Buon Appetito at Sapori Trattoria

By Hanna Aronovich in Food on Mar 9, 2006 6:18PM

Sometimes Chicagoist likes to take in a little culture – we can’t just drink ourselves silly every weekend (or can we?). And both the Steppenwolf and Royale George offer great performances. Chicagoist thinks nothing preludes an evening at the theatre like a cozy meal. Just a few blocks north, at 2701 N Halsted, Sapori Trattoria is an intimate, but friendly restaurant perfect for pre-show dining or just an evening out.

Serving contemporary Italian cuisine, Sapori Trattoria is welcoming and intimate. Hanging lights, exposed bricks and colorful paintings create an upbeat atmosphere. Window seating is perfect for people-watching, while the back area is quieter and more private. Reservations are accepted, but when Chicagoist stopped by for an early Sunday dinner, we were seated right away.

We started our meal with a white wine, and throughout the evening, our waitress ensured our glasses were filled. For our main courses, we chose zuppa di pesce: mussels, clams, scallops, shrimp, calamari and sea bass served in a red sauce over linguini; and gnocchi al brivido: gnocchi pasta with chicken, sun-dried tomatoes and pinenuts in a pesto sauce. While the seafood dish was about perfect, the gnocchi, while rich, was shy on the chicken and heavy on the pesto.

Although service was prompt and the restaurant began to fill up, our waitress did not rush us, and we lingered over our wine for a while longer – which Chicagoist thinks is the mark of good service.

Looking for a special, $65 evening (plus tax and tip)? This Monday at 7 p.m. Sapori Trattoria is hosting a food, wine and jazz night. Ettore Falvo will be on hand to share wines from his vineyard, while chef and owner Anthony Barbanente prepares a five-course meal. Jazz musician Elliot Ross provides the music. Call 773-832-9999 for reservations.