Outstanding as usualBenjamin and staff are the consummate
Food: 5
Service: 5
pete j
Great food great service been going since it opened grew up near
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Fantastic service and food! I guess two waitresses had called out but we didn't feel the lack at all! The hospitality was off the charts, you felt like family and it was a fantastic dinner with friends.
Kimberley Harris
Even though we had a reservation we still had to wait 20 minutes to be seated. It didn't help that 2 couples walked in and went to the bar in order to "jump" the line and 1 couple ended up being seated, that was unfair. It did also take the waitress a while to take our order. If it were not for my date and the fact that this was important to him and that I absolutely love Italian food, I would have opted to leave the restaurant. But we ended up staying and I had my first glass of wine ? ever and it turned out okay.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Cappuccino Gelato, Shrimp Vesuvio, Tiramisu, Fried Calamari, Caesar Salad, Veal Chop
Pulinga Thornton
Food and service were amazing. Special shout-out to our amazing waitress Nicole. They make whatever drink you want. Cleaned my plate ?
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Fried Calamari, Caesar Salad, Veal Chop
PaulaG
I remember Il Vicinato fondly from my childhood. My dad worked in the neighborhood and would take me there for special occasions. It was full of locals from the "old world" and business men. A real "scene"! I reconnected with the place again 10 years ago, under new owners. Many of the "old timers" were still there. And the place was still cool, boho, neighborhood friendly. It was still magical to me. So, I was really excited to share this restaurant with my now adult kids who recently moved to the neighborhood. I shared my story them and our waiter who literally could not have cared less. As though he's heard it a million times. He was gracious, but the service was extremely slow and impersonal...just not the same. The Food was as expected for "Italian", but nothing spectacular. And I did love that they have preserved most of the décor. Including the fabulous chandeliers. This is a decent "Friday night" place if you are local. But not worth the hour drive anymore for me.
AnnG
You feel wecomed immediately into this vozy, authentic Italian gem in the heart of Italy. The staff takes great care to help with menu, and cater to all our needs. Food was delicious, calamari excellent , walleye delicate, pastas were like homemade . Valet parkingtoo.
Decided to dine with you all as a first date this past Valentine's Day and unfortunately, I will not be back. Arriving 15 minutes before our reservation didn't matter as we stood in a line that blocked the bathroom and stretched outside on the cold evening. Once seated, our waitress seemed hellbent on not writing anything down and proceeded to bring us all the wrong things. From drinks, to appetizers, to entrees. The steak medallions were just ok and my partner's gnocchi was undercooked. I suppose the wine was good but the best part of this experience was an extremely kind woman who came to clear out dishes whenever she noticed that people kept putting more plates than our 2 top could ever handle. Not sure if it was the holiday rush but we were not impressed.
JeffreyN
We had a 7:30 reservation and we did not get seated until 8:00pm. We put in our order quickly, but did not receive food until 9:00. Food was good. Staff were kind. The restaurant was not prepared to manage a full house. They over-booked their reservations. We were disappointed.
Mike Hurley
I’m a big fan of this restaurant.(Period.) Unfortunately, tonight’s experience was subpar. Service was slow and inattentive. We never got our soup. Steak overcooked and some bad Chianti. I’m still a big fan, but it might be a while before we’re back.
February 2024Let's start with the grilled calamari- they need way much more love...probably need some good soaking overnight in a milk or so.The mussels dish in marinara sauce was very good, but it did not have a proverbial pan grillada.....big minus!Veal vesuvio with potato wedges did not disappoint. The sauce needed much more refinement and a touch of lemon.The selection of wines is nothing to write home about.The service is average just in any other family restaurant.Street parking was easy.The vibe was good...people had a good time, and we did as well!The bomb now....... the in-house bread was a 5*! They should start selling their bread...amazing!
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 2
Service: 3
Justine Barnes
Leonardo took the best care of us!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Gnocchi, Fried Calamari, Pasta Carbonara
Elizabeth Kriz
Il Vicinato was absolutely fabulous. Food is fire, ambience is amazing, and our server Leonardo was fantastic. 10/10 recommend if looking for good Italian food!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
GinaL
Service was great, ambiance moderate, the calamari was a bit tough, the sauce for the alfredo was thick, there was a lot of breading on the kids' chicken tenders. The Shrimp Diavolo was good but it wasn't spicy at all like the menu stated and I like spice. My husband's long island had a lot of ice and he disliked it.
