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Osteria Langhe
Master Critic Reviews (4 Lists)
Osteria Langhe
8.7
Osteria Langhe is a Logan Square osteria focused on the cuisine and wines of Italy’s Piemonte region, with a tightly edited menu of plin, vitello tonnato, and rich meat braises. Between national press, Gambero Rosso accolades, and a deep regional wine list, it’s become the city’s reference point for Piedmontese cooking.
Must-Try Dishes:
Vitello tonnato with poached beef and tuna-caper aioli, Plin agnolotti with La Tur cheese, butter, and thyme, Ragu with house fettuccine and northern meat sauce
Scores:
Value: 7.9
Service: 8.6
Consistency: 8.7
Food Quality: 9
Atmosphere: 7
Cultural Relevance: 8.6
What makes it special: A Piedmont-focused osteria with serious pasta, Barolo-heavy wine, and a focused regional menu.
Who should go: Pasta and wine obsessives chasing regional Italian cooking.
When to visit: Mid-evening seatings Wednesday–Sunday for full dining room buzz.
What to order: Vitello tonnato, plin agnolotti, and a ragu or brasato with a Piedmontese red.
Insider tip: Look for the weeknight Taste of Piemonte prix fixe and half-off wine nights to explore the list more deeply.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Primarily street parking along Logan Square side streets; availability tight after 6pm — plan a few extra minutes to circle or use nearby paid neighborhood garages if you prefer certainty.
Dress code: Smart casual — jeans are fine, but most guests lean slightly dressy for date nights and special dinners.
Noise level: Moderate buzz — lively room with conversation possible at most tables, but it can feel energetic during peak weekend seatings.
Weekend wait: Commonly 45–75 minutes without a reservation during peak times; bar seating may turn faster.
Weekday lunch: N/A — primarily a dinner-focused restaurant; check current hours if visiting midday.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — a few composed vegetarian plates and pastas are typically available, though the menu skews meat-forward.
Vegan options: Limited — Piedmontese cooking here relies heavily on butter, egg pasta, and dairy; expect very few fully vegan options.
Gluten-free options: Partial — some dishes can be prepared gluten-free and the kitchen is generally accommodating, but many signatures use wheat-based pasta.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes — the lighting, wine-forward service, and focused menu create a polished, intimate atmosphere that works well for a thoughtful first or second date.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Sometimes — early or late seatings on weekdays are your best bet; on busy weekends, join the wait list and ask about bar or counter seats if you’re flexible.
Is it kid-friendly? More adult-leaning — it’s best suited to dates and small groups; older kids or teens comfortable with longer, multi-course meals will fare better than young children.
Best For
Better for: Deeply regional Piedmontese dishes, plin and brasato executed with precision, and a Barolo-leaning wine list curated for pairing rather than breadth across Italy.
Skip if: You want a broad, red-sauce Italian menu, many vegan choices, or a casual, walk-in-friendly spot with fast table turnover.
Osteria Langhe
8.5
Osteria Langhe is a dim, fireplace-warmed Piemontese osteria specializing in hand-cut tajarin, plin, and a serious Northern Italian wine list. The dining room feels close and intimate, ideal for longer, multi-course dates built around pasta and Barolo.
Must-Try Dishes:
Tajarin, Plin Agnolotti, Vitello Tonnato
Scores:
Value: 6.8
Service: 8.4
Consistency: 8.5
Food Quality: 9
Atmosphere: 8.7
Cultural Relevance: 8.6
What makes it special: Pasta- and Barolo-focused Italian spot that feels built for anniversaries.
Who should go: Pasta lovers who appreciate serious wine and quiet rooms.
When to visit: Later midweek dinners for slower pacing and staff attention.
What to order: Tajarin, plin agnolotti, Vitello Tonnato.
Insider tip: Lean on the staff for Piemonte wine pairings; by-the-glass list is deep.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking on Milwaukee and nearby residential blocks; no valet — can be tight on weekends, plan a few extra minutes to circle.
Dress code: Smart casual, jeans are fine but most guests lean slightly dressy for date nights.
Noise level: Low–moderate — intimate room where you can comfortably hear your date.
Weekend wait: 30–60 minutes without a reservation; bar seats or later seatings are easier.
Weekday lunch: N/A — typically dinner service only.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — a few antipasti and pasta dishes can be made vegetarian; staff is accommodating.
Vegan options: Very limited — egg pastas and butter-based sauces are common; call ahead to confirm options.
Gluten-free options: Partial — some dishes can be adapted, but many signatures use wheat or egg pasta; notify the team when booking.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes — the small, fireplace-warmed room and attentive pacing create an intimate, low-noise environment that works especially well for conversation-focused dates.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Sometimes — early or late seatings and bar spots are your best bet, but prime weekend times usually require a reservation.
Is it kid-friendly? Not especially — the room is quiet and tailored to adult dinners and date nights; older teens may be fine, but it’s not geared toward young children or large family groups.
