Enoteca Roma Ristorante: User Reviews

Not sure how they make a living in winter, but the backyard patio in summer is perfect for a group or intimate get-together. Food is actually quite authenitic Roman-Italian; the Polenta and Brushetta offerings are just terrific; the pizza is unlike any in Chicago but just like in Rome. The wine by-the-glass choices are a treat (I'm a sommelier so not easily impressed), many off-the-beaten-path selections. Service can be iffy on occassion, but they're all very cool and knowledegable about the menu and wines.

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Enoteca has been a favorite now for years for us. I love the polenta, no other place in chicago offers anything quite like it. it's served tableside on a marble tablet. I got the poletnta of the day and it was topped with cannellini beans crispy prosciutto and basil sauce with shaved parmesan. It was perfect on a cool autumn night!. My date had the pear ravioli. They came in a white walnut based sauce topped with Blue cheese.

Another thing we just found out was that on Mondays they offer a selection of wines at $20 bucks a bottle. Not bad during these hard economic times.

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And clearly the kitchen is too busy. We live around the block from Enoteca and love it. We've toughed it out on the patio in good weather and bad, taken large parteis there for the tasting menu and have had quiet dinners on our own. The food is typically quite tasty, and though the portion size isn't "Maggianos" in caliber (which is fine by me) and the price a little higher than other spots, we always considered it worth it to support such a deserving little neighborhood spot. Unfortunately, over the past several months, it seems like the kitchen cannot keep pace with the number of tables and customers that are coming in. Wehave had to wait a loooong time for food on a few occasions, which the servers alternatively apologized for or avoided us regarding, depending on the person. Newer servers also are rushed and much much less "polished" than the prior staff. They definitely need some help in the communication department for things like delays or sold out items. Hope they can get a handle on this before we start walking a little farther for dinner...

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unbelievable! this is, perhaps, one of the worst experiences we've ever had in a restaurant in chicago. waited 1.5 hours for the entrees while being told "a little longer," "soon," "sorry, ten more minutes," etc., etc. we ended up asking the waitress to bring us some bread and butter... after 90 sad minutes, the food arrived. we were invited to ask for a drink or dessert on the house... when we inquired about desserts, we were presented with d a short list of four less than desirable options. three minutes later, at a table right next to ours, the dessert list enounced by the same waitress expanded to include berry pies and profiteroles... when confronted about the "difference" in dessert lists, were told that the menu changed at 9 pm (this was happening at 11 pm)...!?!?! when asked to speak to the manager or owner, were told "i am the manager, there's nobody 'higher' here" (despite the presence of the owner at the bar)... regretfully, not even the owner was receptive to what we had to say...

lessons for the waitress: 1) don't lie, 2) don't lie when you have to change the story at less than 1 yard away, and 3) don't lie when the owner's in the house.

lesson for the owner: respect your clients as you would respect yourself and you will have people coming back... otherwise, a terrible, terrible shame!

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This lillte italian restaurant is located next to my favorite cafe, letizia's Natural bakery.

They have many great appetizzers like their bruschetta and a homemade sausage cooked with grapers in a wine butter sauce. VEry tasty! their pastas are good also but their polenta is a star. They serve it tableside on a cutting board and then top it with the different sauces.

I am not much of a drinker but I will say that they offer many different wine options. I always see people with multiple small glasses each (a flight) sniffing and sipping and eating.

The Bonus is that they share a killer back patio for alfresco dining with the place next door. it is secluded and off the street ( behind the building) and it is filled with flowers.

Definitely a romantic spot for a nice italian dinner

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I've visited Enoteca Roma a few times before, but only for bruschetta and, of course, the expansive wine selection (both of which are worth the trip in and of themselves!). Last night was my first, full dining experience, and I was absolutely blown away. I was with a large group, and we had earlier settled on a multi-course option that included a simple antipasto (highlight: the spicy mustard dip for the meats), a cheese plate (highlight: goat cheese w/ raspberry preserves), various bruschette, two different salads, polenta (a fan favorite!), three pasta dishes (I'm still obsessing over the penne arrabiatta w/ sausage -- so simple yet so delish!), risotto w/ shrimp and a basic dessert tray. We had earlier agreed that our server, Courtney, would choose our wines for the evening, and she did not disappoint. We started w/ a tasty rose, then transitioned through two different whites and two reds before capping the evening w/ a dessert wine. (Things were hazy at the end, for sure!) Courtney and the other staff members are especially knowledgeable, and did a fantastic job of talking us through the three-hour marathon of food and drink. Extra kudos to the owner and head chef, Fabio, who, in spite of the busy night, made an effort to greet us personally. What an enjoyable and delicious experience -- I recommend it to all!

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had the Best parta. whole wheat gnocchi, but ith sausage and a cream sauce and peas. the wine was delicious, like a spanish white.

overall good unobtrusive service and very beautiful garden.

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This place is right next to my favorite cafe Letizia's bakery. I went with my wife and found it to be a great weating experience. We decided to whare everything and the staff was ver accomodating. The communal eating experience and the great wine selection really made our night.

Server bought us dessert saying the the food had taken so long, however, we hadnt even noticed since everything we ordered and the timing was great.

We had the Lasagna with venison bolognes sauce and the House sausage appetizzer (both awesome) The cheese flight we got with our wine was also surprisingly interesting and delicious. I dont know what the cheeses were because we let our server pick them.

We're going back next week!

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I was excited to find a restaurant I haven't been to since coming back to Chicago after moving away. The atmosphere was really nice. I loved the wine flight and bruschetta which were quite and reasonably priced. The food was good but portions were small and pricy. The waitress should have mentioned these were more tapas style portions so we could have ordered more but with the 30 minute wait I was afraid we'd never get our food. The waitress was real friendly and even acknowledged my birthday by giving my dessert for free. I would return but maybe for more of snack than dinner.

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I took my friend here that was visiting from Londonon a Wednesday evening, we had a lovely bottle of wine and some yummy brushetta, The pasta, however, was less than desireable. I will stick with the pizza, I heard that was great. Very cozy little place and my friend loved it so I will return.

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