Fettuccine ai gamberoni giganti ($24) is served with jumbo tiger prawns.
An Italian osteria’s name is derived from the root oste, which means innkeeper. Picture a quaint respite with an emphasis on local ingredients and a carefree dining experience—just what you’ll find at the new West Loop Italian eatery, Riccardo Osteria. Chef Riccardo Michi—whose other award-winning namesake spots, Riccardo Trattoria and Riccardo Enoteca, have become Lincoln Park staples of Italian cuisine—offers a modern twist on traditional osterias by incorporating regional ingredients in his elaborate northern Italian bites. Dine on classics like braised veal shank served over saffron-laced risotto ($38) or ravioli filled with indulgent lobster and crab and bathed in a creamy bisque sauce ($26), all while taking in the charming natural light, exposed brick and open kitchen of the restaurant’s interior. Then again, with new wines offered each week and limoncello made from fresh lemon peels, the drink menu alone will keep you coming back for another delicious European getaway. 1023 W. Lake St., 312.291.8620
Photography by: neil burger/courtesy of riccardo osteria
