Petterino's Reviews

Went here before our 7 o'clock show. Great service, food was delicious and ready in plenty of time to make the show with time to spare. I would highly recommend a reservation, fills out fast even on a weekday.

We had a fabulous dinner at Petterino's. The service was outstanding (server was Jackie), food was amazing, and the atmosphere was great. So glad we chose this restaurant for our night out in Chicago!

We stopped in for lunch before a show. The atmosphere, service, and food were all top notch. When we first walked in we were worried we were underdressed. That was not the case. It’s a beautiful restaurant and many people were dressed up but our jeans weren’t out of place. The service was excellent. The brioche French toast, avocado stoats, and soup and salad were all spectacular. We also enjoyed the doughnut holes when we were seated. Definitely we’ll head back again.

Dining here during the busy holiday season at noon, we experienced what others here have noted: the staff is overworked, and despite trying to attend to our needs, were extremely busy. Our food was solid: lobster bisque was the soup of the day, and it was good. Bread basket was delivered after our soup was finished, and that was too bad. I had ravioli, my friend had the Irv Kupcinet salad. Both were good. When asked for a second tea bag for our tea, the server let us know there would be a $3 charge for a second tea bag (!). We asked for hot water, and we eventually had to ask a second time so that we could make additional tea. This seemed like a pretty significant oversight, and we wondered if there would be a charge of $3 for a coffee refill....that said, the meal was good, the atmosphere festive, and our overall experience was positive.

Always consistent great food. Pricy but worth it for those special ocasions or when you want to impress (your date/relative fill in the blank)

Popped in for a last beer and snack on way back to hotel. Nice looking place and good choice of beer, very attentive service. I think it must get very busy early on due to location, but I was able to just pop in at 9.30, again like many places in the area they cater for the theatre crowd so close relatively early. Impressed with the 1950’s decor.

Dined on a Sunday afternoon at 3 when tables were plentiful. Nice booth provided, and quiet surroundings though many families were present. Great selection of creative food, as well as “old standby’s.” A shrimp appetizer and Caesar salad were shared, and both nicely done. Chose a Pinot Noir from the limited wine list, and enjoyed that with short ribs and chicken limone. Both dishes well prepared and served hot, with time between servings most appropriate. A price fixe dinner with appetizer, entree, and dessert for $36 is available, which I chose, while my partner went aka carte. Spent a leisurely 2 hours with fine service. An excellent value, surprising in the Chicago downtown area. But then, it is a Lettuce Entertain You enterprise, and their product is always top-notch.

We chose Petterino's because of the great reviews and location to the Cadillac Palace Theatre. We easily made reservations on the Open Table app. We were there early for 4:30 res and it wasn't busy but at about 6 it really filled up. Our server was Bridget, and she was the best. Our food came fairly quick, and it was nice and hot. We had the sliders and chicken parm. Very good. The decor was very nice and clean. We will be back soon. They were following guidlines and we did need to show our vax cards with ID. Hopefully that will be over soon.

Not from Chicago, needed something near theater. This place in same building with GoodmanTheater. Mild day, chose pleasant outdoor seating. Place easily accommodated slight menu change. Had local whitefish: large piece, perfectly cooked , light breading in a light lemony white sauce. Plentiful broccoli rabe, not overcooked, and homemade pasta (fettuccine), nicely chewy, decent marinara although light on garlic. Attentive service.

Claim to be the best spot for a show dinner; however, they don’t keep reservations even though they take them. So you either don’t eat or miss your show. The staff is miserable and the manager apparently hates people. Pick any restaurant before picking this dump.

From the entry desk to the exit revolving doors, everything was spot on. Solid menu for all tastes, great wait staff (defined as anyone with a free hand is helping), fast drinks and food on the bar top side and a lively yet not noisy atmosphere.

A family lunch ocassion. Everybody had an excellent experience. I had short braised ribs and they were outstanding. Service was friendly and effective. Thanks a lot.

Great place to meet up with friends in the bar area and have some great appetizers. The staff is very knowledgeable and helpful. The atmosphere is a great place to gather with other people and talk. The dining room has a great menu for lunch for salads, sandwiches and burgers.

I have eaten at Petterino’s many times over the years and always had a first rate meal, great cocktails and wonderful bread! But I took some friends there for the first time since they reopened after the pandemic. A very disappointing meal in all aspects. A watery martini, and over baked tough rolls (and no butter available) to start. The new stripped down menu is an embarrassment. Poor choices that look like a chain restaurant. The food was mediocre according to every diner. Mushy pasta, flavorless Alfredo sauces and desserts that had no taste. Please bring back the Lettuce Entertain You owners who set the bar for high level consistency . And I won’t detail the spotty service!

Stopped in for brunch after finding Berghoff was closed. The restaurant was more than busy. They sat us at a two top just inches from another one which was uncomfortable and awkward. It felt as if each table was listening to each other’s conversation. Strange. The restaurant literally emptied out within 20 minutes as apparently everyone was going to the nearby show. The visit was so much more enjoyable after this. There were multiple gluten free options. Mimosas and Bloody Marys were $5. Our server and the busing staff were more than just attentive. There was a choice of the lunch/dinner menu or brunch menu. The food was very good as was dessert. The decor is fun. We would return if in the area and our visit is not during the theater rush.

Early luncheon on Saturday happened to be a great time to go. Met out-of-town friends for lunch and a tour of downtown Chicago. Some of us had brunch items (a variety of eggs benedict choices), others had traditional lunch/dinner fare. Everything was excellent, as was the superb service. The baked super thin herb & cheese crisps in the bread basket are unique and wonderful. Super coffee, wine and beer choices. We'll be back.

Nice atmosphere and our server Jackie did a nice job explaining things. The food was a little pricey for what we had, but it is the city. Good location for theater, etc. The drinks were good and so were the appetizers, but would have liked more.

We made reservations for after a show because the restaurant is walking distance from the theatre. The food is always good and the service friendly and prompt. I would recommend this to anyone who likes Italian food even if you did not have theatre tickets.

Found this place by chance for a Saturday lunch with colleagues. We were all really impressed - we ordered from the brunch menu, service was friendly and swift, food was amazing (enormous portions by British standards) and the atmosphere was buzzy. Prices were very reasonable too. Highly recommended.

We attended with a large group for a pre-arranged buffet dinner. We arrived more than a half hour early and they weren’t ready for us. There was some confusion, poor communication about where, when we would be seated, and what our options were. That gave us a bit more time to appreciate the “throw-back” surroundings, with dark woods and framed caricatures of Chicago personalities. The buffet offered two salads, two pasta dishes, chicken breast, and a simple dessert. Bread was very good, but was served late. The seemed a bit short handed, not quite prepared to give good service to a group of 50.

Petterino's is a loop staple with excellent people watching, sandwiches, salads or full entre. The bar area is always a fun place to meet up with friends or before a play since it is close to many theaters.

As a patron of the Goodman and a lettuce entertain you frequent dinner, my visit to Petterinos was such a disappointment. I have always loved the atmosphere and experience of eating at the theater themed restaurant. What a disappointment. The food took forever to be served. The late delivered bread was burned. The seafood salad was not fresh and it’s presentation was unsightly. The hamburger was greasy and unappetizing. When the the salad was reluctantly traded for a fillet which we agreeably paid $11 more for, we were made to feel as if the staff was doing us a favor. There are no real options for gluten or dairy free selections. And oh, the lunch for 2 was in excess of $90. Needless to say, we will not be back!

We had a great time the food & service was great the entertainment With Denise’McGowanTracy show was awesome

We have been to Petterino's twice - both during the Chicago Marathon weekend. It is worth booking a reservation. This restaurant is a great choice for the night before you run. The pasta is fresh and delicious. I recommend ordering the sorbet for dessert. The restaurant is busy, but the servers are working hard. The first time I had the spaghetti and meatballs. The second time they let me order the gnochhi with the balagnese sauce (this was great). My only complaint is each time we were never served any bread while other tables had some (looked worth getting). Also, I wish they had more red sauce options as the menu includes a lot of dairy in most meals.

Stopped at Petterinos before going to the theatre. Staff was very nice both at the bar and our table. Food was very good, but not as hot as we expected just out of the kitchen.

Wonderful meal with great service from Peter! He was attentive and made wonderful recommendations. We will return!

