The worst $800 meal I’ve ever had. Party of 7. Three people had steak frites and while they thought the cut of meat and French fries were good, the meat was too salty. The grilled broccoli was very salty. Two people had the 5 oz wagu filets again too salty, but mine had lots of fat along the sides, which you couldn’t see because of the poor lighting. We were in the back. And the noise was very high, not recommended for people who want quiet or are hard of hearing. And this was a Thursday night. The ravioli was very good and our guest had the carbonara which he raved about. The appetizers we had a small plate of calamari for $26 which was good but should have been told it’s not enough to share for a table of 7. Also should have both a marinara sauce and a white sauce. Also had the meatballs which were just ok by me. They came 4 for $26 and they were big enough to cut in half but we got two and they were not all eaten. The wine was good. We had chicken vesuvio but they took that off the menu. My second time at Formento’s will be my last. Sorry.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 5
Ruth
We are no strangers to Formento's and we've long admired their ability to hold onto the through-line while still innovating. Last time we dined, I was laser focused on some favorites (fried olives from Happy Hour menu & carpaccio). Last night we eyed newer menu items - grilled octopus with a celery puree (truly complimentary and different) and a corn ravioli that had some beautiful heat, as well as some items from the specials: watermelon salad and sungold tomato pasta with rock shrimp and a rich umami. Each one was fresh, distinct in flavor and texture and uniquely presented. Each outstanding! Again and again, we go for the service and the attention to allergies and other details that just mean a lot. You can please most anyone with the range of high quality preparations you get at Formento's from old school Italian, to steakhouse, to a taste you've never had. It's pretty special.
Jordan Rosenberg
We had 100 people upstairs for a rehearsal dinner, and it was perfect!! India and Karen in the party planning/catering dept for phenomenal!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Ken
We had a great dinner celebrating our anniversary with our family. Service was excellent, food was delicious, and overall vibe was great. We will definitely be back!
Samuel Horn
Service and food were excellent. We loved everything we ordered and our waiter was amazing.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Liz
Our server had way too many tables. He was very nice but wasn't super attentive or resp sure. I think the restaurant needs to reassess their Human Resources.
Oyin
Absolutely wonderful! A real gem that I will keep on the short list for any business dinner event as well as personal dining.
Lexi Vargas
Happy hour was great! The deals were awesome, the food was amazing, and our waitress (along with the rest of the staff) was super friendly and attentive. Definitely coming back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jim Hanlon
When they opened we lived down the street and it was a frequent stop. Been a few years but we went back for dinner and had a wonderful night. The food was fantastic, service on point, and we scored a great table on the terrace. The kitchen staff delivered plate after plate of amazing food. Loved my Fra Diavolo as it was just the right balance of hot but not overpowering sauce! My son's Steak Frites was also perfectly marinated and grilled.
The meal brought back some great memories of the early days in the West Loop. Bravo Formeto's you are not resting on your laurels. You still bring a first class dining experience.
If you are on the fence make that reservation! You will not be disappointed.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Gillian
Our food took more than an hour to arrive and then one of the pasta dishes was cold. Service was generally slow. It seemed as though the restaurant may have been under-staffed.
We would highly recommend Formento's. The whole eve I was a pleasure. Great cocktails to choose from while looking at menu. All the food was exceptional- bruschetta, Caesar salad, oysters, Bronzino and pork chop. Extensive wine list that allowed us to taste a great Super Tuscan. Dinner ended with coffee, blueberry crosses and basque cake with fruit and gelato. Service was perfect- not clawing, but attentive. Our new go to place
Terry
Great place to dine and love the staff. Only downfall is I had an infant who needed changing and there are no changing stations. Thankful I live local and close enough but it's tough to think the restaurant doesn't have a changing station.
Scott Kramer
Probably the best Italian place in Chicago today. Hand made pasta, dishes include passion to make high quality great food. The staff is unbelievable in taking care of guests. Its truly a gem and ironically you usually can get in here to enjoy a meal despite the accolades and large crowds.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Molly
Our server was so fantastic! He generously sent some complementary dishes out for us to try, and was so accommodating for our large group.
megan fleck
I booked a last minute reservation here for a work dinner, which was a party of ten. The service and food blew us all out of the water. Our server, David Hunter, was absolutely phenomenal and took such great care of us. He remembered all of the table's dietary restrictions and allergies and took great care to ensure we were all taken care of, including bringing out gluten free bread without us even requesting it. The food was incredible and our team could not stop raving about it the next day. Truly a 10/10 experience!
