Two words come to mind when stepping inside 312 Chicago ( 136 N. LaSalle St., 312Chicago.com ): "upscale" and "chic." The Italian eatery is located just in the heart of the Loop and has been open for more than 18 years. Its seasonal menus and impeccable customer service might be to thank for 312 Chicago's long-time success.
When entering 312 Chicago, I immediately felt like I was getting the ultimate dining experience. Its staff was attentive and the decor was captivating. The restaurant gave off an old-fashioned Italian feel with its subtle lighting and extensive wine collection placed on the restaurant's wall.
Diners seemed to be a mixture of tourists and business professionals. Whether it was a power lunch or a friendly get-together, patrons seemed to be enjoying themselves.
Italian-born and -raised, Luca Corazzina is the restaurant's executive chef and is known for his contemporary, Italian cuisine. Corazzina mentioned that the restaurant grows all of its vegetables in its rooftop garden and everything on the menu is homemade. Needless to say, this was all I needed to get excited about the Italian deliciousness to come.
I started off with the buffala ( buffalo mozzarella wrapped in proscuitto, beefsteak tomatoes, basil pesto, aged balsamic ) as my appetizer. It was everything and more. The pesto was a nice touch and I would definitely recommend this dish.
For my main dish, I ordered the orecchiette con rapini ( mild Italian sausage, broccoli rabe, sun-dried tomatoes, garlic olive oil, pecorino romano ). This pasta was amazing. The pieces of Italian sausage gave the dish the perfect amount of spice. At one point during my meal, I found myself forgetting that I had planned to save room for dessert. If you're in need of a hearty meal, this is definitely the dish for you.
Lastly, I decided to have profiteroles for my dessert. This dish was my least favorite out of the three, although my dining companion loved it. I wasn't a fan of the outer pastry bread. However, the pistachio gelato and chocolate sauce were enough to satisfy my taste buds.
Overall, I would definitely recommend 312 Chicago. It is placed in the ideal location ( the Loop ), has affordable daily specials and boasts superb service. You are sure to leave with a full stomach.