The Real Chicago

Top Menu

  • Home
  • E-newsletter
  • Contact

Main Menu

  • Home
  • The Big City Blog
  • General Features
  • Around Town
    • First Look – Reviews
    • Hidden Gems
    • Inside Scoop
  • Eat. Drink. Shop.
    • Good Eats
    • Signature Dishes
    • A Round of Drinks
    • Shop Around the Corner
  • The Local Angle
    • Chicago Insider
    • The Local Corner
    • My Chicago
  • Interviews
  • Forum
Sign in / Join

Login

Welcome! Login in to your account
Lost your password?

Lost Password

Back to login
  • Home
  • E-newsletter
  • Contact

logo

Header Banner

The Real Chicago

  • Home
  • The Big City Blog
  • General Features
  • Around Town
    • First Look – Reviews
    • Hidden Gems
    • Inside Scoop
  • Eat. Drink. Shop.
    • Good Eats
    • Signature Dishes
    • A Round of Drinks
    • Shop Around the Corner
  • The Local Angle
    • Chicago Insider
    • The Local Corner
    • My Chicago
  • Interviews
  • Forum
  • Chicago’s hidden gems: Kiss Kiss Cabaret, Unabridged Bookstore, Lulu Belle’s Pancake House and TNT at The Annoyance

  • New on the scene: Recapping recent restaurant and bar openings in Chicago

  • The Big City Blog: A Chicago summer bucket list

  • Outdoor drinking: A guide to some of our favorite beer gardens and rooftops in Chicago

  • A day at the museum: Exploring the iconic Field Museum in Chicago

Good Eats
Home›Good Eats›Good Eats at Quartino: Stop in for tasty Italian tapas and a vibrant atmosphere

Good Eats at Quartino: Stop in for tasty Italian tapas and a vibrant atmosphere

By TheRealChicagoOnline
May 4, 2010
612
0
Share:

Your ads will be inserted here by

Easy Ads.

Please go to the plugin admin page to set up your ad code.

By Trent Modglin

For as popular as it is, Quartino can qualify as a unique restaurant option in Chicago’s trendy River North neighborhood.

It’s labeled an urban Italian neighborhood restaurant and wine bar. May not exactly sound unique, I realize, but the approach is, featuring a variety of small plates meant to be shared, family style, similar to the popular trend of Spanish tapas restaurants that create perfectly proportioned options for groups of any size. Authentic and affordable Italian tapas, if you will.

In the middle of the main dining room is the salumeria, or Italian deli, which serves up a number of imported Italian meats, cheeses and olives, as well as the chef’s own recipe meats like duck prosciutto, pork loin and spiced Italian salami.

That should only tempt your palate for what’s to come next. With the idea of sharing in mind, don’t hold back from the possibilities, starting with the incredibly popular Neopolitan-style thin crust pizzas. Wine bar plates (Portobello mushroom bruschette, grappa-cured salmon, etc.), hot plates (like the incredible veal sliders or crispy calamari), soups and salads come next.

Then try a round of homemade pastas (perhaps the gnocchi, spaghetti or linguini with clams), risotto (with shrimp and sun-dried tomatoes or Tuscan sausage), mouth-watering fondue or one of the house specialties like sea scallops, braised lamb shank, beef short ribs or farm house chicken, just to name a few. The desserts are best described as “divine” by patrons, especially the doughnuts served with honey or dark chocolate.

Your ads will be inserted here by

Easy Ads.

Please go to the plugin admin page to set up your ad code.

Only now do we get to the fact Quartino’s extensive wine list boasts more than 30 hand-picked selections from all regions of Italy, served in carafes, which just feels right.

Lively and inviting, Quartino is cozy yet bustling at the same time. Whether you’re stopping in for a fulfilling meal prior to the theater, hosting a private party or corporate function or making a late-night stop for a glass of merlot and a quick bite, Quartino has something for everyone.

“It’s a big place and always has an energetic and fun vibe,” says general manager Matt Graham. “The late-night dining and atmosphere is something we established from the very beginning because there are few really good options past 11 p.m. to get something good to eat. And the wine bar is so central to our concept. We have a good energy right up until we close, especially in the bar.”

If that’s not enough, the average cost per person or food and wine is less than $30. Seriously.

“The staff is so friendly and patient, they truly know how to enhance a dining experience,” says Chicagoan Sara Johnson. “With a festive crowd, fun wine scene and great food, it’s really perfect for any occasion.”

Quartino is located at 626 N. State, at the corner of Ontario. Call 312-698-5000 or visit www.Quartinochicago.com

Your ads will be inserted here by

Easy Ads.