The worst $800 meal I’ve ever had. Party of 7. Three people had steak frites and while they thought the cut of meat and French fries were good, the meat was too salty. The grilled broccoli was very salty. Two people had the 5 oz wagu filets again too salty, but mine had lots of fat along the sides, which you couldn’t see because of the poor lighting. We were in the back. And the noise was very high, not recommended for people who want quiet or are hard of hearing. And this was a Thursday night. The ravioli was very good and our guest had the carbonara which he raved about. The appetizers we had a small plate of calamari for $26 which was good but should have been told it’s not enough to share for a table of 7. Also should have both a marinara sauce and a white sauce. Also had the meatballs which were just ok by me. They came 4 for $26 and they were big enough to cut in half but we got two and they were not all eaten. The wine was good. We had chicken vesuvio but they took that off the menu. My second time at Formento’s will be my last. Sorry.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 5
We are no strangers to Formento's and we've long admired their ability to hold onto the through-line while still innovating. Last time we dined, I was laser focused on some favorites (fried olives from Happy Hour menu & carpaccio). Last night we eyed newer menu items - grilled octopus with a celery puree (truly complimentary and different) and a corn ravioli that had some beautiful heat, as well as some items from the specials: watermelon salad and sungold tomato pasta with rock shrimp and a rich umami. Each one was fresh, distinct in flavor and texture and uniquely presented. Each outstanding! Again and again, we go for the service and the attention to allergies and other details that just mean a lot. You can please most anyone with the range of high quality preparations you get at Formento's from old school Italian, to steakhouse, to a taste you've never had. It's pretty special.
We had 100 people upstairs for a rehearsal dinner, and it was perfect!! India and Karen in the party planning/catering dept for phenomenal!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We had a great dinner celebrating our anniversary with our family. Service was excellent, food was delicious, and overall vibe was great. We will definitely be back!
Service and food were excellent. We loved everything we ordered and our waiter was amazing.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Our server had way too many tables. He was very nice but wasn't super attentive or resp sure. I think the restaurant needs to reassess their Human Resources.
Absolutely wonderful! A real gem that I will keep on the short list for any business dinner event as well as personal dining.
Happy hour was great! The deals were awesome, the food was amazing, and our waitress (along with the rest of the staff) was super friendly and attentive. Definitely coming back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
When they opened we lived down the street and it was a frequent stop. Been a few years but we went back for dinner and had a wonderful night. The food was fantastic, service on point, and we scored a great table on the terrace. The kitchen staff delivered plate after plate of amazing food. Loved my Fra Diavolo as it was just the right balance of hot but not overpowering sauce! My son's Steak Frites was also perfectly marinated and grilled.
The meal brought back some great memories of the early days in the West Loop. Bravo Formeto's you are not resting on your laurels. You still bring a first class dining experience.
If you are on the fence make that reservation! You will not be disappointed.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Our food took more than an hour to arrive and then one of the pasta dishes was cold. Service was generally slow. It seemed as though the restaurant may have been under-staffed.
Restaurantji Recommends
We would highly recommend Formento's. The whole eve I was a pleasure. Great cocktails to choose from while looking at menu. All the food was exceptional- bruschetta, Caesar salad, oysters, Bronzino and pork chop. Extensive wine list that allowed us to taste a great Super Tuscan. Dinner ended with coffee, blueberry crosses and basque cake with fruit and gelato. Service was perfect- not clawing, but attentive. Our new go to place
Great place to dine and love the staff. Only downfall is I had an infant who needed changing and there are no changing stations. Thankful I live local and close enough but it's tough to think the restaurant doesn't have a changing station.
Probably the best Italian place in Chicago today. Hand made pasta, dishes include passion to make high quality great food. The staff is unbelievable in taking care of guests. Its truly a gem and ironically you usually can get in here to enjoy a meal despite the accolades and large crowds.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Our server was so fantastic! He generously sent some complementary dishes out for us to try, and was so accommodating for our large group.
I booked a last minute reservation here for a work dinner, which was a party of ten. The service and food blew us all out of the water. Our server, David Hunter, was absolutely phenomenal and took such great care of us. He remembered all of the table's dietary restrictions and allergies and took great care to ensure we were all taken care of, including bringing out gluten free bread without us even requesting it. The food was incredible and our team could not stop raving about it the next day. Truly a 10/10 experience!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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