The Bottom Line
A charming, BYOB, local and sustainable ingredient restaurant with great food and extra wide pasta noodles that I can't stop thinking about.
Pros
- Thoughtful and delicious variations on familiar Italian dishes
- Dedication to fresh local and sustainable ingredients shows in the dishes
- Friendly service
- Taverna atmosphere
Cons
- Service dropped off a bit after all the courses were delivered.
Description
- About: Italian cafe dedicated to using fresh, locally grown ingredients and a menu that changes nightly.
- Location: 1851 W. Addison, Chicago, IL
(773)248-2777
Visit their website here. - Hours: Tu to Thu from 6p to 10p; F 6p to 10p; Sat 5p to 10p; Sun 5p to 8:30p. Closed Mondays.
- Owners: Theo and Meghan Gilbert
- Recipes: Find some of their recipes here.
Guide Review - Terragusto Italian Café - Restaurant Review
I visited Terragusto one cold February night with eighteen other moms. Now, it's probably not fair to any restaurant to judge them publicly on that size dinner party, especially when they are a true two-four-six-eight top restaurant. But, Terragusto rose to the occasion, so I'm forging ahead.
Plus, I just have to let you know about their extra wide pasta noodles and incredible polenta appetizer. I adored the whole wheat noodles (straight-edged pappardelle to be precise) prepared with potatoes, sage, garlic and savoy cabbage with fontina cheese. The polenta appetizer was a tall piece presented on top of greens with a creamy cheese sauce and accented with pine nuts, a hearty relief to the bone-chilling cold outside.
And, really, there wasn't a clunker on the menu. We also enjoyed the traditionally roasted organic chicken, and the mezzaluna pasta dish "stuffed with rainbow trout and served with mushrooms in a light herbed tomato-white wine sauce." Even the house salad had lovely, ribbony veggies mixed atop a bed of greens.
The menu changes nightly at this spot, and they also offer two and three course meals for fixed prices. ($28 and $37, respectively, the evening we visited.) Remember, it's a BYOB establishment.
Plus, I just have to let you know about their extra wide pasta noodles and incredible polenta appetizer. I adored the whole wheat noodles (straight-edged pappardelle to be precise) prepared with potatoes, sage, garlic and savoy cabbage with fontina cheese. The polenta appetizer was a tall piece presented on top of greens with a creamy cheese sauce and accented with pine nuts, a hearty relief to the bone-chilling cold outside.
And, really, there wasn't a clunker on the menu. We also enjoyed the traditionally roasted organic chicken, and the mezzaluna pasta dish "stuffed with rainbow trout and served with mushrooms in a light herbed tomato-white wine sauce." Even the house salad had lovely, ribbony veggies mixed atop a bed of greens.
The menu changes nightly at this spot, and they also offer two and three course meals for fixed prices. ($28 and $37, respectively, the evening we visited.) Remember, it's a BYOB establishment.
