4. Restaurants

Campagnola

815 Chicago Ave, Evanston, IL, 60202
  • (847) 475-6100
  • Store is closed

Campagnola Menu

  • Main
  • Pasta
  • Meat Fowl & Fish
  • Vegetables
  • Dolce

Healthy Meal suggestions for Campagnola

  • Main
  • Pasta
  • Meat Fowl & Fish
  • Vegetables
  • Dolce

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  • Nanxi L.

    4.5 is certainly okay if combining food, atmosphere, and service. I give 4 for which I had: Diver scallop: soft and juicy. Slightly salted with a hint of sea smell. Carpaccio: nicely divided into portions for the table, and the carpaccio is just amazing! Tagliatelle: the sauce is full of mushroomy flavor, must try if you love mushrooms; Roasted duck: crispy outside tender and juicy inside, what can I say? GET! Lamb: my friend had it and I tried a piece. Did not ask for a second piece. Do you get it?:"P

    (4)

  • Rustygirl M.

    I had the mushroom pasta and my partner had the penne. The pens tasted like a margarita pizza. Good but not special. My dish was better. Not a huge menu but that was ok. Dishes starting around 18$. Great bread. Butter served hard but still good. Limited beer options. I had red wine. 12-14$/glass. Got free street parking after 6p I believe.

    (4)

  • Jamie B.

    Great restaurant! We came here over the weekend and had a great experience. We were promptly seated for our 8pm reservation (a must for weekends) and had great service, drinks and food. We began with bruschetta and diver scallops, both dishes were great. I would have liked to try the carpaccio (sounded great) but it was a little too adventuresome for some of our group. For dinner we had bolognese, linguini and the NY strip special. All of the dishes were really tasty, my husband commented that the bolognese was the best he had ever had. For dessert we split the toffee cake and the strawberry panna cotta, each was really tasty. Overall a really great experience and I'm glad we were able to bring my husband's parents here, everyone was happy with their meals and it was really great to spend time with them and catch up.

    (5)

  • Yuki Z.

    Comfortable and private place. Went to the restaurant to send off my friends. We called in 30 minutes before and got a table for two easily on a Sunday night. Ordered the scallop at starter, T-bone steak (the special item), and the bolognese. The scallop is certainly amazing and I will strongly recommend! It comes with two scallops, so it's perfect to share. (Actually the waiter put them into two plates. Very considerate!) The t-bone was great too. The portion is huge tho and there's no way I can finish it :/ (I got a box but had no idea how deal with it TT so ended up wasting at least half..) Bolognese looks delicious but I heard tagliatelle is better. Great dining experience but the service is a bit slow. And also I had a super high expectation for the restaurant (cuz I was recommended by my friend to check out the place), so it slightly disappointed me. (But still, the food and service are on par!) Overall a good place, but it's kinda far, so I'm not sure if I'll just make a trip down here just for it.

    (4)

  • Kathryn M.

    Campagnola is the best restaurant in Evanston I have been here three times and each time the service and food has been amazing. It's a really cute atmosphere too. I've gotten the bolognese twice and the short ribs once and they both were fantastic. My brother got the New York strip special and he loved his as well. My dad got the lamb chops they were very juicy and delicious. I always look forward to my next visit to campagnola.

    (5)

  • Ally H.

    Went on a Wednesday night for date night and the place was packed. However, we were seated without a reservation. Got the diver scallops and they were yummy, tasted fresh and cooked as it should. I got the pesto orecchiette with sausage and it was too oily and lacked the basil flavor I was looking for. Hubby got the flank steak which was delish. Good wine by the bottle selection, but not so much choice for wine by the glass. Food came out quick and looked like there were a lot of regulars in the joint.

    (4)

  • Nadege L.

    The food was very good and surprisingly the entrees were pretty large! Its very cute inside and we had good customer service. The food is not cheap but the food is good.

    (4)

  • Steve A.

    An intimate upscale Italian restaurant with good food and great ambiance. I tried three three tasty dishes: The diver scallops appetizer was a bit heavy, almost floating in butter, but tasty. Caesar salad was traditional and tasty, but served in "kit" form requiring a lot of cutting up to assemble it. The barramundi special was a tasty piece of fish enhanced by the horseradish creme fraiche, but the beets and kale didn't add much. Very reasonable wine prices, and attentive, cordial service. I loved the intimate atmosphere, subdued lighting, and low noise level.

    (4)

  • Jeremy D.

    Was up in Evanston for an evening Christening/ Easter Service at St Luke's. Friend of family and so came here with my parents for an early dinner. They've done a bit of redecorating since I've been here last and it looks great. Modern but very comfortable. The corner we were sitting in was a tad too dark for my Dad to read the menu. Many things on the menu sounded great. My Mom had the Porchini Mushroom Soup with Truffled Creme Fraiche (Fa La La La La... South Park Reference) and it was delicious. Rich texture being a more vegetable puree vs a creamed out soup. Nice and earthy. Dad had the Gnocchi with Pork Cheeks, which was outstanding. Gnocchi were impossibly light, the pork was fall apart braised and a delicious ragout. Wood Grilled Octopus was good but wasn't quite there. Wasn't feeling the gigante bean ragout with it and the octopus was a bit tougher than I've had from other places. We also ordered a Carpaccio which was pretty fantastic, though I'd rather they shaved the Parmesan into smaller pieces vs two large but shaved squares. We still enjoyed it. Entrees, Mom had the Linguine with Grilled Shrimp in Pomodoro and Black Olives. Simple, but it was very good. Pasta was perfectly al-dente and the sauce/ accompaniment was rustic; in the Pomodoro were baby tomatoes blistered in the pan with garlic, black olives, lemon zest and finished with basil. Generous on the shrimp as well. I went with the Guinea Hen special with Mushrooms in Maderia and Potato Puree. Guinea Hen was bone-out and cooked perfectly with a crisp skin and juicy meat. Hen-Of-The-Wood (maitake) and Porcini mushrooms with a rich stock, thyme and maderia sauce. Very good! Dad wasn't really hungry so he had a house salad and had some of my Guinea Fowl. 2 martinis and 3 glasses of wine, bill was $185.00. No, it isn't inexpensive but it's not outrageous. Service was affable and efficient. One of the waiters I think has been there since the opening, about 20yrs. It's a really NICE place with very good food and worth the trip.

    (4)

  • Marie D.

    Campagnola has been going strong for years now, and it's still doing everything right. It's small inside, but has a second floor to accommodate more than it would appear at first site. The food is fresh, locally sourced, and delicious. Service is spot-on. Management is always friendly. Prices are on the higher side, portions on the smaller side, but it's worth it at Campagnola. Not great for kids, as the vibe here is quiet and romantic, and the menu doesn't really lend itself to little ones.

    (4)

  • Mer P.

    Service was very good (though a bit slow as we were one of the last tables of the night, it seemed like some of the staff was focused on their end-of-night back of house duties). The food: we shared the carpaccio salad which was incredible my date had the bolognese and loved it I had the pheasant which totally blew my mind the drink prices were reasonable for an ok glass of wine, only one beer on tap I believe. Would definitely return!

    (4)

  • Jocelyn O.

    Though around for as long as I have lived in the city, Campagnola has rapidly become my favorite restaurant in the past year - mainly because I moved nearby. I will preface and emphasize by stating the following: their Vanilla Bean Bread Pudding is the best that I have ever had. Ever. I strongly advise you to leave room for dessert and experience it at least once. Upon my last visit I learned that you can order a whole sheet for special events. The atmosphere is cozy and quaint. The restaurant is pretty small and boasts about a dozen tables. The menu is succinct and delicious. Portion sizes are adequate, but not excessive. I highly recommend their duck entree or whatever fish they have as a special. While entertaining in-laws one weekend we went to Chicago Grill on the Alley one night and this restaurant the next. Our meal here was twice as delicious and half the price - and that included a bottle of wine. The food is phenomenal but not nearly as costly as some of the places in Downtown Chicago. It is family-owned and you can definitely tell. Parking is not difficult as the restaurant is right on the cusp of a residential area. There are plenty of metered spaces nearby where you can pay by app or credit card.

    (5)

  • Richard R.

    Phenomenal! I would have liked to give them 4.5 stars and I would say that they are flirting with 5 stars. My wife ordered the linguini and it was excellent. I had the trout filet which was exceptional. The accessible wine selection was quite good as well and the pours were also generous. Everything from the bread to the bread pudding was delicious and the service was top-notch.

    (4)

  • Matt G.

    This restaurant is damn good. Would reccomend it for anyone. Went with my mom and brother and was enjoyed by all. Had a glass of wine and had the papperdelle bolognese. Cant go wrong. At the end of it i was due for a nap. Ill be back some day

    (5)

  • Pam A.

    Il ristorante italiano più incredibile in città! Now this is what I call Italian food, it is an impeccable place. Not to mention their great service. Definitely one of my favorite place in town.

    (5)

  • J C.

    Campagnola is an amazing little restaurant in an unexpected location. I've been several times and always enjoy the food. The service is excellent and it's an upscale restaurant so bring your significant other or girlfriends for a fancy night out. It's not a big place, and reservations are a good idea on Friday and Saturday nights. Good wine selection and the martinis are good as well. One thing I have to suggest ordering is one of their salads. They are delicious and the portion is generous (none of that $16-salad-that-can-be-eaten-in-three-bites business). I love ordering one to share before the main course. If you live in Evanston, you should try Campagnola.

    (4)

  • Chien W.

    The finest Italian restaurant I've been to in Chicago. I ordered Scallops as appetizer, it was creamy but not greasy, totally blew my mind. Skirt steak and linguine were two entrees we had, and they were amazing. Steak was tender and the pasta was well-seasoned. I would recommend all of them :))

    (5)

  • Andrea R.

