Coco Pazzo Reviews

Coco Pazzo is a consistent winner for place to have a wonderful meal with friends. The service is attentive, without being overbearing, the highest quality ingredients yield a delicious menu of options for everyone from carnivores to pescadores. Do not miss this River North treasure.

We arrived there accidentally and it was a good experience, may be the portion are quite small compared to the prices but the taste is good and the staff friendly.

We had dinner last night (family of 3 traveling for pleasure). The staff gave wonderful service, had a fairly extensive Italian wine list, and had wonderful homemade pastas. Would definitely return!

The pizza is just like if you were in Italy, so fresh and authentic. In fact, every dish we order is delicious. And the staff is so friendly every time we go there.

On my recent trip to Chicago I stayed very close by at an international hotel and ate and drank here every night of my stay from 24-29 October. The restaurant is located in a great downtown area, convenient to international hotels and the 'magnificent mile'. It isn't a wonderful Italian restaurant with a unique atmosphere and great ambience. There is a fantastic selection of Italian dishes including great pizza choices. Overall the food was superb and I selected a different dish each night. The service was prompt and staff attentive and friendly who did not let me wait. In particular, William the server/waiter was excellent on many nights but the operation of this wonderful restaurant was under the control each night of one of the co-managers, Marco, who I complimented each night. The restaurant has been open here for 7 years and every night had many return customers. The bar area was exquisite. I highly recommend this restaurant and was a highlight of my trip to Chicago and added to the total enjoyment of my stay. I never had to make a booking and was always seated without delay although bookings are recommended. I was wonderfully looked after.

This somewhat pricey but excellent Italian eatery serves up first rate dishes from top to bottom. Daily specials add even more appeal. Seafood is fresh and the pastas are handmade with semolina flour. Authentic Italian taste. An excellent wine list, too, but again, a bit on the pricey side. This is a great place for those with expense accounts or for a special and romantic night out. Service is first class.

A good italian restaurant with large portions, great pasta dishes. Try the mussels with nduja. Very good.

Excellent service - food- atmosphere! Great place for a business meeting, dinner, or celebration. I really enjoy the attention to detail and the long list of specials. Friendly and relaxed - you feel like family.

Was craving for something simple, ordered the Spaghetti AOP and asked for chicken to be added. Delicious dish, 5 or 6oz of pasta (I believe) was satisfying but a bit pricey. An early dinner before 6pm paid off as the restaurant got busy within the hour or so that I was there.

I met two girlfriends here for dinner after work on a weekday. The place has great reviews and a great ambiance, but I think I just ordered wrong. I enjoyed the meal with my friends and the atmosphere very much, but the food was less than memorable. I ordered a side salad as a starter, and it just simply didn't have enough dressing on it (and I am not one that likes it drenched). For an entree I ordered ravioli. It was good but not memorable. Both of my friends' dishes looked more appealing than mine (frutti di mare and squid ink pasta) but I didn't try either one. I also saw some other diners being served with the whole branzino and I kind of wished I had gotten that instead. Again, I think I just ordered wrong, because otherwise the place was lovely and the service was very attentive. There is an interesting antipasto bar for people who might be interested in that (I'm not - I like cured meats, but I'm not really into olives and peppers and whatnot. And to think I consider myself an Italophile!). I did not try dessert. The thing that I liked most about this restaurant is the bread: servers came around with large bread baskets full of different types of breads and bread sticks. The focaccia was divine. I'd give this place another try and order the branzino next time.

Outstanding dinner! The octopus appetizer was tender and quite hearty and my liguini with Manila clams was perfecto. My wife started with the chicken liver pate "very tasty" and the shaved artichoke salad which she highly recommends. Her branzino alfforno entree was top shelf, rivaling our favorite dish at Tocco. The service was excellent. The bill with two Titos martinis plus 3 glasses of chianti classico was $200 -- quite reasonable. We shall return!

Coco Pazzo has been around for as long as I can remember....and that's a good thing. A group of eight of us dined here last week and had an enjoyable meal in a lively setting. The pasta's are very good, and they are happy to size ay pasta on the dinner menu as an appetizer. I also enjoyed a veal chop Milanese style, also very good. The wine list has a lot of good selections at price points for all budgets. If you want well prepared Italian food in downtown Chicago, try an old standby, Coco Pazzo....you won't be disappointed.

Went there on a Saturday night based on a recommendation of a good friend who frequents Coco Pazzo and is a very good Italian cook himself. The food was fabulous. Great porterhouse for two, amazing pappardelle pasta. Lovely salads and minestone and a awesome Barolo from a spectacular wine list. Trip advisor lists the hour open until 11pm. There was a light show blocking all the streets in the area and at out hotel about a quarter mile away. We were at the Michigan-Northwestern game earlier and got back late because the Uber couldn't get us close to the hotel due to all streets in area blocked off. Called restaurant at 10:15 to say we were coming over but may have to walk due to blocking of streets. Was brusquely told closing in two minutes. I tried to explain that Trip Advisor said 11pm and that we would have to walk over, which would take time especially since my lady friend was wearing five inch heels, fortunately she is tough! Person on phone didn't care, said we are closing. We rushed over, got there by 10:25. General Manager Roberto Padilla looked at us at front desk and said the kitchen was closing and we would have to rush. They shoved us to a table, had to ask three times for a wine list. Waiter had an attitude until we ordered a $140 bottle of Barolo and Porterhouse, etc realizing we weren't just there for pasta and a beer and knew our way around a nice restaurant. His attitude totally changed then. GM gave us his business card. My experiences at high line restaurants are that the guests are made to feel welcome and understand circumstances like no taxis and streets blocked and go out of there way to help. The staff at Coco Pazzo didn't do that until they realized this was going to be a $300 plus meal for two. We ordered desserts, which probably should've been comped due to their attitudes, but oh well, guess not. May or may not come back after this experience. Food was amazing but the staff needs to drop the attitude. My friend who highly recommended the place was disappointed in how we were treated and was surprised that on a Saturday night they would so anal about the hours, especially when Trip Advisor says 11pm closing. He himself is not sure if he will return after our experience since Chicago has dozens of amazing Italian restaurants. I frequent Chicago and am not sure myself. By the way tipped the waiter well and we did not linger and stay over long so everyone could get home, since on a Saturday that is a priority at Coco Pazzo.

We had a great server who offered good wine recommendations. My girlfriend had a gnocchi dish that she really enjoyed. The Tordelli Lucchesi was really meaty...I ended up scraping out some of the meat.

We had a very enjoyable dinner with family here. It has an excellent and wide ranging menu and the food did not disappoint. The service was very attentive. We were not rushed at all. However, I felt it was pretty expensive (and I’m used to London prices!). The wines list is extensive but again expensive. You can take your own wine but face a whopping $40 corkage charge!

This is as good as it gets for both service and Italian food here in Chicago. An great octopus app and risotto special.

There are some places that are very expensive and worth every penny...this might have been in that category once; depends on what you're looking for, but I wouldn't put it there now. On the night of Super Bowl Sunday, at least, service was impeccable--yes, it wasn't busy, but the staff knew their stuff. Some of the dishes we had were outstanding (most of which were on the restaurant week tasting menu): those included a mushroom flan appetizer with kale, a risotto, and the flourless chocolate torte with gelato. We had a rigatoni with fennel sausage and peas that just wasn't that special--yes, good pasta, coked al dente, but the peas were hard (even though fresh) and the sauce just kind of boring to several of us. We also ordered a Bronzino (whole mediterranean sea bass) that was served beautifully and with much fanfare, but, again, there wasn't anything all that remarkable about the flavor. So if you have money to spare and love the "theatre" of good food, not a bad choice. Otherwise, check out Piccolo Sogno--another expensive Italian place, but worth the price when I was there last summer.

We have heard a great deal about this Italian restaurant and were pleased to have an opportunity to dine here. Its reputation is stellar and our experience lived up the press. Even though we did not care for our waiter (spoke too fast, brash), he was attentive and easy to find. It was not hard for us to look past this when the food came because it was absolutely fantastic. Having lived in Italy for a decade, and not being able to find properly cooked and served "branzino", it was a welcome delight to be eating just as I ate in Italy. Very authentic Italian cooking and service. Being curious as to if there were any Italians working there (an ongoing curiosity of mine in so-called "Italian" restaurants in Chicago) I asked, and was directed to the manager, who hailed from Lucca. We had an absolutely delightful conversation and he mentioned several others who are native Italians, including one that was standing by us who was from Venezia. We had a delightful evening and will return here at our first opportunity. It was memorable and well worth the high ticket!

