Saba Italian Bar + Kitchen

Saba Italian Bar + Kitchen Restaurant Review:

About the restaurant & décor: Slate gray painted walls set a sultry mood inside this neighborhood Italian restaurant, where locals might stop for a glass of wine, craft cocktails and a casual bite. Light floods the wide storefront space, made even more cheerful by friendly servers. A bar near the entrance leads to the dining room, a mix of tables for two and larger ones suited for friend groups and families.

Likes: Cozy and modern – it's not always easy to achieve both in the same space. With a dedicated kids’ menu, it's also committed to being open to families, one of the few places in Logan Square that does so.
Dislikes: Some of the more traditional appetizers – arancini, for example – taste of the sea, which is not for everyone.

Food & Drinks: Executive chef Jesus Castillo and chef de cuisine Juan Ramirez have a distinguished body of work when it comes to Italian (Spiaggia, Mia Francesca and RPM Italian). That said, don't expect boring red sauce classics here. Even the appetizers have their own distinguishing tastes; the arancini gets salty with cod, and the grilled (a little charred) Spanish octopus is paired with Calabrian aïoli and arugula. On the entrée front, the simpler flavors emerge as standouts. A carbonara is luscious with every bite of mascarpone cheese, butter glaze and egg yolk, and the mushroom pizza brims with cremini versions, and fonduta and Fontina cheese. A fluffy tiramisu is a fitting finale. Regional Italian wines compete with craft cocktails.