious. We have never had poor service or a bad meal and highly recommend this restaurant for all occasions.

We had a wonderful experience at Anteprima last night. My only complaints are minor. You have to find parking on the street, usually, and the cafe is very noisy unless weather is warm and you sit on the patio out back. I enjoyed a wonderful light dinner. The salad with heirloom tomatoes, thin slices of watermelon, and diced cucumber, dressed with olive oil, lemon juice, and mint, was delicious, the perfect choice on a muggy August evening. A small order of farfalle with prosciutto ragu was also wonderful, such a rich dish that a small portion was satisfying. The sauce was so good, I cleaned the plate with pieces of bread while nobody was looking. Our waiter was courteous and helpful, offering insightful recommendations when asked. The lady's stuffed calamari was an unfamiliar dish, but in a good way, entirely different from the usual boring rendition of breaded and fried squid with a dollop of cocktail sauce. Anteprima is a storefront, and does not offer a great deal of elbow room, that's unfortunate, but every aspect of the experience was somewhere between very satisfactory, and excellent. This was our fourth or fifth visit, all were nice, none were problematic. Arriving without a reservation would be unwise, and the experience would probably be more enjoyable on an evening when they're not jammed, but that said, it's a festive, welcoming cafe with interesting people-watching, good food, and welcoming service.

Get there early, especially on the weekends, because this quaint restaurant fills up fast. However, if you haven't made a reservation and the tables are booked sit at the lovely bar where service is great and the food arrives faster. My wife and I visited on a Friday at 6:00 pm and were unable to be seated, so we reluctantly took a seat at the bar. No mistake. Good choice. It was the best seat in the house and we were able to converse with the staff and get a good look at all the delectable dishes coming from the kitchen. First, if you like octopus, you’ve got to order the octopus appetizer. We've never had better. It was melt-in-your-mouth good, served with potatoes, red onion, chilies, parsley, lemon, olive oil. Simply exquisite. We also ordered the appetizer special where we received a combination of the first six starters on the menu. They were all wonderfully prepared and went especially well with the nice bottle of chilled pinot grigio we ordered. The only downside was the roasted sardines, which were a special. We wished we had ordered a second octopus instead. All in all, this is a terrific neighborhood restaurant that will not disappoint.

The expertise of our server - Armando, the welcoming conversation with Martin Fosse, and the perfectly-prepared, presented and delicious food created a memorable dining experience for us. We highly recommend this restaurant - just delightful!

This restaurant really impressed me. The food was superb -- among the best Italian food I've had in restaurants. The service was terrific, the atmosphere is pleasant though not exceptional. Everything we had for dinner was delectable: fresh, beautifully prepared, and intensely flavorful. I highly recommend this place. A bit expensive -- but you get what you pay for.

There is so much to be said for this wonderful experience. This begins with the decor and tone of the restaurant. What a beautiful bar, warm lighting, and feeling of coziness (even on a very cold evening). But, decor does not make a restaurant ... it's primarily the food, closely followed by the service. Read on ... We were shown to the perfect table at the back of the room in a tucked away corner. It is much quieter than the main part of the room and we went on to enjoy a quiet evening. Armando was our server and offered his thoughts as we studied the menu. Anteprima offers a fixed price menu on Sunday through Thursday. This 3 course options offers multiple combinations and provides selections from the main menu -- such a bargain. My selections were the grilled shrimp appetizer (fabulous), a half order of orecchietta with lamp sausage, and an entree of seafood spezzatino. Each dish was incredible and served piping hot. With bread being one of the components of a meal that is very important to me, I must say that this is a feature of dining at Anteprima. I couldn't get enough of it and the bread sticks.

When we visit Chicago we make a point to eat here. Food and service are excellent, prices very good!

My cousin loves this place & I was dying g to try it. Loved the Italian sausage & pasta dish that I had. Worth waiting for.

We ate here Saturday night before the Chicago Marathon - carbs, you know. Their menu is different with unique fare not usually found in other Italian restaurants. The wine selection is good. The atmosphere is nice. And did I say that the food is great?!?

Visit Andersonville, but don't waste your time on this place. The owner and staff are rude and insulting. They shouldn't be in the service business. The food is passable at best. Andersonville has a ton of amazing businesses. Walk half a block and check one of them out instead.

