Ignotz Ristorante: User Reviews

Try the stuffed gnocci!
By georgiawiz from West Elsdon, May 20, 2009

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Seriously, the stuffed gnocci might be the best thing I ever ate. Little pillows of heaven, filled with ricotta cheese. Try them with the pesto sauce and you'll think you're in heaven. A warm, friendly, homey place, they surprise you from beginning to end, serving the bread basket with a complimentary bulb of roasted garlic, and finishing your meal with home-made chocolate covered cherries. One of the best Italian restaurants in the city, a true hidden gem.

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I would go back
By rosizz from Bridgeport, May 5, 2008

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Great Food! best veal I have had in years, great value
Would go back in a heat beat only complaint was the uncomfortable chairs.

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Overall, good experience
By TheWindyCity from Chicago, November 19, 2007

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My wife and I dined here on a Friday night. We lived in Chicago all our lives, and have never eaten in the Heart of Italy before. It's a quaint little street, and felt like we have missed this gem of a neighborhood, and will have to visit a little more often.
The dining room is very nice, and the wine list has a good selection of wines at various prices, the most affordable at $20 a bottle. We had the Caprese Bruschetta as an appetizer, and it was really tasty. I had a cup of the seafood chowder with Jalepeno pepper....excellent. My wife had the veal-Eggplanr Parm, which was delicious, but the side of pasta was a little ho hum. I had the Rigatoni Arabiatta with sausage and mushrooms. It was reallly good, but can be better with ground sausage, as opposed to sliced. I asked the busboy to wrap my leftover dinner, and never got it back. I asked the waitress, and she checked, saying he thought I said to toss it. She asked the chef to make a little leftover for me, which was nice, but when I got home, there was a small handfull of pasta in a cup with a slice of sausage and a spoonful of sauce. I wasn't too happy about that because I had a lot of leftover. We had the tiramisu for dessert on the waitress'es recommends, but sorry to say, it was too sweet and not anything I would recommend. You could not taste the flavors, as the sugar was over the top, on the order of and instant pudding. We met the owner, Roger, who was very cordial. I would still like to return and give it another try, maybe with a different dessert next time. I would still recommend Ignotz if you are in the Heart of Italy.

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The Steak Isabella is perhaps...
By ss from Hyde Park, IL, June 25, 2007

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The Steak Isabella is perhaps the best steak I've ever had. And for only 20 bucks, it's hard to cheap out for something else.

A lifelong family friend has...
By Patti from Chicago, IL, June 13, 2007

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A lifelong family friend has truly found the American dream ... to open a business that he loves (an Italian restaurant that stands head and shoulders above all the rest !), and to provide the most wonderful dining atmosphere and cuisine to all of us who (intelligently and tastily) choose to walk the narrow path into culinary heaven. Our tastebuds 'sing' for days after having been treated to your chef's wonderful talents. As long as Ignotz Risorante is open, our family will always be return customers who also tell all our friends about you as well.

Affectionately,

Mrs. Randy E. (Patti) Zeleznak

We will be back for...
By Stephanie from Chicago, IL, May 9, 2007

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We will be back for sure. We were there on a Friday with no reservations and were seated immediately. The place was full when we left about 1.5 hours later. Erica was overworked but was great nonetheless-we weren't in a rush so it didn't matter. The value is spectacular..reasonably priced wines, delicious stuffed, huge pork chop with vegetables AND a salad or soup for $12.75! My chicken tippi was delicious as well. Nice touch with the roasted garlic with your bread and oil and the chocolate covered cherries with your bill. This is a definite keeper for us amongst other good italian restaurants in the neighborhood. I'd say the price and value is better here than the others.

For anyone that grew up...
By Serena from Wilmette, Il, January 1, 2007

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For anyone that grew up or whose parents grew up as a "west side" Italian - this restaurant is the best. The dining room is warm and inviting and because of the hoidays a silver Christmas with a revolving colorwheel added to the decor. (Talk about a trip down memory lane). The service was the best I have ever experienced. Erica - you rocked! This also includes the guys working the valet parking - so friendly and nice! Roger and the rest of his staff treated our party of 8 like one of the family. The food was perfection from the grilled calamari and mussels to the ravioli (the "gravy" tasted just like moms) and the zuppa de pesce. The tiramisu was so light and delicious I thought I saw one of my brother in-laws licking his plate. My sisters, who never like traveling to the city for dinner said they want to go back again and again.

We loved this place! ...
By Cherry from Palos Park, IL, December 18, 2006

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We loved this place! It was warm and cozy and the fireplace added a special touch. The food was excellent and a good value. The ravioli, chicken al la Tippia, and the sausage /pasta combo were all delicious. The service was very friendly and efficient. We were treated like family. They will definitely see us again!

Great pizza and a very...
By Nancy from Chicago, Il, December 9, 2006

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Great pizza and a very friendly, relaxed atmosphere

We discovered this place a...
By Midge from Chicago, IL, August 29, 2006

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We discovered this place a while ago and keep going back. The food is real down home Italian and the dining room is like your Grandma's place. If you don't see what you want on the menu ask your server and you will get exactly what you ar craving. The owner is so gracious and comes by every table to make sure you are happy. Just love it here!