We returned to Rose Mary yesterday for an early dinner and were incredibly underwhelmed. Everything seemed to lack flavor- the pesto sauce for the zucchini fritters tasted like nothing this time, and the bucatini was incredibly bland. While the pasta is fresh and tasty, the lack of seasoning and depth of flavor during this visit was disappointing, particularly considering the price of the dishes. The zucchini fritters, which I looked forward to all week, tasted overcooked and possibly made in old oil as the flavor was really harsh. We avoided the risotto this time because it was so underwhelming on our last visit, but we didn't find a whole lot more flavor elsewhere. The best dish we had was the crostino- which had their delicious bread along with a fava bean spread, whipped ricotta, and coppa. It was very flavorful! However at $17, we were a bit disappointed to see that this was just two small pieces of bread with topping. I wish we had gotten the stracciatella, which came with a significant amount of bread, instead. Service from our main server was apathetic at best and generally disinterested, contrasted with the the server assistants and bussers, who were attentive and on point. Overall I don't think this is a good value or worth going out of your way for, but I personally don't think anything in the West Loop is worth the exorbitant prices so maybe take that with a grain of salt (which they should have used more of in our food). Some people value the atmosphere more than I do, and it must be expensive to hire someone to water all those plants up high. They still have the undisclosed 4% surcharge. For what? They don't even say why. Just a stupid money grab...again please just raise your prices instead of doing the shady charges. It's been 4 years since Covid, this is the new normal and you can't just keep saying that prices are temporarily increased.
Aik G.
The food is great, the service could be better. The waiter seemed to be nice and educated but who brings one dish for the party of two when there's another one ordered? I just ended up waiting 15 minutes until they bring the pasta for my husband and by that time my octopus was dead cold... I has higher expectations about this place.
Ha T.
Honestly after having a bite of the appetizers here, I already knew I would be back again!! The sweet potatoes and zucchini fritters are a must!!! Surprisingly I enjoyed the caccio e Pepe a lot more than the lamb Ragu, which I would prob skip next time. As for dessert, both were yummy but the toffee zelten was definitely the winner of the two!! This spot is pretty popular so you need to grab a reservation to save yourself some time!!
Sarah A.
Rose Mary is a popular choice among my group of friends, but I went for the first time just recently. It's difficult to get a reservation but we landed one at 9:30pm. It was crowded when we walked in, and I enjoyed the vibe. I passed on a drink, but had sips of my friends', which were decent. We started with the zucchini fritters, which were a little overpriced for what you get but still super crunchy and flavorful. The service was good, but I feel they tell you to order more main dishes than you need, so I recommend one per person to start. My boyfriend and I decided to share pasta and the barbecue ribs dish. The ribs were amazing. They had a great texture--crisp at first then tender and juicy. The flavor was unbelievable--like a cross between a fancy gourmet reduction and a classic barbecue flavor you'd get at your neighborhood joint. A few of my friends are obsessed with the cacio e Pepe so I had high expectations. It wasn't a classic or authentic plate of cacio, but the added olive oil was appreciated. It was cooked al dente and had a slight kick to it--fascinating how just cooking black pepper can add a new depth of flavor. Overall the portions were good enough to keep us full after two dishes.
Kelly M.
Loved the mushroom risotto and fried zucchini. Attentive service. Cute spot in Fulton Market.
Layna L.
We walked in on a Sunday and were able to sit at the bar. The bartender was very friendly and attentive. The interior of the restaurant is beautiful, with an open kitchen and plants hanging everywhere. This is a great place for a family dinner or celebration. For food, we ordered zucchini fritters, roasted cauliflower, tortellini djuvec, and the pork ribs pampanella. My favorite was probably the pork ribs: they were sweet and sticky. The texture of the zucchini fritters were great, but it was a bit salty for my taste. The tortellini didn't wow me, as the flavor was a bit one-note. Overall, I had a very pleasant dining experience.
Alexandra M.
We were sat 2 tables away from the door and tables at my distance and closer all still had their coats on. I had a ghost orchid which only tasted of the brandy. We had the chard pastry which was really good. I followed that with the cacio e pepe which my partner tried and said, accurately, that's just Mac n cheese. We also had the olive oil cake which I really enjoyed, but he said others were better. The basil on it was distracting. Service was great and everything came and left the table quickly. They did say that a group of 2 should order 4 entrees, but we were very full with our 3.
