Pretty much a poor experience all around. Overpriced, flavorless food paired with awful service. By the end of it, we were wishing we'd gone to nearby Burrito Beach instead.
The vegetali ($16) was a small pile of grilled vegetables and polenta with no seasoning besides a light drizzle of balsamic. My partner's tagliolini neri (squid ink pasta, $17) was of a pitiful portion and bland (he's had squid ink pasta in Italy, and this was like the watered-down version).
The service was ridiculous. Our waiter maintained a cold scowl on his face whenever he was dealing with us. And he barely dealt with us at all, despite the fact that there was only one other table occupied at the time (4PM). After getting us our drinks, he took so long to take our food order, we considered leaving. After finally taking our order, he never checked on us.
Sad I had a bad experience because I love the original.
Ambience was not quaint cafe but kind of cold and uninviting. Service was spotty and not polished. And my fish was over-charred and bitter.
This is a block from my office so I'll probably give it another try with a pasta but if that doesn't live up I won't be back!
Came here for a business meeting recently because the owners of my company love this place and it is right around the corner from my office - also, it's one of only a few nicer places within a few blocks around the area.
I wasn't sure exactly what to expect but I was very pleased when we walked in - the place is quiet and it is a GREAT place for a business meeting. Â The service was top notch, everything was very relaxed but as soon as you wanted them at the table they were there. Â
I was really happy with the portion sizes - it was enough food that I felt satisfied but  not stuffed.  I had the grilled chicken with spinach, grapes and goat cheese.  The seasoning on the chicken was just right - enough to really give it a little extra flavor, but not so much that I felt like I was chewing on grilled oregano with a dash of chicken.  I was trying to eat the healthiest thing on the menu and I was really pleased to be able to have something I enjoyed which didn't make me feel guilty at all.
The other options on the menu look fantastic and one of these days when I'm a little less concerned with making a healthy choice I'll be excited to head back and try some of their other dishes.
Came here as part of a group event. We were seated at an area in the back that was on a raised landing of sorts which separated it somewhat from the other diners. Nice for small get-togethers. I was surprised that it wasn't as noisy as i would have expected. A bit on the crowded side with the tables close together. But i guess it compliments the cozy atmosphere. Service was very good. Attentive servers who were skilled and knew what they were doing.
Food was very good. Salad was fresh and the salmon was cooked nicely though not the best that I've had. But my favorite of the day has to be the panna cotta dessert with the berries. That was so good that we actually asked the waiter if it was possible that we could get the recipe...of course that wasn't possible, but we had to try! the portions were perfect. If only that panna cotta could've been triple its size...=P
Overall very enjoyable and highly recommend.
My friends and I had dinner here on a Friday evening, and we were very happy with everything we ordered. The server's wine recommendation was spot on. I really enjoyed the bruschetta--I sampled mushroom and arugula, as well as goat cheese and sweet pepper. And I highly recommend the pappardelle with wild boar ragu. I could totally smell the freshness of the pasta off my plate, and the whole dish was just very well made.
I took off one star because one of the busboys was annoyingly overzealous in refilling our water glasses, notwithstanding our assurances that we didn't need more. He even accidentally hit my hand at one point without any apology. Otherwise, it's a  super cute and charming spot for quiet and pleasant dinner. I can't wait to visit during patio season!
Conflicted -- 1) my grandmother loves it here, so when we go out with the family N matriarch, this is occasionally where we land; 2) the food is tasty; and 3) there is nothing wrong with the place (service is friendly/efficient/attentive and the atmosphere isn't offensive) -- it's not adventurous fare per se, and certainly not earth shattering in the flavor dept -- but it's a pretty good casual Sunday night meal -- my braised octopus is always solid, and the salmon and trout are reliably cooked well (I've heard the pasta is strong, but it's not my bag -- but it's homemade or something).
That said, CPC, clean up your act. Like seriously. The bathrooms are atrocious. Last time I checked, the rest stop on I-94 I went into this summer had less peeling paint and more bountiful toilet paper. This is not a Mc.Donalds. It's a proper place to get a meal. Shame on you.
