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Mano a Mano
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Master Critic Reviews (3 Lists)
Mano a Mano
7.7
Mano a Mano is a design-forward Logan Square pasta and wine spot with a compact menu of housemade pastas, crudos, and Italian-leaning small plates. It’s more scene-driven than classic, but the bar seating and low-lit room make it a useful option for friends or dates who want to make a full night of Milwaukee Avenue.
Must-Try Dishes:
Cacio e pepe with housemade tonnarelli, Beef carpaccio with parmigiano and arugula, Rigatoni alla vodka
Scores:
Value: 6
Service: 7.4
Consistency: 7.3
Food Quality: 8
Atmosphere: 8.2
Cultural Relevance: 7.8
What makes it special: A style-conscious pasta bar where a short menu and long wine list encourage hanging at the bar.
Who should go: Wine-and-pasta people who like buzzy, design-y rooms.
When to visit: Later weekend seatings if you want a more nightlife-adjacent feel.
What to order: Start with carpaccio, split a cacio e pepe and one red-sauce pasta, then a seasonal dessert.
Insider tip: Solo diners should grab a bar seat; it’s the best way to chat with staff about off-menu pours and specials.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking only along Milwaukee/side streets; metered spots and residential blocks can be competitive after 6pm — rideshare is common on busy weekends.
Dress code: Smart casual — jeans are fine, but the room skews stylish and slightly dressy at night.
Noise level: Moderate-to-lively — conversation is comfortable at the bar or earlier seatings, louder during late-night weekend rush.
Weekend wait: 30–60 minutes without a reservation; bar seats are often the quickest fallback.
Weekday lunch: N/A — primarily a dinner-focused restaurant; verify hours if planning a daytime visit.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — several meatless pastas and small plates are typically available; servers can guide substitutions.
Vegan options: Limited — a few items can be adjusted, but most pastas rely on egg, cheese, or butter.
Gluten-free options: Partial — some dishes can be modified and there may be GF-friendly options, but pasta is not universally gluten-free and cross-contact is possible.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes if you like a buzzy, design-forward vibe — the bar and two-top tables feel intimate, though it can get lively during peak hours.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Often — expect a wait on weekends, but bar seating and later seatings are your best bet for walk-ins.
Is it kid-friendly? Not especially — it’s oriented toward adult diners, wine service, and later evenings; teens are fine, but it’s not ideal for young children.
Best For
Better for: Design-driven pasta nights, solo bar dining, and wine-centric catch-ups in a stylish, low-lit room.
Skip if: You want a quiet, traditional trattoria, large-group seating, or extensive vegan/gluten-free pasta options.
Mano a Mano
8.1
Mano a Mano is a dimly lit Logan Square pasta bar from the team behind Andros Taverna, built around housemade noodles and a 15-layer lasagna Bolognese that regularly appears as a nightly special. The room reads polished but cozy, with wine service and small plates that make the lasagna feel like the centerpiece of a longer Italian meal.
Must-Try Dishes:
Lasagna Bolognese, House Focaccia with Stracchino, Seasonal Stuffed Pasta
Scores:
Value: 6.5
Service: 7.8
Consistency: 7.6
Food Quality: 8.7
Atmosphere: 8.4
Cultural Relevance: 7.4
What makes it special: Modern Logan Square trattoria where an ultra-layered lasagna Bolognese and a deep wine list headline a housemade-pasta program.
Who should go: Pasta obsessives chasing layered lasagna in a cozy room.
When to visit: Thursday nights when lasagna Bolognese is guaranteed on special.
What to order: Lasagna Bolognese, focaccia with stracchino, one seasonal pasta.
Insider tip: If lasagna is a non-negotiable, call or check socials to confirm the night’s specials before booking a later seating.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: No dedicated lot; nearby metered and residential street parking, often competitive after 6pm — plan a few extra minutes to circle.
Dress code: Smart casual — jeans are fine if styled a bit dressy (boots, jacket, or blouse).
Noise level: Moderate to lively — conversational at early seatings, buzzier during peak dinner hours.
Weekend wait: Commonly booked — walk-ins may wait 45–75 minutes; bar seating can open sooner.
Weekday lunch: No regular lunch service — typically dinner-only.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — a few meat-free pastas and small plates rotate seasonally, but offerings vary by night.
Vegan options: Limited — some items may be modifiable; confirm with the kitchen before ordering.
Gluten-free options: Partial — a few dishes can be made gluten-aware, but most pastas and the lasagna are wheat-based.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes — dim lighting, polished service, and a focused pasta menu make it feel warm and intimate without being stiff.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Sometimes — small parties may find bar or early-evening walk-in seats, but popular nights book up; call ahead to gauge the board.
Is it kid-friendly? Not especially — it skews adult, date-night, and group-dinner focused; older teens may be fine, but there are no kid-specific amenities.
Best For
Better for: A polished, pasta-centric night where the lasagna special can anchor a longer bottle-of-wine meal.
Skip if: You want guaranteed lasagna every night, a broad vegan or gluten-free menu, or a casual, family-style environment.
Mano a Mano
8.2
Mano a Mano is a moody Italian pasta bar where candlelight, dark wood, and a soundtrack set the tone for casual but considered dates. Focaccia di Recco, well-executed pastas, and a friendly, engaged service team make it feel like a neighborhood spot you graduate to from basic red sauce.
Must-Try Dishes:
Focaccia di Recco, Mezzi Rigatoni Carbonara, Pappardelle Braised Rabbit
Scores:
Value: 6.4
Service: 8
Consistency: 8
Food Quality: 8.6
Atmosphere: 8.4
Cultural Relevance: 7.8
What makes it special: Pastas, focaccia, and a low-lit bar atmosphere that feels tailored to dates.
Who should go: Couples wanting polished pasta without white-tablecloth formality.
When to visit: Early evenings or late reservations to avoid peak noise.
What to order: Focaccia di Recco, Mezzi Rigatoni Carbonara, Pappardelle braised rabbit.
Insider tip: Share one starter and one pasta each; portions plus richness add up fast.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking on nearby residential blocks; meters along Milwaukee/California — fills quickly during peak dinner hours
Dress code: Smart casual — jeans are fine but most guests lean slightly dressy
Noise level: Moderate-to-lively — conversational early evening, louder during peak hours
Weekend wait: 45–75 minutes without a reservation during prime hours
Weekday lunch: No weekday lunch service — dinner only
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — several pastas and starters can be made or ordered meat-free
Vegan options: Limited — a few modified dishes possible, but menus skew dairy-forward
Gluten-free options: Partial — some dishes can be adapted; confirm pasta substitutions with the server
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes — the candlelit room, bar seating, and attentive service create an intimate vibe that works well for a relaxed first date where conversation still feels natural.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Often — walk-ins are seated earliest or latest more easily; expect a wait during peak weekend windows, but the bar can be a good fallback if you’re flexible.
Is it kid-friendly? Not especially — the space skews adult and date-focused; older teens are fine, but it’s better suited to couples and small groups than families with young children.
Best For
Better for: Casual-but-considered date nights with polished pastas, engaged service, and a cozy bar atmosphere that feels elevated without formality.
Skip if: You want large-group seating, ultra-quiet dining, or extensive vegan/gluten-free menus — a broader trattoria or family-style Italian spot may fit better.
Hours
Monday4pm - 10pm
Tuesday4pm - 10pm
Wednesday4pm - 10pm
Thursday4pm - 10pm
Friday4pm - 11pm
Saturday4pm - 11pm
Sunday4pm - 10pm