Il Porcellino Reviews

My husband and I discovered this place when looking for an Italian restaurant close to our hotel. We arrived just before happy hour ended, and we were able to order 2 of the happy hour drinks at the recommendation of our bartender, Ashby. She was efficient and very friendly, recommending a few dishes for us to order at dinner, which did not disappoint. We eventually moved over to the restaurant table, where we were served by Sammy, a great waitress! We ordered Brussels sprouts, the bread with whole garlic sauce, the lasagna, and the gnocchis. My husband ate more than half of my lasagna, it was so good! We are in Chicago fairly frequently, and we will DEFINITELY return to this restaurant!

The garlic bread is so light and flavorful with butter poured over it tableside. The cheese ravioli with spinach and procutto was amazing! The prices were reasonable for the area and the food quality. The staff was friendly and provided excellent recommendations and was thoughtful to ask if there were any food allergies.

We were in town visiting for a conference and took a taxi over. It was available for reservations on Open Table, which was very convenient for us. The wine and beer lists are very small, so if you are picky about your alcohol keep that in mind. We shared the meatballs and brussels sprouts as an appetizer and they were both hits! Other food ordered at the table was the vodka rigatoni, baked lasagna, and sliced steak. They were all very good and had generous portion sizes. The service was friendly and very professional. The decore was unique and created a nice atmosphere.

my husband and I love coming here for tasty Italian food! We enjoy the relaxing environment and excellent service

I have not been here for about a year. But when I walk in as a solo diner, debating do I want to sit by the window or sit at the bar. The host greeted me and said hey how are you while looking at the computer and I stood there and I said, are you talking to me or you talking to the computer. He chuckled, but I didn’t. I told him it was just me he said well. You can have a seat at the bar so I squeezed in at the bar. I sat between two women, one which the bartender continued to talk to after I had sat down. To find out she worked there and it took in five minutes just to say hello. Fast forward I ordered after barely any conversation with any of the bartenders, which were three of them. I loved what I had. But for the whole 45 minutes, I was there not one of them asked how I was doing or did I need anything else. I still left a generous tip for the poor service. And constantly say to myself when I leave, why do I reward bad service? I think the food in this place is great, but these bartenders pay attention to your single diners. There’s a reason why they sit at the bar if we didn’t want to talk to anyone with sit at a table.

My boyfriend and I found this place for an anniversary dinner and it did not disappoint. We made a reservation but had to wait about 25 minutes because they were busy. The staff apologized and offered us a table at the bar if we didn’t want to wait. We didn’t mind waiting and got a great table. The staff was very kind to us and gave us a free dessert for waiting. The food and atmosphere were wonderful and the customer service was excellent.

Very lively restaurant and bar with a young trendy crowd. Delicious upscale food, good attentive service washed down with the "house" chianti.

A Lettuce Entertain You Restaurant with traditional menus. Limited menus with chicken piccata, lasagna, ravioli, etc. Average dishes, nothing exceptional. I was disappointed in the sides. The asparagus was very skinny, not what one would expect for $9 a side.

Our first visit here. Incredible food, great service, reasonable entree prices, happy music, beautiful restaurant. Great food scents welcomed us into the restaurant which was clearly packed for the Friday after Valentines. Advised by the host that they were running 15 minutes behind, we opted for a drink at the bar. This evening was close to perfection but 2 minor flaws...they didn't have Bombay Sapphire for the g&t's and we weren't fans of the harsher Ford's gin...and we had to sit at a high top table or wait longer to be seated. On to the good stuff: food was excellent so very well spiced with abundant portions ...I had the molto bene penne and it was! The ultraviolet cab was smooth and spicy...definitely recommend. We split the very tasty small Italian salad. Yum! The service was outstanding. Drink prices are typical Chicago; high for the rest of the Midwest. Did it stop me from drinking? No. Finished up with a celebratory limoncello. I will definitely be back...and will probably bring my grown kids...to sample their extensive family dining offerings.

I was very hungry for Italian so I tried Il Porcellino. We ordered two different pasta dishes, one being their popular Chicken Parm and the other being a spicy Scampi Pasta. The pasta was tough, tougher than I prefer and the sauce was a very basic tomato sauce - nothing special, nothing that would make me order the spaghetti again - either one. They weren't bad, they just weren't special, nothing that made it stand out amongst the other Italian restaurants in Chicago.

We had a reservation but they weren't able to seat us when we arrived. Got drinks from the bar, which were amazing. Everyone on the staff was super friendly. We didn't have to wait too long for our table, and they were very apologetic about the wait. They brought out some amuse bouche which was nice. Food was incredibly good. Spicy shrimp scampi, Caesar salad, Chicken Vesuvio (the reason we went), gnocci...all of it amazing. I loved that this is a classic, old school Italian restaurant, but isn't old and crusty. The dining room itself is beautiful, a very cool space. I'd highly recommend dinner here.

We were in the city on a date night and wanted a decent Italian restaurant. Il Porcellino is right in the heart of River North and has a lot of competition. My wife thoroughly enjoyed the chicken vesuvio and I relished the steak with spinach and garlic. The wines were just right and our server excellent. Although I try to avoid the faux atmosphere of Lettuce Entertainment restaurants, this one was spot on.

Was In Chicago for a business conference. This was recommended for dinner. It was Friday night and we had no reservation but we decided to try it. It was about 1 1/4 hr wait. But it that was expected. It was a beautiful evening so we hung out outside enjoying the street seen. We were able to sit at a high top table in the bar. Perfect for people watching. Our server was terrific and well versed about the menu and wine selection. We has Alfredo with prosciutto, chicken masala on polenta and raviolli with bacon Bolognese. None of us were disappointed. Tiramisu and butterscotch pie were delicious as well Will recommend and will be back.

Atmosphere was amazing! Very friendly and very welcoming. We were instantly greeted and told there was a wait but we didn't mind. Within 5 mins we were able to find seating at a bar top. We told the lovely hostess that we were moving to the bar however, somehow the message didn't translate. Both gentlemen at the front addressed us at the bar about going to a table. They did end up figuring it out and we had an amazing time at the bar. The artichoke was amazing!

This was my third visit to this fantastic Italian restaurant. The food is great and the service has always been top notch. This visit we tried the sausage and peppers appetizer and it was delicious! Asked for a little marinara on the side and it added some extra flavor!! I had the ORECCHIETTE pasta and it was fantastic. We also had the vodka pasta and it had great flavor!

We visited with our family on a Saturday evening. We did not have a reservation and our wait was only a few minutes. The food was good and the service was great. We felt like we were actually being waited on, the entire staff waited on us. This is why we tip.

Chicago has a lot of great Italian restaurants, and this has become one of our favorites. It has one of the best calamaris in the city, and their salads are wonderful and easily large enough to share between two people. The hot garlic bread with the gooey butter oozing out of it is a special treat, though when I eat the calamari, garlic bread, and salad, by the time I get to my entree, I'm too full to have any, and end up taking it home. Which is fine. It's good the next day as well. Service is friendly and quick and although the place seems always to be busy, we've always been able to get a table within a reasonable time frame.

I attended a small business dinner at Il Porcellino this week. We were seated immediately, and the waiter met us in just a minute with water. It took a few minutes to get drinks, the restaurant was very busy. We shared several appetizers, the meatballs were especially good. Veal Parm was also delicious. Only minor complaint throughout the meal was the amount of time between ordering drinks and getting them, otherwise everything was very good. Recommend this for good traditional Italian food.

Best Italian food ever!! Make reservations to avoid the long wait. Also try the spumoni for dessert - so good!! Such a wonderful Christmas Eve dinner with the family.

Great homemade pasta and fresh food and unique bread, really good. Also great atmosphere and fantastic service at the bar. Highly recommend.

