Riccardo Trattoria

I have a rule of thumb with Italian restaurants: the more simple-looking the menu, the better the place. The best Italian restaurants have a simple white paper and black lettering menu; the worst ones have fancy-looking menus. Riccardo Trattoria, in Lincoln Park, is one of those great Chicago culinary gems that definitely validates my rule of thumb. It's on Clark Street, and seats maybe 60, so it's a nice, intimate setting. Impeccable service, and a menu that is riven with delicious Italian food, an embarrassment of riches. You just can't go wrong.

Above is their summer black truffles ($22 for a full serving, worth every bite), photographed with my iPhone. The truffles are delicious, the pasta is delectably tender.


Above is lobster and crab ravioli. The lobster was stunningly tender, and the crab ravioli were plump and thick, the cream sauce was savory.

The intimacy of the setting, the great service by an attentive staff, the astoundingly good food, it makes it clear why so many of the clientele coming there were clearly locals and repeat customers. The demographic tended to be older -- I'm 41, and I was the youngest patron there, except for a 30-something couple; everybody else was older, but these folks know a good menu when they see it. It's pricey (for myself, it was $73 for a glass of wine, the truffles, octopus genovese, and the lobster and crab ravioli), but good food is worth it, yes? Go there, and you will not be disappointed.

****

Riccardo Trattoria
2119 North Clark Street
www.riccardotrattoria.com