Il Porcellino, located in the heart of River North in downtown Chicago, is a neighborhood restaurant offering classic Italian-American comfort food in a casual setting. The old-school menu focuses on housemade pastas, vegetable antipasti and daily specials, all crafted with the freshest ingredients. The approachable wine list showcases exceptional Italian and American wines with a focus on Chianti and expressions of Sangiovese. The cocktail program features Italian-inspired craft cocktails, including four variations of the classic Negroni.
freshly baked ciabatta loaf brushed with fresh garlic, sprinkled with parmesan cheese, and finished table-side with hot garlic butterhouse-made focaccia topped with roasted garlic cheese butter, pecorino, parmesan, and mozzarella cheese. baked until crispy and served with our signature marinara sauce
Antipasti
brown butter roasted pears, marcona almonds, pear jam, thymefour prime beef meatballs simmered in marinara until tender in a cast iron dish.mild italian sausage, charred bell peppers and parmesan brodo on a white plate garnished with parsley.crispy fried brussels sprouts tossed with bacon, aged balsamic, and garnished with pecorino cheese on a circular white plate on a brown wooden tablefive mushrooms stuffed with garlic spinach and parmesan breadcrumbs, and baked until golden. served with lemon and chicken jus garnished with parsley and a lemon slice on a table with a red and white checkered tablecloth.tender rhode island calamari marinated in fresh herbs and grilled, topped with parsley and a charred lemon slice on a circular plate on a wooden table.crispy fried calamari and cherry peppers, served with a dish of lemon aioli, a dish of marinara, and a lemon slice on an oval plate on a red and white checkered tablecloth.A white plate with prosciutto, roasted red peppers, marinated olives, aged parmesan, provolone - stuffed peppadew peppers on a table with a red checkered tablecloth.6 fried mozzarella sticks garnished with parsley and shaved parmesan on a plate with brown paper and a chili flake-garnished dish of marinara on an oval plate that says "Il Porcellino" on a red and white checkered tablecloth.A cast iron pan with gniochi cooked in vodka sauce, garlic breadcrumbs, mozzarella, basil on a white plate on a red and white checker tablecloth.
Salads
An oval plate on a wooden table filled with chopped romaine tossed with house-made ciabatta croutons, celery, parmesan cheese and creamy caesar dressing.an oval plate on a red and white checkered tablecloth filled with fresh kale with poblano peppers, fennel, avocado, olives, brussels sprouts, pepperoncini, toasted pistachios, parmesan cheese, and chili flakes, served with a bright red wine vinaigrette.an oval plate with a salad made of stuffed peppadew peppers, mozzarella, artichoke hearts, olives, red onions, hearts of palm, pepperoncini on a red and white checkered tableclothAn oval plate with buffalo mozzarella, fresh basil, and tomatoes.
Featured Pasta
available through 2/25
Controne Pepper, Chive, Meyer Lemon
Pasta
3 oval plates in a row on a red and white checkered tablecloth with three cheese ravioli served with house made marinara, hearty prime beef bolognese or fresh pistachio pestoA white oval plate with rigatoni alla vodka topped with shaved parmesan and sliced basil on a table with a red and white checkered tablecloth. Other plates with food are in the background.a white plate with penne pasta tossed with a creamy asiago tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella, and shredded roasted chicken garnished with fresh basil and shaved parmesan on a red and white checkered tablecloth.An oval plate with 3 prime beef meatballs simmered in marinara and served with imported spaghetti on a wooden table.A circle plate with a pasta dish made of pan roasted shrimp, whole cloves of roasted garlic, and calabrian chilis, all deglazed with brandy and tossed with imported spaghettiA white plate on a wooden table with crumbled italian sausage, broccolini, garlic, tossed in a calabrian chili brodo, and finished with parmesan cheese and fennel pollenA white plate with fettucine alfredo topped with parmesan and basil.a white plate with tender ricotta gnocchi dumplings, tossed in a rich prime beef bolognese sauce topped with parsley.An oval plate with imported ravioli tossed in a asiago cream sauce and baked until golden brown. served over house-made marinara and topped with sautéed spinach on a wooden table.A white plate with homemade pappardelle tossed with a rich meat ragu of pork shoulder, pork sausage and prime beef, finished with pecorino and parmesan cheese and basil.A circle plate on a wooden table filled with fusilli tossed in a pistachio pesto with cherry tomatoes, stracciatella, crushed pistachio, and aged parmesan.
