Cafe Bionda Reviews

Why did I say 5 Stars? Easy - food, bar, service, atmosphere, cost, staff, and ease of parking. The food here was just so good. We loved it. Fried calamari, beet & arugula salad, Pappardelle bolognese, and the glorious: Nanna’s Gravy were all so delicious! Also Hendricks martinis and a perfect Chianti all added to a wonderful meal as did the pleasant and efficient staff, reasonable prices, old style atmosphere, and street parking right at the door made the whole experience ideal. Do check this restaurant out. You’ll love it!

They have a great menu and staff that are always willing to answer any questions one may have. Their portions are great. The ambiance is also that of an authentic Italian-stay Chicago restaurant. We highly recommend visiting them when staying in Chicago.

Local resident recommended this downtown treasure. Best Italian food I have ever eaten. Surprisingly I was born and raised in an area with many descendents of Italy. The service by Antonio was outstanding and was a true pleasurable experience. From appetizers huge portions and delicious Tiramisu it was outstanding. Loved it so much I took clients again the next day. Bravo Cafe Bionda

Our dinner was for a group of six. We had appetizers and main course. The portions were enough that we didn't order desert. We had a variety of entrées, steak, seafood, pasta, and seafood. Everyone claimed to have the best dish. We visited several restaurants this week but this one is the one not to miss. They even drove is to our hotel in their company van at no extra charge!

I went here with a group of old friends on a Saturday night. Our server was very knowledgeable about their menu. Two people in our group ordered meals that weren't on the menu. Service was a bit slow but we appreciated not being rushed after we were done eating. My favorite is always Nana's gravy. The cocktails were good also. Free parking in the back is also a bonus.

We were trying to find a last-minute place near the convention center for food. Just happen to be on a list of restaurants as provided by the Hyatt hotel. We did not know what we're walking into you but we are pleasantly surprised. This is a mom-and-pop place that has home-cooked, higher end Italian food. The service is excellent. Our waitress was actually the bartender. She was able to assist us with both wine and food recommendations. My colleague had a seafood pasta dish which was fantastic. I had the scallops wrapped in bacon. The size of the scallops was surprisingly larger than expected. The scallop dish was full of flavor. The portions are reasonable. We also started with a general salad to share. As you may guess there are very few food choices that are reasonable by the convention center. I would definitely return again here next year during annual meeting. We had a great lunch!

Last night we had a retirement dinner for about 80 at Cafe Bionda. I thought they did a great job handling such a large group. The food was served family style. I thought the offerings were tasty and fresh. Some were better than others. But overall it was well above what I expected considering it was such a large group. Thanks for a nice evening.

My wife and I eat here several times a year, as it is close to our neighborhood in Chicago. I cannot say enough great things about this menu and the atmosphere! The expanded a few months ago and doubled the size of the restaurant and it is both, relaxing and excellent Italian food. We've had their Rigatoni ala Vodka, chicken Milanese, chicken parm, gnocchi with sausage, etc. and each meal is as good as the first time we've had it. The food is always consistent, the service is great (Guy is our favorite!!!!!!!!) and their is usually something unique on their specials menu. Great for families, romance, business dinners or just to go hang out and have a leisurely meal. It is worth the visit.

An Italian joint on an unprepossessing street on the south end, not too far from McCormick Convention Center. The service is unfussy, the menus are laminated, and the portions are huge. My arugula salad was tasty but a bit overdressed; the meat lasagna tangy and flavorful. There is a good wine list that is deep in moderately priced Italians. If you need to escape from your convention (who doesn’t?), this is comfort food that will leave you full and satisfied, even if you can’t remember what you ate 2 weeks later.

Living in Chicago and close to Café Bionda, it's one of my favorite Italian Restaurants. McCormick Place is a short ride away, if you are attending a convention. Free parking is behind the restaurant, but very limited. They do have valet service. As for the food I have never been disappointed. The service is great.

Eaten here twice and will definitely return. Wonderful home-style Italian food with attentive wait staff. You have to try Nana's Gravy - amazing. Drinks are in generous size glasses, and portions are huge, Come hungry. Love this place!

All 8 of us ate heartily and happily at Bionda. Sevice was great. Ambiance was old world. Good choice.

My husband and I go to Cafe Bionda about once a week. It is delicious and consistent with the best service around. Wine is a little expensive but the pour is generous. Spouse always gets a special and is always happy. I can't help it, but I almost always get the eggplant rotolo in some form or another: it is spectacular ALWAYS. I like the bar area and front dining room the best. The back dining room is a little tight. Highly recommend Cafe Bionda.

I love this place! I love the buzz, I love the food, and I am especially smitten with the lovely hostess - I think her name was Debbie - who helped make my visit extra special. I'm a bit of a snob when it comes to Italian - OK, call me a snob about many things - and Cafe Bionda hit the spot. To perfection! No question I'm coming back!

want some authentic Italian food? That's the place! Good prices too and we loved the bread with the sugo dip right to get us started. All seems freshly cooked and the tomato sauce slow cooked to blend the flavours.

Great Italian Resturant, we love the clams and linguine. andthier traditional italian dishes. Did I mention great martinis. Service is also great and the staff is very friendly

My husband and I ate here for the first time on the recommendation of a good friend who loves the fish soup. We enjoyed the experience. The portions are generous (we took home left-overs from both our meals) and they have a good wine list. The service was top-notch. The restaurant was very crowded so I would recommend making reservations.

Excellent service, food and people. Five stars for a great italian restaurant. Prices according the product.

Friend took me for my birthday, we sat at the bar with Anka as our server, the veal francese was out of this world as was the rigatoni Genovese soooo good that we split both meals. Don't miss this place.

Love the atmosphere in this place! Seems so authentic, that you expect Sinatra, Dino, and the rest of the Rat Pack to be hanging out in a booth in the back! We all ordered the Antipasti salad, but each wanted it a little different; no peppers, dressing on the side, add chicken, and as is. Our server didn't even blink an eye, got our orders right and the salads were perfect! Just the right balance of meats and cheese to the salad and the dressing had just the right bite to it. Bread was served as well, and although it looks tasty, I concentrated on the salad. It was kind of quiet while we were there for a later lunch. Would love to see what the crowd is like at night!

The food was excellent, we have never been there before and we wanted to try something different and we all agreed it was a great meal. I had the meatball salad and the shrimp with broccoli linguine, and it was very very good. The service was great even the owner came over to our table to talk to us. He also sent over a tray of desserts after our meals, which they was good too.

I hosted a family dinner for 9 at Cafe Bionda because it was a niece’s favorite. I had been there with her a year ago. The food is old-fashion Italian, generally pretty good if not very imaginative. Here’s my issue. When I got the bill I did not realize that a service charge had been added and I added a sizable tip. Later that night my partner asked me if I saw that a s.c. Was added. I sheepishly told her that I hadn’t. O.K. That’s totally my fault and what was done was done. But it does seem to me that someone might have noticed the size of the tip I left and asked me about it. So, my bad and somewhere there is a very happy server. But I think it could have been handled Differently.

