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PR Italian Bistro
Master Critic Reviews (6 Lists)
PR Italian Bistro
8.4
A cozy, chef-owned neighborhood room that leans into pasta specials, comfort-forward classics, and a dim, date-friendly vibe. The menu plays best when you keep it in the house lanes—one appetizer, one pasta, and a focused main—so execution stays tight.
Must-Try Dishes:
Spaghetti bolognese, Scallop risotto (seasonal special), Focaccia + Caesar salad
Scores:
Value: 8
Service: 8.3
Consistency: 8.3
Food Quality: 8.6
Atmosphere: 8.1
Cultural Relevance: 8
What makes it special: Chef-owned, intimate Italian cooking with nightly-style specials energy.
Who should go: Date night pairs who want pasta and low lighting
When to visit: Weeknights at open for easiest seating
What to order: Focaccia, Caesar, one pasta special
Insider tip: Sit patio-front when weather’s good; it changes the whole meal.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking on side streets; metered spots on Broadway and Halsted can be competitive after 6pm.
Dress code: Smart casual leaning date-night dressy; jeans are fine, but most guests look polished.
Noise level: Low to moderate — intimate and quiet enough for full conversation.
Weekend wait: 30–45 minutes without a reservation during peak hours
Weekday lunch: Not applicable — dinner-focused spot
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — several pastas and starters can be ordered vegetarian, plus rotating specials.
Vegan options: Limited — possible with modifications, but not a dedicated lane.
Gluten-free options: Limited — some mains and salads work, but pasta is the core focus.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes — the low lighting, cozy room, and shareable pasta format make it easy to connect without feeling rushed or loud.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Sometimes on weeknights if you arrive early; weekends are tighter, so a reservation is strongly recommended.
Is it kid-friendly? Not really — the room and pacing skew date-night adult rather than family-focused.
Best For
Better for: Intimate pasta-driven date nights with a neighborhood feel and chef-led cooking.
Skip if: You want big portions, high-energy group dining, or a broad Italian-American menu.
PR Italian Bistro
8.4
A date-leaning neighborhood bistro where lasagna works best as part of a tighter, more composed Italian dinner rather than a big red-sauce binge. Go with lasagna plus one pasta or appetizer lane for the table, and keep the night paced around the kitchen’s strengths.
Must-Try Dishes:
Lasagna, Spaghetti Bolognese, Lobster ravioli
Scores:
Value: 7.8
Service: 8.6
Consistency: 8.5
Food Quality: 8.8
Atmosphere: 8.4
Cultural Relevance: 8.1
What makes it special: A cozy bistro setting that makes lasagna feel like a proper dinner.
Who should go: Date nights and small-group Italian seekers.
When to visit: Early dinner for best table flow.
What to order: Lasagna, spaghetti bolognese, lobster ravioli.
Insider tip: Split one starter, then keep mains in the pasta lane.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Metered street parking along Broadway and nearby side streets; usually manageable early evening, tighter after 7pm.
Dress code: Smart casual leaning dressy — jeans are fine, but date-night attire fits the room better.
Noise level: Moderate — lively energy but still easy to hold a conversation.
Weekend wait: 30–60 minutes without a reservation during peak hours.
Weekday lunch: Not applicable — dinner-focused spot with no regular lunch service.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — multiple pasta and appetizer options can be done meat-free.
Vegan options: Limited — possible with modifications, but not a dedicated focus.
Gluten-free options: Limited — some dishes can be adjusted, but cross-contact is possible.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes — the intimate bistro vibe, polished service, and composed menu make it an easy, low-stress first-date choice.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Possible on weeknights or early evenings, but weekends are much smoother with a reservation.
Is it kid-friendly? Not ideal — better suited for adults and older teens than young kids.
Best For
Better for: Romantic pacing, atmosphere, and a more refined Italian dinner experience.
Skip if: You want a loud, family-style red-sauce feast or ultra-casual pricing.