Anna S.
This is one of the best dinners we've had in Chicago. Came here to celebrate our anniversary and it was an excellent choice! The atmosphere is very lively and not super quiet but it's cute for a date night. It's family style / tapas sharing format with delicious Italian fusion cuisine. We tried the stracciatella, cacio e pepe, lamb pasta, and veal risotto - all were absolutely delicious! Our kind and attentive waiter also surprised us with a dessert and candle for our celebration which was super sweet :)
Kate F.
I was so excited to try this place. Overall, we were pretty disappointed given the rave reviews others have left. We had a reservation for a Sunday night. The place was packed, so I understand they were busy. The food was 'good' - nothing was terrible, but nothing was special. Again, given some of the reviews here and elsewhere, we had high expectations. The service was really frustrating. They have many bussers and runners - they are working hard to fill your water, bring out your plates, and clear your plates. But our server was hard to find. You are told to order everything at once, and then they course it out for you. I'm fine with that. But, the server disappeared, so if you want another glass of wine, have a question, want to order something else - - we were out of luck. The server only came back to ask if we wanted dessert or the check. I wouldn't be in a hurry to go back. If given the choice, I would choose the cevapi from Aberdeen Tap. If you're waiting on a reservation, try Aberdeen Tap and give yourself a basis for comparison...
Stephen G.
This is my second time there the food was great. The service was great. The viewing in terms of people viewing was also great. The volume was perfect.
I am a huge top chef fan, so I was so excited to try this! It's a boho vibe lots of plants, tables are close to each other and very loud. Our waitress was very nice. I'm a little annoyed because there were two of us and she recommended 4-5 dishes because they are small portions. We got 5. These are not small at all. If anything larger than most restaurants and we barely touched two dishes because we were so full. To start I had a groot beer mocktail. This was very refreshing. The zucchini fritters are amazing the pesto sauce is very fresh! My main was the squid ink risotto. This was fine. My bf got the lamb ragu, this was sooooo good! I would get this again. The cacio e Pepe was a big let down. It was soooo rich I could only take one bite. It was not a classic e pepe. Overall I enjoyed my meal, but annoyed we ordered so much.
A A.
Amazing food and experience. Screw the 4% surcharge though, don't want to see it on my check at the end of an otherwise positive experience. Increase prices, but don't do a general addition like that. Hate it. Over it.
Janae D.
I popped into Rose Mary on recommendation from friends back home and was not disappointed. I was able to grab a bar seat early in their dinner service. The space was airy and welcoming. Loved being able to see the chefs work their magic in the kitchen. The bartenders were friendly, informative and gave great recommendations. The tuna crudo was the perfect balance of fresh fish, salty brine from the capers and richness from the aioli. The mafaldine was comforting but refined with just the right amount of heat. I wanted to try the shrimp but was stuffed from my 2 dishes. Highly recommend.
Abbie P.
I am so beyond obsessed with this place it's unreal. My girlfriend surprised me with a reservation for my 30th birthday dinner. We sat at the chef's counter and it was great!! Got to see all the behind the scenes action. Service was top notch and the staff was so friendly! The front windows of the restaurant open and it was a beautiful night. Decor is beautiful and welcoming. I don't even know where to start with the food. Every single thing we ordered was 10/10. If I had to choose, the pork ribs, cauliflower and cacio e pepe were my top 3. But I recommend absolutely everything!! I will remember this dinner for a long time and can't wait to go back!
Carly S.
This was one of the best meals of my LIFE! I took my gf here for her birthday and I'm so glad we did. They offered for us to sit at the chef's table to watch the kitchen and it enhanced the experience so much. We ordered drinks but I don't even remember much about them because the food was too incredible. We started with the cauliflower and the zucchini fritters - both were amazing!! We had asked our server Johnny about the stracciatella but decided not to get it--he sent us a small sampler of it instead! So generous and it was delicious!! We got the ribs and the cacio e Pepe pasta for mains. WOW!!!! Both were seriously unreal. Still dreaming about both. We rounded our dinner out with the orange sherbet, and since it was a birthday, they gave us pistachio gelato with a birthday candle. Truly so sweet and was just the cherry on top. I cannot WAIT to go back! Worth every penny!
