Best Casual Restaurants in Pilsen

Pizzeria Portofino - Chicago I had the pleasure of celebrating my birthday at Pizzeria Portofino in Chicago, and I can’t recommend it enough! From the moment I made the reservation, the experience was exceptional. The manager emailed me to ensure everything would be perfect for my special day, which was a thoughtful and personal touch. The atmosphere at the restaurant is warm and inviting, with a lovely Italian charm that makes you feel right at home. The staff is incredibly friendly and attentive, providing service that made the night feel truly special. And then, of course, the food – absolutely amazing! The pizzas were cooked to perfection with fresh ingredients, and the flavors were spot-on. We also enjoyed a variety of appetizers and pasta dishes, all of which were delicious. It’s rare to find a place that combines great food, fantastic service, and a personal touch like this. Pizzeria Portofino definitely made my birthday one to remember, and I’ll certainly be back again.

The check-in host (a gentleman) was so friendly and had such great communication skills with directing the crowd at sucha busy time! Our waitress was so smiley and attentive! Food was amazing 🫶 we had a blast!

Due to a glut of options, there are few places in Chicago that spark the “when are we coming back?” conversation before the main course is finished. This is one of those places. The dishes were comfortable yet complex, making you realize, there’s a talent-level in the kitchen that makes them impossible to replicate. Each bite from first course through dessert was exceptional, which is a feat considering we were last seating on a Tuesday night. What made the experience was the service. Lauren S. was welcoming and informative without being pushy. She deftly answered all of our questions that felt like she was guiding us through the menu based on her expertise not her opinion. This included steering us away from certain dishes when she understood our flavor profiles, and explaining things without ruining the surprise. Her attention to little things without feeling crowded made us realize what front of house talent does to heighten the experience. The only knock was the nitty-picky things on the space. The bathroom was a bit disheveled, there was a crud on the handle of a fork (nothing on the tongs, I checked before using it). Extremely minor unless you’re judging for Micheline stars. Simply put, where it matters everything is well thought out from concept to execution. If you can get in, it’s an absolute no-brainer.

The Girl and the Goat always exceeds expectations, even when my expectations are sky high! Thank you! We had the Pig Face, String Beans, Goat Belly, and Steak. The dishes all exploded with flavors. The balance of seasonings, use of citrus, vinegar and other elements of the dishes played well and makes the culinary experience here amazing. The cocktails were yummy as well. The Peach-Te-quilla was light and refreshing. The Spicy Fat Boy had a ton of flavor. To finish the night, we had the Toffee Pumpkin cake and a neat pour of the Pappy Family Reserve. The Pappy was a treat and made a great night even more special! Thanks to Stephanie and all the team at the Goat. You are all AMAZING!

As someone who loves this kind of cocktail bar, this is absolutely top notch. Inventive and creative cocktails in a personal, comfortable space.