Il Culaccino - Chicago Italian Restaurant — Restaurant in Chicago

My family dined at II Culaccino in celebration of my father’s birthday. I chose the restaurant based on a previous positive dining experience at the restaurant. We were promptly seated after arrival. However, we had to track down a server after 10-15 minutes because a server had not waited on us.

The appetizers and drinks arrived and were good. Then, the food arrived and that’s where the issues started. First, we tried to order another entree to-go and were informed the kitchen was closed with no prior warning. Then, my father’s (birthday boy) chicken vesuvio was under cooked. Not just one, but multiple pieces. The server that took our food back, agreed the chicken was undercooked, and apologized. She returned and said since the chef cut the pilot off the stove nothing could be done aside from offering my father a desert. Again, this was his BIRTHDAY dinner and the chef was too lazy to cut the stove back on and correct his mistake. Further, the chef tried to defend has mistake by saying the food was cooked appropriately and this was “only a blood pocket”. I worked at a 4 forks restaurant growing up and I’m pretty sure I can tell when chicken is undercooked. Also, a “blood pocket” shouldn’t be present on multiple pieces of chicken.

The manager (Ashley) was gone for the night, so I called back the next morning. Ashley said they couldn’t do anything to address the HORRIBLE dining experience since they removed the charge for the chicken vesuvio from the bill. She claims they gave me a “comp”, even though my father didn’t consume the meal. I had to explain to her that a comp is where you provide a patron something at no cost. Essentially, they did nothing to address the poor service. Chicago has several great options for Italian food. PLEASE take your...

EXCELLENT!! Came here for a dinner with a colleague while in town for a convention and cannot put into words the perfection of our food. I had the Fettuccine al Franco and it was out of this world. We sat at the bar and service was exceptional. Atmosphere is dim and quaint, but lit well enough to be inviting. Overall a 6/5 if I could rate it that! Will definitely be back next time I visit Chicago!

Follow-up to this original review:

My colleague and I stopped in Sunday after they opened to grab some food and dessert to take home with us to Cleveland, and let me just say that Mandy and John were INCREDIBLE! They went above and beyond to ensure our food would make the 5hr drive without spoiling, and although they were out of carrot cake (darn you John!!), let me just say that the tiramisu was out of this world; I’m not even kidding when I say it’s the best I’ve ever had.

How this little gem has only a 4.3 rating boggles my mind. Ignore the negative reviews, this place should be the template for how food and service is done! I will be back...

Went there for a chilled out date night & had a completely opposite experience. For some reason our server was having a bad day and made it quite evident. We arrived a few mins late after doing the rounds to find a parking. We were seated quickly as the place was close to empty on a Saturday night. Our server quickly came by to get an order for drinks and seemed in a hurry while we weren’t as it was our leisurely date night. Then while we discussed what to order for dinner, she came by twice more exasperated every time she returned. Then she literally lied to us that the kitchen closes at 8:30 PM while the server on the table right next to us announced that it closes at 9:30! We felt so rushed that we decided to cut short our time there. The main course (gnochhi & farfalle) was so underwhelming & boring. The gnocchi tasted like a bland boiled potato mixed with tomato sauce. The only good thing was that whipped ricotta tuffo and wine. We’re not returning & I’m not recommending this place to anyone I know or...