Oh, the antipasto station looks appetizing, but the offerings from it are bland -- it's a skip -- for the starters, do a bruschetta, the 7 veg salad, or a hearty soup -- perfect for fending off the 30F weather. For mains, I'd rec any of the fish options.
A meal for four w/ apps, entrees, and dessert/coffee was around $200. Worth a special trip? No. But if you're in the area (on Michigan Ave/at Northwestern Memorial Hospital/staying in one of the hotels close by), it's a nice casual option -- we usually go at an AARP friendly time (both for me and for Grandma Pearl, duh) -- so at 6p it's dead, but 8p it's more popping. Not a scene. Just a meal.
Coco Pazzo Café was accommodating to my diet, which was very nice.  They made the Spaghetti 'AOP' vegan for me - I believe there's butter in the tomatoes - and overall I found it pretty average.  The dish was supposed to be spicy, but I didn't really taste the spice.  Plus, the dish was rather flavorless too.  My dining partner ordered a meat dish and thought his food was pretty bland too.  For the amount of money they charge, I'd rather go elsewhere so I'll likely not return.
Review Source:One of my favorite Italian restaurants. The food is great and the staff is friendly. I've never had a bad meal there. I like that they will split the dishes so they are easy to share and you can enjoy several courses. Some of my favorite dishes are the trout, the pappardelle con coniglio and the lasagna. The lasagna is made with beciamella instead of ricotta cheese which is the style in Nothern Italy and is the only way my Italian mamma makes hers. The sauce is not your typical meat sauce usually paired with lasagna but a tasty creamy tomato sauce. I'm usually too full for dessert but enjoy finishing off my meal with an espresso. I really don't think you can go wrong dining here.
Review Source:My husband's family was staying at the Fairfield. Â We were hanging out in their room and everyone got hungry. Â We asked the concierge for a suggestion and he said Coco Pazzo Cafe was "excellent" AND casual. Â Great. Â We were all wearing jeans. (We realized we were a little underdressed when we arrived and almost all the men were in suits and most of the women were wearing dresses.)
We looked online at the menu and figured everyone would be able to find something to eat. Â We went over and were seated immediately. Â
There's paper on the tables. Â That's never a good sign at a "nice" restaurant. Â If there's paper on the table, there should be crayons to decorate that paper. Â
We all ordered our food. Â Some of it was good, like the chicken livers and the bread. Â Some of it was not good. Â The gnocchi was perfectly pillowy and light. Â The sauce tasted like it came out of a Chef Boyardee can. Â That's apparently a thing in this area. Â This was the second time I had ordered gnocchi in a restaurant downtown to find a very bland and Chef Boyardee-ish sauce. Â Ugh.
My husband ordered the pappardelle coniglio. Â We're pretty sure there was no rabbit in the rabbit ragu. Â It looked and tasted like chicken thigh.
Made a reservation for dinner here on our hotel's recommendation. Restaurant could not accommodate the time slot we wanted, so we accepted an earlier reservation. When we arrived at the restaurant, two people ahead of us - who did not have a reservation - refused a back corner table and asked for one by the window. They were graciously accommodated. The hostess then sat us at the table they rejected. When we asked to be seated by the window, she said there were too many requests and she could only offer us a table right by the entry door. The food and service were both good, but I could not help but notice that 2 prime window tables were still empty when we left. I was really disappointed by the shabby treatment
Review Source:We arrived in jeans and sweatshirts, wanting something delicious. I worried when we were offered a table with the caveat that we be finished in an hour to make room for a reservation. I hate that. It seems so rude.
However--Waitstaff was very nice, and didn't rush us. Food was delicious. Among us we had panzanelle, pappardelle with rabbit ragu, linguine vongole, rapini (delicious), trout with the pesto green beans and potatoes (repeatedly talked about deliciousness the rest of the evening).
Not too loud, quality service, not outrageous prices or portions, overall pleasant dinner. I would definitely return.
