Calo Ristorante
This family-run restaurant in Andersonville has served classic Italian favorites from Linguini Frutti di Mare (linguini with shrimp, scallops, clams, calamari and black mussels) to Bucatini Pomodoro (tomatoes, asparagus and fresh mozzarella in garlic-white wine sauce) since 1963. And a mid-twentieth-century mahogany bar still exudes “Mad Men”-era supper club warmth. But there’s a problem at Calo: The mains are so good here, but it’s almost impossible to lay off the generous helpings of warm, fluffy, lightly crusted, fresh tomato-topped focaccia bread before dinner reaches the table.
Calo Ristorante, 5343 North Clark, (773)271-7782, calorestaurant.com
Best of Chicago 2012
