Via Ventuno: User Reviews

Needs a lot of work...
By bbudwick from South Loop/Museum Campus, May 17, 2009

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Via Ventuna, the old Room 21, has yet to impress me. The interior is exactly the same as Room 21 and the food is actually not as good. Went on a Saturday night, at rush, around 7:30. The place was a ghost town. The hostess took us to a table by the kitchen at the back of the restaurant. Our server, although nice, had absolutely no wine knowledge or etiquette. If you order a bottle of wine, it'd be nice if it were opened properly and was refilled when needed. We filled our own wine glasses the entire dinner. I ordered a risotto with morel mushrooms. The risotto, good. The mushrooms, which at this time of year are a delicacy, were gritty and not cooked properly. My boyfriend ordered a steak, and it was WAY overcooked...both specials of the day.
Overall, for a Jerry Kliner restaurant, I think this restaurant, if it's going to live up to his reputation needs a lot of work in the kitchen and educating the servers. For the price, you deserve it!

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Simply the BEST!
By Nikkilovesitalian from Southside, May 15, 2009

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Went here with my boyfriend and thought the food was AMAZING, and what an atmosphere; just incredible! Try the caprese salad, it was delicious and I loved the presentation... with all the meals! I HIGHLY RECOMMEND it to anyone looking for a unique night out. What a hidden gem. Where else can you go out to this nice of a place for the price. 60-70$ for brad&oil, appetizer, salad, 2 entrees, dessert AND a martini & beer. Prepare to be impressed.

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GREAT PLACE ! Could be a little cheaper for what you get.
By SoLoMotorRow from South Loop - Motor Row, April 29, 2009

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This was the old Room 21, which has stayed beautifully decorated. The food
is much, much better (now strictly Italian), but would say the drinks & food need to be $2 cheaper for this to be a busy restaurant. The outdoor patio is perfect.
Not sure if they are planning on having live music there (or DJ), but it should. The restaurant should also open the big gates to show that they have a patio area.

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Fantastic
By reviewer from southloop, April 1, 2009

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A great addition to the South Loop. The ambience, food, service all added up to a phenomenal dinner.

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AMAZING
By idontcook from river west, March 31, 2009

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Via Ventuno is beautiful and the food is AMAZING! The tortelloni dish was to die for and I wanted to order seconds of the tonno appetizer and the arancini rice balls, OMG! Can't wait for the weather to get nice because the garden patio is unlike anything i've seen in Chicago.

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