Searching for a reasonably priced dinner option on recent trip to Chicago, we lucked out finding Petterino's. Broad selection of menu options. The tomato bisque was the best I've ever had. We got there around 7:15 and service was a little slow as they concentrated on getting on getting theatre goers on their way before 8. After that service was very attentive. No problem as we were not in a hurry. Would highly recommend Petterino's with the caveat of being aware of the theatre rush crowd. A restaurant with some character and a history of characters.

Eh. This used to be a great restaurant when Lettuce owned it. The last time we were there it was under new ownership and we were disappointed in the menu selections and service. We were going to the Goodman next door last night so we gave it another try. It was VERY disappointing. Our server took 20 minutes to show up, was not very professional and treated us like a tourist. My husband's Fettuccine Alfredo with chicken was clumpy and gooey and his chicken was overcooked. I had the halibut special. While the flavor of the morel, leek and charred corn in sauce was good the fish was room temperature, slightly overcooked and not seasoned at all. This has turned into a factory restaurant and was unpleasant. We will not be going back.

I’ve passed this place so many times but never gave it a shot. It was decent for a quick lunch with friends. We went for restaurant week so $30 for 3 courses was perfect. The baked ricotta was outstanding but the texture of the chicken meatballs was really odd. The branzino was delicious, fresh and the skin was crispy. The gnocchi had mixed reviews from our group. If you enjoy mushrooms and other earthy flavors, its good but still could use more seasoning and flavor. But if not, you’ll probably not enjoy this. The peach panna cotta was wonderful and not too sweet

We dined here pre-show so the dining room was very busy. Our server was friendly but not very attentive; she seemed to have one or two too many tables. Our food was very good—it was served nice and hot and tasted delicious.

Seven women chose Petterino's for lunch after being in the audience at Windy City Live. The lunch cost $30, including the tip. It was a disappointing choice. Although the restaurant was not crowded at 3:00, the wait was very long, and we saw little of our waitress. I chose the Chicken Limone. The 3 small pieces of chicken were rubbery. The salad greens were wilted, and the dressing tasted like it came from a Kraft bottle of ranch dressing. I had ordered the blue cheese and expected the dressing to contain chunks of blue cheese. Two positives -- our busboy was wonderful in filling our water glasses, and the bread was delicious!

This was a casual visit before our show next door at the Goodman Theatre. We were a bit pressed for time and our waiter was a bit swamped and then Amanda walked by….. I told her about the theater situation, she calmly took our order (by memory) and expedited the entire evening like a pro!!

Authentic warm Italian hotel with white table clothes, interesting decor and great service. Stopped there for lunch and loved it so much that we returned for dinner. Half ravioli for dinner which was one of the best I have ever eaten. Servers are attentive without being pushey. Definitely need reservations. We were there midweek and they were full for both lunch and dinner.

We were fortunate to get a table without reservation a few days ago. Had heard some great stories about this place. The atmosphere was great! Walls are covered with drawings of famous actors. Quick, fun and attentive waiter. Had to tip her generously! The food we got was not remarkable, it only earned a two out of five. The upside, the pizza margarita got two thumbs up from the 12 year old. The teenager had fried chicken, which was a rather dry affair. The lady of the house tried the Cesar salad. It’s lack of taste made no lasting impression. I had a burger. I’m not having one again. The brioche was good, but the burger was overcooked. The fries were good. We’re not returning here for the food

We decided to pop over to Petterino's for lunch on a Sunday. There was hardly a soul there but I'm sure the place is hopping for weekday lunch hour. We ordered from the brunch menu. My husband went with the Eggs in Purgatory which our waiter said was only a 3 on the scale of 1-10 regarding spiciness. My husband thought it was more of a 6-7 but he still enjoyed it with several refills on water. I ordered the Trio of Sliders which was delicious and came with crispy piping hot fries. We loved the atmosphere. Kind of old world Italian style. The walls are covered with caricatures of actors and other celebrities. Fun to look at. I would like to mention that the lamp in our booth was in dire need of a dusting and the lower level of framed caricatures were covered in food spatters. I'm not usually such a white glove complainer but the lack of careful cleaning was kinda obvious and easily taken care of. Other than that, it was a lovely lunch and our waiter Daniel was terrific. We will be back!

We came here with a group of seven for lunch. It was so bad. I ordered a wedge salad. The lettuce was old and not edible. It was served with old fried out shrimp. Gross. Also had tomato soup, it was good but served without a spoon, it took the waiter five minutes to find a spoon. Ordered a cappuccino and it was served ice cold. A waiter walked through the dining room with a clear plastic bag of garbage and then a dirty mop. So appetizing. This place is so bad and so poorly run. How sad. It’s a pretty restaurant.

Good food, fun vintage atmosphere, professional service..had lower end of menu, pizza and burger. Well executed. Bustling bar, week stocked. Very convenient location for lunch or dinner before shoes or theater.

We had lunch at Petterino's recently, and it was a definite highlight of our Chicago trip. I had an old "standard" Spaghetti and Meatballs. I had the gravy (Marinara), and it might have been the best gravy I have ever had in a restaurant. I had the feeling that nonna was in the kitchen adding her love with every stir. Truly memorable and nothing "standard" about it. The service was just as special. Bobby K waited on us, and he succeeded in elevating an already terrific meal to the next level. Just a wonderful dinind experience!! Thank You!!

Jan, our server, was wonderful and went above and beyond to help us. Our food was on time, warm and delicious.

The service was excellent - especially our waiter who made sure to oversee everything. The food impeccable- I had the whitefish which I am Unable to get often. Very pleasant atmosphere- 5 stars!

This is a charming place convenient to theater with a pre-theater 3-course menu as well as a full menu of traditional Italian dishes. In my party of 10, reviews ranged from "blah" to "okay, but not great." I would not go here for a fine Italian dinner, but for an ok meal with lots of choices. My traditional spaghetti and meatballs was a huge portion but the noodles were overcooked and the meatballs more quantity than quality.

We had a great weekend in Chicago eating our way through the town. We started off shopping on Michigan Avenue Friday afternoon. Had to stop at the intercontinental for a cocktail before a deep dish at Labriola’s for dinner. Excellent and affordable. A nightcap at the JW Marriott lobby bar finished the evening. The bartenders are truly outstanding! Saturday had us at the Museum of Science and Industry for the better part of the day. Dinner was at La Grande Boucherie, a French steakhouse. Excellent steak and our waiter was a pro. Again very good and not priced over the top. The coup of the weekend was brunch at The Gage! I never order Steak and Eggs but today it was appealing. I was not wrong with perfectly grilled steak atop two fried eggs over home fries. It’s hard to explain how delicious! A great weekend.

We were out walking in Chicago and started getting hungry. Luckily, we found Petterino's. Turns out the food is excellent. We were seated within 10 minutes. We started out with a glass of wine - very good. We had the roasted rainbow trout that came with lemon and mashed potatoes. The trout was cooked to perfection and the mashed potatoes were rich and creamy. For dessert, we had the apple crisp with ice cream. So good. The wait staff was friendly and attentive. This is on our list of places to go back to. Next time you're in Chicago, give it a try. You can't go wrong here.

Petterino’s was steps away from our hotel. I made reservations on OpenTable. They specialize in serving to theatre-goers with an excellent variety on their menu. We had the delicious almond-crusted whitefish and chicken Armando. The decor is classy with leather and velvet booths and comfortable tables throughout, with caricatures of famous faces upon the walls. Outdoor seating and bar area are also available.

We found this place on line before our first visit to Chicago and we’re glad we did! It feels like you are walking into a whole different era! Besides the uniqueness of the decor, they somehow make you feel part of that era, too. It was especially fun because they had Christmas decorations hanging from the ceiling and Christmas music was playing. The food and service was excellent. The only negative was that the service was so fast that I felt a bit rushed, but I realized later that the service is probably fast because they are used to dealing with crowds that have to be out in time for a show (theatre district). Be sure to make a reservation well in advance because it’s hard to get in.

We dined here for lunch before our Hamilton matinee. Our waiter was very friendly and accommodating. Food was delicious and portions were large - we were stuffed when we left. We made reservations but noticed that the restaurant wasn't too busy so maybe at that time of day reservations aren't necessary?

