Rose Mary
Croatian restaurant · West Town ·
Italian-Croatian cuisine in an industrial-chic restaurant with a bar
Italian-Croatian cuisine in an industrial-chic restaurant with a bar
"At a shared-plates dinner at Rose Mary in Chicago I noticed how thoughtful plating facilitates sharing: four ruddy slabs of tuna crudo arrived nestled in veal aioli with capers and beef fat vinaigrette, which enabled each of four diners to spear a piece and eat it in one clean bite—a small, effective example of designing dishes so sharing feels graceful rather than awkward." - ByMaggie Hennessy
"The West Loop has more restaurantsrun by former Top Chef contestantsthan any other neighborhood in Chicago. Our last count was eight, and they’re all operating within two blocks of each other. And, despite our trust issues with reality shows, they’re all really good. Rose Mary, a Croatian spot, is another one of those restaurants. They have things like a refreshing and flavorful salad with tomato, farro, and asparagus, a delicious crni rizot that tastsd like it was made with stock from the tears of a hundred lobsters (that’s a compliment), and incredible pastas. Most dishes range from $15-$30, and it works for a casual date ora fun night out with friends." - Team Infatuation
"Since this plant-filled, airy Croatian spot in Fulton Market comes from a Top Chef winner, it’s not surprising that hype has been swirling around it since it opened in 2021. But one forkful of their excellent pastas is all it takes to realize the buzz is warranted. That bite could be gnocchi with rich beef cheek pašticada, tortellini djuvec with eggplant and preserved zucchini, or bright lamb ragu with mafaldine. Or if you’re like us, order all three. We can’t imagine a dinner here with only one pasta on the table. Reservations are released one month in advance, but the bar area is reserved for walk-ins. If you get there close to or before opening time (5pm), you’ll most likely find an empty seat or two." - john ringor, nick allen, adrian kane
"It’s been more than four years since opening but Rose Mary remains a perennial neighborhood hot spot. The allure of Top Chef winner Joe Flamm’s Italian Croatian cuisine draws guests in every night, and who can blame them? The stracciatella, coppa, and pork ribs pampanella deserve your attention, as do pastas like the mafaldine in lamb ragu d’abruzzo and radiatore cacio e pepe. You may even spot Flamm chatting it up around the dining room. Make a reservation on OpenTable." - Jeffy Mai
"Consistently one of the city’s hottest dining destinations, this West Loop restaurant generated extra buzz for a one-night-only collaboration with Charleston’s Cane Pazzo that showcased a cohesive Italian menu from Joe Flamm and Mark Bolchoz. The standout course for me was a plate of coppa topped with grilled pepper and artichoke relish and parmesan, served with grilled focaccia — a reminder that sometimes quality ingredients shine brightest with the simplest preparations. It’s not a dish I’ll be able to order again, but it’s one that will linger in my memory." - Ashok Selvam