Zhiwei T.
Yelp
Dinner at La Pizza & La Pasta in Eataly Chicago reminded me of my last visit to Rome, Italy in 2003. All of the dishes I ordered were recommended by an Italian colleague over text, and they did not disappoint. I began with the Focaccia con Pesto, which was warm, airy, and full of fresh basil flavor. For my main course, I had the Tonnarelli ai Gamberi, made with squid ink pasta and tender shrimp in a bright, briny seafood sauce that brought back vivid memories of authentic Roman cuisine. After that, I enjoyed the Fritto Misto, a crisp and delicate mix of zucchini, carrots, calamari, shrimp, and scallops. The scallops were a bit flappy and fell apart easily, but everything tasted fresh and was fried with a light hand, reminding me of Italian-style tempura. I decided to skip the traditional cannolo and tiramisu and instead ended the meal with a citrusy lemon dessert that transported me straight to Amalfi.
Service by the waitstaff was a little busy and rushed, likely due to the evening crowd, but what made the experience more personal was sitting right in front of the open kitchen. The chef was directly in front of me, and we had a brief but fun conversation about how intense the heat from the kitchen radiated toward my seat. She was very cool and friendly, and I genuinely enjoyed watching her work--there was something satisfying about seeing my food cooked right in front of me with skill and focus. Overall, it was a vibrant, nostalgic, and thoroughly enjoyable Italian dining experience in the heart of Chicago.