It's All About la Famiglia at Rosal's

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

There are three things that can make a restaurant shine. Great food, excellent service and a good vibe. Although many restaurants may have those characteristics, there are very few that truly exhibit an instant homey feel. The neighborhood spot Rosal's is all about food and family. Walking into this family owned restaurant instantly makes customers want to stay for a while.

Rosal's, located in Chicago's "Little Italy" neighborhood is named after the dream of Roseanne and Salvatore Perry, hence Rosal's. The 19 year old Italian restaurant is about wonderful Sicilian food served in abundant portions. The menu is extensive and is sectioned by Antipasti, Pasta & House Favorites, Vitello, Pesce, Pollo, and Carne dishes. All of the dishes that came out of the kitchen looked absolutely scrumptious, but there are few favorites that may help to narrow the selection process. The "Grilled Calamari" is a must start with dish. The "Eggplant Parmigiano" and "Shrimp Alla Anival" are pasta entrees that are very popular among regulars. Meat dishes such as the "Veal Steppanjohnno", "Chicken Scallopini with Prosciutto" and "Grilled Pork Chops" will satisfy any hearty appetite. The bread on the table is warm when you sit down and the olive oil sprinkled with parmesan dipping sauce is perfecto! The waitstaff will encourage substituting sauces or adding meatballs that will help make the perfect meal. Don't expect a prententious environment, but an intimate, cozy and family atmosphere that saw many tables chatting with one another.

The desserts are tradtional with "Tiramasu" and "Cannoli" on the menu, but the "Peanut Butter Pie" could do the trick as well. The prices are very reasonable and bottles of wine are very affordable. Rosal's is located at 1154 W. Taylor Street. For more information log onto www.rosals.com. For more dining options and an inside look into Chicago's newest and hottest restaurants watch Fete Select TV on www.efete.net.

Labels: cheap dining, chicago dining, chicago restaurants, dc crenshaw, fete select tv, italian food, italian wine, little italy, neighborhood restaurants, rosal's italian cucina

Ben Fatto! Trattoria Gianni

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Lately it seems like I've been on an Italian culinary tour around Chicago. From a fabulous dinner at Prosecco to an intimate meal in the 200 East Supper Club, I've tasted a few different pasta dishes and consumed more than a couple of glasses of wine. Last week I ventured into the Lincoln Park neighborhood to take on yet another Italian establishment. Let's just say that my dining experience at Trattoria Gianni was not only enjoyable, but was a perfect night cap to my birthday celebration.

Intimate, homey, authentic and friendly is Trattoria Gianni. Their ambiance was the most comparable to the dinner settings that I experienced while honeymooning in Rome. The cuisine was not too far behind either. Starting with the "Antipasti" dishes, the fried calamari and grilled octopus stood out. Moving to the "Primi Piatti" side of the menu, the "Gnocchi della Nonna", hand-made and stuffed with ricotta, and the "Conchiglie del Mercante", pasta crumbled with Italian sausage, mushrooms and fresh tomato sauce, were savory and plentiful. The veal scaloppine, grilled duck breast, grilled chicken breast, and grilled Norwegian salmon filet were also favorites. However, the "Costolette d' Agnello alla Griglia", their grilled lamb chops marinated with olive oil, garlic and fresh mint, was a noted specialty dish and the highlight of the evening. The most enjoyable side dish were the roasted potatoes in olive oil garlic rosemary.

Trattoria Gianni has homemade desserts worth the indulgence. The "Panna Cotta" and "Tiramisu" led the way. Their sorbet and cannoli are good alternatives and the not-quite-frozen hazelnut mouse, topped with chocolate sauce received accolades. The service met expectations and the wine recommendations paired nicely with our many courses. A live vocalist added a special ambiance throughout dinner, which set off an energetic vibe amongst diners.

Trattoria Gianni will celebrate their 21st anniversary this year with a $21.00 priced fixed dinner every Tuesday night starting March 24th - June 30th. Trattoria Gianni is located at 1711 N. Halsted St. Log onto www.trattoriagianni.com for more information or call (312) 266-1976 for reservations.

To find more dining options and to get an inside look at the newest and best restaurants in Chicago watch Fete Select TV on www.efete.net.

Labels: chicago dining, chicago restaurants, dc crenshaw, dining out, fete select tv, italian food, italy, lincoln park, nbc chicago street team, north halsted, trattoria gianni

Old World Italian Inspires Gold Coast Supper Club

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

The word "authentic" is sometimes over used in restaurants when referencing cuisine. If you have ever traveled to Europe, more specifically Italy, then you probably have a good idea of what "authentic" food is about. Chefs that didn't grow up in Italy sometimes draw on their childhood family experiences in the kitchen that help to inspire their menu. Executive Chef Tony Navarro was no different when he opened 200 East Supper Club.

