For a taste of Italy in the heart of River North, we headed to Olio e Più, an inviting Italian trattoria with a warm, lively atmosphere and a gorgeous patio to soak in the final days of summer. We started with the Fritto Primavera, a crispy mix of calamari, shrimp, carrot, celery and zucchini served with tartare aioli, which was the perfect dish to share. We also had the Burrata Mediterraneo, featuring fresh burrata, cherry tomatoes, basil pesto, Ligurian olives, balsamic and focaccia. The burrata was creamy and delicious, and honestly, we could have easily ordered another round.
For our main courses, we went for a few of the restaurant’s house-made pastas, including the Lobster Pasta and Tagliatelle, Lemon & Burrata. The Lobster Pasta was a standout and perfect if you want something light yet decadent, while the Tagliatelle, Lemon & Burrata offered a bright combination of stracciatella, black pepper and agrumato. If you’re craving something richer, the Chitarra alla Carbonara is another great choice, made with guanciale, butter, black pepper, egg yolk and Parmigiano.
Of course, no Italian meal is complete without dessert. We finished with the Pistachio/Apricot Panna Cotta, topped with apricot sauce, dried apricots and caramelized pistachio. To drink, we sipped an Espresso Martini and the Farfalla Rossa, made with Absolut, Cinzano 1757, Prosecco, Giffard Lychee and cranberry. The cocktail menu also features plenty of other creative options, from Italian-inspired spritzes to refreshing gin and tequila cocktails. And if you love a good martini, be sure to stop by on Mondays for $10 martinis all day at the bar!
Between the handmade pastas, Italian-inspired cocktails and beautiful setting, Olio e Più makes for a lovely spot to settle in for a date night, dinner with friends or a special occasion in River North. Whether you’re stopping by for dinner on their ultra-lush patio or settling into the cozy dining room, there’s plenty to explore across the menu.