Food was really good. Tonight's service TERRIBLE. OK it happens. I was just surprised that management wasn't more responsive. 7:15 reservation. Place was really crowded but our party of 4 seated immediately. Almost 15 minutes with just water and no acknowledgement that we were even there. Finally waiter took drink order. 10 minutes, still waiting. Went to Maitre d' and he was OK . Finally got drinks after about 35 minutes and was told "One of the bartenders called in sick". Shortly after, gentleman came by who I think was sommelier and asked how were things. Explained a little to him. He seemed much more "interest". He got busboy to get us bread . . .Note that this is 30 minutes after we were seated. After that, things were . . . .OK. Food took forever but it was very good. We ordered one dessert and they brought a extra lil plate of 5-6 cookies "On the house". That was it. Two hours + and not even a Sorry. That's what I found so surprising.

My Sister, my children, and I went to CoCo Pazzo for lunch. The atmosphere was open and clean. I liked the exposed brick and wooden beams. The egg plant Parmesan was amazing. The Panna Cotta simply perfect.

A wonderful evening out with my 92 year old mom. John, our waiter was attentive, patient and provided good advice. Polpo and grilled vegetables to start. Spaghetti con vongole and the special veal-stuffed cappelletti for entrees..nicely portioned.. With suggested wine to complement our food. Thank you for a most enjoyable evening for Mom and me.

Nice Italian food generally but not a great steak, Got talked in to changing my mind to a steak by the waiter. Wish I hadn't. Stick to steak only places for a steak in Chicago. We were a big group but the service was very good, on the ball. Panna Cotta only so so. Coffee not overly hot.

Beautiful decor, attentive staff, great wine selection and awesome food made this a terrific evening. Salute! to the staff!

coco pazzo is an iconic city spot in river north which has been around for almost 30 years, i think. was there for lunch yesterday, but have been for dinner every now and then throughout the years. the service is so good it almost disarms you. the octopus was literally the best i've ever had, and the ravioli perfectly sauced. we went down the street after lunch for an errand and the valet parking guy actually RAN after us for about a block to remind us he'll have the car ready when we need it. unreal.

Excellent food, service and awesome italian wine list. They make you feel like your in Tuscany and are part of their family

Took a chance on this place based on people’s reviews. We weren’t disappointed. First - great food, great service (not overbearing) and a good wine list from central Italy. People have told me that this place has been up and down- new chef. But the night that we were there up could not have been better.

We had a business dinner here while in Chicago. It is a large place with good lighting. The food was good and the staff was nice. I had the soft shell crabs and they were very good. Everyone in our group had a good meal.

Its always nice to have servers at a well-known excellent restaurant behaving normally, fun, warm, without a sense of impatience or arrogance. This is Coco Pazzo. Quite a mix of customers, with older tired speechless couples, to large parties and large families. Be prepared for noise. But its because its a nice, welcoming place. I had a decent carpaccio, minus capers. Is it just me, or is there usually capers on this dish? It needed a kick. For the entre, I had Chitarrine Nere, a Housemade Squid Ink Spaghetti. This was a new dish for me, and quite tasty.

Remember when a C was the average grade, before grade inflation took over. It meant the exact middle - nothing great or even good but not bad or horrible either. That C perfectly describes this restaurant. The "plus" is for the server who was excellent. We had two apps, a mediocre pizza and the crudo. The crudo was good and fresh but not ground breaking and the pizza was, well, ok. Next came the pasta (we shared) and it was excellent (a solid "A") but then came the main courses - the chicken and the lamb shank. The chicken was very ok and the lamb was too salty and was dry. Both receive an F - not good at all. The dessert was ok - nothing particularly well done or interesting. Wine service was bizarre. The sommelier was an older gentlemen who seemed to be in his own world. He was interesting and after we actually chose our wine I enjoyed talking to him. But the choosing of the wine - his actual job - was hmmmm. I know wine but he kept giving me his opinion of what we should drink - trouble is I wasn't asking him what bottle we should choose. He just asked me what kind of Italian wine I like and then began choosing bottles for me. I didn't even have time to look at the list. Leave me alone for a second and I'll pick a wine I like and if I have questions I'll ask. After I picked the wine I wanted he tells me that it doesn't require a decant. Well I can tell you it did. Next time let me make the decision as to how I want my wine served and don't be lazy. Last word - the bartender was excellent. We described a drink we like and he/she made it perfectly. It's not an easy drink to get right and he/she was spot on. Bravo for that. Truth is, we won't be back. We require a grade better than a C+ when spending our restaurant dollars.

This picky, critical, well-traveled diner stopped at Coco Pazzo on a whim for lunch, after years of having not eaten there, despite having very fond memories of it. It did not disappoint. I was by myself and was hosted impeccably. The service was attentive and friendly but not over bearing. The bread was crusty and flavorful, the salad green and crisp, the fish as fresh as you can wish for it to be...this was a delightful experience, and I promise myself not to let years go by without going back - it would be my loss!

We enjoyed our visit to this Italian restaurant immensely. We were pleasantly greeted and seated immediately (definitely recommend reservations). Our server seemed busy, but was polite and provided needed information.  However, we very much appreciated the friendly staff attending to our table, making sure our drinks were refreshed, and keeping our table clear.  What we enjoyed most was the handmade tagliatelle with bolognese.  It was perfectly cooked, savory, and seasoned perfectly.  Highly recommend!

Came here for an early dinner on New Year's Eve. All dishes were excellent and the wait staff was more than helpful. Coco Pazzo has moved around a couple of times over the last few years. The current location is much less intimate and louder than the previous locations.

We enjoyed an excellent meal with attentive but not overwhelming service. The waiter's suggestions were spot on and the complementary appetized was a treat. My favorite aspect of this restaurant is the lovely quiet. So many restaurants are so loud - it's really hard to have a conversation. This was a welcome and pleasant change. And, did I say delicious? I'll say it again!

We have been here several times and its a solid Italian place. They have al fresco dining. My wife loves the Fetuchinni Vongole (clams).

Kept walking by here on the way home from work and decided to try it out. Excellent choice. Very good Italian with moderate prices for downtown Chicago. I had the Gnocchetti and Mozzarella di Bufala. Both excellent with the Gnocchetti fresh and made in house. My wife had the roasted quail and raved about it. Pair these with a bottle of Amarone from their wine list and you are set.

Parts sleek and rustic, with an outstanding wine list, Coco Pazzo serves precisely prepared modern Italian food. I had wood roasted steak; others ordered pasta with peas and sausage. All enjoyed the signature antipasto. The service is superior; and the tone is elegant and relaxed.

This restaurant makes me wish I lived in Chicago. It was elegant without being pretentious, Service was attentive without being over the top. Food was excellent, and the prices were not overly high. I took a client here, and we had a lovely, quiet table where we enjoyed risotto and a halibut entree. Both were delicious. I will definitely be back..

Went here with a large group, and we had a reasonable meal - I guess it's fair to say that group meals never quite allow a restaurant to be at its best! There was a good choice of starters and mains for the group to choose from. Staff were very friendly and accommodating. Quality of the food was OK, but not exceptional. Steak was not good. But not a bad place for a reasonably priced group meal.

Had not been to this traditional Italian restaurant in a long time. Cocktails and wines by the glass were very good as was the service. The food was dreary. The premises, on a Friday at prime time was mostly empty, deservedly so.

Went to several Italian Restaurants in Chicago and this was by far the best! Ambience and food was outstanding. Service was also superb. All in all great place to go. Will definitely go again

I was part of a large group. The service was good and food arrived quickly. There were three different entrees at our table and each was pretty good. I was disappointed that there was no garlic, etc. to put in the olive oil for dipping the bread in though. However, the bread was fresh and warm- a plus.

This is the second time I've been to Coco Pazzo - brought my daughter after seeing a matinee at the Goodman. First time was when I made a weekend out of the "One of a Kind Show" at the Mart with my girlfriends. The service is reliably wonderful (both times) - they really take the trouble. The restaurant is designed to keep the noise level quite low - good use of thick, well placed closed, velvet draperies that flank the wide room's weight-bearing columns. The menu was great, and they actually encourage you to split plates. We ordered a fennel and baby spinach salad, followed by gnochetti. We were pleased that this is not an al dente restaurant - the gnochetti was well cooked - soft and creamy texture. Then we had two specials - a buttery mushroom risotto and a yellow snapper. The snapper's skin was crisp and delicious, and the presentation of all dishes was lovely. The wine and cocktail menu is extensive. We each ordered a different white wine, and they were both quite good. We ended with a pecan pie, which was not too sweet - just perfectly good. I would definitely consider stopping by again.

