Description

Spiaggia means "beach" in Italian, and the restaurant's name is a tribute to its spectacular view of Lake Michigan and Oak Street Beach. But this is no casual beach cafe. Spiaggia is widely acknowledged as the best fine-dining Italian restaurant in the city (and maybe the entire U.S.). The dining room is bright, airy, and sophisticated, an atmosphere far removed from your neighborhood trattoria -- so dress to impress (gentlemen, wear your jackets).You can order a la carte or a seven-course degustation menu; entree choices change often and emphasize seasonal ingredients. Recent starters included carpaccio of smoked Sicilian swordfish or pork loin wrapped in pancetta, served with sautéed artichoke hearts in a balsamic vinegar dressing. This ain't your mama's pasta, either: Recent offerings have included pheasant-stuffed ravioli, pumpkin risotto, and gnocchi with black-truffle sauce. Entree examples include products of the restaurant's wood-burning oven, including monkfish; salmon; duck breast with Ligurian black olives, tomatoes, fennel, and baby artichokes; and grilled squab over lentils with foie gras. You're encouraged to order Italian-style (appetizer, pasta, then meat course), which means the bill can add up pretty quickly. But if you're a cheese lover, this is the place to splurge on a cheese course: They'll roll out a cart filled with rare varieties and give you extensive descriptions of each one.Adjacent to the restaurant in a narrow, window-lined space is the informal, lower-priced Café Spiaggia (tel. 312/280-2764), which has the same dinner hours as the main restaurant but is also open for lunch and Sunday brunch. Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.