This place was great! Â My fiancee and I went to Tarantino's for Valentine's Day, and we had a great meal. Â We started with the Fried Calamari, which was crunchy and had a ton of flavor. Â Regarding the entrees, we ordered the Lobster Risotto and Salmon entrees. Â The Risotto was rich and the consistency was perfect (not too creamy and not too thick), which a nice lobster tail on top. Â The Salmon was, in a word, savory. Â The Salmon didn't have a "fishy" taste, and was perfect! Â With a little lemon squirted on top, you can't do much better.
Overall, this was a really good restaurant with a great environment. Â If you are considering this restaurant, definitely make it happen!
The location in Lincoln Park is wonderful and the decor inside is adorable. Â It reminded me of my days living in Paris or Rome and stumbling into a great cafe for a long dinner. Â The energy of the restaurant is on point for the neighborhood and romantic as well. Â
All of the food is definitely homemade, including homemade pasta. Â I did not love the food overall, although a couple of the items we ordered were really good. Â We liked the sausage on the fried polenta and the truffled fries as well. Â The salmon and ravioli were OK. Â The fried polenta was flavorless and had bad texture. Â The wine less was fairly extensive and had a nice range of bottles from $30s-$100s. Â
I would have given the restaurant 3 stars because the quality of the food was good and the restaurant was really quaint; however, our waitress seemed kind of uncomfortable after she asked us how we liked the polenta and we responded that it was lacking flavor. Â After that, she wasn't very responsive and didn't inquire as to our thoughts about the food. Â Maybe she was just busy, but she was so friendly at the beginning, and by the end she seemed like she was ready for us to go.
Likely the best value when it comes to Italian in Chicago. The calamari and risotto are stellar, while the vibe is great for small talk or deep conversation. A few good beers on tap and a killer butternut squash ravioli have me sold. The service can sometimes be a bit stiff, but if you get the dude in the beard who sometimes works the bar, your evening is money.
Review Source:Tarantino's is a great place for steak and wine. It is cozy with great ambiance, fantastic food and wonderful service.
The food... Their Fillet Mignon with mushrooms and truffle butter gets more delicious with every bite and their rigatoni is also very flavorful.
I highly recommend this place as the food is delicious and the prices very reasonable. The staff is also very helpful and attentive.
So good. Â I've been to Tarantino's 3 or 4 times now, and it never fails. Â A bit on the pricey side for Italian, but SO worth it. Â This is not your out-of-the jar sauce and pasta. Â The dishes are always delicious and plentiful, the atmosphere is lively but neighborhoodish, the wine list is awesome--I can't say enough good things.
One of my favorites.
We were so pleasantly surprised! We lived over here for a year and never made it to Tarantino's because it was just a little past our normal perimeter, but we were walking by recently and decided to try it out, mostly (to be honest) for the patio. The food was really solid, and you can get half portions of the pastas, which made me try something more decadent knowing I didn't also have to eat the leftovers. The husband got a seafood dish, and that was great too. It turned out to be a half-price wine night, so we got a bottle with the waitress's help when they were out of the one we'd had in mind. We seemed to be surrounded by a couple of regulars because the other waitress seemed to know them, which was nice. It felt like a real neighborhood place, a dependable spot to take a group or your family where everyone can find something they'll like. Nice to know it's here.
Review Source:Fantastic Italian!!
I recently went here with my family for my grandmother's birthday. It's charming little restaurant with amazing ambiance.
The food is also excellent. We ordered the bruschetta appetizer, pizza, filet mignon, a couple of pasta dishes, creme brulee and tiramisu. Everything was wonderfully prepared and beautifully presented.
It's quiet and neighbor-hoody. Perfect for family meal or for date night.
