The latest character to appear in Chicago’s West Loop’s packed cast of eateries, Monteverde has quickly captivated audiences as the friendly Italian on the block.
Directing the spectacle is Sarah Grueneberg, former executive chef of the upscale Italian intuition Spiaggia and a 2012 ‘Top Chef’ contestant, along with managing partner Meg Sahs. Monteverde (the Italian translation of the chef’s last name) may be Grueneberg’s first restaurant, but she rises to the occasion with handmade fusilli, tortellini, and pappardelle rolled and cut on a stage behind the bar and perfectly cooked al dente. Bookending the entrees are memorable snacks and small plates, such as skewered grilled octopus and rich artichokes, and decadent desserts like a salted-butterscotch budino (think crème brulee, but better).
Thoughtful design choices by Studio K give Monteverde Italian kitchen authenticity. A sprawling butcher block bar, stocked with well-priced Italian wines and fresh cocktail ingredients, feels right at home amidst plasterwork from Northern Italy and wooden cutting boards adorned with artwork. For an at-home Monteverde experience, buy a bag of Grueneberg’s pasta on the way out.
INFORMATION
ADDRESS
1020 West Madison Street
Photography
Anthony Tahlier Photography
-
Get lost in Megan Rooney’s abstract, emotional paintingsThe artist finds worlds in yellow and blue at Thaddaeus Ropac London
-
‘Water is coming for the city, how do we live with that?’ asks TBA21 in VeniceArt advocacy and activism platform TBA21's Venetian project, Ocean Space, addresses the climate issues the city is facing
-
In Shanghai, Hermès conjures a ‘cosmopolitan explorer’ for its one-off show on the Huangpu RiverNadège Vanhée, artistic director of Hermès’ womenswear collections, presented ‘The Second Chapter’ of her A/W 2025 collection earlier this evening (13 June 2025) against the futuristic skyline of Shanghai
-
At The Ned Nomad in New York, home comforts meet a lively atmosphereThis hotel and social club is a vibrant hub of hospitality that evokes 1920s glamour for members and visitors alike
-
For the breakfast lover that is not a morning person, this Hollywood café is for youStart your day with a ceremonial strawberry matcha latte and freshly baked viennoiseries amid the glamour of Café Goldie at the W Hollywood
-
The best bars in New York for stiff drinks and stunning designFrom five-star hotel lobby bars on the Upper East Side to discreet downtown drinking dens, these are the best spots to sip and soak in the ambiance
-
Beverly Hills’ latest hot ticket is a Chinese restaurant with a hidden speakeasy feelChef Mei Lin’s 88 Club pays tribute to the prosperity, success, and good fortune symbolised by the number 8 in Chinese culture
-
You can now stay at this iconic modernist house in Palm DesertThe Desert Wave, a modernist revival project by Stayner Architects, with interiors by Design Within Reach and Paul Smith, is available to book
-
Find bubbly, chewy, perfectly crusted pizza at Cosetta, LA’s new Westside Italian gemLocated in a slightly industrial area by the Santa Monica airport, Cosetta, from pizza maestro Zach Pollack, champions the local Italian dining scene with tradition and innovation
-
Ghanaian cuisine has a story to tell at Washington, DC restaurant ElminaThe new restaurant is chef Eric Adjepong’s colourful ode to the recipes he grew up loving
-
Fancy a matcha-beer cocktail? Visit this dashing new LA restaurantCafé 2001 channels the spirit of an American diner with the flow of a European bistro and the artistry of Japanese cuisine