Fantastic dining experience! Excellent service and fantastic tasting food made this a spot I would revisit in a heartbeat! I already look forward to my next visit!

Four of us for dinner. Excellent food and service. The grilled branzino was yummy. Excellent pasta dishes.

My friends and I went here for a nice dinner and got just that! All of our meals were absolutely delicious from the starter to the desserts! The only problem we encountered was our server. My friend said it best, “I received better service at dick’s last resort and they are paid to be rude.” She took our order and did not speak to us again for another thirty to forty minutes, but she spent plenty of time at the other two tables she had. Even after speaking to management our server did not get any better. The man who buses tables and pour waters took better care of us then any one else. He was absolutely amazing and we were so thankful to have him taking care of us. As the only young and people of color in the restaurant we couldn’t help but be offended by the obvious lack of service and friendliness we received from the servers and management while every other table appeared to get more attention and better service. The only reason we will be going back to this restaurant is to eat their amazing food and see the amazing water boy again!

Elegant, nice ambience, impeccable service. I could have beautifully started with excellent soft crabs antipasto antipasto if they had served a different olive oil to dip the bread in. It had a grease taste and it was flat, no life in it. In the days of NRA fair it would been easy to go to any italian booth and choose an extravirgin olive oil adequate to the desired standing of the restaurant. Then main dishes of pasta( chitarrini and linguine alle rondilok were ok, no more than ok: too much red pepper every where with the result of not umblocking the taste.

We just have our holiday dinner at Coco. Service was very good, food was outstanding on a beautiful venue. It's authentic Italian with great variety of options. Good location at reasonable price. The place was packed of customers. A little difficult to park and valet was not available twice in my last 2 visits. At the end, coffee it's a must with a good desert. I will go again!

I live across the street from Coco Pazo, been their several times with friends and I'd say the experience is perfect...food is carefully taken care of and their customer service is phenomenal.....a must visit if you live in the river north area...

If you want great service and fabulous food, look no further. The pasta is fabulous, done perfectly. The Secondi is excellent. Our waitress was delightful and attentive. Looking forward to going back.

Very accommodating and friendly staff as we were a party of 10 and one lady was in a wheel chair. Food was very good , service good also, there was no rushing our courses nor did they try and rush us out. A very good experience, would recommend this restaurant

We four had a delightful two hour dinner recently catching up on conversation and enjoying a culinary feast! Fantastic wine list and remarkable menu gave us a wide range of choices. The roasted vegetables and grilled octopus were great starters and the pasta and fish courses we choose were delicious. Ending with a lemon tart and cappuccinos...well it was a perfect evening!

A wonderful place for a quiet and elegant evening. The service is highly professional yet fun and welcoming. The food is well-prepared and everyone said their meal was exceptional. I highly recommend this restaurant.

The place is a hidden jewel in Chicago. Love the atmosphere there. One advice, always order the special courses of the day. The dishes on the regular menu are not at the same level as the specials. The whole branzine fish and the steak are great. The same with risotto.

Our food and service was outstanding! I thought the gnocchi was light and delicious. Everyone in my family enjoyed their food. The only thing that I could complain about is the penne arrabbiata was slightly underdone.

We have eaten here three times in the past two years when in Chicago and when you want a great Italian dinner without the overpriced Chicago places this is first on our list. The Lasagna and Seafood Pasta has always been good with just the right amount to not overfill you. The warm bread is some of the best in Chicago and always a treat.

Been eating out in Chicago for over 7 years and last night was the worst service we have ever had. First off we were given water and then waited 30 minutes before the waiter showed up. By this point we just wanted to order a drink and asked for his suggestions for red wine. He said we needed to look at the list. We told him what we were after and he still said we needed to look at the list. So that was that sorted finally. We ordered a sharing plate to start with which arrived reasonably quickly. No order was taken for the main meal and we ended up juggling with the menus. In the end we had to put them on the floor (where they stayed he never took them away) . Then he came back to take our order and I asked him to describe the chicken dish. He told me how it was cooked and I asked what it came with and he just showed me the menu. I didn’t understand what the items were so had to ask again. One of the other in the party asked what was good on the menu. He said everything was good, but not in a helpful way nor did a why are you asking me kind of way. Anyway we got that ordered and all felt like we were an inconvenience to him. The food came and it was fine. Nothing amazing. He came back and asked if everything was okay but not in a sincere kind of way. The bizarre thing at the end was someone bought the desert menu and he came over without giving us much time at all. My husband ordered coffee so a couple of us did too, the fourth in the party had their menu whipped away and no chance to order anything. So no deserts. We all looked at each other and thought what is going on. When the coffee came we tried to order another one and was met with surprise as almost why didn’t you order it before. Then came the bill before the extra coffee. Almost like right now you need to go. Normally they would say no rush or do you want anything else etc. Honestly we were aghast. One final quite important point if you are still reading this. I have a food allergy, hence another reason for asking what was in the dish and told the waiter. He just looked at the menu and went nah you should be fine. No mention of letting the kitchen know or making a note. Luckily I was fine but it made me very nervous. For this reason alone I am never going back. We are nice normal people but seriously loose the attitude. No need to treat anyone this way.

Really delicious catch of the day. Friendly services by Trevor. We really appreciate the visit. . . . . . .

I stayed over in Chicago unexpectedly and I would not get a table at one of my "regular" spots. The concierge at my hotel recommended Coco. Before going, I looked it up on TripAdvisor and noted some rather tepid reviews. My experience was decidedly different. The service was very attentive and helpful. I ordered a cocktail and asked that none of the rest of my order be brought until i finished the drink and they did exactly that. An amuse bouche came--a mushroom cheese crostini-like thing and it was very good. I started with an antipasti plate of cured meats, cheese, olives and roasted vegetables. It was excellent and quite large even though I ordered a half-size portion. I followed that by a tasty gnocchetto in tomato sauce. For my main, an excellent veal saltimbocca. It is a charming place, high ceilings and quiet. I highly recommend it.

Upon entering the establishment, we were immediately greeted by not only the host, but also someone who was ready to check our coats and a server. This type of meticulous and attentive service continued throughout our dinner at Coco Pazzo. Our drink and food orders were taken immediately, we received the food in a timely manner, and the two persons assigned to our table- the head waiter and his assistant- guaranteed that we had a wonderful dining experience ( the former was well versed in the menu and gave us helpful recommendations). The ambience of this establishment is very warm. It is an open floor plan, however, the tables are set up whereby one does not feel crowded by others. The amalgam of the wood tones, lush curtains, linens and floor plan made for a comfortable and relaxing dining experience. The food was absolutely delicious! We began with the antipasta which included cheese, three meats, olives and a variety of roasted and cured vegetables. All that was included was delicious, however, the broccoli and fennel on this plate were divine! The tasty soup was made with fresh ingredients and homemade noodles. The beet salad had the perfect mix of greens, beets and a wonderful ricotta type of cheese. There was not a single morsel left on my plate. The entrees were just as pleasing as the aforementioned. One of the specials, the braised short ribs, were so tender and flavorful and the pairing with the polenta was perfect. The other dish, the handkerchief noodles with mushrooms, asparagus, and black truffles was absolutely amazing! I intend to revisit this establishment just to order that dish. Finally, our dessert was not to my liking as I am not a fan of strawberries, however the almond cake and the scoop of ice cream (I am uncertain of what flavor it was as there were crunchy morsels within it that tasted like cinnamon) were very good. The entire experience, from the ambience, to the service and the food was excellent. Please note that the prices are not moderate- one drink per person and all of the aforementioned amounted to a bit over $50 per person- however that which one receives is worth the cost. I highly recommend Coco Pazzo. It truly made for a lovely evening.

A great place for a catch up with friends. The food was very good, but not excellent. The manager suggested the wines which were very unusual and great. Great antipasto

My group of seven had the most outstanding meal there this past Friday night. We had four appetizers which we all loved, especially the pizza that we all shared. My ravioli was marvelous and my husband devoured his saltimbocca, the best ever he said. The drinks were a big hit, especially a Chocolate Martini, which sounds awful but was delicious. The wait staff was attentive, but not too much, very professional but somehow very personable. They even smiled at our utter enjoyment of the food, the drinks, their perfect suggestions. Even the bread sticks were delicious. Plus we got to thank the chef for an outstanding birthday night for two members of the group.

We had lunch here August 16 at the recommendation of locals. The food was excellent, Italian based. Service was good too. Beware that the Café of the same name is 15 minutes away.