    One of the many perks of living in the burbs is that you don't need to make dinner reservations months ahead of time. I even have luck calling the day of for date night. Unfortunately, Evanston seems to be on the "reservations months ahead" bandwagon because I haven't had as much luck there. I called Campagnola weeks ahead of my triple date and was offered the early bird special time of 5:30pm. We took it since we were hoping to eat on the earlier side anyway. We arrived for lunch (er dinner). We were the first few people in the restaurant. In fact, they still had their closed sign up when we arrived, but it wasn't long before the restaurant started filling up. I can see why people are calling ahead because this was one of the better meals I've enjoyed over the past few months. All the apps we ordered (bruschetta, scallops, beet salad) were absolutely delish. For my entree I opted for salmon, which can be hit or miss...but it sure was a hit at Campagnola. Somehow I managed to leave room for a few (OK many) bites of two scrumptious desserts. Our waiter was on top of his game. And the charming atmosphere is perfect for date night (or a triple date night in our case). And while you may be dining on a college campus or unlikely to be eating among many college students here. At least Campagnola would have been way too classy, not to mention out of my budget, during my days at NU.

    (4)

  • Kevin S.

    Heard lots of good things about this place and met all expectations for ambiance, service - except for the food. Ordered the roast duck with polenta with cherry sauce. The cherry sauce, however was a cherry bath. Dish should be called "overpowering cherry soup with cherry flavored duck and cherry polenta". Could not taste anything but cherries (and I like cherries). Spoke to a "regular" at the table next to me and when I said I had the duck she said "That's too bad". Everything else looked good, but avoid the cherry duck!

    (3)

  • Cee A.

    Somehow, we called at the last minute and got a table for 4 on Saturday night. Everyone's first visit, and all of us were thrilled with the food, the service and the experience. We shared everything... 4 appetizers and 2 pasta entrees... and everything was delicious. The scallops were perfect, the carpaccio just right, the grilled radicchio and wood roasted asparagus we exceptional. The pastas were intense, complex and simple all at the same time. We had a great server... the timing between dishes was perfect.... and the room, while noisy, was not 'too' noisy to have great conversation at the table. I wonder why it took me so long to get here! And I'll certainly be back.

    (5)

  • Sarah Z.

    I just cannot say enough about Campagnola. The food is so good!! If you live in the city, it is absolutely worth the trip up to Evanston. Cozy, quaint, the service rocks and the food is absolutely AMAZING.

    (5)

  • Jeremy J.

    Attended a dinner here with friends and family. As a visitor to Chicago I found the food very good and service excellent given we were a large party of 20. The servers were attentive and accommodating. The portions of food were generous and cooked perfectly. A definite place to eat for dinner next time I am in town.

    (5)

  • Sharon C.

    I really want to give Campagnola four stars, but I knocked off a half-star each for price and food, and a full star for service. I thought the service was really, really terrible. When I was making the reservation, they put me on hold for three minutes (it was so long I repeatedly thought they dropped my call and kept checking my phone), and then actually dropped my call. When I called back and actually got to talk to someone, they were super nice, but... Service was really spotty and, actually, just really strange. It was like the two waiters couldn't decide which of them was going to handle our table - both of them came by to tell us about the specials and offer us drinks, but after that, it took a long time before we were able to get someone to come take our order. It wasn't that busy at that time, either; there were empty tables all around us, and we saw the waiters near the exit, presumably waiting to seat new guests. The bread also didn't come until we had been seated for about fifteen minutes. On the other hand, the bread was delicious. The butter was really hard, which made it a little difficult to eat, but that was also pretty good. We ended up getting a second bowl of bread. We also ordered: diver scallops and octopus for our appetizers, and pappardelle bolognese and roast duck. Diver scallops - insanely delicious, probably the best scallops I've ever had. Amazing consistently, and the creamed leeks were crazy good as well! Octopus - I was so excited to eat this, because it just smelled so good, and it tasted really great as well! I loved the texture - I'm really used to Asian-style octopus, and this was so different, but so good! I didn't, however, like the bed of beans and vegetables that the octopus came on. I thought it was grainy and bland. Pappardelle Bolognese - really, really yummy, and I'm usually not a pasta person. I really liked the noodles, and the meat sauce was delicious. Roast duck - so good! Duck is my favorite poultry, so I really wanted to try this (although I totally played it cool for my dining partner). It smelled so good and it was so flavorful. The skin was just the right texture. One thing that I didn't like, though, is that the fat wasn't uniformly cooked. Duck is super fatty, so one thing that I like is when the fat is uniformly cooked out (or not). There were weird sections that were super fatty, and others that were a little dry. Still really flavorful, though, and I did really enjoy eating it! Overall: I would go back to try more things (I've been craving fish, and they had three different fish offerings!), but I removed half a star for price. (So, minus one star for service, and minus a half star each for price and food.) I think that this was definitely a little pricey, especially for a college student. While I was really, really (really, really) full after eating, I didn't feel as though the happiness to dollar ratio was the best.

    (3)

  • Ang S.

    Not sure if this Campagnola has any relation to the one in UES of NY, but the quality of the food is certainly no less. I'm very glad I was taken here on my first visit to Evanston. A twist of traditional Italian flavors with just enough touch of creativity. The scallop appetizer was amazing. And the tenderness of that rabbit special! Only regret is that it was not my order. The place has has a delightful ambience. Cute for dates as well. The restaurant speaks for itself when it has a full house at late evening on a Tuesday night.

    (5)

  • Adam C.

    This little place is right around the corner from us and we've been meaning to try it for a while now. Finally got a sitter and had a real date night. The restaurant itself is very charming and quaint, with that low-level lighting that sets the mood just right. Our waiter was super friendly and helpful in getting us a great bottle of wine and recommending dishes. My favorite plate was the gnocchi appetizer. It was served atop short rib in a broth, with strong hints of delicious rosemary. My wife had the Veal Scallopini and she raved about it. I had the Shells, which is a pasta with crumbled sausage and peas in it. Very tasty! For dessert, we had the vanilla bread pudding, but asked them to substitute the vanilla gelato with the bourbon pecan gelato. So incredible, we cleaned the plate.

    (5)

  • Rich P.

    Very good food and service. I had the salmon and it was delicious! The berry crumble dessert was also great.

    (4)

  • Manny B.

    Perfect evening before going to a concert. We have enjoyed this restaurant for years and tonight was another good evening. The menu has all the great dishes you would expect from Italian fare and few more standard choices. The special fish was ordered by my guest, another had bolognese, and I decided on their skirt steak. We had a Tuscan red first, a too young 2012, and then a very nice Rhone, Guigal Gigondas. The kale salad I started with was exceptional, great flavors, well prepared. The skirt steak entree was way above the normal. Cooked perfectly medium rare, very tender, a great aus jus, with potatoes and asparagus. Everyone enjoyed their food, the company was perfect, and the evening a blast. The waiter was good, my only recommendation would be to be careful recommending wines, he missed on the first bottle. To finish we shared vanilla gelato and made our way to the concert at SPACE.

    (4)

  • Sara S.

    This place is pretty amazing. I've rarely sat at a bar for such a good meal and fun company. The food was fantastic. I had the bacon wrapped raddichio and the linguine puttenesca. Both were fantastic, as was the bread they brought out before dinner. However the reason you should come here is the cozy atmosphere, conversation and neighborhood feel. It's a gem and eating here was great.

    (4)

  • Jeff T.

    Took a couple of friends from out of town here. Food was amazing! Had the lamb chops and they outstanding. Service was a little slow, but it was rather busy. Definitely will go back.

    (4)

  • L B.

    I can't believe I waited so long to try this place! Super cozy, great ambiance and pretty awesome food better food. Everything we got was pretty amazing and i eat a LOT if Italian food. Super warm staff as well. Would go back in a heart beat.

    (5)

  • Debbie S.

    Yum...this place was definitely a great stop on our continued efforts to try out Evanston's finest. Hubby and I went her on a Saturday night for a pre-Valentine's day dinner. I hate all of the hullabaloo that comes with actual the actual Valentine's day, so we tend to go out a week before and treat it as such. Decor is cute -- a small space with nice brick walls. Tables are definitely close together and it does get rather noisy and lively in here when the tables are all occupied. My night was already made when I found out that Campagnola stocks Death's Door spirits. Good thing this place is walking distance from my house :) Hubby and proceeded to try the octopus, the butternut squash soup and the wood fired radicchio wrapped in bacon. All delicious. Then for dinner we split a penne pasta dish and the short ribs. Short ribs were delicious. A wise person once told me that if you see short ribs on the menu, you should order them. I have started to abide by that philosophy and it has served me well. Penne was good but not spectacular -- but I'm not much of a pasta person anyway. It seemed to need one more ingredient to really bring the dish together. For dessert, hubby had the almond cake and I had the chocolate panna cotta. I was in no mood to split dessert. Panna cotta was fantastic...perhaps one of the best that I have have ever had. Rich and creamy deliciousness -- I liked the plate clean. Restaurant was busy but service was attentive without hovering -- definitely the right amount of attention was paid to our table. When I sent my first vodka tonic of the evening back because the tonic tasted funny, it was immediately remedied. While Evanston may not have the volume of restaurants that Chicago offers, I have found some solid choices since making the move last summer. Campagnola is definitely a place that I will visit again and again.

    (4)

  • Horace L.

    Amazing: Salmon, Scallops (only 2 though), Beet Salad Pretty Good: Almond Cake, Cookies Okay: Octopus, Trout The salmon was phenomenal. 5 stars. Strangely architected. Not a fan of the benches against the wall. Slightly surprised that despite there being tables for two available we were seated at a table for four. Service can be so-so (thus -1 star)

    (4)

  • Lauren P.

