Trattoria Gianni

Theatergoers needing an Italian fix before the show have a few options on Halsted Street, but none as classically red-sauce-and-Chianti as this. Melanzane del pecaraio—roasted eggplant topped with tomato sauce, goat cheese and black olives—packs in endless sweet, salty and tangy flavors, while the conchiglie del mercante tosses the shell-shaped pasta with spicy Italian sausage. If the housemade pappardelle doused with truffle oil is on offer, get it.