So may new restaurants come and go in Chicago... When we want great food, service and a nice atmosphere Coco Pazzo never disappoints ! Everything is exceptionally good and the only problem is what to order!!! Amazing Bronzino ? Pasta with wild mushrooms? Risotto? Everything is fresh and the menu changes with seasons. We make sure everybody order something different so we can taste everything. If you are not sure what wine to order -just ask Sergio - who has been a somaulier there for many, many years... We have been enjoying this unpretentious , special restaurant for at least 13 years and this is the first time I am writing. One more thing- you can actually have a conversation with your friends and enjoy it as there is no LOUD MUSIC BLASTING!!! Motto Bene!

I’ve always heard good things about Coco Pazzo and booked it as one of our Restaurant Week choices. Things started well: We were greeted and seated promptly. The room was pleasant and elegant, the music was not too loud, and we could converse easily. We were given regular menus and a list of specials. We requested the Restaurant Week menu and were told we’d have to ask our server. She eventually arrived; we requested the menus and ordered prix fixe meals off them.. We ordered a round of drinks. Usually at a good restaurant the servers know who ordered what drink (and meal)—but the person who served the drinks delivered them to the wrong members of our party. For the meal, the first course salads with baby artichoke slices were good—fresh greens, bright tasty dressing—but the ribolllita soup was not. For second course, the rigatoni was excellent; the fish dish wasn’t. One dining companion had asked specifically about the polenta served with it because she doesn’t like the usual polenta texture. The server described it as a “crispy polenta cake.” But the polenta, underneath the fish and spinach, soaked up the (delicious) livornese sauce and wasn’t the least bit crispy, and the dish as a whole wasn’t memorable. Another companion thought his pork chop was flavorless. The desserts (panna cotta, warm flourless chocolate cake) were okay, not stellar. The service was mediocre—our server rarely came by (the restaurant was only about half full) and seemed indifferent to our dining experience. This was a rather downscale experience for what we thought was an upscale restaurant. Perhaps their Restaurant Week menus don’t represent their best efforts—which is too bad, since we often find good restaurants by trying them out during Restaurant Week and return after having good experiences.

Coco Pazzo has reached new heights of excellence. Chef Federico is turning out pure Tuscan cooking with amazing flavors, without heaviness or richness. The pastas, always a strong point, are now joined by pizza, salads, and delicious meats and fish. The setting remains fresh and inviting. This may be the best Italian in the country. It is certainly the best in Chicago.

many of "italian restaurant" I have seen in the US are quite artifical and offer "standard meals" in average quality. This one is different - you feel really like in Italy and the meals are really tasty and you can find dishes on the menu which you will not find in the "standard restaurants" and also a nice selection of wines offered by glass. A bit elevated prices, but still okay compared to quality of food and service

Been coming to Chicago for decades and can’t believe this is our first time to Coco Pazzo. It’s a beautiful restaurant with very attentive wait staff. Started with the zucchini blossoms and octopus. Octopus was delicious, zucchini was good but a bit watery. Salads were pretty disappointing. I ordered the artichoke salad which was very bland. We also ordered three Caesar’s for 4 people and that was still too much food. Caesar is prepared table-side for you which is nice but the dressing was very heavy on mustard. Everyone loved their meals, but we were quite full already after apps, salads, and their delicious bread. Husband got their duck ragu special, I got their Fruitti de Mare and kids got pizzas and pasta.

Loved the fresh pasta here but it lacked flavour. Rushed impersonal service. Expensive wine 2007 wine not decantered. Nice atmo until we found bathroom stall used by multiple xxx. What kind of place is this???Mentioned to management and was literally yelled at for being “liars”. Um okay. Will not recommend because of how we were treated at the end. Appalling .

Without reservations, we were still seated immediately. The staff brought us olive oil and a choice of 3 different breads. There was an extensive antipasto bar which I did not try. I had brunzino and my colleagues had pasta. We all enjoyed our meals. Service was attentive. Wine list for by-the-glass was limited but I enjoyed the wine I ordered. I would gladly come back to this restaurant.

We had eaten at the cafe last year, so we were excited to get to eat here this year. The staff is well versed in which dishes can and cannot be made gluten-free. It makes the evening so much more relaxed knowing one does not have to worry about cross-contamination. It was a truly enjoyable evening.

Expert staff. Sommelier Sergio was a character we enjoyed. Some might not, we did. The pasta, the seafood, everything was perfection. Wait staff attentive and professional. Chicago is a great eating city. This is one of the places you should visit.

I had heard a lot about this place and was looking forward to my dinner. The food was good. The Malfatti Fiorentina was heavy, but tasty, and the brown butter and sage was the perfect compliment. The seasonal veggies that come on parchment paper were also good. However, with the amount of money being spent, probably not entirely worth it. Also, our waitress just had an off mood and came by to see if we needed anything or to see how things were maybe twice. We had to flag her or someone down every time for anything. However, she was extremely chatty and cheerful with the table next to us. Not sure what we did to be ignored considering the restaurant only had about 10 people there at the time.

The appetizers were excellent and the meals delicious. The wait staff has an attitude problem, however. They are VERY PUSHY, particularly for alcoholic beverages. Despite the night not being particularly busy, our waiter had little patience to explain menu items, and upbraided 2 of our party for not ordering enough food (none of his business!!). The alcohol was another major issue; 5 people ordered 4 cocktails and a bottle of wine for a business meeting. Our waiter did not seem to think that rang up enough for HIS totals, and kept pushing more alcohol on us. He became so obnoxious that one of our party finally told him that his tip would be calculated on the food portion only, not on the beverage portion. He sulked away, but this DID solve the pushiness problem. Waiters in an upscale, expensive restaurant should not be constantly trying to supersize or upscale an order - the meals are expensive enough to start with.

I had a business dinner here this week quite by accident. I had eaten at Coco Pazzo a long time ago and liked it. We just stumbled upon it and decided to go in. I should say I was underdressed. People were very nicely dressed and it was a quiet crowd of mostly couples on a Tuesday night. I had on jeans and tennis shoes but I was warmly received nonetheless. The decor has not changed; they have kept the warm wood vintage warehouse feel. Overall the noise level was low. My pasta dish, paparadelle with wild boar ragu was excellent, better that the same dish I had in Florence a few weeks ago. Service from Rodrigo could not have been better. Overall a great meal.

Although Coco Pazzo translates "Crazy-Chef" there is nothing about this restaurant that is crazy. Reservations were made for 15 plus 3 young children. Staff handled this with one large round table of 12 and smaller round in a single alcove that felt more like an enclave portion of the large restaurant that took care of all 18 of us. Everyone was comfortable, attended to and satisfied. I should mention this was a very busy Saturday night and Coco Pazzo was full. A printed set menu was offered, (arranged by the group sponsor and the restaurant), plus an antipasti was served osteria style that filled the table. Menus selections were more "Tuscan" choices (as is the extensive a la carte menu, Food was excellent and the Sicilian wines pared well. There was a little uncomfortable delay in the antipasti to the entree delivery but the overall service of the staff was expert, the ambiance and atmosphere was energetic and fun. Very pleased and would recommend to anyone wanting good food and a good time, especially small groups than can be seated in the dining room. Blugene

Coco Pazzo -- he adult restaurant -- is without question the best Italian in Chicago. It offers straight forward Tuscan cuisine -- the heart of Italian food. The food is without gimmicks. Just flavorful, just prepared, just straight. No multi-complex dishes. No multi-ingredient dishes. Just food excellently prepared and delicious. And, the tables are well spaced and it is possible for adults to talk without screaming. What could be better?

One of my families favorite destinations for Italian in Chicago. We come into the city from Chicago burbs about every other month and this is always one of our top choices. Service is probably better than any other restaurant in the city and the food Is always consistently good. If you like Italian wines they have a comprehensive list of options for you to enjoy.

Food was less than acceptable, service seemed unexperienced, menu very limited and prices at levels of a good restaurant...

Enjoyed meal of goat’s milk ricotta, carciofini and pappardelle with boar ragu. Nice wines suggested by waiter to pair. The pappardelle was a true highlight. Beautifully prepared. Slightly fussy menu, slightly slow service. Attentive table staff, however. Sharing of small plates would be fun with larger group.

I guess I should have considered I was in Chicago, but it was a highly rated restaurant and I was told by the waiter that it was a specialty. Don't order the sea bass as it is anything but sea bass. I know that restaurants use a lot of grace in naming their seafood but no. Stick with the pasta

Held a business dinner at Coco Pazzo. Great meal, great service. My colleagues and I thoroughly enjoyed our meals. Had never been to this location (only been to Coco Pazzo Cafe over the years). Same outstanding quality and service.