    This Italian restaurant made me and the bf super happy equipped with food coma. The restaurant is super cute! We did get lost because we were looking for a red sign, but they changed it to green. They vamped up the sign to green and their menu to reflect the change of season. I was very sad at first because I didn't get to experience tasting the short rib, but when all our food came out we were very satisfied. Everything was literally cooked to perfection. We ordered: Diver scallops Roasted beets with goat cheese Pork chop special The first pasta on the menu - with veal and sausage I highly recommend the diver scallops. I really enjoyed the roasted beets. Pork chop special was grilled and flavored to perfection. I'm not really a pasta lover, but this dish was just lovely. oh oh dun dun dun... d e s s e r t ! - we got the apple crisp with almonds and vanilla gelato ---- super fabulous! I didn't realize the difference a dessert dish would be by just adding toasted almonds!!!! The waitress recommended the bread pudding - we'll most probably be back for that. Dishes are a bit pricey here but I must say it is worth it.

    (4)

  • Frederick C.

    I don't know that I can add much to 103 reviews, other than we have been dining on the North Shore of Chicago for the past 30 years, and we think Campagnola's is one of the most nicest restaurants that we have dined at! This was our first time to dine there this evening. We liked the intimate atmosphere and relative quiet of the restaurant--you could actually talk to and hear our dinner partners. My wife's seared grouper was some of the best she says she has ever had, and we eat a lot of good, fresh grouper down in Florida. My lamb shanks were tasty too. The only reason I have not given 5 stars is because of the limited selection of wine by the glass, and our bill of $100 for the two of us seemed a little pricey. The service was excellent. We will return to Campagnola's, and we are happy to recommend it to others.

    (4)

  • Bea R.

    My friend and I shared braised short ribs and the papaedella bolognese. They were excellent. I had a glass of Pinot noir and it was really good. It's not cheap but is well worth it.

    (5)

  • Joseph A.

    For the price you pay here, you should expect something amazing. It's not bad food, it's just not worth it.

    (3)

  • Marc B.

    Really, really tasty! We live in the suburbs and it's extremely difficult to find a "city vibe" out here. Well, this place does it right!! From the knowledgable and friendly staff and the amazing food to the comfortable atmosphere I will definitely be back!! Cheers!

    (5)

  • Helen S.

    Came here with my bf on a Sunday evening. We got the diver scallops, and then I got the short rib while he ordered the bacon wrapped pheasant breast. Their website says "simple ingredients. well prepared" and I completely agree with this. My short rib was a classic recipe (I've cooked something that tasted very similar) but it was pull-apart tender and the glaze was delicious, and the peasant was great too. The scallops were huge - I don't get scallops often so I've never seen them that size, and I thought they were delicious prepared in the way that they were. Overall great meal, and lovely atmosphere. I drank practically a liter of water and the waiter kept my glass full. Would like to try the pasta next time if we were to come back.

    (4)

  • Aaron C.

    Rarely do I Yelp.....Must have been great. Wife and I live in Evanston and like to try out new places since there are so many to choose from, so we celebrated our 3 year anniversary here yesterday. Wine was great, Bacon wrapped Radicchio with goat cheese and aioli was great (first time having Radicchio), wife had Pheasant and I had Trout, which is weird because I always order chicken and she normally orders seafood. Both were awesome, well executed. Trout was in a "melted tomato" sauce. I had never heard of "melted tomato" before, but I assume now that it's called that because it melts in your mouth. BUT THE REAL REASON I DECIDED TO YELP IS THAT D*MN VANILLA BEAN BREAD PUDDING IN CARAMEL SAUCE WITH VANILLA GELATO!!! O....M......G that ALONE is worth the trip. I almost googled the chef to "friend" him on facebook..... It was warm, texture was soft, crust was caramelized, sweet, and the gelato was cool and the perfect compliment, all sitting in a nice puddle of caramel sauce.....mmmmph mmmph mmmph

    (5)

  • Zukicka Z.

    This place is definitely worth trying out. As others mentioned before it is great for a first date. The staff is really friendly and prompt. I spent a good three hours here and not once did the waiter interrupt. He managed to make us feel take care of without being annoying! I could not make up my mind about which wine to drink, so the waiter asked me what I like about wine and came up with a delicious concoction. ( I was impressed-he made exactly what I asked for!)The food was DELICIOUS. I had the salmon and he had the duck, both cooked to perfection! The space is a little small, but it did not feel as if we were all sitting on top of each other.I really liked it and intend to eat there again. Its a little pricey but worth it!

    (5)

  • KK C.

    This place is a guarantee. Perfect service. Beautiful vibe. Impeccable wine and memorable food. I wish we had a place this genuine is Los Angeles!

    (5)

  • Will B.

    It was good. Went for my birthday. Wasn't great.

    (3)

  • dale m.

    Two of us had the Salmon. One medium and one medium rare (default how they cook it). The order came out quite quickly. Between the requested variation in how we wanted our fish cooked and the speed of their kitchen, I was really concerned. However, both dishes were just perfectly cooked to our preferences. Excellent bread - good texture

    (5)

  • Anna M.

    Fantastic service accompanied by a romantic ambiance and delectable menu! My husband and I visited on a Thursday evening at dinner time. The staff was so attentive and well knowledges on the wine list as well as the menu options. We throughly enjoyed this meal and will be back again!

    (5)

  • Kevin D.

    Really enjoyed this place. The Diver Scallop appetiser is great, especially the parsnip and pear puree it sits on. The Roast Duck was a bit dry, but the crispy skin, spatzel, and cherries that came with it more than made up for that. Would defintely order it again. The decor was pleasant and service was good. I look forward to returning when I am in the area.

    (4)

  • Richard N.

    We left after 30 minutes having not been greeted by a waiter or asked if we wanted a menu/drink, etc. They have crammed may more tables into a not very large room so it is overcrowded and so noisy that I could not have a conversation with my wife. Good experiences in the past were erased by this episode.

    (1)

  • Sally W.

    My boyfriend and I have come here for many anniversaries, V-day, etc. over the years. we usually sit at the bar; both the bartender and the owner are fantastic: friendly, kind, perfect martini, neighborhood-y, and so on. The food is ALWAYS superlative, and I'm a food snob. The bread has heroin in it or something. Get radicchio with goat cheese, and bolognese, and scallops, yum yum. also, it's like 4 blocks from my house.

    (5)

  • Yvonne Y.

    Well prepared dishes with fresh, local ingredients. Well, I don't know how local the baramundi and diver scallops can possibly be... Anyway, diver scallops over leeks and parsley gremolata was heavenly. Grilled octopus was very tender. Personally, I found the beans that came with the octopus a bit dry. Every ingredient came perfectly together in the roasted beet salad with mandarin and goat cheese. Veal scallopini was crispy on the outside but tender in the inside with a flavorful yet not overpowering polenta. Couldn't ask for more in terms of the food. These are traditional dishes done right, not molecular gastronomy. Pretty large portions but then again, I'm in Chicago so I guess it's average size. Very loud restaurant and the tables are very close to each other. Large Italian wine selection by the bottle and by the glass. Most customers range are 30 - 50 years old. Dress smartly.

    (5)

  • Dallas D.

    Love this place, small but comfortable. A true "hidden" gem in Evanston. Great cocktails, wine selection, and sumptuous menu. It is pricy, but definitely worth it... That makes it great for a special evening out!

    (5)

  • William B.

    An annual Evanston Stop. Food is nearly always superb. This year, lamb chops were perfectly prepared high quality meat. The skirt steak was also highly praised. The octopus starter was great. The roasted beet, endive/artichoke salads were very enjoyable. Their uniquely prepared Caesar Salad is always a favorite of mine. Although we have enjoyed many great fish meals in the past, this trip their trout and (special) grouper meals disappointed.

    (4)

  • Robyn K.

    Bread pudding is to die for!!! I swear that I heard angels playing the violin as I ate the pudding. Amaze balls!!! Ordered salmon. Very fresh. Small portions though. Pricey in my opinion. Service was great. Intimate place. Will go back just for dessert!!!

    (4)

  • David L.

    Food: 4 Decor: 4 Service: 3 I came here with my gf for dinner Sunday around 7:30pm. Tip: there's metered street parking outside, and call at least a few days in advance to get reservations 1. Diver Scallop, 12 yelp.com/biz_photos/0jdY… cauliflower puree, pine nut, and caper relish ~Yummy, although there was a speck of sand that I crunched on. Nice of them to split the appetizer even though I didn't request it. 2. Short rib, 23 yelp.com/biz_photos/0jdY… balsamic glaze and caramelized root vegetables ~Pretty good. Meat was juicy and tender. 3. Bacon-wrapped pheasant breast, 25 yelp.com/biz_photos/0jdY… butternut agrodolce, Brussels sproutes and apple ~Yummy. Everything was cooked nicely, and the citrusy sauce complemented well. Service was a bit slow (delays in getting our order at the beginning and our check at the end), so dinner took an hour and a half.

    (4)

  • Cesar R.

    We had high expectations on this restaurant based on the high reviews here on yelp. We had an early 6pm dinner on a Saturday and already several people were coming in and soon the restaurant was busy, a very good sign indeed. It started really well and the bread was outstanding, the crust was crisp and the inside soft that we finished it quickly and and happily said yes when asked if we wanted more. However, that was the highlight of the meal. For appetizers, we got the radicchio,the octopus and the diver scallops. The octopus was overcooked, tough and lacking flavors. The scallops too salty and the radicchio was burnt. Still, we thought all these 4 and 5 stars review couldn't be all wrong so we proceeded to the main courses hoping that it will get better. The Pappardelle Bolognese had glowing reviews so I decided to get that, there was a Grouper special for the day and surely they couldn't mess the special so my wife got that and my daughter ordered the Tagliatelle. Sadly, the hope soon died and disappointment set in. The Grouper was again overcooked, resting in a bed of capers that overwhelmed the dish. The amount of pasta in the Pappardelle was so small that about half of the meat was still in my plate even though I tried to eat it with the complimentary bread. It was the same thing with the Tagliatelle, more that half a plate of mushrooms remained when the pasta was gone. Overall the main courses did not really tasted bad, but it was mediocre at best and truly disappointing due to the high reviews of this restaurant.