So, I ma 54, the kids are grown, my wife and I can afford to go out on grown up dates. We met friends for dinner on a Saturday night. We had a reservation but The restaurant was crowded and we waited for a few minutes. The bar was spacious. The staff was accomidating. For some reason we were seated in the back room.( maybe we looked suspicious) The room was quiet so it was easy to converse but I believe we missed out on the true ambiance of the establishment. The food was good, The wine selection was complete. I recommend the veal. Dinner for four, two bottles of wine, two apps, healthy tip $ $ 300.00. We parked with the Valet and discived later that there was free parking in the rear of the building.

I've been a customer of Bionda's for several years, now. The food is always excellent! My last visit to Cafe Bionda's was almost heartbreaking - the food and drinks were great as usual. THE SERVICE WAS HORRIBLE BEYOND MY WILDEST DREAMS! Hope I won't have to scratch Cafe Bionda off my list of 'great ones', but this last experience surely put it on my mind. Wake up, barmaids and wait staff!! Chicago is full of fabulous restaurants of ALL types - attentive staff included!

Great service, casual atmosphere and good food. Can't say the food was great but I ate enough of the generous portions til I was full. I think its a great neighborhood restaurant for regular dining out. If I lived around the corner I would go there regularly.

My wife and I love this place! All of the food is cooked to order, and always perfect! Great place to visit after a Bears game. Usually a Bear or two in the house. You never know who you may sitting next to.. Always fun no matter what time of day.

I was with a group of fellow convetntion goes. It was crowewded and the wait for food was long. The service was very good. Among others we had salmon, eggplant parmigiano, spaghetti and meat balls, and chicken piccta. Everyone enjoyed the food.

I have eaten here twice and had two completely different experiences. Both time I dined alone and my first trip was great...the server was attentive and the food was fab (Bionda Salad and Lobster Fettuccine). I LOVE the Bionda Salad!! And the homemade fettuccine was wonderful. On my second trip, however, the service was awful. I had the impression that my server did not care to give me good service because I was alone. She was engaged in lively conversation with the table right next to me while she neglected me almost entirely even after I attempted some light banter with her myself. She got part of my order wrong and after she asked if I needed anything and I indicated that I needed a water refill, she forgot to do it!! Once again, I had the delicious Bionda Salad. This time I chose the stuffed shells for my entree. Wow...talk about cheese overkill. WAY to rich for my blood. I think next time I go I will stick with the salad and an appetizer as the salad is large.

Cafe Bionda is an exquisite restaurant which serves authentic Italian dishes and is by far the best in Chicago and suburbs. The meatball salad appetizer is incredible. The Linguine, Shrimp and Broccoli is my favorite meal, served to perfection and the Veal Marsala is so flavorful and melts in your mouth. The service is impeccable and you are always treated like royalty!

Decent paste but pricey for what it is worth

We were looking forward to eating at Cafe Bionda on a recommendation from a friend. Our experience from the very beginning was forgettable. We pulled up to the Valet, only to sit... and sit... and sit, until 10 minutes later, after being completely neglected, I drove away and parked on the street. Our party of 6 met at the bar for our 7:30 reservation, where we waited to be seated until 8:15... and the restaurant was 1/4 empty! Our server ignored us for the 1st 15 minutes, and then attributed her lack of attention to illness. Great! Just what we wanted to hear. She was rarely attentive during our meal, but luckily we were enjoying each other's company so much, we didn't complain. The food was... eh. The salads were mundane. My shrimp with broccoli and olive oil was flavorless, and the rest of the food was just average. This restaurant was quite a disappointment through and through and I can safely say that we will not be returning.

In town for a conference, our team chose Cafe Bionda for a dinner with customers and prospects and we had a great time. We had a semi-private area setup for us and had a great time. Food was great, service was incredible given the size of our group, and everyone had a great time. Great success and due in no small part to the venue.

Walked down the street to try Cafe' Bionda and what a treat it was. The food was fresh and the servings are, well, lets keep it simple... huge! Starting off with the oven-fresh bread and marinara sauce only gets your taste buds ready for an appetizer a dinner. We enjoyed grilled calamari as a starter and it was a perfect portion for two. Dinner, we enjoyed an Eggplant Parmesan and Linguine with Mussels. The parmesan, unless you are a hefty eater with an appetite, don't plan on finishing this; it engulfed the oval over-sized dinner plate and my girlfriend said it was one of the best eggplant parmesans she has ever had. As for the linguine and mussels, I would recommend getting your muscles out of the shells before diving into the bowl. There are far too many muscles topping the pasta for you to eat one mussel at a time and trying to get to the garlic sauce and nicely cooked linguine. The entire staff is on top of everything here; whether it's organizing your table, fill up the water, clean-up for the next step or new silverware, you need not wave your hand, there is always someone around doing something all while not being intrusive to your table. A definite go-to place in the South Loop if you are looking for a good Italian dinner.

Rigatoni a la Vodka is the best I've ever had! Staff is always great! There is easy metered street parking on State St. or there's also a small parking lot in the back behind the Chase Bank.

We visited at the recommendation of the Hyatt concierge, and what a find! Delicious lunch with large portions. Delicious homemade bread and sauce to start. Chicken parmesan sandwich and chicken limone were to die for! Highly recommended!

Came here last minute on New Year’s Eve after the winter classic game and expected a weight or unable to get reservations. They were very accommodating. Their service was good on top of everything and very friendly The food was excellent. I had chicken Marcella and it was cooked perfectly with no issues. The people that were present with me also enjoyed their meals and did not find any issues with the restaurant the location or the food. If I remember correctly ( since I have one too many drinks at the winter classic) I think I tried to order Don Julio Repo and either they didn’t have it or they were out. That was my only disappointing aspect of the meal. I know this is a really chauvinistic aspect. But the hostess with the neck tattoo was absolutely stunning and gorgeous. Which made my meal even more enjoyable. I was too much of a wimp to approach her. My loss. I might have to go back soon to try to introduce myself. Highly suggest the restaurant, the food and the drinks the atmosphere is delightful, cheerful and entertaining If you have a an event at Wintrust or McCormick Place and entertaining clients or as a couple – come here .

Great atmosphere, good food! Ideal for a business meeting not far away the Exhibition centre. The restaurant even provided a free shuttle service back to Mc Cormick.

I've been here at least 20 times and thought I would finally write a review. Having lived here my whole life (30+), there are a ton of Italian restaurants in the city that I enjoy visiting. Cafe Bionda has been my most visited in the past 3 years. In my opinion, it is one of the 3 best Italian Restaurants in the city if not the best. My favorite dish is the Rigatoni Genovese, which is basically rigatoni with spicy crumbled sausage.....KILLER! The Banana Peppers appetizer and the Calamari Calabrese are also very excellent dishes. They also have an excellent bar area in case your table isn't ready which it won't be on a Friday or Saturday.

