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Pane Caldo
Category: Restaurants Italian Italian [Edit]
72 E Walton St(between Rush St & Ernst Ct)
Chicago, IL 60611
Neighbourhood: Near North Side
(312) 649-0055
- Nearest Transit:
-
Chicago-red (Red Line)
Clark/division (Red Line)
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 11:30 am - 2:30 pm
Mon-Thu, Sun 5 pm - 10 pm
Fri-Sat 5 pm - 11 pm
- Attire:
- Dressy
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Quiet
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
57 reviews for Pane Caldo
Review Highlights
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"They have an exceptional wine list and great moscato." In 13 reviews -
"Try potato gnocchi in truffle sauce." In 6 reviews -
"Lobster risotto was phenomenal, a nice big lobster tail on..." In 3 reviews
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57 reviews in English
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Review from Jen B.
1/13/2012
Pane Caldo, or "warm bread," is fine dining Italian in an intimate setting. I came in for a interview lunch and admittedly was a little too nervous to pay attention to the setting. Although I recall it being completely empty except for my party for most of the meal. The server was a little rattled from the apparent menu change-over and couldn't answer a lot of questions. She also mixed up a few of our meals, but was very nice and apologetic about it so no big deal. The white bean soup is pretty amazing. Creamier than most and like, dense with beans. Seriously, it was like No Bean Left Behind day in the kitchen. The spring veggie gnocchi was rich and yummy but weird. Instead of the usually numerous potato pillows, I got three large, ravioli-looking puffs. Not bad, just not what I was expecting. If I went back, I'd try the lunch box. It comes with a salad, entree, pasta and dessert, and seems to be a good deal for what you get. Also, I love bento boxes. So cute and organized.
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Review from Heather M.
Chicago, IL
4/24/2012
I was really pleasantly surprised by this place. I've passed by it for years and never had any desire to go in, but we needed an early reservation on a Saturday, and this worked.
It's very pretty inside--low key, but a lovely atmosphere (although the tables are ridiculously close together). My friends both had the chicken with spinach which they loved. I had the white bean soup, which was almost perfectly seasoned (I like a bit more pepper), and the prosciutto with arugula and mozzarella. Excellent. I mean, I gues it's kind of hard to mess up, but there was just the right amount of balsamic vinegar and olive oil, and everything was incredible fresh.
The chocolate ravioli was a fail, but good idea...
3.5 stars. -
Review from Rich W.
12/3/2011
Pane Caldo is a small Northern Italian restaurant tucked right in the middle of Gold Coast's shopping district. It has been there forever, but people who don't know about it tend to walk pass its unassuming store-front many a time without ever noticing it. I was in the area for some errand and decided to stop in for lunch.
The bread service was interesting. The bread itself had a texture of a generic breakfast roll. Very un-Italian and very disappointing. The dips that came with were great though. One was chopped tomato dip, refreshing and classic Northern Italy. The other dip tasted like lightly pureed olives, a bit finer than tapenade. Both were fantastic.
I got the spinach risotto with saffron sauce. The rice was creamy but still had that al dente bite. The ingredients were not too big or overpowering, and the seasoning was spot on. This was the most perfectly executed risotto I've had in Chicago. For dessert I had the panna cotta. The texture of the panna cotta was good. But the caramel sauce on top was too thick and cloyingly sweet. The fruits that came with were pickled in syrup, which was a shame because the dessert lacked balance. The raspberry was a bit too ripe. The pickled kumquat had an unyielding peel and was not pleasant.
Decor was a mismatch. On the one hand, there was nice furniture and white table cloths, giving the space a fine-dining atmosphere. On the other hand, you have the faux-finished wall that gave the room a rustic wine-country feel. The ceiling, however, was dark blue and looked rather industrial in a cheap way. I had no idea what the interior design was going for.
Service was despicable. The seating hostess was friendly and nice. But the head waiter was another story. There was one waiter and three tables that day. One table received regular service. One table got the VIP treatment, to the degree of being obsequious. And I was completely ignored. It was very difficult to get the waiter's attention. He did not pay any heed to how I was doing with the food, whether I was finished with the food, or whether I wished to pay my check or wanted more coffee. Since there was a lot of down time for me, I had a chance to observe and profile myself and my fellow-diners and mentally match our characteristics with the service we each received. The three-point-graph I came up with was not flattering.
Food alone, Pane Caldo deserves a 4-star. The risotto really blew me away. However, the discriminating service left a bad taste in my mouth. I would have been more forgiving if all diners universally received bad service. But such was not the case. In this day and age, and in Chicago, this was simply unacceptable. -
Review from Ambrosia S.
Chicago, IL
4/22/2012
A very intimate place. Good risotto. Unsure when I would go back though.
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Review from Vy T.
Chicago, IL
3/28/2012
I love this place. I tried almost everything on the menu and have not been disappointed once. The service is great (ask for Michael, he's the the best..)