Dinner before the Chicago Symphony in the park. The restaurant is GORGEOUS, perfect lighting, tables all with lamps with white shades, on the walls caricatures of the famous and jot so famous visitors to the restaurant. Pasta is made fresh every day. Service was friendly, eager and professional. Sadly the woman at the front desk was neither welcoming or friendly. There was no thanks for coming. I said Thank you she said no problem!! no problem??? The person at the front desk of a restaurant is the face of the establishment. She projected: I don't care if you were here and I don't care if you ever come back. Very surprising and very poor indeed. Now the food was for the most part good. One dish the special pasta was wonderful...sadly my steak was as tuff as an old show...it took an hour literally to chew it. lol it was tasty but tuff. Everything else was great...sides of broccolini, fresh bread...all nicely served. I would totally go back but would avoid the steak and hopefully see a more charming person greeting us at the door.

Excellent Italian food that we had hoped for in Chicago. We liked this so much we ate there a second night before we left. Gets very crowded on theater nights. Highly recommend it for service, food and the pleasure of a good restaurant after a busy day.

This place has a lot of energy at the lunch hour. Still able to get a seat. The server was amazing, very attentive and professional. The food was excellent; great flavor and presentation. Served to perfection!

I was staying in a nearby hotel and stopped here for a quick lunch. Service was fast and friendly. We chose a seat outside as the weather was wonderful. The food, the Wednesday special, chopped steak, peppers and mashed potatoes, was very flavorful and the portion size was just right. $20 with a drink. I’ll come back again.

By all accounts, my friend and I had a first-rate experience at Petterino's aka "the Sardi's" of the Chicago theatre district. Our waiter, Daniel, was knowledgeable, congenial, and gave us excellent advice about the ins and outs of the menu. He was also a good sport and let me take a photo of him with my friend. We enjoyed the wine, salad, pasta, and dessert, all per his recommendation. Since the restaurant is located in the Goodman Theatre building, we could stroll from dining room to theatre on a wintry January night without donning a coat!!

We came here on a Sunday ($5 Bloody Mary) for before theater lunch. We loved it. It was very busy, service was a little slow, but we had plenty of time. Server was very nice and efficient. I had the California Omelet and my husband had the avocado toast. Both were delicious, we really enjoyed the lunch. Will go back. Loved the Christmas decorations.

Petterino's in the heart of Chicago's Loop built a reputation as a theater-goer mainstay. a convenient place to go for dinner before catching a play or musical or movie in Chicago's downtown theater district. Located at 160 North Dearborn Street, at Dearborn and Randolph, with valet parking available, Petterino's satisfies patrons with prime steaks and fresh seafood and other Italian/American dishes in a swanky setting. My wife and I aren't theater-goers. The last movies we went to see were Midway and Gettysburg. But we love good food. So Petterino's is on our list. Open from 11 to 9 Sunday through Thursday and from 11 to 10 on Friday and Saturday, you can enjoy lunch or dinner or late dinner, before or after a trip to the theater. On this occasion, we started with tomato bisque, Caesar salad and jumbo shrimp cocktail. For entrees, we chose a six-ounce petite filet with bearnaise sauce, mashed potatoes and garlic spinach and almond crusted whitefish with mashed potatoes and roasted cauliflower. Other options were grilled Idaho ruby red trout and 14-ounce bone-in filet with garlic butter. For dessert, we shared big slices of key lime pie and milk chocolate mousse cake. At Petterino's, you can't make a bad choice.

Petterino’s is located right in the theatre district of downtown Chicago and also close to lots of other attractions. It has established a great reputation for pre-theatre dining but is also great for any occasion or no occasion at all - because the food is very good - and the decor is interesting. The food has many options to select from: soups, salads (big and small), appetizers, pasta, chicken, beef and seafood and sides. Tonight was a no-occasion night - just went there because we were looking for light fare. So we constructed our meals by combining soups, salads, appetizers and sides. The tomato bisque soup was a standout (as it always is) as were the meatballs (nice with a bit of zip)! The decor never ceases to capture my interest. The walls are full of hand drawn pictures of famous people who have dined there or been in Chicago or who knows why - but they always capture me. Never gets old looking at them. There is a very nice bar here too. Petterino’s has lots to offer and is consistent and reliable and interesting. Will go again as I have for years.

We were headed somewhere else for lunch but couldn't get in. We decided to try this place. It was wonderful. Service was very good. The pasta was very tasty. I had the ravioli. We also enjoyed some nice wine. What a lucky find.

I would absolutely use the online option to reserve your table. The gentlemen at the front desk were incredibly welcoming and we were seated as soon as we gave our name. The waiter was such a delight. The menu was the perfect size. This is not one of those restaurants that has a bunch of frozen stock in the freezer. This is a restaurant which has carefully curated a good-sized menu of fresh soups, salads, appetizers, main dishes, and desserts. The live pianist was an added bonus to the whole experience.

The atmosphere is unmistakable. Swinging through Petterino’s revolving door just steps off Daley Plaza, the Sardi’s-esque portraits of celebrities coating the walls produce an air of class and importance in this restaurant’s dining room. And important it is—without naming names, I have seen several high-profile diners enter this establishment. So reserve your table well ahead of time, put on your best tie, and don’t be shocked if you recognize a face from the morning newspaper sauntering past the bar. (Best leave them be.) But what about the food? Since Petterino’s changed ownership a couple years ago, the quality has not suffered one bit. (If anything, it’s actually improved.) I am especially fond of the Caesar salad for an appetizer. Also sprinkled with delicious, nutty parmesan is the fried ravioli, which is best enjoyed with a dollop of tomato sauce. But my favorite appetizer of them all is the calamari. It comes with spicy red peppers and two sauces—one creamy and another more reminiscent of a cocktail sauce. This is a truly delectable dish. I ordered the eggplant parmesan for my entree, and found it to be excellent. The accompanying spaghetti and marinara was herby and flavorful. Further, the after-dinner tea selection is expansive with both herbal and caffeinated options abounding. For dessert, I highly recommend the special sticky toffee pudding. The flavor reminded me of ginger bread, with what tasted like an enticing hint of molasses. Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top for an extra sweet treat. In all, Petterino’s remains an unbeatable special-occasion spot in Chicago’s loop. Locals know how great the atmosphere, service, and food are in this storied Italian restaurant. Needless to say, I highly recommend a visit.

This was the last day for us to be in Chicago. We ended with a group dinner at Petterino's. The food was good considering that there was a lot of us to be served. I did like the freshness and preparation of the fish dinner that I ordered. The service was good also.

I like the fact that they start by asking if you are going to the theater. That allows them a change to speed up or slow down you service. The food is always good and the wait staff reminds me of the professional servers in NYC. In fact, this restaurant could very well be in NYC. It is one of my favorites in Chicago!

Excellent choice for a pre-theater dinner! The service is always spot on. But food is always very very good. And the wait staff is completely cognizant of the time frame within which a pre-theater dinner should take place. Some of my favorites: crabcakes, pasta, whitefish and Caesar salad. Save time in room for dessert. This restaurant is always my go to spot before the theater. But anytime at the bar with a glass of wine and the crab cake appetizer is always a great choice.

The shrimp cocktail was one of the best I’ve ever had. The shrimp Alfredo was superb! Excellent service and friendly atmosphere. Dessert was so delicious. I would recommend visiting here if you are in the Chicago area.

Go back to the 50's and you're at Petterino's. Named after one of Chicago's most famous hosts, this restaurant caters to those who remember when service was number one and supported by great food. When attending a play, there's no better way to start your evening with valet service on your car, a great meal, a short walk to most theaters and then a nightcap.

Had a dinner meal after theater and first of all we thought that the menu was promising. They had gluten-free pasta for my wife who is Celiac. The grilled calamari was tough and still had plastic packaging stuck to some of the calamari! The caeser salad was pathetic. Pastas tasted like chef-boy-r-dee from childhood, and not in a good way. To top things off my wife had her purse stolen from her chair. Sure this can happen anywhere but to make things incredulous was that the staff saw it happen and never told us until we brought it up to them!! We filed a police report and they said without a doubt that it was an inside job. Our server, was completely indifferent to the situation and quite frankly that spoke volumes. Good riddance for this pathetic excuse of a restaurant.

This restaurant is "Italian," but mostly Americanized. The dining area is relatively large. There is a bit of a feel of a 50s supper or jazz club with live music. Service was good, with the server making some extra efforts to find wine that we wanted. The wine list is large with pricing that was medium to high. There were specials in addition to a menu with many offerings. We enjoyed a "summer burrata" appetizer that was flavorful. Another special was bucatini alla putanesca that was excellent - a dish that was close to that we have enjoyed in Calabria. Pricing of food seemed a tad high, but may reflect the restaurant prices in general in Chicago. Overall, we can recommend this restaurant and would return.

