Topo Gigio Ristorante — Restaurant in Chicago

Update: ANTS! I sat on the room by the entrance, opposite the bar where an ant climbed right into my plate after tasting the risotto that seemingly was flavored only with butter and cheese. I was gaslighted by the bartender saying he didn't see one enter my plate.... and not 5 secs after moving me to the bar there were 3 ants scurrying around that I pointed out to him! He brushed the bar once and left one for me to watch as entertainment while I ordered a dish to go (to eat in my bug-free home!) It was anout 9pm by then and I was too hungry to skip dinner. See images. I was told they spray a week ago...which means bugs are a reoccurring issue.

If I can be honest, the shells with peas and sausage is probably one of the best pasta dishes here on planet earth and it is certainly the most unique Italian pasta dish I've had! They should guard that sauce recipe with their lives! Sauce had a lovely creaminess and heft. Noodles were perfectly al dente (except for a few hard ones on the sides), sausage was incredibly fresh and crumbly... IDK how the peas helped but it does make it more photographic lol. Enviroment is boisterous during dinner. Looks like a giant low lit bar. Plates come out FAST. Dishes are huge and I wasn't that hungry but I forced myself to eat it all cuz it was so addictive! I was so in my feelings eating. I honestly wish they had half portions too, if you're on a diet or want to try 2 types! Between this and Maggiano's... Do I even need to visit Italy...

I am delighted to write a glowing, 5-star review for Topo Gigio Ristaurante, a truly exceptional dining experience that left me thoroughly impressed!

From the moment I arrived, I was warmly greeted by the friendly and attentive staff, who made me feel right at home. The ambiance of the restaurant was lovely, with soft lighting, elegant decor, and a charming Italian-inspired atmosphere.

But it was the food that truly stole the show. Every dish was carefully crafted with the finest ingredients, and the flavors were simply exquisite. And the evening's special, the black pasta, was an absolute standout. The pasta was perfectly cooked and had a rich, deep flavor that was unlike anything I've ever tasted before. It was an incredibly unique and memorable dish that truly showcased the chef's skill and creativity.

But the black pasta was just one of many highlights of the meal. The appetizers were delicious, the entrees were cooked to perfection, and the desserts were simply divine. And throughout the meal, the service was impeccable - our server was attentive, knowledgeable, and made excellent recommendations.

Overall, I cannot recommend Topo Gigio Ristaurante highly enough. From the warm and welcoming atmosphere to the outstanding cuisine, this is truly a dining experience not to be missed. Whether you're looking for a romantic dinner for two or a special occasion with friends and family, this restaurant is the perfect choice. I'll definitely be back next time I...

Did not label dishes that had been modified as gluten free for take out on an order of 7 dishes that were partially GF and others regular. Not consistent when we called asking which entrees were gluten free or regular and just insisted that if the receipt was correct then that’s what we got. To me that just indicated that they received the order correctly but no indication that the dishes were correctly modified.

A sharpie marking any indication on the top of the container would have solved this or train the staff to be knowledgeable about the shape of GF pasta used to alleviate any confusion. Marking the containers would have helped even the people that could eat gluten since they couldn’t figure out which dish was which until biting in and then having to trade.

We were told 3 different pasta types it could have been and were told that if it wasn’t a particular pasta it was probably right - not a vote of confidence. They ended up hanging up on me and not offering any alternative or clarification just to come back to the restaurant if we were unhappy.

Cannot recommend for celiac or gluten-free until they amend their processes, particularly for take out. Major disappointment after reading good reviews that this was good for gluten free and perhaps they are but for me attempting to eat the food wasn’t worth the risk of ending up...