This is our favorite neighborhood restaurant. Â We can always count on Tarantino's for a good meal. Â I have had almost everything on the menu and always leave happy and more than satisfied. The Fusilli pasta is my fave, it seems really basic with just sausage and tomato cream sauce but let me tell you it's a party in your mouth. Â Small pieces of delicious sausage and the tomato cream sauce is a little spicy and not to creamy, actually if the menu didn't say cream I would never describe it as cream sauce. Â
The ambiance is  comfortable, warm and cozy.  The service is friendly and prompt.
We visited Tarantino's on a half off Wine Tuesday. Â Initially, we enjoyed our experience. The calamari was very rubbery. The hearts of palm salad was fine. As was our pizza, in spite of the fact that we ordered the smoked chicken pizza and were told we could substitute spinach for red pepper but failed to get the red onion and asparagus that were also part of that menu selection. In addition, our bill showed our entire Visa number instead of just the last four digits. Â Our server did not seem too concerned about this security issue. Beware!
Review Source:We hosted my daughter's First Communion here, and it was amazing! Â
Every guest raved about the food, which was delicious. Â The owner made everyone feel welcome and comfortable - as if we were sitting in his dining room. He invited the kids to come back to the kitchen to take a look. Â The waitress/bartender was wonderful, as well. Â Service was great. Â And, I can't say enough about the tiramasu. Â
Can't wait to go back...whether its for dinner or hosting another event!
Solid Italian food!
I had been wanting to try this place for a while, and we finally made reservations prior to seeing a show the other night. The inside is a lot more intimate than I anticipated - very warm and welcoming with all the wood and exposed brick.
As for the food, I was very impressed. I ordered the grilled swordfish which was delicious! It has such a great flavor and was cooked perfectly. My dad ordered the Fusilli which I thought was a stand out. It had a really nice spice to it, and when I go again, I am getting that!
Went on a Sunday to celebrate my friend's birthday. Â Shared mussels for the appetizer, which was delicious. Â I had the rack of lamb which was also wonderful. Â My friend wanted the filet mignon, but they were out (which was disappointing) so he had the cowboy rib-eye steak instead, which was very good. Â We also split a glass of red wine - I have to say it was the best red wine I've ever had!
My only pet peeve is they didn't bring out the bread right away, but otherwise the service was wonderful, very attentive and friendly.
I would recommend going on a Friday or Saturday, they are very popular and menu items can run out by Sunday.
Will definitely be coming back again :)
I came here for a girls night out dinner with a group of 4. The place isn't too big and we were kind of surprised that we were able to get a reservation calling only an hour in advance. We were seated in one of their round tables in the middle. Our waiter was very attentive and friendly and reminded me of Christian Kane =O. Compared to other similar restaurants, this place isn't as dressy, which gives it a neighborly feel. I still wouldn't wear a hoodie, but maybe nice casual would be okay.
Now onto the food: I had the mussels appetizer and pork chop entree. The mussels were aplenty and delicious. The pork chop dish sounds so simple... but one bite of those grape chutneys... foodgasm. I tried the bruschetta and chicken parmesan that my friends ordered as well and they were good, but I definitely liked what I ordered better.
This place is a hidden gem. I will definitely be returning.
Perfect service, excellent food and half price bottles of wine on Tuesday made this place a win for us.
Started off with cornfried oysters. They were perfectly cooked and balanced nicely wih the dressing that came with them. We also had goat cheese stuffed figs wrapped with bacon. Another interesting blend that I was not expecting. The gf thought the dish could be a little sweeter but I had no problems with it. Â The main course was lobster stuffed ravioli. The sauce was extraordinary but their could have been a bit more filling and the pasta on the ravioli was far too thick. Overall a really good experience that will bring me back.
Definitely a must-go spot in Chicago. I have been there twice with diffrent firends. All my friends give a big thumb up to Tarantino's. Honestly, I never tried authetic Itlaian food in my country, so I feel delightful when I found this great place in my neighberhood. Â
First, the bread before the main course is impressive, I don't know if I am starving or what, I think  the bread there is the best I've ever eaten in Chicago area. We ordered pork chop, chicken breast, and herb rack of lamb. In general, I am not a big fan of lamb, in fact, I don't like to eat lamb  But the lamb is just so tasty and I cannot help but order  twice when I go with diffrent group of my firends. My friend  liked  their chop pork as well, the big portion size made him happy and statisfied. Also, the waiter was kind and patiently explained each item on the menu.
