Strega Nona is feeding the Pope and all "her" following!
Strega Nona
3745 N. Southport
312-244-0990
Located directly next door to the Mercury Theatre, Strega Nona offers diners a chance to experience Italian Cuisine with a global twist. The menu offers many traditional dishes plus a wide variety of original creations inspired by daring combinations such as grilled grape leaves stuffed with goat cheese and pistachios, grilled shrimp and calamari on grilled vegtables with three pestos; and green tea leaf pasta with grilled prawns, toasted sesame seeds and ginger lemon grass broth.
Joe Carlucci went to Italy to search for the right dish to lead the
Strega Nona menu. He finally discovered what he was looking for in a small village.
"People were lined up around the corner from this little cafe that was serving bruschettone.
When I finally got to try it, I knew that it was just what I was searching for to lead
Strega Nona's menu. I brought home several different varieties for Chicago to
sample," Joe commented.
Strega Nona's chef Jon Novak replies, "It's exciting to see how Chicago has reacted to the bruschettone, a very authentic and traditional Italian dish. We also have a lot of diversity in the menu, pulling recipes, seasonings, flavors and ideas from all over the world."
Upon entering Strega Nona, the customers will be enveloped by the casual room with "Picasso" like rod iron bar stools, leather covered pillars, an original pasta mural, "lasagna" noodle floor, dark woods, and an open kitchen. The 1920s bar is reminiscent of a popular Italian Cantinetta. To further the artistry of the restaurant, customized china was designed especially for Strega Nona including pasta bowls, dinner plates, salad and bruschettone plates.
Another quality that will set Strega Nona apart is the diverse wine list, offering selections from Spain, Italy, California, Chile, France and Australia to compliment the diverse variety of menu items. All wine is available by the bottle or glass.
Situated down the street from the legendary Music Box theatre and next door to the new Mercury Theater, Strega Nona will offer the after theatre crowd espresso, cappucino, and coffee along with an assortment of delectable desserts famous to the Carlucci Hospitality Group. Strega Nona hours of operation are Monday through Thursday 5:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., Friday and Saturday 5:30 p.m. to 11 p.m.; and Sunday from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.. Valet parking is available. All major credit cards accepted. Reservations for large parties reccommended.
Strega Nona is a traditional Italian fairy tale about a witch who has a magic pasta pot. The magic quality of Strega Nona's pot is that it produces pasta at her command. The young boy who serves her can't get enough and he secretly longs for Strega Nona's power over the pot. In secret, he watches Strega Nona as she casts her spell over the pot.
When Strega Nona is called away on an errand the boy gets his chance. He is finally alone with the magic pot! Before the witch leaves she warns her servant to stay away fom the pot. Of course the minute she is gone, the boy trys the spell and sure enough the pot begins producing delicious pasta.
The pot keeps producing pasta as fast as the boy eats it. Even though he has a strong appetite, eventually the boy gets full. He suddenly realizes that he doesn't know how to stop the pot. The pasta soon fills up the house and floods out the windows and doors and begins travelling toward town. The boy keeps trying to stop the spell, but the pot just keeps producing pasta. Hope is lost until at the last second, Strega Nona returns and "uncasts" the spell.
It's not a huge menu, but what is offered is exceptional. Various bread preparations as snacks or first course items seem to be the restaurant's signature. In the manner of bruschetti, the breads are grilled and presented with various toppings. The standard issue tomato, mozzarella and basil is there, brushed with olive oil. But, so too are some truly unique and different selections.
One offering brings pieces of roasted chicken atop a Tuscan style bread with a salad like setting of mixed greens and tomatoes. Balsamic vinegar flavors barbecued pork in another, while prosciutto and its best culinary friend, canteloupe, are paired with tomato fig chutney. Seared tuna is outstandingly successful. The yellow tail tuna is rare with a warm center, sliced into sections which are placed on four large slices of black olive-pesto bread. Each piece is topped with an artichoke heart and tomato slice. An olive tapanade adds some presence.
The breads can be enjoyed as simple snack or lunch with a glass or two of wine. Or, they can work as first course before appetizers. Those appetizers include an excellent variation of Greek dolmades, highly stylized and adapted by the Strega Nona kitchen. In this cas, grape leaves are stuffed with a mix of goat cheese and pieces of pistachio nuts. A red onion marmalade enhanced with Chianti wine brings a little something extra to the recipe.
Maybe it is the idea of flavor enhancers that makes Strega Nona something special. In the case of another appetizer, grilled vegetables with polenta, it's the addition of spicy pepper oil, while in another selection, roasted eggplant is filled with sausage and risotti; the sauce for this one is composed of brandied roasted peppers.
Moving to a third course, pastas are entrees or not as you see fit. Certainly, snail shaped shells called Lumacone fit that description with with their rich wine infused porcini mushroom sauce. Just so the mushroom compliment is not lost, the shells are served with slices of porcinis as well as some less expensive button mushrooms.
Other selections range from prosaic roasted chicken with garlic and lemon flavored potatoes to the very exotic roasted pork with pasta quills, beans and tomatoes in cilantro salsa. The most difficult part of the evening may be in making selections since everything looks so tempting.
Service is very helpful. All the restaurants wines are available by the glass or full bottle. Among desserts, chocolate sorbet is almost as luscious as a rich chocolate ice cream. Diners can expect to spend about $45 a couple for three course, plus drinks, tax and tip. Strega Nona is at 3747 North Southport and has a K/RATING of 19/20.
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