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Ciccio Mio
Master Critic Reviews (2 Lists)
Ciccio Mio
8.4
Vibes:
Date Night Magic
Trendy Table Hotspots
Instagram Worthy Wonders
Birthday & Celebration Central
Ciccio Mio is an intimate, reservation-booked room styled like a vintage Italian supper club, known for rich pastas, antipasti platters, and thoughtful cocktails. Since opening in 2019 it has become one of River North’s most sought-after Italian date spots, with a heavy emphasis on indulgent, sauce-driven dishes.
Must-Try Dishes:
Spicy vodka rigatoni, Lasagna bolognese rotolo, Orecchiette pugliese
Scores:
Value: 7.9
Service: 8.5
Consistency: 8.4
Food Quality: 9
Atmosphere: 9.1
Cultural Relevance: 8.1
What makes it special: A small, softly lit Italian room focused on luxurious pastas and classic antipasti.
Who should go: Couples wanting plush, throwback Italian with cocktails.
When to visit: Later weeknights if you want a bit more breathing room.
What to order: Spicy vodka rigatoni, lasagna rotolo, antipasti platter.
Insider tip: Bar seats can be easier to snag last-minute and still feel special.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: No dedicated lot — metered street parking is limited in River North and fills quickly; most guests use nearby garages or rideshare.
Dress code: Smart casual leaning dressy; jackets and dresses are common but polished jeans are acceptable.
Noise level: Moderate-lively — close tables and background music, but you can typically hold a conversation with your date.
Weekend wait: Highly reservation-driven; without a reservation expect long waits or bar seating only (30–60+ minutes when space is available).
Weekday lunch: No regular weekday lunch service — check hours if visiting earlier in the day.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Good coverage — several antipasti and pasta dishes can be ordered meatless or are already vegetarian.
Vegan options: Limited — most dishes rely on dairy and butter; the kitchen may accommodate simple modifications if asked.
Gluten-free options: Partial — some mains and antipasti avoid pasta, but gluten-free pasta options are limited; discuss needs with the server.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes — the intimate room, warm lighting, and shareable antipasti make it feel special and conversation-friendly without being stiff.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Sometimes — bar seats are your best bet for walk-ins, but peak evenings are often fully booked, so plan to wait or arrive early.
Is it kid-friendly? Not especially — the space is small and geared toward adults and date nights; older teens may be fine, but it’s not ideal for young children.
Best For
Better for: Romantic, indulgent Italian with rich, sauce-forward pastas and a vintage supper-club vibe that feels tailored to special occasions.
Skip if: You prefer casual, family-style Italian, lighter menus, or easy last-minute seating — a larger trattoria or neighborhood spot may suit better.
Ciccio Mio
8.4
Ciccio Mio is a tiny, vintage-styled Italian parlor in River North, recognized with a Bib Gourmand and known for big-flavored pastas and rich antipasti in an intimate, low-lit room. Reservations are notably hard to secure, and the small scale amplifies both the romance and the sense of occasion once you’re seated. Prices run higher than neighborhood workhorses, but many diners consider the combination of ambiance and cooking worth the splurge for special dates.
Must-Try Dishes:
Premium Burrata, Spicy Vodka Rigatoni, Black Truffle Bucatini
Scores:
Value: 7
Service: 8.5
Consistency: 8.2
Food Quality: 9
Atmosphere: 9.2
Cultural Relevance: 8
What makes it special: Tiny, Bib Gourmand–recognized Italian parlor with richly sauced pastas and one of River North’s coziest, most cinematic dining rooms.
Who should go: Couples planning far-ahead reservations for intimate, indulgent Italian dinners.
When to visit: Later evening seatings when the small room feels fully alive.
What to order: Premium Burrata, Spicy Vodka Rigatoni, Black Truffle Bucatini.
Insider tip: Join the on-site waitlist early; bar seats sometimes open unexpectedly.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: No dedicated lot or valet; most guests use nearby paid garages on Clark/Hubbard or rideshare. Street parking is scarce after 6pm.
Dress code: Smart casual leaning dressy — jackets and dresses fit the room; neat jeans are acceptable.
Noise level: Low–moderate — intimate tables with close seating, but conversation with your date is still comfortable.
Weekend wait: Typically reservation-only; without a booking, expect little to no availability and long odds unless a late bar seat opens.
Weekday lunch: Not applicable — generally not open for lunch.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — several antipasti and pastas are workable or fully vegetarian; confirm cheeses and broths when ordering.
Vegan options: Very limited — most dishes rely on dairy, butter, or egg pastas; modifications are case-by-case.
Gluten-free options: Some accommodations — select mains and a few pastas may be prepared with gluten-free alternatives when available, but cross-contact is possible.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes — the tiny, candle-lit room feels cinematic and romantic, with attentive pacing that works well for a slower, conversation-forward meal.
Can I get a table without a reservation? It’s difficult — reservations are booked far in advance. Join the waitlist on-site early and ask about bar seating, which occasionally opens late in the evening.
Is it kid-friendly? Not especially — the room is small, quiet, and geared toward adult date-night dining; suitable for older teens at early seatings, but not ideal for young children or strollers.
Best For
Better for: Romantic, special-occasion Italian with rich flavors and an intimate, vintage setting where service and ambiance feel elevated.
Skip if: You want a spontaneous walk-in, large-group seating, lighter or vegan-forward menus, or a more budget-friendly neighborhood Italian spot.