Pre-theatre dinner and had a lovely time. The food is hearty, tasty and in grand portions, served by friendly waiters in an understatedly opulent room. The caricatures on the walls are reminiscent of Sardis in NYC but this is a bit nicer. Felt very looked after. It’s comforting and cosy. If you’re a drinker, try the tiramisu martini….it’s dessert in a glass!

Our annual dinner get together while visiting Chicago and this time we selected Petterino’s which was near my hotel and where they live. Unenthusiastic service [maybe just our server] and while we said we weren’t pre theatre, our entrees arrived ten minutes after getting the salads. I asked for extra anchovies on the Cesar and it was delicious and had a generous helping of them. The paparadelle which we all had was good, but not great, and the sauce was more like tomato sauce out of a jar, than real bolognese. The pasta was thick and perfectly cooked and clearly homemade which did make up somewhat for the sauce. We shared the tres leches cake with limoncello icing...which I loved, but the tres leches purists in our group weren’t crazy about.

In Chicago for my wife’s business. Justin very pleasant on the phone as well as when we got there. Seated immediately and had a good Bloody Mary and my wife had a mimosa, typical brunch drinks. I had the steak and eggs and seasoned perfectly and cooked to very rare as ordered. My wife had to the lobster frittata, well, it didn’t hit the mark. Finished with a very good tiramisu and a cup of coffee. Very pleasant brunch.

Wow!!! I was very impressed with our service, and our meal. My 10 year old son asked to come back on a regular basis he enjoyed the meal so much. We had an “early” dinner (5:15pm), and we were fortunate to get in. The place really filled up quick. Based on the meals we had, understandably so. Looking forward to a return trip.

We were excited that the renovation improved rather than destroyed the basic appeal of the Petterinos we knew and loved. Very friendly host. Then the food was served. Terrible let down. Simple spaghetti and meatballs. The pasta used was too thin for this typical dish. It was overcooked and stuck together. The waiter correctly brought a fork and large spoon for twirling. But with the noodles stuck together this proved useless. The meatballs claim to be a blend of pork and beef. They were too heavy on the beef and had spent little time braising in the sauce. Very tough. The chef came out of the kitchen (with an over the top red hat) to admire a caricature drawing of himself when he should have been in the kitchen making sure each plate being served met the highest standards during a moderately busy lunch time. Very disappointed.

This is a classic downtown Italian restaurant that is great before the theater. Great food, amazing service and wonderful ambience.

When I worked in the Daley Center I dined here for lunch often. I had lunch there recently and was pleased to see that this is still an OUTSTANDING restaurant! The prices are a bit higher, and they’ve left the Lettuce Restaurant Group, but the food remains outstanding and the service second to none.

This place knows how to take care of customers.... the food was very good but the service was exceptional... had a delish lemon chicken with spinach.. my companion had steak which he loved along with homemade tater tots..... very nice....

Sadly the new owners are not honoring the traditions of the former Petterino's - just keeping the name. The portions are comically small. I don't mind paying a premium if I'm receiving a premium meal. This was mediocre. Do NOT order the risotto unless you'd like to pay $24 for about a half cup of rice with NOTHING ELSE - no vegetable - no protein. You'll be done in about 5-6 bites. It's embarrassing how small this "main course" dish was. Don't bother with the gnocchi either. What they're calling a large portion should be considered small. Our server seemed nice enough, but was definitely giving us the hard-sell on over-priced appetizers. We decided the Trenton, New Jersey-style pizza would be a good item to share. It was soggy - very underdone - very unappealing. Just an overall disappointing meal. Petterino's used to be a favorite go-to for great service and amazing food. Another gem has been lost.

Great food and proximity to all theatres is perfect! Service is good but as time closes in on theatre start time service gets slower and abit more sporadic.. but the price you pay for great location .

Attached to the Goodman Theatre, its a great place to get a bite after seeing a play. Chicken Pie is interesting and the Pasta is great. Good helpings. The Corn Chowder is just too good and deserves a full bowl

We searched high and low for a spot to have brunch or lunch prior to the Sunday matinee at the Lyric Opera. The pickings were slim since there aren't many places open on Sunday morning... we opted for Petterino's. It's a few blocks away in the 'theater district' but worth the walk. We did a brunch thing, with my wife ordering the French toast and me the American (sausage and eggs). Both were excellent with nice sized portions. The decor is really neat- lots of caricatures on the walls which have to be an homage to its proximity to the various theater venues nearby. Our server was excellent- very personable and attentive. We had reservations but really didn't need them as the place was only half full when we arrived, but by the time we left it was getting crowded. Prices were about what you'd expect at a decent restaurant in the Loop, high but non New York-ish. All in all, a good option for a Sunday brunch.

We stopped for an early dinner while walking downtown and I’m so glad we did. We were seated right away in a doorway—offering indoor/outdoor seating. The atmosphere is so was perfect! Service and food were both outstanding. I highly recommend this restaurant.

Great ambience, superb service and very fresh and delicious Italian food with such great flavor makes for a night out for dinner a very special one. A must stop in Chicago!

'The Good Plate Hospitality presents... Petterino's, located just steps away from Michigan Avenue in the heart of Chicago's Loop and Theatre District. Petterino's has been a beloved downtown icon in the Chicago community for 20 years, continuing to offer the same spirit and tradition that diners know and love. Enjoy timeless flavors, authentic Italian fare, comfortable interiors and warm hospitality—it's the perfect local destination for tourists, business lunches or before the theatre. Dine where the rich and famous have dined—be sure to check out the caricatures of all the famous politicians, celebrities 'and influential Chicagoans who have eaten in the same booths that you will.' After reading this( copied from their website), what would be your expectations in eating at this establishment? On January 10, 2023, a colleague and I decided to have a good lunch. Petterino's was the pick for this day. Our server was friendly and engaging. His description of the shrimp and crab risotto sold me on trying it. The waiter described it as having shrimp, crab, saffron, tomatoes, and cheese. Waite staff instead served me chicken risotto. They apologized and went to prepare the correct dish. Though my dining companion could complete her meal before my meal arrived, good conversation lightened the mood. The free-fall decline of my expectation for this restaurant began when my food arrived. My risotto did not have saffron or cheese in it! The food was quite bland. When I questioned it with management, she told me that the server had described it wrong and that it was the Christmas special he had described. I then asked our waiter, who said the saffron was in there, followed by you don't put cheese on seafood. Really?! There wasn't even an attempt to ensure I was to "Enjoy timeless flavors, authentic Italian fare, comfortable interiors and warm hospitality' (your words from the website, not mine). I was beyond disappointed!

Ravioli & chicken Alfredo were both delicious,pasta is homemade. Martini was excellent for $21/each. Coke is not really coke, but it was still good. Would return.

great service, poor food. Maybe it was just the specials that night, but they were sub-par. stay away from the rossitto. A little pricy as well. wouldnt go back.

It's tough to find a restaurant with a convenient location, good service, and delicious food but Petterino's fits in that category. Being close to the theaters they are skilled at serving you promptly so you make your show and do it with a smile. We celebrated my birthday with a dinner before Hamlet and their prefixe weeknight special was absolutely perfect. Plenty of choices for starters and entrees and scrumptious desserts. My tiramisu came with a candle! It's a bit crowded during peak times and is popular for business dinners as well as but despite the dinner rush we had fantastic service.

Made reservations for dinner before our show at the theater. Was seated promptly at our scheduled reservation time. Service was great. Was not rushed and food came out as we were ready for each course. Did not see anyone being rushed. Food was outstanding. Flavorful and plenty. Did see a few groups complaining about not being seated inside. But they did not have reservations. They were offered outdoor seating but turned it down. Saturday night reservations are needed almost anywhere for dinner in downtown Chicago. So don't be rude to the employees and those around you.

My wife and I and two grand daughters-19 and 25 attended a show at the connected Goodman theater and stoped in w/o a reservation. We were told it would be 45 minutes to get a table and it was. However we were sat in areas appeared to be a 150 sq foot patio extension built over the side walk with a canvas roof and perimeter for heaters that were not on with one electric heater over head . It was likely 20-30 degrees outside and cold in this area, perhaps 55 degrees . The food and service was good, we paid about $250 for the meal and drinks but were cold thru out the meal. If the temp was at least 65-70 my score would have been 5 out of 5 .

