Vito & Nick’s Pizzeria

WHAT: Vito & Nick’s Pizzeria
WHERE: 8433 S. Pulaski Rd.

OUR RATING: Do It!

Feel like a road trip? If you’re on the Southwest Side, or perhaps on your way out of state via I-55 S, make sure you stop in for your last taste of Chicago before the rolling cornfields. Vito & Nick’s (the first location opening in 1932) has been locally owned and operated ever since, and serving extremely thin crust Chicago pizza and cheap beer. Plenty of foodies have been here before us, so this might be old news, but we’re fairly sure this pizzeria deserve a few more photons from us.

(vitoandnicks.com)

Adam: Bustling and traditional, Vito & Nick’s is a staple of any Chicago experience. Since it’s located slightly outside the city-proper, in the Ashburn neighborhood, it might not be on everyone’s docket list, but I can assure you that pizza doesn’t get more Chicago than this. Conviviality brims over here, with the owner, Rose, personally bringing your order to the table and trading jokes as you pass.

(vitoandnicks.com)

Of course, this being Chicago, the pizzas are HUGE and a large can easily feed four. Uniquely, they take into account that you might all have different tastes, but not want to order four pizzas. Thus, you can order a half-and-half pizza, customized as you choose. The simple cheese pizza is thin and juicy, and with a good sprinkling of red pepper, cannot really be faulted.

(vitoandnicks.com)

A selection of toppings can be added to your pizza for an additional charge of $1.75 each (shrimp $3.50). A good combination you can try: sliced beef and giardiniera. Beef is generously layered with the spicy and sumptuous giardiniera to create what should be an American classic.

Alicia: Owner Rose has pepperoni and personality, and will definitely take care of you as soon as you walk through her family’s doors. My family has frequented this establishment a few times over the last year, having heard of it last summer. This is the perfect place for a casual friend/family night out, especially if you are on the outskirts of the city. Ashburn doesn’t quite feel like the city, but who cares when you can grab a large pizza and a pint of beer for under $20?

(vitoandnicks.com)

We went splitsies on both of our large pizzas, and I was more than happy to dig into to a half pepperoni and half mushroom. To be honest, I was underwhelmed with my toppings, with the pepperoni being nothing special and oh-so-normal, and with the mushrooms tasting canned and a bit slimy (so I wasn’t so disappointed there weren’t many on the pizza). But it was the cheese and the ultra thin and crispy crust that made the whole experience delicious, and I was loving both centers and outside crust pieces alike.

Service was great and made me feel I was in the friendly-welcoming suburbs, and with $7 for an accompanying pitcher of beer, you can’t really go wrong.

(vitoandnicks.com)

Final Thoughts: You have to come prepared for Vito & Nick’s. With no delivery option, you have to be ready to trek out to Ashburn, and you have to have some cash in your pocket, as they don’t take cards or checks. Oh, and come super hungry, because really, that’s the only way to go. And if you’re not a proponent of the saying “Pizza’s not for breakfast,” you’re in luck: they even serve an egg pizza with five sunny-side eggs cooked right into the cheese.

Balena

WHAT: Balena (Italian)
WHERE: 1633 N. Halsted St.

OUR RATING: Do It!

A place providing physical ease, the relaxation of invitingly comfy furnishings, a spacious atmosphere and a bold simplification of food, Lincoln Park’s Balena is an upscale Italian eatery perfect for pre-show cocktails or a full-on meal. Complete with an impressive cocktail menu, an array of pizzas and other small bites, it also has a nice dessert menu. To be certain, this place is definitely a bit upscale for one’s wallet, but you’re sure to find something you love here.

Margherita Pizza (Photo: Nick Kindelsperger)

Adam: Pizza: traditional, Italian, fun! And not what I would normally get at an Italian restaurant! But, with all the talk of Balena’s magnificent pizzas, I just had to make an exception. Trying both the margherita and mushroom pizzas, I can honestly say that Balena gets this right. Fresh mozzarella, basil and tomato make for an established choice, named for Queen Margherita of Savoy, who thought the colours resembled the Italian flag. It’s fitting that Old World basil, the King of Herbs, is paired with the New World tomato here, for the merging of cultures elevates this dish to new heights.