When they brought out the bread and instead of butter, there was a cup of 'gravy'. I knew it was going to be a good night! Everything was delicious, our meal was serve fast and hot. A very enjoyable dinner. A definite place to try when in town

We went her for an early dinner. It was great. The bar was pretty busy but the restaurant wasn’t at all. There are several tables outside but we ate inside because of the heat and humidity. The crisp bread and red gravy that is served was just delicious. I’m not a red sauce person but this was great. We ordered the Antipasta Platter and it came quickly with a wide variety of items. All were fresh and chilled. We also ordered garlic bread. This isn’t on the menu but they gladly made it for us . Again, it was very good. The Pasta Figoli soup was almost too hot to eat and the serving size was huge. We should have stopped there but we had ordered dinner so we ventured on. Unfortunately by this time we were very full but we did taste our entrees. The Chicken Francese with linguini was delicious. Others ordered Linguini with Broccoli and shrimp and rigatoni with vodka sauce. Both of these were great and we have lots of left overs. Service was great but it was a little loud inside but I think it was more the music being played than people talking. Parking was easy and right in front. They have a Bears Game Day Special they were advertising. This place is within walking distance of Soldier Field. I’d go here again without hesitation.

Menu online was different than menu at restaurant it had absolutely no Veal dishes and that is what we went there for. An Italian Restaurant without Veal? The food here is far from the distant past it was very disappointing. Plates looked like you were in a food line and just slopped on a plate. Sadly, our last visit here.

Made a reservation through open table and they got us in earlier than we planned! Service was great and attentive. Food was wonderful. Their marinara served with bread was excellent. Almost an arrabiata spicy kick to it. So thoroughly enjoyed the meat lasagna. Very cheesy but balanced. The sausage orecchiette was excellent. Bruschetta appetizer a must try. They had this broccoli salad that was awesome. Will have to come back to try more dishes! Highly recommend eating here.

Went with over 20 people and they handled it amazingly well! We did share appetizers, but everyone ordered a main course. All the food came out at the same time hot and delicious. The wait staff was super diligent on keeping up with everything.

Was told about this place by our hotel door man. He was not mistaken! Prompt seating, great menu selection. Had the chicken piccata and it did not disappoint! Server was attentive and made great recommendations to others in my party. Will be back.

Everything is amazing about this place. The waitstaff is friendly and helpful. It is unassuming, the price is not extravagant, but the food is fresh, not overly season, and bursting with flavors -- and I am very picky. The bread was served with a slightly spicey (but not heavy) tomato sauce. It was so good that I asked them to pack the left overs. I especially like the part that the food is not swimming in sauces that you can taste the real flavor and freshness of the food. I was in Chicago for work, definitely will come back if I am in Chicago.

I've been introduced to Cafe Bionda this past year, this was my 6th time there. Every time we go as a Group everyone says it's the best meal they ever had. This place is a Must go. You'll be happy eat there. Nj

Brought the family for an early Valentine's Day dinner. Staff was wonderful and food was amazing. Best meatballs in the city! Perfect for a couples night out or early with children. Authentic Italian!

We ate here on the last night of a business trip. Trip Advisor and a bartender recommendation sealed our fate. The place was close to our hotel (Hyatt), close enough to walk, although we took a cab. Our waitress was a little pushy, but being from NY, it was comfortable. We decided on a small antipasto appetizer and the steamed bay clams with jalapeños. Both were excellent, and plenty to share for our party of 3. For Entres, we had Nanna's Gravy (rigatoni and pot roast), Zuppa Di Pesce, and Chicken Cacciatore. All the dishes were top rate. Some of the best italian food I have had. We split deserts, a canolli and tiramisu. The cannoli filling was homemade, but the consistency was not right, and seemed a bit runny. Espresso was hot and with the proper crema. All in all, I have paid more for less. 3 of us dined for $200 including wine and drinks. We did make a reservation, but on a Thursday night it seemed it was not needed. The atmosphere is casual, and the noise level was good. I would definitely stop back here next time.

Though the restaurant is trendy and modern, the menu has enough tradtional Italian dishes to satisfy everyone. A nice touch at the beginning of dinner was a basket of hot bread and a bowl of warm marinara sauce to to dip it into. We had a chopped salad that was huge - more than enough for 2 to share. Delicious pasta, great wine list and a fabulous roasted chicked - moist on the inside, crispy on the outside. Our biggest regret was being too full for dessert. Great service, our very efficient server offered to get us a cab as she poured our second cup of coffee. Prices were excellent.

I travel a lot on business and my wife and I eat dinner out several times a week. Cafe Bionda is by far our favorite Italian restaurant in Chicago...and there are some outstanding restaurants here. We found Cafe Bionda about 6 years ago and have gone back at least 2 times a month since. Of all the meals we have had there, I have NEVER had even a marginal dinner. They are always fantastic and extremely consistent. The chef is great with fish, steaks, chops and their specials are wonderful. Besides the food, there is one thing that keeps us coming back and his name is Guy. Guy is an outstanding waiter and always remembers our preferences and makes great suggestions. If you want something creative that is off the menu, chances are they'll be able to whip it up for you. As long as Cafe Bionda (and Guy) is there, we will keep coming back.

I found this place on Trip Advisor while in Chicago. The Bar was wonderful and Dee took excellent care of me. I ordered the Prince Edward Mussells half order and they were outstanding in the white wine garlic broth. My Eggplant Parmigiana was hot, Large portion and such a wonderful fresh tomato sauce. The mixed beverage was also very good. If anyone is remotely thinking about this place you need to do yourself a favor and go there .

I recommend eating at this restaraunt while staying as a guest in the Hyatt Regency McCormick place. The location is within walking distance of the hotel and is a great casual atmosphere as well as a good date night option. The wine list is complete and the entree portions are generous. I had the salmon and enjoyed the preparation and presentation.

This place serves consistency excellent food at reasonable prices. I highly recommend the grilled seafood appetizer the mix of favors is amazing. Nanna's Gravy is amazing. Open kitchen and bar is great.

Cafe Bionda is a neighborhood gem in the South Loop. The food is consistently awesome and the service is top notch. My wife loves the Chicken Marsala which is done to perfection with a marvelous Marsala sauce and lots of mushrooms. I delight in trying new dishes on each visit as the menu is creative and extensive. Outdoor dining is available and fun. Even sitting at the bar can be a wonderful dining experience.

Amazing food and ambience, The service is outstanding and very attentive. I highly recommend venturing into the South Loop to dine here, you won't be disappointed.

We made dinner plans at Cafe Bionda before a Sunday Night Bear Game. Parking was available either on the street or behind the restaurant. Dinner was fast and great! Our server was knowledgeable and not intrusive. The restaurant provided a shuttle to and from the game...free of charge! My dinner was Pasta with sausage and rapini...fantastic. Our companions loved their meals too. Would I eat here again if it wasn't a Bear Gameday? YES!

We were staying nearby and decided to stop here after seeing the TA reviews. Not sure this deserves the “excellent” ratings - it’s received from others. That said, portions are generous, pasta well prepared - more like an old school italian restaurant in NY (or Chicago) than in Italy. The bar obviously attracts a number of regulars. We felt welcome and well served.