My wife and I really enjoyed our service and dinner on Saturday Oct night 19th, We are already planning our next visit. We picked this restaurant because it was walking distant to the Chicago Theater. For desert I ordered the Tiramisu and my wife ordered the Pecan Pie. The Tiramisu was light and good. The Pie was wonderful, the best we have ever tasted. Our server said it is not normally on the menu so I am not sure if this is something we can get again? The food was good to average. If you like a lot of cheesy cheese this is the place.

Had a great meal. Loved the food and service was great. The burrata app was delicious. Loved the home made pasta was so good. Will visit again

Make sure your get a reservation. The place fills up after or before the theater. Menu is great with many choices of classic Italian. Excellent seafood, pasta, and beef choices. Salads and soups are likewise, superb. Service is top notch, almost beyond reproach,as you'd expect.

The service was outstanding! Daniel Smith was so helpful and made sure we got to sample wines before making our final selections. We were here on a Monday night and experienced their Monday Night Live! cabaret show. One of our party had the ravioli, another the shrimp fettuccine, and the third the black angus cheeseburger with oversized tater tots. As first timers, we were treated to a complimentary dessert. An outstanding and memorable evening.

The wait staff was friendly and accommodating from the moment we arrived. Sébastien was our server. He was courteous, patient, and attentive. We began with the calamari appetizer. It was unbelievably delicious. My main course was the chopped salad with chicken. My friend ordered the chopped salad with salmon. Both were delicious.

Our niece celebrated their birthdays here. I had the pot pie. Nice service good entrees. My brother ordered a couple of cakes from the bakery around the corner. The waiter sliced and plated the cake for a party of 9. The kids were happy and full.

My sister and I came across this gem while walking around after our tour of the Medieval Torture Musuem. Petterino's is a great restaurant for a relaxing lunch. Being tourists, this was our first time eating here but we will definitely be back the next time we are in Chicago. It was the best meal that we had. Our waiter Terrance was terrific. I was in a quandary as to what to order because everything on the menu sounded delicious. Terrance recommended several dishes, and I went with his suggestion of Fettucine with mushrooms. The fettucine was homemade, and the dish was brimming with mushrooms accented with spinach and topped with a light parmesan cream sauce. I devoured every last bite. My sister had the classic Chicago Italian beef sandwich. There was so much that she couldn't finish it all. I had the homemade peppermint gelato and chocolate for dessert. The peppermint taste was outstanding. Terrance was very personable and entertaining. He is a great asset to Petterino's The only disappointment I had was that there was no Italian bread or rolls offered with the meal.

Loved so many things about this place and I only had appetizers in the bar- it is so Chicago- the staff is so Old Chicago style- felt like I was back in time - very mad mannish feel to the place. The fried cheese appetizer was really good and the red sauce that came with it makes me want to return and have one of their pasta dishes. Loved all the drawings of famous theatre people just like Sardi's in NYC. RIght in the heart of Chicago's theatre district so if you want to do pre show there be sure & reserve early. Also had great fried calamari - fun, lively and very friendly- a real Chicago clasic- so glad I finally got to try it.

Stumbled upon this place while walking back from a happy hour. It looked good from the outside and once I walked in I was not disappointed. Very classic looking Italian restaurant with a menu featuring anything you could want. Whether it was Italian or any other classic dish, it is sure to fill your expectations. I was in the mood for scotch and steak and I was delightfully pleased. The petite filet mignon is just right, and the sauce they served with it was rich and tasty. The large tater tots were a nice compliment and the caesar salad was just what I expected. Bartenders were jovial and made for some good conversation.

Called to purchase pizzas for my employees. Justin, the manager was very helpful in deciding how many pizzas that I needed. Ordered the mushroom pizza which is always delicious as was the pepperoni and the margarita pizzas. My staff was impressed with the flavors and happily gobbled them done. Thank you Petterinos for never disappointing. Cheers

We recently came to CHI to celebrate my wifes birthday. The highlight of the trip was to go to the CIBC and see Hamilton on a Saturday at 8pm. I chose this restaurant based on reviews on Yelp and TripAdvisor, location and theater menu. Before getting into specifics, let me say that my wife was extremely pleased with my choice! We had a 6:15 reservation which required a short 10 minute Lyft ride from the embassy suites Downtown. We were promptly seated, the restaurant appeared to be 3/4 full at that time. They knew that we were on the theater schedule, so the service moved at a pace that was not to fast and not to slow. Much appreciated, because we were worried that it may be a long line at the play. The location we sat at was a row of two tops. My wife sat facing the room and I sat facing the mirrored wall. The mirror was great because I could see the room behind me without turning around👍. Staff - all were pleasant, helpful, efficient and were well dressed. Ambiance - I don't want to describe the place as being dark, but the mixture of the red and black colors and the candles on the tables was a nice affect. I wish that we would have noticed the outside seating but we saw it on the way out. It was a nice evening. Food - the food was fantastic! The portions were large....which is not normally a problem, except that we of course could not carry anything out because of the show plans. We both ordered the braised pot roast, tomato bisque and key lime pie. The bisque was a little on the sweet side but that's where any negatives stop. Would definitely return to try other dishes if ever in the city again. Wall decor - We loved that effect. My only negative is that there aren't any names on the drawings. I asked the hostess on the way out where was the Obama cartoon and nobody knew. She finally remembered that they do have a book behind the counter that tells where every character is. So yes, I eventually got my picture 👍 Location - was a nice 8 - 10 minute walk from the CIBC. I walk slow, and we were lucky that the rain had not shown up yet. Restrooms - they were clean and I would definitely recommend using them before going to the theaters.

I enjoyed my visit to Petterinos. I was in Chicago for one night to attend a play. I stayed at a hotel near the restaurant and decided to eat a late lunch there. The host seated me at a table near the outside where I could sit and watch the people outside as they walked by. The food was excellent. I ordered one of the specials of the day. The service was good, but it could have been better. I wasn't offered bread until after my entree came, and I wasn't asked if I wanted more water to drink until I was ready to leave. Other than those two items, I had an excellent dining experience and would eat there again.

Ordered the rigatoni pasta with chicken, calabrese shrimp, and the arancini. All was fresh. The total price was around $80. Sat quickly on a Saturday early evening. Classy environment, yet laid back.

We went to this Italian restaurant located a stone's throw from our Allegro hotel. After a short wait we were able to get a table in a high position next to the bar, the small terrace being occupied. The welcome and the service were impeccable... We had a French wine and the bartender made us taste one of his favorite American wines which is nice.... Well a little chauvinism French wine a rating of Rhône was better. In terms of the à la carte dishes, everything was perfectly successful.... cooking presentation, accompaniments. For once, the fish was perfectly cooked, a feat in the USA! For my part, I ordered an Osso Bucco which was both hearty and absolutely delicious, accompanied by very good homemade mashed potatoes. The bill of 165 dollars starter, main course, drink for 2 is, for once, perfectly justified. I therefore highly recommend this address, a little out of the way but close to the theaters.

I eat here whenever I visit Goodman theater which is connected by a hallway so you don't have to go outside and you can watch your time before the curtain goes up. The style is like Sardi's in NYC with caricatures of celebrities on the walls. But the food and service is outstanding and has classic fresh dishes.

did you know that chicago has a halloween parade down state street on a saturday evening in october? neither did we, which is why we set out to make our 6:00 dinner reservation at 5 p.m., instead of the night before. at a certain point, my brother got out of the car and walked to petterino's to explain why we weren't going to be on time for our reservation. ultimately, it became clear that we were going to have to skip dinner if we wanted to see the play, so that's what we did. which is why we wound up eating dinner at petterino's at 10:30 at night. by that time of the night, it's not crowded and they've run out of a few things, but most of the menu was available. their bread is, i think a sourdough, with a bit of a salt crust--very tasty as you look over the menu. my brother wound up with the ravioli, which he said was very good. my folks split an order of the maryland crab cakes which were also pronounced good--i did take a bite of the roasted corn salad that came with it and that was good. i ordered the braised short ribs--no mashed potatoes since they were out of those--i tried the homemade tater tots, instead. the tots were good--the ribs themselves were actually a bit salty for me and i like salt! the prices are a bit steep--i'm not sure there was anything under $20--certainly nothing under $18, but not unbelievable for a saturday night out in chicago. service was good--the maitre d was great, according to my brother, who hung out near him for more than two hours as the rest of us inched our way towards the restaurant/theater. it's attached to the goodman, so if you're seeing a play there, you can't beat the convenience, though i think if you're up for a bit of a walk, you might find something more enticing not too far away. but thank heavens the kitchen stays open late!

