However, for those who seek something more affordable while enjoying comparable rustic Italian cuisine (mostly), there’s always Cafe Spiaggia (980 N. Michigan Ave.; SpiaggiaRestaurant/cafe), which is right next door.
Chef de Cuisine Joseph Flamm presides over a menu that’s as elegant as the cafe’s decor. (By the way, pray that you get Luis as your server. He’s pure entertainment.)
Although crudo is an option, we started with two other interesting appetizers: farm egg and Emilia Romagna on a plate. The egg dish was wonderful, delicately balancing polenta, truffle and Grana Padano cheese, while I could’ve dined on the latter item (with gnocco fritto, Prosciutto di Parma, fonduta and balsamico) all day.
As one would expect at an Italian restaurant, there’s a nice selection of pasta dishes. The gemelli comes with pine nuts, pancetta, garlic and the now-ubiquitous kale, while the gnocchi includes wild-boar ragu, Parmigiano Reggiano and basil.
Interestingly, the salad was suggested to eat after the pasta dish—but it didn’t dampen our enthusiasm for the greenery. The wild arugula-and-chicken salad (with grapes, balsamico and Grana Padano) was solid, but the strachetti skirt steak salad (with honey crisp apples, Grana Padano, arugula, pumpkin seeds and balsamico) was a standout, thanks to the especially flavorful meat.
Desserts quaintly conclude the meal, with items such as the pumpkin budino and pizzelle panino (wihich has a vanilla bean gelato, crunchy almond chocolate and cocoa nib glaze).
So check out Cafe Spiaggia; it provides all the elegance—without spending hundreds on a meal.