Solid Italian option in the Streeterville neighborhood.
Kicked off dinner with the calamari: pretty good and a decent serving size.
Entrees:
Linguine Vongole: Basically a clam linguine in a white wine and garlic sauce. Tasty and light with plenty of small clams, but the noodles were just meh.
Pappardelle: The "housemade" wide noodles were really good, great texture and well cooked. The rabbit ragu was a little salty but delicious.
Anatra: The duck was solid with the marsala sauce, but nothing really stood out about the dish.
Service was great; lots of tables and staff so we got situated pretty quickly. Water glasses were kept full and orders taken/filled quick enough.
3 stars. Nothing really stood out about the place and being in Streeterville, it's expensive for what you get. But certainly a restaurant I would consider going to again.
Our family of four ate here while vacationing in Chicago. Â We were staying at the Embassy Suites, Lakeview, and wanted to walk the magnificent mile after dinner, so this was right on the way. Â
The atmosphere was comfortable and pleasant and the server was friendly. Â The food was good-to-great depending on the dish. Â We got the octopus appetizer which was very good. Â For dinner, my wife ordered a seafood pasta dish and my older son ordered the duck, which were both fine, but not amazing. Â My younger son and I both ordered the sea bass special and were very impressed.
I was disappointed at first because I didn't book reservations in time to go where I had really wanted to that evening, but by the end of the meal here, we were happy and satisfied.
I had the aratra, which is duck with lentils. The duck was distinctly flavorful, tender, and definitely some of the better duck I have ever had in my entire life. And they gave me a healthy portion. The lentils, on the other hand, were lentils. I'm not sure why I expected more from lentils. Still, my impression was that I was a lot happier with my order than others were with theirs.
However, the place itself was relatively small given how many people were there. I'm not sure I could've gotten up after I sat down without great difficulty, so close I was to the table behind me.
Packed in like sardines
Meal was a little pricey
Duck made it worthwhile
Gah! Get over yourself! The food is great, but very limited. Â Actually, I can only order about one thing for lunch which is the amazing vegetali appetizer salad. Â It's incredible and very decently priced considering the fresh veggie ingredients. Â But, the snobbery is palpable. Â I am not at a business lunch. Â I am a simple girl who wants to eat lunch and read a book and doesn't mind paying more if the food is good. Â So, what's the problem? Â I'm not wearing a suit? Â My job doesn't require me to wear a suit. Â I'm super low maintenance and I don't even eat your bread (which smells delicious). Â Judging me before I sit down is not going to help either of us. Â I tip better than most, even though you're borderline rude to me.
That said, the food could be a little friendlier to the dietarily restricted. Â Gluten free pasta is not hard to obtain. Â
Also, you're next to the Red Roof Inn for heaven sake! Â How snobby can you allow yourself to be before you just look silly.
I had dinner here with some co-workers at the recommendation of our hotel. Â I'm really picky with my Italian food and this is definitely a go-again kind of place. Â The restaurant was clean, the service was knowledgeable, and the food was excellent, not to mention reasonably price and well portioned.
We ordered the calamari and the octopus for appetizers, which were flavorful and everything you want from an Italian appetizer. Â We had a tasting frenzy with the plates, and they were all delicious. Â The gnocchi is fresh and creamy, although there was a lot of it - I have come to find that this is more of a dish related occurence rather than a restaurant, because who can eat that many potato-pasta balls. Â The tagliolini with shrimp and the pappardelle with rabbit were my favorite of the night. Â The shrimp was succulent and the lamb was tender. Â All of the sauces were delicious and served with the pasta type to bring out their flavors. Â In addition to the original menu, this place also had some daily specials. Â I tried the scallop specials and it was unbelievable. Â Overall this place really knows how to pair pastas and sauces and how to perfectly cook their seafood. Â Not to mention the dessert! Â The flourless chocolate cake and tiramisu are a big fast YES! Â
My co-workers and I stayed in different hotels around the area and it was recommended by two of the hotels, so it's most likely that you can expect to see business groups out, which doesn't surprise me since they're very accommodating to large groups. Â There's a private room in the basement and a patio. Â We went on a Wednesday and it wasn't busy at all, you can probably expect to be seated immediately on the weekdays. Â
Every course was delicious and I can't wait to go back and have Luigi as my server again.