This restaurant was referred to us by friends and it lived up to our expectations. They cater to the theater crowd so we could only get a 7:30 reservation. We got there at 7, sat at the bar for a drink and were seated at our table by 7:15. I had pappardelle and my husband had the rigatoni, both were excellent. The restaurant has a great vibe and the service was exceptional.

Our server was excellent, our mean was great, ambiance, cleanliness, everything was amazing. I had parm crusted filet trio which was really good. I also tasted my friend's chicken parm and that was great and so were my other friend's homemade tater tots!

The FIVE-CHEESE RAVIOLI was absolutely amazing. It was definitely the sauce that made the dish but it could have been the basil or that amazing mix of five cheeses. It was so good I opted out of the aged parmesan cheese. The sauce was bright red and had a luscious kick to it (not spicy). If you want a vegetarian plate of deliciousness, this is the place!

Went on a Sunday evening. Had a reservation. Steady crowd, no one waiting though. Clientele skewed 65+, a few families and couples thrown in the mix. Food was fine, nothing extraordinary. Server was sweet and looked very busy. Solid choice for an Italian dinner, but don’t clamor to get there unless it’s your only option.

We had not had brunch here for years and found many of our favorites off the brunch menu, that being said the service was outstanding, Daniel made my birthday with his service and conversation. Great if you are going to the Goodman for theater as they will valet the car on weekends. I suggest using the dinner menu although my husband had the crabcake Benedict and it was excellent.

We went for brunch before seeing Hamilton. Get reservations because this place gets crowded. Nice breakfast/brunch menu. Loved all of the caricatures and photos of classic actors. Great service and food.

We have been trying for months to get into this restaurant before a show but it was always booked. Now we know why. It was amazing from our greeting at the door, through exceptional service and fabulous ambiance. Highly recommend it if you can get in.

Superior downtown theatre district location. Very warm inviting bar with great service. Terrific food. Very interesting but classic menu. No doubt, one of our absolute favorite downtown restaurants. Outstanding lunch menu also.

Never disappointing American classics, professional service, very Chicago atmosphere with caricatures of celebrities lining the walls. Adjacent to the theater especially helpful in rain or snowy weather.

Here's the perfect place for dinner and then walk to several theaters right in the area. They have outside seating and good food and in a city where parking is always a hassle and expensive, for $17 you can have valet parking and let someone else worry about it.

Excellent food and the service was fast. Would definitely come back for another meal. The caricatures on the wall are pretty neat too.

If you want the quickest meal ever on a night out then this is place to come. Took the waiter 3 attempts to take out order, within a few minutes we was served the food, no sooner had I taken my last mouthful, the waitress whisked about my plate , my husband had not even put his cutlery down and his plate was taken, at which point a desert menu was given, when I said we needed time to digest the waiter looked at us in amazement, we sat there for a while then decided as we’d been there in total 25 minutes to leave. A different waiter then gave us the bill and we left. The girl on reception seemed quite surprised that we was not happy. Would we go back? Not a chance

Mark, is the best. We went to Petterino’s prior to attending a play. The service here is some of best I’ve experienced in a long time. I was also celebrating my birthday and Mark made the experience more exceptional. We definitely return to try some the delectable dishes we saw going by us. I would definitely recommend!

We loved our dinner on the patio before the theatre. Excellent cocktail menu and wine list. We both had pasta which was excellent. The only disappointment was the salad - poor presentation, not enough salad dressing. Waiter was efficient but not overly friendly. Inside and bar dining seem fun.

Had lunch twice at this lovely location. The food was great (I had an Italian beef sandwich the first time and a crispy chicken sandwich the second time) and the service was excellent.

Went for an early dinner. Service was very good. It is under new ownership, and the menu is small and very overpriced. For 32 dollars I got chicken lemon. Now this didn’t even come with a salad. I was given a chicken breast, and a de boned thigh, with broccolini under it. It was supposed to come with mashed potatoes, but I’m gluten free and they put wheat flour in their mashed potatoes. Why would they do that? So no potatoes for me. Then there was the overpriced desert menu…scoops of ice cream for 10.00. Wow. The new Petterinos is way too pricey for what you get, and the selection is small. I came home hungry. No bread for gluten free people, although they do have gf pasta on request. Prices are way to high and unfortunately I won’t be going back for overpriced food that was just ok.

I've been here over a dozen times, all during lunch. It's a great place for everything from a business lunch to having a quick bite with friends. The food is delicious and always consistent, staff is friendly, and service has always been prompt. The portions are also a decent size and the plates are priced well. I will continue to go back.

Clearly a successful venue , full of customers, they can afford to get my criticisms. I’ve left after 5 mins, can’t wait too long for somebody to attend and ask at least if I wish to drink something. In the short time I was there I did browse the menu, which doesn’t have much Italian food listed, but it does list the horrendous Fettuccine Alfredo, which is a fake American invention , here with lobster , of all things. Surely food must be plenty and flavored , the place is full. Not for me thanks.

Visiting from Miami we asked our friends to take us to a great Chicago restaurant.....well indeed they did~~~~the only thing bad was valeting our car!....we let the girls go in and we sat in our car for 13 minutes waiting for a valet.....when they finally took the car we were told they park the car 15 minutes away....I didn’t pay but I think it cost $16. SOLUTION = UBER....that said the rest of our experience was great‼️. .....everything is a la carte .....( oh they don’t have baked potatoes....WHAT????). ....so, with a drink, salad and an extra side and a couple shared appetizers our bill with 18 per cent tip for 4 was $325. They do have a prix fix menu for $39. Includes ~ soup or salad, entree and dessert......we had 8:00 Saturday nite reservations to avoid the show crowd....

We stopped in, no reservations, after we went to the Kringle Market. They were accommodating, with a seat in the bar. Normally, we would never sit in the bar of a restaurant - but we were starving. This bar area(pub table) was very nice, not loud and they had great service. I had a burger and subbed mashed for their fries - no extra charge. The burger was a thick juicy burger. I have no toppings on my burgers, I can tell you this was very tasty plain! We weren't rushed, although they were quite busy. I would eat here again, the tables in the reserved dining area looked appealing also. Also, they had many interesting Christmas decorations hanging above the bar area, which were fun to look at while waiting for our food.

You can tell this restaurant caters to the theater crown. Service is fast and efficient but also very welcoming. They asked upon being seated if we were seeing a show so they knew if we were on a time limit. The food was very good. They also offer a prix fixe menu that is very reasonable and includes appetizer or salad, entree and dessert. Portions are very reasonable. The bolognese was excellent as was Cesar salad. I’d highly recommend if looking for something near the theaters and reasonable.

I've driven by this restaurant many times and always wanted to visit it. But, now that we did, I am glad we did not go there before and we would certainly not return. The menu is very, very small, there is nothing particularly interesting on it to eat, portions are very small, bland and very overpriced. The service is below average, they did not even bring an extra glass of water that we asked for. The restaurant was only about 20% full so you can't say that they were busy. In the end, they add automatically a large tip on the bill without asking you about, indicating that they consider a table with six people to be a large group. Why would be a large group for a very simple, basic service without any special requests. Desserts are also very small and very overpriced at 10 dollars. each. Calamari appetizer is 20 dollar per plate, the most expensive and smallest calamari appetizer I have ever seen, and it tastes strange too. This is.

Standard of fast food place for a lot of money. Food completely tasteless, service almost nonexistent. Never again!!!! The dinner was pre-booked so why to care about guests- the money is already paid…

Usually never get disappointed at a Lettuce Entertain You restaurant, but this one missed the mark. So-so food with so-so service in a good atmosphere. I think his place survives on the theater crowd. For good Italian food there are far superior options in Chicago including other Lettuce restaurants. I would put this one on the “take a pass” list.

we stopped for breakfast and read a sign that said "open at 10" but it really didn't open until 11. we walked around just to kill that extra hour. We ordered eggs benedict with Maryland crab and an omelette with a side salad. Our server, Cecilia, did an excellent job. she was very attentive and helped us order the right thing. The food was really good. I can see why many professionals( judges and lawyers) come here. Good location too!

Made a mistake with my reservation for 6 prior to seeing a show at Cadillac Palace booking it for Saturday night instead of Friday. Somehow they reshuffled seats in the bar and put us all together for a delightful dinner that we thoroughly enjoyed, saving the day and getting us to the show on time.