Mushroom Pizza (opentable.com)

I also tried their mushroom pizza, topped with fontina cheese, taleggio cheese (so ancient that Cicero talked of his liking for it), scallions and thyme. Very Italian, delicate and delectable, you can imagine yourself taking supper on Lake Como with this fabulous combination.

Having a penchant for wine, I decided to try two, both a red and a white, to go with the margherita and mushroom pizzas, respectively. The red was the lovely Stefano Farina “Le Brume Langhe”, a mixture of Nebbiolo, Barbera, and Merlot, from Piedmont (2007 12 / 39). Quite full and a perfect complement to tomatoes, black plum comes through strongly, with a definite blackberry flavor and a hint of coffee. Most certainly recommended, Pliny the Elder drank a variety of this wine while in Piedmont – if it’s good enough for old Pliny, it’s certainly good enough for me!

(Photo: Eric Kleinberg)

Onward then, to the white wine, a Salviano “Orvieto” of Procanico grapes (first cultivated for the Pope) from Umbria (2010 11 / 39). Making an excellent and light pairing with the mushroom pizza, pear is the dominant flavor, along with apple and a minerally aftertaste. Refreshing and relaxing, this wine makes for the perfect end to an evening.

A highly enjoyable experience, which I hope to repeat soon.

(balenachicago.com)

Alicia: Balena mixologist Debbi Peek crafts some crazy cocktails that explore a variety of Western European bitters and, more specifically, Italian Amari. The bitterness of each of their drinks is rated on a “1-10” scale, a “1” representing the least and a “10” the most bitter. I must admit that my palate hasn’t quite accepted bitters favorably in the past, so I went for a safer option with their Rosemary No2, a well-balanced mix of campari, aperol, fresh sour, egg white, and delicately flamed rosemary. Definitely a fun drink and a great immersion into the world of bitters, with subtle, yet dangerously potent flavors.

(vodamagazine.com)

After kicking off the night with a cocktail, I ordered their spicy sausage, red onion, tomato and mozzarella pizza with a glass of their Andrian “Somerto” Chardonnay, Alto Aldige 2011. You might hesitate to mix these two, as red wine is usually a safer bet to pair with sausage. But I was crazy to try their Somerto so I just went for it. The wine was delicate with a hint of peach, but I failed to really catch the mango and grilled nuts as listed in the description. It was nonetheless crisp and refreshing, and I give major thanks to Balena for their more than generous pouring.

Mushroom Pizza (Photo: Nick Kindelsperger)

As for the pizza, I usually don’t go for sausage, as I always think most places overcook their meat, but Balena’s sausage was tender and juicy. It wasn’t very spicy, which was fine by me because the lack of spice and the delicate mozzarella cheese paired with my wine quite nicely. And the dough was perfect: thin but substantial, with puffy, chewy edges.

(balenachicago.com)

Final Thoughts: Chef Chris Pandel works wonders with Peter Becker, who runs the restaurant’s bread program, and we’re just itching to go back and try some of their other breads and perhaps dig into a bowl of pasta or two. And while we didn’t save room with our trio of pizzas and glasses of wine, we hear pastry chef Amanda Rockman’s desserts really do rock, so we’re definitely headed back for more. If you get a chance, don’t forget to check out their cavern-esque cellar/event space downstairs as well!

Vertigo Sky Lounge

WHAT: Vertigo Sky Lounge
WHERE: 2 W. Erie St. (Dana Hotel & Spa)

OUR RATING: Do It!

Recently, Storefront City had the unique opportunity to attend the Chicago Reader’s 2nd Annual People Issue Party, honoring the 25 Chicagoans featured in this year’s People Issue and held at Vertigo Sky Lounge. We enjoyed complimentary cocktails from Tuaca, Korbel, Gentleman Jack and El Jimador, food from Benny’s Chop House, and music spun by DJ All the Way Kay. We loved the lounge so much in fact that we attended Fire & Ice, their relaunch of their ice bar, this past Friday.

(vertigoskylounge.com)

Situated at the top of the Dana Hotel on the 26th floor of the Dana Hotel and Spa, Vertigo Sky Lounge is the only year-round, indoor/outdoor lounge in Chicago. Ready for this? They have an outdoor fire-pit and in the winter, the city’s only outdoor rooftop ice bar, 10-feet and 3,000 pounds of pure ice!