We returned to Rose Mary yesterday for an early dinner and were incredibly underwhelmed. Everything seemed to lack flavor- the pesto sauce for the zucchini fritters tasted like nothing this time, and the bucatini was incredibly bland. While the pasta is fresh and tasty, the lack of seasoning and depth of flavor during this visit was disappointing, particularly considering the price of the dishes. The zucchini fritters, which I looked forward to all week, tasted overcooked and possibly made in old oil as the flavor was really harsh. We avoided the risotto this time because it was so underwhelming on our last visit, but we didn't find a whole lot more flavor elsewhere. The best dish we had was the crostino- which had their delicious bread along with a fava bean spread, whipped ricotta, and coppa. It was very flavorful! However at $17, we were a bit disappointed to see that this was just two small pieces of bread with topping. I wish we had gotten the stracciatella, which came with a significant amount of bread, instead. Service from our main server was apathetic at best and generally disinterested, contrasted with the the server assistants and bussers, who were attentive and on point. Overall I don't think this is a good value or worth going out of your way for, but I personally don't think anything in the West Loop is worth the exorbitant prices so maybe take that with a grain of salt (which they should have used more of in our food). Some people value the atmosphere more than I do, and it must be expensive to hire someone to water all those plants up high. They still have the undisclosed 4% surcharge. For what? They don't even say why. Just a stupid money grab...again please just raise your prices instead of doing the shady charges. It's been 4 years since Covid, this is the new normal and you can't just keep saying that prices are temporarily increased.
The food is great, the service could be better. The waiter seemed to be nice and educated but who brings one dish for the party of two when there's another one ordered? I just ended up waiting 15 minutes until they bring the pasta for my husband and by that time my octopus was dead cold... I has higher expectations about this place.
Honestly after having a bite of the appetizers here, I already knew I would be back again!! The sweet potatoes and zucchini fritters are a must!!! Surprisingly I enjoyed the caccio e Pepe a lot more than the lamb Ragu, which I would prob skip next time. As for dessert, both were yummy but the toffee zelten was definitely the winner of the two!! This spot is pretty popular so you need to grab a reservation to save yourself some time!!
Rose Mary is a popular choice among my group of friends, but I went for the first time just recently. It's difficult to get a reservation but we landed one at 9:30pm. It was crowded when we walked in, and I enjoyed the vibe. I passed on a drink, but had sips of my friends', which were decent. We started with the zucchini fritters, which were a little overpriced for what you get but still super crunchy and flavorful. The service was good, but I feel they tell you to order more main dishes than you need, so I recommend one per person to start. My boyfriend and I decided to share pasta and the barbecue ribs dish. The ribs were amazing. They had a great texture--crisp at first then tender and juicy. The flavor was unbelievable--like a cross between a fancy gourmet reduction and a classic barbecue flavor you'd get at your neighborhood joint. A few of my friends are obsessed with the cacio e Pepe so I had high expectations. It wasn't a classic or authentic plate of cacio, but the added olive oil was appreciated. It was cooked al dente and had a slight kick to it--fascinating how just cooking black pepper can add a new depth of flavor. Overall the portions were good enough to keep us full after two dishes.
Loved the mushroom risotto and fried zucchini. Attentive service. Cute spot in Fulton Market.
We walked in on a Sunday and were able to sit at the bar. The bartender was very friendly and attentive. The interior of the restaurant is beautiful, with an open kitchen and plants hanging everywhere. This is a great place for a family dinner or celebration. For food, we ordered zucchini fritters, roasted cauliflower, tortellini djuvec, and the pork ribs pampanella. My favorite was probably the pork ribs: they were sweet and sticky. The texture of the zucchini fritters were great, but it was a bit salty for my taste. The tortellini didn't wow me, as the flavor was a bit one-note. Overall, I had a very pleasant dining experience.
We were sat 2 tables away from the door and tables at my distance and closer all still had their coats on. I had a ghost orchid which only tasted of the brandy. We had the chard pastry which was really good. I followed that with the cacio e pepe which my partner tried and said, accurately, that's just Mac n cheese. We also had the olive oil cake which I really enjoyed, but he said others were better. The basil on it was distracting. Service was great and everything came and left the table quickly. They did say that a group of 2 should order 4 entrees, but we were very full with our 3.