Very good service, great food and great variety of food. We shared some starters which was great and main range was great. Salmon very enjoyable

We sat at a large table of 10. We all arrived in small groups. 2 of us were greeted by the grumpiest manager I have ever encountered. Our head waiter was charming however. A study in contrasts. That was a relief. The wine list was deep with many Italian wines. The food was very good. Top quality and excellent preparation. But as others have mentioned, the service was SLOW.

I’d like to think I’m a great judge of Italian food and have eaten at the best in the world. Dinner at Coco Pazzo was amazing......not a mediocre dish came out of the kitchen.....every plate was fabulous .

I have had many fine Italian meals in Chicago. So it takes a lot to impress me. And while Coco Pazzo was something of a haul from where I was staying, it was worth the walk. Great atmosphere, service, and the food was great! When I try a new place I will typically fall back on my old standard, linguine with clams, because if they miss on that I figure it's probably not worth going back. Well let me tell you folks, theirs was great. Others in my party had gnocchi, etc., and all said their food was great. So while you will have lots of options for a fine Italian place to each in Chicago, Coco Pazzo should be on your list for sure!

This years choice for Restaurant Week. First impressions were great. A loft like interior with brick walls, exposed ductwork and large flowing curtains dividing the room into smaller grouping. We were warming greeted and shown to a table right away. Our waiter was wonderful and explained everything. The first course was a mushroom and kale terrine type, very good and you could taste some fennel in the dish. Second course, two people got the salad with shaved fennel, baby spinach with grapes and walnuts with a pomegranate vinaigrette, which was just OK. Lots of spinach and not enough of the other ingredients. The other two got the risotto which was excellent rich with butter, pecorino and oyster mushrooms. Third course, two got the Cod with winter vegetables with a saffron broth which was very good, one got the sausage pasta dish with peas and cream that he enjoyed. And I got the braised short ribs with polenta and Swiss chard. It was rich in flavor and I thought it was very good. The 4th course-2 got the flourless chocolate cake that was molden inside. Very rich and very good and 2 got the vanilla panna cotta with a huckleberry sauce. Light and creamy and a perfect end to the meal.

This is a good everyday Italian in Cicago. Not just for Pizza,there are good meat and pasta dishes on the menu. We tried the scaloppini and they were excellent. The place is popular so make reservation if possible.

There were eight of us for dinner ranging from young teens to octogenarians, and the experience couldn’t have been better. This went for the ambiance, service, food, and drink. And, though this isn’t vaguely a budget restaurant, the portions were very large, and the pricing was fair. Particularly memorable dishes included: Antipasti Misti, Battuta di Carne (beef tartare), and Chitarrine Nere (homemade egg spaghetti with black squid ink and squid). The desserts were spectacular—from the Panna Cotta to the Fondente Al Cioccolato (warm flourless chocolate cake, cappuccino gelato, caramel balsamic sauce) to the Tiramisú. I admit I am getting very hungry as I am writing this, and I only wish I were having dinner there again tonight.

Having been let down elsewhere, turned up at Coco Pazzo. 4 diners, of varying taste and appetite. What a fantastic experience. Slightly off the track at the far end of Hubbard, full of locals. Service: excellent, attentive yet unobtrusive. Food: simply perfect food, couldn't be faulted. Proportional (not often said in the USA where you can eat for 4 from one plate of food). House made filled pastas, for appetiser, perfectly cooked al dente, with exquisite fillings. Every one of the 4 of us, were mightily impressed. Wine: excellent Primotivo, served at perfect temperature Value: $290 including tips, 4 people, 2 bottles of wine, 3 courses. Brilliant value for money. Will definitely be back. Favourite restaurant on this trip.

Coco Pazzo has the best Italian food in Chicago at a very reasonable price for its level of quality (white table cloth, fine-dining). To start, try the beef carpaccio (best I have ever had) and the mushroom risotto (also the best I have ever had). Next, the best pasta that always remains on the menu is Rigatoni Buttera, which includes rigatoni, fennel sausage, peas, and a creamy tomato sauce. Absolutely delicious. For larger dishes, go for the Porterhouse (never expected the steak to be this good!) or the Branzino. The Porterhouse is sliced table-side, and the entire Branzino fish is deboned table-side, as well. To finish, try the chocolate fondente (once again, the best I have ever had). As the trend probably shows, this is my favorite restaurant in the world. I highly recommend it for lunch or for dinner, but especially for dinner so that you can try more dishes!

We had lunch here, taking advantage of the 3 course restaurant week deal. Our lunch began with a generous serving of ribollita, a Tuscan vegetable soup, served with a lightly toasted slice of Italian bread. It was packed with vegetables and had an outstanding broth. Our main courses were rigatoni alla buttera and pizza alla diavolo. The rigatoni came with a creamy tomato sauce, sausage and peas. It was very good and the portion was huge. The pizza was topped wit tomato sauce, mozzarella, basil and slices of a quite spicy Italian salami (where the dish got its diavalo name). The crust was great as were the toppings. The pizza was about 12 inches across -- plenty for lunch. Dessert was a bit of a disappointment. We thought from the menu that we would have a choice of gelato or sorbetto, but that day only a mixed berry sorbetto was on offer. It looked like it had been made primarily from raspberries based on the color, but we couldn't tell for sure what was in it based on the flavor. Definitely the low point of the meal. Service was very good throughout the meal. And for the restaurant lunch price of $22 per person, it was a good value. If you are in the area, Coco Pazzo is worth trying.

stumbled upon this restaurant saturday, march3 2018, while in chicago for the chicago heroes event. it was cute, we were seated quickly, and the waiter recommended a dish or two, and i ordered the linguini and clams and my daughter got the spaghetti with olive oil garlic and pepper flakes..this was probably the best clam sauce i ever had..the food was excellent, the service and the welcome, was even better. i was sad to leave today because i saw the pizza, and i wanted to go back for that. i highly suggest coco pazzo for anyone who wants an Italian meal at a good price..mama mia

The pastas here are all home made. This can be a special occasion restaurant with all 4 courses... or if you want to spend a little less just order a pasta and no entrée. Food is fresh and flavorful - some of the best Italian food in the city (and we have lots of great Italian in the city). We see a lot of big italian families eating here for dinner - so very authentic. They have valet parking, you can walk (less than a mile from down town) or you can catch a cab. Wines are reasonably priced - nice selection of italian wines. We really enjoyed the following dishes: Ricotta e Fave: Fried Polenta, Wood Roasted Mushrooms, Sun Choke Sauce, Black Truffle - group favorite Pici al Ragú Senese : Tuscan Pici, Berkshire Pork, Pancetta, Herbs, Artichokes, White Wine - super delicious Lasagnetta di Magro: Housemade Vegetable Lasagnetta, Béchamel Sauce - another group favorite. I am not a huge fan of lasagna - this one was mind blowingly good. Pappardelle Cinghiale: Housemade Pappardelle, Tuscan Style Wild Boar Ragú - very good

The food and service was superb. The portions were perfect, the meals delicious and the ambiance was great. Would highly recommend it.

Business dinner, really great food, steak and fish, service very friendly had a really good evening and would definitely return

My colleagues and I recently ate at Coco Pazzo on a business trip. We were able to get last minute, day-of reservations for our group of four people. The drinks and food that we ordered were all delicious! The portions were so large that most of us couldn't finish the main dish. The service was good, particularly the waiters who filled the water glasses. They never got down to less than 3/4 full!

A very warm welcome, attentive but not obtrusive waiters and some of the nicest Italian food I have ever eaten make this a highly recommended restaurant in Chicago. My gnocchi was beautiful, my salmon perfect . Good atmosphere in this very popular place. All told a top place to go .

I like to try new restaurants in the city. This one popped out mainly because of it atmosphere. Now having been there, the food is very good too. When first arrived about 8 pm on. Saturday evening, the place was full. Good vibes. Nice decor. Clientele was dressed nicely. No baseball hats or saggy jeans. Has a 2 top by kitchen in a heavy traffic area. Asked to move to a table by the window and was graciously accommodated. We enjoyed an antipasti for 2, split a fresh made caesar salad, linguine with clams and 2 deserts. Antipasti was ok. Meats and cheese was nice. Caesar was ok too. Made fresh. But the pasta was excellent! Al dente. Perfectly cooked. Nice and many clams, garlic, olive oil, white wine. Delicious. The deserts were absolutely wonderful. Tried homemade pistachio and banana gelatos along with a panna cotta with fresh raspberry compote. So good. Service was decent. Attentiveness from managers and host was superb. If I had to make one recommendation it would be to expand the drink list. Wines look fabulous but perhaps more martini choices. All in all a great meal. Would definitely go back.

