Best Contemporary Italian Restaurants in River West

Great fresh pasta, but the overall taste was missing something. Dessert was very tasty. Service was polite and attentive.

The table bread is a must. The Cacio e Pepe pillows (so fluffy) and Rigatoni (just a little spicy in a good way) were delicious! Fried potatoes and delicate squash were excellent. Roasted chicken was just a little crispy and so flavorful. Soppressata pizza was sweet and salty. So good. Can’t wait for leftovers. Tossed salad was just ok IMO.

If I could give Mano a Mano 6 stars I would! This restaurant understands food, of course, but what keeps us coming back is the personal service — we feel like VIPs every time we go, and they are so good at it, I bet everyone feels this way.

Excellent pizza. Meatballs and salad were also very good! Can’t wait to go back when they have a liquor license.

Read this twice…This is the best Italian restaurant in the city. Been coming here for 5+ years and never a miss. Not just that, but every single time our experience is absolutely memorable. Mark and the team prioritize quality food with impeccable hospitality. It always feels like you are stepping into the home of your family, which can be hard to imagine in the bustle of river north. There are plenty of more lavish or expensive spots to do Italian food, but I promise you that few hold a candle to this establishment. Last night we celebrated my mom’s birthday and her and my dad requested Prosecco for the celebration. The team here made it incredibly special for her and we were able to share a wonderful meal. They ask to come here every time they visit from Florida! We always look forward to returning:)