Last week was my birthday, and I decided the best gift to myself was not only going to be delicious, but it was going to be pasta. That’s how I decided on a dinner at Monteverde in Chicago. Located in the West Loop and owned by run by a former Top Chef finalist and former alumni of Michelin starred Spiaggia, Chef Sarah Grueneberg, this excellent modern Italian restaurant prides itself on all the handmade, housemade pastas.
If famous opinions matter, Eater named Monteverde one of >America’s 38 essential restaurants in 2017. Monteverde was among Bon Appetit’s 50 best new restaurants in 2016 as well as making other best lists from Food & Wine, GQ, Chicago magazine, and more. If you want to form your own opinion, well here’s a look at my experience that justifies my opinion, and then you should visit and decide for yourself.