PR Italian Bistro
7.8
A neighborhood Italian room near the ballpark where date night works best in classic red-sauce mode. Stick to one pasta, one starter, and a simple dessert and you’ll get the cleanest version of what they do.
Must-Try Dishes:
Meat lasagna, Linguine aragosta, Tiramisu
Scores:
Value: 7.7
Service: 7.6
Consistency: 7.8
Food Quality: 7.9
Atmosphere: 7.8
Cultural Relevance: 7.4
What makes it special: Classic Italian comfort plates in a low-fuss neighborhood setting.
Who should go: Couples who want straightforward pasta-and-wine.
When to visit: Non-game nights for calmer energy.
What to order: Lasagna, linguine aragosta, tiramisu.
Insider tip: Avoid menu sprawl—pick one pasta each and share one starter.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking in the surrounding neighborhood; manageable on non-game nights but very limited before and after Cubs games. Rideshare or public transit is easier during events.
Dress code: Smart casual. Jeans are fine, but a nicer top or jacket fits the date-night vibe better.
Noise level: Moderate on non-game nights—easy to hold a conversation. Gets louder and more crowded during game traffic.
Weekend wait: 30–45 minutes without a reservation on non-game nights; longer during baseball season.
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait or very short wait.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—multiple pasta and appetizer options that work well for vegetarians.
Vegan options: Limited—some pasta and vegetable dishes can be modified, but not a strong vegan destination.
Gluten-free options: Limited—some dishes can be adapted, but gluten-free pasta availability varies.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes, especially if you want something relaxed and unfussy. It’s better for easy conversation and shared comfort food than high-drama romance.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Often yes on non-game nights, especially earlier in the evening. Reservations are smart on weekends or during baseball season.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes. The menu and pacing work for kids, though the room feels more adult in the evenings.
Best For
Better for: Low-pressure Italian comfort food dates where you want classic red-sauce dishes without a scene.
Skip if: You’re looking for upscale Italian, a buzzy cocktail crowd, or a polished special-occasion feel.
PR Italian Bistro
8.0
A chef-owned neighborhood Italian room where the cleanest experience comes from staying in the pasta-and-classics lane. Order decisively—one salad to share, one pasta each, and a simple finish—so the kitchen’s strengths stay front and center.
Must-Try Dishes:
Meat lasagna, Linguine Padovani, Caesare salad
Scores:
Value: 7.4
Service: 8
Consistency: 8.1
Food Quality: 8.3
Atmosphere: 7.6
Cultural Relevance: 7.2
What makes it special: Chef-owned Italian-focused cooking in a low-fuss Lakeview bistro format.
Who should go: Pasta-and-wine couples who want it simple
When to visit: Non-game nights for quieter tables
What to order: Meat lasagna, Linguine Padovani, Caesare salad
Insider tip: Avoid menu sprawl—pick one pasta each and share one starter.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking on nearby side streets; can be tight during Cubs games and after 6pm. Rideshare is easier on game nights.
Dress code: Smart casual. Jeans are fine, but a nicer top or jacket fits the room better.
Noise level: Moderate. Comfortable for conversation on non-game nights; livelier when the dining room is full.
Weekend wait: 30–60 minutes without a reservation, longer on game nights
Weekday lunch: Little to no wait most days
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes – several pasta and salad options work well for vegetarians.
Vegan options: Limited – possible with modifications, but not a core strength.
Gluten-free options: Limited – some dishes can be adapted, but cross-contact is possible.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes, especially if you want something relaxed and unfussy. It’s intimate without feeling heavy or overly formal, which keeps conversation easy.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Often yes on weeknights or earlier in the evening. On weekends or game nights, a reservation is strongly recommended.
Is it kid-friendly? Best for older kids who are comfortable with a sit-down meal. It’s more of an adult-focused dining room than a family spot.
Best For
Better for: A calm, pasta-forward Italian dinner where simplicity and consistency matter more than flash or scene.
Skip if: You want high-energy nightlife vibes, large group dining, or a menu built around experimentation.
