Delicious but Super‑Hard‑to‑Book Italian in Chicago 🍝🔥

We’re always wandering around River North, and Il Porcellino is one of those spots that’s notoriously tough to book. Finally snagged a Friday evening high‑top — place was packed and turning tables all night, so reserve ahead! What We Ate 🤤 🥗 The Italian Salad Surprisingly generous! Dressing is spot‑on, and I loved the cheese in it. 🦑 Fried Calamari Tender rings with two standout sauces — one tangy‑spicy red, one creamy white. Only gripe: about half the plate is fried peppers (easy to accidentally bite into), and squid portion felt light. 🧀 Burrata Lasagna Highly recommended — rich tomato flavor but fresh and bright. Not salty, with soft, delicate pasta layers. 🦀 Crab Fettuccine Limone Daily special — light and lemony, packed with crab meat. 🍨 Spumoni Pistachio ice cream with cherry sauce — a classic, sweet finish. What We Drank 🥂 🍸 Mediterranean Mule Classic mule with strong ginger‑beer kick. 🍹 Respect Your Elders Tangy, fizzy, and refreshing. Key Details 📍 🍴 Restaurant: Il Porcellino 📍 Address: 59 W Hubbard St #2, Chicago, IL 60654 💰 Price: $70‑80 per person. Portions aren’t huge, but flavors are well‑balanced (so many Italian places are too salty — not here!). The space is gorgeous — perfect for after‑work drinks. What other delicious but impossible‑to‑book spots do you recommend? #ChicagoEats #ItalianFood #RiverNorth #IlPorcellino #HardToBook #MustTryChicago