Topo Gigio was the Italian mouse on the Ed Sullivan show. He's very cute, kind of fuzzy. He's got that whole gondolier thing going on. Definitely a good fashion statement. As far as cartoon mice go, I'd rate him higher than that Mikey guy.
Okay, I'm not reviewing the mouse. Topo Gigio is a fantastic Italian restaurant in Chicago's Old Town neighborhood. The food is for the most part the sort of uncomplicated but delicious fare that one usually finds with a skilled chef who also happens to be obsessive over the freshest and highest-quality ingredients available. The Lake Superior Whitefish is flown in fresh daily, and the tomatoes are shipped in from Italy. The food is surprisingly high quality, the atmosphere is warm, cozy, and uniquely Italian, and the price tag is surprisingly reasonable. The average check is around $20. It can be much higher or lower depending on the number and price of drinks which are ordered. The entrees themselves are quite reasonable. Pasta dishes are around $8, with the more expensive dishes hovering in the 10-15 dollar range. For this price the food is exquisite. Topo Gigio serves up fantastically delicious food, I'd definitely be comfortable paying far more than their actual costs for any of the entrees.

If you can't find anything you want on the menu. (Actually, I can't imagine that scenario...) Okay, if you have a particular taste for something which isn't on the menu, just tell your server. Leillo, the chef/owner, is happy to make any dish to order. You can get anything on the menu however you want it, or you can describe what you want and they'll make it even if it isn't on the menu at all. My sister likes to order penne with tomato basil sauce and crumbled goat's cheese on top. (Actually... she orders that at every restaurant. Annoys a lot of people who don't keep goat's cheese in the kitchen that way.)

Topo is a very friendly place, my family & I usually eat there at least twice a week. (Restaurants are key, my parents can't cook and my father's in the food industry). My five year old cousin, Kate, says that Topo Gigio is her very favorite restaurant.

The business crowd is big at Topo, particularly during lunch. Lots of guys in suits, the same guys who come back after dinner to hang around the bar and have after dinner drinks and cigars when the restaurant is technically closed.

Topo Gigio at night is popular with the fashionable crowd around Chicago. Basically, Topo is where everyone in Chicago eats when they want a place that is better than it is trendy. Topo may not be the best place to be seen, but it's the best place to go when you're done being seen and ready to eat. (Oh. Another side note- Topo gigio is a laid-back, casual sort of place, but the clientele is pretty stylish. Jeans and a shirt are fine for lunch. For dinner I'd recommend slacks, but as long as you've got a clean shirt you'll be fine. A tie is very unnecessary. A bit archaic, actually, trendy guys go without them.)
You should probably call for reservations before coming over. Early in the evening you can just walk in, but once the prime dinner crowd starts pouring in there is a line of people out the door. There shouldn't be too much of a wait during the week, but during the weekends the place is usually mobbed with stylish young professionals, so it's best to have reservations or shoes you can stand in. (Of course... being pals with the owners is a good thing too. ^_^ I love restaurants.)

Oh, and one more thing I almost forgot- there is a huge upstairs room that is just perfect for private parties. Both my sister and I have had birthday parties up there, and the place is great. There's space for a DJ, the floor is great for dancing, and the kitchen can make up a fantastic buffet of pastas which is just great for parties.

Whenever friends ask where they should eat when they're visiting Chicago, Topo Gigio is always one of the first places on my list. It's the sort of place everyone can enjoy, the food is wonderful, the atmosphere comfortably casual, and the price is reasonable. Definitely one of the great spots in Chicago.




Recommended: Yes