PR Italian Bistro
7.8
A chef-owned neighborhood Italian room where the cleanest special-occasion experience comes from staying in the pasta-and-classics lane. Order decisively—one starter to share, one pasta each, and a simple finish—so the kitchen’s strengths stay in focus.
Must-Try Dishes:
Meat lasagna, Linguine Padovani, Caesar salad
Scores:
Value: 7.9
Service: 7.7
Consistency: 7.8
Food Quality: 8.1
Atmosphere: 7.4
Cultural Relevance: 7.3
What makes it special: Chef-owned Italian classics that reward a focused order.
Who should go: Pasta-and-wine couples celebrating simply
When to visit: Non-game nights for quieter tables
What to order: Lasagna, Linguine Padovani, Caesar salad
Insider tip: Skip menu sprawl—one pasta each and one shared starter.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking on Clark and nearby side streets; can be tight on Cubs game nights, easier on non-game evenings.
Dress code: Smart casual—jeans are fine, but it feels best with a polished, date-night lean.
Noise level: Moderate—generally good for conversation, louder during peak dinner hours.
Weekend wait: 30–45 minutes without a reservation on non-game nights; longer during events.
Weekday lunch: Little to no wait most days.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—several pasta dishes and salads can be ordered meat-free.
Vegan options: Limited—possible with modifications, but not a dedicated strength.
Gluten-free options: Limited—some dishes can be adapted, but cross-contact is possible.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes—especially if you want a relaxed, low-pressure Italian dinner where conversation matters more than theatrics.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Often yes on non-game nights or earlier in the evening; reservations are smart on weekends or before Cubs games.
Is it kid-friendly? Somewhat—fine for older kids who eat pasta comfortably, but it’s more date- and adult-focused than family-centric.
Best For
Better for: A calm, neighborhood-feeling Italian dinner that rewards classic orders and unhurried pacing.
Skip if: You want a high-energy, scene-driven night or a big celebratory blowout with lots of sharing.
PR Italian Bistro
8.3
A compact Lakeview bistro that hits best when you order in a simple, crowd-friendly lane: focaccia to start, one pasta, and one pizza for the table. It’s more polished than a typical family pizza stop, but still workable with kids if you keep the meal straightforward.
Must-Try Dishes:
Margherita Pizza, Focaccia, Panna Cotta
Scores:
Value: 7.6
Service: 8.1
Consistency: 8.2
Food Quality: 8.7
Atmosphere: 8
Cultural Relevance: 8.1
What makes it special: Bistro-style Italian that balances pizza and pasta for groups.
Who should go: Families who want a nicer Italian night
When to visit: Weeknight dinner for calmer pacing
What to order: Margherita pizza, focaccia, panna cotta
Insider tip: Split one pizza plus one pasta—avoid over-ordering starters.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is limited in Wrigleyville and gets tight after 6pm; plan on metered street parking a few blocks away or rideshare on game nights.
Dress code: Smart casual—jeans are fine, but many diners lean slightly dressier than a typical pizza spot.
Noise level: Moderate—lively during peak dinner but still workable for conversation if you’re seated inside.
Weekend wait: 30–60 minutes without a reservation, longer on Cubs game days
Weekday lunch: Usually no wait or a short wait
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—multiple vegetarian pastas, pizzas, and starters that feel intentional.
Vegan options: Limited—possible with modifications, but not a core strength.
Gluten-free options: Limited—some gluten-free substitutions available, but cross-contact is possible.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes, especially if you want something polished but not formal. The bistro vibe feels intentional without being stiff.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Sometimes on weeknights or early evenings, but reservations are strongly recommended on weekends and game days.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for school-age kids who can handle a sit-down meal. It’s less ideal for toddlers during peak dinner hours.
Best For
Better for: Families or groups who want a step up from casual pizza without going full fine dining.
Skip if: You want ultra-casual kid chaos, fast turnover, or budget-priced Italian.