Had a very enjoyable meal in La Bionda last Tuesday night. Food is really good, Californian wine reasonable & staff very helpful. A great experience from start to finish.

Was there with friends for the 1st time Tuesday nite. We were seated right away and found the restaurant to be very comfortable, I like the décor and subdued lighting, the only thumbs down I would give is the noise volume. With the high ceilings and the place being pretty crowded that was the one thing I didn't like, it was hard to talk over it. They have a nice selection of different dishes on the menu, it was hard to make up my mind. The soup was Cream of Broccoli, 2 of us had it and was delicious. We also ordered a side of Polenta, we enjoyed it, covered in red sauce with crumbled sausage! I had the pasta dish called NaNa's Gravy with pot roast it was soooo good and meat was very tender. We also ordered the bowl of steamed baby clams, they were just a little too spicy with the jalapeno's but I did enjoy them, all in all it was a great nite!!

We love a good italian night - especially because we live in the area Unfortunately Cafe Bionda is wildly overpriced for the below-average food quality. I wouldn't be surprised if they didn't make a single thing in house. We were there in the afternoon and it wasn't crowded at all, but the servers were inattentive and seemed like they would rather have been anywhere else.

Painfully slow and oblivious service. Seafood was overcooked, pasta was okay. Were out of many ingredients and had to make substitutes. Spend your time and money elsewhere.

Yum.

I was really surprised - excellent food and friendly service. It is a real italian which can be really recommended. The tomato sauce was exceptional !

We made reservation and were seated right away. Bread and marina sauce for bread is amazing. Meal cost the 4 of us approx $180. Brick Chicken is a whole chicken. Had to take home 1/2 of it. Daughter said that the potatoes were good. The Ravioli and also the Spaghetti were good. I had the Surf and Turf. The filet mignon was excellent. The prawns ... one was excellent then other was mushy. They did take off $10 for my meal but I thought they were bringing me a new one (they never did). The waitress was super busy and we asked for drink refill multiple times and never came at first. Overall the kids liked the taste of their food. We may try again if we come back to Chicago.

Went on a business lunch, good atmosphere. businesss or pleasure! DIdn't get to see the wine list tho

Well this is my last time at this place. The bartender basically treated me like a disgusting human being because I happened to pull out my vaporizer (e-cigarette) and suddenly signaled me like a little child " no no! That's not allowed here" and the other people started laughing. After being a customer here for a couple years, l will go ahead and save my money and go elsewhere. I will echo some of the other comments made here. The bartender's name is Jackie. Terrible. Incredibly unprofessional, especially given their prices. I even talked to a manger and he simply humored me over the phone. Disgusting. I will take my and my company's corporate account elsewhere.

Our filets were great, and the wine was flavorful, buttery and delicious! The restaurant had a good ambiance, and our server was extremely attentive. I am glad they are open again! Will be coming back in the future.

The rigatoni with sausage is to die for! It was so good I went back a 2nd time in 30 days because I couldn't stop thinking about and dreaming about it! The ambiance and the service is spot on. I will return

Authentic Italian food in a casual neighborhood setting. We shared a meal and were so glad, since we could not have eaten another bite. Wonderful wine selection and friendly service.

So I am not sure that you should judge the quality of a restaurant during a large convention but that happens to be when I went. I can forgive slower service and lack of attention to the crowd but what was left was good enough food that didn’t live up to my expectations given some of the other reviews I had read. May or may not try this one again.

It is convenient to walk from the convention center (7 blocks). The staff was helpful and arranged a reservation for us at the last minute. But it was quite expensive for the quality of the food and the drinks were overpriced for their size. I think our expectations were just out of line based on the glowing reviews from the convention center staff.

This restaurant came highly recommend by the staff at McCormick Place. We ventured out to try it and I have to agree. The Meatball Salad is incredible. Looking back, I should have had this as my entree, but several of us spilt it as an appetizer. Then, the entree - Nanna's Gravy - awesome. I can see why this dish is one of their best. Such a simple idea that I have never thought of, but will certainly try to duplicate at home. We were so full that we did not have dessert, but we did have a coffee and what a great way to end the meal. I will certainly go back there the next time I am in Chicago.

Stopped by after a Bears home team..since the place is very close to Soldiers Field and wanted to try it out. Most everyone wore a Bears shirt...a few with the opposition jersey. Added to the atmosphere. The food was very good. Calimari was excellent..salads also were excellent. Would definitely go back. In south loop..new great area that attracts all ages. Thought for what we had the bill was very reasonable. Service was very attentive.

We are south loop residents and have been going to Cafe Bionda for years. We had a so-so experience last year (bad fish) and decided to give it another try. Well, I can say it's officially out of our Rolodex. It's unfortunate because we had so many memories there. But the tumultuous ownership/management situation has finally caught up to them. We brought our own wine, bottle of 2004 merlot and the waiter cracked the cork. He wasn't careful with it after I told him what year it was. So there was that whole fiasco. He waived the corkage fee like it was a big deal. Please, you messed up I expect it to be waived. He should have known. He was quite ditzy the whole night. Food was fine. Wife ordered the gnocchi and loved it. I have to say my biggest gripe is that they don't have fresh Parmesan anymore to grate. What the... How do you consider yourself an Italian restaurant and not grate fresh Parmesan. They put a shaker on the table. No. Unacceptable. Pizza place okay. Not for fine Italian. I don't know what they are thinking but they lost some loyal south loopers. On the bright side, they expanded into the next door unit so the dining room is huge. I'm guessing the cost cutting is due to the expansion. Maybe they hedged a little too much and are crunching in other places. I don't know.

I ate here on a Sunday afternoon with girlfriends. This is one of my favorite spots but the first time for all of my friends and they loved it. We had Nanna's gravy, shrimp linguine, the arugula salad and the chocolate lava cake with vanilla gelato...all excellent. We also tried a specialty cocktail...the Washington Apple martini.

My boyfriend and I took his mother for mothers day to Cafe Bionda and had a very pleasant experience. The service was incredible and the food was literally mouthwatering. We started out with grilled calamari as an appetizer. We tried fettuccine lobster, jumbo sea scallops, and veal marsala. All of the food was delicious with an authentic Italian flare. We shared chocolate lava cake and lemon sorbet for dessert. It's been 2 months since Mother's day and his mom still raves about the place. We highly recommend dining here for lunch or dinner.

I love Italian food and I'm so happy to have stumbled across Cafe Bionda. Everything was super delicious! I'm not a calamari fan but I gave it another try and it was fantastic! Staff & service was great.

Went to Bionda with two work friends. Our waiter, Guy, was very kind, knowledgable. He explained the menu, the specials, even offered to cook "whatever you want" for us. Food was very good. The best arugula salad I have ever had. Great tasting dishes. The restaurant decor and appearance provide a warm experience.

Went here from the convention center on the recommendation of someone at the convention center and we weren't disappointed. Took a cab there but it was close enough we could have walked, and we walked back. Split a great bottle of wine, had the bread with marinara and shared a yummy calamari (and I am picky about this), then barely had room for the huge lunch salads we ordered. Would definitely return when I am in the area!