    (2)

  • Dee H.

    The food is outstanding. The atmosphere is fine but nothing special. Worth it for the food.

    (4)

  • Hayley P.

    One of Chicago's hidden gems. Small menu but everything on it is incredible, which goes to show that the chef has confidence in each item on the menu. I literally don't like telling people about this place because I'm afraid it will become to popular and I won't get a reservation. Best Italian around.

    (5)

  • steve l.

    Excellent on every front. If you want to be seen, go to Found. If you want a beer, go to Farmhouse. If you want an excellent meal (food, wine, service), go to Campagnola! Diver scallops, skirt steak and bread pudding are all amazing.

    (5)

  • Alex S.

    Absolutely amazing food and service here. I've gone here for a romantic 2 person dinner and for a celebratory 8 person dinner, both experiences were equally as exceptional. The staff is friendly, the wine choices are pretty good, and the food is simply exceptional. I've sampled a number of the entrees and found that they're all very high quality. Great date and group place. Unquestionably one of the best restaurants in Evanston.

    (5)

  • Brandy K.

    Love this place! We wanted a low-key place to celebrate our wedding anniversary and this place rocked. It's a pretty small restaurant, but its always busy. The food and the wine selection are great. I can't remember the exact dish I had, but it was so yummy! Shrimp and pasta something. I literally talked about how great it was for two days after. Good food, good service, good everything! We'll be back!

    (4)

  • Ba R.

    We've lived rolling distance away, but had only been here once before. Why? I don't know. We loved it the first time. This time my wife took me to celebrate my birthday. We got a sitter at the last minute, and, of course, couldn't score a reservation for the same (Saturday) night. The gentleman on the phone (I'm guessing the owner) told my wife to "c'mon in and hang out at the bar with me." We lucked out and arrived just as someone vacated a a Tall table in the bar area, which was actually a very comfortable spot to eat. Before I say anything else, I want to mention the bread. It was fantastic! I would categorize it as a Tuscan hearth-type bread, but the crust was just perfect-a little crunchy, but not overwhelmingly so. the inside was airy and gummy and warm. It was perfect. I had no problem at all with risking filling up on bread, as it was so amazing. I started with grilled octopus. I've had octopus prepared this well on a couple occasions before, in Greece and in Rio de Janeiro, but never in the Midwest. My wife had the scallops-also done perfectly. I had the roasted beet and goat cheese salad (fantastic) and my wife had a deconstructed Ceaser salad that was easy on the eyes. I didn't try it, but she had no complaints. For the main course, I had a bacon-wrapped pheasant. It was outstanding. My wife had the veal. Both were ample portions, presented expertly, and very, very tasty. We split a vanilla bean bread pudding with vanilla gelato. Hell, go in just for that. Seriously. Be prepared to drop $50 a person; more if you're drinky. I really liked sitting near the bar, and I also remember the table service as being excellent when we last visited years ago. To bring it back to the bread, as we were leaving, I remarked to (the man I assume was) the owner that I'm trying to learn how to bake bread, and that I had a new example to shoot for. He said "Oh, you liked it? Let me get you a loaf!" He ducked into the back and returned with a GIANT loaf, probably 3 times the size of a loaf I would bake, and casually handed it over, remarking that it made great french toast, and would survive freezing. So far, in two days we've made french toast, grilled "toasties" and just gobbled it up plain. I don't think freezing will be necessary. We'd be returning soon for the food and ambiance alone, but the generosity of the owner really reinforced the "fine dining, with a neighborhood feel" that will keep us coming back (and introducing it to friends).

    (5)

  • Matt R.

    Wow, this place is pretty cool! It's definitely a bit expensive though. However, the food is extremely good. We had some amazing stuff here, although the vegetarian options are few (and so is the menu). I think the menu would look bigger if you used a microscope, because it has about 12 options or 15 options in total. Meanwhile, the food is really good.

    (5)

  • Robert T.

    Campagnola has quickly become my favorite restaurant in Evanston. The food is simply excellent and the service & atmosphere are wonderful. The restaurant itself is small and quaint with easy street parking. Highly recommended.

    (5)

  • Becky N.

    Have been here so many times and just realized I have never left a review for this place. Better late than never. The food here is incredible. Every single time I eat here, I thank my lucky stars that this place is so close. The service (Wayne and Keith, you rock) is impeccable. The food is always perfect. Never once have I been disappointed. Steve the owner is a card. The prices here, may I mention, are also very reasonable. Was here this weekend and had Caesar salad with extra anchovies. Veal something or other. I almost licked my plate it was that good. Deserts here are the bomb. Don't deny yourself. Favorites: rib eye, goat cheese appetizer, Caesar salad, pasta bolognese and shrimp linguine dish.

    (5)

  • Patrick B.

    The first time we ate there several months ago, the experience didn't impress us. Despite our earlier experience, we gave it another shot. Unfortunately, we ended that dining experience by returning the cold, tasteless Brick-Grilled Chicken plate and asking for the check. As we had 6:00 pm reservations, the kitchen clearly wasn't prepared to deliver a warm meal. When we combine the kitchen's lackluster effort with the poor service, we left hungry and disappointed. Not a place we will give a third shot.

    (1)

  • Carol K.

    What a great little neighborhood find! Campagnola is a little Italian eatery located in the heart of Evanston. It is a cozy and intimate space- perfect for a date- with exposed brick walls, wooden tables and fabric canvases hung on the walls. The menu changes as it is made with organic, local and seasonal offering so there may be slight tweaks to things you like on the menu. Even the meats are procured locally. While the wine list and menu are select in their offerings- there are plenty of things to chose from that will please all in your party. We started with a wine called Truth Lindsey's Cuvee red- a lovely blend of reds with strong tastes of fruit and a bit peppery. Perfect! And reasonably priced at around $40. Our thinking was if a lessor priced wine was this good- I could only imagine what the higher priced offerings would reveal. After consulting with our server, Emma, she steered us toward a couple of her favorites on the menu. For starters we split the grilled octopus which was quite good with a strong olive flavor. And we also had a caprese salad with really fresh buffalo mozzarella and several kinds of grape tomatoes and basil on the plate along with toasted bread. For our entrees- I had the Pappardelle Bolognese which was great with those wide noodles holding the sauce that was rich with veal and pork. My friend had the Veal Scallopini with polenta. Both of our entree's were delicious! While I wished we had had room for the berry crisp for dessert- alas-it was not to be as I was so full from the fabulous entree and starters. Service was spot on with Emma taking the time to tell us about the specials of the night and in being attentive without being overbearing. (I also loved her headband! ) Dinner for two with wine ran around $120. Parking is available on the street. Evanston is not usually on my regular "go to" list. It's a bit of a trek from my house. But an old friend has recently moved to the area so I may be spending more time up there than before.. Hmm . . . . if other restaurants in the area are as good as Campagnola- it could quickly become a favorite hang out of mine!

    (4)

  • Amy L.

    Love the little Italian place. Their beet salad with goat cheese tastes terrific, among the steaks and a lot of other things. The waiter is cordial and welcoming, especially on a rainy night. The parking situation, though, is not so easy during busy hours.

    (5)

  • Jeff T.

    We were gifted a meal at Campagnola and, I have to say, were a bit anxious due to the recent string of one-star reviews here. Something must have changed in the past few months, however, because this place was outstanding. Octopus and diver scallop apps were prepared perfectly and very generously portioned. We split the pappardelle with a veal and beef ragu (the standout dish of the night) and the excellent sea bass special with artichokes and cipollini onions. One thing people griped about in past reviews was the service, but these guys were totally on their game: friendly but not intrusive, and very generous. After exhausting our carafe of chianti, our waiter topped off our glasses with a bottle they hadn't finished. And when we couldn't decide between the ricotta pound cake and the vanilla bean bread pudding, our waiter helped us settle on the latter but brought us a large sample of the pound cake just to satisfy our curiosity. (For the record, the bread pudding is one of the best desserts I've had in the city while the pound cake is fairly forgettable.) The service was really above and beyond. The noise level does get very high (what with all the brick walls and right angles), but the overall experience here was quite a pleasant surprise. Will definitely return.

    (5)

  • Matt C.

    Pretty good. I had the veal scalopini, butter lettuce salad, and the chocolate panna cotta for dessert. Everything was satisfying, but the apps are a little small for the price= bruscetta was 9 dollars we got ike two pieces. Octopus was good, but it was about 3 bites. The waiter, on the other hand seemed like he hated his job, and he was doing us a favor by taking the table. I will probably be back to give it another shot.

    (3)

  • L. F.

    Cute Italian restaurant in Evanston. Great place for a date, romantic evening out or dining with a small group of friends.

    (4)

  • Dixie O.

    Very disappointing. Our first visit, and definitely, the last. The food was bland and lacking in seasoning. I kept wondering, "Good lord, where's the salt shaker"? It was us, and a bunch of old people on a Friday night! Then, we were asked to leave our table and make our way to the bar for our "free drink". We had only been at our table for an hour and fifteen minutes! We purchased two entrees, appetizers and four glasses of wine between us. We are locals and eat out at least 4-5 times a week. Campagnola's not going on our rotation. B'bye.

    (1)

  • Elizabeth T.

    Wow. This place is great. I've considered going here for a long time but heard it was snooty and overpriced. I was seriously mistaken. It was very good. The only ding I might give them is that their wine menu was slightly lacking. I tried the radicchio appetizer and that was amazing. (I wish I knew how to replicate that.) I also had the scallops appetizer and the lamb entree. Everything was delish. The service was great. Overall, 4.5 stars. I will definitely be returning.

    (4)

  • Jonathan D.