Excellent menu of Italian specialties. Enjoyed the Linguine Vongole which had larger than usual clams which were delicious. Fried artichokes we're very tasty also. Nice wine menu but as usual overpriced. Service was very friendly and attentive. All in all highly recommended

We were celebrating a retirement and so thought it would be nice to go to Coco Pazzo which has always been great. This time not so much! We had a reservation at noon, were seated promptly and ordered by 12:10 as no one had cocktails. My guests ordered eggplant parmesan and arugula salad with salmon, I ordered a tuna steak. At 1:00, still no food. The waiter said the kitchen was was "backed up", the restaurant was half full. At 1:10, an hour and ten minutes later, the manager came to me to tell me that there was no more tuna! He had no reasonable answer to my question of why they did not tell me this sooner? I was livid. I ordered a salad, they offered to get us dessert and took off the salad from the bill. Really? No one knew there was no tuna before an hour after the order was placed? And why did we (and many other tables) have to wait an hour for the food to arrive? I know that this is a very fine restaurant in Chicago but I will NEVER return. The service in the kitchen, the waiter returning an hour later to say there was no tuna and the lack of attention paid are all reasons why I would again NEVER return. Very unfortunate experience.

Coco Pazzo has been consistently excellent over many years now. I have never had the kind of waitstaff problem others describe. I have always found service efficient and friendly. The quality of preparation and of the ingredients themselves is very high. I had linguine alla vongole ad an appetizer. In the past I have had it as a main course. It is about the best in Chicago. The pasta is perfectly an dente, there are more than enough clams, and the garlic and oil with a touch of white clam sauce is ideally balanced. The veal Marsala was also first/rate; tender and flavorful. A superb tiramisu concluded a great dinner. Nice wine list too. Upscale but fair prices.

I tried this restaurant on a business dinner. It was just wonderful! We had a terrific server who suggested we do a tasting menu to enable all to try many things—perfect suggestion! We sampled several starters, including eggplant, antipasti—each better than the next! The pasta course was our favorite—including gnocchi that melted in your mouth. Our main dishes included the branzino and a steak. The fish was perfectly cooked as was the steak. If you can manage even a bite of dessert, try the flourless chocolate cake and the panda cotta—sublime! Bon Appetito!! I can’t wait to go back!

Past was great here! Staff was a lot of fun. The drinks were mixed well. Didn't care for the tiramisu or they would have gotten 5 stars. Great atmosphere.

Very nice staff We were invited by a friend , although resturant was packed but we enjoyed every moment specially with quality service. Advise try the tasty pizza margarita and veal Milanese

Was with a group of eight for dinner. First time at restaurant and had nice corner table. For a Thursday night, restaurant near completely full. Excellent wine list, very nice assortment of dishes. Had the sea bass that was served whole and prepared table side. Overall excellent food and would return.

All you need to do is Google up the following: best Italian restaurant in river north and if you're wise and if you happen to enjoy attentive service and home made Italian pasta you'll end up here. This has been my fourth visit here in the past few years and I typically come here with good company because this is a European dining experience where you are expected to relax, be catered to and receive exquisite and authentic Italian dishes. I strongly suggest you share an antipasto plate with a good friend because they have a huge selection of cheese, beans, asparagus, salami and other tempting traditional antipasti. The polenta here is always a good choice as a sharable appetizer and by all means enjoy your favorite pasta dish because they are all made fresh from scratch here on the premises...never store bought. I recommend the Gnocchetti which is a decadent buttery tasting pasta dumpling filled with Potato Gnocchetti, Tomato Sauce, and Buffalo Ricotta. The gnocchi has always been my top pick because of the buttery richness. You will also receive homemade breads and breadsticks here to accompany your meal and definitely don't forget to treat yourself to a decadent dessert ! This restaurant is perfect for a date, business meetings or good friends because you are never hurried here. Our server during our recent visit was Arturo, a wonderful conversationalist and extremely knowledgeable on all menu items. He was definitely a seasoned professional and made sure we had everything we needed! I'll be back next month! Unfortunately I forgot to bring my cell phone with me but I'll make sure to include some beautiful photos next month when I dine here again!

The environment was very nice and the wait staff was excellent. The veal was delicious and the risotto was awesome. The bar tender was very attentive.

We were walking the streets just north of the river near the Merchandise Mart when thought we wouldn't find anything to our liking. On the way back to our hotel we stumbled onto this real jewel. Coco Pazzo is one block north of the Mart and was filled with locals. We figured they didn't want to share their secret with us. The restaurant takes up the corner of an old warehouse and has maintained the character of high ceilings, exposed wood beams (original not fake), and has an elegant decor that is quite appealing. The food was fantastic. I had a 'brick covered' sea bass baked in an oven exposed to all the patrons. It was perfectly cooked and the sides were a wonderful compliment. My wife had very good spinach stuffed ravioli with subtle, light sauce. Overall, definitely worth trying.

When I spend over $150 on dinner for two I expect pretty much everything to be virtually impeccable. I have to say that Coco Pazzo did not disappoint. The high bar was met or exceeded on every standard. The food was excellent and wonderfully prepared and presented. For the main course she had linguini with clam sauce; I had veal medallions. Both were well sauced and delicious. The antipasto was customized to our taste and we raved about the wide variety of roasted vegetables and cheese. And the shared chicken liver pate did not disappoint. The wine list is extensive and, by the glass, reasonably priced. We had a hard time selecting from the yummy desserts and were pleased with the flourless chocolate cake with a molten interior. Service just the right level of attentive and relaxed. The waiter and busboys were on the spot when we needed them, and left us alone when we wanted them to. I was particularly impressed when I wished for more bread and magically it appeared without asking. When I made the reservation I mentioned it was birthday. That’s all it took for a quiet candle to appear with dessert. I rarely give an unqualified endorsement. No hesitation this time. Yes, it’s expensive. But for a special event, it’s worth it.

What a nice spot. I had a basic spaghetti dinner but they hit it out of the park. Great service and nice environment. You’ll be pleased.

Had dinner here with spouse after I finished a business trip in the city. Shared a lovely salad and split pasta that was nicely al dente. Good ingredients. Bread service was slow to come to us, at least 10 mins after we ordered, but very good and a nice variety. Didn’t have dessert. Lots of Italian restaurants in Chicago, but I’d go back here again.

I can not add much more to what most reviewers have already stated. We had great service, great food, delicious wine, and an ejoyable experience.

There are several awesome Italian restaurants in Chicago and I’ve had the good fortune to enjoy a wonderful meal at many of them. Coco Pazzo ranks as one of the very best of the group. Authentic Italian dishes that feature some of the most delicious ingredients. Fresh seafood. Great cuts of meat. Perfectly cooked pasta. Tasty desserts. Impressive wine list. The waitstaff is attentive without being bothersome. Drinks were poured generously. Prices are reasonable considering the high-quality meal. We will be back for more!

Top notch food and service! Tables are set-up in a large open area, still able to have a pleasant conversation at our table. Will definitely return when visiting Chicago again!

New Year's Eve was a special celebration here with good food, excellent wine, and discrete service. They were helpful with my friend's lactose intolerance, guiding her through the menu. Another guest didn't eat seafood--there were plenty other entrees to choose. This leisurely evening was great overall.

My wife and I celebrated Valentine’s Day at Coco Pazzo. Nicely decorated restaurant. Not too big. I’d consider it cozy. The wait staff was excellent. The dinner was paced right and they did a great job anticipating our needs. The menu had a great selection of pastas, meat, chicken and fish. I had the whole Mediterranean Sea bass. It was excellent. The tiramisu was great. Highly recommend it.

A group of us dined at this Chicago well known establishment tonight. We started with an appetizer to share, that are consisted of vegetables, different ham, salami, and some cheese. We also ordered Tuna Carpaccio, which was very tender and fresh. The pasta we had was tasty and delicious, the red sauce was just right, while the lamb shank was tender and tasty. Overall, this is a solid Italian establishment, that offers consistent quality, good service, and good fro business dinners.

I took a customer out to this restaurant. Since I have never been there before, I did not know what to expect. I found this restaurant very nice and comfortable. The food was outstanding. My customer was very satisfied. I recommend Coco Paso to anyone.

An old standby - no longer uber-trendy, yet still providing a comfortable upscale but casual experience. Lots of return customers who appreciate the friendly service.

Staff was very friendly. Food was above average. Wine list is all Italian wines. (Except for champagne) Had a very nice duck ragout. The pear salad is very good too.

Very pleasant evening. The server was on top of things and communicated brilliantly. We were there on peak time on a Saturday night and the kitchen was very busy. I had the pasta special. Homemade cannelloni in a pesto sauce. It was outstanding. Overall our party enjoyed the food, but didn't love it. The location and atmosphere were top notch.

