Fab Review: Dolce Italian at The Godfrey

Dolce Italian, is located in the chic Godfrey Hotel, in Chicago’s trendy River North neighborhood. Home of classic Italian fare and specialty Neapolitan style pizzas, its upscale but approachable atmosphere brings la dolce vita to Chicago.

I first heard about Dolce Italian after watching Bravo’s, “Best New Restaurant”. With celebrity chef, Tom Colicchio as one the judges, I was obsessed. Sixteen restaurants competed against each other in a series of challenges and were judged based on overall concept, food, and décor. The original Dolce Italian, located in Miami, ultimately won the title. With no Miami beach vacation in the near future, I was beyond ecstatic when they opened in Chicago.

My first visit to Dolce Italian was with my friend and fashion blogger, Ally (@theglamourocity). It was a Wednesday night, so we wanted something casual yet elegant but unpretentious…and of course, we wanted well-prepared food. This was Ally’s first time at Dolce Italian as well. Long story short, we were instantly hooked!

{Ambiance}
You can enter Dolce Italian through the entrance on Huron street or the main lobby of The Godfrey Hotel, which is decorated with lush couches and industrial-style lighting.

The restaurant has a modern and clean look with influences from Fellini’s Rome of the 1960’s. The geometric ceilings, lighted bar, and dark wooden tables give the dining area a sophisticated look while the orange chairs add a nice pop of color and a cheerful vibe.

{Food}
We started off with the Tuna Crudo…yellowfin tuna with seared fennel, ginger oil, and jalapeño. It was light, fresh, and delightful. The seared fennel gave it a spring-like quality while the jalapeño added a little spice. The addition of the ginger oil gave it an smooth finish while taking away any fishiness.

The Grilled Octopus truly embodied great Mediterranean flavors with the chickpeas, farro, frisee, and pistachio vinaigrette. The composition was beautifully presented and the consistency of the octopus was tender and soft.

The Risotto Ai Frutti Di Mare with shrimp, scallops, and calamari in a seafood sauce was my favorite dish. I don’t usually order dishes with a creamy sauce, but our server highly recommended it. She did not steer us wrong. The combination of the seafood and perfectly cooked rice made it extremely addictive. I almost didn’t share. Sorry, Ally!

FAB TIP: You can add lobster for an additional $12.

Dolce Italian’s Neapolitan pizzas are all the rage, even making it on Eater’s Top 10 Hottest Pizzas to Try in Chicago. We ordered the Tartufata, which is a white pizza with Italian speck, spicy salami, and truffle oil. I could smell the truffle oil, the minute the pizza hit the table. The oil adds a rich flavor and works well with the cheese and meat. The crust was perfectly crispy and warm.

The pizzas can be made in two variations, the regular pizza or the Startufata, where the crust is stuffed with ricotta cheese and meat. Every bite is bursting with creamy cheese and flavorful meat. It’s definitely the star of the menu!

🌟Seeing stars with this star-shaped Tartufata pizza. And yes, the crust is stuffed with ricotta. #EATONCHICAGO #chelsiaeats #fabfoodchicago #pizza #dailypizza

A photo posted by chelsia (@chelsias) on Aug 12, 2015 at 6:54pm PDT

FAB TIP: The Startufata is an off menu item and must be requested. It takes a long time to prepare so they may not be able to make it during peak hours.

Now that all the food has arrived, here’s Ally at work. #eatingfortheinsta

Like many Italian restaurants, Dolce Italian has a fine wine selection, but also offers crafty and delicious cocktails. I got the Dolce Mule with Effen cucumber vodka, strawberries, cucumber, and ginger beer. It’s refreshing and not overly sweet.

{Experience}
To say I am a fan of Dolce Italian would be an understatement. Since my dinner with Ally, I’ve been back many times. It’s my go-to spot for girls night out, date night, out of town guests, business meetings, and more. Aside from a couple of slow services and wait times, my overall experience has been excellent. If you want great service, ask for Kyra (@k_band26). She does a great job and knows the menu very well. My friends and I have really enjoyed the casual yet chic atmosphere with authentic and house-made pastas.

{Location}
Dolce Italian
River North || 127 W Huron St, Chicago, IL || P: (312) 754-0700

{Price Range}
$$$ ($36-$65)

{Fab Ratings: 4 Fabs}

Have you been to Dolce Italian? What are your favorite dishes? Let me know your thoughts.

Live the Fab Food Life,
Soo

Note: This meal was not complimentary. The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the writer.