I am so happy that Bionda is back. It's under new ownership and better than ever. I had the short rib ravioli which is a new item and loved it. The meat was super tender and the sauce was rich and delightful. My husband had his old standby Nana's gravy and it was just as he remembered. Our friends had the Orrechiette and Brick Chicken and were very happy with their choices. We were also happy to see that Guy, our favorite server was back. Can't wait for our next visit.

We ate here while on a business trip. it is close to Hyatt mcormick ($6 can ride). hostess was a little uncaring but our server was attentive once we ordered. I had the spaghetti with meatball which was really good, but portion was huge. Co- workers ordered the pork chops and lasagna both of which were really great and tasty but, again, huge portions. Splitting with a freind is reccomended. Cafe is a little small and cozy but they have a patio that looks nice.

We first visited Cafe Bionda with our daughter and her boyfriend, who had recently moved into the South Loop neighborhood. Since we were there on a Wednesday, we all ordered the Wednesday special, lasagna. It was amazing. Our daughter's boyfriend is now her husband, and their oldest child is almost 5, and we still love Cafe Bionda, but were never able to order lasagna, as we were always there on the weekend. We hadn't been there for about 6 months when we ate there this month, and ... lasagna is now a permanent part of the menu. It's still amazing. Actually, everything is amazing. Some favorites: Rigatoni alla Vodka, Nana's Gravy, Eggplant Parmagiana, and, of course, Lasagna. We always order a Bionda Salad, which is definitely large enough to share. This tip has nothing to do with the food, but, in addition to valet parking, Cafe Bionda has FREE PARKING in the lot behind the building - unheard of in the area. Enjoy!

Great atmosphere, great wine and the veal dish was amazing. We topped off the evening with cannolis.

loved their seafood! great place...warm and cosy..not only accessible easily from my hotel,they offer choice wine as well. check it out.....

My husband and I were recently introduced to this place by friends, and had a wonderful experience. So much so, we brought two other friends there a few days later. The chicken parm is to die for, as well as the stuffed banana peppers! Great place to catch a meal before a game/event at the United Center as well. Some menu items are a bit pricey, but we continue to go back!

Went there for lunch today with business associates. Terrible ambiance (background music really loud and annoying), service and food was awful.

The sauce and bread the bring before the meal may be the highlight! It is so good. I was in Chicago for three days and ate here twice. The meals were excellent and the prices were great.

First, I am very picky when it comes to pasta. I make it from scratch. Cafe Bionda was excellent. From the Calamari (which melted in you mouth) to the veal which you could cut with a fork. The pasta's were light and airy (even the Gnocchi). Evey dish we had was great. I wish the service was the same. The waitress seemed disinterested. Thank goodness they had plenty of other staff to pick up her inability to pay us any attention. For the price it was perfect!

Not down town. Great Chicago local eatery Calamari and eggplant appetizers really good. 12 of us with different dishes and all outstanding. Great dessert reasonable price Great service Good choice of wine and coctails

Always wanted to stop by here as office colleagues rave about the food. They were correct. Stopped in for a "late lunch - early dinner" after checking out Randolph Street Market and it was a wonderful choice. The pasta was as close to Italy as I remember it. When I was in Rome, I always described the pasta as "silky" and this was just as good. Just tremendous flavor and texture - will go back for sure! Only downside? No garlic bread which we love. The calamari appetizer was amazing - nicely done, not rubbery - just perfect.

I've been coming here for years and have never had a bad meal. I've brought many friends here and have never been disappointed with the service or the meal.

Enjoyed the complimentary warm Italian bread with marinara sauce for dipping. Husband had a jumbo shrimp cocktail appetizer which was presented beautifully and he enjoyed. He had Nonna’s gravy— pasta with pot roast in a tomato sauce. The flavor was yummy though I would have preferred more sauce and less meat. The gnocchi with sausage, peas and mushrooms was full of flavor and the gnocchi was cooked perfectly. Shared the chocolate lava cake with vanilla gelato for dessert and it did not disappoint. Good service and reasonable prices for the portion sizes .

We met friends here and it is a nice place and popular with locals. Their food is OK. At our table we had several pasta dishes and a pizza. The fettuccine Alfredo was the best.

Best grilled calamari.....flavorful large portion for an antipasto and with a salad a great meal Also the Wednesday special Lasagne also very large flavorful portion...... I recommend sharing all the dishes....

Wow. Thank you for the extraordinary service you gave our family group of sixteen people including adults and children and providing us with our own separate room. The food was excellent with impeccable and friendly service all topped off with complimentary delicious tiramisu and cannoli. Our group enjoyed a variety of menu items with rave reviews including the salmon, lobster, and chicken dishes. Several bottles of the recommended Ruffino red blend wine also enhanced our dining experience. If you planning a family meal for a large family THIS IS THE PLACE!

I love this place. We shared a salad, Calamari app and a Chicken Parm and we had left over. The service was great and the prices reasonable. All of the Pastas are homemade and the food is very fresh.

I went here while in Chicago for a conference. My colleagues and I didn’t think to make a reservation but apparently there was a concert that night and we were told, a bit rudely, we’d have to wait about 35 minutes or sit at the bar. We opted for the bar but weren’t given any help in finding seats. I thought of leaving but I am so glad we didn’t. The bartender, while being very busy, was very nice and attentive. The food was awesome! I’d go back in a heartbeat!

Have been going to this restaurant since they have opened, finally decided to comment on the continued great menu's and service. Being raised in the area around Sox Park, I find that I am drawn to Italian restaurant's. This is by far one of the best. Usually try to get their every 10 days or so. Have not had a bad meal or drink their. Great meeting place as many of my friends will attest to.

After several months, I visited Cafe Bionda for an early afternoon lunch. Took a few friends with me. As usual, the food was solid. My guests (newbies) enjoyed their lunches tremendously. AND GUESS WHAT? The service was as good as the food!!! Thank you, Mark and Matt for your attentiveness and the cordial and very personable way in which you provided your services. Also, the drinks were superb.

Conveniently located just south of the loop, this small Italian restaurant has excellent service, nice ambiance, and good food. I wish there was less of an emphasis on the same red sauce and a greater variety in the cooking. The salads were pleasing. Only one soup choice. Bread below average.

Very authentic Italian food. Superior service and very friendly. We had the grilled calamari and crispy brick chiken. Most delicious. The waitress and staff were very attentive.

The chicken saltimbocca was awash in mediocre tomato sauce and it was so over cooked that the waiter brought a steak knife to cut it. My husbands shrimp and broccoli linguine was swimming in a flavourless sauce. The decor was dark and dingy. On the positive side, the staff were very friendly and efficient

What a wonderful find close to McCormick Place. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, the staff is friendly, and the food is amazing. Highly recommend this for all but definitely for attendees at events at nearby McCormick Place.