Dean Martin was singing as we arrived and the atmosphere just screamed “Italian”! (Unfortunately they switched to popular, rock & roll and the atmosphere was not as great). Those who ordered the Burrata Lasagne were thrilled! We all tasted it and agreed that we’d come back for that and the round of garlic bread! A few other things were very good “normal” Italian fare. Go for the lasagne! Very busy place, good service, friendly host Alan.

We waited about 45 minutes for a table but had drinks while waiting so we didn't mind. It was a little pricey for drinks but hey your in Chicago. Once seated we had quick and immediate service. sample brought to table while we where looking over menu. My girlfriend is vegetarian an ordered the stuffed mushrooms for appetizer and the eggplant parmesan for her meal. She loved both in fact raved about the eggplant. Patrick was our server He was amazing in every way. Inciteful attentive and funny. We could not have been happier. He suggested the chicken marsala for me and it was delicious.

We had reservations at 8:15 on a Friday evening. We were seated right away. The server promptly took our drink orders and took our food order when she returned with our wine. They brought out two different samples from the kitchen which was an unexpected surprise. Our food, I had the lasagna, was outstanding. Neither one of us were able to finish our dinner, which turned into lunch the next day. The place was packed but did not feel like it. Very pleasant experience.

A booking is advised - popular restaurant that was full to capacity on the weeknight we attended. Good atmosphere, lively without being overpowering. Nice amuse-bouche. Good drinks menu with nice cocktails and a good selection of wine. Pasta dishes were of a good quality and generous (but not ridiculous) portions. There is adequate vegetarian choice. Desert was also nice - good range of the 'classic' Italian dishes done well. I would happily return with friends or family.

Good ambiance and beautiful place. Very good food, eggplant, lasagna, penne pesto/pistachios. Forget about the artichokes, not what you expect and not so good for the price. Very busy place, service accordingly. Overall, very good place.

This charming spot serves up comforting Italian-American classics that hit the spot. We tried the housemade pasta, which was truly exceptional, and the vegetable antipasti was fresh and flavorful. Although the dining room was closed, the pickup service was smooth and efficient. The casual ambiance made it perfect for a couple's night out. We can't wait to return and explore more of their seasonal offerings!

We ate at this restaurant on our first night in Chicago. It was late (around (9:30) when we got there. Our server was friendly and made many great suggestions. We ended up ordering the garlic bread (melts in your mouth), cheese ravioli, spaghetti and meatballs, burrata lasagna and the tiramisu. All of the dishes were outstanding! I am not a lasagna fan (too cheesy), but even I liked this, as did my super fussy 10 year-old who never eats Italian. Great atmosphere (killer music) and decor -- wonderful vibe. The only negative thing I'll add is that service was a bit slow. Our server seemed to disappear. We were on vacation so not in a hurry, but it was slow. You notice this when you're hungry (smile). Is this place cheap? No. But is it worth the price for a fantastic meal and enjoyable evening? You bet. I'm still thinking about the dessert and garlic bread -- just pure deliciousness. If you are in the River North area of Chicago, you should definitely make this place a dinner stop. You will love it!

Hi, being European the portvinsaus are very big! Recommend sharing, some of the starters are almost main courses. Wine list and nice selection of aperitifs. Highly recommended

Excellent dining experience after experiencing very poor customer service at our hotel (Conrad Hilton) We were seated promptly. Truly great service. Nice amuse Bouche to start Great salad and pasta dishes One member of our party had halibut and thought it may have been the best she ever had Very friendly and attentive waitress with strong recommendations Dessert was also excellent Kudos! we will be back

Spectacular. Loved the ambience in the restaurant and the attentive service. Wait staff was very helpful in giving suggestions on the menu. Food was delicious with just the right portions. Had the lasagne which would have been enough to split with someone else. Never felt rushed during the dining experience. Was the best Italian food we had after trying several restaurants on marathon weekend

Couldn't have had a better experience here. The food was incredible. We had the cheesy bread to start (I couldn't get enough), and then I ordered the Eggplant Parmesan and the other guests with me ordered the Burrata Lasagna. Both were so well prepared with delicious flavors. My eggplant parmesan didn't have pasta with it and I'm glad it didn't so that I wasn't filled up on pasta. For dessert we had their famous butterscotch pie, so good! The service was great, everyone who helped us was incredibly kind and seemed to genuinely care. The prices are also very reasonable for how amazing the food is! Would highly recommend to anyone in Chicago.

My husband and I ate here for our anniversary dinner. We didn’t have to wait but it was Sunday evening of Memorial Day weekend and we did make reservations. Our server was amazing! He was very knowledgeable, friendly and attentive. The atmosphere is lively and casual. My husband and I ordered several items. We started with the fontina cheese bread which came out warm and served with marinara sauce. We also ordered the calamari special with peppers and marinara. We were accidentally given the grilled calamari appetizer too so we were able to try both. I would suggest the grilled calamari. I wasn’t impressed with the Italian salad at all. It was very bland and not dressed enough. I ordered the Cacio e Pepe which was very rich. My husband ordered the lasagna and said he really enjoyed it. For dessert we shared the tiramisu. Everything was tasty but nothing special. I probably wouldn’t return just because there are so many other Italian restaurants in Chicago and better options. I would recommend it for others to try it though as Lettuce Entertain You restaurants are always a good time! I enjoyed the complimentary Aranchini to start and the free Prosecco from our sever to celebrate our anniversary was a very nice touch.

Amazing Italian food with great vibes! Service was quick, but not rushed, relaxed atmosphere. Everyone loved their dishes!

We were in town for a trade show and stopped in for some appetizers and drinks later in the evening. Those were so good, we came back 2 days later for meals, and we were not disappointed! This is really good Italian food!! The menu isn’t huge, but they do what they do well, and that’s what matters! The garlic bread and the lasagna are fantastic, the drinks are made well too. Don’t pass this place up when in Chicago

The restaurant’s ambience and look is a blend of sophistication and comfort. The service was good. The food was above average, but not memorable for the price. I did not like the bread with liquid truffle butter - made the bread soggy, did not have enough of a truffle flavor and, because of these downsides, was way overpriced for $15. Don’t think that I will be going back.

Visited last night once again to Il Porcellino and again, loved it! I thought both of the times I have gone there were terrific. I like everything about it - the atmosphere, the customers, the setting, the location and yes, the food. The first time I went I had the Tortellini in a porcini mushroom sauce. I for one usually don't order pasta but I ate the whole thing. It was fantastic. Last night was the Chicken Joey - pounded chicken breast in a sauce of vinegar peppers. Wonderful. I totally recommend this place if you are in Chicago. Its in the River North area and you should get a reservation. But there are high top tables in the adjacent bar area and also a nice spot for dinner.

Excellent across the board. I had the shrimp de jounge, my wife had the peoperdella, all we ridiculously good. Highly recommend

This was our first experience here, and we received excellent service and food. Our waiter was very attentive to our needs as we needed to be done in time to get to the play. He also offered excellent suggestions and provided great information about the menu selections. We were also offered some complementary appetizers from the kitchen, which was much appreciated. We will return when visiting Chicago again sometime.

Night before marathon and wait for meal was 95 min. 5:45 pm reservation. They know it’s going to be busy. Food was average. You have to pay for bread. Water has no ice. Not a good place to go if you are in a hurry

Came with my husband to finally give this desired spot of ours a try out! We sat at the bar and really enjoyed ourselves! We started with grilled calamari. It was seriously cooked to perfection, mouth watering as I type this! I had the tortellini and he had the brick chicken. Both were extremely enjoyable! That tortellini though, holy cow! The bartenders were brilliant! We were introduced to a New York Sour which was outstanding! I haven’t been introduced to a new cocktail that will become a staple for me in a long time. The ambiance here cannot go unmentioned. It is very busy but the decor and flow does not make it appear crowded or uncomfortable. Very comfortable and dreamy. Felt like I was in my cousins home enjoying a family meal with great music playing in the back ground. We can’t wait to go back!