We came here on a Friday night around 8:30 and sat on the patio. Â The octopus appetizer was great, the salads were really good, and the entrees were just OK. Â I opted for the gnocchi and this was a bad choice. Â The sauce was described as a tomato sauce with ricotta, had a dollop of ricotta over the top, while the sauce tasted "off". Â After my second bite it dawned on me: Â I was eating the sauce that's on Chef Boyardee canned ravioli. Â This was disappointing. Â For dessert we had panna cotta, and that was a winner. Â I am sure you will have a great experience here, I would just recommend staying away from the gnocchi.
Review Source:Very accommodating for a large group. Â The focaccia bread was delicious, especially dipped in their olive oil. Â I ate the celery root ravioli with mushrooms in a butter sauce. Â The ravioli was tasty but the sauce was not my favorite. The portion size was nice for lunch. Â I had a taste of my friend's gnocchi that I liked much better.
Atmosphere was very nice, I recommend this place for an upscale lunch.
Coco Pazzo is a Streeterville Godsend! Â I work as a stylist right around the corner and it is absolutely my favorite lunch spot. Â I constantly send my clients over for lunch or dinner and they are always elated when they thank me for the recommendation! Â My Streeterville clients often mention it is their go to for a delicious, consistent experience. Â With all that said, I'm glad I finally wrote this review to make it official.
Review Source:Reasonable prices, nice sized portions (not gigantic), good service, and decent decor. Main problem is that you're really packed in, and with the proximity to the hotels, you're likely to get HUGE groups of people who are in town for a convention or something, which may mean a wait for your food. We got there early enough on a Thursday that this wasn't an issue.
I had the rigatoni (sausage, peas, tomato cream sauce), my friend had the squash ravioli (sweet butter sauce with brown sugar and nuts). We shared an order of 3 crostini with various toppings. I chose one with salami and brie and another with a hummous-type white bean & black truffle puree. Both were delicious. She had a roasted red pepper & goat cheese one. I tried a little bite and found it rather tasty. They also have the traditional bruschetta of tomatoes, basil, and olive oil, but we passed that one by in favor of something different. Everything was quite good...perhaps not fantastic, but good.
Service-wise, our waiter knew his way around the menu and gave suggestions, we were offered cracked pepper with our appetizer and freshly grated cheese with our entrees, our water glasses stayed full, and our dishes were promptly cleared away. My friend was offered a sample of wine before committing which was nice. I would go here again, especially if I'm staying in one of the nearby hotels. Very convenient to walk and not have to worry about valet or parking fees.
Went here this past weekend when my family was in town and had an excellent experience. The service was very good - the staff was very friendly, timely & knowledgeable. The food here is excellent - all their pasta is home made. If you're a fan of Italian you wont be disappointed. Everything on the menu is reasonably priced. I got lamb which i would recommend to anyone it was that good. Two people at my table got pasta dishes which were excellent & the veal chops were also very good. There wasn't one thing that I didn't like.
If you're up in the air because of the million other restaurants in the city...give this place a shot its worth it.
The night was definitely hit and miss. Â Calamari is usually a staple at a good Italian restaurant, but theirs was just not crispy enough. Â To make me more suspicious it showed up about 2 minutes after we ordered it, which makes me wonder if it was originally for someone else.
I always love fresh pasta and for me that's the draw for Italian food. Â We had the Rigatoni, which they consider to be the specialty and it was forgettable. Â We also had the Linguine Vongole, which was bland and not as good as what I have made at home or had at Bice. Â There was a highlight though, it was the special fish pasta of the day. Â The noodles were homemade, paper thin and took on the flavor of the sauce in a wonderful way. Â Had they served us three entrees of the same quality instead of the two inferior ones the review would be an easy 4.
