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RPM Italian
Master Critic Reviews (4 Lists)
RPM Italian
8.7
Vibes:
Date Night Magic
Trendy Table Hotspots
Business Lunch Power Players
Birthday & Celebration Central
RPM Italian delivers a polished, celeb-adjacent version of modern Italian with housemade pastas, crudo, and steaks in a sleek, reservation-heavy room. It functions as both a destination date-night spot and a go-to for corporate dinners where consistent execution and presentation matter.
Must-Try Dishes:
Mama DePandi's Bucatini, Mafaldine cacio e pepe, Maine lobster ravioli
Scores:
Value: 8
Service: 8.7
Consistency: 8.7
Food Quality: 8.8
Atmosphere: 8.8
Cultural Relevance: 8.4
What makes it special: Glossy, high-service Italian where housemade pasta shares space with steak and crudo.
Who should go: Guests wanting upscale Italian with scene-y energy.
When to visit: Prime weekend slots or late weeknights with reservations.
What to order: Mama DePandi's Bucatini, cacio e pepe, lobster ravioli.
Insider tip: Sit at the pasta bar for a more interactive but still polished experience.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Valet service is typically offered during dinner hours near the main entrance; street parking is scarce in River North and most guests use nearby garages.
Dress code: Smart casual leaning dressy — jackets and dresses fit the room, jeans are acceptable if styled neatly.
Noise level: Moderate-to-lively — conversation is possible at two-tops, but peak weekends can feel energetic.
Weekend wait: Expect long waits without a reservation — commonly 45–90 minutes depending on party size.
Weekday lunch: Usually minimal or no wait, though larger business groups should book ahead.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Good coverage — several pastas, salads, and vegetable plates can be ordered vegetarian.
Vegan options: Limited — a few dishes can be modified; ask your server for accommodations.
Gluten-free options: Yes — many dishes can be prepared gluten-free and staff is accustomed to requests (confirm with your server).
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes — the polished service, dim lighting, and upscale atmosphere make it a strong first-date choice if you want something refined and conversational rather than casual.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Possibly at the bar or early weeknights, but weekend evenings are heavily booked — walk-ins should expect a wait or join the list and dine later.
Is it kid-friendly? It skews adult and business-focused; older kids and teens are fine at earlier seatings, but it’s not oriented toward young children or stroller space.
Best For
Better for: Polished service, presentation-driven pastas, and a sleek, special-occasion environment that works for dates and corporate dinners.
Skip if: You’re looking for casual, neighborhood-style Italian, budget-focused meals, or a quieter, low-profile dining room.
RPM Italian
8.9
RPM Italian is a polished River North Italian restaurant known for housemade pastas, seafood, and steaks, with a dedicated gluten-free menu and gluten-free pasta options that let celiac-conscious diners participate fully in the pasta-heavy experience.
Must-Try Dishes:
Short Rib Bolognese with gluten-free pasta, Maine Lobster Ravioli (gluten-free preparation available), Spicy King Crab
Scores:
Value: 6.9
Service: 9
Consistency: 9.2
Food Quality: 9.1
Atmosphere: 9
Cultural Relevance: 8.8
What makes it special: High-volume Italian dining with a robust gluten-free program and thoughtful substitutions for pasta and classic dishes.
Who should go: Gluten-free diners wanting upscale pasta, steak, and wine nights.
When to visit: Prime evening seatings for full room energy and kitchen focus.
What to order: Gluten-free pasta in Short Rib Bolognese, Spicy King Crab, gelato.
Insider tip: Note gluten-free needs when reserving so the team can flag your ticket and walk you through safest choices.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Valet service typically available at dinner; street parking is limited and fills quickly in River North
Dress code: Smart casual leaning dressy — jeans are fine if polished
Noise level: Lively and energetic but you can usually hold a conversation at a normal volume
Weekend wait: Often fully booked; walk-ins may face 60–90 minutes or be waitlist-only
Weekday lunch: Usually minimal wait, but reservations are still recommended
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — several pasta, salad, and appetizer options can be made vegetarian
Vegan options: Limited — some dishes can be modified, but core menu skews dairy- and egg-forward
Gluten-free options: Strong program — gluten-free pasta and marked substitutions; staff is trained to discuss cross-contact
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes — the polished room, attentive service, and shareable pasta and steak plates make it feel celebratory without being formal.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Sometimes — the bar and limited walk-in slots open up, but peak evenings are often fully reserved, so booking ahead is strongly recommended.
Is it kid-friendly? Occasionally — well-behaved older kids are fine at early seatings, but the vibe skews adult, upscale, and date-night oriented.
Best For
Better for: Upscale Italian dinners where gluten-free diners want full menu participation — especially pasta and seafood — without feeling like they’re compromising.
Skip if: You want casual pricing, a quiet room, or a wide range of vegan options — a simpler trattoria or plant-based concept may fit better.
RPM Italian
8.6
Vibes:
Date Night Magic
Birthday & Celebration Central
Trendy Table Hotspots
Group Dining Gatherings
RPM Italian is a polished, modern Italian restaurant known for housemade pastas, sleek design, and celebrity-backed buzz since opening in 2012. Families tend to book earlier seatings, where servers can pace sharable antipasti, pastas, and mains so kids and adults all get a taste without the meal feeling formal.