Had a wonderful private business dinner. Great space for a private event. The food was fantastic and the service was very professional yet friendly. Highly recommend.

If you're looking for the best gluten free meal look no further! I had the gf shrmp scampi and I will be back to have it again! Spicy, lots of shrimp and tender gluten free linguine that is to die for! As soon as you take your first bit you will say wow! We will definitely will be back! Thank you Julio for the excellent recommendation and the great service!

Good food and service, nice atmosphere. This is an upscale place, prices good for a nice place like this in the city. Would highly recommend and would come back myself.

I had the cheese ravioli with bolognese sauce on top. The cheese ravioli was fresh and amazing, and the bolognese was some of the best I've ever had. Ate there multiple times during my trip. Just make sure you get a reservation. They book up quick.

If you love the garlic this plate is for you delicious meat !!! The bread is good flavor in general the service and the place is very warm lovely place to be with friends, good choice...

My wife and I have been going to Lettuce Entertain You restaurants for 4 decades (hard to imaging its been that long). This chain is always ahead of its time, which is why they have been around for so long. Just went here for the first time. Great food. Big menu Loved the lasagna. We will be back.

Appetizers and drinks were good but a little pricy. Food was just average, nothing special. Atmosphere was good with old time music, a little on the loud side. Probably not visiting again.

I have come to this restaurant several times from out of town and enjoyed every aspect of the experience. The drinks are spot on, the appetizers are delectable, and the entrees are better than momma made. 36 hour pork chop parmigiana is a must have.

I ate in here on a Friday evening just after it opened. Restaurant is large, has a nice outdoor patio. I sat at the bar to eat. Ordered cacio e Pepe with grilled chicken, food was great, service equally as good. $30 for meal and soft drink. Worth eating here before heading to O'Hare

We were there as part of a large group, and enjoyed every dish we tried. The first thing we had was an artichoke bite and a stuffed mushroom, both delicious. Their green chopped salad with Kale, olives, lots of avocado and a little bite from the pepperoncini it was a nice start. The Burrita with crispy bread slices and crispy Brussel sprouts and meatballs were really good, too.I had the Salmon Oreganata - perfectly done and seasoned well. My husband's Chicken Limone got rave reviews, too. The accompanying spinach was perfectly done, still a bit crisp. Salted caramel semifreddo was a nice, light, tasty finish. Can't wait to go back again!

What started as a bit of slow motion service ended up with a wonderful evening of Italian dining and excellence in customer satisfaction. Our meals were very tasty. My wife enjoyed the traditional spaghetti and meatballs. I had a spare rib special pasta that truly made a cold Chicago night feel like home. The bar was busy and the whole place is well appointed. A definite positive setting for your consideration.

Nice atmosphere, only came in for appetizers. Had the artichoke which was undercooked and swimming in bread crumbs. I have no idea how you are supposed to eat this. Also had burratta appetizer which was good, could have used a few more pieces of the toasted bread. Service was good. I would advis against ordering the artichoke it is a complete miss.

We had the meatballs and calamari as a starter. The calamari where a bit chewy but the meatballs were good. As a main course I had the Spaghetti carbonara, which was OK but not amazing. For the wine we had a bottle of red which was not worth the money we paid. Overall average.

Lovely atmosphere - relaxed but full of ambiance. The food was wonderful and made even better by the outstanding service. We will be back!!

Nice atmosphere and great food. The wagyu beef was both affordable and delicious. The garlic bread loaf to start was amazing and addictive! Very busy and popular place. Bar staff was professional cocktail makers that were engaging and friendly.

I ate here as part of a much larger work group, so I wasn't sure what to anticipate. We had the back area of the restaurant to ourselves, and it was an intimate yet spacious setup. The apps were served family style, and due to our group size, we had limited options. I am a picky eater, so I was a bit nervous....however, the food was amazing. I had the rigatoni alla vodka. Everyone in our group loved the food, and the portion size was very generous. Absolutely recommend to anyone who likes good Italian.

We had a 9:30 reservation on a Friday night. It was crowded, but good crowded not annoying crowded. We arrived early and sat at the bar for a glass of wine. Good atmosphere, good service, good wine. Enjoyed our meals. I had meatballs with polenta - delicious.

We arrived 10 minutes early for our reservation and were asked if we’d mind waiting until our actual reservation time of 6:45. Hmmm, never heard that before. Have been told that it will be a few minutes which is not as offensive as wait until your actual reservation time. We ordered meatballs, pasta and eggplant parmigiana. The meatballs arrived quickly and were good, not great. About 20 minutes later, still no main course which is when we were told that the last eggplant parmigiana had been sold and would we mind waiting another 20 minutes while they make more? Our answer was "yes, we would mind". Forty minutes waiting for our main course is ridiculous. To keep from going hungry, we shared the pasta in vodka sauce which we had ordered and skipped the eggplant. The pasta was mediocre. As a way of apologizing, we were offered a free dessert which we declined. It was such a disappointing time, we just wanted to leave. With so many other restaurants in Chicago with good service and good food, skip Il Porcellino.

What could have been a miserable experience, turned into a great meal. We are locals, have been to this restaurant a couple of times and further when it was different restaurants. So we were surprised, when we had reservations, were given a high top, bar table. When I asked the young hostess, she replied, “we are busier than we thought tonight”. Not a good response. Our waiter came over, a terrific guy, and I told him the issue but we settled in and ordered a bottle of wine. Within five minutes, the manager came over and told us a nice booth had opened up. We told her thank you very much, but we were ok. However, next we were given a terrific appetizer on them, the part owner who had heard the story came over. We had a very nice conversation with him and then at the end, the manger came again with a plate of donuts which we just could not eat anything further. The food was terrific. Salmon grilled perfectly and veal parm, cooked just right. But the star was the customer service. This restaurant gets an A+!

In my research, this restaurant was the only one that seemed to have both of my 2 favorite dishes, fettucini alfredo and lasagne. Let's start with the fettucini. Creamy, full-flavored near perfection. Served with crispy prosciutto on top. The flavors together were Amazing!!! Now the lasagne. Perfect homemade noodles melted in my mouth with relentless cheesiness and the fantastic homemade marinara. Heavenly! Perfect! I actually teared up on the first bite. Whew, man that was Good!!!! Reservations are recommended. Just one more thing, the incredible tiramisu. Oh the flavor. Unmatched to any I've ever had. Bellissimo!!!! Enjoy, my fellow travelers.

This spot was amazing for a celebration but also casual. Everything was delicious! The lasagna and chocolate was amazing! I would visit Chicago again to eat here! It was very packed so can take some time with service but well worth the wait!

We were spending the weekend downtown and this restaurant was recommended to us. We did have reservations but had to wait another 25 minutes. But I have to say the manager was very apologetic and then sent over 3 appetizers on the house once we were seated. You definitely have to try one of the hot breads for an appetizer. The burrata and meatballs also were excellent. All of our pasta dishes-Orecchiette,Cacio E Pepe and Rigatoni with Vodka sauce were so fresh and full of taste. I would definitely go back. Reservations a must.

This place is a hidden gem. The venue is warm, cozy, personal and authentic. The ceiling is covered with wine glasses, and pretty much every table has a view of something eye catching. The interior is warm and homey and yet elegant and sophisticated at the same time. The food is amazing. This is becoming one of my favorite venues in Chicago. We have been taking clients there for business dinners, and get tons of compliments. It’s better than the big name restaurants in that area, and not so hectic. A rare find.

Very nice and cozy restaurant, we had calamari, baked burrata lasagna, cavarretta’s baked shrimp, for dessert salted caramel semifredo and for drink Montepuciano wine and old fashioned. Everything tasting super good!!!!! The attention and the server were good too!!!