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Review from Alex G.
Chicago, IL
4/3/2011
Unless your balls or boobs sag to the floor, don't enter.
Boring old wealthy crowd -
Review from Andrea P.
Chicago, IL
9/26/2010
I was introduced to Pane Caldo three years after moving to Chicago, oh how I wish it would have been sooner....
Depending upon when you go, lunch is somewhat casual and dinner is much more formal. If you head in for dinner I would recommend being waited on by Michael, he is extraordinarily attentive and so friendly. For the two years I have been coming here I always ask for Michael, he just makes the experience that much better.
I would really recommend the Gnocchi with scallops and truffle sauce, and their creme brule and a cappuccino for dessert.
They have an exceptional wine list and great moscato!
I always secretly wish to watch the magic that goes on in the kitchen hoping to bring a slice of heaven into my kitchen...Pane Caldo are you listening? -
Review from Andrea R.
5/20/2007
Looking for a a fine dining experience where you can actually hear the other members of the party? Looking for Italian food that's just as good as the food in Italy? Looking for top notch service? Well...look no further than Pane Caldo because I experienced all of the above just last night!
We came here last night to celebrate my fiance's law school graduation and I sure was impressed! It's a pricey meal, but I thought it was worth it! I started with the grilled shrimp appetizer and had the salmon as my entree. The salmon was cooked to perfection, but for a truly outstanding meal go with my fiance's choice...the black linguine with shrimp. Incredible! I also tasted the ravioli and tortellini, which were both quite tasty as well.
For dessert they brought out a taste of everything...I'm not quite sure what I was eating, but I didn't care since it was all so good!
For really good Italian that won't break the bank I recommend the affordable La Scarola, but if you're looking for an all around fabulous experience for a special occasion then make your way to Pane Caldo! -
Review from Caroline A.
Chicago, IL
8/5/2008
This is such a cute and intimate restaurant. I came here without a reservation on a week night, and was seated right away. It was about 8:45pm, and only a few of the tables were filled.
The decor is quaint, slightly rustic (but not too much) and elegant. Our server was very pleasant and really sweet. He had a great Italian accent and explained all the dishes to us.
I'm not big on dinner rolls, but theirs are good. Hard on the outside, and hollow and doughy on the inside, it was delicious. Even better was the breadstick. They were crisp and cheesy. I wish I knew where they got them, because they would be perfect for snacking.
We started with the lobster and crab ravioli in the appetizer size. It was a pretty big portion, enough to share between two people, and fantastic.
For the main course, I had the Sea Bass. It was prepared in a white truffle sauce on top of a seaweed spaghetti (that was SO good) and baby clams. It was perfectly seasoned, had some crisp on the outside and tender meaty texture on the inside. Adam had one of the pasta dishes... I forgot to ask which one. But he enjoyed it.
The dessert menu actually looked really good. I would have totally gotten the Choco-misu, but we were way too full.
Service was quite attentive and there was no sign of pretentiousness. I thoght they were fabulous.
I will definitely be back to try the rest of their menu. -
Review from Carol K.
4/4/2008
Pane Caldo is one of those little places that you walk by, peering in the windows, promising yourself that you'll come back and try it some day. Well, earlier this week, I finally had my chance.
From the time you open the front door- you know you are going to have a good night. The walls are painted golden yellow, the ceiling dark blue. Couple that with the crisp white linens on the tables, the shiny china and the hardwood floors and you will feel that you have been transported to a small family Trattoria in Italy.
We were seated in the back and within minutes I was presented with what had to be one of the biggest martini's that I have ever had. Really dirty with blue cheese olives- is there anything more perfect?
I always like to order a variety of things to try when I go to a new place and tonight was no expectation. For our appetizers, we went with the layered crab and avocado, the roasted shrimp and the shaved fennel and hearts of palm salad with asparagus. While they were all good- my favorite was the hearts of palm.
On to the second course. We split the lobster risotto (amazing) and the capellini with black and white truffles, herbs and olive oil. This dish was absolutely my favorite of the evening.
For our entrees- we tried the lamb chops (very tender) the sea bass with the white truffle sauce and the gnocchi with crab and a spicy tomato sauce. I'm not a big fan of gnocchi so that was my least favorite dish but still delicious.
As if we had room- our server comped us a couple of amazing desserts. One was chocolate cake three ways and the other was profiteroles drizzled with chocolate. Both were calorie worthy and will have me at the gym working out a little longer this week!
Our server Micheal was the best- helpful without hovering and always being just steps away anticipating what we needed before we even knew we needed it.
If you drive- know that they do not have valet parking but there is plenty of parking in the parking garage right down the street.
With all of these accolades, you might be saying why not a 5 star experience?
Well, it really came down to an interaction we had over my wine choice. The wine list is extensive with many lessor known wines. I wanted an Amarone and there was one that I drink all the time on the list for $120 When I chose it- the "wine guy" tells me that it is a "horrendous" choice and that he'll bring me something else to do a taste test with.
