Piccolo Sogno

"A restaurant in River West hosting a fundraiser dinner with Chicago chefs to support LA wildfire relief efforts." - Ashok Selvam

"With its marble-topped bar and plant-filled patio, Piccolo Sogno, which means “little dream” in Italian, evokes an Italy of long, lazy afternoons on the piazza, perhaps followed by a ride through the city on a Vespa. The food from celebrated Chicago chef Tony Priolo continues the mood, with antipasti, salads, pizzas, and pasta, though there are also heartier meat and fish entrees for the colder months. An all-Italian wine list includes some 400-plus selections. The patio, at least during the spring and summer, is among the best in the city." - Lisa Shames, Samantha Nelson

"Chicago’s preeminent destination for rustic Italian cuisine, Piccolo Sogno is also a haven for gluten-sensitive diners. More than half the menu is gluten free or can be made without gluten upon request. Guests have options like caprese salad, grilled octopus, gnocchi, pastas, grilled fish, and more. Pair the food with a glass of wine on the beautiful outdoor patio for a memorable experience. Carryout ordering is available here." - Samantha Nelson, Eater Staff

"The back patio at Piccolo Sogno is the standard by which all others are judged when it comes to a romantic dinner outside in Chicago. It’s surrounded by trees decorated with lights, and there’s enough space between each table that you won’t be able to tell whether the people around you are getting engaged or divorced. It’s good for any kind of date, too - from an early-in-the-game dinner to a “let’s finish this bottle of wine before we go home to the kids” situation. All in all, a true date night utility player." - adrian kane

"For an easy romantic Italian meal outside, the answer is Piccolo Sogno every time. The patio here is covered with string-lit trees, sequestered from the street, and large enough to accommodate a lot of people without feeling too crowded. As mentioned, it’s great for dates, but it also works for dinner with just about anyone else—parents, colleagues, friends, time-share salespeople, etc." - adrian kane, veda kilaru, john ringor