Although the price is a little too high for students, I think it is valuable because of the good service, nice food, and lovely environment. I will be coming back for sure.
"Hey, what do you want to do Friday night?"
"Ohhh I don't know. I was kind of thinking about taking a swim in Tarantino's pinot noir mushroom truffle sauce."
"Ooo that sounds good. I think I'll join you."
"Well good because I think I will need a little assistance eating the 10 oz filet mignon that goes underneath the amazing sauce for only $30.00"
THIS PLACE IS FANTASTIC!
I mean seriously. Everything we tasted was perfect : beef carpacio, parmesan shrimp, lobster ravioli, veal scalopini and my favorite the filet mignon - the sauce on which is just so decadent you HAVE to sop up every last drop with warm italian bread.
Service was fine - nothing extraordinary. Italian restaurants should know to bring out pasta dishes before main courses - this place didn't seem to know that or offer, but whatever.
My mind can only concentrate on that filet mignon sauce. You HAVE to try it.
Tarantino's is consistently excellent. Other than the food and wine, they obviously have a great thing going on with their staff, as we still see several of the same servers from visits 3/4 years ago. We aren't exactly regulars, but they still seem to recognize us, which is great.
The wine list is excellent (and at half price on Tuesdays, brings some bottles down to similar to what you'd pay retail). On my last visit, I had a beautifully rich, tender lamb shank with some al dente beans. Before that, I had a Chilean sea bass, which was one of the most luscious, moist and juicy pieces of fish I've ever eaten. I think both of these dishes were specials.
Good service, good food, good wine. It's a lovely atmosphere and if you walk in 15 minutes before they technically open, they're incredibly welcoming.
Had a glass of wine, mustard crusted salmon (yay!), and a nice conversation with the bartender.
I've said a lot of good things about this place, but you really really can't go wrong here.
This is a bit atypical but I ate at Tarantino's over 2 years ago, I took a business card because it was good and moving apartments found the card prompting this long overdue Yelp review. Â
This place rocked and I'm assuming it still rocks. Â It was so good I can still remember what I had: lamb ragout gnocchi. Â Twas A-mazing. Â The gnocchi had nice weight to it but wasn't overstuffing and the lamb was tender and flakey, like pulled pork moist.
It's a nice interior, classy but not overly dressy. Â They also have nice outdoor seating. Â Next time I'm in Chicago, I will definitely go out of my way to revisit this place.
If you think this place must be doing something right to be around for 15 years, you are right. The food is delicious. I ordered chicken parmesan, which can easily be forgettable, but it was great. The chicken was moist and the toppings were perfect. Also tried the black linguine with seafood, and it's a winner. Their starter salads are easily large enough to be shared.
Tuesdays are half price bottles of wine. Order the Lodi Zin!
Who knew Tarantino's has been around for 15 years? And it only has 48 reviews? Wow, this place is a well-kept secret, it seems.
I always thought it looked cute and wanted to try but then I'd forget all about it and go somewhere else.
Keri had recently been here, loved it, and wanted to go back, so we decided to eat here last night. It was just the right choice for a Sunday night; it was lively in here, but not loud, and the atmosphere exuded warmth.
We each started with a glass of red wine while we looked over the menu; a Napa Cabernet for her, and a Lodi Zinfandel for me. Their wine list was small, but thoughtfully chosen. For starters, I opted for the carpaccio and she ordered a Caesar salad. The appetizers were very good, but not so filling that we'd ruin our appetites.
I had a hard time deciding between the tagliatelle with vegetables and the butternut squash ravioli, but since Keri was ordering the ravioli, it just made sense that I shouldn't order the same thing since I knew she'd give me a taste. To that we also ordered some polenta fries which we 'd share.