What? I drink this wine all the time and I know I like it- but I let him do his thing. He sets down two glasses in front of me- and much to his dismay, in a blind taste test, I once again chose the Amarone. As he huffed away- he muttered something under his breath about my "taste in wines". I guess I needed to remind him that one of us was the customer and if I wanted to drink "swill" he should have poured it in my glass and smiled while he did it. I suspect that this interaction is why our server comped us our desserts!
Other than that little hiccup- Pane Caldo is a lovely spot to enjoy a little Northern Italian food in an upscale environment. Just don't be intimidated by the host/"wine guy". You know what you like. Their job is to give it to you. And that is that.Listed in: My Friends Go To List, Mama Mia! That's Italian!
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Review from Kathleen W.
Chicago, IL
10/28/2011
I should of been warned when I got a reservation so quickly at this Gold Coast eatery on a Saturday night.
When we arrived, we were seated within minutes at a table literally squeezed between two big parties. The chairs looked like something you would see in a hotel banquet room. I was pretty much sitting on top of the man next to me. I politely asked if we could wait for a nicer table and we were given one near the wall (a little more private).
Then we waited another 25 minutes for menus. I had to flag a bus boy down to even look our way. Once the waiter came by (again flagged by me) he asked if we wanted wine. I said we were not given a wine list so he ran to get us one. We ordered a appetizer that was pretty much thrown at us 2 minutes later.. BUT STILL NO ONE TOOK OUR WINE ORDER. NO ONE WAS EVEN NOTICING US. The entrees her are 25.00 and over so I thought there would be a level of service,
I never do this, but i stopped the waiter and gave him cash for our appetizer which he didn't accept and left explaining that we would not be staying for dinner. When we exited the hostess said "You are Quick!". Are you kidding me? No, we are not quick-just had a horrible experience. Thanks for being so attentive. -
Review from Neil S.
Durham, NC
9/13/2007
Bottomless martinis...
So my boyfriend and I are visiting Chicago (his home-town stomping grounds) and our sales associate at LV (Michigan Ave) tells us we have to check out Pane Caldo. We call and get a reservation for that evening. Evening rolls around and we arrive early to have a drink at the bar before we sit at the table.
My most perfect Grey Goose martini never seems to lower more than an inch from the rim of the glass. We talk, I sip, we talk I sip, we talk ,I reach for the glass and am surprise to find the martini has magically returned to pre-sip levels.. how could this be??!!!
The host comes over to show us to our table. I reach for said magical martini and our hosts says he will bring our drinks over to us...
We sit down and .. the magic martini appears..even fuller than before!
We sip our drinks, order a BOTTLE of Sauvignon Blanc and look over the menu...
Fast forward to two hours later..
I'm slurring my words and almost in tears as I'm tasting the most amazing scallops in my life. It's as if I have never had a scallop before or all the scallops I have previously eaten were mere facsimiles to the ocean-fresh orbs of white pleasure nestled on my plate.
We stumble into a cab and fly off into the night...minus $375.00 -
Review from Sara P.
New York, NY
8/1/2006
For fine dining this place is one of my favorites.
The prices on main dishes are reasonable, but the appetizers are expensive ...
The staff is mostly excellent, tho the hostesses freak me out.
I loved my meal here and had a wonderful and relaxed meal in a romantic but small restaurant. The table next to us was not sat through most of our meal, but when they were they did seem a bit close for me ... it proved entertaining as we compared meals though and both enjoyed the chocolate taster dessert.
One of the bathrooms has a slightly large gap so I could actually almost see the hallway from inside ... luckily it is down a small and private hallway, but check it out and let me know if it is the still there.
Also in the back is a private room that could be used for larger groups ... it looked very cozy although I sat inside by the bar/
Good wine list ... great osso bucco ... -
Review from Katie C.
Grand Rapids, MI
2/27/2009
Before I write this review, I must tell you that I have been pumped up about Pane Caldo for the last 2.5 years by my boyfriend, who on a couple occasions, has been treated to Pane Caldo by his well-to-do parents. He has always talked about this place with sincere enthusiasm, so when the chance came to visit, I was ready for it.
I think I've driven by their E. Walton location five million times and I've never seen the place. I'd say that's a good thing--this place is a little gem, and I wouldn't want it ever to be overrun with people (and considering the prices, I don't think it ever will be). The space is small but glimmering with mirrors and dim light, and the seating is cush to the tush--our table had these big, squishy leather chairs. Whoever designed the interior was savvy--considering our dinner lasted 3 hours, comfy seats are priority.
During those 3 hours, all aspects of Pane Caldo's service was smooth as silk. We were greeted confidently by the host, our server immediately took our coats, and we were seated before our reservation time. During the meal, our server was incredibly patient, friendly, and the bussers who brought us (and took away) various things were at times like ghosts; to me, that silent fluidity is the mark of superior service.
