Cafe Bionda
| Address: | 1924 S State St, Chicago, IL 60616, USA |
| Phone: | +1 312-326-9800 |
| Site: | cafebionda.com |
| Rating: | 4 |
| Working: | 11AM–11PM 11AM–11PM 11AM–11PM 11AM–11PM 11AM–12AM 11AM–12AM 11AM–10PM |
Location
Photos 89
Reviews 7
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Jonathan Lesnick
Been here a few times, the service is always middling and the food only decent but this time was the last straw. We had a chicken parmigiana and a Gnocchi. The chicken, which is supposed to be crispy, was drenched in marinara which rendered it quite soggy, not what youd expect for $22. The gnocchi was more like soup of microwaved gnocchi. The thing was drowning in a very thin sauce that literally submerged all of the gnocchi. The crumbled sausage was nowhere to be found. Flavor wasnt awful, but it was very clearly microwaved. Certain areas were warm-ish, other areas were scalding hot. Add to that the soupy sauce that it was drowned in and you have a clear case of microwaved food. Again, not what youd expect for $22. Refills on drinks or comments about the food were not possible as our server was M.I.A. during the entire duration of our meal. It was a stretch of over 30 minutes that she never came over to us. After we were done eating we had to wait another long while for her to come over and pack our food and give us the check. At this point my dining partner was just absolutely fed up with this experience (her last night in the States and she wanted a nice Italian dining experience). She went up to the waitress while we were on our way out and asked for the manager. She gave a smirk and went over to get him. As my dining partner went over what was wrong with the manager, only two things happened: the only words to come out of his mouth were "oh im sorry," and he was smirking, bordering on smiling, the entire time. What that was all about is beyond me. I dont know if the pair were high, friends protecting each other or more, who knows. All i know is that this is the last time were going here. I know its convenient for us south loopers when we dont feel like trekking out to the north side, but do yourself a favor, dont go here, make the trek up to the north side or UKV and have some real italian food thats actually good and that comes along with actual service.
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KezCaL
Pretty terrible. Entire place was pewttt empty except theee tables, and we were originally seated in an unfavorable table. Asked to be moved and was met with hesitation but was moved. Then was provided water and bread and marinara by the busboy. Server comes by and asks a table near us of three gentleman if they were okay. Ignores us. Server then assists two other tables near us. Ignores us again. Ten minutes went by. No drink orders taken and no food orders taken. Busboy comes back and tops off water glasses. Marinara sauce was absolutely flavorless - very little garlic or any other seasoning - and bread was dry and hard. Now 15 minutes and no drink or food order taken. Busboy returns with more water. My guest and I get up and leave after 17 minutes, and asks the hostess if we can pay for our bread. She says "Im sure the server will be right over...?" No thanks. We left. Im glad we didnt stay because I knew after tasting that bland and chunky marinara that the $26 plate of lasagna probably wasnt going to be very good. This cafe is terribly overpriced (its next to a Subway, a burger joint? and a $10/pp Thai restaurant...come on. Just because youre on State Street doesnt mean you should be overpriced with poor service) and I wont return.
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Michael Hawkins
We wanted something simple but Italian, so we decided on spaghetti and meatballs. Since we has just returned from a long trip we wanted to use a nearby restaurant. I should have known not to order when we asked if they had a bolognese sauce to add to the dish and the person on the phone, said the chef can make some. I said you mean he has already made it and can just add it. She said no he will make it. I know it take hours to make this sauce but order anyway. When I picked up the order which was 2 orders of spaghetti and meatballs with bolognese sauce and extra meatballs along with an order of calamari. The calamari was soggy rubber and the no taste sauce on the overcooked spaghetti had absolutely no seasoning or taste. The meatballs were just as tasteless and the bolognese sauce was chopped up meatball added to the spaghetti. This was one of the worst overpriced meals that I have ever had to choke down.
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A Private User
Great food, excellent portions. We were a party of 8, I arrived early ordered a wine-was told there was to be one bill but I could purchase and pay now. Gave the waitress a $20 for my $8.50 glass of wine, a 2nd friend arrived-ordered a glass also. The waitres brought the wine with the bill which I added $8 one dollar bills on a $23.36 total. she informed me I didnt look at the bill right and I told her I had given her a $20 which she put in her apron. She said I didnt but when she looked there it was. By that time our hosting friend came in and she insisted that the drinks go on her bill. To which the waitress threw my $20 and 8 ones in the center of the table. How rude! I was going to leave her a $5 tip anyway but not after that NO WAY.
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A Private User
Forget the construction and remodeling that was going on outside when i was taken as a guest to Cafe Bionda last October, the atmosphere was uber relaxing with low lighting, dark hardwood panneling and brick accents. Their Wine selection is out of this world. But the real reason that I must get back to Chicago is for their Chicken Parmesan. No word in any language has yet been created to express the joy I felt while experiencing the most perfect Chicken Parm Ive eaten to date. If youre in Chicago, you must have a night out at Cafe Bionda, If youre not in Chicago, get there and have a night out at Cafe Bionda.
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Tom Coleman
My now fiancee took me here for my birthday dinner, I had it planned out to purpose that evening. The staff and manager Paulie, went out of there way to make this possible for me. The food at Cafe Bionda is Fantastic!! We had a great meal, in a great atmosphere!! I highly recommend going here for a romantic dinner, or even a night out with the family. My fiancee had ordered the Veal francese, she loved it. I had a bacon crusted sirloin that was out of this world!! The fried calamari was some of the best that Ive ever had at any restaurant!! Anyways all around it was a GREAT place, and cant wait to go again.
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Kenny Ivey
You definitely cannot go wrong with this place. And the veal milanese with the arugula salad is bad@ss. I do not want any other entrée other than that. I am sure there are many other items on the dinner menu that are just as good, but why mess up a good thing? The waitstaff was totally awesome! My friend and I, sat at our table for 3hrs for dinner, and not once did we get any indication from the staff that we were holding up the table. Of course to show the gratitude, I doubled the tip standard. Thus in my book, Cafe Bionda rocks!!!
