Fab Review: The Pasta Bowl

Whenever I have a craving for hearty Italian dishes, The Pasta Bowl comes to mind. When I heard they opened up another location in Wicker Park, I knew I had to check it out immediately because I have been going to the original location for years.

The Pasta Bowl is my go-to place whenever I want good quality Italian food at affordable prices. It is the perfect place if you want to go somewhere with a casual environment and great service. With its warm and inviting atmosphere, it is a wonderful addition to Wicker Park.

I frequently visit The Pasta Bowl especially during the colder months. The hearty bowls of made-to-order pastas always keep my belly content. Their sauces are made daily, from scratch, using fresh ingredients. They also serve delicious soups, fresh salads, and Italian sandwiches.

{Ambiance}
As you enter the restaurant, your eyes are immediately drawn to the right side of the room, where there is an open kitchen. If you prefer to watch all the action, there is counter seating where you can see the chefs at work. It is quite the treat. The speed and precision of their craft is impressive, not to mention the intoxicating aromas in the air. You may even see the chef deglazing a pan with wine. Whoa, look at that crazy flame action!

On the left side of the room is a mixture of wooden tables and cozy booths to accommodate larger parties.

The burgundy upholstered seats give the room a sophisticated feel.

There are two large, hand-drawn chalkboard murals hanging on the walls. One of the murals showcases a Wicker Park neighborhood streetscape.

The other mural is an image of the different types of pastas served at The Pasta Bowl.

The atmosphere is casual yet inviting. It is a wonderful place to sit down, relax, and enjoy some good pasta with friends and family.

{Food}
The large menu is straightforward and easy to follow. It is broken down into appetizers, soups & salads, pastas, sandwiches, and great sides & shareables.

Garlic Cheese Bread
I definitely recommend starting with an order or two of the Garlic Cheese Bread with house-made marinara sauce. What’s not love about toasted bread with ooey gooey mozzarella cheese dipped in a well-balanced tomato sauce? Now, that is some serious #CheesePorn. Needless to say, the garlic bread with cheese is one of Fab Food Chicago’s favorites at The Pasta Bowl.

FAB TIP: Mention “FabPastaBowl” and receive a FREE order of Garlic Cheese Bread with a minimum purchase of $15. Limited to 1 per table. For dine-in only. Offer valid until December 15, 2015.

Fried Polenta
The Fried Polenta was equally delicious as well. It is crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside and comes with a side of house-made warm marinara sauce.

Bruschetta
I have a soft spot for bruschetta and The Pasta Bowl’s version is always freshly made. The Italian bread is topped with diced tomatoes and basil, tossed in their house-made vinaigrette, and sprinkled with shredded Parmesan cheese. The slight tang from the vinaigrette adds a unique yet refreshing twist to the traditional bruschetta.

Let’s move on to star of the menu…PASTA. You can’t go wrong with any of their pasta dishes. The hardest part is deciding which one to order. So here are my favorites…

Farfalle Pollo
I simply cannot go to The Pasta Bowl without ordering their famous Farfalle Pollo. It is a bow tie pasta tossed with grilled chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, mushrooms, and fresh basil. Oh, and the pecorino cream sauce! It is so creamy, tasty, and addictive. Yum…

Gnocchi Aurora
Another favorite pasta dish of mine is the Gnocchi Aurora, which is made with tri-color gnocchi, fresh spinach, grilled chicken, mushrooms, smoked mozzarella, and a tomato cream sauce. The gnocchi is on the denser side which stands up nicely to the rich and complex sauce.

Rigatoni Bolognese
For those who like their pasta on the less creamy side, the Rigatoni Bolognese is a great choice. The perfectly cooked tubular pasta is coated with a robust and hearty meat sauce. It is one of those dishes where I can’t put my fork down until it’s all gone.

Linguine Pesto
If you are looking for a lighter option, I suggest you try the Linguine Pesto. The al dente pasta is tossed in the right amount of basil pesto with pecorino and parmesan cheese. It is simple but well made.

{Experience}
If you are looking for a relaxing neighborhood spot with generous portions of fresh pasta at an affordable price, The Pasta Bowl is for you. The friendly staff is helpful with food recommendations and questions about the menu. I feel very at ease with the warm atmosphere and knowing that the dishes are always consistent and most importantly, delicious.

{Location}
The Pasta Bowl
Wicker Park || 1852 W North Ave, Chicago, IL || P: (773) 935-2695
Lincoln Park|| 2434 N Clark St, Chicago, IL || P: (773) 525-2695

{Price}
$$ ($11-$35)

{Fab Ratings: 4 Fabs}

They offer delivery to a wide service area and can accommodate special requests. They also cater around the Chicagoland area with packages starting as low at $10 per person, a great option for special celebrations and office parties.

They are currently BYOB but stay tuned…they will be serving alcohol as early as the end of the year. Hooray for yummy pastas paired with wine and cocktails! Expect late night hours.

Have you been to The Pasta Bowl? If so, what are your favorite dishes? Please comment below. I would love to know.

Savor Every Moment,
Sherrie

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