We arrived without a reservation and was so happy that they managed to fit us in. The restaurant was very busy but all of the staff were working really hard and it is credit to them for keeping everyone satisfied. Our waitress was very good, efficient, with just the right amount of attentiveness. Shout out to the plate clearer as well, he was excellent. The food was fantastic had the chicken penne and the chicken was so fresh and not overcooked. For me the absolute best thing is the vibe. Very cosy, wonderful music , the kind of place you don’t want to leave.

Atmosphere and ambience were great. Food was OK. Our server wasn't great - distracted and slow, order wasn't accurate.

We were seated right away, we skipped the drinks that night and jumped straight to food. We had the stuffed mushrooms which were done just right. For our mains we had Classic Cheese Ravioli and Riagtoni in Vodka sauce. The rigatoni could have had more sauce but it ended up fine. Also the other pics posted by others have beautiful presentation and ours was not that great. I don’t know it’s the pandemic or not but we just missed some old fashioned complimentary bread at an Italian restaurant….. didn’t miss the carbs but it’s that we are used to it. The prices are fair as it’s located right in downtown river north. We saw mostly couples and adults in groups…. There were no kids at all on Friday night which was actually nice . The noise level was low so we could have a conversation and a nice meal. The music was great too!

Excellent ambiance, wonderful decor in that old style of photos of famous italians and others on the wall and above all excellent food.

Had a wonderful dinner at Il Porcellino. We sat at the high top near the bar. It was a nice cozy corner table. We started with the grill octopus. Wonderful! The spicy scampi had a great kick and side large salad was plenty to share for the table. The meatball appetizers were also excellent!

This is a real sleeper!!! The ambiance is casual, intimate, and very relaxing. A great date night resturaunt. The food is very good, and offers a nice variety. We had the whole loaf garlic bread to start, which is UNBELIEVABLY good!!! I had chicken visuvio and my girlfriend had the chicken parm. Both were excellent. The staff were very welcoming, friendly, and engaging. The manager came by to make sure everything was good. The wine list was small, but had some very good, and reasonably priced wines by the glass or bottle. Our experience from start to finish was perfect! We will definitely return here for another intimate date night, great Italian food, and stellar service. Highly recommend this gem!!

We went to celebrate some birthdays and had a great evening. Nice booth for four people with great service and excellent food (shrimp scampi, chicken vesuvio and our favorite, chicken piccata. We started with fried Brussel sprouts and fried calamari. The music was a bit quirky but overall a great experience and ambience. Thanks for a special night!

Although table reserved, a non-chalent expectation imposed. Tired of having visited the city, not even a proposed seating place to have an aperitif, but queue....as without Reservation...

The decor is so charming and Cozy The service by Kennedy was professional and so friendly The food was excellent, fresh and tasty. We absolutely love the fresh hurrays cheese for the appetizer and fir the main course the lasagna baked in oven and the eggplant parmigiana were delicious Do not miss the dessert , the tiramisu so yummy and the bombilini beignets with cream so amazing. It’s definitely an authentic Italian restaurant with fresh and tasty food We enjoyed gorgeous Italian wines by the glass with very raisonnables prices. Do not miss this place … A GEM ❤️

I visited during restaurant week and loved the ambiance of the restaurant to bits. The food that were on the restaurant week menu was not mind blowing but over all I had a good experience. Worth a visit!

Our dinner on a very busy weeknight was enhanced by being in a booth along the back wall. The food and service are as advertised (outstanding). You will want to try the desserts (we had 3). Go ahead, you’ll like it.

It is very hard to find a restaurant that has conquered the art of great food, personable staff and a festive atmosphere but Ill Porcellino has all three! We made our reservations for our 52nd wedding anniversary celebration for my husband and myself, unsure of the restaurant but based on the excellent reviews and also wanting to find true Italian cookery! Post pandemic it has been a challenge! But, thankfully... They did not disappoint! I can honestly say it could not have been better. I felt like the management understood that food is not simply a collation of ingredients artfully prepared, but, a celebration of life for all of the special times of our lives. My thanks to all at Ill Porcellino, well done!

Food was okay, not great, service was poor, did not see any pizza offering on the menu that night, and to add an insult, the check came with an added surcharge. We will not eat here again when visiting Chicago. Adding to the strange service, we had to ask for Salt and Pepper, then the shakers were removed from the table before the dishes or check presented...did they think we were going to steal salt and pepper? Maybe it was just an off night for the staff.

The restaurant itself is very cool, and had a great vibe. We ordered ftied calamari for starters and it was very fresh and tasty. We then split the spaghetti and meatballs, which was also very tasty, but it was not hot at all. But again the taste was good. Cocktails were good as well. They do bot serve complimentary bread, which was slightly disappointing, but we had plenty to eat and were satisfied.

Great pasta , drinks and atmosphere in river north neighborhood and definitely recommend for a reasonable prices and yummy dinner

I had never heard of this place when I made the reservation but the photo on opentable showing the wall of photos which included Dean Martin was a good sign. We went on a Friday night and the place was packed but we had no issues with acoustics/ being able to hear each other talk. We ordered the family style dinner for $39.95 per person and it worked out great. Portions were good except we had too much salad. Service was fine; maybe a little slow with the drinks. Overall, we had a very positive experience and would definitely go back!

Had a marvelous time! From the moment we arrived, service was exceptional. The gentleman that took us to our table was welcoming and friendly. Mario was our server - he took great care of us and made excellent recommendations. Shout out to the male bartender as well - he made me the best espresso martini I have ever had! We enjoyed the burrata special, the cacio e pepe, and the tiramisu. So good!

It is a traditional red sauce restaurant. Enjoyed our meal, food good. Although my La sauna arrived Luke war,.However, would never return be because the only bread available was a $9.00 loaf. There are too many old world Italian restaurants in Chicago that we can enjoy with a small piece of bread. Skip.

Delicious food, great service, cozy atmosphere with nice lighting and music. We have been here twice and loved everything. Our food was all delicious including the yummy desserts. Definitely an event dinner where you take your time and enjoy the food, ambiance, and good company.

We ordered some lasta first, which was delicious. Then, the meatballs, which were incredible! Just what we were looking for in our visit to Chicago.

Nice atmosphere but the food is only ok. The garlic bread is delicious but the pasta dishes are quite basic. The Tiramisu is also very good. Also, slightly pricey for what it is.

My wife and I wanted old fashioned Italian food, this was the best we've had in years. The grilled calamari was fresh and seasoned just right, the garlic bread excellent, lasagna and ravioli unbelievably good, wife could not stop raving about the ravioli. Butterscotch pie and tiramisu as well both excellent. We carried out but everything was hot and packed well, the ambiance of the restaurant is very warm, wish we could've eaten there. Will be back next time I'm in Chicago

Our new favorite classic Italian restaurant. We just had another fabulous dinner here. Service spectacular, excellent moderately priced wines, AMAZING food—reasonable prices for the quality and huge portions. Standouts—meatball appetizer, veal Parmesan...and to die for—Burrata Lasagna! Phenomenal! Don’t miss it! Worth the wait...but reservations recommended!

Stopped in for a quick meal at the bar. Great service, nice vibe. The burrata appetizer with the red onion jam was fabulous. Had the house gnocchi with bolognese. Very very light and fluffy - how do they do that. Only lost a point with the crowdedness of the place which created a rather loud interior.

Dropped in due to rain storm that hit and man did we get in the right spot. The food was amazing. And the atmosphere was just as great. A must visit.

Cool atmosphere. Very busy. But the serve full menu at bar and we got lucky. Good service. Menu has variety of options. Highly recommend.

My wife and I have been here many times and have had nothing, but great food and amazing service. The food and drinks are top notch. We took our Parents here this last time and our server Rafa was fantastic. We ordered family style and he was incredibly helpful making sure we had a variety of different things and wine to match. We also recommend stopping at the bar for a cocktail before dinner with the expert bartenders.