Recently dined here with friends and had a wonderful dining experience. Everything was so fresh and tasty. We had a selection of antipasto to begin and while I am not a fan, everyone else enjoyed it. I had a salad that included fresh goat cheese, select greens, pine nuts and roasted squash which was delicious. I also had the slow cooked lamb shoulder which was very tender and delectable. Our server helped us pick a bottle of wine to compliment our meal and got us a great one for a reasonable price. My one complaint is that every time the door opens a gust of cold air whooshes through the restaurant. They need to figure out a way to shelter diners from the cold air. We will definitely go back and enjoy this restaurant again.

We love coming here. Been coming for years - just not very often as it’s not convenient for us. Try to come Sun-Thur to get the 3 course prix fixe, starter or desert, 1/2 pasta, and a main for $32. There are one or two items which have a surcharge. Really delicious food. Excellent service. Outdoor dining available.

I would like to say we liked our meal, but the overcrowding and tables jammed together has changed our opinion. We won't return until they can cut back on squishing tables and taking too many reservations. Food is good, but has also become overpriced for smallish portions. I was bumped by servers and other people the entire meal and the noise was deafening-we are not that old either!! It has a nice atmosphere, but I hope the owners read this and figure out that going out for dinner is a luxury and it is disappointing to pay for mediocrity. One thing to note, the hosts were really nice, and we could sense their frustration,but when they offered us this ridiculously small table by the door, it was take that or wait 40 minutes-even though we had a reservation. We have dined there quite a lot. but we won't be back!

We wanted a cozy family dinner and were not disappointed!! Reservations are suggested, although they will try and accommodate you. The service was friendly and efficient, the restaurant is welcoming and warmly decorated. The food was excellent! Standouts were the grilled octopus (the best I've ever had!!) and the rabbit. Would come back here in a heartbeat!!

It feels like eating in a neighbor's backyard at Anteprima in Andersonville. The patio is intimate and the food is wonderful! Can get crowded, so suggest a Sunday evening reservation for a more relaxed dining experience. It's probably great inside, too, during the winter -- but we haven't tried it yet!

We recently went to anteprima for dinner, last visit was 2 years ago. the restaurant was always good, and it still is. good menu, good service, wonderful fixed price 3 course menu. all of our dishes were wonderful. only complaint, pasta portions are still a little small for the price. increase portion by 20% and it would be perfect.

Sign on the wall says occupancy level over 44 is dangerous and unlawful. Owner of this establishment had close to 65-70 people seated last Saturday night and the results were outrageous. Forget about whether or not the food is good; what is bad is noise levels that require one to scream to table mates and tables so close to each other that servers and guests are constantly bumping into you. Tables are small by design and make for no room for any of the service, glasses, dishes, etc. All in all a very unpleasant dining experience. Of course, none of this info is known to diners until they get into the restaurant and get caught up in the mayhem. Clearly, this Owner is squeezing all that he can get by filling the room way beyond its legal occupancy levels. If it is a qiet night, am thinking that this spot would be much better experience but if you catch it on overloaded night, buyer beware. Pretty troubling when restaurant review doesn't concern itself with review of food. My ears are still ringing and its Tuesday morning. For five persons, our bill was close to $300.00 with drinks, tip, dessert, etc. Pretty much a waste when experience was down right numbing.

I had tried this place about 4 or 5 years ago and didn't care for it much. While the ambiance is terrific and the service friendly & efficient, it was the food that was lacking. I had a pasta dish that I found to have an "off" taste (try Calo down the street for FAR SUPERIOR pasta). So, when my new boyfriend's friend suggested we go there, I said, "I need to give this place a second try". NEITHER of us will EVER go back. Once again, the service was great, the ambiance is nice, but the food? Average, at best. Lacking in both flavor and portion size, my baby chicken was a lot of work for very little reward. Even the desserts (which can sometimes save a meal) were sub-par. I really hate to give a restaurant 2 stars, but I will not return when there are so many better choices nearby. I love food and love trying new restaurants and (as you can see), I will give them a second chance even if I have a bad experience. After 2 bad experiences, I am now done with Anteprima.