Our mains arrived and mine looked even better than the menu described. It was fettucine-like noodles in a light garlic-olive oil sauce, positively brimming over with colorful, sauteed vegetables. The sauce was delicate and could have used a little bit more garlic, but the vegetables were full of flavor. I counted no less than eight different ones used: spinach, tomatoes, mushrooms, peas, carrots, zucchini, asparagus, and red and yellow peppers. I absolutely loved it.
Keri's pasta was equally as good, if a tad rich, but it was a butter-sage sauce, so richness was to be expected. Her pasta had a nice balance of flavors though - sweet from the squash, buttery from the sauce, herby from the sage, and nutty from the parmesan and pine nuts. I'm not sure I could have eaten such a decadent dish for my entree, but a half-order as an appetizer would be ideal.
We were halfway through our pastas when the server tried to bring over an order of truffle fries. While they looked great, we explained that we ordered polenta fries. It was another ten minutes before the polenta fries were brought to us, but our server said she would comp them since we had to wait so long. That was appreciated.
We declined to order dessert since we were both full, but I did note that they have profiteroles on the dessert menu, which is one of my favorites, so I'll be sure and save room next time I come here.
Service was gracious and efficient (save for the polenta fries snafu). I thought the prices were a tad high for vegetarian pasta dishes, but not so much that it would keep me from returning.
The right restaurant at the right time and place for us. Thoroughly enjoyed walking around the Lincoln Park neighborhoods and Tarantino's strikes me as being a nice, neighborhood kind of place.
When I'm in an Italian restaurant, I get an insane craving for arugula. Called 'rocket' in Germany, it just brings back so many happy memories of my travels.
The Beet Salad with a generous helping of arugula, green apples, walnuts and gorgonzola cheese was one of my favorite dishes on our trip to Chicago. The Arugula Salad with a risotto cake and shaved parmesan was also simple and excellent.
There were no weak points on the entrees (we chose a daily special), side dishes and we ordered Chianti by the glass. Beautiful dining atmosphere with brick walls and low lighting. On a warm evening the patio was very popular, but we dined inside.
We were sitting in a row of tables for two and they are a little cramped. I would have loved a little more space rather than hear the intimate details of my neighbors remodeling plans.
The server was wonderfully attentive and never had to ask for anything since all of our needs were anticipated. Not what I would call a special occasion or casual place. Prices are a little on the high side, but not painfully so. It is the happy medium.
Where to begin? At the beginning.
Arrived here just past 9:00PM last night. The restaurant was decently full but starting to thin out. We were seated immediately by a very polite hostess with whom we quipped about the stickiness of the air outside.
We sat undisturbed for a couple minutes getting our bearings of the interior of the restaurant. From the outside Tarantinos looks like a dark, cozy romantic spot. Of all the times I've passed (hundreds) and never come in, I never would have expected it to be so modern and open on the inside. It's perfectly decorated and lit, and has an old Chicago-style ceiling that I love.
The first course of mojito martinis ripened our appetites, and prepared us stiffly for the amazing meal to follow.
Appetizers of Heirloom Tomatoes and Parmesan Shrimp were both portioned quite well; not too large, not too small. They were both superbly complimented with contrasting flavors. The Parmesan Shrimp were simply awesome.
The Black Linguini and special Shrimp and Vegetable Risotto were fantastic. That's basically all there is to say.
Also, get the Chocolate Molten Cake...
And now, a word about our waiter. Thomas was his name and he was spectacular. I think he is the best waiter my girlfriend and I have had in a very long time. He gave us time, never rushed us. He spoke to us like he had secrets that we needed to know and he was sharing them with us. This made my girlfriend have a crush on him, which I completely understood. Management, if you're reading this: give this man a raise.
I've been here a few times now with friends and with kids... the staff are really accomodating and it's always been a good experience. This is not a Michelin star restaurant but is certainly a good italian; dare I say rustic, full of flavor etc.
