Pasta Bowl has three locations that serve up mouth-watering pasta dishes, or rather, as the name implies, “pasta bowls.” You can find them in Wicker Park, Lincoln Park, or the Lincoln Square neighborhoods, all three of which are nestled in lively areas with plenty of things to do before or after your meal.

When I first moved downtown, Pasta Bowl was the perfect date night spot or take-out choice to suit my student budget. They also have daily specials, like $5 wine glass Wednesdays or rotating seasonal dishes.

The dish to order here is their lobster ravioli, which is cooked with a bang-for-your-buck heap of fresh lobster pocketed away in a ravioli circle. It’s topped with a delectable cream sauce I like to soak up with a piece of Italian bread.

Pasta Bowl boasts about being a laid-back restaurant with fresh dishes, but if you’re not in the mood for a bite, they also act as a bar. In fact, their Lincoln Park location is connected to The Other Side Bar, a cozy spot for a pint. However, all of their locations have an extensive drink menu in case it’s you and your group are looking for just drinks and apps.