Yes, the food at this Andersonville converted storefront is very good. Among the four of us for dinner in early September, the whitefish was superb; the pork shoulder and pork ribs were very good; the pasta was okay. Appetizer of fried smelt (a seasonal delicacy favored around Lake Michigan) was excellent. Wine list was extensive and expensive. Service was perfunctory and anonymous. With no wall coverings to absorb the noise, conversation was challenging in the full house (bout 15 tables). Bill for four with wine, before-dinner drinks: $290.

Have dined at Anteprime several times. So, not surprisingly, we think the food is good. The wait staff is usually good and we had an excellent waiter on this most recent visit. It's not the place to go for a business dinner or a romantic evening when you need or want to hear every word. The acoustics are bad even though the tables are really not that close together.

We were there for a special occasion, and the chef prepared a shared tasting meal for our table of four. Every single dish was a home run, especially the vegetarian plates. I hesitate to refer to the majority of dishes we had as vegetarian, however, because it might imply a lesser "something." The variety of preparations and flavors was astonishing, each one seemed better than the last, and they all could have stood as a main course. We had two pasta dishes, (one with chicken liver!), both remarkable. The steak dish we had, while very, very good, was probably the least interesting. The chef has great breadth and creativity, and even after 10 courses, the palate never wearied.

De-lish! Order an assortment of the starters and you will not be disappointed. Food and service are wonderful!

So many excellent reviews. I wanted to be wowed. Roasted beet salad tasty but not special. I had the pork, swiss chard lasagna. As others have mentioned, small portions. My hubby had salmon. It was tasty but small portion for over 20 dollars. What particularly bothers me is that for the price, a vegetable side dish should be included. But you pay 7 or 8 dollars extra for that. Others reviewed that people should go here midweek or early. We had a 5 pm reservations. It was soon filling up. One reviewer mentioned leaving hungry. We felt the same. Would not go back for what you get for the price.

We visit Chicago several times a year and since first eating here we go back every time we're in Chicago. Most authentic Italian food, excellent service, great wine list. Very nice outside eating area. We will keep on going.

As a gluten free diner, neighborhood Italian restaurants are not where I usually choose to eat. I'm glad I didn't pass over Anteprima. We were glad to have made reservations, the place was hopping by 6:30 pm. Our service did not suffer, the staff was attentive and knowledgeable, and our entire meal was well timed and professionally presented. My dining companions' cocktails were strong and well poured. We opted for several appetizers, the shrimp and octopus selections were amazing, and cipollini onions, roasted and caramelized, were also tasty. A wonderful wine accompanied dinner, I had *numerous* entrees to choose from. It was quite exciting to have more than three or four 'safe' dishes available. I finally settled on the delicious lamb sausage entree. My dining companions chose generous pasta selections, they looked and smelled wonderful, and everyone was quite happy with their food. The menu did fall short on the gluten free dessert selection, there was a single choice. I decided to pass and finished up the wine while others at the table sampled a couple different items. They were reported to be okay, but nothing stand out. I will definitely put this on my visit again list for the next time I am in Chicago.

I don't know if they've gotten a new chef, or the chef last night just had a bad night, but the food was, by and large, not good. The octopus appetizer, which is usually the star of the show, was mushy, oversalted, low on octopus (!) and generally looked like it had been sitting in a pot for a good long while. The gnocci's suffered the same fate. Overcooked, mushy, with some shreds of duck (apparently, it was rather tasteless) that made for a very unappetizing looking and tasting dish. Is everything made fresh, or has this place gotten so used to it's reputatation that it's getting lazy? We are neighborhood people who love to eat here, but will NOT come back if the food goes down hill. Too expensive and noisy for bland, overcooked, mass produced food. Get it together Anteprima!

Attentive, excellent service. The lamb shank & fish were nicely presented. The small grilled chicken was super. Good value. Crowded. Reservations are needed & budget at least 15 minutes to locate a parking spot. There is no valet parking.......

Rude, unwelcoming staff. Not helpful in suggesting simple meals for 2 children. Non traditional Italian. Never ordered a meal. Just wanted to leave. Told sever we would never come back with or without kids. when we left she acted like she was surprised.

Not Italian but Italian-American food. Micro tables where there isn't enough room for plates. Service ok, the side dishes are in a open place where everyone can sneeze or cough: terrible!!!! Overpriced.

