Chicago has some great neighborhoods with excellent restaurants. The major "hoods" that I frequent are Bucktown, Wicker Park, Gold Coast, River West, River North and the South Loop. My neighborhood in Lakeview has some pretty darn good restaurants as well. Recently I had the pleasure of dining at another Lakeview standout on North Broadway, Angelina Ristorante.
Arguably one of the best Italian meals that I had in the city, Angelina Ristorante has an intimate vibe with a small authentic Italian restaurant feel. What most surprised me most about the restaurant was their small kitchen, after Executive Chef Fred Ramos gave me a quick peek inside. However, the tight space allows the former Gioco and Room 21 Chef to create tasty dishes from the fall menu that will leave you salivating.
I was fortunate to have Chef Ramos provide a tasting for us, as we started with antipasti dishes like "Antipasti Freddo", a selection of assorted cured meats, pates and cheese, and "Ripieno di Funghi", consisting of jumbo mushroom caps stuffed with baby spinach and crabmeat. Our insalte choices were "Carpaccio di Barbaietole" and "Caprese Autunno". My favorite pasta dish was their "Garganelli con Piselli & Pancetta", a hand rolled penne, crispy pancetta, peas and parmesan cream sauce. You would think that I had enough, but I had to try their signature dish "Brasati di Carne", braised short ribs on creamy polenta. All of my dishes were delectable and provided me flashbacks of my trip to Italy.
Their wine list is extensive and the tiramasu was a treat. The house made limoncello is a guest favorite and and a must try. Ristorante Angelina also has a $20 champagne brunch and a few special dinner specials during the week, which are:
Monday - Half of Bottle of Wine Night
Tuesday - Prixe Fixe (any three courses for $27)
Wednesday - Neighborhood Night (20% off Lakeview Residents)
The restaurant is also available for private parties from 10 - 100 guests.
The next time you're in my "hood" (Lakeview), you might want to stop by Angelina Ristorante to get a little taste of Italy.
Angelina Ristorante, 3561 N. Broadway Chicago, (773) 935-5933. www.angelinaristorante.com
As always, check out Fete Select TV to get an inside look at the newest and best restaurants around the globe.Labels: angelina ristorante, chicago dining, chicago restaurants, dc crenshaw, fete select tv, fred ramos, italian food, lakeview, nbc 5 chicago
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