Our Very Special
A white plate on a red checkered tablecloth with lasagna layered with prime-beef bolognese, fontina, and asiago cream. topped with melted burrata cheese and served over homemade marinara. A shaker with parmesan and red pepper flakes are in the background.
Entrees
A white oval plate with thinly sliced eggplant dredged in italian breadcrumbs, and layered with marinara, pecorino, parmesan, and fontina cheese and garnished with basil and parsley on a wooden table.a white oval plate on a wooden table with a knife resting on the right side with with chicken parmesan in marinara sauce.An oval plate with half of a chicken, deboned, marinated in fresh herbs and garlic and cooked until extra crispy. served with roasted potato wedges and a classic white wine, lemon, fresh herb sauce. topped with green peas and parsley.A white plate on a red and white checkered tablecloth topped with parmesan crusted free range chicken breast grilled and served with angel hair pasta in a lemon, caper, white wine and garlic sauce served with spinach and a charred lemon wedge.An oval plate on a wooden table with faroe island salmon tossed in a lemon, caper, white wine sauce and served with roasted artichoke hearts and cherry tomatoes and a charred lemon wedge.an oval plate on a wooden table with grilled hanger steak topped with garlic rosemary butter served with parmesan friesA white plate with Parmesan crusted chicken breast sauteed in marsala sauce with white button mushrooms and marsala wine. Garnished with lemon wedge and parsley sprig.An oval plate that says "Il Porcellino" on a red and white checkered tablecloth with polenta, braised short rib, salad greens, and olive oil.A white plate on a wooden table with breaded free range chicken breast served with arugula, cherry tomatoes, aged balsamic and shaved parmesan served with a charred lemon wedge.
Sides
Thinly chopped and sauteed kale with red pepper flakes on top on an oval plate sitting on a wooden table.Potato wedges topped with herbs marinated in a broth garnished with parsley and a lemon wedge and green peas on a red and white checkered tablecloth.Sauteed spinach on a plate with garlic cloves on top sitting on a wooden table.Broccolini topped with chili flakes on an oval white plate served with a lemon wedge on a wooden table.An oval plate with asparagus topped with shaved parmesan on a wooden table.An oval plate with mashed potatoes topped with parsley and olive oil on a red and white checkered tablecloth.Polenta topped with parsley in a circle dish on a red and white tablecloth.
*GF items can be made gluten free with slight modifications. Consuming Raw or Undercooked Meats, Poultry, Seafood, Shellfish, or Eggs May Increase Your Risk of Foodborne Illness. | As a way to offset rising costs, we have added a 3.5% surcharge to all checks. You may request to have this taken off your check should you choose.
Drinks
Multiple Choice Negroni
italy's signature cocktail done 4 ways. mr. white, fernet, pisco or sbagliato
A yellow cocktail on a red coaster on a dark counter with a white background.An orange and red cocktail with ice in a wine glass on a dark bar top with a bright window in the background.A red cocktail with a big rock and an orange garnish sitting on a red and white menuA red cocktail with a big rock and a lemon slice on a black background.
Cocktails
An orange cocktail with an orange peel garnish on a wooden table with a chair in the background.An orange cocktail in a coupe glass with a toothpick that has a cherry on it on top on a red coaster on a dark table.A yellow cocktail with a dried orange garnish and a plate of food in the background in a dark environment.A red cocktail in a carved rocks glass with a dried hibiscus flower garnish on a red and white menu.
Mocktails
An orange cocktail with ice in a wine glass with a mint sprig on a red coaster on a wooden countertop in a dark environment.An orange cocktail with a basil garnish on a red coaster on a wooden tabletop with a menu in the background.