Anthony Gargiulo
Definitely one of the best old school Italian places in Chicago. We had a large group and the experience was wonderful.
Outstanding as usualBenjamin and staff are the consummate
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great food great service been going since it opened grew up near
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Fantastic service and food! I guess two waitresses had called out but we didn't feel the lack at all! The hospitality was off the charts, you felt like family and it was a fantastic dinner with friends.
Even though we had a reservation we still had to wait 20 minutes to be seated. It didn't help that 2 couples walked in and went to the bar in order to "jump" the line and 1 couple ended up being seated, that was unfair. It did also take the waitress a while to take our order. If it were not for my date and the fact that this was important to him and that I absolutely love Italian food, I would have opted to leave the restaurant. But we ended up staying and I had my first glass of wine ? ever and it turned out okay.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Cappuccino Gelato, Shrimp Vesuvio, Tiramisu, Fried Calamari, Caesar Salad, Veal Chop
Food and service were amazing. Special shout-out to our amazing waitress Nicole. They make whatever drink you want. Cleaned my plate ?
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Fried Calamari, Caesar Salad, Veal Chop
I remember Il Vicinato fondly from my childhood. My dad worked in the neighborhood and would take me there for special occasions. It was full of locals from the "old world" and business men. A real "scene"! I reconnected with the place again 10 years ago, under new owners. Many of the "old timers" were still there. And the place was still cool, boho, neighborhood friendly. It was still magical to me. So, I was really excited to share this restaurant with my now adult kids who recently moved to the neighborhood. I shared my story them and our waiter who literally could not have cared less. As though he's heard it a million times. He was gracious, but the service was extremely slow and impersonal...just not the same. The Food was as expected for "Italian", but nothing spectacular. And I did love that they have preserved most of the décor. Including the fabulous chandeliers. This is a decent "Friday night" place if you are local. But not worth the hour drive anymore for me.
You feel wecomed immediately into this vozy, authentic Italian gem in the heart of Italy. The staff takes great care to help with menu, and cater to all our needs. Food was delicious, calamari excellent , walleye delicate, pastas were like homemade . Valet parkingtoo.
Decided to dine with you all as a first date this past Valentine's Day and unfortunately, I will not be back. Arriving 15 minutes before our reservation didn't matter as we stood in a line that blocked the bathroom and stretched outside on the cold evening. Once seated, our waitress seemed hellbent on not writing anything down and proceeded to bring us all the wrong things. From drinks, to appetizers, to entrees. The steak medallions were just ok and my partner's gnocchi was undercooked. I suppose the wine was good but the best part of this experience was an extremely kind woman who came to clear out dishes whenever she noticed that people kept putting more plates than our 2 top could ever handle. Not sure if it was the holiday rush but we were not impressed.
We had a 7:30 reservation and we did not get seated until 8:00pm. We put in our order quickly, but did not receive food until 9:00. Food was good. Staff were kind. The restaurant was not prepared to manage a full house. They over-booked their reservations. We were disappointed.
I’m a big fan of this restaurant.(Period.) Unfortunately, tonight’s experience was subpar. Service was slow and inattentive. We never got our soup. Steak overcooked and some bad Chianti. I’m still a big fan, but it might be a while before we’re back.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 1
Restaurantji Recommends
February 2024Let's start with the grilled calamari- they need way much more love...probably need some good soaking overnight in a milk or so.The mussels dish in marinara sauce was very good, but it did not have a proverbial pan grillada.....big minus!Veal vesuvio with potato wedges did not disappoint. The sauce needed much more refinement and a touch of lemon.The selection of wines is nothing to write home about.The service is average just in any other family restaurant.Street parking was easy.The vibe was good...people had a good time, and we did as well!The bomb now....... the in-house bread was a 5*! They should start selling their bread...amazing!
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 2
Service: 3
Leonardo took the best care of us!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Gnocchi, Fried Calamari, Pasta Carbonara
Il Vicinato was absolutely fabulous. Food is fire, ambience is amazing, and our server Leonardo was fantastic. 10/10 recommend if looking for good Italian food!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Service was great, ambiance moderate, the calamari was a bit tough, the sauce for the alfredo was thick, there was a lot of breading on the kids' chicken tenders. The Shrimp Diavolo was good but it wasn't spicy at all like the menu stated and I like spice. My husband's long island had a lot of ice and he disliked it.
Definitely one of the best old school Italian places in Chicago. We had a large group and the experience was wonderful.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Tiramisu, Fried Ravioli