Last point, I will make is on the service. Â They did a great job keeping the water filled, but missed on the easy items. Â When ordering a Caesar salad cracked pepper should always be offerred right away. Â In order to get the pepper for the salad I had to flag down a waiter, which was a first in an Italian restaurant.
I really wanted to love this place, but it just didn't meet my expectations.
First of all, this place was PACKED to the gills. And when I say "to the gills", I mean so close that when one of my tablemates spilled his glass of water, it got all over the people at the next table. I don't know how the waiters could even squeeze around the tables most of the time. I could've dealt with the space issue if it was quieter, but it was so loud I had to shout at the person sitting next to me to be heard. Not the best environment for a leisurely, nice meal. Â
The menu, wine and beer lists are fine and pretty typical for an Italian place in Chicago. The bread was wonderful and seemingly endless, and I absolutely LOVED my beet salad. After that, the meal went somewhat downhill...I ordered the seafood stew, which I expected to be really nice but all of the seafood was pretty rubbery and there wasn't enough sauce. I got a selection of sorbets for dessert and they were pretty tasty, but again nothing remarkable.
The prices are what you'd expect near the Mag Mile and with the name Coco Pazzo, although they are cheaper than the original on Hubbard. I have no problem paying high prices for high quality, but this just wasn't it.
Usually restaurants that are in the vicinity of the Magnificent Mile are tourist traps. The flavours pander to a single palate and the presentation wows you way more than taste. Then there is Coco Pazzo Cafe. I must admit that this restaurant eatery left a lasting first impression on me.
Escarole e fagioli. Tagliolini. Spaghetti with mushrooms. Linguini with clams. Calamari. Apple tart. Tortufu.
My friends and I had a grand time. And it may have been because of the weather, the restaurant was not teeming with tourists and shoppers. So, we had great service without being rushed and food that certainly was not rushed from the kitchen. After a rather large, late lunch, we were all sated.
I'm a fan of Cocco Pazzo's Hubbard location but sometimes I am not in suit for work and I wouldn't be caught dead wearing jeans there. After a stroll down the Magnificent Mile, we decided on Cocco Pazzo Café by Michigan Ave. The menus are similar but the environment is much more casual.
For my attire, I was wearing jeans and a hoodie and I fit in just fine. No jacket no service wasn't an issue here.
We ordered the bruschetta, pappardelle, and tagiolini. The bruschetta was a little disappointing since the bread lacked crunch and was a bit on the soft side. For the entrees, I am a huge fan of homemade pasta and both were done well. The parpardelle came with a wild boar ragu that had an unexpected sweetness. The tagiolini was full of mushrooms and finished with parmesan reggiano.
Like LMFAO, no shirt, no shoes, and I still get service at Coco Pazzo Cafe.
So fortunate to get a last minute reservation here for New Year's Eve.
Walked in that afternoon and secured a 9:30pm for seven people.
Miguel our waiter was courteous, efficient and very knowledgeable.
We shared 2 apps:
Polpo: Braised octopus w/potato & olives & tomato. Simple recipe that allows the subtle chewy texture come thru.
Funghi Arrosta: Wood grilled oyster mushrooms with diced pancetta and radicchio.
For dinner I enjoyed the special of the evening Torteloni di Vitello ai Tartufo.
Handmade torteloni stuffed with veal with black truffle. Beautiful tasty little packages. Tender and delicate as they politely sat  in their "broda" only to later dance joyously in my mouth. Very nice entree special.
The rest of the family enjoyed various pastas and meats. Granddaughter (a professed "pasta-tarian) had the Pappardelle-house made wide noodles with a wild boar ragout.
Veal Scallopine was on the table as was the Caciucco-a spicy Tuscan seafood stew.
Definitely enjoyed.
We shared a bottle of red..........as suggested by Miguel. Fairly priced and fairly tasty.
As I have a sweet tooth I ordered the Tartufo. Think of an ice cream truffle.
