Monteverde - Madison

The food and service were exceptional. This place is a noteworthy addition to the Chicago dining scene! read more The food and service were exceptional. This place is a noteworthy addition to the Chicago dining scene!

One minor disappointment was that the standout dish, while excellent, edged slightly towards being too salty for my taste. The Octopus Spiedino was a bit mushy,... read more One minor disappointment was that the standout dish, while excellent, edged slightly towards being too salty for my taste. The Octopus Spiedino was a bit mushy, and the Summer Vegetable Caesar salad strayed far enough from a traditional Caesar that it left me confused by its designation. On a positive note, our friendly and attentive server provided a fantastic and reasonably priced wine suggestion. The individual in our group who ordered a cocktail absolutely loved it. Additionally, I appreciated the thoughtful gesture mentioned on the menu, indicating that several dishes contribute to Hurricane Harvey relief efforts—what a generous touch from the immensely talented Chef Grueneberg.

We started with a snack of prosciutto, butter, and radish, served on half a slice of rye. It wasn’t anything to write home about. Next, we ordered three small p... read more We started with a snack of prosciutto, butter, and radish, served on half a slice of rye. It wasn’t anything to write home about. Next, we ordered three small plates: egg yolk raviolo, gnocchi with pesto, and cacio e pepe. The pesto was fantastic, but the pasta was more akin to cremettes than the light, fluffy kind we're used to. The egg yolk was served cold and didn’t sit well on the palate. On the other hand, the spaghetti-like cacio e pepe was good—slightly spicy, flavorful, and served hot. The raspberry sorbet was a standout, boasting great flavor and the perfect temperature. However, we encountered a problem when we requested slight modifications to some dishes due to allergies. The staff was completely inflexible, conveying the message that the chef prepares the dishes in a specific way and they don’t accommodate changes. It was a take-it-or-leave-it attitude. Many other restaurants in the area, even those with more renowned chefs, go out of their way to ensure customer satisfaction. Given the abundance of excellent choices nearby, we will opt for other establishments in the future.

From the beginning to the end dining at Monteverde was an amazing and exceptional experience. Our server Rose was beyond helpful and helped to guide us through... read more From the beginning to the end dining at Monteverde was an amazing and exceptional experience. Our server Rose was beyond helpful and helped to guide us through the entire dining process. I had been looking forward to dining here for months and it did not disappoint. This was one of the top dining experiences I have ever had.

We ordered 4 dishes and there's no way that I could pick a favorite. Also, don't skip dessert. The desserts are equally as good as the pastas and probably deser... read more We ordered 4 dishes and there's no way that I could pick a favorite. Also, don't skip dessert. The desserts are equally as good as the pastas and probably deserve more recognition.