This is my husband's favorite spot for cocktails. There is a very nice bar area with sliding doors that open to the sidewalk when the weather is pleasant. They have happy hour every evening (at the bar only, though). We both love their food, especially the chopped salad, chicken parmesan and baked bread. The restaurant area is charming with nice background music. They have cooking classes on occasion which I have not yet tried, but would like to.

If you like a quiet atmosphere, we would advise going early as it was very busy when we went but the food was great, service was fast and price was alright.

Had a great meal here in the large group of 20 odd. Had a private room in the back of the restaurant. Food and drink was plentiful, service was quick and the staff were great. We had a mix of food on the table but my fav was the gnocchi, which was amazing. Also the bread they offer which is warm from the oven was outstanding. Highly recommended, will be revisiting.

Yet again, another fantastic Lettuce Entertain You restaurant! Pleasant evening, so we were seated by the large open windows, so the setting was great to people watch. This is a casual Italian restaurant, so no need to dress up. Our waitress was excellent, but then again, most LEY staff is prone to very good. Our food was excellent, and we loved the menu with some fun offerings to select from. We will return for sure.

We really enjoyed this place, great food, nice cocktails. We would go again. The outdoor seating is nice and we enjoyed it thoroughly/

I feel like I need to make a trip to Il Porcellino at least once per month, if not more! They ace all of the Italian classics and are reasonably priced. They also have great cocktails. My go-to’s are: the Paloma, whole loaf garlic bread, and the cacio e pepe or spaghetti & meatballs!

Great place for drinks or dinner with family or friends. The cheezy bread and meatballs are excellent!

One of the best Italian meals I’ve had in a long time! The service was fantastic- really fast and knew lots about the menu and the best dishes. The food was fantastic, we had the cheese garlic bread and roasted brussel sprouts to start. Then for mains had ragu pappardelle, scampi spaghetti and lasagne and we all thought it was some of the best pasta we’ve ever had. The atmosphere was brilliant, the decor was great and really good music and liveliness without it being too lively. If I’m back in Chicago I would 100% recommend it.

Everything was perfect, and just what we wanted to experience with our family. Perfect decor and embiance. Service was great, food was great, wine selection was great, and the atmosphere was perfect. Made a great ending to our trip to Chicago. I'd classify this as fine dining, but the prices are very reasonable, and worth every penny.

We waited 45 minutes to be seated after making a reservation on Open Table. My husband and teenagers patiently waited in an atmosphere that I can only describe as circus-like. This is not a serious Italian restaurant and is very very touristy. We left because I didn’t want my teenagers watching all the drunks falling off their chairs in the bar area. It was just very low end and really not worth the wait.

Chose this italian restaurant becase it was close to our hotel (Kinzie Hotel - 6min walk). The ambiance was warm and inviting, the restaurant was busy, and the service was quick. Bathrooms were 3 single restrooms; they were clean and provided more privacy which I like. The food was 10/10 best old school cheese ravioli I have had in a while. The old fashioned was delicious (solid ice cube), and the espresso martini to finish off the night went down quick! Highly recommend. Our daughter's best friend that we brought with us on the trip turned 16 this weekend and they brought out icecream with a candle complimentary.

Found this restaurant whilst googling best Italian restaurants in Chicago and it could be the best Italian, if not best meal, we’ve ever eaten! We had the sprouts to start, unreal. Then shared the lasagne with the whole loaf garlic bread and Parmesan fries. All of it was incredible. Managed to squeeze a dessert in, the mini doughnuts. Unbelievable. Do not hesitate booking this restaurant!

Delicious lasagne and chicken in a lovely lively restaurant. Definitely best to book as very busy. Made to feel welcome

This was a delicious meal. I was exhausted and had it delivered to my hotel. I had the Gnocchi Bolognese and chocolate cake. I highly recommend this place.

Italian restaurant that has all that you need for an Italian meal. We had a very nice waiter. When I couldn’t make up my mind about what wine I should choose he let me try a couple. Very good pasta and side order to a reasonable price. Interior nice and cozy.

Very nice location and warm environment even if our table was a bit 'in the dark. We had spaghetti whit meatballs, very good even if for us Italians the pasta was slightly ahead of cooking and lacked a little salt. For being in Chicago I would still say top! Cute Mexican waiter. Council book well in advance.

Dinner at Il Porcellino was the highlight of our evening. From the moment you walk in the ambiance is warm and welcoming. The service was second to none, with attentive and authentic care for your dining experience. We started with a loaf of the garlic bread and a bottle of Tuscan wine and never looked back. Dinner was fresh, hand made ravioli and egg plant parmesan. The flavor was some of the best Italian food we have ever tried, while never being overwhelming or heavy. This was our first time at the restaurant, but definitely not our last.

This place had a good buzz on a Saturday evening. The service was good and friendly. The food was decent without being brilliant. Reasonable value.

I ate dinner here on Sunday night. All of my reviews lists Pros and Cons, however, all I have are nothing but positive things to share. I was in town for business and staying at the nearby Residence Inn. I asked the hotel staff where could I find some great Italian food and two of them - instantly - said il Porcellino. When I arrived, the place was jammed pack and the wait for a table was one hour. However, the greeter said I could sit at the full-service bar, which I did. I was greeted by Jose, who was awesome the entire night. He was very knowledgeable, accommodating, offered great recommendations, and had a great spirit. He's an all-star server/bartender. Now for the food - my goodness! I ordered the Tuscan cheese bread as my appetizer. Wow. I ordered the chicken parmesan for my entree. I almost hurt myself as I ate everything on all of my plates, including the complimentary appetizer. I had a glass of the rose which had a strong hint of cranberry. Overall, this was one of the - if not the - best Italian dinner experiences I've ever had. If and when I return to Chicago, I'll make a beeline to this restaurant as soon as I check in to the hotel and drop off my bags. Great staff, great food, great atmosphere...it doesn't get any better! Outstanding!

My family is from Modena Italy and it is really hard to find Italian food in the United and a lot of the places that say they serve “authentic Italian” don’t really taste like it but I have to say this place is one of the most accurate places I have been this food brought me right back to haw it tastes in Italy it is very athletic and a great place to go all of the people where very nice and if they have a wait it is for a good reason this place was packed on a Monday night and now I know why I definitely recommend this place to everyone I know who wants to go to dinner in Chicago this place was delicious

I had the best espresso martini here that I have ever had. I can not wait to go back for dinner! The atmosphere is classy and relaxing.

I went because it was close to hotel but was so happy we did. I got the spaghettis- meatballs and wife got gnocchi first night and it was great. I tried the lasagna next night and it was just as good. I looked at most of the meals coming out and everything looked great. Will being going back when in Chicago again.

My wife and I, new to the Chicago area, went looking for a place to go on Christmas Eve. In looking we found this place, not knowing that it was part of the Let Us Entertain You group, and went hoping for a good time. We were not disappointed. Although it was Christmas Eve, extremely busy, the service was extremely personable, efficient and we were never made to feel that we were intruding on the server's holiday. Although it did not have any veal selection, the Brick Chicken I had was really good and my wife's pasta was a dish she wanted to come back for. This is not a 5 star restaurant but one I will come back to many more times than I would an overly expensive location. I find this a gem that is on my regular list for frequent return.

We had the most wonderful dinner at Il Porcellino. The atmosphere was relaxed and comfortable - added bonus was the noise level in restaurant was lively but quiet enough to be able to carry on a conversation at our table of 6. We had reservations for 6:45 and we were seated immediately. The wait staff was prompt and very attentive. And the food was out of this world! We highly recommend this restaurant for fantastic Italian cuisine.

2nd visit to this Italian restaurant in chicago. This time we went a little earlier to avoid the crowds, and this place does get crowded! We arrived about 5:15 and had our choice of tables. Our server was very knowledgeable about their wine offerings and didn't steer us wrong! Free appetizer were some potatoe offerings with a red sauce. Next up. Their warm garlic bread with freshly poured garlic butter over the loaf at your table. My entree was the gnocchi . An excellent delight, consisting of little "pillow" pastas stuffed with soft potatoe. Covered in red meat sauce with various herbs and spices. Delicious ! Highly recommend, the lasagna is to die for and we also enjoyed the meatballs! You can't go wrong here, make a reservation!

