Salute: User Reviews

Where do I start? The bad food took more than an hour to come to us (pizzas and bruchetta.) The terrible piano player (actually a keyboard) made it impossible to hear conversations. Service was good but when our food was finally delivered to our table, the small portions were very bland. Wouldn't recommend unless you're just drinking and sitting outside to avoid the music.

Ambiance:

Food:

Service:

Value:

Report This Review

My friends and i visited this restaurant based on another friend's recommendation. I've never been so disappointed in service at a restaurant. We received our drinks and then never saw our waiter again. Unfortunately he was busy talking to the other servers and setting up the AV equipment for a movie they were showing on the front of the restaurant. We had to wave someone down to come over and take our food order. In addtion to taking our food order he took a drink order. Some time later we waved someone else down to inquire about where our appetizers were and to remind them we were still waiting for the second drink for someone at our table. The appetizers finally arrived and were really good, aside from the mushroom polenta appetizer being a little cold. When the main dishes arrived, two of the three meals were the wrong dish. We told told the third person at our table to go ahead and eat, thank goodness, since it took at least another 10-15 minutes for our correct meal to arrive. After eating, we had to wave someone down to get our check, and to tell someone the people sitting next to us had never been waited on and were ready to place an order. The food was good but I will never go back.

Ambiance:

Food:

Service:

Value:

Report This Review

This place has a great patio, perfect for an after work bite and/or cocktail! Friendly staff, good food, and a great atmosphere! A perfect spot to go to with a bunch of friends or on a date! Very affordable. I will be going back very soon!

Ambiance:

Food:

Service:

Value:

Report This Review

Casual with very pleasant ambiance. Fantastic location for a sidewalk cafe--not a busy street with some big old trees. Great panini and appetizers! Fun Limoncelli. I'll be back soon.

Ambiance:

Food:

Service:

Value:

Report This Review

The food is very good we really enjoyed it, Excellent wine list - Great friendly staff,
my wife and I really enjoyed the piano music it made for the perfect romantic atmosphere, great vibe here, the perfect place to sit back and relax.

We will defiantly be back. Much Thanks !

Ambiance:

Food:

Service:

Value:

Report This Review

I have worked in an italian resturant in the west loop of chicago for the last three years so needless to say I don't eat out italian very much or at all for that matter. That being said I came across the most beautiful and intimate patio that gave me a good feeling right off the bat. After a glance at the menus I was instantly turned on by how well composed the wine list was and how moderate the prices were. I was given a warm welcome by the staff and the manager and sat down to a fantastic bottle of wine and had a nice paring of cheeses. Our server had personality and knowlege that you just don't see anymore when you go out. I finished of the night with some homeade limon chello that was the best I've ever had and I've been to the amalfi coast! I really enjoyed myself and am happy to have stumbled across this fun new spot. I will be back again thanks Salute!

Ambiance:

Food:

Service:

Value:

Report This Review

I should preface this review by saying I am in the industry so may expect more than the average diner AND I just returned from Italy where every meal is perfection and they will die trying to please you.

The quick review: Drink some Italian wine on the charming outdoor patio and dine elsewhere.

Service:
Service from the servers 5 stars - from the owner no stars!
We went to Salute right when they opened on a Sunday. We were indeed the first patrons of the day which may have influenced our experience in a good or bad way greatly - you decide. Our waiters were friendly and plentiful (we had 2?!) and the service they provided was really one of the best experiences we have had in the city. At the end of our meal, they were tipped 30%. BUT - Not at all happy with the "service" from the owner - see below.

Food:
Our food was made wrong. Key flavor elements were missing from our very tiny, expensive, simple dishes (this place gives new meaning to "small plates). When I got home I re-read the menu online to be sure of the missing ingredients and to be sure that we had not been expecting something that wasn't promised in the descriptions. Indeed there were things that were missing that would have greatly improved our food. We did not bring up the errors to our servers - there was no time for us to wait for corrections. Later, I emailed the owner, Dominic Gaziano. Gaziano's response was indeed unexpected - he thanked me for my "concern" (as if I were a busy-body family member tattling on his kitchen crew), told me Salute is in it's 2nd week of service (they are practicing on us at $25/head?), and invited me to spend more money at his disorganized, expensive restaurant (really rude). I expected an apology. I told him that I expect an apology, but have yet to receive one so I will spend my money dining where they actually care about their customers.

Drinks:
Salute is a "winebar" (it says so in it's menu). What is annoying is how few of the wines are actually served by the glass (maybe 5% of the total wine list is availlable by the glass). Frustrating since the more interesting wines on Salute's rather pedestrian wine list are sold only by the bottle. The seating is such that there are many tables that only seat two yet they encourage drinking an entire bottle of wine. ? Confusing and annoying.

Ambiance:
Outdoor seating at this garden-level establishment in an historic brownstone is very nice and really the only reason we stopped to check it out. It is on a relatively quiet tree-lined part of Superior. Inside, there's a bar, banquette seating, a couple couches, and a few tiny tables. There is a fireplace but don't know if it works. Very cozy.

Salute's website states the owner, Dominic Gaziano is an "internal medical doctor" and "author". It also says his mother is a "gourmet cook" and "author". I wish his Mama were running the place - I somehow think she would at least offer an apology.

Ambiance:

Food:

Service:

Value:

Report This Review

Finally a spot in River North that knows good wine. A great place to relax and enjoy a glass or bottle of Italian red or white and have something to eat. The wine and food are great in a very comfortable setting but the service is really what I noticed. Attentive and knowledgable about their product.

Ambiance:

Food:

Service:

Value:

Report This Review