Phony Negronist. agrestis13
Cold Beer
Two Hearted Ipa8
Off Color Apex Predator8
Peroni Nastro Azzurro8
Peroni 00 Na8
Wine by the Glass
Sparkling & Rosé
Roséfrico, tuscany1456
Prosecco Rosecandoni dezan, veneto1560
Proseccogiuliana, veneto1456
Moscatotre secoli, piedmont1560
Lambrusco Di Modenacarafoli, modena1560
White
Pinot Grigiocaposaldo, friuli1456
Sauvignondipinti, trentino1560
Vermentinoaia vecchia, tuscany1456
Chardonnaybuehler, russian river valley1560
Red
Montepulcianola fiera, abruzzo1456
Sangiovesefrico, tuscany1456
Nebbioloalessandro rivetto, piedmont1768
Pinot Nerotenuta mazzolino, lombardy1664
Super Tuscanantinori, tuscany1768
Cabernet Sauvignonmatthew fritz, north coast1560
Baroloperla terra, piedmont2493
Featured Wine
Sparkling
Trento Brutferrari, NV112
Franciacortabellavista 'la scala'149
Wine by the Bottle
White
Vernaccia Di San Gimignanosignano, 202358
Gavifontanassa, ca adua, 202363
Pinot Grigioterlato, 202369
Arneisangelo negro, 202364
Etna Biancocantine patria, 202379
Soaveilatium, 'campo della calle', 202168
Chardonnay,antinori 'bramito' 202267
Chianti
Chianti Ruffina "il Porcellino"dreolino, 202360
Chianti Colli Fiorentinitenuta san vito 'darno', 202060
Chianti Colli Senesimontenidoli, 202171
Chianti Classicoistine, 202275
Red
Super Tuscanaia vecchia 'lagone', 202258
Montepulciano D' Abruzzobarone cornacchia, 202160
Barbera D' Astila meridiana, 'le gagie' 202171
Morellino Di Scansanole pupille, 202354
Rosso Di Montalcinocaprili, 202372
Barbarescoangelo negro, 'basarin', 2020128
Etna Rossocantine patria, 202278
Primitivovespa, 202156
Vino Nobile Di Montepulcianoavignonesi, 202075
Brunello Di Montalcinopian delle querci 'il picchio', 2022126
As a way to offset rising costs, we have added a 3.5% surcharge to all checks. You may request to have this taken off your check should you choose.
Dolci
After Dinner Drinks
A brown espresso martini garnished with three espresso beans sitting on a red Il Porcellino coaster on a black countertop. White tile floor is visible below.A small glass of limoncello in front of a bottle of limoncello on a circular wooden table
Featured Ice Cream
A glass full of ice cream and topped with chocolate sauce and garnished with peppermint bark in a dark space.
Dolci
A silver square dish filled with tiramisu garnished half with powdered sugar and half with chocolate powder on a red and white checkered tablecloth with a spoon reaching in for a bite.An oval plate with a pile of freshly fried brioche donuts tossed in vanilla sugar and served with whipped mascarpone and whipped nutella with a dish of nutella and white sauce next to it.A silver dish with scoops of sorbet topped with mint garnish on a red and white checkered tablecloth.Scoops of vanilla gelato in a silver dish on a white plate on a red and white checkered tablecloth.a glass ice cream vessel with pistachio, cherry, and chocolate ice cream finished with luxardo maraschino cherries and toasted pistachios on a white plate on a wooden tabletop.A white plate topped with a slice of moist chocolate cake layered with chocolate glaze, served with vanilla whipped cream on a red and white checkered tablecloth.A glass vessel with coffee ice cream, soft mocha flakes, and chocolate drizzle.A glass of espresso in front of a glass with white gelato and a silver spoon in a wooden tabletop.A slice of pistachio mousse pie topped with pistachios and a graham cracker crust on a red and white checker tablecloth.
As a way to offset rising costs, we have added a 3.5% surcharge to all checks. You may request to have this taken off your check should you choose.
Happy Hour
available only at our bar, monday - friday | 4pm - 6pm
Drinks
House Negronibeefeater gin, campari, carpano antica vermouth8
Peroni Nastro Azzuro6
Pinot Grigio8
Rose8
Sangiovese8
Montepulciano8
Featured Negroni
Chocolate Negronitanqueray gin, campari, punt e mes, creme de cacao8
Food
A cast iron dish filled with olives and parmesan topped with parsley.A piece of bread topped with whipped ricotta, dotted with seasonal jam, and garnished with basil leaves in a white plate on a dark table.A white plate with a piled of fried balls on top garnished with shaved parmesan and parsley on a red and white checkered tablecloth.A pizza topped with cheese and pepperoni, garnished with parsley, and on an oval plate on a red and white checkered tablecloth.A cast iron dish with 2 large red meatballs in marinara sauce topped with shaved parmesan and sliced basil.2 buns filled with short rib slider and arugula on a small plate on a dark surface with other plates filled with food in the background.
Please advise the restaurant of any dietary restrictions and allergies when dining in or placing a carry out order. Consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish, or eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness. All items are subject to availability. | As a way to offset rising costs, we have added a 3.5% surcharge to all checks. You may request to have this taken off your check should you choose.
Events at il Porcellino – Chicago
Reserve Wine List
Whether you’re a seasoned connoisseur or just beginning your journey into the world [...]
