Best Seasonal Restaurants in Old Town

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.

We had the tasting menu. Food was delicious. The wines of the reserve wine pairing were very special. Service was excellent. Ambience was good.

Pizza Portofino is one of my favorite spots in the city. The garlic bread and truffle pizza (request hot honey, trust me) are GAME CHANGER. I went with a few friends and we all agreed that they both redefined garlic bread and pizza (at least in Illinois) respectively. Great service and great vibes!

great food. super friendly service! and surprisingly kid friendly!

I haven’t eaten here since I left Chicago. In fact, the last time I ate there, was in their old location. I am happy to say that nothing has changed in. This restaurant is still outstanding. The tuna sashimi and the rolls that we had were all terrific. The Hamachi jalapeño was also very good. They had a nice selection of wine and for a fair price. The service was very good as well. They had some nice background music that wasn’t invasive, but you could still hear and enjoy. The next time I am back in Chicago and I want sushi. This will be my go to destination.