Monteverde Restaurant & Pastificio
Ryan Wantland · 243 Google reviewsMonteverde Restaurant & Pastificio — one of West Loop's strongest italian spots. Loud in the best way, with real pulse to the room. Expect something different from the standard lineup. "The shrimp was tender, and the crispy potatoes with it were so crunchy, i wish the dish had more" — Rye [$$$]
What 2,790 diners keep saying
What 2,790 diners keep saying
verbatim, from Google
“Monteverde is a great restaurant in the West Loop. The food is very good, the atmosphere is nice, and you can tell why people like coming here. That said, the price is definitely on the higher side, so this is not necessarily the place I would go for a casual cheap meal. It is more of a nice dinner spot or somewhere you go when you already know you are spending a little more. It also gets busy on the weekends, so I would plan ahead if you are trying to go at a popular time. Overall, great restaurant, good food, and definitely one of the better places in the area.”
“***updated I have been coming here ever since whenever I am craving high quality homemade pasta dishes and unique appetizers. This place is amazing and have yet to been let down. The amount of love and flavor that goes into each dish is potent and shows in each bite. Highly would recommend!!! _______________________________________ This place rules! We had reservations for valentine’s day weekend and they were sparse, so plan accordingly. We got seated in a great spot, as we had a view of where they were cooking behind the bar. We started with apps, the arancini and shrimp scampi on the half shell. The arancini had a pillow-like bite and the aioli with it was flavorful. The shrimp scampi was packed with flavor, as the chili/fennel/toasted garlic combo made a distinct flavor. The shrimp was tender, and the crispy potatoes with it were so crunchy, i wish the dish had more. For my main i got the meatball ravioli, one of the specials for the weekend. I got to see my food get made and brought out. The homemade pasta melts in your mouth and the meatball was so juicy. It came with minimal sauce but it was so potent that it didn’t need more. My partner got the Chitarra Alla Boscaiola and she loved her dish too. For dessert we ordered a layered toffee dish (don’t remember the name) and it was good. Not on the same level as the main dishes but it was tasty nonetheless. They also gave us these complimentary coconut puff cookies for the holiday which were decent, but i don’t think i’d order them myself. This place overall is something special. On top of that, the ambience is intimate and cozy simultaneously. The staff was attentive, and accommodating to our food allergies. The dishes are priced on par with most nicer Italian restaurants and is worth the price for the food and experience. Overall a wonderful spot for a date or a small family/friend dinner.”
“The cacio whey pepe is the dish that's made this restaurant famous and it deserves all of it. Instead of the traditional water in the pasta dough, Grueneberg uses whey, which adds a slight tang and extra creaminess to the corkscrew-shaped fusilloni, tossed with pecorino, lemon ricotta whey, and a blend of peppercorns that gives the whole thing a warmth that builds slowly. It's the version of cacio e pepe that you measure other versions against afterward. The stuffed cabbage with porcini Bolognese and crispy polenta is the dish that surprises the most people, braised and deeply savory and one of the stronger vegetarian options on the menu in a way that doesn't feel like a concession. The burrata with prosciutto and something seasonal alongside is the right antipasto to begin with, the cheese fresh and rich and the cured meat adding the salt the dish needs. The whole chicken parm, a dish Grueneberg famously invented to beat Bobby Flay on television, is the big-occasion order, a chicken sausage-stuffed cutlet that's crispy and substantial and exactly the right kind of indulgent. The wagyu skewers when available are the other thing that keeps tables ordering long past the point of fullness.”
“진짜 잊을수가 없다 .. 시카고에서 우연히 만난 현지인 추천받고 간 레스토랑인데 가본 이탈리안식당중에 최고 특히 카치오페페 진짜 먹자마자 소리지름 정말 맛있어요 부라타와 햄도 꼭 먹어야함 오직 여기를 또 가고싶어서 시카고가 가고싶어짐”
“Worth the hype. Pasta is all made in house and you can tell. The cacio whey pepe was the best thing on the table. Loud and lively, service was great, and prices are fair for the quality. Hard to get a res but worth planning ahead. One of the best Italian spots in the city.”
“Great food and great ambience. Really love the gnochetti pesto as we never had it anywhere else. Would def come back here when in Chicago”
“Love this place and each time we have something new that is amazing. One of the best Italian in the USA. If you want epic meal. My recs: Jamie’s Calabrian Pimento Cheese (OMG!) Roman Eggplant Parm (A-mazing!) Tortelli Grandi Fusilli Con Ragú Pro tip: Skip the new Sweet Pea pasta. It’s solid but not as good as others. Also please bring back the Rhubarb Crostini or send me the recipe :).”
“Monteverde absolutely lived up to the hype. The Cacio e Pepe was perfectly executed with incredible flavor, and the Pomodoro Spaghetti showed how amazing simple, fresh ingredients can be. The Wagyu beef skewers were tender, flavorful, and cooked just right. And whatever you do, beware the tiramisu. The portion is incredibly generous, but every bite is worth it. It’s rich, creamy, and the perfect way to end the meal. The staff was warm, friendly, and attentive, making the entire lunch experience even more enjoyable. I would happily come back the next time I’m in Chicago.”
“Very communicative, friendly staff, from host, to bartender to servers. Service was solid all around. Quick turnover of tables, proper level of attentiveness, prompt but unrushed service. Pasta & apps were great too!. Would def go back!!”
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