Siena Tavern

Since our family is huge Top Chef fans, we wanted to check out chef Fabio Viviani's new restaurant in Chicago on Kinzie Street. After my parents and I met my brother at Siena Tavern, I just had to write about my meal there. It was surprisingly busy for a Sunday afternoon, which gave a nice ambiance that didn't feel stuffy or empty. Once we sat down, we looked at a menu with a nice variety of enticing antipastos, pastas, pizzas and sandwiches. When it came time to order, I was tempted to try one of the wood-fired oven pizzas, but the cauliflower "zuppa of the day" stood out. For the table, per our waitress' recommendation, we ordered the crispy dough Coccoli and grilled octopus. When the Coccoli arrived, it was presented on a beautiful wooden cheese platter with a truffle honey, prosciutto, and house made ricotta. It was an interesting presentation, and an even more interesting combination of flavors I thoroughly enjoyed. The grilled octopus was delicious with duck fat potatoes and a nice kick from some chiles. Next came my "zuppa", served in a pretty white bowl. Too hot to eat at first, I waited in excited anticipation. In the mean time, I tried my mom's salad with crisp watermelon radish, peanuts and jicama. Again, I really liked the flavor combinations of the tart grapefruit and creamy avocado with the crunch of the lettuce. All around a great and fresh salad. When I finally tried the soup, I was surprised at how much I liked it. It was creamy, but a basil olive oil and chives helped cut through with some much needed freshness. With impeccable pacing, our next courses arrived and most notably my brother got a truffle and sage gnocchi and I got a Kobe beef meatball sandwich. Both were delicious, but I have to say I was partial to the sandwich although my brother thoroughly enjoyed the gnocchi. The meatballs themselves were so tender and flavorful. They were in a spicy arrabbiata sauce with some provolone and onions for added flavor. It was an all around great experience, and then my brother (the eating machine he is) got some Italian "bombolini" donuts to finish off a great meal. My experience at Siena Tavern was great with impeccable timing, flavor combinations and atmosphere; I can't wait to get back!