Vinci Restaurant Review

1732 N. Halsted St. (Willow St.) Send to Phone

A fine take on Italian fare makes this rustic, near-theater spot, for many, a regular haunt.

Cuisine

Italian

Open

Dinner Tues.-Sun., Brunch Sun.

Features

Kid-friendly
Private room(s)
Full bar
Reservations suggested
Valet parking
Casual

* Click here for rating key

Paul LoDucaâ€™s first restaurant comprises several elegantly rustic rooms, and itâ€™s easy to see why it remains a dining staple. The diverse menu has something for everyone, and almost everything turns out well. Start with a light appetizer like carpaccio, or roasted baby eggplant with tomato sauce, basil and goat cheese; then, go on to a memorable pasta or risotto, and consider secondi like pounded, grilled pork chops with smashed Yukon potatoes or grilled duck breast with balsamic vinegar sauce, broccoli rabe and polenta. The thin-crust pizzas also get props, while the dome-shaped chocolate cake is worth its weight in calories, or you may want to consider the delicate panna cotta with dried cherry-balsamic sauce. The wine list is in tune with the food, and service tends to be friendly and professional. If you want to dine in relative quiet, arrive just after the curtains have gone up at the nearby theaters.