Sapore di Napoli

An intense craving for an authentic, Italian-style pizza led my sister, our friends, and me to Lakeview one Friday night to try Sapore di Napoli.  Although the four of us managed to polish off four bottles of wine, I am certain the wine did not influence all of our decision that this is an incredible pizza place.

We started off with their Antipasto Misto platter and their Mediterranea salad.  Both were good, but in my opinion it’s not worth taking up the extra tummy space when you could fill it with their pizza instead. Our group decided on a ‘red’ and a ‘white’ pizza.  We originally did not consider their Pizza Bianco, as one of our friends isn’t a fan of the intense-smelling truffle oil the pizza is topped with, but our waitress’s “don’t even consider anything else” advice (well, that was the gist of it, at least) swayed us into ordering.  We also ordered the Quattro Stagioni in hopes of recreating the flavor of a pizza we had eaten in Puerto Vallarta a few months back, since the toppings seemed similar.  While the pizza was nothing like the one in our Mexican fantasy, it was just as good in its own way. 

We finished off the meal with a sampling of gelatos... pistachio, pumpkin and nutella.  We kept tossing around which was our favorite, and I think ultimately we each chose something different, but you couldn't go wrong with any of the choices!

Sapore di Napoli has fresh ingredients, a GREAT crust, and I am almost positive they sprinkle cocaine on top of every slice to give it that addictive quality.  All this, and a great wait staff, makes me wonder why anyone would go anywhere else. 

And in case you’re wondering, the truffle pizza has now surpassed the Mexican pizza in my pizza fantasy.

Sapore di Napoli
1406 W Belmont Ave
Chicago, IL 60657
http://www.saporedinapoli.net/

Mariscos El Veneno

Mexican seafood anyone?

Mariscos El Veneno is probably a restaurant you've never heard of before, and neither had I, until my friend suggested it.  After his glowing review, I could hardly wait to try it!

We went on a Thursday night, dressed very casually.  I appreciate a hole-in-the-wall as much as the next gal... the food can be suprisingly amazing and you can throw on a pair of jeans and boots and still be overdressed.  When we arrived, the place was pretty empty, except for a few regulars.  We picked a table and were greeted with some fresh fish ceviche and a little bowl of the spiciest salsa my poor mouth had ever experienced.  While I was screaming in pain, my friend conveniently told me "El Veneno" translates to venom.  I gave him a very lovely "thank you" with my finger.

Thankfully, he took control of ordering our dinner, as I was a little put off by the creepy food pictures on the menu.  We ordered an octopus dish, Mexican rice, and garlic prawns.  Octopus is my favorite meal, but restaurants always give the smallest portions!  Not El Veneno; the plate was filled to the brim with seafood goodness (octopus, mussels, shrimp).  Our prawns were soaked in olive oil and garlic, one of the best prawn dishes I've ever had.  The only downfall:  you can't possibly look cute while eating them.  I have yet to master the proper way of eating prawns (using your hands and sucking the meat out like you have no manners) but I am determined to be an expert one day!

Overall, El Veneno is a great and unpretentious restaurant with really good seafood!

Mariscos El Veneno
1024 N. Ashland Avenue
Chicago, IL 60622
(773) 252-7200