Chicago Dining Experience at Olio E Più

Today I’m sharing an Italian restaurant called Olio E Più, located in the heart of downtown Chicago. 🌆 🌟 This restaurant has branches in New York, Washington, and Chicago. The atmosphere is fantastic, with warm and soft lighting, wooden elements, and lush greenery on the walls. It’s perfect for romantic dates or gatherings with friends. 💫 They participated in Restaurant Week, but I wouldn’t recommend the special menu. However, you can still take advantage of the deals—lunch for $30 and dinner for $45, which is definitely cheaper than usual. 💰 🇮🇹 **Menu Inspired by Italian Traditions** Olio E Più’s menu draws inspiration from traditional Italian cuisine, focusing on handmade pasta, freshly pulled pizza, and classic dishes that change with the seasons. Think Caprese salad, fried mixed seafood, and tiramisu—each dish shows respect for the ingredients and traditions. The open dining area and cozy rustic decor bring the Italian table’s “La Dolce Vita” — the sweet life — to life. 🍝 🌙 **Harvest Moon Cocktail** I chose this cocktail because the name is so lovely, like a gentle full moon on a winter night. Made with Laird’s apple brandy, Belle de Brillet pear brandy, lemon, and sparkling wine, the drink combines the tang of lemon with the fragrance of pear for a refreshing finish. 🍸 🐙 **Carpaccio Di Polipo (Octopus Carpaccio)** This appetizer is delicate, with paper-thin slices of octopus arranged on the plate, topped with tangy cherry tomatoes and fresh herbs, and drizzled with glistening extra-virgin olive oil. The octopus is tender, and the combination of tomato sweetness and lemon zest is delicious, though a bit salty. 🦑 🐟 **Branzino Del Marmilla (Roasted Sea Bass)** The sea bass has a golden, crispy skin, while the inside remains juicy and tender, flaking apart with just a touch. Paired with caramelized fennel, cherry tomatoes, basil, Taggiasca olives, and a tapenade sauce, I devoured the entire plate in no time. 🐟 🍖 **Stinco Maiale Alla Birra (Beer-Braised Pork Shank)** The pork shank is slow-cooked until the meat is so tender it falls off the bone with a gentle cut. The sauce has a subtle beer bitterness that pairs perfectly with the creamy mashed potatoes and caramelized vegetables. The only downside is that the sauce is a bit sparse, making it a bit dry towards the end, but still very satisfying. 🍖 During the meal, a couple at the next table was on a date. Every few words the guy said, the girl responded with an exaggerated “OMG,” keeping the conversation lively and giving him just the right amount of emotional support. I quietly enjoyed my food and picked up a new trick! 😊 #Chicago #NewYork #Washington #ItalianRestaurant #olioepiu #ChicagoRestaurantWeek