Best For
Better for: Intimate, pasta-centric date nights with thoughtful Piemonte wine guidance and slower, course-driven pacing.
Skip if: You want a loud, high-energy scene, broad menu variety, easy walk-in seating, or extensive vegan and gluten-free options.
Osteria Langhe
8.2
Opened in 2014, Osteria Langhe focuses tightly on Piedmontese cooking, from silky carne cruda to house-made plin and rabbit loin. Owner Aldo Zaninotto pairs the food with a Piemonte-only wine list, turning the cozy room into a regional deep-dive rather than a generic Italian date spot.
Must-Try Dishes:
Carne cruda all’Albese, Plin agnolotti with roasted meat jus, Seasonal risotto
Scores:
Value: 6.5
Service: 8.3
Consistency: 8.5
Food Quality: 8.8
Atmosphere: 8
Cultural Relevance: 8.2
What makes it special: Piedmont-focused cooking with a Piemonte-only wine list in Chicago.
Who should go: Wine-minded couples craving regional Italian detail.
When to visit: Midweek dinners for relaxed pacing and staff guidance.
What to order: Carne cruda, plin, and a bottle from the Barolo section.
Insider tip: Ask for pairing help; the Piemonte list rewards conversation.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Mostly street parking; metered spots on nearby arteries and residential side streets — can be tight during peak dinner hours.
Dress code: Smart casual; jeans are fine if paired with a dressy top or jacket.
Noise level: Moderate — conversations are generally comfortable at two-tops, busier and livelier during peak weekends.
Weekend wait: 30–60 minutes without a reservation during prime hours; bar seating is sometimes available sooner.
Weekday lunch: N/A — primarily a dinner-focused restaurant.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Some thoughtful options, especially pastas and antipasti; confirm preparations with the server.
Vegan options: Limited — menu is dairy- and egg-forward; modifications may be possible on select plates.
Gluten-free options: Several adaptable items and naturally gluten-free dishes; pasta is not universally GF, so request guidance.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes — the intimate room, attentive pacing, and strong wine guidance make it a polished but not intimidating first-date setting.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Sometimes — you may find space early or late in the evening, but weekends fill quickly; call ahead or plan for bar seating.
Is it kid-friendly? Better suited to adults and older teens; no dedicated kids menu and pacing is designed for slower, coursed meals.
Best For
Better for: Deep dives into Piedmontese cuisine, focused wine pairing, and a cozy, regionalist dining experience.
Skip if: You’re looking for broad Italian-American classics, large-group casual dining, or a menu with extensive vegan options.
Osteria Langhe
8.7
Osteria Langhe focuses on Piedmontese cooking—tajarin, plin, and rich braises—in an intimate Logan Square dining room well-suited to buyouts and small private parties. It feels more like a neighborhood osteria than a white-tablecloth temple, but the cooking and wine list are decidedly serious.
Must-Try Dishes:
Tajarin al Ragù, Plin Agnolotti, Vitello Tonnato
Scores:
Value: 7.1
Service: 8.6
Consistency: 8.6
Food Quality: 9.1
Atmosphere: 8.7
Cultural Relevance: 8.4
What makes it special: Piedmont-focused osteria where intimate rooms double as private party venues.
Who should go: Wine-minded groups seeking romantic, chef-driven Italian dinners.
When to visit: Weeknights or early weekends for calmer, more focused service.
What to order: Tajarin, plin agnolotti, vitello tonnato.
Insider tip: Ask about set Piedmont tasting menus for private group buyouts.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Primarily street parking in the surrounding neighborhood; metered spots on nearby corridors and limited residential availability on side streets. No valet service.
Dress code: Smart casual — jeans are fine, but most guests lean polished or date-night dressy.
Noise level: Low to moderate — conversation is comfortable at most tables, especially in smaller private rooms.
Weekend wait: Reservations are strongly recommended; walk-ins may face 45–75 minutes or be waitlisted for later seating.
Weekday lunch: Typically not applicable — service is generally dinner-only outside of private events.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — several pastas and antipasti can be prepared vegetarian, with staff guidance on substitutions.
Vegan options: Limited — a few dishes may be adapted, but the menu is largely dairy- and egg-driven.
Gluten-free options: Moderate — some mains and salads are naturally gluten-free; select pastas may be available with advance notice.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes — the intimate room, attentive pacing, and strong wine program make it ideal for quieter, conversational first or second dates.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Sometimes — small parties may find limited bar or off-peak seating, but peak weekend dinners typically require a reservation.
Is it kid-friendly? Better suited to adults — older teens may be fine for special occasions, but there are no kids’ menus or play-friendly amenities.
Best For
Better for: Intimate, wine-focused Italian dinners, chef-driven Piedmont dishes, and small private room buyouts where service and pacing matter.
Skip if: You want loud, high-energy group dining, a casual red-sauce menu, or extensive vegan and budget-friendly options.