The menu was to die for--I couldn't decide on my meal for what seemed like a half an hour. I finally narrowed it down to the hearts of palm, grilled asparagus, and shaved fennel salad with black truffle oil vinaigrette and the Atlantic salmon with roasted garlic sauce. All I can say is: wow. The salmon was soft and moist, the garlic sauce sweet and tangy, the salad....OH I could have eaten that salad all day every day. That was probably the best salad I've ever eaten. And there were so many other things on the menu that I would have liked to try--the lobster risotto, the organic chicken, the "Pane Caldo" salad, the filet mignon. Mmmmmmm. I won't even go into the dessert we had--dessert is officially mandatory at Pane Caldo.
This was an incredible experience with two people I love, and only hope that if the chance comes to visit Pane Caldo again, I can take it.Listed in: The Few, the Proud.
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Review from Beth S.
Seattle, WA
10/22/2009
Pane Caldo is warm and inviting. We showed up on a weeknight without reservations, and were seated immediately. The place is really food-focused, and the little details really made the meal. The bread came out warm, and served with a tapanade and tomato salsa. Our appetizer was a random assortment of duck confit with proscuitto and dates and pearl onions and a little cup of tomato soup. We weren't quite sure what to make of the randomness, but it was all good. For dinner, I had the seared halibut, with a delicious mustard sauce, and the boyfriend ordered the quail, which was very tasty. We were rather full, so we didn't order dessert, but they brought us a plate of cookies anyway, including coconut macaroons (nom nom nom!) and chocolates with marzipan (nom nom nom nom!!!!). The path to my heart is paved with free cookies.
The wine list is intimidatingly expensive (although there are a few somewhat reasonable options), but if you're trying to impress someone or looking for a special night out, Pane Caldo is a great pick. -
Review from Melissa B.
Chicago, IL
1/24/2009
I really debated what to score this place, but to be honest I can't in good conscious rate higher than two stars b/c they are so unbelievably over priced.
Great food, great service, cute space, however, they price themselves according to their location in the city and I find that insulting. Just becuase you are in the Gold Coast doesn't mean your beets cost more or your wine. I understand that your rent does, but really $16 for a starter beet salad?!?! I dine out enough to know that a $40 corkage fee is absurd. For what I paid for dinner there I could easily go to Blackbird or Naha instead. It's too bad that they are so oblivious to their pricing, becuase they have a good product. If you have cash to throw around with no attention to value, then this is the restaurant for you- otherwise I suggest you go elsewhere. -
Review from Elizabeth S.
Chicago, IL
2/16/2009
If I had to describe Pane Caldo with one word, it would be disappointing.
Pros:
Ambiance - Chic and intimate
Waitstaff - Friendly
Drinks - Chocolate Martini
Cons:
Hostesses - Cold & rude
Food - Below average
Price - Overpriced, but that doesn't even matter
They should probably get new hostesses and a new chef. If it wasn't for my awesome date, I could easily forget the evening in a heart beat. Seriously, go to any other restaurant except for this one. -
Review from Jennifer B.
Chicago, IL
12/12/2009
I like this place! As soon as you walk in, you're usually greeted. But it's a warm/fuzzy feeling you get when entering the door to this restaurant. I like that it's a cozy place.
The service is great. Actually, sometimes, it is too fast. If you want a slower dining experience, I would recommend you let them know when you start off the night. Otherwise, you may be in and out in about an hour.
Their bread is delicious. It comes with a tomato mix that permits you to make your own bruschetta. It's delicious and very fresh.
Afterward, you may order a glass or bottle of wine. They have a great selection of wines. You will not be disappointed.
Their pasta as a second course is outstanding. Literally, one of the freshest tasting pastas I have tried in awhile. It doesn't even matter which kind-they are all great. I have personally ordered their penne pasta with fresh tomatoes. However, when I took my parents, they ordered a couple of different pasta dishes and they were great as well.
The entrees are just as fresh and delicious. I love the potato crusted fish. The specials change daily, so I cannot say which fish it was at the time. However, any place that changes their entrees daily only does so to make sure they offer the freshest ingredients possible. Every time I have gone to this restaurant, they have had a potato crusted fish, and it has been outstanding.
I have not been disappointed here at all. One thing I could say is to please slow down the service as I like to enjoy my dining experience (even when dining alone), but other than that, I offer rave reviews.
Just remember, there is a dress code. -
Review from Jedd J.
Chicago, IL
7/26/2011
Really good, upscale yet casual.
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Review from David S.
San Francisco, CA
10/28/2007
I checked into the Drake Hotel one evening tired and hungry. Stopped by the concierge and he whole heartedly recommended a short walk to Pane Caldo. He was so right. It was a small intimate restaurant that is very inviting from the street. Once inside, the staff takes very good care of you.
