Chicago Food Spot | Pizzeria Portofino 🍕🇮🇹

A great spot for carb-loading before the Chicago Marathon or celebrating afterwards! The food is straightforward and classically Italian. 🍕 Italian Sausage and Fennel Pizza A classic Neapolitan-style thin-crust pizza. The sausage is seasoned with fennel seeds, topped with fresh fennel fronds — a full fennel experience in one bite 😄. Caramelized onions add a touch of sweetness and depth. The dough is chewy with a nice, gradual wheaty aroma. 🐙 Portuguese Octopus A simply grilled octopus with crisp outer edges and tender, moist inside. Seasoned with the classic combo of lemon, olive oil, and parsley — balanced and reliable. What’s different here? They use baby octopus instead of large tentacles. 🍝 Rigatoni Vodka + Grilled Shrimp Pasta cooked perfectly al dente — that slight bite in the center was so satisfying. The tomato sauce is light and fresh, something rare in the U.S. — truly tomato-forward without being heavy. Burrata cheese and fresh basil add creamy and herbal layers. The grilled shrimp were the boldest flavor on the table — well-marinated and full of smoky char. 🍨 Complimentary Ice Cream (Thanks to our server who noticed my half marathon medal! 🏅) Surprisingly delicious — rich, creamy, not too sweet, with subtle vanilla bean specks. The texture was incredibly smooth, no ice crystals at all! Topped with a nut-and-dried-fruit mix that added crunch without overpowering. 🍰 Tiramisu Unexpectedly good! Remarkably not overly sweet by American dessert standards. A generous dusting of cocoa powder on top balanced everything perfectly — very satisfying! 💰 Overall: A bit on the pricier side (~$50–100 per person), but the riverside location offers beautiful views and what’s left of the sunny weather ☀️🌊. The flavors here are restrained, authentic, and well-executed. #Chicago #ChicagoLife #ChicagoEats #ChicagoMarathon #ItalianFood #PizzaLove #HiddenGem