Pistores
Permanently Closed
Mediterranean-inspired dishes, pizzas, cocktails, pastries, brunch
Mediterranean-inspired dishes, pizzas, cocktails, pastries, brunch
"Pistores in River North comes from the mind of a former fine dining chef who is pushing the limits of what pizza can be — this is miles from the chain pizza that litters Downtown Chicago. Pistores offers thin- and Detroit-style pies with enticing ingredients like pesto, white anchovy, and butternut squash. It’s a pizzeria with a bit more elegance and subtlety." - Ashok Selvam, Eater Staff
"Accomplished pastry chefs Joel and Andrea Reno have carved out a noteworthy niche at their pizza cafe, a cool and casual retreat featuring square-cut Detroit-style pies as well as round thin-crust pizzas topped with gourmet meats, cheeses, and vegetables. The Renos also offer a small selection of pastries (think lemon pistachio tarts and tiramisu)." - Ashok Selvam, Naomi Waxman
"A veteran pastry chef who’s worked at Michelin-starred restaurants has returned to Chicago with his wife, another accomplished pastry chef, to open a pizza cafe in River North. Pistores offers square-cut Detroit-style pies, but also a round thin crust that’s not as crispy as tavern style and topped with gourmet ingredients. The produce on these pies might be the most premium in Chicago, carefully selected with a promise of a rapidly changing menu." - Eater Staff
"Pistores is an all-day Italian cafe in River North where you can grab some pastries in the morning, and dinner with a glass of wine at night. The large space has plenty of tables, bar seating, and cute decorations like a wall of artfully organized rolling pins. It shouldn’t be a new go-to dinner spot, but it is a solid place to grab coffee and a snack. When it comes to the menu, the highlights are the pastries and desserts, like flaky lemon almond croissants and a chocolate-covered take on tiramisu. The savory dishes, though inoffensive, are one-dimensional. Both their regular and Detroit-style pies have an airy crust but no flavor. This trait extends to the sauce, toppings, and pretty much everything else on the menu. But their bright space is very welcoming, with natural light from large garage door-style windows." - John Ringor
"Pistores Pizza & Pastry, a new restaurant with Mediterranean influences from co-owners Joel and Andrea Reno, opened in late December in a light and airy space at 546 N. Wells Street. The couple is offering a pastry case filled with sweet creations made on-site, as well as traditional Italian thin-crust pizzas, thick and fluffy Detroit-style pies with crispy caramelized cheese edges, octopus, Greek salad, and more." - Naomi Waxman