Friendly wait staff. I'm from Texas and entered with a critical attitudebut was very pleasantly surprised. Excellent Guacamole made fresh. Menus choices were many and varied. Everything we tried was excellent.

Very nice service...wasn't a fan of their CO lamb chops special. Quiet surroundings for an Italian restaurant which I loved.

This restaurant always amazes me. The menu changes daily and the food is awesome! The staff are fantastic!

My first time at this wonderful restaurant...I loved everything about this place. From the wine to the dessert, it was all very good. The owner/managers walk around and make sure all is going well and customers are happy! They also all half portions of pasta which I find very nice. Allows me to enjoy an appetizer as well as dessert without wasting food.

Very nice atmosphere, excellent service and great food. Was 20 minutes late for a reservation but it was no issue. Excellent authentic Italian cuisine.

And it is still very good. From the wait staff, wine list and food. All very good. I do not think you can get a bad meal here. From the fish to pasta it is all very good. Please take a look at the wine list it is very good with lots of great wines. And you do not have to spend $$$ to get a good bottle.

During a recent visit back to Chicago, a group of us gathered at a favorite for an early-Holiday reunion dinner. There were eight of us and the restaurant was humming at peak time. We had rounds of cocktails and enjoyed conversation as we took our time in ordering. When it came to ordering, we were all over the menu and, except for the "main" course, most items were shared family style. "Starters" included antipasti, buffalo mozzarella, shaved baby artichokes and some pastas -- gnocchi and risotto. The main meals included: veal, sea bass and steaks accompanied by Tuscan fries and brussels sprouts with pancetta. And, yes, there was dessert: panna cotta and tiramisu. Bottles of red Italian wine flowed throughout the meal and many concluded with coffee or cappuccino. In sum, the food was delicious (as always), the service spot on, and never once did we feel rushed. And, we were among those that closed out this festive evening at the restaurant. Coco Pazzo is a Chicago favorite for good reasons... couples, families or large groups can equally enjoy a great night of fine dining.

I am very skeptical when it comes to Italian restaurants in the US, but Coco Pazzo convinced me completely. Their cuisine is genuine with very good products. They know how to make people enjoy. It started with crispy Grissini and a nice bread selection. The gnoccetti were incredible, the roasted octopus excellent. Branzino and Cacciucco Livornese are absolute recommendations.

Girls' Day Out in Chicago. Strolled here from Merchandise Mart. Split spinach ravioli and salmon entree. Wonderful food, beautifully presented. Appetizer plate okay, thus four stars instead of five.

We went with several couples on a busy Friday evening. Despite the large group, we encountered no difficulties. Our food was excellent, I enjoyed the snapper special of the day. I enjoyed the atmosphere. Quick Uber from the magnificent mile area.

For many years we were disappointed with regard to Italian food in Chicago, but that has changed in an excellent way led by places like Coco Pazzo. Really nice spacious decor with a very high ceiling; nice decorative touches. Friendy and top notch waitstaff who really knew the menu and specials. Loved the special soup of the day....a Tuscan bean soup which was very light...chicken broth, beans, a touch of tomato and some small spice clippings of sage, chive and oregano. Then a wild boar ragu with house-made kamut (an ancient Roman grain) pappardelle, which was as good as any I have eaten in Italy. They also feature a woodburning pizza oven, which we love, and the thin crusted pizzas were great as well! Reasonable wine list. We most definitely will be back.

I have no idea how this restaurant can have such a high rating. there were four of us... 3 out of 4 meals were bad. Mine was average. The veal was really dry, the pork chop was dry as well. The only redeeming quality was the inside decor and my salad. That is just not enough for the cost of food these days.

I have been meaning to come here for years and finally took my family for a Saturday dinner here. It was not very busy for a Saturday night and after eating here we do not know WHY. The service was excellent. Everyone was more than attentive. We were never hurried. We were given a free appetizer that was delicious as was the bread. We had the sea bass and chicken and both were excellent. We will be returning.

While I am a Chicago Guy I do not spend much time here. My client suggested this a location where we could have a quiet lunch and truly deal with a complex issue. The location is a very attractive but simple location with bare wooden beams, brick was and a nice layout. The menu was very diverse - servers were attentive but not intrusive - food was well prepared and very nicely presented. I have to be in Chicago for a few more days - I hope to have an excuse to get back. One of the owners and a General Manager, Roberto were very professional and truly nice people.

We had a fabulous meal at Coco Pazzo. Whilst the restaurant was busy with a good atmosphere, the tables are spaced to ensure that it is not too noisy. All of our food was fresh and delicious, and the service was efficient and friendly All in all we had a relaxed evening and enjoyed our meal —— highly recommended !!

Chicago is an ethnic town so it isn't surprising to find many outstanding Italian restaurants. Choose your favorite cuisine: northern Italy, southern Italy, Tuscan. Coco Pazzo is a self-described Tuscan restaurant. For 25 years, it has pleased Chicagoans and out-of-town diners with a wide variety of wood-grilled and wood roasted Italian specialties, including steaks, chops, veal and seafood. It's all presented in an Old World environment with velvet drapes and white tablecloths and greenery and high ceilings. Located at 300 West Hubbard Street in the River North neighborhood, west of the Magnificent Mile, Coco Pazzo is open from 5 to 10 Monday through Thursday, 5 to 10:30 Friday and Saturday and 5 to 9:30 on Sunday. Chef Federico Comacchio has fashioned a menu that covers all bases and satisfies all tastes and fulfills all appetites. We started with minestrone, fried rock shrimp, chicken liver pate and Caesar salad with shrimp served tableside. For entrees, we had wood roasted Branzino and sauteed veal medallions. Yes, we were tempted to order the wood-grilled 40-ounce porterhouse for two, sliced tableside, but...well, we never turn down a chance to have Branzino and veal, though I must admit my wife almost opted for the Faro Island salmon. Have you noticed that Branzino, a light and tasty Mediterranean sea bass, is making more frequent appearances on American menus? For dessert, we shared a large portion of panna cotta, delicious eggless vanilla bean custard with caramel sauce. From soup to nuts, or in this case custard, Coco Pazzo is an exceptional fine dining experience.

So happy I discovered a very good and real Italian restaurant! I enjoyed the food, the cozy place and the good service, I really felt in Italy. I'll come back asap.

We went to this restaurant as it was one suggested by the hotel. We hd an excellent experience with all the staff. We had different menus from the salad range. They made a mistake with one of the ingredients shich my daughtr said she couldn't eat. The manager saw and imediately took her meal away and replaced it without a word from us. The only criticsm I had was that the salami was not quite as I had had before but that was a matter of taste..

This is one of my favorite places to eat when I visit Chicago. From the friendly greeting to helping us get a cab at the end, everything is first class. Tonight I had the veal medallions and they were excellent. Always a great meal.

This place is just the pinnacle of Chicago cuisine--large wood beam ceilings, comfortable but quite elegantly arranged tables, noise level moderated to allow for actual conversations (what is with the booming sound in all the restaurants in this city? absolutely obnoxious). But it is the food that stars here: the pasta I had (with chingale) was devine, as was my whole branzino. While the wine list is expensive (everywhere in Chicago, it seems), it is quite good. Elegant, pleasing, and a great place for a cosy dinner with old friends. Indeed I could learn to be an old friend of this restaurant pretty quickly.

We had and amazing time here , was our 2dn stop for the night. We love it ,will let you see the picture and create you own opinion!!

Tuscany Italian, so don't come expecting a lot of red sauce. Was with a group of 10. Service was excellent, food was delicious and plentiful. In a city full of great restaurants, this one really stands out.

Came with work colleagues. Dinner and dessert were fantastic. Wait staff exceptionally attentive. I’d highly recommend, delicious dessert.

We had our show moved from Chicago to Orlando in 2016, so had been away for two years. This restaurant was always on our rotation during the week we spend downtown. We, they moved into bigger digs and more space, just around the corner from where they were. Totally disaapointing. the ffod quality was lower, the staff were not as friendly, and the prices were up.

next to mechandise mart very tasty and various choice of pasta different wines by glass efficient staff

Went on a Thursday night. Could not get into the Coco Pazzo Cafe; however, the Cafe did a really nice job of getting us into Coco Pazzo. It was a bit pretentious. They actually made us feel a bit guilty asking for bread!! My wife ordered the mushroom agnolotti. She was very pleased.. I ordered the rigatoni, with sausage. I did not detect any sausage in in it. When I asked the waiter, he rudely stated, it was ground italian sausage. Really?? It is not that difficult to taste italian sausage in a dish...even if ground. Anyway, with all of the italian choices in Chicago, I was unimpressed. Again. pretty good food, service ok.

