Cefalu Seaside Sicilian

I wanted to love this place but we do not. First, I personally am gluten free and had a hard time placing my order with the person over the phone. I got the gluten free orchetti pasta and it’s bitter and missing the ricotta. Same with my husband’s regular version. The salad looks like bagged shredded iceberg. I ordered two plain pastas sauce on the side for my kids and they came with sauce. The arancini’s have a sour taste to them. The pennoni is described with having three types of meat, it’s barely anything in there. The to go desserts look like mush and are not as described. Don’t waste your time here. Spent nearly $200 to throw out over half the food.

This was on my list to try since it opened and now that I went I am good never going again. Went for the happy hour half priced menu, only was able to get our drinks in time. Which paying $5 for the cocktail was ok but wouldnt pay the original $15 for it theres nothing there! We ordered an appetizer at half price but it never came to our table the waitress forgot. By the time the waitress came back for our order it was 5pm so we had to pay full price. The pasta was ok nothing to rave about. The dessert was cute but again nothing to brag about. When my friend and I got home we both spent the night sick in the bathroom. So having to pay full price for just ok food, ending it hugging the toilet was enough to never return. Very disappointed, over priced olive garden.

atmosphere & music was delightful. however our dinner with 2 dear friends was 50/50. I ordered the risotto and added shrimp for an additional $10...the risotto was mush, so overcooked and heavy with cheese like wallpaper glue, and the shrimp were quarter size for 5. my husband's octopus was stunning, tender, delicious! our one friend ordered the salmon and was a shockingly small portion especially for the price, his date ordered the mushroom pizza which she enjoyed. service and attention was excellent. I should have sent my dish back but my husband hates when I do that so I did not complain at the time. would I go back? yes but I'd be more careful with what I'd order, especially when prices are on the high side.

Beautifully remodeled restaurant with great food and fun staff! Happened to be Halloween party time and all the staff was dressed up and looked like they were having fun! Food was fresh and amazing! Booked my Christmas party here! Can't wait!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

very good food. highly recommend

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

10/10 recommend Vinny

Some of the best Italian food I've had outside of Italy.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Margherita Pizza, 360 Day Aged Prosciutto

Great food and atmosphere, have been here a total of four times.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Penoni

Nice variety. Very tasty. Service was great
Definitely a repeat place to dine.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Penne Bolognese, Arancini, 360 Day Aged Prosciutto

The atmosphere was very inviting and warm. Cocktails on point. The appetizers we had - charcuterie, prosciutto & burrata, meatball - were delicious and more than enough! Our entrée selections of the salmon, strip steak & cacio e pepe were phenomenal. Dessert was espresso martinis & Irish coffee. Perfection! We will be returning again & again!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 4

Recommended dishes: Cefalu Charcuterie, 360 Day Aged Prosciutto

This was my first time dining here with my brother Dominic and his wife, Grace Albergo, and it was fantastic. The restaurant was packed, and we didn't have reservations, so we sat at the bar. The service was excellent, and the food was delicious. Next time in the Chicago area, I will eat here again.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Great atmosphere and food was delicious. I have a gluten allergy and there were plenty of options to choose from. The staff was knowledgeable about the gluten free items on the menu. We had the seafood salad, octopus and crème brûlée. Everything tasted great! Can’t wait to go back!

Dietary restrictions: I have a gluten allergy and the staff was knowledgeable about what items in the menu were gluten free.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Pistachio Creme Brulee, Grilled Octopus with Potato Puree

amazing restaurant they have so much good food will definitely come back, the pizza had amazing light dough and thin crust, the past was amazing was full of flavor and cooked to perfection, was our first time trying the octopus so there was no expectation there but it was a great flavor, drinks were also amazing and the service and waiters were great, new favorite restaurant

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Grilled Octopus with Potato Puree

I really wanted to love this place but in my opinion it was just okay.
The non alcoholic blood orange drink that I ordered was not worth the $10 spent on.
We ordered the Fritto Misto to start, when we got it, it was cold and very hard and was lacking flavor. The waiter did make things right and got us a new order that was way better. We had asked for Tabasco sauce which she completely forgot about on the first order, I do have to say it was a long time until she came back to the table to check in on us. I understand that at the time it was extremely busy. After the second order she was a lot more attentive to us.
The only reason I went to this place was because online I saw photos of how they made the Cacio E Pepe Bucatini pasta table side however that is an up charge that the waiter did not offer to us, it was offer to the table next to us. It would have been nice if they even offered that to us. The pasta overall wasn’t the best, there are places that make it better.
I do have to say The chicken that we orders was good and juicy.
After the meal I wanted the lava cake that was on the dessert menu however she said they didn’t have it. We ordered sorbet and gelato which took a really long time to come out.. I understand that it was a busy day however it should take almost 25 minutes to scoop gelato or sorbet… it is a beautiful place though.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 3

Service: 4

Although severely under dressed for the occasion, we were staying at a nearby hotel and chose this place for dinner.

Trendy, upscale and yet old fashioned establishment.

Service was second to none. Food was to die for. Had the charcuterie board, salmon.

Valet service an added bonus

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5