Everything about Osteria Via Stato in Chicago’s River North screams authentic Italian. From the large, family-style dining tables and seasonal dishes to the all-Italian wine list (more than 300 labels) and decor. But it’s their simple and honest approach to Italian cuisine that reminds me of my travels through Italy. No fluff, no pretension. Just a mouthwatering meal with good friends around the table.
As we approached the restaurant, we saw a patio packed with families chowing down at the pizzeria. We didn’t realize how large the venue was until we were greeted and guided through the tavern-inspired restaurant (which can seat up to 220 guests). I loved the dimly lit rooms, wood beam ceilings, stucco walls and vine accents…
OK, on to what matters most: the food! So I rarely highlight bread in my reviews (because many restos do it all wrong and send out a tasteless brick to fill patrons before their meal), but Osteria Via Stato started our dinner off right with an appetizing loaf. It was warm, fluffy on the inside and perfectly crusted – just the way I like it. Even better was the balsamic vinegar, olive oil and roasted garlic clove dip it was served with…
After we inhaled the bread, we moved on to the Short Rib Bruschetta. OMG. This dish was so good that I would’ve been perfectly happy if it was the only thing I ate! The pickled peppers and celery added a punch of colour and took what could’ve been a mundane dish to the next level. Back to the taste: moist short ribs, crispy bread and a great flavour combo. This dish is a star!
Then came the La Quercia Prosciutto. We really loved the buffalo mozzarella in this dish. Creamy and delicate!
I can’t dine at an Italian restaurant without trying their seafood dishes (some of the best in the world). As soon as I saw the Grilled Octopus with Fingerling Potatoes on the menu I knew I had to order it. And it did not disappoint! The octopus was tender and drizzled with lemon and olive oil and the fingerling potatoes were perfectly cooked and seasoned.
And now for the entrees. After much contemplation, we decided to order a seafood dish, a pasta dish and a meat dish for the table – love sharesies (the best part of group dining – well, other than the company). The sea bass was delightful. My hubby fully conquered the dish after our fist bite. The fish was perfectly pan-seared and was moist and flakey inside.
For our pasta dish we ordered the penne. It was simple (the way it should be) yet delicious. Made in true “nonna-style”, it reminded me of my aunt’s cooking (she’s Italiano). The spicy tomato sauce had just the right amount of kick and the chicken was incredibly juicy, fresh and all-natural. Oh, and most importantly, the pasta was cooked to perfection.
I asked our lovely server to surprise me for the meat dish. Best idea ever! He brought out a mouthwatering, free-range veal loin. It was the best veal I’ve had in a long, long time. The quality of the meat was exceptional. And the melted onions, cremini mushrooms and potato purée were the perfect bed for it. Our bottle of Ca’ La Bionda Valpolicella Classico 2010 complimented this veal like no other.
As usual, by this point of the meal we were all in a food coma. You really can’t just “taste” the food if it’s THIS good. We devoured every morsel on every plate. But there is always room for dessert! Another surprise from our waiter (we were too relaxed to make any decisions by this point): the homemade chocolate bar. If you dine at Osteria Via Stato, you MUST order this dessert. It’s served on wax paper with nuts and candied orange peels. It’s not only incredibly tasty, but you get to watch your server do some serious smashing at the table.
You can tell that Chef DiGregorio makes it a priority to build relationships with local farmers. Every dish we inquired about was made with fresh, locally-sourced ingredients. His seasonally-driven menu is truly outstanding: everything we ate tantalized our palates!
A huge thanks to the Osteria Via Stato team for such a memorable meal! We will definitely be back to taste the rest of your menu on our next visit to Chicago!
Special thanks to Osteria Via Stato for hosting us for dinner. As always, all reviews and opinions are entirely our own.
No Comments