    I was visiting from out of town and found positive reviews on Zagat and on Yelp, and I wanted Italian, and I'm so glad that I tried Campagnola. From the moment I walked in as a single diner, the owner and his staff made me feel welcome. I had a well-situated table against the wall where I could watch the bustling restaurant, and the service was friendly skilled and professional at all times. But as good as everything else is, the star here is the food. It began with excellent bread, and soon, I was digging into a knockout ricotta gnocchi with wild boar ragout. Every bite was delicious. Next came a perfectly cooked, moist and flavorful halibut (a special, but it was only $24--unlike places where the special is $10 more than everything else) with asparagus, fennel, garbonzos and a tomato coulis. I couldn't have been happier. I finished with a toasted pecan and creme fraiche cake--it had just the right amount of sweetness, and a scoop of gelato on top made for bliss on a plate. Honestly, I wasn't sure from its name that it was going to be my thing, but I'm extremely glad I took my server's recommendation. I wished I lived closer, though if this place were in my neighborhood, I'd probably be broke from eating here so often. But having said that, it's actually quite reasonable for a restaurant of its quality. In fact, for what I'd call "casual fine dining," it's not expensive at all. If I'm back this way, I'd go here in a heartbeat.

    (5)

  • Ari L.

    Big family dinner last night! So much fun. Started with the diver scallops. Perfect sear and brought out hot-- so good! Boyfriend ordered the caprese. The tomatoes were so big; it was shocking. We ordered the tagliatelle for the pasta course. When it came out we realized that we had each ordered the enitre table had ordered the tagliatelle! Savory and rich with an overt herbacious aspect. Lots of mushrooms! Then the duck, medium rare, Boyfriend had the lamb. The duckfat was cooked to crispy perfection. Not too gamey. All of the right flavors were aromatic and lovely. The lamb was a bit smokey, but seemed to be enjoyed nonetheless. Cheesecake, cookies and gelato for dessert. Gelato and cheesecake were definitely at the top of the class, although I wasn't a huge fan of the candied lemons on the cheesecake. So good...

    (4)

  • Sarah B.

    After an awkward entrance (there isn't much room in the bar area for waiting, and the bar patrons gave us some funny looks), we were seated at a two top. Seating is very close , although I didn't ever feel like I was eavesdropping or being eavesdropped on,. Our table was along a "thoroughfare" for the servers and the way to the bathroom--not my favorite location. Be sure to request seating along the walls to avoid the traffic. Despite all this, the service and food went above and beyond my expectations. Even though they had run out of lamb (which made me VERY sad), I still thoroughly enjoyed the pheasant, with bacon, apples and squash--i ate it all! The calamari was also delicious and, after a taste of my boyfriend's pasta, i know i'll be back for my own plate. A very pleasant restaurant, good for an evening out, whether casual or special.

    (4)

  • Vincent C.

    Campagnola's main dining room is fantastic, but this is a review for the rehearsal dinner my wife and I had in the private upstairs dining room. Despite the fact that we lived only a couple of blocks away, we did most of the party planning with Wayne over the phone and by email. You may be the face-to-face type, but rest-assured that it was easy breezy to get a hold of Wayne and everything went smoothly. We originally planned on having 15 guests, but my parents threw a curveball and wanted to host a traditional Chinese tea ceremony for my family that would be traveling to town. I don't care to remember what the head count increased to, but Wayne was very accommodating and worked with my Dad to make it happen. I don't think I can accurately capture how great Wayne and his staff were the night of our party. From having hot tea ready, to having cups and saucers, and the oh-so-delicious food. There aren't a lot of details that I remember, but the food sticks in my mind, yum! Campagnola does a great job of hosting private parties and we are incredibly happy that we had our rehearsal dinner here.

    (5)

  • Jackie L.

    Excellent food & wine and a nice, cozy atmosphere. I have dined here twice - once in the main dining room and once with a private party upstairs. Both were very enjoyable and I would highly recommend this restaurant. 4 stars instead of 5 is because of the limited vegetarian options (italian restos are usually great for that).

    (4)

  • Tim C.

    Seriously, The food The place The staff It does not get better For eight years Consistently great Owner is fantastic

    (5)

  • Carrie W.

    My boyfriend and I went here for my birthday and loved it. Not only was Campagnola the food the best Italian I've ever tasted, but the cabernet franc we got with dinner was excellent as well. The atmosphere and lighting were the perfect for a romantic dinner date and the food was unfussy gourmet, delicious. The only downside was the loud drunk guy who started singing happy birthday to the table next to him. But the ziti with cream sauce was too good for me to care much.

    (5)

  • Nora W.

    Great atmosphere, friendly staff, amazing food. Everything I've tried here has been delectable... Personal favorites: Orecchiette with tomato sauce, sausage, and escarole Skirt Steak with escarole, onion marmalade, and potato Caesar salad Minestrone (comes with a lovely little dollop of pesto) Apple and cranberry crisp

    (5)

  • Chris T.

    A perennial fav my wife & I love going to Campagnola for special occasions. Unfortunately this time we were disappointed. Service seemed disinterested, the menu has not changed in a long while. The wine by the glass was definitely on the frugal side. The ribeye & pheasant...not too impressed. Not sure if the staff had a long night but it didn't feel the same as previous visits. We might have to give this a miss next time around.

    (3)

  • Happiness L.

    Stellar! My very favorite Italian restaurant! Yummy!!!! Just wish this place was larger so more people could go. Been a few times for pasta, this weekend ordered the amazing bacon-wrapped pheasant breast...wow! in every bite. Friendly staff, just wish towards the end of the meal the service didn't wain so much. Thank you for creating this restaurant.

    (5)

  • John B.

    I don't come to Campagnola often enough, and I don't know why. It's cozy, the food is always good, and it's easily accessible by public trans. But it doesn't stay in the top tier of my restaurant memory. A recent visit reminded me how much I like this place. The room is small, but pretty wide open, so while it's a nice date place, don't expect to be able to hide away. My friend and I had a salad and soup, respectively -- butter greens with apples and goat cheese for her, potato leek for me. Both very good. She had the Milanese pork chop --boneless, pounded, breaded -- which was good, but seemed to be missing something. The judges on Top Chef would probably have recommended some acid. My orechiette with sausage and peppers, on the other hand, was perfect. As in, "I know I should take some of this home, but I can't stop eating it." Top it off with a warm berry crumble, and we are done. There's a lot to love about Campagnola. The menu changes regularly, to reflect what's in season. They're dedicated to using local and organic products -- including locally raised meat -- so that's a plus. And the menu is compact. A handful of salads and appetizers, maybe a half dozen pastas, a couple of fish, chicken, and meat dishes. A long menu makes me indecisive. Offer me the best you have and let me choose from that. That's the style at Campagnola. It's a place worth remembering.

    (4)

  • Gfiddy F.

    Awesome food.

    (5)

  • Ambrish K.

    This restaurant was my choice for the 'big night'. I proposed marriage to my girlfriend at Campagnola. I really liked the reviews on Yelp (thank you!) and visited the restaurant the same evening to 'set the stage'. The staff was genuinely friendly, thoughtful and very cooperative (even helped orchestrate my proposal, down to where they would seat us). My girlfriend and I arrived there and the staff even pretended they didn't know me. So, we took in the place, really enjoyed the dinner. The ambiance, food, wine and the dessert all fit together perfectly (I think, although I wasn't really focused on any of that). They have a small but interesting and well planned menu. You can view it online, so I won't go into the details of it. (The older I get, the more I seem to prefer places that have a small menu). A handful of options, if the chef knows how to prepare them right, and you're taken care of. It seemed to have some regulars (which is always a good sign) who liked eating at the bar. The bar tender was genial and a true professional at his trade. This might even become my 'special occasion' restaurant in Evanston. Why? It's because she said 'yes!'

    (5)

  • Alex M.

    Good little place. Very good food and drink. I was there for a business dinner the other night and both of us were very happy with everything.

    (5)

  • Marissa P.

    C...ozy A...mbience, M...enu P...leases A...lways, G...ourmand N'... O...rganic, L...ove A...lways.

    (4)

  • Hula B.

    great food and great service at a neighborhood spot. i'd never turn down dinner there.

    (5)

  • Jen L.

    Went to Campagnola for a reunion of sorts. The restaurant was cozy but not too cramped, and the waiter was very friendly. I ordered the trout (not my normal fish of choice), and it was incredibly delicious. I keep hinting at the boyfriend that we should go back for a date (wink wink). Can't wait!

    (5)

  • John F.

    Extremely impressed. The food was all quite good and very reasonably priced for the quality (pasta $17-19, entrees $18-25). I was full but not uncomfortably so by the end of the meal. The service was what you would expect from a restaurant twice as expensive: totally attentive without ever being overbearing, and well-coordinated. The owner was very friendly, accommodating my reservation made 30 minutes before I came in even though the place was packed. He greeted me by name when I entered, When I wanted a glass of wine, he saw me glance around the restaurant and immediately came over to ask what he could do. It was a bit noisy. Perfect spot for dates.

    (5)

  • Frank R.

    I super enjoyed Campagnola. The waiter recommend a great meal and I really enjoyed it. They seated us in a great little corner, and that made it extra good. I want to go back a few times and do a proper review, but suffice to say if you're in Evanston, this is definitely a great place for a super dinner at really reasonable prices.

    (4)

  • Victoria H.

    Bolognese sauce. Do yourself a favor and order it. Campagnola is a wonderful little gem that our family goes to when we want upscale and traditional italian cuisine. It hits the spot beautifully. The ambiance is a little dark, but cozy with exposed brick walls and candle light. Our service has always been excellent, the waiters are friendly, informative, attentive, and willing to answer any questions we have about the menu. The food. The reason you come to restaurants. Never disappoints. Especially the pastas. Everything is fresh, the portions are just right, and they really get how to combine flavors. Great restaurant for a date, but whatever the occasion get yourself to Campagnola! Never had a bad experience, and I have been 5-6 times.

