Best Cozy Restaurants in North Center

First of all I thought the staff was incredibly kind and welcoming! We were celebrating our anniversary and they made it feel special. The rigatoni really stood out and will be a must order for us in the future - it had the perfect level of spice and warmth in flavor. The chips and dip were a fun appetizer to start with and were priced perfectly. We’ll definitely be back!

We dined at Il Carciofo for first time 2 nights ago. We were five people, celebrating a couple birthdays. Overall, it was excellent. For antipasti, we had the artichoke, lamb ribs and calamari. All were excellent. Lamb ribs were a little fatty for my taste, but lamb is fattier, and everyone else at the table loved them. Terrific flavor with the glaze, so tender. Artichoke was also a fave. Next we had the mortadella pizza (really more like a panini) - so, so good - one of the best things we had. For pasta we had the rigatoni carbonara, rich and delicious, the oxtail tagliatelle, my personal fave, and the mezza rigatoni alla amatriciana, spicy and very good. For the forgo, we had the halibut with clams and mussels - was good, but not special, and a tad overcooked. We also had the veal saltimbocca, which was very good and enjoyed. We had the potatoes and fungji e formaggi as contort (sides). Potatoes were great; the funghi were special, really loved them. Finally for dessert we ordered pistachio gelato - did not enjoy; it was not creamy, a bit more grainy (coursely grpund pistachio?). They also brought us the Zeppole di san Giuseppe for the birthday dessert, and it was delicious. Our server was really great, attentive but not overbearing. She explained all the dishes and did a nice job on a very busy Friday. The restaurant is lively and kind of loud, but not so much that you can’t hear others at your table. Wine list is good, some nice, creative cocktails. Overall, a great experience that I highly recommend, and I congratulate Joe Flamm and his team on another great restaurant.

Love Boka for a few reasons Food: the best duck in the city and no matter how often we get the duck it feels new and different. Excellent starters and small plates Wine and liquor: a great wine list that has some seriously great finds served with care and a great cocktail list to start or finish your night. Service: consistency is key, we enjoy coming back because there are so many familiar faces which really helps put you at ease with your dinner. The meal is timely and well attended. With a great support staff making sure no need is missed. I don't recall how many times we've been over the years but it always feels special and fresh and fun.

Love this place! So delicious every time! It's a great addition to the neighborhood, and I hope it survives for many, many years!

I was so happy we were able to get in last minute. We looked at reservations for tonight around 11 am, the only thing available was 9:15. Maybe 45 minutes later a 6:45 pops up and we were able to snag it. We had the short rib humus, whipped feta, hamachi, pork belly, steak & frites, fried halloumi and two kabobs. Perfect for all 4 of us hungry eaters. 100% will be back- if you can get in I highly recommend trying anything and everything on the menu. Service was impeccable. Food was courses perfectly and everything came out hot right out of the oven. If you have been to Bavel in LA you will love this “sister” in Chicago