4 of us went to this restaurant twice while on n a recent business trip to Chicago. 8 different dishes were had over the two nights and we were all ery happy with the food we received. got desserts on one night and we were certainl not disappointed with those either. Great food and excellent service. What more do I have to say!

While in Chicago for on 3 nights we decided to spend 2 of them at the Café Bionda. The food was Wonderful and Plentiful. We shared portions after the locals made the suggestion. This is a local Italian restaurant that many travelers will miss. Guy our server was a gem and knows customer service. The deserts were some of the best around, Prices were very fair.

Hosted a corporate dinner of 26 people and they delivered! Not only was the food excellent but the servers did EXACTLY what I asked in terms of timing. I would highly recommend this restaurant. From the apps, salads and entree all of it was outstanding! I had nothing but highest compliments from our attendees. Will go back again when in Chicago.

Went here on advice from others. They were right! The food was great, and the atmosphere is the old Chicago feel, dark wood, and dark inside. The waiter, Guy, was fantastic. He was knowledgeable and would alter dishes based on our desires. I ate a grouper piccata style and it was delicious! The wife had veal and loved it as well. Glad we came here!!

My mother, my daughter and I spent a few days in Chicago and ate at Cafe Bionda on a Tuesday evening. We were early, (5:45) and although we had reservations, there were few tables filled. We had three different dishes and all were fabulous. I had the gnocchi ($22). It was a bowl that could have fed my husband and I easily. We had enjoyed the bread, split a salad between the three of us and we were sharing our entrees with each other. It was a meal where I ate way past the point I should have. Every bite was wonderful. We split a bottle of Chianti and with a 18-19% tip, our bill was $150. The service was also very good.

I got the veal saltimbocca with an asparagus side. The veal was chewy, the sauce tasted like Campbell's tomato soup seasoned with some salt and pepper, and the asparagus was so hard I couldn't chew it, not to mention it was super salty. The only thing that was good was the linguini side. I shared feedback on the meal and the response was that the asparagus is normally cooked well and not chewy, and that she would let the kitchen know. No replacement at all. I paid $38 for a meal I couldn't eat in its entirety, was still hungry afterwards, and wound up cooking my own dinner. I'll never return to this place, which is a bummer because I live nearby.

Best thing, the wine...very nice Pinot noir! I started with the lobster bisque which was very tasty but much too much salt. Veal with lemon butter sauce it would be great if the noodles didn't appear to come out of a can. In summary, I won't be returning when you pay 25 bucks for an entree you expect it to be presented appropriately with the taste to match and it didn't live it to the billing...maybe a bad visit but sometimes that's all it takes.

Perhaps because it was fairly late and the kitchen was about to close, the fare did not live up to the enthusiastic recommendation of our concierge at the Hyatt.

Second visit to Cafe Bionda and amazing food and service. An absolute pleasure to visit again last week,

Recommended by the concierge at our hotel, we visited Café Bionda for dinner on a Friday evening. This is a family owned, Southern Italian restaurant that is clearly a local favorite from the number of regulars. The food was simply outstanding. Have the Banana Peppers stuffed with Italian sausage and Nana’s Gravy. Don’t question, just order this and you will thank me. My son who is an aficionado of meatballs pronounced his as the best he had ever had, no doubt breaking his mother’s heart. My other son did not say much but the speed with which his entrée of Linguine con Mussels disappeared spoke volumes. Service was as good as the food. There was not a single miscue. Overall, I have to call this gem one of the best restaurant meals I have had.

In my opinion, you get the best Italian in Chicago at this restaurant. It is a smaller local place, but the service is always homey and the food is delicious!

Recommended by the hotel concierge we had a late night dinner and were very pleasantly surprised. Started with a special avocado and crab salad that was delicious. I ordered the homemade Gnocchi. It was a large order and Oh so good. I really like Gnocchi and am usually disappointed but not this time. My spouse had the Linguine with shrimp and broccoli, and was a bit disappointed in the watery sauce which seemed like simply the broth the shrimp were cooked in. The shrimp, however, we're cooked to perfection. The service was pleasant and I have no hesitation recommending Cafe Bionda.

We were staying at a hotel near by and the hotel manager sent us there. I was a great dinner! and really quick (being at the hospitality industry we were amazed how quick all foods were served!). My husband got the filet mignon. really good, well cooked. I got fetucine a la Vongole. And may say I eat this dish in most of the restaurants I see in on the menu, this was by far the BEST one I ever had before. (and lots of Vongole!!) we end up with a great tiramisu (being my husband a great tiramusu maker, we normally end up hart broken when ordering one at restaurants) this was true to Tiramisu recipe. Having only true mascarpone. We will come back again and we definitely recommend it to our friends.

The lasagna is a special and not a regular on the menu. It is the best I have had in Chicago. The limone chicken is also fabulous. The side salad is good and the dressing using high quality ingredients. There is very little parking.

We recently hosted a graduation dinner at this restaurant and were knocked out by the quality (and quantity!) of the delicious Italian food and - even more - by the exceptional service. We found the restaurant in a very strange way - we were looking for a place to have a dinner for my son on his graduation from U. Chicago, but every place we called was booked. Finally, the maitre-d' at one of the sold-out restaurant recommended Cafe Bionda. Pretty good recommendation. We didn't know what to expect, but we didn't need to worry. First, the atmosphere is very much like an Italian cafe. A little noisy at times, but very comfortable. The food is simply delicious. We served our 27 guests appetizers (calamari and meatballs), a main course (chicken & penne a la vodka & salad) and dessert (tiramisu) and it was all simply delicious. The service was exceptional. From working with the restaurant on the menu before the event to getting the food on time (especially since we had 8 hungry kids with us!), everything went smoothly. Of course, many restaurants can do a great job serving basic Italian food to a party. But this one really went above and beyond. Graduation day was jam-packed with activities, and some of our guests didn't get a chance to eat between breakfast and dinner. One of them - my uncle - was feeling light-headed when dinner began. He went outside to get some fresh air and promptly fainted. (He is on blood pressure medicine and had not eaten all day.) He was fine, but it took a while to get him back on his feet. The whole time, the Cafe Bionda staff and management were on hand, bringing us everything we needed and being very helpful at every turn. Then, when he and his wife decided they wanted to eat outside where it was a little cooler, the restaurant quickly accommodated them without missing a beat. That's the kind of thoughtful service that you simply don't see much of these days. So next time you're in Chicago, try this restaurant. I am sure you will not be disappointed. It made a great day for my family even better.

Wonderful food and service! I've been around four times! Great Italian food with generous portions. I highly recommend this restaurant.

Went for dinner tonight with colleagues. Very busy for a Wednesday night. Food was out of this world. I had Eggplant Roloto and the Baby Arugala with grilled chicken. They only negative was the wine options. I requested a Chardonnay and was told they were out that the delivery had not arrived yet. Ok it's 6:30pm so I doubt you are getting that tonight. Anyhow, food was worth it! Reservations recommended.

