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Chicago Restaurant Week

Restaurant Week 2014: RPM Italian

This is part of a series of posts about Chicago Restaurant Week 2014, held January 24–February 6. Check out the 2013 recap, or browse all Restaurant Week coverage.

Dinner at RPM Italian

Prime beef meatballs
Prime beef meatballs

Best Bite: The meatballs boasted major beef flavor, with enough moisture to retain a smooth texture, and the house-made ravioli was silky and nutty. But it was the chocolate budino dessert that stole my heart: a rich chocolate pudding with a salt-flecked layer of caramel, and crunchy coated cocoa nibs on top. I didn’t understand why the handle of its accompanying spoon was quite so long, but it didn’t stop me from finishing every drop. See full menu.

Bill's chocolate budino with salted caramel and cocoa nibs
Bill’s chocolate budino with salted caramel and cocoa nibs (plus an extra-long spoon)

Other notes: Bill and Giuliana Rancic are partners in the restaurant, so I assumed the dining room’s aesthetic would be ultra-polished for its clientele – and it was, everything in stylish black and white. The “cicchetti” of provolone-stuffed peppers and florentine frittelles were nice snacks to start off the meal.

Ravioli a la RPM with walnuts and arugula pesto
Ravioli a la RPM with walnuts and arugula pesto

The details: RPM Italian, 52 W. Illinois St., Chicago.

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