A trip to Italy may not be on your travel agenda in the near future, especially with the state of the economy. However, thanks to a new River North Italian hot spot, you can experience Venice right here in Chicago.
Ristorante Prosecco (710 N. Wells St.) is a chic yet unpretentious white tablecloth restaurant in the heart of the River North gallery district. Prosecco offers sophisticated, regional comfort foods from Italy's 20 regions, as well as the largest selection of Italian sparkling wine in Chicago. The interior of the restaurant was designed based on the beauty of Venice and the soft color of a glass of prosecco.
Executive Chef Mark Sparacino created Prosecco's seasonal menu and offers the finest foods from Italy. Their appetizer, salad and entree selections are plentiful and extremely well done.
An appetizer menu favorite is the Capesanto con Brasato -- a diver scallop stuffed with braised short rib of beef served on a bed of saffron risotto, shitake mushrooms and carrots.
Their house made pasta and risotto are remarkably savory and popular. A couple of their notable pasta dishes are the Orecchiette Tartufate, served with wild mushroom, artichoke hearts, sun-dried tomato and black truffle cream, and their Roasted Duck and Goat Cheese-Filled Ravioli.
Prosecco's meat and fish dishes such as the Full Rack of Lamb and Pistachio Crusted Halibut keep customers returning for more. The Tiramasu and Torta di Mele -- a baked apple layered pastry tart, are two of at least six house made desserts that Prosecco offers.
The restaurant's extensive wine list is divided into two categories, sparkling and still. They offer some of the best and finest Italian wines in the country and has Chicago's first proseccheria -- a bar devoted to the enjoyment of Italian sparkling wine.
Prosecco plans to host regular Italian sparkling wine dinners in the near future to showcase their flavor and versatility.
The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner. More information can be found at www.ristoranteproseco.com.
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