I ate at the bar since it was late and I just wanted to hang out with the bartender and chat while I enjoyed my martini and meal. Both were excellent. I had the bass and it was very well prepared.
When the bartender learned I was from Northern California, he called the owner over because he is a wine enthusiast. He admitted that part of the reason he opened the restaurant was to indulge his love for wine. He travels to Europe and California on wine buying trips. It shows in his wine list. Some smaller excellent wineries are represented as well as larger well know brands.
The staff is very attentive and knowledgeable. I have made it a regular stop whenever I am in Chicago. -
Review from Tuya S.
Chicago, IL
5/22/2010
Sophisticated and understated cozy decor makes this place intimate and romantic. It's a bistro style Italian restaurant with an impressive wine list. Highly recommend their Chianti selections if you have an itch for fine Italian wine. The bottle that we ordered was very smooth without heavy trace of residue.
Menu includes traditional antipasti, pastas, risottos, and salads. The daily special menu offers different seafood option. Though the risotto failed to impress me, nevertheless, wine and ambiance left me pretty content. Loved their crushed olive mix that accompanies the warm bread.
It's located in Gold Coast so dress accordingly. Nothing loud please. -
Review from Thomas I.
Chicago, IL
7/10/2009
First, you should understand that while I've never had a bad meal at an Italian restaurant, I've never had a good one, either. In all my life, Italian food has always been just blah--I've always been able to eat it, but it does absolutely nothing for me. Given that, I might as well be eating Chef Boy-Ar-Dee.
Sadly, such is the case for Pane Caldo. It's my sister's favorite restaurant in Chicago, so when she recently visited, she took me there. The service was terrific, the atmosphere not bad, but the food was blah. I had a whitefish with a decent sauce, but it was rather meager in size--probably only 4 or 5 ounces of fish total. My sister's dish, which was some sort of roasted meat in a sauce, tasted rather like my mother's pot roast. Now, my mother makes a fine pot roast, but if I wanted that, I'd be dining at her house in Nebraska.
Although they had an extensive wine list, they only offered five (count 'em--five) beers. Now, I know--Italian food is known for being paired with wine, not beer. Here again, my bias shows. But still, only five beers?
Finally there's the matter of the price. For two people, dinner and drinks was around $140 with tip. For someone like me who considers dining at White Castle to be a special treat, that's positively insane. And while I'll occasionally treat myself to a nice meal that is expensive (sushi, perhaps), $70 per person is ridiculous.
The bottom line is this: if you don't already love Italian food, paying $70 per person for it isn't going to make it taste any better. -
Review from Laurie S.
Los Altos, CA
6/1/2010
Everything about Pane Caldo was pretty average... except for the FREAKING HUGE BILL.
JK it wasn't THAT expensive. But come on... in Chicago, you can pretty much walk into a random restaurant downtown and expect better food for less money.
The food was good but not memorable, with miserly portions.
The service was excellent, but not good enough to justify the prices. -
Review from Nick S.
5/9/2010
We took our friends out and they chose Pane Caldo. It's a dinosaur in restaurant years and not many Yelp reviews, so there's something not right here.
Pane Caldo was a fine dining experience, except for the food part, which was just average. Let's be honest. It's the food that gets you to come back to a restaurant. The food was just ok. I will say that the staff treated us like gold. Our server, Michael, was excellent.
Pane Caldo is northern Italian fare, but if you didn't tell me that, I would have guessed French. The food was very rich and lots of sauces.
We tried the Stone Crab, Calamari, Capellini w/ wild mushroom truffle and the tuna for appetizers. All of these were average, except the Stone Crab, which was excellent.
For the main entrees, we chose the lamb chops, braised short ribs, bouillabaisse and ravioli. Between the ravioli and capellini, I was pretty disappointed in the pastas. The short ribs were good and my bouillabaisse was done well, with exception that there was only about 5 ounces of fix in the soup. I did not try the New Zealand lamb chops, but at $38, there was not much there.
This restaurant has managed to stick around for quite a few years. I think they do a lot of biz w/ the surrounding hotels' tourists. At this price tag, I expected more. -
Review from Sam M.
Lawrence, KS
7/31/2011
I would have given this four stars, but the service was not acceptable for this food quality. The waitor couldn't and wouldn't pronounce dishes because he didn't know how to say them. The polenta, and wild mushrooms were very flavorful. Braised short ribs were tender, loved the red wine reduction sauce.
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Review from Sarah F.
Chicago, IL
5/4/2008
Delicioso! I highly enjoyed my experience at this cozy and warm Gold Coast Italian spot. Everything was first class all the way. Brian was our server, and he was spot on. Ask for him.
The food was fabulous! The chef sent out duck confit souffles as amouses, which were a perfect start. I had a tuscan white bean soup for my first course, and my bf had the spinach, goat cheese and watermelon salad - both were excellent.