This is one of the best dinners we've had in Chicago. Came here to celebrate our anniversary and it was an excellent choice! The atmosphere is very lively and not super quiet but it's cute for a date night. It's family style / tapas sharing format with delicious Italian fusion cuisine. We tried the stracciatella, cacio e pepe, lamb pasta, and veal risotto - all were absolutely delicious! Our kind and attentive waiter also surprised us with a dessert and candle for our celebration which was super sweet :)
I was so excited to try this place. Overall, we were pretty disappointed given the rave reviews others have left. We had a reservation for a Sunday night. The place was packed, so I understand they were busy. The food was 'good' - nothing was terrible, but nothing was special. Again, given some of the reviews here and elsewhere, we had high expectations. The service was really frustrating. They have many bussers and runners - they are working hard to fill your water, bring out your plates, and clear your plates. But our server was hard to find. You are told to order everything at once, and then they course it out for you. I'm fine with that. But, the server disappeared, so if you want another glass of wine, have a question, want to order something else - - we were out of luck. The server only came back to ask if we wanted dessert or the check. I wouldn't be in a hurry to go back. If given the choice, I would choose the cevapi from Aberdeen Tap. If you're waiting on a reservation, try Aberdeen Tap and give yourself a basis for comparison...
This is my second time there the food was great. The service was great. The viewing in terms of people viewing was also great. The volume was perfect.
Restaurantji Recommends
I am a huge top chef fan, so I was so excited to try this! It's a boho vibe lots of plants, tables are close to each other and very loud. Our waitress was very nice. I'm a little annoyed because there were two of us and she recommended 4-5 dishes because they are small portions. We got 5. These are not small at all. If anything larger than most restaurants and we barely touched two dishes because we were so full. To start I had a groot beer mocktail. This was very refreshing. The zucchini fritters are amazing the pesto sauce is very fresh! My main was the squid ink risotto. This was fine. My bf got the lamb ragu, this was sooooo good! I would get this again. The cacio e Pepe was a big let down. It was soooo rich I could only take one bite. It was not a classic e pepe. Overall I enjoyed my meal, but annoyed we ordered so much.
Amazing food and experience. Screw the 4% surcharge though, don't want to see it on my check at the end of an otherwise positive experience. Increase prices, but don't do a general addition like that. Hate it. Over it.
I popped into Rose Mary on recommendation from friends back home and was not disappointed. I was able to grab a bar seat early in their dinner service. The space was airy and welcoming. Loved being able to see the chefs work their magic in the kitchen. The bartenders were friendly, informative and gave great recommendations. The tuna crudo was the perfect balance of fresh fish, salty brine from the capers and richness from the aioli. The mafaldine was comforting but refined with just the right amount of heat. I wanted to try the shrimp but was stuffed from my 2 dishes. Highly recommend.
I am so beyond obsessed with this place it's unreal. My girlfriend surprised me with a reservation for my 30th birthday dinner. We sat at the chef's counter and it was great!! Got to see all the behind the scenes action. Service was top notch and the staff was so friendly! The front windows of the restaurant open and it was a beautiful night. Decor is beautiful and welcoming. I don't even know where to start with the food. Every single thing we ordered was 10/10. If I had to choose, the pork ribs, cauliflower and cacio e pepe were my top 3. But I recommend absolutely everything!! I will remember this dinner for a long time and can't wait to go back!
This was one of the best meals of my LIFE! I took my gf here for her birthday and I'm so glad we did. They offered for us to sit at the chef's table to watch the kitchen and it enhanced the experience so much. We ordered drinks but I don't even remember much about them because the food was too incredible. We started with the cauliflower and the zucchini fritters - both were amazing!! We had asked our server Johnny about the stracciatella but decided not to get it--he sent us a small sampler of it instead! So generous and it was delicious!! We got the ribs and the cacio e Pepe pasta for mains. WOW!!!! Both were seriously unreal. Still dreaming about both. We rounded our dinner out with the orange sherbet, and since it was a birthday, they gave us pistachio gelato with a birthday candle. Truly so sweet and was just the cherry on top. I cannot WAIT to go back! Worth every penny!