We absolutely love Anteprima and had another great meal there two weeks ago. Each of us ordered a different seafood entree and each were fresh and delicious. Based on just their breadsticks alone I think they should be a GNR-that and their lemon panna cotta.

We haven't been to Anteprima in maybe 2-3 weeks, It's been a place we visit at least twice a month but I have to say there's no better restaurant to be nominated. I always rave about how the food is always been consistently good, the service always top knotch. It's our favourite restaurant in Andersonville!

The wood grilled herring with preserved lemon and anchovy vinaigrette I had at Anteprima a couple of weeks ago typified the simple, rustic dishes with bold flavors I've come to expect from the place. It was one of the best things I've eaten lately, though it's also true that at the same meal I tasted an overcooked piece of halibut and some shellfish that had not been properly cleaned. I've had a dozen or so terrific meals at Anteprima, so I'm willing to chalk that up to an aberration or a temporary distraction while they are busy getting Acre going. When Mado closed, Anteprima became my favorite Italian restaurant in the city.

Had a stunner of a meal at Anteprima over the weekend. Did the prix fixe - appetizer was octopus with potato, chilies, and lemon. This was hands-down the best octopus prep I've ever eaten. Main was crispy skin-on rainbow trout with salsa verde and fregola. Another outstanding dish. I also sampled the new york strip with lemon, rosemary, olive oil and arugula. This one took me completely by surprise as it's one of the best steaks I've ever eaten, exceptionally tender. I also loved the grissini in the bread basket, rich with olive oil. Awesome meal - I'm looking forward to returning.

I've had four great meals at Anteprima in the past six months. The rabbit I had for the first of those meals was deconstructed in the fashion suggested by the Zuni Cafe cookbook, with the loin perfectly grilled and the legs and flanks braised. A lot of work for the chef, and much appreciated. The second meal I had there made me cry, "Uncle!" because of the size of the appetizer assortment that can be had as part of the prix fixe menu. This, in my view, is the best value in town, (after Zaragoza). It also has the advantage of satisfying vegetarians, and can be made to accommodate the gluten-sensitive (though I don't know about celiac-appropriateness, due to vinaigrette). Others have posted on the freshness and quality of the fare, yet I was stunned by the exquisite radishes, snap peas, and butter lettuce in the salad I had during my next dinner at Anteprima. I should have posted on the perfect pappardelle dish I had during a visit awhile ago: ideal thickness and degree of doneness in the noodles; savory sauce, meat forward with various vegetal presences, not only tomato- and definitely not oversalted (as it often is elsewhere).

Regarding service, I have experienced professional-level treatment in the midst of very busy evenings there. In addition, they were most accommodating when my daughter, who is gluten-sensitive, asked to be moved away from a table located next to the bread service. On another occasion, we asked for a table for three at the last minute, having arrived with only two diners. Nary an eyeroll was received; instead, we got a gracious response, and were invited to another table instantly, though it appeared to be the last four-top available. The waitstaff was on each occasion of my experience well-informed about the menu. My only quibble would be that wines by the glass are a bit pricey.

As much as I like little holes-in-the-wall, I like to be treated to a "nice', yet unstuffy atmosphere occasionally. Although the noise level can be high, and it would be hard to have a private conversation over dinner during peak times, I find the dining room very charming, and in that category of places that bridge the difficult territory between a "regular" spot and a special occasion choice.

I love this place, and would support the nomination for GNR status.

Had a lovely dinner with friends here on Friday evening. We split a bunch of appetizers, my favorite being grilled lamb ribs. The lamb was served on a bed of farro with lemon and favas, and the richness of the lamb was perfectly set off by the acid of the lemon. The other appetizers were fine, but nothing special IMO (duck gnocci, grilled sardines, octopus, potato w/artichokes). My main course was pasta with favas, lemon and parmesan, and the server said the large plate was not too big, but I thought it was a lot of food, and should have gotten the half or small portion. I thought it needed more lemon (I didn't taste any lemon, really) and a lot less butter. The DH had a steak dish that he said was good, but too salty.

The wine list was fine, and it didn't seem like the markup was at all unreasonable for the choices given. They allow corkage, with a $20 fee.

Service was pleasant, and even though it was crowded, and we were slow to decide on what we wanted, we didn't feel rushed. By the time we were finished, there were empty tables, so it didn't seem like they needed to turn every table in 1.5-2 hours or less. Pacing seemed comfortable to me, but I might have just been distracted a bit from the food by the good company. We were able to converse, though the room was loud. I was able to hear the person across from me and beside me, but we had a hard time hearing diagonally across the table.