Wonderfully decadent.
A quaint little place one block of the Miracle Mile.
Stop in for a good value dinner.......you will be glad that you did.
We had lunch here today. Â It was gorgeous outside, so we opted to enjoy the rays and get our daily dose of vitamin D while eating. Â There was some GREAT people watching!
Our food was good, our service was not so good. Â We started with Carpaccio for an appetizer. Â I've never had shaved beef tenderloin, I'm used to a thicker piece, but this was good. Â I had a frittata and hubby had some risotto and both were yummy.
Our server really didn't pay too much attention to us after our food was brought. Â There was no check-in to see how we were doing and it took him forever to come by and ask us about dessert. Â I actually wanted dessert, but he took so long, I had to give it up so we could move on. Â Waiting for our check was painful, not the way it should be after having some good food!
3.5 stars to 4 stars
Finally got to try this restaurant after passing by it on my way home so many times! My husband and I sat in their outdoor seating which is so pleasant!
We first ordered their Beet salad which is pretty yummy and flavorful and a good portion to share between 2 people.
My husband ordered the Rigatoni Butera which was yummy and filling for him. I had ordered one of the Specials of the Day which was a Mushroom Bowtie pasta. - that was ok, kind of ordinary.
Lasty, wine selection pretty good.
Definitely this is a place to go for a quaint and relaxing atmosphere, but food is just ok.
Go for lunch, but choose Volare down the street for dinner.
The outdoor seating is one of the best spots in the area (on a side-street that isn't too busy, offers a huge awning to relax under during the high-noon sun). Â I love going for a break during lunch, as the service is attentive (but borderline annoying with the water fill-ups). Â The gnocchi is superb, as is the rigatoni. Â The lasagna, however, is a real disappointment. Â I'm Arabic and can cook up a better lasagna than that. Â (A friend described it as "Chef Boyardee") Â I hadn't ventured outside of the gnocchi or rigatoni until I tried the place for dinner.
Dinner service is awful. Â The wait staff was discombobulated, as two different servers attempted to work our table, both trying to take orders and whatnot. Â While my water glass was refilled every time I took a sip, I had to practically beg for more bread. Â By the time it came, we had to flag someone down for olive oil. Â Ugh.
The menu is priced quite well for the area, but it's still a lot for what you get. Â For $26, the salmon itself was good but was only accompanied by crappy grilled veggies, which included some poorly prepared artichokes. Â A fellow diner ordered a side of pasta with butter and garlic and was charged $16. Â When we questioned if it was a mistake or not to waiter #1, waiter #2 came to the table and ripped us a new one and stormed off. Â When waiter #1 returned, I told him about the response we just got and he said "sorry, she's new - next time you're here, I'll take good care of you."
While I think it's a great lunchtime option for a quick plate of pasta and/or a salad, the dinnertime service and the entree menu selection will not warrant a return visit from me.
Well, now. Isn't this just a charming little place? Actually, I was pleasantly surprised to see it located in the same space as an equally charming French cafe which may have closed in the 90's? Anyway, a friend had recommended it, and I met a friend I hadn't seen in many years for a mid-week lunch. While we did make a reservation we would not have needed one. It was fairly quiet. I am guessing that is more the exception than the rule in this busy location.
But the most impressive thing was the setting, the decor, the wood, the lighting, the artwork, all giving the place an elegant yet rustic feel. We ordered antipasti from the big table in the middle, a wonderful assortment of bean salads, grilled veggies, and olives. For entrees, we ordered pastas: one ribbon pasta with bolognese sauce, and one penne with a sausage and vegetable sauce. Â And just the half-orders worked fine for sharing. These pastas dishes were perfect. The pasta was al dente, the flavors exciting and pleasing, and the sauce to pasta ratio exact. Ingredients were cut perfectly for an overall great tongue shui. I would highly recommend Coco Pazzo for anyone who wants a nice classy and intimate yet casual Italian dining experience. Probably would make a good "date" place, if you're into that sort of thing,
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