I've not had a bad meal here and it's good value with reasonable wines, I'll be going back for sure...
Had a first date here on a Saturday night. Got there at 7pm and crowd was pretty thin. Apparently it doesn't get busy till 8pm.
Atmosphere was great, waitstaff was attendant. Wine list was pretty good too. My date had the pork chop (which the waitress claimed was the best in Chicago) and I had the breaded veal. Both dishes were delicious. Reasonably priced too. Would definitely come back.
Delicious food. Â Good portion size.
Went with a group of 4 couples. Â We had a big table in the front. Â The wine and food were both super yummy.
I'd definitely go back...though only for special occasions. Â I did think it was a bit pricey. Â Worth it, but not an everyday place for me.
Absolutely the BEST dining experience in Lincoln Park.
You will not find a cozier space with a friendlier staff anywhere in the city!!
Come with a date, come with a big group or come alone and eat and the beautiful lily filled bar... just make one stop to Tarantino's and you'll have a wonderful experience.
Here is a little help for you, start with the J Pinot Noir, order the parmesan encrusted warm shrimp salad and a 1/2 order of the rigatoni. (If you're with another person, order a full rigatoni and meat/fish dish and share.)
Cliche... but have the tiramisu... It tastes like Johnny's Nona is in the back making it herself!
Enjoy!
You can't beat the service and food quality at this fantastic restaurant. Â
The people who work there are great. There are always fresh flowers at the bar. Â If you're with people who aren't fans of Italian there are fantastic specials and fish dishes that I highly recommend. Â
Jim is the best bartender in town and most of the servers are very knowledgeable about their wine selection.
Outdoor seating in the summer is great. Â The indoor dining is fantastic with the perfect decor for a business dinner or a dinner with friends & family.
Watch out first time daters: If you're seated at the high-top tables near the bar and windows and need to run to the restroom, local singles tend to eat at the end of the bar alone and your date will be considered open game after only a single glass of wine. Â If it's a first date head to the back!
Great service, great food and a great location. Â
There are also several wonderful neighborhood bars to hit after a great dinner here.
I would say Tarantino's is fine, plain Italian food.  Nothing more, nothing less.  I was very impressed with the atmosphere - a beautiful restaurant - and the service was wonderful.  But the food did not stick out on any level.  Their "spicy" pasta was not spicy at all, even when ordered extra spicy... which is fine if you don't want spicy at all but if I didn't want spicy then I would  not have asked for extra extra spice.  I don't know, maybe I should have gone Mexican that night.  I'll try it again if I'm in the mood for plain Italian.
Also, if you bring your own cake, FYI, they cut it into VERY small pieces!! Â Request normal sized slices of cake.
How have I never reviewed Tarantino's!? Wow. And I am even more surprised to see that so few reviews have been written!
This place is wonderful! One of my favorite restaurants in Chicago, Tarantino's is a cute, cozy space with friendly staff, consistent food, a nice wine list and reasonable prices.
Whether I am sitting at the bar waiting for friends and enjoying a glass of wine or enjoying service at a table, the bartenders and servers here are friendly, happy to have you there and pay the perfect amount of attention.
Tarantino's is a great place for anything from an intimate date to a girl's night out. Favorites include the farfalle w/chicken, tomatoes & spinach in garlic & olive oil; fusilli with sausage & tomato cream sauce; butternut squash ravioli and the lamb shank.
Always a delicious, laid-back time at Tarantino's! They are also on <a href="/redir?url=http%3A%2F%2Frestaurant.com&s=c5fe485af4df376130bee54f875814d79c4d7913e1258123b1206d2bdbf4873b" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://restaurant.com</a> so keep an eye out for great gift certificate deals.
Brought the father in law here for a casual Sunday night dinner. The room was nice and the food was good, but not great. The wine list was good, but not great. The service was friendly, but maybe a little flirty for a night out with my father in law and his daughter.
The pork chop was very good and the mashed potatoes were also very good. My carpaccio appetizer was good, but not great. A little salty for my taste.
