RoSal's

Great appetizer pastas.  Good mains.  Nice service.

Living in Chicago, I realize that Taylor Street may not be the ideal place for Italian food since it all pretty much seems to end up tasting the same.  However, based on previous reviews, I had high hopes for this place.  I ordered a glass of Chianti, it came out almost cold and had a completely bland taste.  The bread they brought to the table was super hard on the outside and not much better on the inside.  The fried ravioli is really great, but super rich!  My date ordered the lasagna (pretty standard) and I ordered Chicken Piccanta (VERY buttery).  Both entrees were nothing to write home about.  I will give this place some credit for ambience...it felt like we were sitting in an Italian kitchen.  Bottom line...go to 24th and Oakley for really great Italian food.

I feel like RoSal's is what Taylor Street used to be like.  At the end of the day, the food at most of the Italian places on this strip is pretty much interchangeable, so I'd rather go here than the borderline chain restaurant options like Rosebud or Tuscany.  Came here last Saturday--it was busy but we didn't have to wait for a table.  My husband got the lasagna--it was exceptional.  The gnocchi with vodka sauce was mediocre, but the the fried ravioli appetizer was delicious.  Very rich, and a portion big enough to serve as an entree.  Even though I didn't love my entree, I would come back here for the ambiance.