One of the major reasons Vertigo floats our boat is the total lack of a cover charge. You can literally just turn up, show your ID, check your coat downstairs (complimentary) and head on up to one of the sleekest experiences in the city. If you are visiting on a weekend, make sure you arrive early, as a line develops extremely quickly.

At this point, you have a choice: either squeeze into a space inside on one of the beautiful upholstered and plush window seats, grab a drink from one of Vertigo’s 3 indoor bars, or head out to the rooftop lounge, which is the highlight of this space. If you aren’t lucky enough to snag a free El Jimador margarita at an event, drinks will set you back $6-14 (since this is the city, that’s practically tuppence).

Bartenders are quick and polite, not making a fuss with preparation and being genial in every respect. Although we didn’t get a chance, you may also want to try some of their light bites: sushi, sliders and sharing platters make up the bulk of this menu. But this is nothing compared to the unparalleled outdoor space Vertigo offers if you’re courageous enough to brave the cold weather.

(vertigoskylounge.com)

Festoon yourself in one of the lovely black terrycloth robes, a faux fur blanket or two, and amble onto the patio that, in this season, features a solid ice bar, ice sculptures and a roaring fire pit, stools included. You can even order flaming drinks at the ice bar, making a well-rounded fire and ice experience.

Storefront City and friends enjoy the fire pit!

Also included are a selection of ice tables, which keep your drink cold while you stay toasty. It’s an entire new and magical world, a play land for adults in the middle of a Chicago winter. The whole setup reminds one of a scene from James Bond, so make sure you have your pithy remarks ready.

(vertigoskylounge.com)

Another nice feature of this lounge are the bathrooms. They are kept immaculate and also include a chalkboard for you to write your comments on (yes, we left a message there).

So, if you are in the Gold Coast, drop in and have a martini or two while reminiscing about the last time you skied through the Alps after gambling with Goldfinger in Monte Carlo. Oh, and do make sure you are well dressed.

Pizzeria Via Stato

WHAT: Pizzeria Via Stato (Part of Osteria Via Stato)
WHERE: 620 North State St.

OUR RATING: Do it!

(photo courtesy of osteriaviastato.com)

If you want to enjoy a casual meal in an intimate and traditional setting, Pizzeria Via Stato, the lunch section of Osteria Via Stato, is the perfect combination of downtown dining at lunchable prices. From delicious pizza to healthful salads, we’re sure this pizzeria will pique the fancy of even the most seasoned traveler of the Italian peninsula (and, trust us, we’ve both trekked through it).

The room was a bit dark, but tread a nice border between being intimate and fun, almost with an upscale tavern feeling. Your table, made from recycled wine boxes, is laid in a simple style, with the essential Mediterranean garnish of bread (crusty and warm!) and olive oil. As far as prices go, salads averaged at around $8, sandwiches around $10 and pizzas around $12.

Adam chose to order the simple mushroom tavern pizza. Topped with tomato sauce, mushrooms, vidalia onions, and mozzarella, this pizza’s crisp and light crust proved a welcome change from the heavy (and, might we say, stodgier) offerings of the deep dish available elsewhere in town. Although not identified specifically, the mushrooms seem to have been the common white variety and added an earthy level to the overall flavors. This was complemented by the sweet vidalias that lent this uniquely Italian dish a hint of the American. The mozzarella brought the whole confection back to its Italian routes. Overall the pizzas were generously sized and more than enough for one person (we would consider either splitting or taking some home in the future).

(photo courtesy of osteriaviastato.com)

Meanwhile, Alicia ordered the chopped salad with romaine, roasted chicken and a sweet mustard vinaigrette, which was amazingly delicious. The salad was gigantic and the roasted chicken practically melted in your mouth along with the sweet mustard vinaigrette, which fortunately did not overdress the romaine. All of this was complemented by the lovely crunch of fresh celery. They went a little heavy on the parmesan cheese, but other than that, it was definitely a must-order.

Experience an Italy more intimate than Little Italy and try Pizzeria Via Stato!