Posted 5 years ago in Eat & Drink
Introduced in the U.S. toward the end of the 19th century, spaghetti is the staple food of traditional Italian cuisine. Through time, it became an American classic on par with apple pie. Nevertheless, tracking down authentic spaghetti dishes when there’s so much of it throughout the city isn’t easy. This National Spaghetti Day, we hand-picked Italian restaurants that are known for this delicious dish.
Italian Village
When first opened in 1927, Southern Italian favorites such as pasta with red sauce and eggplant parmesan dominated the Chicago-Italian dining scene. Italian Village elevated the traditional cuisine with fresh and authentic spaghetti and meatballs. Today, it is the oldest and most celebrated Italian restaurant in the city, and it has perhaps the most comprehensive Italian menu in Chicago and the most extensive wine cellar in the entire Midwest with over 45,000 bottles.
Bar Lupo
Formento’s is an Italian restaurant that features the bright and light flavors of Italy. Created as a nod to the owner’s grandmother, “Nonna Formento,” guests will experience an array of spaghetti dishes steeped from traditional family recipes alongside new-age dishes created by Executive Chef Todd Stein. The world-class wine menu offers guests more than 600 varieties from around world. At Formento’s, new world culinary creativity marries with generations past.
Tesori Trattoria and Bar
An Italian-inspired trattoria and bar, Tesori offers a menu filled with delicious spaghetti, handmade from fresh and high-quality ingredients. Located just off Michigan Avenue down the street from the Art Institute of Chicago, this restaurant boasts a uniquely modern take on its food and beverages with a well-stocked and wonderfully-lit full bar.
The Florentine
Characterized by simplicity and paramount ingredients, The Florentine showcases top imported Italian pastas, cheeses, and meats. Coupled with its ingredients sourced from local and organic farms, it’s known for its elegant yet accessible interpretation of seasonal Italian cuisine. It also offers handmade pasta in half or full portions.
For more dining options in the Chicago Loop, explore our Eat & Drink page.
