Come summertime, patio and rooftop space is coveted real estate in Chicago. Earlier this month, the folks behind RPM at Lettuce Entertain You debuted a new outdoor option for Vitamin D-deprived Chicagoans: Pizzeria Portofino, located along the Chicago River at 317 N Clark Street in River North.
The all-day concept serves lunch and dinner, with a menu centered around hand-stretched pizzas, artisanal pastas and grilled seafood. Expect Italian-influenced appetizers like Parmesan fries, spicy tuna bruschetta and fried zucchini flowers to start. The pizza lineup includes nine pies that are crafted with stone-ground Midwestern grains, in flavors like charred pepperoni, Margherita and vongole bianco, the latter of which is topped with little neck clams, roasted garlic, Parmesan and Calabrian oregano. Heartier, sea-kissed entrees include cold water prawns, split garlic lobster and Atlantic seafood brochette.
Of course, there are plenty of patio-friendly cocktails and wines to pair with the coastal offerings. Slurp frozen rosé, regional spritz cocktails and Super Tuscan pours from the Chianti territory. Finish your meal with breezy desserts like the Aperol grapefruit granita, a bowl of the Sicilian pistachio gelato or a smattering of seasonal fruit over ice.
Reservations are available now via Tock, and Pizzeria Portofino is open Monday through Friday 11am–11:30pm and Saturday and Sunday 10am–11:30pm. Take a look around the stunning new patio and scope out summer-ready menu items below.
Photograph: Melissa Hom
Photograph: Melissa Hom
Photograph: Melissa Hom
Photograph: Melissa Hom