Riccardo Trattoria: User Reviews

Solid
By Rose3852 from Rogers Park, July 17, 2009

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I celebrated my last birthday at Riccardo Trattoria, and it was pretty much exactly what I had hoped for: solid Italian food in a classy-but-no-frills space. The summer truffle appetizer was tasty (though with truffles and butter, how could it not be), but it paled in comparison to my entree of grilled scallops and prawns wrapped in bacon with lobster sauce and lentils. The seafood was grilled perfectly, and that included my boyfriend's stuffed calamari appetizer. The flavors were all spot-on. Two of the people I was dining with didn't care for our waiter's agressive personality, but I liked him and the way he joked with us. Wine list was extensive and the pours were very generous. Tirmisu was average, but as it was complimentary for my birthday I can hardly complain. We will definitely be back to try more of the seafood and pasta.

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Great Italian Spot
By DrG from Uptown, May 31, 2009

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We love Italian food, and now we love this restaurant. It was a perfect pick for our anniversary since we spent our honeymoon in Italy. The food was excellent. My wife is now a lover of mussels. Her pork tenderloins were ecellent, my veal Milanese was also. The wine was reasonably priced. The service could not have been better! By a Sicilian even! Don't miss this place. We can't wait to go back.

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Great value - upscale Italian
By the bonejob from bonerland, March 4, 2009

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I love this place, I think it routinely delivers high quality food, imaginative yet authentic Italian fare, with low prices. I live up the street and feel it is the area's best restaurant besides Perennial, but without the pretentiousness, and will cost you half as much. Make a reservation, though!

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Great authentic Italian food at a very reasonable price
By mi from linc pk, January 10, 2009

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Riccardo is a little gift in the busy Lincoln Park area where I live. It has a quaint dining room, though I highly recommend a reservation booked at least several days ahead. The whole menu is very reasonably priced, even the wine list has many $30 bottles that are great. The food is superb, the staff is very helpful and attentive, and I can say this while having been there many times. The food is so fairly priced, we frequently order it for carry-out when we haven't prepared with a reservation. My wife and I even take out-of-towners there as a great neighborhood destination. Try it out!

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Wanted to like it, but disappointed
By DoubleZero from West Loop, September 16, 2008

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The room is nice. The food was good, not great. Actually, some of it was great, some of it was ok. Nothing was terrible. Wine was reasonable, considering the price that some restaurants charge for wine. However, they seated us over 1 hour after our reservation. They had way more excuses than apologies. I know that it happens, but make me feel a little better about it, not that I'm some chump who doesn't matter. The host/ owner (?) has a very authentic Italian feel/flare about him, but unfortunately we ain't in Italy so the casual European attitudes are annoying, not charming. Just give me a G-D table dude! For that reason, I probably won't go back.

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best italian restaurant in town!!!!!
By andre1980 from lincoln park, January 22, 2008

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i've been there 2 time and the food in amazing and the ambiance it's like been in italy!!!!!!best in town!

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poor service
By wrinklie from lakeview, January 16, 2008

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The food is very very good, but not drop dead good. The service the two times we've been has been atrocious. the first time, the waiter brought the wrong meal and then argued with our guest as to what he ordered. The second time, the waitress not only ignored us, but when we asked for forks to go with our main course, she brought a bunch of silver in a napkin and just dumped it in the middle of the table. Nevermore.

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overrated
By Berg from lakeview, November 16, 2007

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I went here tonight for my mother's birthday. We are always in the neighbrhood and wanted to check it out. I was not impressed. I really wanted to like this place but the service was not only extremely slow but our server was very rude. The food was ok but nothing the rave about. The rack of lamb was overcooked and since it took so long to get our food in the first place there was no point in sending it back. To make things worse we spoke to the manager about our experience and let me quote him, "you can't get it right everytime" this might be true but this is something you should not tell your customers. Overrated.... I won't go back.

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Unless they know you . . .
By bru2 from Roscoe Village, October 27, 2007

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We have been here 3 or 4 times and, because the food is generally good, we kept on going back. But with every visit, the service deteriorated, the noise level increased and our dining experience became less enjoyable. Like other reviewers, we have seen other guests who obviously are connected get seated while we wait and get more desirable tables and service. Luna Caprese has better food with less attitude in a much more pleasurable setting.

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Don't miss this very NYC...
By dinello from Chicago, IL, August 27, 2007

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Don't miss this very NYC find in the midst of Lincoln Park!! Charming, friendly and some of the most authentic Northern Italian cuisine you'll find in the city. Everything tastes totally home-made, and the staff are helpful, warm and serious about the food. Great, affordable winelist. Warning no parking! but lots of helpful valets outside. Go! You will find a new favorite place.