We grabbed dinner with some friends on a Sunday night - we decided to come to this location.We skipped the appetizers and went straight to the main meal. We decided to share dishes accross the group - Green Chopped Salad, Orecchiette, Gnocchi Bolognese, Bucatini Cacio E Pepe, Chicken Parmesan. We were pretty happy with all the dishes we selected - the portion sizes were large enough to feed a group of 6. The Green Chopped Salad was very delicious. The Chicken Parmesan was probably the favorite of the options we had. Of the Italian restuarant options in Chicago, I believe this is one of the better options.

Over the years, my wife and I have dined at nearly all of the restaurants operated by the Chicago-based Lettuce Entertain You empire. We never cease to be impressed and amazed by the organization's creativity and vision. They always seem find a new way to satisfy a customer's appetite. Why did it take us so long to discover Il Porcellino? Located at 59 West Hubbard Street in the heart of the bustling River North neighborhood, between Dearborn and Clark, it is open from 4 to 11 Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, from 4 to midnight on Thursday, Friday and Saturday and from 4 to 8 on Sunday. It marks LEY's foray into the realm of Italian comfort food and from the minute you sit down and are served a whole loaf of fresh baked garlic bread, you know you're in for a special evening. The menu is a splendid blend of Italian classics and LEY's new creations. After sampling the delicious bread, we started with prime beef meatballs with marinara sauce, fried calamari with marinara sauce, prosciutto with parmesan and peppers and Caesar salad with romaine, celery, parmesan, ciabatta croutons and Caesar dressing. For an entree, my wife chose parmesan crusted Grouper with lemon butter, roasted cauliflower and parmesan fries. I followed the Italian theme with veal parmesan, covered with Italian bread crumbs, melted fontina cheese and parsley and dressed in spaghetti marinara. With sides of vesuvio potatoes and garlic spinach. For dessert, we were delighted with the house specialty, Bomboloni, fresh Italian donuts with hot fudge, and a portion of white peach sorbet. Il Porcellino is another winner for Rich Melman and his LEY group.

We went to this restaurant based on reviews, but we were very disappointed. We got freshly pressed grapefruit juice which was the best thing we got. Then we shared a roasted artichoke, but was a little under cooked. Then my wife got Salmon with sauteed Spinach: the Salmon was nothing special and was a bit undercooked, as far as the spinach I can prepare better sauteed spinach at home. I got Black Bass with Asparagus, the fish was OK, but a bit undercooked too. For the Asparagus they brought even the white root of the asparagus without cutting it and keep what's green. All this for $98 including tip. I believe this is overpriced for what the quality is and based on quality, prices should be at least 33% lower. I will not come back again.

Such a great find in such a big city. The food here was amazing even my husband agreed and he is Italian. The roasted chicken penne was delicious the sauce was perfect. To find such a cute affordable Italian restaurant in this big city was so surprising we will definitely be back. My family can’t wait to try other dishes. The atmosphere was perfect for a date night, with the white lights hanging from the ceiling. The staff is all very careful with all the covid restrictions you will feel safe dining here.

The entire staff provides an excellent experience from start to finish. The food is delicious, the signature cocktails and wine list are very good, but the ambiance and feel of the place set this restaurant apart.

Il Porcellino is an old school Italian restaurant with a menu of primarily traditional dishes. The atmosphere is loud and the tables ae too close together. I found the food to be mediocre in a city with so many great Italian restaurants. I ordered the lasagna and it was burned across the bottom. Small wine list. None of our party of 8 wanted to stay for dessert.

We were recently in Chicago for business and on a recommendation from a colleague got a reservation at Il Porcellino. Upon our arrival we were promptly seated by the hostess. Our server (Jose) was there in minutes to take our drink order as well as our dinner wine (Montepulciano). He returned with our drinks and explained the menu, we knew what we wanted and gave him our choices. We shared a caprese salad, against my better judgement because of the lack of fresh tomatoes this time of year. It was lacking in taste because of this, but my fault. My wife ordered a Parmesan Crusted Halibut and I Cacio e Pepe, our waiter Jose suggested I try it with chicken which I did. Both of our meals were delicious and would not hesitate to order either again. We enjoyed the entire experience and would recommend this restaurant.

Dinner with friends was lovely. Food delicious. Drinks divine. Atmosphere lively, but not overwhelming. Very authentic. Can't wait to return!

When you first walk in you are overwhelmed by the crowd. The place is packed. The crowd is young and vibrant. We got there early for our 7:15 reservation, but we eventually got seats at the bar, while we waited. The bartender was good and got us our drinks quickly. We got seated in a booth about 5 minutes early. They brought us 4 little arancini’s before we ordered. That was a great touch. We started the meal with the Parmesan Bread, which we all loved. Next we had the large Caesar Salad, which we all split. It was very good and easily enough for four. The Meatball appetizer came next and again enough for four. They were so good, I could have made a meal out of them. Then came the stuffed mushrooms for the table, by the time we finished these we were all stuffed, so we only ordered three entrees for the four of us. The Burrata Lasagna, the Gnocchis, and Chicken Vesuvio. All were perfection. While we all split the entrees, there was still enough to take home. Then what better way to end a good Italian meal, but with Italian Donuts and Gelato. All were great. The service was impeccable, our waitress was knowledgeable about the menu, and right on top of things when we needed something. When we got the bill, we were pleasantly surprised at how reasonable it was. This addition to the Lettuce Entertain You Family is great.

Loved this place! Tried the family dinner for 4. Started with the Italian salad- wow veggies, bits of Italian meats and tossed in a great Italian dressing. The garlic cheese bread is awesome. We had meatballs, calamari as our appetizer. All well prepared- the best meatballs! We tried the triple ragu with pappadelle noodles. Creamy Alfredo pasta. Our secondi was chicken Parmesan & Brick Chicken- all good! We ended the meal with Italian donuts, tiramisu & gelato. Our service was great- even drank their signature Chianti. I would come back in a heartbeat.

We keep returning to this stunning spot. We have brought family and friends and never are disappointed. Decor is charming—white lights strung overhead, music is fun for all ages-and food is outstanding! Brussel sprouts are great and the artichoke is truly not to be missed. I have it for an entree every time I go. Bread crumbs, and garlic roasted in between each leaf. Yum!!!!

Looking for Italian to be delivered and ordered this just before close. I can't imagine how good it would have been to eat at the restaurant. Fantastic food. Used Uber Eats. Really, really good.

Absolutely fantastic Italian meal. Not overly pricey, great service, great atmosphere. Make sure to reserve ahead, glad we did because it was packed!

My son and I had a delicious dinner at this restaurant while visiting Chicago. I would highly recommend!

The restaurant was very busy when we went and the tables are a bit cramped together, but the overall experience was excellent. The meatballs are amazing - large but extremely tender, and I would highly recommend. We walked in and were told the waiting time for a table would be 2 hours, so we decided to leave and come back. They contacted us about half an hour later saying that our table would be ready in 15 minutes. So just be aware of this if you decide to leave for a bit while waiting for a table - don't go too far in case the wait time is less than expected.

First time here based on a recommendation. Had a great server named Stephanie who was very knowledgeable about the menu and gave some great info to us. We had the bass w/asparagus, baked artichoke, caprese salad, and salted caramel semifreddo and cappuchino for desert......some of the best we have had....highly recommend.

