Bar Roma Chicago

Bar Roma is my favorite restaurant in Chicago's Andersonville area, hands down. This is kind of a big deal because Italian food is definitely not my favorite cuisine (Vietnamese is my top choice, followed by Mexican, in case you were wondering).

So why is it Bar Roma so awesome?

(1) Handmade pasta, meatballs, sauces, bread! Everything is fresh and packed with flavor, (2) vegetarian friendly! The Cacio Pepe is to die for!, (3) on-the-house fresh bread served with olive oil and parmesan, (4) original salad dishes with bright, fresh flavors, (5) Happy Hour 5-6:30 pm EVERYDAY! $6 wine and ½ price appetizers (6) ½ price wine bottles on Monday (6) incredible service, (7) excellent ambiance, (8) mouth-watering charcuterie (Anitpasto Misto), (9) "Impossible" meatballs—spinach and mushroom pomodoro (Verdura), (10) LIMONCELLO!

When Bar Roma first opened, I was little hesitant because I’ve never been a huge meatball fanatic and I was afraid the menu might be a too rich for my palate. Their menu completely changed my opinion about the potential of Italian food. I’ve enjoyed everything I’ve ever tried there! A major plus about Bar Roma is the people running it. Almost every time my wife and I go, one of the owners, Julia, always says hello and follows up on previous conversations (she remembers!).

Bar Roma is perfect for a date or large group. It’s tourist-free but can be packed with locals so consider making a reservation if you want to be safe.