Ummo is a vibrant Italian spot in River North, where playful decor meets a menu of housemade pasta, creative cocktails, and unique desserts like the whimsical tomato-shaped treat.
"The owners of Tzuco, lauded chef Carlos Gaytán’s Mexican restaurant, have turned their attention to Italian cooking and taken over the former Rockit space in River North. Ummo is decadent with items like pistachio-crusted lamb and ravioli with lobster-butter ragu. Chef Jose Sosa and staff are influenced by Italian, American, and other restaurants around the world and have created a unique menu that will frequently change." - Ashok Selvam
"Eating at Ummo feels like hanging out in a friend’s loft apartment—if your loft-owning (or potentially squatting?) friend also made fresh pasta. Colorful, framed posters cover every inch of the walls, while energetic funk and soul music fuel the open space. And that excitement carries over to the food. Couples are enthusiastically breaking open a playful tomato-shaped dessert full of raspberry compote, or splitting tasty bowls of lobster ravioli. At a larger table, another group is kicking off the night with dry-aged steak drizzled with tangy bagnetto verde. And when you throw in a second floor with a DJ, pool table, and lots of couches for lounging, there’s no reason the party has to stop after the cacio e pepe." - adrian kane, john ringor, veda kilaru, nick allen
"A birthday at Ummo feels like having a party at a friend’s loft apartment—if your friend also made fresh pasta. This fun Italian restaurant in River North is full of groups sharing giant dry-aged steaks, piles of pasta, and playful tomato-shaped desserts. Framed posters cover every inch of the walls and there’s an energetic funk and soul soundtrack. And when you throw in a second floor with a DJ, pool table, and lots of couches for lounging, there’s no reason the party has to stop after the cacio e pepe." - adrian kane, veda kilaru, nick allen
"Start the day with a spritz or a Morning Mambo, a spin on a bloody mary incorporating squid ink and bagna cauda — a Piedmontese dip made from anchovies and garlic. Go sweet with French toast topped with Sicilian pistachio gelato and whipped mascarpone cheese or decide it’s never too early for pasta and order the tortellini with braised lamb belly ragu. Make a reservation through OpenTable." - Samantha Nelson, Eater Staff
"Ummo in River North offers fluffy housemade ricotta tortellini in lamb ragu, perfectly cooked New York strip, and creative desserts." - Samantha Nelson