Second courses were pastas. We had an inventive homemade ravioli filled with king crab, avocado and topped with a saffron sauce - OUTSTANDING! We also had the morel mushroom and truffle risotto - also good.
Our entrees were the filet with an oregon black truffle sauce, and a truffle and potato crusted tilapia. Wow! Both blew us away. That filet was sooo buttery and the most tasty, perfectly cooked piece of meat.
We had wine pairing with all our courses, and everything matched to a T. It all worked!
Our desserts were a chestnut and caramel gelato - which was so so so good, and the chocolate ravioli. I LOVED THAT CHOCOLATE RAVIOLI! That was sooo cool, and just melted in my mouth. Get that please!
Great service, cozy atmosphere, and no- bones- about- it good food is what you'll experience at Pane Caldo - but you will pay for what you get. A great place for a special occasion for sure. -
Review from Jenny C.
Chicago, IL
3/19/2011
Such a romantique place! I do like their window table, for the dinner romance nothing can compare! Try potato gnocchi in truffle sauce! Great food, but way too pricy...
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Review from Thom D.
Eatontown, NJ
7/31/2008
In a word... pretentious!
I have no idea where the four- and five-star ratings of the other reviewers come from. Pane Caldo is anything but an intimate, fine dining experience!
That is, unless you consider "intimate" to mean having tables so close together that you can't help but hear the conversations from adjacent tables. Or that you need to get up to allow someone from the next table the means to leave or get to their seat!
Fine dining... fine Italian dining?!? Fagetaboutit... far from "fine," and very far from "fine Italian!" The food is much, much too expensive for the mediocre quality and pitifully small portions! And the service? Umm... I'd say the service is just about on par with the food!
If you really want to experience fine, European-style dining, Pane Caldo is not the place to go! Actually, you'd get a much better meal, reasonably priced and in a more comfortable setting, if you simply walk the half block East and dine at the Drake!
Pane Caldo? Avoid it at all costs! -
Review from Holly Y.
Chicago, IL
7/24/2009
I am a huge fan of Pane Caldo! I have been going to this restaurant since 1996 and I am confident that much of the same staff still works there.
Complimentary champaign has been offered to me and my guests on numerous occasions along with exceptional service. The staff is very good about ensuring that proper table etiquette is enforced. You will never dine at this restaurant and have your date's plate removed first if you are not finished eating. I am an etiquette observer and Pane Caldo is always proper and precise.
Additionally, with the cuisine being Northern Italian with a French flair, it is not the typical Italian that most people think of from the South of Italy which includes the usual heavy pastas, meats and sauces. On the contrary, Pane Caldo offers a beautiful and delicious menu, inluding interesting first-course items, salads, home-made pastas with delicate sauces and fish. The desert is also beyond wonderful.
Perhaps, I dine here too often and I don't see Pane Caldo as too fancy for every day, or for special occasions only... I simply love the staff and the food... I highly recommend Pane Caldo to anyone that considers themselves to be a foodie at heart!:) -
Review from Zach R.
Charlotte, NC
5/16/2011
Not traditional Northern Italian cuisine, but the food was still good. Not great, but good. Very expensive. When you're paying these prices, you expect your meal to be outstanding, and it wasn't. Great service and excellent wine list (though on the pricey side). Osso Bucco was above average. Tables are too close together to provide an intimate environment. Recommended by our hotel concierge as "as nice Italian place we can walk to without having a reservation." I guess there was a reason we didn't need a reservation on a Saturday night. Won't be going back - there are plenty of better options in the same part of town.
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Review from Cheryl M.
Chicago, IL
12/5/2011
Liked the atmosphere. Hated my ravioli. Service was also incredibly slow.
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Review from Colleen C.
Edgartown, MA
3/18/2011
very not memorable.
tepid dishes, never steaming hot, never inspired.
they do have an excellent copywriter who makes all of the dishes sound tempting. Ultimately, i followed the waiters' reco of the calamari and scampi appetizer in fennel-scented sauce. sounded light, sounded interesting, and it was ok. the seafood was tough, the sauce did not contribute to the flavors.
i went with the nightly special for my primi, ( i did not do the multi-course),the special was spaghetti with oregon black truffle and osetra cavaria. very nice, not very hot, and ok.
i was expecting more, and especially hoping for outstanding pasta with a light something to complement it.
nothing that i would order again, and i would not go back a second time--it did not show enough promise and the combination of flavors was forced, not magical.
Lovely space though. -
Review from Ben C.
Chicago, IL
4/18/2008
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Review from Chris B.
Chicago, IL
2/22/2008 ROTD 3/2/2008
In honor of Oscars weekend, I couldn't pick a better time to post this odd review...keeping in line with the themes of cinema, this one has tragedy, drama, comedy, intrigue, suspense, paparazzi and even a nod to the avant garde...
