Pasta Al Gusto — Restaurant in Lake View Township

The following review is based on two recent visits to this tiny Italian eatery. Honestly my first visit here was not a disappointment at all. I ordered a very simple meat based pasta dish that was reasonably priced and tried a dessert which was a "hit" but how can you make a mistake with a shot of Expresso over a scoop of Gelato? I do remember being served bread too but the bread was nothing special and definitely not homemade. I did not order a ton of food because the prices for pasta dishes here are kind of high for the amount of food you receive. You should expect to pay on average between $11 to $16 depending upon the past dish. Last night I ordered their special seafood soup as an appetizer but all I tasted was "salt". I am not sure what I expected but the price was more than fair and it was presented in a lovely white china dish; however I am paying for good tasting soup and this is not at all what I received because I could not get past the heavy overpowering taste of one condiment which was salt, salt and more salt! I did not want to be difficult or mean so I simply consumed it hoping my main dish which was gnocchi with a cheese sauce would be much better. Oh by the way a tiny piece of bland white bread comes with the salt seafood soup. I finally get my gnocchi which came out pretty fast and after eating a few bites I just felt like the chef may have used too much salts in the water while boiling the pasta because again this was a super salty tasting dish just like the soup but I was famished since this was my only meal I had time to eat and I loved the texture of the gnocchi and enjoyed the cheese but I had to chase it with a ton of drinking water which I had to ask for repeatedly since they so not come around your table often enough to fill your water glass. I ordered a chocolate mousse dessert but again rather than being rich and more on the lines of tasting flavorful or "Italian" the mousse was okay enough but covered in some cherry syrup which made it sickeningly sweet rather than rich and chocolatey tasting. In my honest opinion this mousse felt more "Latin" to me than Italian because when I order any kind of chocolate dish or chocolate mousse from an Italian restaurant the chocolate tends to be rich in flavor but not so sickeningly "sweet" or covered in syrup. I truly also did not like or enjoy the loud noise level of kids from the table directly across from me. I sort of zoned out as two kids were mostly screaming out for their mother to pay attention to them. Here is my honest opinion here because I do care about the quality of the food I eat. It's never about portion or quantity for me ever but I am upset when traditional Italian fare is not cooked with the right seasonings and too "Americanized". If you are seeking authentic, rich, flavorful and well prepared Italian food this is not the place to go (at all). I have been to some outstanding Italian restaurants in River North and in the Gold Coast but this place is okay if you are in a huge hurry to see a movie because The Music Box theater is right next door but it's more along the lines of very casual, laid back, and family friendly. If you are taking someone on a romantic date night this is not the place! Do not expect much of this average restaurant just expect the portions to be filling but not authentic and it will be an okay dining average experience. The bread is definitely not Italian or homemade so I would not say the chef here knows what he is doing with seasonings and they are not baking the bread on premises. If you need a place to kill time before your movie starts this place is definitely cozy enough to just sit down, relax and have a small bite to eat but do not expect this to be real...

As I entered, the warm and inviting ambiance greeted me, characterized by soft lighting and rustic Italian decor. The attentive staff immediately made me feel welcome. The servers were incredibly attentive throughout the evening, ensuring that my glass was never empty and that I had everything I needed without feeling rushed. Their enthusiasm for the menu was contagious, and they were always eager to provide recommendations, showcasing a genuine passion for providing exceptional service.

What truly stole the show, however, was the sweet cook who personally came out to check on guests after the meals were served. Their warm demeanor and genuine interest in our dining experience added a wonderful personal touch that truly made us feel valued.

For my entrée, I couldn't resist the homemade fettuccine Alfredo, a signature dish that exemplifies the restaurant's dedication to authentic Italian cuisine. The pasta was cooked to perfection—tender yet firm, beautifully coated in a creamy sauce that was rich without being overwhelming. Each bite was a comforting embrace of flavor, heightened by freshly grated Parmesan and a sprinkle of parsley for garnish.

To finalize this heavenly experience, I opted for the Tiramisu, which arrived as a work of art. The layers of coffee-soaked ladyfingers and seasonal pumpkin offered the perfect touch of sweetness that lingered without being cloying.

Dining at Pasta al Gusto was an extraordinary experience that allowed me to travel through the rich flavors of Italy. The commitment to quality ingredients and traditional recipes was evident in every dish, making it a must-visit destination for both pasta enthusiasts and casual diners alike. I am already looking forward to my next visit to savor more of their incredible...

We were going out for a group dinner and were planning on trying The Butcher's Tap, but it was so loud in there I could barely hear myself think. We walked up and down the Southport corridor but everything was packed to the gills on a Wednesday evening at 6:30. So then we passed Pasta al Gusto, which was almost completely empty and had suspiciously reasonable prices. I was skeptical but we were at the end of our ropes looking for a place to just sit down and eat.

It's a small space inside and there's nothing special in the decor, but it's clean and there's a nice, cozy theme. We ordered a caesar salad and cheese bread for appetizers, which were both good.

For the main meal, I got the linguine pesto. I'm a complete layman when it comes to stuff like this so I didn't really know what to expect, but it was totally delicious. The noodles were cooked to just the right texture (apparently in white wine?) and the pesto sauce had the consistency of a really good alfredo, but was...well, pesto. It was delicious, and I sampled some gnocchi, lasagna, and some other stuff I can't name that was all really, shockingly good.

We didn't get dessert, but our waitress (who was great also, by the way--we kept asking obnoxious questions about the dishes that she was happy and able to answer) claimed they were all made from scratch and made a compelling case for the tiramisu that I'm excited to go back and try.

I tend to only write these reviews for restaurants that I really enjoyed but that I'm worried don't get enough attention. Pasta al Gusto definitely fits that bill. It's very inconspicuous among the boom and dazzle of the other restaurants along Southport, but it's also very...