Located in the Gold Cost on the main level of the historic Seneca Hotel, the 200 East Supper club is a moderately priced, business-casual spot that features live entertainment Tuesday - Saturday. The ambiance feels somewhat old school with a little bit of elegance sprinkled throughout the main dining room. The menu is plastered with eclectic, contemporary Italian dishes complemented by recipes handed down from the Navarro family. My meal started out with a couple of appetizers, including the "Melrose Peppers" stuffed with Italian sausage and the "Spinach and Artichoke Dip". However my favorite starter for the evening was their "New England Clam Chowder", which happened to be the soup of the day. They should make that a mainstay on the menu by the way. One of their signature dishes, "The Brickhouse Chicken" boasted flavors that were better than most chicken dishes I've experienced and the "Rigatoni ala Bruno" was another signature dish nicely done that featured fresh spinach, ricotta cheese and fresh homemade Italian sausage. I could definitely tell that all of their dishes are homemade, including the salad dressings and desserts. Be sure to bring your appetite, because the food is not only tasty, but the portions are plentiful.

One of the stars at 200 East Supper Club is bartender George Cozzi. A familar face at Gibson's Steak House for about 13 years, George is one of 12 bartenders inducted into the Bartender's Hall of Fame in Las Vegas. George made me a killer Manhattan and has a passion for concocting other specialty martinis. His Patini martini is named after Pat Brickhouse, wife of famed Chicago sports broadcaster Jack Brickhouse. The Patini is made with vodka, pnieapple juice and topped off with champagne. George has a following of his own that keeps customers returning to the supper club.

200 East Supper Club has a $21.95 prix fixe menu special on Sunday's, Monday's and Tuesday's. Enjoy an appetizer, salad, entree and dessert for the aforementioned price. Their nightly live entertainment and upbeat music encourages customers to dance, which is a nice way to cap off a good meal.

200 East Supper Club is located at 200 East Chestnut St. For more information visit www.200eastchestnut.com. To get an inside look at the newest and best restaurants in Chicago watch Fete Select TV on www.efete.net

Labels: 200 east supper club, chicago dining, chicago restaurants, cocktails, dancing, dc crenshaw, fete select tv, gold coast, italian food, jack brickhouse, nbc chicago street team, tony navarro

20 Regions of Italy in River North's Ristorante Prosecco

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

A trip to Italy may not be on your travel agenda in the near future, especially with the state of the economy. However, thanks to a new River North Italian hot spot, you can experience Venice, Italy right here in Chicago. Ristorante Prosecco is a chic yet unpretentious white table cloth restaurant in the heart of the River North gallery district. Prosecco offers sophisticated, regional comfort foods from Italy's 20 regions, as well as the largest selection of Italian sparkling wine in Chicago. The interior of the restaurant was designed based on the beauty of Venice and the and the soft color of a glass of Proseco.

Executive Chef Mark Sparacino created Prosecco's menu to be seasonal and offer the finest foods from Italy. Their appetizer, salad and entree selections are plentiful and done very well. An appetizer menu favorite is the Capesanto con Brasato, a diver scallop stuffed with braised short rib of beef served on a bed of saffron risotto, shitake mushrooms and carrots. Their house made pasta and risotto are remarkably savory and popular. A couple of their notable pasta dishes are the Orecchiette Tartufate, served with wild mushroom, artichoke heart, sun-dried tomato, and black truffle cream and their Roasted Duck and Goat Cheese-Filled Ravioli. Proseco's meat and fish dishes such as the Full Rack of Lamb and Pistachio Crusted Halibut keep customers returning for more. The Tiramasu and Torta di Mele, a baked apple layered pastry tart, are two of at least six house made desserts that Prosecco offers.

Prosecco's extensive wine list is divided into two categories, sparkling and still. They offer some of the best and finest Italian wines in the country. They are Chicago's first proseccheria, a wine bar devoted to the enjoyment of Italian sparkling wine. Prosecco is planning to host several Italian sparkling wine dinners to showcase their flavor and versatility.

Ristorante Prosecco is located at 710 N. Wells St. in the River North gallery district. They are open for lunch and dinner. Check out Ristorante Prosecco at www.ristoranteprosecco.com. As always, watch Fete Select TV to check out the newest and best restaurants in Chicago.

Labels: chicago dining, chicago gallery district, chicago restaurants, dc crenshaw, fete chicago, fete select tv, italian food, new restaurants, ristorante proseco, river north chicago

A Little Taste of Italian in Lakeview

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

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