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Riccardo Osteria
Master Critic Review
Riccardo Osteria
7.8
Milan-trained Chef Riccardo Michi brings decades of experience from opening Bice restaurants worldwide to this bright, modern Northern Italian osteria. The kitchen excels at veal preparations including 16-ounce osso buco over saffron risotto and pan-fried veal chop Emiliana with fontina and prosciutto.
Must-Try Dishes:
Osso Buco Milanese, Veal Chop Emiliana, Linguini Vongole
Scores:
Value: 7.5
Service: 7.6
Consistency: 7.8
Food Quality: 8.2
Atmosphere: 7.6
Cultural Relevance: 7.8
What makes it special: Milan-trained chef with 40+ years opening acclaimed restaurants worldwide
Who should go: Northern Italian purists seeking authentic veal and seafood
When to visit: Weeknight dinner for quieter, more intimate experience
What to order: Any veal dish, branzino piccata, tiramisu
Insider tip: Full bar makes this a great solo dinner spot at the counter
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking on Lake St and Carpenter; nearby lots bookable via SpotHero/ParkABM. Accessible parking near entrance. Rideshare recommended for weekend dinners.
Dress code: Casual dress - smart casual works well for the intimate atmosphere; no formal requirements
Noise level: Moderate - intimate enough for conversation, though occasional El train noise. Tables close together in the cozy space.
Weekend wait: Reserve ahead - Saturday nights can mean 1-2 hour waits without booking; OpenTable recommended
Weekday lunch: No lunch service - dinner only starting at 4pm Tue-Sat, closed Sun-Mon
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes - several pasta, risotto, and salad options; staff accommodating on modifications
Vegan options: Limited but available - most dishes can be modified; ask your server for guidance
Gluten-free options: Yes - GF pasta available and most dishes can be prepared gluten-free upon request
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Excellent choice - the intimate, romantic atmosphere with moderate noise levels makes conversation easy. Request a corner table or bar counter seat for extra coziness. The full bar adds pre-dinner drink options.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Weeknights usually yes - the smaller space fills up but walk-ins often work Tuesday-Thursday. Friday-Saturday strongly recommend OpenTable reservations; waits can exceed an hour during peak times.
Is it kid-friendly? Better for older kids and teens - there is a children's menu, but the intimate atmosphere and closely-spaced tables favor date nights over young families. Early seatings work best if bringing children.
Best For
Better for: Serious Northern Italian cooking from a Milan-trained chef - veal preparations that rival the motherland, intimate bar dining for solo guests, and a quieter alternative to the West Loop scene restaurants
Skip if: You want high-energy buzz or a late-night destination - closes by 9-10pm and atmosphere skews romantic over rowdy. For lively Italian, try Bar Siena or Monteverde instead.
Hours
MondayClosed
Tuesday4pm - 9pm
Wednesday4pm - 9pm
Thursday4pm - 9pm
Friday4pm - 10pm
Saturday4pm - 10pm
SundayClosed