Restaurant Review: RPM Italian

After months of living in Chicago, I finally got to head over to RPM Italian. I’ve heard amazing things about this River North hot spot (like how it’s owned by by Guillana and Bill Rancic), so I was really excited to try it!

I won’t lie, I was a tad skeptical before going since my past experience with celebrity owned restaurants haven’t always been stellar. Luckily, this time, the hype did not disappoint! Everything from the food to the service was simply perfection.

If you’re an avid reader, then you know I ‘m totally obsessed with Chicago’s food scene, but it’s always fun to switch things up, right?. Well, this place was nothing like any Chicago restaurant I’ve been to. Between the decor and the ambience, I felt like RPM transported me out of Chicago and into one of  LA’s hottest restaurants.

Since some of the menu items are a little on the expensive side, I’m going to take the guess work out of ordering for you. Here are the 5 dishes you should splurge on since they simply shouldn’t be missed!

1) Prime Beef Meatballs ($10): Whether you’re a fan of meatballs or not, I would bet serious cash that you’ll love this dish. The sauce is sweet and rustic and the meatballs are so soft that they literally start falling apart when you pick them up. I’m fairly certain if you go to RPM and don’t order this dish, you will regret it.

2) Fresh Homemade Ricotta ($7): If you like cheese, than you’re going to love RPM’s homemade ricotta cheese. This is a perfect way to start your meal and is served with warm, crusty semolina toast. Here’s an insider tip: My favorite way to eat this dish is with the sauce from the meatballs. The salty ricotta and the sweet sauce go perfectly together!

3) Raviolo a la RPM ($15):  I like to share everything, but I’m sorry, this dish simply shouldn’t be split. Basically, you get one giant ravioli (homemade of course) stuffed with a farm fresh runny egg in a black truffle cream sauce and spinach. It’s totally over the top and decadent. After reading my description and realizing how calorie packed it probably is, maybe you should try and split this one…

4) 8oz All Natural Filet Mignon ($34): I know what you’re probably thinking, “who orders a steak at an Italian Restaurant”? Under most circumstances I would totally agree, but when RPM is making the steak, it simply defies all logic. My friend, Jake is actually the one who ordered this dish pre-sliced up for the table as an appetizer. I was blown away with how delicious it was. And for $34, it might be the best priced filet mignon in Chicago!

5) Spicy King Crab (with squid ink pasta) ($17): I’ll be completely honest, I don’t like crab very much and the thought of squid ink pasta has always sort of freaked me out. Under most circumstances I would never order this, but the rest of my friends wanted it and I wasn’t about to be the party pooper. Frankly, I was totally impressed by how delicious this actually was. After eating this, I have a feeling there will be lots of squid ink pasta in my future!

Usually, I’m able to get my recommendations (including dessert) in with just 5 suggestions, but with RPM, there were just too many good things! Although they aren’t in my earlier suggestions, the desserts shouldn’t be missed either. I love their cannoli, bomboloni and tartufo and I refuse to pick one to recommend.

My best advice, go with a group of friends and order all 3! 🙂

Love always,
Erica