It seems as if this place is a good place to go when everywhere else is booked.
I used to live right down the street from Tarantino's for years, yet had never ventured inside. Not sure if it was my utmost devotion to my favorite Italian (La Scarola) or just coincidence...
Either way, I finally ventured inside last week for a last minute dinner with a friend. I was somewhat surprised by how small it was, it looked bigger to me from the outside. It's just one room with exposed brick, a small bar and nice low lighting. Pictures on the wall provide some history of the area and the family that owns the place.
The menu had lots of familiar favorite staples.... my Beef Carpaccio appetizer was perfect.... good beefy flavor with a generous helping of filet, lots of parmesan and arugula. Mmmm. I had the butternut squash ravioli for my main course... it came topped with toasty pine nuts, roasted butternut squash and a sage butter sauce. Mama Mia it melted in my mouth and was as smooth as...well...buttah! My friend had the pork chop and it was HUGE with a sweet and tart anise sauce. Â Everything was timed well and our server Tom was a doll!
The wine list could be pumped up a bit with some more Italian vintages but I know I sound like a broken record with that one. I'm a wine snob... but the first step to recovery is admitting you have a problem ; ) Â
Tarantino's was a pleasant surprise... just don't tell my lover La Scarola I've strayed... a ride on the Italian Guilt Express can be brutal.
I went here on a double date on a Thursday night. Â The service was oustanding. Â I wasn't that hungry so I ordered an appetizer and a salad. Â Both were very good. Â The service was fantastic.
It's one of the better al fresco dining experiences in the city that I've had. Â The seating is off of a side street and very quiet. Â Overall, a very charming experience.
Went to Tarantino's last week and was quite disappointed. Â The service was incredibly slow, taking 45 mins to receive our entrees -- the excuse was that the additional tables on the patio in summer overloaded the kitchen's capacity. Â In my opinion, if the kitchen can't handle the load, why add the tables?
I ordered the salmon with portobella mushrooms and spinach. Â It was incredibly salty and ultimately a very boring dish. Â My boyfriend ordered the cornish hen which was basically a couple boney drumsticks with a few small cubes of polenta. Â There simply wasn't enough food to qualify as an entree!
When the server finally checked in on us, I politely let her know that I was a bit disappointed (citing the reasons above). Â She subequently brought over the manager and I reiterated my feelings. Â Like "Sarah B."'s review below, I was surprised that the manager wasn't more interested in fixing the situation - maybe a complimentary dessert or glass of wine? Â NADA.
In short, Tarantino's is a let down. Â With all the good Italian restaurants in Chicago, this one isn't worth going to, despite the great Armitage location and nicely decorated interior space.
Tarantino's is an old reliable favorite for dinner with girlfriends. Â The portions are huge...we always leaved stuffed! Â They are a little garlic heavy, so be careful if you're on a date :) Â I would honestly recommend anything off the menu.
If you're going to splurge on dessert, go with the molten chocolate cake. Â It is out of this world.
Nice ambiance with exposed brick and generally easy to get a table. Â Menu items can be decent, but in some cases, strange food combinations(parmesan encrusted shrimp on arugula? Â Hmmm...)
But...cheap in a relationship management sort of way. Â This might not be something that you care about, but before I make a place a regular restaurant, they need to convince me that they care about me.
I used to work here, maybe 10 years ago. Â Moved away, moved back. Â I went here last weekend... my friends reintroduced me to the owner who briefly said hi and then went away. Â No free dessert, no how are things, no nothing.
I had two bites of my entree, then had to leave(maybe food allergy, I don't know?) Â But the waiter didn't notice or ask if I was ok, was the food ok, can I comp anything?
The martinis are practically served in thimbles and they are definitely keeping their food cost down, which is shrewd, but lighten up a little, people.
So I guess this place isn't bad.  And I wouldn't discourage you from going.  But there are a lot of other places in town that I feel value me more as a customer, and you can find me  there not here.
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