Was there for a business lunch. Had the antipasto appetizer and it was very good. Meals ranged from chicken parm to pasta and meatballs and all enjoyed. Solid food and a good bar as well

A tasty mixed salad started an excellent meal. My dinner guest had mussels and linguine while I had lobster, asparagus ,and fettuccine . Both dishes were delicious. Dessert was a wonderful cannoli and a lava cake with homemade pistachio gelato. Excellent service and food!

We were a party of 8 for dinner after a meeting. Appetizers for the table were prompt and tasty. Wine recommended was excellent (Kim Crawford Sauvingnon Blanc). Chicken parm could have served 3 people! My chicken marsala was delicious. Nice atmosphere and attentive service.

On a rainy day you can't beat Cafe Bionda spaghetti and meatballs. Great service. The lasagna is outstanding.

Here during the Chicago marathon week and highly recommended by locals. The place is great and food was amazing. We'll be back again in 2016!

I've had lunch and dinner at Cafe Bionda. I enojoyed both experiences. The wait staff were very attentive and professional. The food was absolutely delicious. Both times I had the shrimp and pasta dish with the house salad. My dinner date had the meatball and spaghetti and lunch date the same as mine. Would recommend Cafe bionda for lunch or dinner.

This place is convenient to McCormick Place - within walking distance - and the food was pretty good. Limited vegetarian options. Service was very slow.

We had lunch here and were delighted. We had set out from the McCormick convention center, and were headed toward a different restaurant. We glanced in the window at Cafe Bionda, then stepped in to look at the menu, and stayed. One of us had a simple fettucine alfredo, another had rigatoni genovese. I don't remember the other two dishes, but everyone was happy. Since we were at a conference we didn't have the freedom to take our leftovers with us, and there were a lot of leftovers because the servings are huge.

I went there hosting a casual business dinner for a large group (15) The atmosphere is cozy but not stuffy. Our group was a bit noisy and that worked just fine. The food was excellent. Service was a little slow but I am sure that was because of the size of our group. This is not the first time at this restaurant and I will be going back.

Had dinner here while in town for restaurant show....calamari appetizer with red peppers was great! For dinner had Nannys Gravy which was very good comfort food...like the open kitchen just wish the cooks looked more professional, overall good experience.

It was mediocre food for high price. Also it was too loud. The bread was good tho'. The walk from the convention center was not bad.

The hotel where we stayed recommended this family eatery & we enjoyed the experience. Very attentive wait staff, great food ( I had the veal Saltimbocca ) & reasonable prices. But you have to like Italian!!

My husband and I spent a day in Chicago before going on to Osh Kosh, Wisconsin annual big air show event. A friend had recommended Cafe Bionda. The restaurant was a little dark, maybe for atmosphere. We started with the calamari which was quite good. I had a shrimp broccoli pasta dish that was better than I could have imagined and my husband had an Italian pot roast dish that was also deliicious. The waiter was a bit on the negligent side but other than that, it was very good.

I am very picky about Italian restaurants but our son said this was a must try. Boy was he right. We sat in the bar Sunday night and received excellent service from our friendly waitress. Complimentary warm crusty bread with an amazing marinara sauce is brought to every table. We ordered the fried zucchini and meatballs for an appetizer. DELICIOUS. Our dinners were exceptional. The bacon wrapped scallops were perfectly cooked and tender. Lasagna was a generous portion, cheesy with an amazing meat filling. YUMMY!! We will definitely be back Great atmosphere. Friendly staff Excellent food!

Stopped in for lunch with friends. Turned out to be a great decision. Food was very good, service great. Their tomato sauce was homemade and extremely flavorful. I got extra and poured it over my food. Their bread was fresh and delicious too.

Brittney Payton seemed to thoroughly enjoy her dining experience at Cafe Bionda during a recent segment on the television show, Chicago's Best, so we decided to see for ourselves. In fact, we opted to order many of the same things she had. It's an Italian restaurant with old-country charm and atmosphere located at 1924 South State Street, somewhere between South Loop and Chinatown. In Chicago, there are as many Italian restaurants touting authentic old-world recipes as there are hot dog joints and pizza parlors and steakhouses. Well, Cafe Bionda is one of the better ones. From the jumbo shrimp cocktail to the antipasto salad to the veal saltimbocca to the tiramisu, it was a four-star experience. First-time diners are impressed with the opening salvo, a steaming hot bowl of tomato sauce, the top dusted with Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese. Love the Orecchiette sausage, a spicy Italian sausage, chili, rapini and garlic. And the calamari fra diavolo, a bed of springy linguine noodles with a helping of tender calamari and red pepper-laced white wine sauce. This from a guy who rebelled when he learned for the first time that calamari was another word for squid. Tuesday's special, cavatelli al forno, is highly recommended, a red sauce-tossed pasta oven baked in its bowl so the blanket of cheese on top can get melty and blend with the house-made, hand-rolled, finger-length cavatelli noodles. Three favorites are the veal Braciole platter, which is simmered in home-made marinara sauce, and the linguine, shrimp and broccoli dish, jumbo Gulf shrimp and broccoli florets tossed with garlic and olive oil over a bed of linguine and, of course, spaghetti and meatballs. Call me a traditionalist but how can you pass up spaghetti and meatballs at an Italian restaurant? Lunch at Cafe Bionda is an enjoyable occasion, too. Try the Italian submarine sandwich, hot or cold, which features capricola, sopresetta, mortadella and provolone with sliced tomato, lettuce and red wine vinaigrette. Or the Bionda burger, a 12-ounce piece of prime ground beef topped with cheddar cheese, bacon and Russian dressing on a pretzel roll. Or the Meatball Bomber, home-made meatballs with marinara and cheese on French bread. Or for those of us who subscribe to a more fish/less meat diet, the Tilapia sandwich, with a breaded Costa Rican tilapia on an Italian roll with lettuce, tomato and lemon garlic aioli. Thanks, Brittney, for tipping us off to a really good dining experience.

We stop to have dinner We had the appetizer of fried zucchini and grilled calamari . The oil from the grill calamari on the same plate tried to soak into the fried zucchini (duh). The Milanese Eggplant salad was good and very good. The Parmigiana eggplant was just ok. The dessert was Gelato spumoni . The dessert on a scale of 1-10. It was a 5. Overall the company and conversation with the person we ran into made the dinner more pleasant. Shalom

Food - STILL delicious! (4 STARS) Service/attitudes - STILL crappy! ( 0 STARS) Special 'thanks' to Ivan, who brought the bread and marinara sauce to the table. The only cordial personality the entire evening.

Very nice menu, mid ranged prices. Cozy feeling with wonderful food! Definitely worth going to and staff was very friendly. The man working the valet flagged down a taxi in the pouring rain for us!

We ate lunch with business guests. The waiting staff were not very flexible, gruff even. I had a homemade ravioli with a spicy sausage sauce (special) which was really good. The place wasn't busy but they started taking plates away before we had even finished. I had to rescue half a bottle of beer, and hang on to my plate to stop it being taken away. The waiter was rushed, and the person who cleared the table muttered unintelligibly. They did go the extra mile to help us flag down a taxi, so I can only imagine that it gets better if they recognize you.