Please go to the plugin admin page to set up your ad code.

TagsChicago ItalianChicago RestaurantsQuartinoTrent Modglin
Previous Article

Chicago Insider: Lindsey Gift on BYOB restaurants ...

Next Article

Good Eats at Hugo’s Frog Bar: Fresh ...

0
Shares
  • 0
  • +
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

TheRealChicagoOnline

Related articles More from author

  • General Features

    The rich get richer: Three stellar new restaurants to further spoil Chicago

    December 20, 2011
    By TheRealChicagoOnline
  • Hidden Gems

    Chicago’s hidden gems: Cocktails and jazz at the California Clipper and empanadas at Cafe Tola

    September 15, 2016
    By TheRealChicagoOnline
  • General Features

    Foodie favorites, part one: We asked resident food lovers for the best Chicago restaurants they’ve visited recently. And now ...

    May 1, 2015
    By TheRealChicagoOnline
  • OldThe Big City Blog

    The Big City Blog: Let America’s Best Racing help you get in on the action at Arlington

    August 13, 2013
    By TheRealChicagoOnline
  • We Ask, They Answer

    We Ask, They Answer: Q&A with Sapori Trattoria owner/chef Tony Barbanente

    March 11, 2017
    By TheRealChicagoOnline
  • Around TownHidden Gems

    Chicago’s hidden gems: Swim Cafe, Rudy’s Roundup General Store and Colors and Bottles

    January 25, 2013
    By TheRealChicagoOnline

You might be interested

  • Around TownGeneral Features

    Sun and fun: Five must-do activities now that Chicago’s best season is upon us

  • Around TownHidden Gems

    Chicago’s hidden gems: Swim Cafe, Rudy’s Roundup General Store and Colors and Bottles

  • Around TownOldThe Big City Blog

    The Big City Blog: A Chicago summer bucket list

  • LATEST REVIEWS

  • TOP REVIEWS

Timeline

  • November 11, 2021

    Inside Scoop: Massive FoBAB beer festival returns to Chicago this weekend, Nov. 12-13

  • July 31, 2019

    Chicago Insider Etienne Padin on obscure museums, shopping in Andersonville and dining at Maple & Ash

  • July 30, 2019

    First Look review: CMX CineBistro provides a fun, fresh take on the luxury dine-in theater experience

  • July 28, 2019

    Finger lickin’ good: Six trusted Chicago spots for a stellar barbecue experience

  • July 25, 2019

    The Big City Blog: Four Friday Night Flights beer tastings remain this summer, including July 26 in Ravenswood

Latest Comments

  • The 14 Best Fireplaces in Chicago | UrbanMatter
    on
    October 11, 2017
    […] Photo Credit: The Real Chicago […]

    Cozy on up: We asked active Chicagoans for their favorite spots to warm up in the ...

  • Why You Should Visit a Museum | FreeForAll.org
    on
    January 16, 2017
    […] Photo Credit: Therealchicago   […]

    It’s cold out there: A few spots to warm up this winter

  • Why You Should Visit a Museum – FreeForAll.org
    on
    October 23, 2016
    […] Photo Credit: Therealchicago   […]

    It’s cold out there: A few spots to warm up this winter

  • The Real Chicago – The Big City Blog: A very Chicago night on the town
    on
    May 31, 2016
    […] up was The Redhead Piano Bar for drinks and live music. I’ve said it before ...

    Friendly, unfussy, and serious about music: Hanging with Marshall Nelson from the Redhead Piano Bar

  • Scouting Logan Square: A Renewed Historical Neighborhood - The Annex, a blog by Casamatic
    on
    March 10, 2016
    […] (cover photo via The Real Chicago) […]

    The rise of Logan Square: Why this diverse area has quickly become one of Chicago’s hottest ...

Find us on Facebook

Originally launched in 2006, The Real Chicago — as a glossy entertainment magazine, website and email newsletter — has consistently provided the very best insider information, features and reviews to help both tourists and active locals get the most out of exploring the greatest city on Earth.
  • Latest Posts

  • Inside Scoop: Massive FoBAB beer festival returns to Chicago this weekend, Nov. 12-13

    By TheRealChicagoOnline
    November 11, 2021
  • Chicago Insider Etienne Padin on obscure museums, shopping in Andersonville and dining at Maple & ...

    By TheRealChicagoOnline
    July 31, 2019
  • First Look review: CMX CineBistro provides a fun, fresh take on the luxury dine-in theater ...

    By TheRealChicagoOnline
    July 30, 2019

Photostream

    Follow us

    © Copyright The Real Chicago. All rights reserved.