Must-Try Dishes:
Mama DePandi's Bucatini, Maine Lobster Ravioli, Short Rib Bolognese
Scores:
Value: 7
Service: 8.7
Consistency: 9.3
Food Quality: 9
Atmosphere: 9.1
Cultural Relevance: 8.9
What makes it special: Modern Italian with celebrity cachet, serious pasta, and a polished room.
Who should go: Families celebrating birthdays or milestone dinners in style.
When to visit: Prime-time weekends for buzz, early evenings with kids.
What to order: Mama DePandi’s Bucatini, Maine Lobster Ravioli, Short Rib Bolognese.
Insider tip: Book a booth or corner table and build a shared spread of antipasti and pastas instead of each person ordering solo.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Valet service is typically available during dinner hours; street parking is limited in River North and nearby garages are the most reliable option.
Dress code: Smart casual — jeans are fine if styled neat; many guests lean slightly dressy for evenings and celebrations.
Noise level: Lively and energetic at peak times; conversation is comfortable in booths and earlier seatings but can feel loud during late-night rush.
Weekend wait: 45–75 minutes without a reservation during peak hours; bar seating is sometimes available sooner.
Weekday lunch: Usually no wait or short wait outside of peak business lunch windows.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Good coverage — several antipasti and pastas can be made or ordered vegetarian.
Vegan options: Limited — a few items can be modified with guidance from the server; best to confirm specifics in advance.
Gluten-free options: Yes — staff can accommodate gluten-free requests and certain pastas can be prepared with gluten-free alternatives when available.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes — the polished room, attentive service, and shareable pastas make it feel special without being overly formal. It’s best for guests who like a lively, scene-y atmosphere.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Sometimes — walk-ins may find space earlier in the evening or at the bar, but prime-time weekends usually require a reservation to avoid a long wait.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for well-behaved kids and family celebrations, especially earlier seatings; servers can pace shared dishes and simplify orders, but late evenings skew adult and louder.
Best For
Better for: Upscale-but-fun celebratory Italian with polished service, shareable pastas, and a sleek dining room that works for birthdays and milestone dinners.
Skip if: You want a quiet, casual neighborhood trattoria, large portions at budget pricing, or a space that stays calm during peak weekend hours.
RPM Italian
8.8
Vibes:
Date Night Magic
Trendy Table Hotspots
Birthday & Celebration Central
Group Dining Gatherings
RPM Italian is a celebrity-backed modern Italian restaurant in River North where housemade pastas, polished service and a sleek, low-lit dining room create a high-energy date-night setting. Couples come for dishes like Mama DePandi's Bucatini and Rigatoni alla Vodka, then linger over cocktails in a room that feels special without being stiff. The combination of massive review volume and a decade-plus of buzz makes it one of the neighborhood’s most reliable Italian reservations.
Must-Try Dishes:
Truffle Garlic Bread, Mama DePandi's Bucatini, Rigatoni alla Vodka
Scores:
Value: 7
Service: 8.6
Consistency: 9.1
Food Quality: 9.1
Atmosphere: 9
Cultural Relevance: 8.7
What makes it special: Celebrity-backed modern Italian with handmade pastas and a sleek, romantic room.
Who should go: Couples wanting polished Italian with buzz, cocktails, and shareable plates.
When to visit: Prime Friday or Saturday nights for full room and bar.
What to order: Truffle garlic bread, Mama DePandi's Bucatini, Rigatoni alla Vodka.
Insider tip: Request back dining room tables for slightly quieter date-night pacing.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Valet is typically available most evenings near the main entrance; expect premium city pricing (often in the $15–$20 range). Street parking is limited and competitive after 6pm, with nearby paid garages within 1–2 blocks.
Dress code: Smart casual leaning dressy — dark jeans and a blazer or a polished outfit fit the room; many guests dress up for date night.
Noise level: Moderate to lively — low-lit with strong bar energy at peak times; you can hold a conversation, but it’s not a hushed dining room.
Weekend wait: Often 45–75 minutes for walk-ins at the bar or small tables; prime-time reservations book out well in advance.
Weekday lunch: Usually little to no wait; walk-ins are commonly seated.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — several salads and pastas can be ordered vegetarian, and servers can guide substitutions.
Vegan options: Limited — a few dishes can be modified, but options are narrower than vegetarian; confirm details with the kitchen.
Gluten-free options: Yes — gluten-free pasta is typically available and many dishes can be adapted, though the kitchen is not a dedicated gluten-free facility.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes — the sleek, low-lit room, polished service, and steady buzz create a special-occasion feel without feeling formal, which works well for a comfortable first-date setting.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Sometimes — walk-ins may find seats at the bar or in off-peak windows, but prime weekend evenings usually require a reservation. Arrive early or be prepared to wait.
Is it kid-friendly? It’s technically family-permissive but geared toward adults and date nights. Earlier seatings are more workable for older kids; there are no kid-specific amenities.
Best For
Better for: Polished, modern Italian with consistent execution, attentive service, and a sleek date-night atmosphere — especially strong for celebrations and special-occasion pasta dinners.
Skip if: You want a quiet, low-key meal, budget pricing, or highly experimental Italian; consider a smaller neighborhood trattoria instead.
Hours
Monday4pm - 9:30pm
Tuesday4pm - 9:30pm
Wednesday4pm - 9pm
Thursday4pm - 9:30pm
Friday3pm - 10:30pm
Saturday3pm - 10:30pm
Sunday4pm - 9:30pm