During a recent girls' day out, we enjoyed dinner at il Porcellino. Service, Food & Atmosphere all 5/5 We had a reservation, and the restaurant was not super busy when we arrived, we were seated immediately. A lovely young lady came, filled our water glasses and told us about the drink menus, and let us know our server would be with us soon. A bit later, our server arrived, answered a few questions, took our drink order. I ordered a Vespa Rossa. It was delicious! As an appetizer, we had crispy brussel sprouts. They will make you a fan if you're not already! I ordered the Orecchiette. It was fantastic! It had just a little heat to it. I'll be attempting to recreate this recipe at home. It was not your typical heavy Italian pasta. It had a lighter brothy sauce. Also had the Tuscan cheese bread. It was great, just the right amount of crunch to cheese ratio. Unfortunately, no room for dessert . Already thinking about my next visit, and trying a salad and desert. As I skipped both and regretted it!

Our concierge recommended this and she was right on the money! Super fun neighbourhood! The restaurant is busy and has great decor! Our server was great! We shared the burata; I ordered the grilled calamari and Tuscan beans. My friend had the Spagetti and meatballs. Food was excellent and wine list was great! We did not have desert but the list looked great! I will def book a meal here the next time I’m I town!

Had a wonderful meal on Friday night, very busy. Make reservations! A must! We loved the casual relaxed atmosphere, soft tunes in the background. Dimly lit. So many great things on the menu, decided on the meatballs, the lasagne, the spaghetti, warm garlic bread with fresh warm butter drizzled over it at tableside. Still talking 2 days later what a great meal we had.

You are in Italy here with the bottle of Chianti from the ceiling and on the Table. Very good Ambiance with a mix of music and what I love here the music of Franck Sinatra. The food was authentic Italian food, do not hesitate to take the grill calamari and also the spaghetti with Scampi Lots of flavors ...!! They have excellent Italian wines from Montepulciano and Barolo We appreciate the excellent service by Byron We definitely come back very soon for the Food, the Service and the Ambiance Do not hesitate GO

We visited here the night before Thanksgiving. The place was hopping! Our server Christin was great! The pace was right, and the food was delicious! We all enjoyed the Tuscan cheese bread. The salads were fresh and delicious. The ravioli dish was yummy as was the chicken parmigiana. I must say I’d go back just for the donut dessert! OMG. 5 little warm donuts with 2 different sauces were the best!! Put this place on your list Chicago visitors.... you’ll be happy you did!

Il Porcellino is located downtown near the Chicago river. It looks modern from the outside with scattered outdoor seating. From the street you can see the huge bar with the dining room in the back. OK, this place is pretty touristy but being downtown and surrounded by hotels, so it should be touristy. We had reservation because we were going to see a play near by. The inside is very busy with loads of Italian theme decor, think huge wine bottles from ceiling, and cheesy Italian 50s and 60s pop music in the background. The menu is pretty basic Italian fare. However we love Italian food and could not wait to try everything. We had a bottle of wine to start and split the burrata appetizer. I ordered the Ravioli with Pesto, my friend had the Chicken Vesuvio and my partner ordered Pappardelle alla Porcellino. We had some bread as well but we should have ordered the garlic bread, everyone else seem to have ordered that. The food was very good. My ravioli was nicely spiced with pesto and both my partner and friend both loved their dishes. Overall great service, great food, cheesy atmosphere and music but fun time. We will return.

The atmosphere is relaxed but full of ambiance. Our waiter was wonderful. And the food was out of this world! Highly recommend this restaurant.

Since discovering this restaurant, every time I go to Chicago, I must return there. Great ambiance, great bar and the best basil marinara spaghetti and meatballs I've ever eaten. Each bite is an orgasm of flavor. My friend had the clam linguini and said it was the best he ever had. AND they new me by my phone call and greeted me by my name! It's the only restaurant saved to my cell phone and I live 3 hours away.

Took my work team for a dinner out. Very accommodating, Food was delicious and the service was great. Would come back.

The food is absolutely delicious, lots and lots of options that we struggled to make a decision. The wine is absolutely fantastic. We are here for a business trip and I’m glad we don’t have one of these places in our hometown otherwise I would be in trouble.

Unfortunate experience. Daughter went to dinner with friends. Three young men came in from street and walked past staff and began to accost and verbally abused customers including my daughter. Knocked over Daughter's drinks and food. Waitress and manager just watched. No help offered. Men eventually left and staff never stepped in or addressed incident. Eventually offered to take appetizer off bill. This would have not happened 10 years ago. River North not safe at night. No one taking a stand. Sad and frustrating.

Every bite I ate was so delicious! The atmosphere is as romantic as it gets. Picture a dimly lit room with old lamps and strings of lights hanging from the ceiling. The weight staff is very good, also. The appetizers were among the best I've ever tasted! The Tuscan cheese bread was to die for! The Italian Salad was also good. The roasted artichoke was tantalizing; it was unlike anything I've ever eaten. All the pasta here is wonderful! I ate the gnocchi bolognese, and my family tried the cheese ravioli and the cacio y pepe, all of which were fantastic! The desserts were too good to pass up, even after eating rich plates of pasta. The spumoni was awesome, as was the salted caramel semifreddo. This place is a bargain compared to other Italian places downtown. Don't miss it! I had one of the best Italian meals I've ever eaten.

This is a busy restaurant with good atmosphere. The Brussel sprout appetiser was best sprout starter I ever had. Lovely mains and desserts. I would definitely go back

For starters, the food at iL Porcellino is fantastic. We eat dinner twice and everything was really good. The service was spot-on and fun. From 4PM (opening) to 6 PM they have a great happy hour with a meat ball sandwich that I am still thinking about. There have 13 different negronis to pick from and only $8.00 during happy hour. These are craft cocktails you would expect to pay close to $12. I would argue that a Boulevardier is not a negroni but it was on the list and worth having again. They also have a decent glass of wine for $5.

Every once in a while, when I have nothing better to do, I go on a quest to find the "Best in Chicago." The best pizza, the best hot dog, the best steakhouse, the best Italian beef. As of today, it's the best spaghetti and meatballs. To begin my search, I examined a dozen surveys. They nominated 17 restaurants. Eleven had top-rated spaghetti and meatballs. Only two received more than one first place vote. One was Il Porcellino. Located at 59 West Hubbard, in the River North neighborhood of downtown Chicago, in a space formerly occupied by the Paris Club, it is a partnership between chef Doug Psaltis and the sibling trio of R.J., Jerrod and Molly Melman, whose father Rich Melman is founder of the Lettuce Entertain You restaurant empire. Besides having a wonderful website that showcases its expansive menu, Il Porcellino is a casual/chic and vibrant Italian restaurant that specializes in classic Italian/American comfort food, including house-made pastas, Italian specials and wine. Open from 4 to 9:30 Sunday through Thursday and 4 to 10:30 on Friday and Saturday, Il Porcellino delivered. You expect a lot from a LEY restaurant and you rarely if ever are disappointed. My wife and I started with a whole loaf of garlic bread with hot garlic butter and sprinkled with parmesan cheese, an order of prime beef meatballs simmered in marinara and a Caesar salad with chopped Romaine lettuce tossed in house-made croutons, celery, parmesan cheese and creamy Caesar dressing. For her entree, my wife chose chicken parmesan, a generous chicken breast dredged in Italian bread crumbs and pan fried, smothered with house-made marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese, then baked until golden brown and served with a side of spaghetti marinara. You already know what I ordered. Spaghetti and meatballs, three prime beef meatballs simmered in marinara and served with imported spaghetti. Just like my father used to make. As good as advertised. For dessert, we shared portions of tiramisu and triple chocolate cake. Tell dad that his kids are doing a great job.

I love lasagna here. Atmosphere was friendly with nice waiter and waitress. Other dishes were great too

The atmosphere buzzes with energy, evoking the charm of a true neighborhood spot. The food is outstanding—easily one of the finest meals we’ve had in Chicago. The lasagna was captivating: a generous portion that somehow remained wonderfully light. You can taste the craftsmanship in their pasta, and it elevates every bite.

