Ciao Amore Ristorante

My friend and I made a last minute change to our plans when we learned DeColores wasn't BYOB anymore. We had two bottles of wine and wanted to find a nice spot nearby. I've had Ciao Amore bookmarked for awhile so it was an easy decision. We knew that being a walk in at 7:30pm on a Saturday would be hit or miss so we crossed our fingers.

They greeted us right away and sat us on a couch in the back. It was clear they were  busy but they were wonderful in trying to accommodate our walk in. They ended up splitting two larger tables to get us a place and we were very happy.

Matt was our server. He was professional and knowledgeable but most importantly he was very personable.

I ordered the Brascole which was delicious and my friend ordered the Festaitaliana which she really enjoyed. Additionally we got the spumoni and tiramisu for desert which were tasty.

I'll definitely be back to visit. Our meals were delicious. The portions were good. Best of all is that there's no corking fee! I highly recommend.

Yea, just okay. I went there with a friend because we both like Italian, wanted to try something new and because she live on the south side I thought this would be a compromise. First off, they were out of Coke and Sprite and it's BYOB, so unless you like water or Diet Coke and brought your own booze, the beverage options were limited to overpriced bottled beverages. The proportions were off with the baked goat cheese marinara appetizer, we had to ask for more bread because 5 oval toasted bread slices just weren't enough. Overall the food was okay if not on the pricey side and both my dish and my friend's were chipped which I believe is both unsafe and not professional. We were sat in the front between a large loud party and a small loud live music group, needless to say it was hard to have a conversation. There are better places in Chicago for Italian, no need to search this one out.

So why a 2 star for a joint that averages 4?  Grab some Bruschetta and let me tell you...

Walked into the place which has a wonderfully colorful decor in the front room, but no double awning door, helloooo, its Chicago, in the Winter, you have been here for 4 years, that one wide open door set upon the first four tables wind from the Siberian tundra, i felt really bad for those up front.  Take care of your guests and buy the permit and door, it was so open a store front that if those were the only tables open I would have walk right back out.

We were seated in the back and while not as vaulted or artsy, it was clearly the place to sit on a cold night.  Then quickly happened error #1, it was 7 PM mind you on a Saturday night, they were out of minestrone soup, clearly an Italian restaurant staple favorite, but forgivable.  On the heals of ordering salads we asked for more bread only to be told they were out.

Bread. Out. Saturday Night. 7 PM. Ouch. I felt bad for the next several hours of tables they sat for dinner.

The next 30 minutes went by with our appetizer- the very tasty rice ball made with meat and cheese- that came and went in 5 minutes, and we sat there for another 30 waiting for salads, and the place was not full.  We finally asked about them and they came right out seconds later, only to be follow by our main course seconds later... and the second waiter said they had been made and were sitting in the kitchen awaiting the main course, um, no, not requested and now this was a bigger issue.  Hot food, cold caprese, not good.

The food was ok, nothing spectacular, vesuivo w/ lemon and garlic, but not with any real lemon or garlic taste... I wonder if they were out of lemon and garlic?

Lastly I wanted a decaf Cappuccino, they only had regular. They had the espresso machine but no decaf.

No apoligies and no offers to remove anything from the bill, when we asked they said they had already rung it up and could not change it, they did finally offer some future coupons, 2 little 2 late.

Saturday night, no soup for you, no bread for you, no decaf for you, no return for me.

UPDATE - the owner did send me a very nice email on the week following with a more heartfelt apology and their current battles with the city and landlord to get a new door system in place as well as personally say he was sorry we had a negative experience. He expressed his hope we would return and let them honor the discount and give the place a second try.  Very nice effort and appreciated.