Valentine's Day...2008...it's around 3:30-4:00p, and Jacky and I are swapping texts discussing getting home at 5:00ish so that we can go to a 7:00p dinner at Pane Caldo. For whatever reason, despite 11+ years here, neither one of us has been to the venerable Walton St. Italian Trattoria. US Weekly featured it regularly during Jen Aniston's Chicago summer, and it's been known to be a hotspot for the movers and shakers from Hollywood visiting our fair city...
Drama begins - Jacky is running late driving home from way up north - she will be fighting to get home before 6:30! AND - the reports start pouring in about the tragedy that had just taken place in DeKalb.
Not a great start to the evening.
We finally arrive at the restaurant, mercifully only 10 minutes late, and we walk into an alternate entrance. Construction is taking place and the mise en scene is replete with leaning mirrors, fresh paint, and a theatrical vibe. Some leggy hostesses guide us into the pretty dining room, where 15 foot high ceilings beam spotlights down onto the tables. The ambience is set...
Unfortunately, discussion of the tragedy from earlier is all you hear murmuring through the first tables we pass, so the romance that could have saturated the room was replaced with a bit of anxiety. Jacky excuses herself for a moment to powder her nose, and I continue to the table - a tight fit, almost bistro style, in the crowded dining room.
Okay, freeze - zoom in...so lo and behold...in front of me...I see someone and my eyebrows raise off my head. My favorite movie in the entire world is The Graduate (see sidebar for proof), but one of my top 5 is without question, The Cook, The Thief, His Wife & Her Lover. A strange and political vision directed by Peter Greenaway, it features grotesque images, sweeping sets, Jean-Paul Gaultier costumes and scenes set in the fictional grand 'Le Hollandais,' and one of the all-time-most haunting soundtracks composed by Michael Nyman. It starred the brilliant Michael Gambon and Helen Mirren, and a fresh-faced Tim Roth as a "Mr. Spica" hanger-on. So, who should be sitting against the wall dressed to the nines with a pearl necklace and a smile that warmed the room? Helen Mirren. The room swirled for a moment, and the context of seeing Helen Mirren in person in a restaurant was enough to make me stutter. She was absolutely gorgeous, I might add.
As I swivel around to my table (still by myself), I hear an "excuse me?" - I lean down, and a young lady at the table next to me with her date/spouse/sig.other says, "can I please have another bottle of sparkling water?" It turns out that day, I was dressed a bit shwanky from work, and hadn't changed. I smiled and said - "I could...but the people who work here might get upset if I take their job!" She blanched and her date/spouse/sig.other burst out laughing. Pretty funny...Jacky sits down and asks, "what did I miss?"
Next - we are told that the specials of the day almost all include black and white truffles...delicious...Jacky and I get a beautifully prepared seared tuna app, a terrine, and Jacky orders a seafood risotto...I order the steak with a black truffle sauce and asparagus. The temperatures, appearance, timing and service were all SUPERB. But unfortunately, we are barely able to enjoy a bite of our food when...two tables over, an older gentleman slumps over in his seat. The man next to us is a doctor (!), he immediately checks on him, and determines that (despite his being a pediatric dept. head, and not a heart doctor), this man is having a serious cardiac "episode." The man seems okay now, and is waving it off as nothing to worry about, and the ambulance comes...people were on edge already...and the light is now flashing into the restaurant from Walton St. Helen Mirren looks on at the scene with a concerned look as a spotlight from above shines down, Jacky and I look at each other and realize...we're going to have to come back here on a normal night to truly experience Pane Caldo the way it should be enjoyed.
At that point...I'll revise this review...but for now with the Academy Awards appropriately airing, I'll leave it as The Cook, The Thief, His Wife, The Ambulance, and The Waterboy... overly dramatic, suspenseful, off-kilter, and undoubtedly incomplete since despite a beautiful restaurant with pleasant and efficient service and elegantly prepared plates, I couldn't tell you what one bite of my food tasted like?! -
Review from Madalyn G.
Chicago, IL
2/13/2008
I'm a woman the last time I checked. The BIGGEST pet peeve of mine is to be greeted as "you guys" in a supposed fine dining establishment ... Here we were, six in our party, all impeccably dressed and waiting for a wonderful evening to unfold, excited in getting to know my new European friends who were here for the first time. ... "Hi guys" was the first thing said to us .... Huh? Excuse me? Do you not see that there are three women in this party?
I used to frequent this lovely, quaint and understated restaurant because I knew that I would be guaranteed a superb dining experience--from beginning to the end. I used to love walking in and being greeted like a lady by a very lovely hostess who somehow always knew whether or not I was there for business or pleasure. I adored the server Louie and how he paid attention to every detail--from how "dirty" I preferred my martini to what mood I'd be in for dessert. And then there was gorgeous Joseph--from Egypt--who always knew what type of "nectar of the gods" (as he wisely put it) would complement each course. The owner, a very mysterious, but dapper French Moroccan, would pop in every and now and then and comp----not only my party, other tables as well----us a drink or come around just to make sure we were being taken care of. Pane Caldo was like a new baby--my pride and joy and reason to boast about how cosmopolitan Chicago is to those who are quick to assume that we are still "beneath" say, L.A. or New York.