Petterino's is excellent if you are taking in a show at the Nederlander Theatre, as it extremely convenient. They are always packed pre-theatre and if you are early enough (before 5:30), you can grab a table in the bar area, which is full service. The food is average, it is like they know that 90% of their customers are out of town theater goers so there is not the extra attention paid to the quality. It is NOT bad, but not great - Just Average for Chicago. We had a great waiter, but it can be a hit or miss, as with most wait staff.

Good food but unless you’re doing a pre-theatre it’ll all just feel a bit rushed. I was seated at 7pm ordered at 7.05 and was done by 7.30. My appetiser was served up within a minute of ordering and such was the apparent rush to get me fed they served my main without even clearing the table. My appetiser plate was just moved to the side. I had to get fresh cutlery from the table next to me. I understand that a lot of people were heading for the theatre next door so on the clock but don’t assume everyone is. $70 for nice food but not such an enjoyable dining experience.

I’ve always heard of this restaurant. So when we were cold and hungry after doing all of our Christmas shopping, we stopped in hoping they had a cancellation since we didn’t have reservations. They were sooooo amazing. Even though they were full, they were able to move some things around to get us a table. Very festive, great food and excellent service! Also accommodating to allergies!!’

We had a great experience here and the food was delicious. The only things keeping me from adding that 5th star is that I wish they had more wines available by the glass instead of whole bottle, and that I wasn't a fan of the slab-cut eggplant parmesan. I'm used to slices or medallions and this was more like a steak shape, which might be perfect for someone else just not me. Now, that said, I thought the staff was outstanding, friendly and efficient. They welcomed us in and seated us as we enjoyed looking at the caricatures on the walls and settled into a comfy booth. They started us with the most delicious bread and compound butter. Truly great bread is rare. We ordered drinks and the meatball appetizer which was really delicious, you could definitely tell it was freshly made from good quality meat, and the marinara was lovely. We both loved the texture and flavor of the house-made pasta. My eggplant parm came with spaghetti and marinara and it's some of the best I've ever had. The portion was definitely enough for two meals, I took over half of it home. Dessert was a total home run! The tiramisu was perfect, and my husband had the lemon tart which he said was fantastic. We would definitely go again sometime, maybe with a group of friends to split a bottle of some nicer wine, and I would be excited to order any pasta dish on the menu!

Stopped for a great dinner and atmosphere on the way to see Hamilton which was a 5 to 7 minute walk from there. Had delicious halibut on steamed spinach and heirloom tomatoes. Grilled calamari with arrugula was nice. It may have been a bit small to split but still ok. Service was great as well as front desk staff and manager. Great stop.

I barely got any attention dining at the bar. It took 15 minutes to be served initially. The bartenders were more interested in chatting with a group at the end of the bar than checking on their patrons. I ordered their rigatoni with sausage. It was amazing, except that it had no sausage. No one checked on me or asked how my meal was, or I would have told them. I finally asked for the check, twice, and kindly requested that they remove the charge for the sausage, which they did, without an apology. The food was amazing, but the service far paled in comparison. I will not be going back.

I went to Petterino's intending to have dinner. The bar was about a quarter full. There were two bartenders and a barback working. It took five minutes for a bartender to acknowledge me, and even then I had to ask for menus. I was only given the wine list and the full dinner menu. I had no idea there was a happy hour menu. I ordered a glass of wine and an appetizer. The wine was poured, but I wasn’t asked if I wanted water. The appetizer, a shrimp cocktail, came out. I wasn’t given a napkin or any silverware. The wine, a dry riesling, was very good. The shrimp cocktail was likewise very good. My glass went empty. I was never asked if I wanted a second glass of wine. I was also never asked if I wanted a main course or anything else from the menu. All of the other customers, most of whom seemed to be regulars familiar with the bartenders, were given the separate happy hour menu. I was never given the happy hour menu. Turns out there were specials on that menu. As the service was awful and it was clear I wasn’t welcome, I asked for the check. That’s when I discovered the restaurant charges a scam 3.5% fee. This is not a service fee or gratuity. I asked the bartender what the fee was for. He said “food costs.” Excuse me — that’s what prices are for. You adjust your prices based on the cost of food. Keeping prices artificially low and then adding a fee is disingenuous. To the bartender’s credit, he removed the fee when I asked if it was mandatory. All things considered, the menu at Petterino’s is extensive with something for everyone. If the rest of the food is as good as my shrimp cocktail, then it’s a great restaurant. However, the service was awful, the happy hour menu seems to be given only to regulars, and the 3.5% junk fee is a total scam. Considering the number of bars and restaurants in the area, I won’t return to Petterino’s.

The burger was excellent. The server was so busy but everything was great. A plus was valet parking for the Nederlander theater just a short walk from restaurant. Actually all the employees were so efficient and friendly.

The place is amazing! They specialize in the theater crowd and will get you in and out. But the food is why people pack this place every night. I know its and Italian place but I had the chicken pot pie best ever. The pastry was light,flaky and golden brown. My wife had the crab cake and soup. While my son had the filet cooked perfectly.

We went here before a concert at the Chicago Theater. I made reservations ahead of time. We were seated within minutes even though it was quite busy. We didn't mind if we missed a little of the opening act because it wasn't anyone either of us really wanted to see. My dining partner and I both had a drink - Chianti & a Cosmo. Both were good! I ordered off the special menu - parmesan and bacon crusted scallops in a butternut squash puree with crispy pumpkin seeds and a side of asparagus. I switched out the veggie from Brussel sprouts without any issue. My partner had the Ruby Red trout. We both LOVED what we had. Oh and the bread is so good! Do NOT bypass it. Also, service was good. It should be noted that we walked her from OTC and then onto the Chicago Theater.

My wife and I went for brunch after walking past this place the day before. She had the Bananas Foster waffles. I had the eggs in a spicy pomodoro sauce. We both enjoyed our meal very much. The breakfast cocktails were also good. We liked the atmosphere. It fit in great for the theater district.

Please be careful with your purse/wallet at Petterino's. I was there at lunch and had my wallet stolen out of my briefcase! my briefcase was right next to me so I think there is a sophisticated ring of' distract' and steal operating there. Do not put your handbag on your chair back or under it! this was not an isolated incident as I have read/heard about similar instances at Petterino's. On top of that, the food is very, very mediocre.

We came here for dinner . It was very busy but service was quick and friendly. We loved their truffle pizza, it was simply delicious!

The smell of good Italian food drew us in after a day of sightseeing. Dinner was delicious and our server was very attentive.

Great Chicago place but I am sick of restaurants that pad their bills with surcharges. It's b.s. We challenged it and the server removed it.

We saw a matinee performance of Hello Dolly at the Oriental Theater, then had dinner at Petterino's, half a block away. Terrific ambiance and service, and the food was superb! We enjoyed the fried burrata, crispy outside, creamy inside on a bed of the best marinara and shrimp cocktail. The 3 of us enjoyed: chopped salad, braised short ribs, red trout, all perfectly prepared and scrumptious! Each side dish was excellent, especially the grilled brussel sprouts. For dessert we shared the excellent tiramisu and an awesome pumpkin bread pudding, a special that day. We will certainly go back!

I love the menu and service at Petterino's. Always good selections of fresh, fine food with fantastic service. From the minute you walk in the door, you have a wonderful experience. By the time you finish your meal, the only thing that could make your experience any better is to go next door and see a good play!

The worst italian food i have ever eaten and equally bad service. Gummy fried ravioli? Chicken marsala with no taste and tiramisu like desert. Really terrible. Rude waiter!!! Never ever visit this płace

We enjoyed our brunch. We both had the short rib hash - which was tasty. Enjoyed the ambiance with the numerous caricatures of famous people who have dined there.

Never a complaint at Petterinos, except that getting a reservation can be tough before the theater. Need to plan ahead! Even their valet parking staff, including Juan, are to be recognized! Favorites at Petterinos include: fried ravioli and Caesar salad appetizers, pizzas and our top entrees are chicken Parmesan and penne with tomato cream/vodka sauce. We polish off dinner by splitting their tiramisu, mmmmmm!!! It’s a high rent district so it’s not a bargain but the food is A+!

Prix Fix menu is perfect for a show at the Goodman next door. The Prix Fix offers many choices at a reasonable price.