We had a larger party, and various food restrictions. they did a great job steering us to the right dishes. There are two breads and rosemary (?) bread sticks to start off with - delicious! The pastas (gnocchi with boar ragu and stricchetti with chianti braised pork) were just the right amount, and seemed to be homemade. My son had the quail (herbed farro, apples, cabbage, parsnip puree, pickled onion) and he was enjoying it with eyes closed ;). I had the pork shoulder with parmigiano mashed and spinach - melt in your mouth. My sister had the salmon special, and it looked beautiful. Ended with the apple raisin bread pudding (my fave), the chocolate hazelnut tart, the tiramisu, and a wonderful lemon panna cotta. Great meal, great service.

Mid-week dinner found the restaurant pretty busy, and for good reason - very good Italian food, very good service, extensive wine list, knowledgeable waiter. Look forward to a return visit.

If at all possible, come Sunday through Thursday. There is a prix fixe of $29 for almost any three courses from the menu (appetizer, pasta, main course, dessert); there is a modest supplement for strip steak or whole fish. The menu changes seasonally, and there is always a long list of very appetizing specials. We are locals, and eat here often, either as a couple or with friends.Last time, we had a fantastic special of crispy skin sea bass.

Are here for the second time last night and was floored by the food. Delicious array of appetizers--the scamorza (fried cheese appetizer) was especially good, delicately fried with nice side greens. Main courses stand-out was the gnocci amartriciana (delicious, and I am not normally a gnocchi fan, but we were sharing and I this version of gnocci changed my perspective!). The lemon panacotta dessert was wonderful, as well, as good as the best I had when living in Rome for a year. Since our host was a friend of the owner, we also had a fantastic off-menu dish that reminded me of meals in Southern Italy--a pasta with spicy anchovy sauce and bread crumbs. Heaven. Full disclosure: This was my second visit--the first visit was about a year and a half ago, and we found the food equally delicious, although that summer night the restaurant was packed to the brims and our waiter was inattentive at best (we like lingering at meals but that time it took the waiter 35 minutes to even come to our table, another 15 minutes to bring us wine etc--I noticed that waiter fromt he first time was still working there, but he was not our waiter this time around). This time around service was a completely different experience--super attentive warm service, a terrific (different) waiter who hit the perfect balance between being welcoming, efficient and warm..yet not intrusive. the difference is service may have been because this time we arrived far earlier on a weeknight so it was not at all crowed at the start of the evening or perhaps because we were with a friend of the owner. Either way, my opinion of the food is constant: it is wonderful. And now I know to arrive earlier and on weekday evenings. I'll definitely be back there!

True Italian dishes, perfect portion sizes, attentive staff. The restaurant is very small so on a weekend evening reservations are a must. We tried to get in several times before with no luck. So glad we were able to get in tonight even if we did have to sit at the bar. We will be back again soon!

Lovely garden in back, if you can get it. Pastas were delicious - orechiette with lamb sausage, fusilli with eggplant, tomato, olives, ricotta. We got the assortment of appetizers, and it was definitely underwhelming. Wine list is extensive. Recommend it as a fun spot in the neighborhood.

Enjoyed dinner with a friend while visiting Chicago. Great service, food and ambiance! The delicious carbonara made me feel like I was back in Roma!

I am 100% Italian and despite what other reviewers have said there are NO Classic Italian dishes on the menu. Not 1 meatball, no marinara sauce, no meat sauce, no classic sausage- so the grilled octopus was very good, the special tomato soup with orzo and a dollop of pesto was the best part of the meal. The orecchiette pasta with sausage and bitter greens was spicy and bitter....the rabbit chewy, and the spaccatelle with pancetta and red pepper very doughy and heavy. Glasses of wine were good- all their wines are from Italy-AND am I the only reviewer to use the washrooms- small, cramped, dirty and faucets very much in need of repair. First class establishments don't have lousy bathrooms. Owners, you have to do better than this!!!