If I lived in Chicago I’d weight 10 more pounds, so much good food and il Porcellino would be one of the reasons why! Earlier in the day walking down Hubbard something pulled us towards this place and we read their posted menu. Looks like great, reasonably priced Italian food, how could that be? Let’s come here tonight. So we booked a Rez on Opentable. From the moment we walked in the staff was accommodating. We could see an open booth and asked if was ready, they said no but we could get it ready for you. Then as soon as we sat down we could tell our waitress was wonderful, going above and beyond, guiding our picky eaters through the menu. Some of the best service we’ve had in years. And the food, Magnifico. If I’m going to over indulge I want to eat like this. After eating as the place was starting to wind down I stood up, walked around and studied the various photos and wine bottles posted on the walls. It felt vaguely familiar. Then I saw it, it’s a Lettuce Entertain You restaurant. I lived in Chicago in the 80’s and witnessed their meteoric rise, the long lines to get in their places, it was all the rage. And it looks like quality and value can still coexist, even in this age of inflation, you feel like you’re getting your monies worth here!

Our group of 14 went here following a conference meeting and enjoyed a fantastic "family style" dinner. We enjoyed wine, antipasti, pasta, and dessert! All of the dishes we tried were outstanding. I highly recommend trying a variety of dishes and sharing among your group. They were also great about offering gluten free options for a few of our friends who had dietary restrictions. Can't wait to visit again!

Visited on a Saturday night with 3 of my girlfriends so a party of four with no reservation. The place was indeed crowded, the host told us it would be an hour and half wait but then 3 minutes in he came back and said he had a table for us which was awesome! Our waitress was thee best, I believe her name was Triniece very attentive, patient and knowledgeable. The ambiance, the food, the price, the service, all phenomenal. We had steamed calamari as an appetizer which was amazing! I ordered chicken fettuccine which was soooooo goood, mouth watering, the best Id say I’d ever had in life. They said all or most of their food came from Italy which would explain it. My sister had spaghetti and meatballs and oh my gosh the meatballs were huge and very beefy. My friend had shrimp pasta and my other friend had egg plant lasagna and we all were in food heaven. I got to taste each of their meals and I must say all the food had the same rich, flavorful, authentic taste. Soooo good. We’d definitely be back and we highly recommend this restaurant. Oh and the price is good too..

We had a fantastic meal. The server was very helpful in selecting a good wine. We tried a great pasta, app and dessert. The parm fries were some of the best we ever had!! Definitely recommend this place :)

What could be better the day before a marathon than eating at a good Italian? The place had been recommended to me by a friend living in Chicago and we were not disappointed. The portions are generous, the pasta al dente and delicious. And what about desserts?! Yam, yam! Only downside: we waited 50 minutes for our dishes despite our Reservation. Sure, the waitress warned us up front, but it's a long time, especially when you're on your stomach. Fortunately, we had ordered the desserts directly so we didn't have to wait too long to finish the meal.

Fun vibe but average pasta. All our meals were overcooked and pasta a bit on the soggy side. Service was good. Wine list was limited and overpriced.

I visited Il Porcellino for the first time over the weekend and am so in love with this Italian restaurant. While there are no shortage of restaurants in Chicago, Il Porcellino's ambience, unbelievable food and service set it apart. We arrived early for a drink at the bar while we waited for our table. We loved our experience at the bar so much we decided to eat dinner there as well. This was some of the best dining service I've had in a long time. The thoughtfulness and attention to detail from ever person we encountered truly made our experience perfect. The lasagna is a must, but I don't think you can go wrong with anything on the menu. For dessert, we tried the salted caramel semifreddo and it blew my mind. Couldn't rave about this place enough.

Came here for dinner with some friends and this place did not disappoint. Our waitress was amazing and so was the service overall. We ordered the whole loaf bread, stuffed mushrooms, calamari and the green chopped salad as appetizers. Don't sleep on the bread here. It was extra fluffy inside and with the combination of warm butter and garlic it was delicious. If you salad do yourself a favor and order the green chopped salad. This is no mediocre salad as they pack on the kale, cheese, nuts and great vinaigrette dressing. As for the entrees, we ordered the tortellini al forno, orecchiette, pappardelle alla porcellino and the gnocchi bolognese. You can tell everything here is really fresh. As the pastas had great texture. I enjoyed the gnocchi the most because they cooked it really well the seasoning in the bolognese was delicious. The orecchiette and pappardelle were very good as well. My friends and I really enjoyed our dining experience here as well. We left stuffed. The ambience here is great as they have indoor ceiling light features. We saw large parties start coming in around 6 PM. They have great seating to accommodate medium to large size parties. Highly recommend this place if you want awesome quality pasta and Italian food overall.

This was my first first. I'm going with four stars, but that's with some leniency on service. The greeting staff was friendly and accommodating. I was the first of our party to arrive, so I had a Manhattan at the bar. Nice atmosphere, but a little more Manhattan and quite a bit less block artisan ice would be just fine with me. We were seated promptly. The acoustics is quite noisy when the place is hopping - which is was. Our server was friendly and offered good advice when asked. Caution - be aware of the incredibly aggressive bus staff. Hang onto your plates if you're not finished. There's efficiency and then there's rudeness, and this bordered on the latter. I highly recommend the crispy brussels sprouts. I wish I could have finished them but I got distracted talking with my friend and when I looked down they were gone. I mentioned this to the server and he was going to replace - but alas no more brussels sprouts came. Once the lasagna arrived, which was very good, I kept one hand on my plate at all times. If you have room for dessert, try the frozen custard/cake (sorry can't recall the actual name). The portion is for sharing.

Although not terribly hungry, my daughter and I enjoyed dinner here very much. We needed a little something and we found it by sharing a chopped salad and burrata lasagna. Although the menu doesn't say so, the salad had 16 ingredients in it and combined well to be delicious. Reviews had said our burrata lasagna was the best and the reviews were right. The service was good as well. By the way, we stopped without a reservation and it was early enough on a Sunday evening that we were seated right away. By the time we left, most tables were full. It is a place to go back to.

It was almost impossible to have a conversation because this place is so noisy. The food (we had lasagne) seemed remarkably ordinary. The way it was displayed on the plate didn't help - just a huge solid square of lasagne, far more than one could eat. The noise spoit the place for us.

We ate here last night. It was a wonderful experience from the moment we walked in the door. Our waitress, Ashway, was extremely knowledgeable in the dishes and wine service. We had the special, which was “little pillows of homemade pasta filled with lobster and marscapone” and it was phenomenal. Keva, the manager, showed appreciation and respectfulness towards his employees that is very rarely seen and is truly appreciated by the customers. To know that the staff and management has so much invested only serves to make the experience and the restaurant as a whole so much better! Great food, great service! We will return on our next trip to the Windy City!

This was just an average Italian restaurant. We had the lasagna, gnocchi, chicken Parmesan, and salmon. The lasagne was probably the best. We also had calamari- the sauce was really spicy.

We wanted a neighborhood Italian restaurant close to our hotel on the night we arrived from Florida and walked a few blocks to this amazing place. Old brick and dark wood and classic music like Frank and Dean with perfect lighting enough to read the menu but romantically dim sets a marvelous ambiance. Our waiter Jose could not have been more personable and attentive. The food is sublime. I have paid twice as much for Italian food half this good. We had the Italian salad and the lasagna, made with buratta and a specialty of the house. We have never had better. The wine list is short, but good. My husband had a happy hour Montepulciano that was terrific and inexpensive and I had a super Tuscan that was sublime. If we lived in the area, we’d be here weekly.

Outstanding homemade pasta. Great atmosphere. Well seasoned dishes and amazing dessert options. Lots of restaurants in the area. Great for family or business dinners.

One of the 4 meals we ordered was really good but small portion, the others were average at best. The Alfredo sauce is very watered down. The atmosphere is a little loud with music and the waitress was barely whispering and wouldn’t speak up so we couldn’t hear a word she said. The tiramisu was very good