Bruna's Ristorante

"We don’t say this lightly, but going to Bruna’s is like stepping into a time machine. It’s the second spot from the Heart Of Italy on this guide, and its atmosphere is the most aggressively old-school (which makes sense since it opened in 1933). As with most classic spots, you walk through the bar area to get to the back dining room, which is decorated with murals and busts. There’s even a picture of “Bella Bruna” above the entryway. The Italian food is solid (the sausage and peppers are particularly good), and the pastas, while not housemade, are well-cooked and have flavorful sauces. Come here for the history, and to be grateful Prohibition ended (also in 1933)." - adrian kane

"Located in the Heart of Italy, this old school restaurant has been serving hearty Italian fare since 1933. The excellent tiramisu is composed of espresso-soaked ladyfingers layered with sweetened mascarpone cream and cocoa powder, sprinkled with powdered sugar and served with slices of strawberries. Just like Bruna’s, the dessert is a timeless classic that diners keep coming back to." - Serena Maria Daniels

"Bruna’s in the Heart of Italy is like stepping into a time machine. The atmosphere is almost aggressively old-school, which makes sense since it opened in 1933. As with most classic spots, you walk through the bar area to get to the back dining room, but we’re going to suggest you just don’t walk beyond the bar at all. The pastas, while not housemade, are well cooked and topped with rich, tasty sauces. Come here for the history, raise a glass to the end of Prohibition (also 1933), and try to find out if your bartender is a ghost." - adrian kane, veda kilaru

"For an especially romantic feel at this old-school Italian spot, ask for a table in the back room, with a large mural. Pick a bottle from the wine list and pair it with one of the chef’s selections." - Eater Staff

"Chicken vesuvio, bone-in chicken sautéed in garlic, oregano, olive oil, and wine then oven-roasted and served with potato wedges and sometimes peas, is a Chicago classic. Many places claim to have invented it (though the now-defunct Vesuvio Restaurant took the credit, hence its name), and now it’s a standard at Italian restaurants around the city. Bruna’s, open since 1933 in Heart of Chicago, serves a particularly fine specimen" - Eater Staff, Ashok Selvam