Yummm! Went here for an early lunch/brunch on a Sunday with family. The atmosphere was great and so was the food! The Chicken Pot Pie was sooo good! And we could have made a meal of the warm donut balls they served us after we were seated. Will definitely go back here again on our next trip to Chicago.

Roberto was our waiter and he was fantastic. I read the bad reviews and almost cancelled because they were not great. I did not experience bad food or bad service. We had great meals and deserts and service. The cost was 240 for four of us approximately. I will eat here again before a show.

This was a great restaurant. It is under the Lettuce Entertain you concept and the setting. ambiance and menu would make it, in my opinion, a sister restaurant to Maggiano's We arrived on Saturday night at 7:30, after most of the early theatre crowd had departed. Service was relaxed and very helpful. Food, a steak and pasta dish was cooked perfectly and flavourful. Our banquette, was somewhat private and comfortable. Pricing was good. $120 for two, one bottle of wine

I’ve eaten here a few times before/after a show at the Goodman. The food is edible - nothing terrible about it but nothing great. I’ve had the gnocchi and ravioli before, both bland sauces and the pasta was a bit chewy. This last weekend I had the fried ravioli appetizer which had no flavor and was very tough. I also had the caprese sandwich, also lacking any flavor and with mealy underripe tomatoes. In the dining room, I’ve had decent service but again, not good service. This weekend, on the outdoor seating, we had to ask for our wine well after the appetizer arrived. Nobody came to check on us. The server was MIA and we had to hunt him down to order espresso and get the check. If you want something adjoined to the Goodman with serviceable food, fine. If you want good Italian food, there are other options. Unfortunately, this was our last chance.

Their last seating is at 8:30 PM. They don't belong on TripAdvisor's list of late night Loop restaurants.

We have dined at Petterino's frequently because of its proximity to Goodman. Unfortunately, this last meal was one of the worst we've experienced in Chicago. The old fashioned my friend ordered and the Manhattan I ordered were undrinkable. My friend is not the kind to complain, but I sent mine back. It tasted like a kiddie cocktail with too much bitters. The Caesar's salad was made from chopped iceberg lettuce instead of Romaine, like eating crunchy salad dressing. The MP lobster and shrimp risotto was soupy (think SpaghettiOs® with rice). The shrimp on top of this mess was, incongruously, prepared perfectly. I detected no lobster. My spouse had the seafood pasta with GF pasta. The pasta was overcooked and inedible. The seafood on top of the gluey mass was acceptable. All in all, it was miserable meal. We'll dine at Catch 35 for our next visit to Goodman.

We had not been to this restaurant, which is well located to the nearby Broadway Theater in Chicago for a few years. We went for lunch on a weekday and the hostess (without the mostest) barely acknowledged us. We were shown to a table and all seemed to be well. There were only a handful of people there, but lots of staff all talking to each other. We finally got the attention of a server, placed our order for one water and one wine. I ordered two appetizers instead of a meal and the first came before the drinks. Fortunately it was cold and could wait. After quite a long time my entree and my husband's arrived. PS the drinks did arrive. I ordered Crab Cakes which obviously the chef had not thought to prep. Mashed potatoes, a bit of crab, no seasoning, and tartar sauce! It was awful. Your choices are not wide for pre-theater dining in this neighborhood but, do choose somewhere else. Pricey meal, bad service, awful food. BTW when we left the hostess (without the mostest) was still conversing with her co-worker. No greeting, no goodbye. Well, goodbye Petterino's.

We went to dinner after a play. It's very close and walkable, but the food was just OK. Their sauce is sweet - so if you like sweet you will like it mush better than I did. I ordered Chicken Parm and it came cold. They took it back and make me a new one, but by that time all my friends were done eating. They comped my meal, but that was not the point. For the price it should have never left the kitchen cold. $17 for a salad, $12 for a dessert - I just did not think it was worth the $$.

We had post theatre reservations, but due to a change in plans we went to the restaurant a little earlier than planned, and they were happy to change our reservation and seat us. Since it was around 2PM the tables were mostly empty, everyone that came to the table was attentive and friendly. We had the prix fixe dinner menu, a good value and plenty of tasty, well prepared food, I took my dessert home. The dining room resembles Sardi's in NYC with celebrity sketches, an old school vibe we enjoyed. Cocktails were well made. Close to the Oriental Theatre and connected to the Goodman Theatre, perfect location. I do believe after 7PM there is a deal on parking as well.

My husband and I decided to try It out for our anniversary dinner. We wanted somewhere nice that wasn't too fancy. We had walked by and the inside reminded us of a restaurant we enjoyed in nyc so we had to try it out. We ordered off the portion of the menu where you get three courses for a set price and has a bottle of wine. The food came out quick. Probably a little too quick but that may be because a lot of people visit there prior to going to the theater. The food was great!!! I loved the appetizer and the Tiramisu. My pictures don't do It justice! Our waiter was very attentive and we had a nice evening with the atmosphere we hoped for.

It just so happened, that I haven't been to Petterino's for several years; the restaurant is widely acclaimed and very popular with the theatre goers, since it is located in the center of Theatre District in Chicago Loop. Petterino's is also famous for its Italian cuisine, wide choices of various meals in the menu, large and comfortable seating areas indoors, and a great historical ambiance, created by a sharp design and eye-catching decor of the seating area and the bar. The restaurant reopened after a year and a half, after the pandemic, it was renovated, and now has the outside seating area, looking comfortable and beautiful. I came to have lunch, chose to be indoors, was friendly greeted by the hostess and seated very fast; the server was polite, very friendly, and attentive. Salmon Pesto I ordered was delicious, the portion was large, and Farro Island Salmon per se was a highlight of the whole meal. Unfortunately, Arugula-Pistachio Pesto was considerably oversalted, which spoiled the impression of the meal. I reported the issue to the server, but as I understood, nothing could be done. I have no complaints about the server, he apologized and tried his best; he let me know, that it was the kitchen matter. The bread with spread was very tasty, as well as the hot Earl Grey Tea. I had to wait for the bill for quite some time, the whole lunch took an hour and a half. Regardless, I have to say, that quite important for me was also to revisit the restaurant again, and enjoy its absolutely wonderful theatrical ambiance, largely created by the close proximity to Goodman Theatre, and hundreds of caricatures, photos and paintings on the walls, showing the images of celebrities from the world of theatre, films, TV shows, literature, and political life. The restaurant is named for Arturo Petterino, the long-time maitre d' in Sardi's (the iconic restaurant in NYC, also adorned with caricatures). Whilst waiting for my lunch bill, I talked to the hostess of Petterino's about the ambiance, and she gave me a caricature directory with all the photos and names of the celebrities to look through. That was a very nice gesture, thanks. I also took some photos -- of Farro Island Salmon as well, in fond remembrance.

What a relief arriving here after receiving awful service at Roanoke and having to leave before ever getting our order! The host and our server at Petterino's we're very friendly and efficient. At Roanoke, we waited 35 minutes and ended up leaving before getting our drink order. At Petterino's we had drinks inside 3 minutes. They brought us fritters for free and we got in on their $5 mimosas special. We sat outside and enjoyed watching the Loop go by, had a light lunch - sliders and a Caesar salad, which were very tasty. Fair price, good food and service, great ambiance.

Great place to eat when going to a show. They have an outstanding menu and the service is top notch. The fried calamari is amazing and the tiramisu is to die for. Excellent.

Food is standard fare...almond crusted white fish, for example. Wide selection of old favorite pasta, fish, meat entrees. Rich apps. Specials including a three-course prix fixe. Specials on wines. Very busy for pre-theatre. Great service.

We had a large party and the service was excellent. The staff was friendly and attentive. Drinks were served fast, orders were taken promptly. The food was average and portions were really big. I would go back

The service of the place was great, at first I was not sure if the service was going to be lapse as they asked if we were going to a show at 19:30. The thought might have been if we’re not in a rush then there is no rush. However, the service was not compromised at all. There was plenty of option and the taste of the food was amazing, the only criticism I had was the presentation of the food and the texture for all the dishes was not what I would expect, if it wasn’t for the taste I would not recommend this.

We heard about Monday Night Live from a Florida friend who has been several times. We were not disappointed. Arrived 7:15, ordered, and music began 7:30. Piano player is superb. We hear her play with her husband on tour in Florida. Good deal is the 3 course menu--several entrees to choose from.

Delicious food, absolutely delicious food! Wonderful service! Just an amazing place - please consider eating there. It will be a fabulous experience!