Is the Prix Fixe menu only available on Sundays or is it also available on weeknights?

eatwisconsin wrote:Is the Prix Fixe menu only available on Sundays or is it also available on weeknights?

I seem to recall it was available Sunday-Wednesday, but it's best to call to confirm. If you find out, please let us know!

Hi,Marty Fosse here, owner of Anteprima the prix fixe menu is available Sunday through Thursday. The only exception is Valentines Day. Look forward to meeting you.

We were just discussing this terrific deal last night at dinner. It's my favorite of the prix fixe type options available out there--the food is so consistently good and it's by far the most flexible I've ever seen. Getting to make your own dinner between the apps, 1/2 pastas, mains and desserts is delicious fun!! In fact, I think we may have to go on Sunday

I'll be in town for 2 nights for a conference. Looks like I have one night spoken for now! This place sounds great.

Can anyone tell me what the Prix Fixe price is?

Last time I was there (a couple of months ago) it was $29 which is what it has been for at least a couple of years...there are few items like the steak that you can include for a $5 upcharge.

$29 is my recollection also. It's quite a lot of food (and excellent food) for the money.

incite wrote:Can anyone tell me what the Prix Fixe price is?

It's 3 courses (App, Main and choice of either Pasta or Dessert) for $29 with a slight up charge for steak of whole fish. Going with 2 people and splitting a patsa and dessert is the way to fly IMO.

JLenart wrote:It's 3 courses (App, Main and choice of either Pasta or Dessert) for $29 with a slight up charge for steak of whole fish. Going with 2 people and splitting a patsa and dessert is the way to fly IMO.

They are actually really flexible. I've often have different combinations like 2 apps and a full pasta or 2 half pastas and a main since I would rather eat their savory food than their desserts.

We went this past Sunday with some friends, my mom (in a wheelchair) and a 3-year-old. It was a bit crowded, but we did manage to all be seated. It helps that both my mom and our friends' daughter are well behaved But quarters were tight.

The waiter seemed a bit disconcerted at first, but got over it and offered a plate of plain pasta with butter, cheese, marinara, or a combo for our youngest guest - an off-menu item. I still thought the steak was salty (forgot this, or I would have mentioned to leave off some salt when ordering). We ordered the beet salad with gorgonzola and it was very good - nicely balanced.

One friend did the math and said even with the upcharge for steak or whole fish, the prix fixe menu was the best value if you were planning on getting two or more courses. Even if you ended up taking dessert home, it was worth it (unless you are one of those "I won't eat leftovers" people).

My wife and I had another really nice meal here last night. We both did the app, half pasta, main which remains a great deal and with so many fish selections allows some creativity in menu planning for my pescatarian wife. A couple highlights included the grilled lamb heart with grilled fennel, olive vinaigrette and orange zest...my only other experiece with heart in was at Mado and Anteprima's really blew it out of the park. The meat was a perfect med. rare, really tender and the olive vinaigrette/fennel/orange combo was awseome. Another standout was my wife's pine nut crusted swordfish with leeks, fennel, sundried tomato pesto and most notably a wonderful preserved eggplant puree. Pastas including a roasted chesnut ravioli and taglietelle with chanterelles were great as well. Anteprima continues to be my go to for this style of food and one of, if not my favorite places.

Couldn't ask for a better selection of late spring dishes on a very warm night. I couldn't even stick with my usual $29, 3 course prix fixe--there were so many starters that I wanted that I couldn't choose.

So here is what the two of us ordered and we ate EVERY bite!! I can't say enough about how much I love this place...

1st course
Grilled spring onions, calabrian chili vinaigrette, bread crumbs
Salmon tartare with English peas, peas shoots and basil

2nd course
Grilled marinated shrimp, spinach, spring onions, romesco, preserved lemon
Smoked rainbow trout, preserved lemon yogurt, radishes, english peas, mint

3rd course
1/2 order of Spaghetti Alla Gricia, pancetta, garlic, black pepper, pecorino
Warm asparagus salad with roasted mushrooms, spring onions, balsamic and parmigiano

4th course
1/2 order of Risotto with artichokes, asparagus, preserved lemon & parmigiano
Pan seared salmon, roasted mushrooms, artichokes, asparagus, lemon vinaigrette

Dessert course
Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp with whipped cream

Total tab--$104 which included a Negroni and another drink from the cocktail list--rye, strega and something else (and can't remember the name but it was fine) and a couple of tonic and limes. This was a seriously delicious meal for the money. Fresh, creative and thoughtful food for a great value.

Nice report, Anteprima always loads their menu with seasonal fare. I really have to get back soon.

