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From Citysearch.com

Warm, inviting and trendy, this Italian restaurant draws a hipster crowd to the growing South Loop.

The Scene
Once deserted, this stretch of Wabash Street now positively pulses with activity. Gioco can take some credit, having opened up shop in this 'hood back in late '99. The space is stylish, comfortable and loud with the buzz of conversation from a hip, all-ages crowd.

The Food
Gioco's still got it, serving simple, excellent Italian fare with a contemporary twist. Nearly every dish scores: paper-thin octopus carpaccio, savory steamed mussels with white wine, seared sea scallops with crispy artichokes ... who needs entrees when you can choose from starters like these? A salad of buffalo mozzarella and tomato sprinkled with fresh basil is basic, and perfect. Pasta-lovers will swoon over the hand-rolled penne, light as air and bathing in a delicate cream sauce studded with peas and prosciutto. Or skip noodles and go for flaky, tender grilled salmon or whole bass with rapini, mouth-watering seafood options both.

Opentable Reservations

Named one of Chicago Magazines 'Best New Restaurants' as well as one of Bon Appetit's 'Favorite Places in 2000', Gioco is a hip, Italian eatery & the latest addition to the Marché, Red Light family of restaurants. Located at 1312 South Wabash, just minutes away from McCormick Place Convention Center, Gioco is in an area of the South Loop once dominated by speakeasies & other prohibition-era establishments including Al Capone's headquarters. Gioco is housed in two adjacent buildings from 1890. In historic Chicago tradition, Gioco features a Prohibition-era 'speakeasy,'. Jerry Kleiner, co-owner & creator of Red Light & Marché restaurants & owner of Kleiner Design, designed Gioco with an amber back-lit bar; exposed original brick & plaster walls, & his beautiful h& crafted silk fixtures. Gioco's menu offers rustic Italian dishes prepared with the finest available seasonal products. The menu features homemade pastas & wood-fired thin crust pizzas.

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