Filini
221 N. Columbus Dr. (S. Water St.)
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Cuisine
Open
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner daily, Brunch Sat.-Sun.Features
- Valet parking
- Dress code: Casual dressy
- Full bar
- Private room(s)
- Reservations suggested
- Romantic setting
* Click here for rating key
![]() : There’s a sleek, low-hung feel to this second-floor dining room in the stylish Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel Chicago. It’s set atop a sprawling, street-level bar serving stuzzichini (Italian bar bites) and sports a shareable spirit --- but the carpaccio bruschetta with saffron aïoli is something you'll want to keep to yourself. Overall, flavors are bold, be it in a dish of grilled blue prawns with artichokes, orange segments and briny black olives, or tender braised pork belly with bitter radicchio, balsamic glaze and bulbs of cipollini onions. What stands out most, though, is the pastas, namely the lush garganelli in mascarpone-truffle oil cream sauce that's specked with prosciutto and Italian chicory. Good, too, is the house-made, cacao-tinged pappardelle, tossed with wild boar ragù and a drizzle of Parmesan cream. The menu is modern Italian through and through, so don’t come expecting red sauce-type eats. Rather, take comfort in familiar grilled yellowfin tuna with aged balsamic or slow-braised short ribs in Barolo sauce with polenta and root vegetables. Come dessert, we found the bomboloni not nearly as airy as others around town and the tiramisu decent, but not accolade-worthy. In short, what’s good is very good, and the Italian wine list and off-Michigan Avenue location lend no shortage of appeal. |
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