il Carciofo

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

Review summary

1. OT

   OpenTable Diner VIP

   Chicago4 reviews

   5.0

   Dined 1 day ago

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

   The food was incredible! One of my top best Italian restaurants! I can’t wait to go back!!
   

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2. K

   Kelly VIP

   Chicago23 reviews

   4.0

   Dined 1 day ago

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

   Il Carciofo is a Roman Italian restaurant in west loop serving modern Italian small plates to share with the table. In my opinion, it’s most similar to Avec and Monteverde (all modern Italian small plates with similar menus, atmospheres, and prices) Looking at the menu, some are familiar favorites. Others are truly creative twists on those favorites. We had 8 dishes. All 8 were executed well and consistency is important. Most of the dishes were good, one was exceptional, and a few were simply “not good.” In the exceptional category we have: - The Gelato Desert (pistachio and chocolate flavors). Easily the best thing we had that day. In the good category we have: - Suppli Ragu (Most similar to a big arancini) - Caraciofo Allá Giudia (Fried artichoke) - Tagliatelle (Tagliatelle pasta with oxtail) - Carbonara (Carbonara pasta with bits of cured meat) - Patate Lardo (potatoes) In the “not good” category we have: - Pizza Rosso - Our table hated this. It tasted like a cheap flat bread with a bit of tomato sauce and no toppings. - Dry aged NY Strip - Perfectly cooked. But there’s a light sweet sauce on the steak. It was not “bad.” But honestly, nobody wanted a sweet NY strip Regarding atmosphere, the space is beautiful and just a bit relaxed. However, we did get placed at a terrible table off to the side and away from the main dining room. Service was wonderful. Our waitress was present, and attentive. Overall, we enjoyed ourselves. But while I compare it to Avec and Monteverde, it’s simply not as good. We liked most of the food. But at no point did anyone say, “I wish I had more of that!” We would certainly go back, but given how competitive the city is, it’s unlikely that we will.
   

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3. D

   Denny

   Chicago1 review

   5.0

   Dined 4 days ago

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

   Great experience for our family. The food, service and atmosphere were phenomenal.
   

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4. L

   Liz

   Greater Boston5 reviews

   5.0

   Dined 4 days ago

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

   One of the most delicious dinners I’ve had in a long time! The gnochetti pesto was heavenly, and the pistachio gelato was just perfect! The service and ambiance were lovely, a little on the louder side but nothing too crazy.
   

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5. A

   Andrea VIP

   Chicago26 reviews

   5.0

   Dined 4 days ago

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

   LOVED the zucchini pizza, gnocchi, ravioli and pistachio gelato. The calamari, espresso martini and beefy risotto balls were mid. Excellent service and lively not too loud atmosphere.
   

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6. J

   Jason

   Chicago1 review

   3.0

   Dined 4 days ago

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

   Service was extremely slow, took us almost 30 minutes to get our first drink. The staff were constantly trying to fill up water (not sure why a full water glass was that important). We opted for 2 dishes to share, the dishes arrived at least 10 minutes apart. Nothing special about the dishes.
   

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7. P

   Peter

   Chicago1 review

   5.0

   Dined 7 days ago

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

   Super fun atmosphere. Service was super good. Food was delicious. Had the best affogato here with their gelato. We sat by at the high top by the cooks. Super entertaining to watch. 10/10 recommend
   

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8. KR

   KeithR VIP

   Chicago11 reviews

   5.0

   Dined 7 days ago

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

   Thanks for a fantastic dinner. The food is delicious, the drinks are fantastic, and the staff is just wonderful. Il Carciofo started out as one of the best restaurants in the city, and it just keeps getting better. Thanks to the entire team for another great experience! We’ll be back soon.
   

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9. p

   paola

   Chicago8 reviews

   5.0

   Dined 7 days ago

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

   Food and service was amazing. My friends and I had a nice dinner
   

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10. GU

    GUEB VIP

    Columbus3 reviews

    4.0

    Dined 7 days ago

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

    Our food was phenomenal and I will definitely return, however our service was far below expectations. Our order was taken all at once, which I completely understand, but we expected it to be paced correctly. We had barely just been served our very first cocktail and all of the appetizers showed up at once. Pastas followed next without even once second between the finishing of our appetizers and we were done in under one hour. We never ordered another round of drinks or even wine because everything came out so fast. I would have loved a lingering dinner, but unfortunately we got the opposite.
    

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