But this time was different. My, how just a few short years makes the world of a difference ... I called in two weeks in advance because it had been such a long time since I had been there and I wanted the evening to be as memorable as previous times. I was bringing in some people who were new to the U.S. and I wanted to show off my "baby," my pride and joy.
Quite the opposite happened. Upon entering I was greeted by a disheveled hostess, who although very pretty, looked as though she had slept there the night before, not having had time to go home, shower or change clothes. Louie--no longer there, unfortunately had passed away a year before. Joseph--mysteriously "disappeared" I was told and the owner, to my dismay, was "hiding" in the back and not once had come around to greet anyone. That's life--I know. Things change. What I wasn't expecting though, was having "Mo," "Larry" and "Curly" to have taken over the once high-end, posh restaurant. I could have very well been at Olive Garden. The service was, to put it mildly, HORRID.
The food? Well let's just say that if I had been blindfolded and given a taste test, I would have believed I was in a hospital cafeteria. The potato-encrusted cod was cold, tasteless and soggy--not light, crisp and airy as it had once been. Not to mention the calamari--felt as though I were chewing on rubber bands. The food tasted "old" and looked even worse. The risotto--once one of my favorites dishes--looked like an exotic animal's pile of excrement in the middle of a very large bowl. (...apologies for the graphic visual.)
One may think why I didn't say anything, but I was so horrified at having taken foreigners there for the first time that I didn't feel right in bringing this up in front of people who come from countries where complaining about food is just not done. Ironically, the only thing my guests commented on was how we were greeted. Bad food/service they can deal with---after all, everyone is entitled to having a bad day. But, calling ladies "guys" is just plain offensive. -
Review from Lee D.
San Francisco, CA
11/18/2007
In every restaurant review there there should be an assessment of "value" based on what is received for what is given up. Panecaldo is a lovely restaurant with impeccable service. But my god is it expensive. I wouldn't mind the price if I thought I was getting something for all those big bucks. But, portions are small, very small. Take for instance the lamb chops. Two chops for $38. Each chop held about one ounce of meat. I am not exaggerating. I got two ounces of meat for $38. Ok, I admit that I got a small scoop of mashed potatoes and a couple of green beens and an asparagus speer. The spinach salad seemed to be dressed but I couldn't taste anything but raw spinach leaves. The promised goat cheese comprised about half a teaspoon on the side. Boring. Desert was good, but was it worth $15? No way. But the worst was the wine. The average bottle price on their menu was about $150 to $200 with very few selections near $50 and none below that. From the wines I knew it seemed that the markup was about 600% of wholesale which is simply unconscionable in my opinion.
All in all, I wouldn't go back. The "value" just wasn't there. I went home hungry which should never happen. -
Review from Damon S.
Sausalito, CA
12/10/2008
Been coming here on and off for years. I think it just had its 15th anniversary recently. Very nice, intimate, and very expensive restaurant. Great for dates, every women who I have taken there loved it. The food was 5 stars and service is 4.5 stars IMO. Where it falls off the overall 5 star rating is the wine list. My God is it over priced. I know wines well and saw listing at FOUR times the market price (and greater) this is unacceptable. Corkage is a staggering $40!!! Yes I will come back but in this day and age someone needs to rework the wine list. I know times are tough in the restaurant biz but trying to make it on excessive wine pricing isn't going to help. I noticed similar comments on other reviews.
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Review from Erika G.
8/21/2006
Gorgeous, intimate, stylish, boutique type Italian restaurant. Spent a pleasant afternoon here yesterday, while the handsome flirtatious sommelier poured champagne he'd chosen, for my friends and I and then sat and chatteed with us - can summer in Chicago GET any better than that? The food is excellent - a tad pricey, but this is a very special restaurant. A few celeb sightings, but the restaurant itself is very low key for how high quality - cool party room too for larger events!
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Review from A.S. V.
Chicago, IL
10/31/2005 2 photos
A snooty Italian restaurant in the Gold Coast, its food nor its service measures up to its reputation and price. Look elsewhere.
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Review from Melissa S.
Chicago, IL
9/28/2007
Intimate authentic italian fine dining experience. Excellent service....great food. I had the wild bass, which apparently I've only ever eaten the farm raised kind before --- and oh yeah there is a huge difference!! The qualities of the ingredients in each dish are superior and their wine list is superb. Not trendy at all, very classic. You can take your parents there for special occasions, and you won't be bothered by a snooty 18 year old hostess or techno music blaring in the background. Heck, you can take your grandparents there...if they happen to enjoy fine dining. :)