    (5)

  • Heather K.

    This place is wonderful. Small, Cozy, organic/local ingredients, whenever possible - I love that! Cute little bar in the front and the service was spectacular. The menu is small but I consider that a good sign. I had the roasted beet salad and the wild mushroom tagliatelle. It was perfect.

    (5)

  • Sandi S.

    Okay, so the hubby and I haven't been on a date-night in awhile. We were one of the first tables on a Friday night during the Easter holiday and easily seated. We knew we wanted a bottle of wine, but when I heard a martini shaker in the distance (they have an uber-micro-mini bar right when you walk in), I questioned our choice of spirits. Ultimately, the hubby got a Makers Mark as an apéritif (they did not have Bushmills or Jameson, his first choices), and I got a compromised version of a French Martini. (The bartender didn't have apple juice - though that's a new twist I'd never heard of!) After a rightful date-night toast, we proceeded with appetizers of crab cakes, Carpaccio, and wood-fired radicchio wrapped in bacon with goat cheese! I absolutely fell in love with the Carpaccio ... Ultra-thin strips of rare beef with HUGE shavings of parmigiano-reggiano (which I set aside for my thick-sliced crusty bread) and tangy arugula dressed in a light olive oil dressing! The added accompaniment of horseradish sauce made it feel like a Sunday prime rib dinner, and I couldn't have been more pleased. There was enough to share w/ my hubby easily. The crab cakes were very "crabby" in a very good way ... A thin, super-crispy outside with lots of meaty goodness on the inside, served with a tart apple slaw that I can't wait to try to replicate at home. The radicchio wasn't bad, just something a little outside of the box for us. If you're not into a "smoke" flavor, you won't like it much, but the goat cheese was fantastic and the bacon wasn't so overpowering that it tasted greasy like it sometimes can. It reminded me of an Italian spin on dolmades, and I'd probably try it again. Okay, entrees ... My hubby got the veal scallopini, and I got the striped sea bass - that evening's special. I'm not a big fan of bland food (salt-o-holic that I am), but there was something really refreshing about tasting our entrees in the context they were meant. There were a few times I wanted to ask for a saltshaker (not readily available on the tables, btw), but I recognized it would be sacrilege and abided by the chef's conviction to let the food take center stage. My hubby gave me a bite of his veal, and while I'm used to veal in a white cream or wine sauce with mountains of pasta, this was served simply with mashed fingerling potatoes and a savory juice-gravy that was something new to me. My husband really enjoyed it, proclaiming that it was filling yet very 'light and easy" at the same time. My bass was mild and sported a crispy, flavorful seared crust, also served with fingerling potatoes, peas, and some purple root vegetable I didn't get the name of, but was quite good. I may've preferred a pasta side to the potatoes, but it wasn't an option. Pastas were only offered as main courses - bummer! My husband did also order a side vegetable that was a sort of casserole of fire-roasted butternut squash, brussels sprouts and pancetta. (Yum!) Again, a side that wasn't seasoned much, but after a good fire roasting, you could really taste the rusticness of the food, which was very nice. During the main course, we thoroughly enjoyed a bottle of Soléna - a 2007 pinot noir from OR. I hated the idea of spending $45 on a bottle of wine that I could probably pick up for $15-$20, but damn if it wasn't so soft, velvety, and fruity! (To my amateur palate anyway; I'm no Alpana Singh!) For dessert, I got the chocolate torte (a flourless cake) with vanilla gelato. It was only subtlety sweet, and again, not too filling, the perfect finish to a delicious meal. The hubby got a grappa, which he seemed to enjoy, but smelled of Nyquil as far as I was concerned! He loves a good Port, which was an option on the menu, but I guess he was looking for something with a punch! It wasn't an end-all-be-all kind of place, but I would go again. The menu is limited however, so I'd probably be more interested in that evening's specials. Atmosphere ... The interior was dim and romantic. There were exposed brick walls and the dining room floor was a mix of tables and chairs (in the center) and banquettes with tables lining the perimeter. The artwork was simple - over-sized fabric covered canvases. The bar, VERY intimate and L-shaped, seemed like a quaint spot for regulars to catch up on the week's events. An elderly couple sat to our right, and a "younger-than-us" couple to our left. The ambience was serene and pleasant without being boring. I'd love to see a martini menu and more entrees to choose from in the future, as well as a quality olive oil on the tables for bread-dipping. For three appetizers, two apéritifs, a bottle of wine, two entrees, a side dish, dessert, and a digestif, it was around $210 including the tip. We left happy, full, tipsy, and with a doggie bag to boot!

    (4)

  • Sheila G.

    Not impressed. I was expecting a lot more from the reviews. The ambiance is fine but the food was nothing special. And both my dish and my husband's dish were undersalted. The service was attentive but the food doesn't compare to other Italian joints in the city. For the price and hype, I expected much better.

    (3)

  • Nancy T.

    Fantastic, delicious, yummy. Great restaurant with outstanding food and service. This is a great little gem on the South side of Evanston. Really romantic, dark, candlelit ambiance (spoiled only by the crying infant at the next table...on a Friday night after 8...why do people do this?!! WHY?). Everything I ate here was superb, especially the pasta dishes. I'd come back here again just for the orecchiette pasta dish with the escarole, Italian sausage and melted tomatoes. Foodgasm! I also want to try all the desserts--they sounded and looked so good. I opted for the gorgonzola dolce (came with crisp toast thins, a drizzle of honey, a disc of fig jam and some hazelnuts). Great finish to a memorable meal.

    (4)

  • Andrew H.

    Great service, atmosphere, and food. The beautiful girl I was with and I were greeted at the door and had our coats hung which was a pleasant surprise. We began with the complementary bread which my dining date and I agreed was the best bread at any Evanston restaurant - the crust had just the right amount of crunch and the inside was amazingly soft. For appetizers, we shared the diver scallops, which were seared perfectly and sat on top of a heavenly cauliflower puree with caper relish. She typically does not touch seafood but found the scallops delectable. The flawless sweet and savory execution heightened our expectations for the main course. For our main courses, she ordered the Tagliatelle with mushrooms and I ordered the Penne with duck. The amount of duck was very satisfying; usually I expect tons of pasta and a small quantity of duck but you definitely get your money's worth of duck here. I also tried the Tagliatelle which was spot on. Once again, the mushroom to pasta ratio was very pleasing. For dessert, we shared the bread pudding and could not have asked for a better way to top off our meal. We will definitely come back and are excited to see the menu evolve with the seasons. The only negative was the seating arrangement; the tables in the middle were a little too close together for my liking, but the overall ambiance was great. We also want to try Union Pizzeria, Campagnola's sister restaurant.

    (4)

  • Nate W.

    I've been here for dinner several times. It became a favorite place for me and my girlfriend. The place is quiet enough so that you can hear a conversation. The service varies a little. Some days are better and some were worse. Overall, it was okay. The reason we were both fans was the duck. We were both fans of the duck that came in a good portion , well cooked with an excellent sauce. It was wonderful. Unfortunately, I their menu changed and there was no more duck. I never went back to try anything else after that, but I still have good memories.

    (4)

  • steve r.

    it's so infrequent that i get to go here that it warrents a second review! again, the food was spectacular, the service flawless. bruschetta. tomato marmalade. what is that? it's great. creamy feta cheese, fresh basil. first delicious assault on the senses. crunchy, creamy. calamari app. i wish i knew how to cook the calamari this good. i imagine that there's flames and butter and magic. on a bed of white beans. i would have it as an entree. butternut squash salad. bacon vinagrette. should be poured on everything. crunchy pumpkin seeds, chunks of squash, leafy greens. another assualt that brought tears. linguini. big, fresh shrimp and scallops. a thick ragout that tasted light and dense at the same time. getting full. main entree on the way but i can't stop eating. and my companion had a plate of pappardelle bolognase he couldn't finish, so i had a taste. rich veal and pork and wide, thin pasta. vegetable. brussell sprouts with potatoes and pancetta, great way to get your vegatables. special. tender, perfectly cooked halibut, with dab of tomato cream sauce, on a bed of asparagras and fresh garbonzos. dessert. yes, dessert. stuffed to the gills. lemon curd tart, and it was delightfully tart, with blueberries and creme fraiche. atmosphere simple and elegant. food phenomenal. and that's why you go there. the food is amazing.

    (5)

  • Will M.

    I'm really overdue writing a review on this place. My wife and I went - without reservations - about a month ago. They were quick to seat us - we got a window seat. It was nice by the window, but I recommend that you avoid being too close to the door as their is a lot of traffic. On a cold day (as was the day we went there) there will be a lot of cold drafts. Now...having said all of that...the service was *excellent* and I am a stickler for service - and the owner was nice too. If I don't get the attention I deserve then I am a whiney bitch. Anyways...that didn't happen. Also the food was great. I think I had a Bolognese dish. Whatever it was...it was unbelievable. I remember that part - even though I don't remember exactly what it was that I had. Also the wine was very good. I am trying to figure out how to get back there. Its a bit of a hike from my Wrigleyville home....

    (5)

  • Sarah L.

    Last weekend was date night and after reading the good reviews on Yelp I was pretty excited to try out Campagnola. Unfortunately the food did not meet my expectations. Maybe I just ordered the wrong thing, or it was an off night, I don't know. The bread was just ok, a little on the bland side. The bruschetta with spinach was interesting, we enjoyed it. Then I got the tagliatelle and he got the rib eye. His steak was average, def not great, but my pasta was NOT good. Lots of mushrooms and tasted completely mushroomy. Ugh. We decided to cut date night short and ordered the chocolate panna cotta to go (tasted it at home and I was surprised that I really liked it, considering our entrees were disappointing). Although the service & wine here were good, I don't think the food was worth the total on the check and I won't be returning to Campagnola any time soon.