A group of us went here on a recommendation from a friend that use to live in Chicago. We were staying in a hotel downtown, so the location was far; the cab ride took almost 1/2 hour (bad traffic), and cost us $15 for one way. Aside from the location being "off the beaten path" relative to downtown, the food was excellent. Of the six entrees ordered by myself and others at our table, my choice of the Homemade Gnocchi Romano was the top pick. I did sample several other dishes at our table, but I think the overall standout star was the Gnocchi. The service was fair; neither excellent nor poor. They did a good job keeping pace with our water and drinks. The atmosphere was informal, and somewhat loud. Unfortunately, I may not go back here, simply because it's too far from downtown.

I had high hopes for Cafe Bionda based on its reputation. Unfortunately, my recent dinner with clients was a major letdown. To begin, our party of five was squeezed into a cramped back room, a less-than-ideal start. While our server was attentive, the lack of complimentary bread upon seating was a curious omission. The appetizers were a mixed bag: the calamari and meatballs were delicious, but the overpriced and underwhelming arancini were a disappointment. The main courses were even more problematic. The salmon was undercooked, and the chicken Vesuvio was overcooked and had an off-flavour. As the host, I was mortified and had to apologize to my guests. While they graciously attributed the issues to an off night, the overall experience was far below expectations. It's unfortunate, as Cafe Bionda has a strong reputation, but based on this visit, I cannot recommend it.

If you want outstanding Italian food at a price that is reasonable for Chicago, I recommend this restaurant. Everyone in our group, felt it was truly a culinary experience!

We ordered there special of 2 filet mignons well done. The steak was almost raw that we couldn't eat it. When we finally caught our waiters attention it took him a while to speak with the chef. Instead of offering to comp the check the chef sent out tiny desserts. All you got for $38 was 2 raw filets and a tiny potato cake.

On a Friday night in early August my wife and I ate at the Cafe Bionda Italian Restaurant, 1924 South State St, Chicago, IL 60616 with another couple. First I must say the food and service was average, nothing spectular, but just run of the mill for an Italian Restaurant. The most upsetting thing about this restaurant was when I checked my Master Charge Statement a week or so later, I found that the waitress had increase my tip and over charged me by $8.00. Not the end of the worlld, but my bill was $99.00 and and I had left the waitress an $20.00 tip or +20%. I contacted the restaurant manager and emailed copies of my reciept with the $20.00 tip and credit card statement that showed $127.00 and he indicated they would credit my master card after giving him my card number. Three weeks later the $8.00 still has not been credit by the restaurant. In speaking with several other people who have eaten there recently they related a similar story to me questioning the ethics of the Cafe Bionda entire restaurant organization. So it appears that the management and the wait staff are acting in collusion to belk customers hoping most people will not catch this fraudulent and unethical maneuver. So, if you must or plan to eat there just pay your check with cash to protect funds.

Ate with a large group of colleagues and so the company was more important than the food. However, we were well looked after and the dishes were authentic and tasty. I particularly enjoyed the fried squid rings as an appetizer. The staff were helpful when I had to return the next day to collect a bag that I'd left inadvertently. Thank you.

Me and my daughter brought tickets to the New Year Eve event we get a email a few hours before the event saying it was cancelled no explanation nothing very unprofessional it went on to say we would be refunded immediately (of course no service provided the owner responded saying sorry for the experience etc etc etc now the owner responds has mysteriously disappeared but I screenshot it before he removed I got everything my bank needs REFUND IMMEDIATELY

Fresh, uniques sauce. Food excellent- get the spicy sausage stuffed banana peppers appetizer. Good service. My date raved about it.

Ate solo and had a chicken over pasta with a white wine sauce. Food was good but didn’t care for the fat linguine it was on top of. The service was friendly and overall an ok place close to McCormick.

My wife and I were in town for a business conference a day early and did not know where to go, a concierge recommended this restaurant. Wow, it did no disappoint. Food and ambiance was great. Service was good. Would go back!

Been here a few times, the service is always middling and the food only decent but this time was the last straw. We had a chicken parmigiana and a Gnocchi. The chicken, which is supposed to be crispy, was drenched in marinara which rendered it quite soggy, not what you'd expect for $22. The gnocchi was more like soup of microwaved gnocchi. The thing was drowning in a very thin sauce that literally submerged all of the gnocchi. The crumbled sausage was nowhere to be found. Flavor wasn't awful, but it was very clearly microwaved. Certain areas were warm-ish, other areas were scalding hot. Add to that the soupy sauce that it was drowned in and you have a clear case of microwaved food. Again, not what you'd expect for $22. Refills on drinks or comments about the food were not possible as our server was M.I.A. during the entire duration of our meal. It was a stretch of over 30 minutes that she never came over to us. After we were done eating we had to wait another long while for her to come over and pack our food and give us the check. ' At this point my dining partner was just absolutely fed up with this experience (her last night in the States and she wanted a nice Italian dining experience). She went up to the waitress while we were on our way out and asked for the manager. She gave a smirk and went over to get him. As my dining partner went over what was wrong with the manager, only two things happened: the only words to come out of his mouth were "oh i'm sorry," and he was smirking, bordering on smiling, the entire time. What that was all about is beyond me. I don't know if the pair were high, friends protecting each other or more, who knows. All i know is that this is the last time we're going here. I know it's convenient for us south looper's when we don't feel like trekking out to the north side, but do yourself a favor, don't go here, make the trek up to the north side or UKV and have some real italian food that's actually good and that comes along with actual service.

Great food and variety of appetizers. My favorite was the bruschetta. Calamari looked great and Dad loved the meatballs. Friendly and accommodating. Great location and easy to get to!!! For those who prefer drinks, they have a full bar.

Recently dined here with colleagues after a dental convention. We were a group of 10 and we received excellent service. All of the meals were large portion sizes and all were delicious! The service extended beyond the meal when there was confusion with Uber- we were going back to McCormick Place and needed an “uber xl” and 2 times a regular car came. The gentleman running the valet said “hold on, let me see if I can get the shuttle for you “. And that he did! So nice of them to help us out!

Had a large party of 18 for a dinner meeting.The service was excellent. Andrea did an amazing job. Food is very good, with large portions. After array of appetizers and salad, many people chose an appetizer for their main course, and they were large too. Debbie and Jacqueline were a big help in making all the arrangements. The private room "Little Italy Room" was comfortable , but its location by the kitchen made it difficult for some participants to hear.

Waiter took the time to listen and made a unique dish. Food was beyond expectation and the service was great but at the same time was timely and without too much interruption Well done!

I met a few dozen friends here for dinner and snacks. This was a very nice restaurant bar with a variety of very good dinners. The service was very friendly and organized. The food was very good and I sampled a variety of mainly appetizers- all of which were hearty and properly prepared. The pizza was a thin crust variety and even though Chicago is a pizza town, I gave the pizza an “A”.

Sat outside. Food was plentiful and very good. We had another appointment for that evening that got cancelled and so we just wandered down the street and found this place.