Some of the best, high scale Italian food in Chicago. Food, service and ambiance are outstanding. One of our favorite restaurants in Chicago for 25 years. Average cost is high but not bad for the whole experience. 3 of us had dinner including great salads , main courses with fresh veggies, wild huckleberry covered panna cotta for desert , 2 cappuccinos and a $55 bottle of wine for $175 before tip. Beautiful room and quiet enough to hear each other. We've been going to Coco Pazzo for personal and buisiness dinners and lunches since it opened 25 years ago and we have always had an outstanding experience.

My parents and I celebrated their 35th wedding anniversary here last Sunday. This place turned out a lovely find. We ordered the linguine alle vongole, the seafood soup, the bone-in steak, and the mozzarella, frutti di mare, and artichoke salad appetizers. I had the cassata for dessert, and I have to admit that it tops any cassata I have tried in Rome itself :) My parents loved their gelato. Our cocktails were also a perfect fit for the food. I recommend the aperol spritz only because I forgot the names of my parents’ drinks ;) Don’t miss this awesome spot for any celebrations or even mundane outings!

Enjoyed dinner with friends. Each of us got the specials and they were very good! Loved the atmosphere and wait staff was very attentive. Would visit again!

Flew into Chicago and was pretty exhausted and jet lagged. Had a business dinner and this place was selected by the person we were to meet. The appetizers were really nice. Excellent Buratta. And some sort of seafood "tempura" kind of thing. Even though i was almost falling asleep the food was good enough to wake me up. The main course for me was a Pork ragout papardelle. It was very nice. The place had a homely feel to it in a sense even though it's not really a family style place. Would come back to explore other things in the pretty extensive menu. Prices were very reasonable. Reminded me of one of the "neighborhood" Italian places in NYC that I visited a few times once when I was there for 6 months.

After reading many great reviews decide to go..food, wine, service was so amazing. We started with many appetizers, buffula moz, octopus, salmon,calamari...then we oredered the risotto with shaved white truffle on top..exquisite! Then braised short ribs and branzino. Loved it all. Bravo!!

We were invited over dinner and including two kids The welcome from the manager and owner of the resturant was very warm specially our host was one of there regulars. What I can say about this place is " It's not complicated very straight forward into quality and elegant presentation. The service is the smooth yet what makes it very different and entertaining is the engagement of the manager and the chef with us.

I dined at Coco Pazzo several years ago on a trip to Chicago and had great memories of a terrific dinner. My second visit lived up to the last! The Branzino was outstanding as were the apps and salad. Beautiful dining room, spacious but intimate and easy to hear each other converse. Wish I had room for dessert! I'll definitely be back.

Group of 10 visiting for business; had a great evening with perfect, Italian food. Service was friendly and helpful. They had is seated at a big, round table so no “dead ends” on our table 👍👍 There’s also a nice bar with a great selection of signature cocktails.. I recommend you try the “Chicago Muse” - it’s to die for!

Sorry to see a once favorite place no longer more than mediocre. The other location was one of our favorite “must visit” restaurants when in Chicago. Had been going for a decade. Met friends for lunch on a recent trip. Our friends from another part of the country also used to love to eat at Coco Pazzo. The food this visit was fair, not anywhere near prior visits. The service on the other hand was truly lacking. Met our friends a bit late lunch, only a few tables occupied so there was no crowd for staff to deal with. Were greeted, seated, and gave orders to a guy who seemed to be a manager. He was uninterested almost to the point of being unfriendly. We are a pretty mellow group, not fussy, and don’t expect to be pampered. However we had to work to get attention for drink refills. Some of the pasta dishes were served about luke warm, dry, and not much flavor. Really a shame, we loved the old location. Will not be back.

Coco Pazzo is one of my favorite, if underrated, Chicago Italian restaurants. We went back after several years and, in fact, it was better than I remembered it! The rigatoni pasta was out-of-this-world good and the mediterranean sea bass could not be more delicious. On top of the excellent food, the staff and service were exceptional. Cannot wait to go back.

The barley soup was a delight. The veal scallopine was excellent. Quaint restaurant worth checking out.

We first tried Coco Pazzo two years ago, lured in by Restaurant Week specials... we have been coming back regularly ever since (and regretting those wasted years of ignorance). What a gem! Beautiful interior, conversation-friendly, impeccable service, with the owner and resident genie making the rounds to be sure you are enjoying the food (the answer is always 'OMG yes!'). Real Italian fare (not Italo-American) done with attention to detail. Portions are right-sized, with always just enough room for desert (don't miss the best panna cotta outside Florence). Dinner (and the extensive wine list) is not cheap but is worth every penny. Service is efficient but you will want to (and be encouraged to ) linger. Relaxed yet elegant, quiet yet lively, exquisite yet hearty food with an attention to freshness and seasonality. Next best thing to going back to Umbria...

The atmosphere is excellent. We each had an excellent entree! The sea bass was especially good. The traditional Italian meals were great. Our service after the entree was far different than before for some reason. But, if you are looking for a good Italian restaurant try this one.

Ate here for the first time for a business dinner and loved it. The food was delicious and the service very attentive. They've done a nice job with the interior - it's a large, classy room separated in places by hanging drapes that create some more intimate feeling spaces that also cut down on some of the noise. We shared a variety of first courses, and for my main I had a grilled Florida grouper that was prepared simply and let the quality of the fish shine through. Others with me had rigatoni and risotto dishes that looked and smelled very good, too. Finished with a nice panna cotta and espresso. Will definitely return with family and friends.

The Best Italian in Chicago by far We are impressed with this place on so many levels > They take Gluten Free seriously, which is critical for those with celiac > The food is incredible. They are picking the best from Local Sources, as well as importing the best buffalo moz we have had anywhere > The atmosphere is incredibly relaxed and quiet, a nice break from the city > There is an attention to detail in all aspects that you typically do not see anymore. Everyone is always making sure the customers are taken care of, and the restaurant is in perfect order for inbound customer We are extremely impressed, and highly recommend this place!

My daughter had her wedding here with 110 people on a Saturday in October. We didn't anticipate people arriving an hour early to the restaurant. We were so impressed with Coco Pazzo that instead of having the door locked, people were welcomed inside and served drinks by the staff. There was valet parking and the restaurant even took care of having a dance floor installed for the evening. A string quartet performed during the cocktail hour and through dinner and after dinner there was a DJ tucked away in a little corner. From the very beginning we worked with Christina at Coco Pazzo and she made the planning and the whole process easy. She ended up being like a wedding planner and took so much of the stress off of myself and the bride. She was on top of things and put together the most perfect wedding for us. We could not have been happier with the outcome. A local florist from Indiana decorated the restaurant with flowers and my daughter's decorations were put around beautifully. The food and wine tasting at Coco Pazzo was a wonderful experience and Chef Federico came up with a fabulous menu. Unfortunately the groom was not able to attend the tasting so the bride brought mom and dad along. The Chef overwhelmed us with appetizers, antipasti, main courses and desserts. Everything was absolutely delicious and we were full before the main courses arrived. The quality of the food and service here was impeccable and the staff went our of their way to make sure everything was as the bride and groom expected. Guests were served mouth watering appetizers and drinks during the cocktail hour. After the beautiful ceremony in the restaurant guests took their seats to enjoy a wonderful multi course meal. Roberto, the General Manager, was very accommodating and helped to make sure that everything ran smoothly along with Christina. He was also instrumental in the excellent selection of wines for the evening. The waiters, waitresses and bartenders all did a fantastic job the entire evening. There was nothing we would do differently. Guests bragged for weeks afterwards about the fabulous meal and time they had at the wedding! I had guests tell me the wait staff made them feel "special." The evening was spectacular! Wonderful Chef, wonderful staff, wonderful food, wonderful service................

My wife and I have eaten here a number of times when visiting Chicago. The menu has a nice selection of pasta, meat and seafood and everything we have tried has been delicious. It is all accompanied by a great wine list. The restaurant has an upscale but very comfortable ambience. Service is outstanding. They meet your every need without hovering. When I made a reservation, I told him we were going to a show after dinner. When we arrived, they were aware of our plans and made sure we got out in plenty of time. Coco Pazzo is probably our favorite Chicago restaurant and we look forward to returning.

What a wonderful find for lunch. Service was perfect and food outstanding. I had the special shrimp pasta with leeks and tomatoes in white wine garlic sauce. Hubby had rigatoni with sausage and peas. Also shared lentil soup. Pasta was homemade and oh so yummy. So glad hotel mentioned . On next visit will go to lunch and dinner.