    (2)

  • Roberta B.

    I am amused to read the many raves accorded this pretentious and atrocious restaurant. Did these patrons eat at a different place than me? The food was uniformly awful. The degustation dinner afforded diverse opportunities to taste really poorly prepared cuisine of all types and description. I would blame myself for lacking a properly cultured palate were it not for the fact that the 3 people I was with thought the food as detestable as I did. Eat at this establishment only if you seek an expensive alternative to Ipecac. The place deserves zero stars but Yelp only allows for one star.

    (1)

  • t k.

    This place is fabulous. Don't listen to your hotel concierge....listen to YELP. Traveling on business...food was outstanding, atmosphere relaxed and service perfect.....probably deserved a 5 star. Menu is limited, so check it out online before you go.

    (4)

  • Tim O.

    Been going here for years, the service is perfect and the food is so good it should be a controlled substance. The wood-fired raddichio is good, any of the pasta dishes is good. Just to reiterate, the food here is so good you'll have a hard time coming to terms with the fact that you will not be able to eat here every single night. The place does take out, except it feels very odd to do so (and it is practically the most expensive take out one could imagine).

    (5)

  • Ryan P.

    Loved this place. The waiter was very attentive and extremely informative. He suggested some superb appetizers that complimented one another perfectly. Upon ordering our entrees, he recommended a strong, balanced white wine to pair up with the meals and nailed it on the head. The atmosphere and ambience of this place is simple and elegant. The food was delicious. The staff is very courteous and helpful. There's a feeling of elegance, but at the same time you get the sense that the people are down-to-earth and care about your experience.

    (4)

  • Jesster A.

    O' Julie H - if you hadn't written about Campagnola, I probably would have forgotten it existed - and we live like a mile away... I just hate it when you want to love a place for all the right reasons and the food is consistently good, but not memorable enough for me to recall anything we've eaten there, which is like 5 or 6 times. (and while I pretty sure we're not as old as your grandparents are - I'm equally sure we are not as young as you are!) But to be fair - the food is good (if not memorable) and it's like, across the street from the Main Street "L" and Metro stops - so getting there sans a car is really easy. I'm not sure if it's still there, but come summer, and call to check this out, they have a delightful little outdoor dining patio -behind - so it really is charming and quite romantic... I just wish I could remember anything we ever ate there - and I have a really good memory when it comes to things like that...

    (4)

  • J M.

    We like the food here. BUT . . .every time we've come - even very early at night - they tell us they are full! Like, there's no effort to find us a seat, such as saying "Would you like to have a drink and we'll see what we can do?" or "Something might open up soon." It's always just, sorry, no room tonight. If we go at, say, 8 on a Saturday night, I'll buy that. But at other times I don't. Why this place doesn't want our $$, I don't know, but the attitude is a turn off.

    (2)

  • claire l.

    I have been going here for years. Campagnola is consistently fantastic. Wonderful amuse-bouche appetizers; savory, satisfying pastas; and perfectly cooked, well-flavored meats (best porkchops and bistecca ever). A great wine and beer list, knowledgeable staff, and outstanding service. EDIT: I went here in late December when I was in town, and got the short ribs - they were one of my best Campagnola meals in living memory. So good that my vegetarian boyfriend not only tasted them, but asked for a second bite. And a third. Get these if they're still on the menu.

    (5)

  • Lena S.

    We ate here for a celebratory meal and it lived up to the moment. We were extremely lucky to get a table for 4 on a Friday without a reservation - this is not the norm. The food was fabulous - meat was perfectly cooked, sides were seasoned well (nothing overwhelming or bland), and the pasta was amazing. It had a few fancy (a.k.a. we weren't sure what they were) ingredients but these were explained to us and turned out to be tasty. Portions were generous and given the quality of the food, this made the prices a-ok. It is definitely dark and cozy, with no intrusion from the noisy Chicago Ave. right outside.

    (5)

  • Adam S.

    UPDATE: Recent visit on 7/6/07 warranted some more text and a one-star reduction to 4: Family was in town and took them to Campagnola. Based on the last visit thought it was going to be universally great, but unfortunately it was very uneven. Some dishes were good, but some weren't. In fact, my girlfriend's pasta dish was practically inedible. The noodles were so overdone they were beyond mush and just stuck together and/or hardened from being stuck to the edge of the pot. Other's dishes were extremely oily with an over-abundance of olive oil that was just unnecessary. Fine food doesn't have to mean eating 100g of fat and it's totally cutting corners to just douse everying in oil. At the same time, the room is still a nice place to sit in, service was overall pretty good, and I probably will try to go back again to give this place that had so much promise the first time one more try. ================ Warning to those reading this review: I just got back from Campagnola and it was one of those great nights where we didn't have a reservation but sat up front, drank some wine, and had a great conversation with the owner of the place before being sat for our meal, so I may be a bit biased in this review. Regardless, I say this with a clear mind: this place is fantastic. I have no idea what some of the other reviewers mean when they say it's a place to take your Grandmother. Perhaps it's because we went on a Friday night and the place was buzzing, but it felt much more like a sophisticated New York City restaurant than "someplace to take your Grandmother" or "someplace that is simply not memorable." I guess you have to serve the food off naked women to be "memorable" these days. The decor is simple - brick walls and low lights with candle-lit tables, simple art work on the walls and seating for about 50-60 people. The clientele was a mix of young and old, everyone's faces are illuminated in a warm candle glow and the din is just loud enough that you feel part of the experience but quiet enough you can still have a conversation. The wait staff is extremely friendly, the service impeccable but unpretentious. We both had salads and pasta for dinner; the entrees were fantastic. Then we polished the meal off with some bread pudding and latte's. Again, quite good. And to top it off, during the meal the owner sent over a plate of scallops which were divine. Maybe it's because we told him we yelp. :) Is the food here the absolute best in the city? No - but it's far above anything in the area and rivals some of the best restaurants downtown. After having driven past this place a hundred times, I'm glad we finally ate here. It's a fabulous place to take someone special, whether on a first date or your hundredth. You just walk out with a smile on your face and think - damn, that was a good night.

    (4)

  • Atl L.

    We're close by so this is a good spot when we're looking for something a bit more upscale. We've been a few times and experienced tasty food, great wine and superb service. Adam S we had a night like that as well. Showed up on a Sat without a reservation back in January - what were we thinking? It was packed! The host (whom we found out was the owner) said he couldn't promise anything but if we wanted to stick around he'd fit us in if someone didn't show up. Pour us a drink and a few minutes later two spots at the bar open up. We sat and ate and drank and talked with the owner all evening. He brought us things we didn't order, and topped us off by giving us some leftover Italian bread that he recommended for French Toast (yum!)

    (5)

  • Ken G.

    One of our favorite Italian places in Evanston. Consistently excellent food and great service. Win e list is decent too.

    (5)

  • Angela S.

    We have been going to this restaurant since it first opened. Had I written a review even last year I would have rated the restaurant excellent but then we had dinner there recently. We sometimes bring our own wine and pay the corkage fee, this time we decided to order from the wine list. It is not a very exciting list, the mark up is usual for a restaurant - 2 and 1/2 to 3 times the list price. I am usually not that particularly except the wine glasses the wait person brought out were small glasses, for white wine, and we ordered red. This was disappointing for a restaurant that likes to be considered more "up scale". He did bring proper wine glasses after I asked. The food was okay, unimaginative. The salad was poorly constructed with too much dressing on it. The service was good. We have decided that the menu at Terra, another local restaurant, is more interesting. We loved the idea of having two local places to go to but are now down to one.

    (3)

  • Inna T.

    The food was soooooo goooood!!! I found this place by accident as the halfway point between my girlfriend's house in Chicago and mine in the burbs. We thought we would have an OK meal but I was blown away. I had the wood-fired octopus app and it as a delicious blend of smokiness and hints of citrus. It was cooked perfectly--and octopus is hard to get right. My entree was amazing--orecchiette with Italian sausage and fresh, organic, wood-fired veggies. It was simple but soooo good that it was hard to stop eating; even when I was clearly busting at the seams. I hobnobbed with the regulars for a bit while waiting for my girlfriend and they assured me that anything I ordered would not disappoint. People seem to be very loyal to the place. The service was a bit slow at times but the quality of the food more than made up for the tiny glitches in the service. This place gets an A+ all the way. I urge everyone to try it if you can.

    (5)

  • John E.

    I had a wonderful time/dinner. Service was good, and the food was excellent. I recommend this place if you are looking for a restaurant in evanston

    (5)

  • April L.

    I had the best (or one of the best) meals of my life here at Campagnola. It was skatefish and it was DAMN GOOD. Everything's organic and the waiters all seem to know an ample amount of information on everything on the menu. I had the best red wine here, too, but unfortunately, I don't remember what it was. And, although I am not a big fan of rare meat, I tasted a bit of some very rare and bloody steak and again, it was DAMN GOOD. It melted in my mouth. I love the ambience here. Expensive, but well worth it. If you want to impress a date, take her here! Take me here!

    (5)

  • Grace Z.

    I've been to Campagnola for birthday dinners and Ladies Night Outs. It's got a great atmosphere - dim lighting, simple decor, cozy. If you've got a group, definitely make reservations. There's a party room upstairs that holds slightly larger groups. Nice getaway time for adults. Find a babysitter, go eat, and relax.

    (4)

  • S H.

    My husband and I just went to Campagnola for our anniversary. We were pleasantly surprised with the organic ingredients and reasonable prices. Our food was very, very good, but I didn't really enjoy the atmosphere. The space is small but very noisy and dark. Instead of feeling intimate, we were way too close to our neighboring tables and had a hard time hearing each other over the noise. Service was a little bit slow and detached. Nothing was forgotten or overlooked, but it felt like the server was kind of robotic and sort of came by when she remembered to. I would like to go back and try more items on the menu as everything was flavorful, fresh, and interesting. It's a bit of a see-and-be-seen spot in Evanston, which I usually avoid.