I have eaten here quite a few times and consistently found it to have unique, rustic, authentic Italian dishes. Make no mistake, this is not a "red sauce on pasta" restaurant. The menu varies significantly from day to day depending on what's available and there are dishes that I have never seen other places. The ingredients are combined creatively and I have found the service to be very prompt. Most of the pastas are made in house and taste like someone's "nonna" made them. Seafood figures prominently as do the roasted meats. The baby chicken is always delicious. The pork and lamb choices change frequently but are always great. If I could roast meats like that at home I might be more excited about my upcoming kitchen remodel! The waiters have extensive knowledge of the menu and are helpful with wine pairings as well. The atmosphere is warm and as other reviewers have said, it is bustling and can be a little loud on a Saturday night. It is almost always busy....rain, snow or shine and the crowd is eclectic. The Andersonville neighborhood has really blossomed in recent years and the diners at Anteprima reflect the variety of the area. Sunday to Thursday they offer a 3 course menu...starter, half pasta and a main dish for about $29. It's a great deal, especially in city where dinner for two is routinely north of $100. There are two other restaurants next door, Ombra and Acre with the same owner. Each has a different flavor but I always gravitate to Anteprima. There's an outdoor patio in the back that is thankfully away from the street, not on top of it like many outdoor spaces. When dining out with friends this is always near the top of the list. Even my hard to please family declared it the closest thing to a dinner in Italy. It's a great place for a weeknight dinner or vibrant Saturday night. I've done well letting the staff guide me to dishes I probably wouldn't have chosen on my on my (Amish chicken livers, almonds, spinach and vino santo....really good...really) and I've been happy expanding my culinary experiences. Great for the intrepid foodie but always a selection of solid dishes for the less adventurous.

Very good food here. I had the risotto with shrimp and tomatoes. I loved it. The risotto was cooked perfectly. My friends had the skirt steak and the pork dishes and enjoyed them thoroughly. Our waiter was excellent and very patient when dealing with one of my needier friends. You won't be disappointed.

Worst dining experience in many years. We were a party of four and no one enjoyed their food. Sent back a squash appetizer to be replaced by an equally tasteless sweet potato appetizer. Two portions of polenta crusted white fish were sent back because they didn't smell fresh, we couldn't find the polenta and the small portions contained large fishbones. One fish entree was replaced by a lamb shank. I love lamb shank and I have eaten lamb shank or osso bucco in just about every good Italian or Greek restaurant in town---this was the worst in my memory---just overcooked, flavorless fatty meat in a pool of water. Save your money.

Excellent dining experience at Anteprima! The atmosphere and cuisine was wonderful and the staff so eager and helpful to make our evening memorable. Particularly enjoyed the gnocchi and the bread basket is phenomenal! Thank you for a terrific dining experience and an evening to remember!

The bread basket had 2 kinds of bread and some breadsticks. I usually hate breadsticks, but these were actually good (very thin, and a bit salty). We shared the green bean panzanella salad (a special), which was just okay (and a very small portion). I had the skate wing picatta (a large portion), which was very good. It was served over baby spinach and potatoes. My husband had the rabbit and a side of potatoes, and he loved them both. The service was also very good.

food was just ok, the big portion size really isnt that big and the small plates are very small...food orders varied even on our own table. two couples order the eggplant pasta special and they both looked very different from each other. 38$ bottles of wine were really bad. might visit again, but not on my go to list

Food - All dishes were very tasty. Grilled Octopus and the Zucchini Parmesan were really good starters. The bread basket was filled with assortment of choices. Main pasta dishes we had were the Shrimp Risotto, Fusili with Anchovies, and the pappardelle. Other entrees, included Salmon and the Veal. Of all dishes, the Veal was least favorite, very tough and chewy. The best was the Octopus appetizer. Service was spot on, with an attentive though seemingly new waiter. I believe it was the owner/manager that took our order and made sure everything we were well cared for. Overall, a place we would easily decide to return.

Exactly as my title conveys, food is expensive and this restaurant doesn't consistently deliver $25 entree quality. Great atmosphere, location, and wine list. good date place. However, I've had great meals and I've had relatively bad food.

We went here on a Saturday night at 6:00pm and the place was already packed. The noise level is quite high, it is not so easy to hear your dinner companions or your server. Despite that downside, the service was attentive, the food all homemade and delicious and the price was right. The place is packed because the food is delicious and the prices are, not low (with a glass of wine and dessert our check was about $50/person) pretty reasonable. The gnocchi was delicious and the rabbit was grilled to perfection.