Osteria Langhe

The story

Crafted with passion, served with love

Opened in May 2014 on West Armitage Avenue, Osteria Langhe is a Chicago neighborhood restaurant with a clear, unwavering focus: the cuisine and wine of Italy's northwest Piemonte region. The concept draws on an area shaped by both Italian and French influences, where ingredient-driven cooking meets the kind of hearty, unfussy peasant dishes that have sustained generations. That singular dedication has earned the restaurant national recognition as one of the best Italian restaurants in the country, and a Gambero Rosso fork — a distinction awarded by one of Italy's most authoritative food and wine guides.

The Room and the People Behind It

The dining room seats 68, with rustic wood tables, a large paneled glass facade, Italian art on the walls, and an intimate bar. A seasonal patio extends the space when the weather allows. Wine Director and co-owner Aldo Zaninotto shapes every bottle on the list, drawing exclusively from Piemonte — Nebbiolo, Barbera, and the full range of the region's distinct reds, whites, and sparkling wines. Beverage Manager Ken Sirovatka rounds out the program with handcrafted cocktails and a serious selection of aperitifs and digestivi.

What's on the Plate

The menu is anchored in traditional Piemontese preparations. Antipasti include carne cruda — raw Piedmontese beef with cured egg yolk and a rosemary cracker — and vitello tonnato with poached Piedmontese beef, tuna and caper aioli. Among the primi, the plin stands out: house-pinched La Tur cheese agnolotti finished with thyme and butter, a dish that has become something of a signature. Lobster ravioli with San Marzano tomato and caviar, house fettuccine with a northern meat ragù, and a seasonal risotto round out the pasta offerings. Secondi lean on local sourcing — Slagel Farms chicken and prime beef both appear — alongside prosciutto-wrapped rabbit loin served over creamy polenta with fontina Val d'Aosta.

A Few Ways to Go Deeper

On Wednesdays, a four-course "Taste of Piemonte" menu offers a structured introduction to the kitchen's classics for $55, with an optional wine pairing for an additional $30. Thursdays bring half-price bottles from Aldo's cellar. For those who want to take the Piemontese experience home, the Osteria Langhe Wine Club ships curated monthly selections — including a Piemonte-focused tier featuring Nebbiolo and Barbera — while a Chef's Supper Club delivers three-course seasonal menus prepared and ready to assemble. Aldo also leads an annual food and wine tour to Piedmont itself, for those ready to visit the source.