    (4)

  • Lynn W.

    Just had our rehearsal dinner here for our son's wedding. The food and service were outstanding. Wayne was great to work with. Can't say enough positive things about this place.

    (5)

  • Swapna P.

    The experience I had here was pretty much everything I was expecting. Service was a little slow, but nothing extremely bad The mussels in the appetizer dish were okay, but the best part was the saffron sauce. I had the chicken and my friend had the duck, both of which were cooked fine and were quite pleasant. For dessert, the panna cotta was a bit too soft like it had been sitting at room temperature for a while. The atmosphere is relatively upscale and a little dark, but also quite cozy. The tables are very close to each other. Overall, an okay dining experience but slightly too expensive to bother trying it again.

    (3)

  • David B.

    I really need to get back to Campagnola. Great experience. Cozy environment, great service and amazing food. Surely one of the better restaurants in Evanston, if not arguably the best.

    (4)

  • Emma C.

    I don't even remember the details of what I ate, it was just like a beautiful epicurean dream. So good, I wiped a tear from my eye. Fussier fare than I usually down, but every bite was so fresh and flavorful...sigh! Somebody loves food as much as I do. Who do I hug for this?

    (5)

  • Nancy M.

    We were looking for a rehearsal dinner location that had atmosphere and great food, and the bride and groom recommended Campagnola as one of their favorites. We had the second floor room, and the staff even accomodated us when we had to relocate the actual rehearsal indoors. The ambience was intimate but roomy enough for 40, the service was excellent, and the menu got rave reviews - the pappardelle and tagliatelle in particular, as well as the great desserts. Wayne, the manager, was a great help throughout the planning process and at the actual event. It was a lovely evening, and we're looking forward to returning to Campagnola when we visit Chicago in the future.

    (5)

  • Mark G.

    Went to Campagnola for dinner last night with a friend. The food, the service and the ambiance was absolutely pleasant. Our waiter was attentive although we did have to pour our rather expensive bottle of wine ourselves a few times. They had a delicious fresh beet salad for a special and a really good Halibut special with asparagus, cous cous and escarole in a light buttery sauce. My only complaint is the construction at the front door but I am sure this is temporary and I think the owner, is so pleasant when you walk in this is quickly forgotten. Note: The noise level is at the upper end of moderate and tables close together.

    (4)

  • Tammy Q.

    Nice and intimate atmosphere. Great place for a date.

    (4)

  • C A.

    Absolutely love this place! It is a great meal for a reasonable price. The wine is fabulous and the ambiance is romantic. The pappardelle bolognese is mouth-watering... delicious!!

    (5)

  • Julie H.

    Campagnola is very pleasant, so I find it difficult to rate it less than 4 stars... the food is good and I really appreciate a chef that uses organic and fresh, locally grown ingredients. But my experience was kind of forgettable. I think its because this... place... is... so... boring. I mean, its perfect for a nice, quiet dinner with your grandparents, but I'm not sure its worth a special trip to Evanston (this is coming from someone who does not own a car).

    (4)

  • Yvette F.

    Top notch food, wonderful wine list and friendly staff. Be sure to have a reservation! This place is very small and can be kind of loud but they never rush you out - once you sit down that table is pretty much yours.

    (5)

  • Ila L.

    Again Campagnola wowed me. We had yet another excellent dinner there this past weekend. My only compliant is that I always order, and consequently eat, far too much! I just can't seem to narrow it down to one starter and an entree. There is just too much to enjoy on the menu. The scallops were great, octopus excellent, beet salad delicious, bolognese tasty and the strip steak very well prepared. Oh, and dessert of course...the walnut cake was just right. Time to buy some new pants after all of that eating.

    (5)

  • Carlo R.

    While many of the things we ordered were really good and would warrant four stars on our rating, the service was so poor that it ruined the experience for us. The waitress acted as if she were doing us a favor by serving us the food. At one point we wanted to order another bottle of wine and she was no where to be found...we just gave up. She did not care to talk about the food beyond the basics...no recommendations...no check to see how things were. At the prices you are paying you'd expect more in terms of service. Finally, when the reservation was made we said it was a birthday and there was no mention of it at any point by anyone at the restaurant. This was our second and last time at Campagnola.

    (2)

  • Rob C.

    Was renovated nicely a few years ago--a good place for Evanston. I'm sad Trio closed. Upstairs party room.

    (4)

  • Robin D.

    Went to this place last night and it was good. I really dont go to italian restaurants here in the US a lot and my exposure to italian food is really only based on my visits to italian restaurants like Spiaggia, Vinci, Sapori and my trips to the different areas of Italy. This place I think is good but not excellent. I like the small rustic ambience. The diver scallops were fabulous. My shrimp linguine is ok. Maybe I just picked the wrong dish because there are other interesting dishes on the menu and my boyfriend truly enjoyed his dish and he is not an italian dish eater. The prices were in the upper teens to high 20s and even low 30 for the entree. The portions are fine. I will definitely go back to this place and give it a second chance. It is worth giving it a second try. I am hoping that they would be changing their menu every now and then. Service is just ok.

    (3)

  • Kate P.

    Yum! I went here a couple months ago and wish I had reviewed it right away. Even though it's not as fresh in my mind, I DO remember that I ate every bit of my orecchiette with sausage because it was sooo good. The restaurant itself is small and welcoming with low lighting making it a great date spot. Our waitress was professional and friendly...if I wasn't moving out west I would definitely go back!

    (5)

  • Jennifer L.

    My mom and I went there after the Joffrey Ballet...a perfect ending to a great afternoon. We shared a few courses...the lamb/pork ragu with papparadelle was outstanding. The wine selection was also great and so was the service...my husband and I plan to go for Valentine's Day!

    (5)

  • Kitty H.

    Great food, relaxing yet elegant atmosphere. They use all organic ingredients, and the service is wonderful. I always feel refreshed and like I've treated myself after eating at this restaurant.

    (5)

  • Taku S.

    love this place. worth going to evanston for.

    (5)

  • Ryan M.

    By far, this is my favorite restaurant in Evanston. The food is always good, the waitstaff is attentive, and the atmosphere is pretty cozy. The restaurant itself is pretty small so it may not be the most comfortable place to eat on a busy Saturday night but that's really the biggest complaint I have. Great pasta and meat dishes and the owner seems to go out of his way to find delicious and uncommon fish. A true gem.

    (4)

  • Stan G.

    I've eaten here only 3 times over around 3 years. However, each time has been consistently excellent from appetizers, wine and entree. Their meat sauce is very well done in that I can taste the beef, pork and I think rabbit. Just like Nona used to make before she went vegan, just kidding, she's dead. Anyway, crowd is mature which is also a good sign as its people who know a good meal, you don't get the young folks because its not a "scene", for god sake, its evanston. Middle aged guys here are always wearing a jacket, I'll be in mid thirties soon, does that mean I have to start wearing jackets to dinner? I don't like jackets, damn, this is why I order delivery. Anyway, If I had to, I 'd wear a jacket to eat here, just an outstanding meal and friendly/helpful staff. Did I forget to mention the music is never too loud. God I love that.

    (5)

  • Rachael W.

    Amazing! I'm an extremely picky eater, but this place delivered. I had the crab cake appetizer (it was a special), the spinach ravioli, and the mint chocolate chip gelato for dessert. Everything was fantastic. This is a great date place--small, intimate, dim lighting, and great food.

    (5)

  • Dennis H.

    My favorite place in Evanston, I try to make it back to Campagnola whenever I'm in "Chicagoland." I would have to disagree with tina c on one point: Campagnola is not at all expensive, even by Chicago standards.

    (5)

  • tina c.

    delicious food...expensive and well worth it! I love the creme brulee..... yum!

    (5)

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Map

Opening Hours

  • Mon :Closed
  • Mon : Closed
    Tue

Specialities

  • Takes Reservations : Yes
    Delivery : No
    Take-out : No
    Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
    Good For : Dinner
    Parking : Street
    Bike Parking : Yes
    Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
    Good for Kids : No
    Good for Groups : Yes
    Attire : Casual
    Ambience : Intimate
    Noise Level : Average
    Alcohol : Full Bar
    Outdoor Seating : No
    Wi-Fi : No
    Has TV : No
    Waiter Service : Yes
    Caters : Yes

Categories

Italian Cuisine

The immense popularity of Italian cuisine globally isn't unknown. You can find an Italian Pizzeria around every corner of almost every city in the United States. Not to forget that in every house, people enjoy mac and cheese as comfort food. But it would be wrong to believe that Italian food starts with pizza and ends with good pasta as this Mediterranean country has much more to offer other than these two dishes. In Italian Cuisine, there is a high use of fresh tomatoes, all kinds of herbs, great quality of cheese, all types of meat, seafood and fresh handmade pasta. Many find it hard to believe that Italians have been making noodles long back.

Italian and Greek cuisines are always mistaken to be same, but they are poles apart. The primary difference between the two cuisines is the use of cheese in most of the Italian dishes. Italians love to cultivate their own cheese and process them as per their food requirement. It is believed that some cheese is so expensive that cheese producers secure them in lockers.

If you are bored eating the same old pasta or pizza, you can try some of the authentic Italian dishes like Risotto, Polenta, Ribollita, Lasagna, Fiorentina Steak, Bottarga, Ossobuco, Carbonara, Focaccia, Arancini and Supplì. Another item which Italians love to relish every morning is a good cup of Italian Coffee. Once you taste a freshly brewed cup of Italian Coffee, you might not visit Starbucks ever again. Authentic Italian food is made with heart and soul, so go find a restaurant where you can relish Italian cuisine in your city.

Campagnola

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