The Florentine

Peter Maliha

Really beautiful restaurant with great food and exceptional service. Our server was so friendly and professional. When she heard we had a long drive after dinner, she packed us a box of cookies! The food was all fresh and flavorful. You can have half portions of any entree which made it really easy to try several dishes. Portions are generous and prices are reasonable. You get the feeling that you’re in a restaurant for business executives. Very cool vibe.

Chicago Local

What a magical dining experience! Chef Jason Hedin has revamped the menu to exceed all expectations. His culinary talent shines bright at this metropolitan, city-center location. Historical lobby provides the place to meet before finding grand staircases to the east. 2nd floor restaurant has a beautiful bar & service staff was so warm to us. Thank you to Alexis for guiding us. You were lovely! Chef has turned the simple beet salad into a journey. The beef carpaccio steps easily over those abroad. Cornbread… yes, cornbread, lives with flavor. Lobster & caviar pizza can change your evening. Heirloom tomatoes with a photogenic touch. Head-on prawns are drizzled with a sauce quite literally addictive to the tongue & the polenta alongside has been, foamed for textures sake. And then came the pasta. Linguini & clams were so fresh it was as if the purveyor pulled them himself that afternoon. Just wait until you realize what risotto can behave like with cherries & pistachio; it could change your life. For veggie lovers, and those who seek umami, the mushroom pasta has true passion cooked right in; the broth, ramen aficionados rejoice. Hiding under seared sea scallops is a sausage so succulent you could simply salivate (that was fun). Whole lobster has been halved & filled with a textual crumb before being beautifully roasted & plated alongside tomatoes on the vine. And then came the meats. My god, yes. It reminds you why Chicago is a food city in the 1st place. We understand how to curate carnal cuts. Spatchcocked chickens with a juice like you could never have cooked at home. The spare ribs were my partner’s favorite bite of the night. But then the beef. For me. Primal slabs of meat so well aged the flavor walks across your mouth for you. A 2 inch thick steak that needs no ruler or scale; all 40 ounces are obvious & accounted for. A behemoth & a beaut, sliced for the table. You nibble your lip while reaching for the closest knife. What appears to be the best steak you’ve ever seen is now set within reach. Stab it closer to yourself. Truly enjoy it with sauces served to satiate. A French reduction in triplicate could be the winning addition to my already favorite bite of the night. The beef was better with it & I was already so proud. Every nibble of the evening was better paired with a wine. My lord, they have options for bottles. From $40 to $1400, your favorite varietal is found. Get a white & a red. Why choose? Let your worries wash away. When they walk in dessert you realize that we may need to be rolled away. Macaroons that pop & sundae served table side. He has recreated magic shell for your amusement. Panatone wins the last bite. A wildly spiced cajeta has something my tastebuds have never experienced before; I want you to know it as well. With that, we had to stand up & say goodbye to the best dinner I’ve ever had. This is why good food matters. So we may have the memories & to experience life. Thank you, chef! I’ll never forget this experience.

Dawn T

Excellent place to escape the heat and noise on the street. The service was fantastic, with an attentive staff. Our server even ensured I was happy with the flavor and sweetness level of the lemonade. We thoroughly enjoyed our lunch of salad and pizza. Definitely a spot to recommend and return to.