il Carciofo

il Carciofo reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Review summary

1. T

   Trisha VIP

   Chicago4 reviews

   5.0

   Dined today

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Food was delicious, ambiance is amazing, but nothing beats the incredible smells in the space!!
   

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2. J

   Julie VIP

   Chicago101 reviews

   3.0

   Dined 1 day ago

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 3
   3. Service 3
   4. Ambience 4

   Overall, I don't understand what the hype is all about. Every single thing we ordered needed salt and no salt was on the table. We needed to grab someone passing the table in order to get salt. Started with the Baccala app which is salted cod. I grew up eating it. Yes, it's salty fish but some pieces were extremely salty and others not at all. Batter was light an airy and not a trace of grease. Then we had the artichokes which were good in preparation but tasteless. I had the "fish stew" which was in a thick "broth" which was odd because the description said it was served in a guazzetto. The halibut on top was a 1/4 inch thick. Halibut is normally served as a thick filet so not sure it was halibut. Pork cheek pasta was a bit gamey and again tasteless. Pasta was not quite al dente. It was a bit more on the tough side. My husband said the zeppole was a nice dessert. Well prepared and full of flavor. We won't be back again as we were underwhelmed by the whole experience. There are a least a hundred better Italian restaurants in Chicago. Monteverde for example is just a few minutes away. BTW, trying to call the restaurant to let them know we were running a few minutes late due to traffic was futile. They don't pick up the phone. I called 3 or 4 times to no avail. That's just not a good business decision. Just pick up the phone. Lastly, the girl who took us to the table was wearing jean shorts and pigtails.....like they got her from a swing set down the block. Not sure what that was all about. Get dressed and be respectable so people take you seriously.
   

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3. L

   Linda VIP

   Chicago66 reviews

   5.0

   Dined 1 day ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   The first authentically Roman restuarant I have been to outside of Rome! The pasta alla carbnonara and amatriciana were spot on...if we closed our eyes we could imagine dining outdoors at one of Rome's many bustling trattorias. Perhaps the unexpected menu highlight was a dessert favorite: zabaglione with berries!! it's a Fabulous homemade comfort pudding and difficult to find on restuarant menus these days...please keep it. (every Italian restaurant offers tiramisu...yawn...) Dine at Il Carciofo for all things artichoke and beyond! Wonderful service and outdoor dining ambiance.
   

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4. C

   Cindy VIP

   Chicago5 reviews

   3.0

   Dined 2 days ago

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 1
   3. Service 4
   4. Ambience 5

   The menu was very limited -- no fish or chicken for main courses. Also, an appetizer and our main dish arrived cold.
   

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5. C

   Carmine VIP

   Naples8 reviews

   5.0

   Dined 2 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Excellent service from Ryan. Food was beautiful. Fantastic flavors. Loved the abbacchio alla scottadito and the Amatriciana. Zabaglione was yummy! This place is a hidden gem!
   

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6. S

   Sean

   Denver7 reviews

   5.0

   Dined 2 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 2

   Excellent food and service. The artichoke lived up to the hype - an absolute must on every order. Get ready for a loud, open kitchen, active environment.
   

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7. K

   Karen VIP

   Indiana27 reviews

   5.0

   Dined 2 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Amazing food and great service. Would definitely go back.
   

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8. K

   Kelli VIP

   Chicago68 reviews

   4.0

   Dined 2 days ago

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 3
   3. Service 4
   4. Ambience 3

   I was so excited to try this place as I am big fan of Joe Flamm and Rosemary. We were disappointed with the food. We started with the Burrata and Prosciutto and the suppli ragu. The burrata was good although the suppli was dry and with very little flavor. We then had the carbonara and the tonnelli- both pasta's were too salty to finish. The place is very big and very noisy. We were at the back although had to sit with 2 couples on each side that were maybe a foot away, I hate this style of seating as you can hardly talk as you are surrounded by others conversations. On a positive side, the service was great. We will try this place again choosing other items. The pizza's looked great.
   

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9. p

   paul VIP

   Chicago1 review

   3.0

   Dined 3 days ago

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 3
   3. Service 3
   4. Ambience 4

   Food not at all excellent. Service awkward. Expensive
   

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10. D

    Domonique VIP

    Pittsburgh4 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 4 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5

    Sat at the bar service was great! Probably the most authentic and delicious carbonara I’ve personally ever had. Wine was delicious, bartender gave me a taste of two to to match closest to a Malbec. Sorbet portions are crazy, but worth it! Best mango sorbet I’ve ever had!
    

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