Restaurant Review: Siena Tavern

When heading over to Siena Tavern in Chicago’s this past weekend, I thought to myself , “Any restaurant owned by Top Chef alum (and fan favorite), Fabio Viviani is going to be great, right?”

Wrong.

It’s wasn’t just great. It was totally and utterly an incredible and unforgettable experience.

Let’s rewind. Last weekend, my sister was supposed to come to town. Since I knew about it months in advance (and thats how long it can take to get in), I booked a table at Siena Tavern. I’d been dying to go and was so excited to try it (I had gone for lunch once before, but it’s totally different for dinner). Then, just a couple days before she was supposed to come, her schedule change she she told me she would be coming in the following weekend. I wasn’t able to change my reservation since they were fully booked. I was totally bummed.

I quickly turned that frown upside down and rounded-up my boyfriend and our best Chicago friends, Brian and Amy and headed over there (there was no way in the world I would give up this culinary opportunity).

Before I go into the food review, I think it’s important to mention that the service at Siena Tavern is truly a standout. Our waiter was very knowledgeable about the menu and chimed in with lots of recommendations while guiding us through their seasonal menu. The manager (who had no idea I would be reviewing the restaurant), even came over mid-meal to make sure we were really enjoying our experience. It’s nice that they understand how exciting it is to be eating there and make an effort to make you feel even more special.

A+ Fabio…

Here is what we ate and my thoughts on each dish:

1) Coccoli ($14): The only thing bad about this dish is that I sound stupid when I try to pronounce it. It’s difficult to describe (see below for a photo), but it’s basically four light, yet crispy italian savory doughnuts that you cut open and stuff with a piece of stracchino cheese wrapped in prosciutto di parma and drizzled with truffle honey.

The entire thing melts in your mouth. It’s sweet, salty, savory and straight up delicious. Order it. Thank me after.

2) Harvest Salad ($12): This seasonal salad is a must get when you go to Siena Tavern (it was so good, it was gone before I got to take a photo). The genius blend of apple, butternut squash, pomegranate seeds, radicchio and candied hazelnuts is unlike anything I’ve ever tasted. The worst part is, this isn’t a staple menu item, so make sure you get there quick to try it before the season changes!

Although if you  miss it, I wouldn’t worry too much. When I went for lunch a couple months ago, I had the watermelon salad (which was their last seasonal salad) and I’m still dreaming about it today.

3) Burrata ($12): Frankly, if burrata is on a menu anywhere, I am going to order it. Not only is it one of my favorites, but it’s something I’ll probably never be able to make myself, so I take the opportunity to order it whenever I can. I think I’ve actually become sort of a burrata snob since I’ve eaten it so much.

That being said, whatever Fabio does to his burrata takes the dish to another level. It has the perfect creamy texture and served with an incredible tomato jam. Downside, it’s a little small for the price

4) Smoked Mozzarella ($12): I’m actually not a huge fan of smoked cheeses, but this one had such an insane array of accompaniments, I didn’t mind. The fresh cheese is served with grilled escarole, candied walnuts and local honey comb (wow). I’ll take smoked cheese any day if I can eat it like that! Oh and that bread that they serve with their cheeses will surely be apart of my last meal (you get it with the burrata also).

5) Gnocchi ($16): These little pillows of heaven are served with a decadent truffle cream and topped with fried sage and crispy pancetta. I’m not sure I’ve ever had fresh pasta that tasted this good. I wouldn’t expect any less from a born and bread Italian chef!

7) Cinque Formaggi Pizza($16): The pizza’s at Siena Tavern are the best deal on the whole menu. Not only are they from scratch and totally incredible, but they are relatively inexpensive for how much food you get. This particular pie was loaded up with fontina, taleggio, gorgonzola, mozzarella and parmesan. Served on a delicious crispy crust with their house-made sauce.

If you ever want to try Siena Tavern on a budget, just order this pizza, split it with a friend and you won’t regret it.

8) Prosciutto Pear Pizza ($17): This pizza was probably my least favorite dish of the night for the simple fact that I wanted more pear! While the roasted garlic cream sauce was superb, I just felt like we got shafted a little bit in the fruit department. With 99% of the other dishes being nearly perfect, I’ll forgive this with no regrets.

9) Bombolini ($9): I think this is the first time I have ever thought that a dish was underpriced. These little italian sweet doughnuts are covered in sugar and served with four seasonal dipping sauces that literally blew my mind. My favorite was the whisky carmel, but I found the chocolate hazelnut, raspberry chianti and pumpkin-spice cream pretty irresistible.

I had these when I came for lunch and couldn’t get them out of my mind for weeks. I still can’t stop thinking about them…

So that about rounds out my meal at Siena Tavern. Are you salivating yet? If you are, I promise, I won’t judge you…

Love always,
Erica