Tiring day at work yesterday had me thinking ahead for a dinner that I didn't have to prepare. Three course meal for $29 at Anteprima answered the call. Mr. X and I got two starters, split a half order of pasta, two entrees and split a dessert. Add a bottle of Valpolicella on top of that and we were sated for just over $100 including tip. Our starters were the spicy mussels and the zucchini flowers. I didn't notice a ton of spice heat with the mussels, but really enjoyed the pancetta/garlic/mussel combined bites. The zucchini flowers were simple, yet very comforting and well-prepared. For the pasta, we had the gnocchi with roasted mushrooms, tomato and parmigiano. This dish, seemingly a regular on the menu, didn't wow me, but it made Mr. X happy. We both went fish for the entrees: arctic char with braised fennel for me and wood-grilled swordfish for him. (I didn't pay enough attention to the description of his dish.) The char was very nicely done and enjoyed the the fennel very much. Mr. X's swordfish suffered from too much time on the grill and was a little dry and overly smokey. The vegetables (roasted tomatoes, maybe peppers?) that came with his dish were delicious. We finished with the chocolate-hazelnut tart, and it was delicious.

Service was attentive and responsive. We sat at a two-top on the back wall as it was too windy outside to dine. Overall, it was a good meal and I look forward to going back.

I'm here at least twice a month and feel silly posting every time though I could. Delicious dinner last night, the highlights of which were a carne crudo with arugula and roasted mushrooms and a half order of perfectly cooked rigatoni with homemade ricotta and a full pork rib--enough meat to fill a small sandwich--on the half order!!! Mike's stuffed, roasted italian sweet peppers and cauliflower risotto were gorgeous as well. Almost amazing to me that we can still always snag a same day weekend reservation for this place although it was full last night. Not looking a gift horse in the mouth mind you, but with service, cocktails, wine list and, most of all, food this great, it's surprising nonetheless.

Enjoyed a really wonderful version of pasta alle sarde at a recent meal here. The pasta was properly done and lightly dressed but packed a ton of flavor. I could have eaten 3 bowls.

boudreaulicious wrote:Almost amazing to me that we can still always snag a same day weekend reservation for this place...

I know. I snagged a Mother's Day lunch reservation for 5 people with relatively short notice on Open Table, and I was like, "can this be real? There must be some mistake. How could I get this lucky? Well, I'm not complaining!" Everyone enjoyed their food immensely and all had a good time.

I'll chime in with more praise for what is going on these days at Anteprima. At a recent dinner, I had a wonderful whole grilled fish (with a small supplement) on the prix-fixe menu. It came perfectly seasoned and grilled, and was boned tableside - a nice touch of service that was unexpected. Wonder of wonders, the fish remained piping hot when I took the first bite. I am not sure how they do it - the place was slammed (Pride Weekend), we ordered a lot, and yet everything was fresh, perfectly cooked, and perfectly timed. I love Anteprima.

I eat here more than any other restaurant in Chicago (even Rainbow) and I can't imagine anyone being able to match their consistency in providing great food and terrific service, particularly with such frequently changing and market fresh ingredients. My only tiny quibble is with dessert. It's not as good as the rest of the menu and I always hope that one day they'll address that. But I'd rather have the 1/2 order of pasta anyway!!!!

boudreaulicious wrote:I eat here more than any other restaurant in Chicago (even Rainbow) and I can't imagine anyone being able to match their consistency in providing great food and terrific service, particularly with such frequently changing and market fresh ingredients. My only tiny quibble is with dessert. It's not as good as the rest of the menu and I always hope that one day they'll address that. But I'd rather have the 1/2 order of pasta anyway!!!!

Dessert at Anteprima = paying your check and walking over to George's for ice cream.

We just had another wonderful meal here this weekend. Perfect, delicately fried zucchini blossoms with a light tomato sauce, lamb meatballs, orecchiette with a spicy lamb ragu and greens, papparadelle with ragu, everything was perfect. I particularly like that I can get a half order of pasta as we're often on the motorcycle and can't get leftovers home easily. Terrific place.

My SO loves their Lemon Panna Cotta which is very good and makes him happy but I like a bit more variety...

jesteinf wrote:

boudreaulicious wrote:I eat here more than any other restaurant in Chicago (even Rainbow) and I can't imagine anyone being able to match their consistency in providing great food and terrific service, particularly with such frequently changing and market fresh ingredients. My only tiny quibble is with dessert. It's not as good as the rest of the menu and I always hope that one day they'll address that. But I'd rather have the 1/2 order of pasta anyway!!!!

Dessert at Anteprima = paying your check and walking over to George's for ice cream.

I've actually enjoyed dessert at Anteprima, particularly the lemon panna cotta and the chocolate hazelnut tart.