Restaurant Review: In Chicago’s Dunning neighborhood, Raffi’s Locale excels in Italian specialties, ambience
When was the last time you lusted after restaurant leftovers? I can’t remember the last time that happened! But it happened after a visit to Dunning’s Raffi’s Locale, 7547 Irving Park Road.
LastThursday, a group of friendsand I gathered at Raffi’s Locale, on the city’s far Northwest Side, to eat, drink and laugh. The BYOB-only ristorante is a cozy, intimate spot, immaculate, with caring servers and spot-on entertainment. What I didn’t expect was how very delicious the Italian specialties would be!
All credit goes to Head Chef Rafael “Raffi” Argudo, who pours his passion into creating exceptional dishes and serving enormous helpings in a casual, classy, intimate setting. All dishes are made by order, so they can always modify your meal at your request.
We started by sharing buttery, lightly fried Calamari Fritti, sautéed in a lemon-garlic wine sauce. I’ve rarely raved over calamari …but this was perfectly grilled,and chewy, not rubbery, breaded lightly. The enormous portions were perfect for sharing. We paired it with Baked Clams, a delicious half-dozen medium size, crispy-baked clams. Yummy!
Other tasty options include Prosciutto E Melone, melon wrapped with prosciutto di parma, and served with extra virgin olive oil and balsamic glaze, and Arancini…two Italian rice balls with meat ragu, peas, and mozzarella cheese.
Entrees followed. And for all of us, our eyes got bigger and our palates were whetted for more as large platters of food were brought to our table. Carol, my sister from another mister, had their Lasagna Bolognese…not just any lasagna, but cake-like layers upon layers of thick, homemade pasta, smothered in a mound of mozzarella cheese, ground beef and sweet-tangy marinara sauce. It’s definitely enough for two meals, as are most of the entrees served here.
Our friend Gina had the Risotto Con Gamberi (Shrimp Risotto) which she pronounced “absolutely amazing!” 🍤
“I’ve ordered it multiple times because it’s just that good. The risotto is creamy, flavorful, and perfectly cooked, with delicious shrimp in every bite,” she gushed. “Definitely one of my favorite dishes and always my go-to. Highly recommend!”
My choice was Eggplant Rolls, which was eggplant stuffed with ricotta cheese and spinach, and baked in marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese. It’s served with pasta marinara or broccoli. I chose broccoli, which was tender without being overcooked, with garlic-infused butter, and seasoned perfectly. Only my kid’s and my boyfriend can match the delectable taste of Raffi’s broccoli.
For me, the measure of any good Italian restaurant is how they cook eggplant. When cooked badly, it’s mushy. When cooked properly, it’s a delightful base for a good parmigiana.
This eggplant, blended with ricotta cheese, was a delight I never expected to find. It was so unlike any combination I’ve tasted before…light, yet filling. Tangy. Irresistible!
I had plenty to take home. But in the rush of getting out of the restaurant on a rainy night as we closed down the restaurant, it ended up lost. And when I woke up the next day, I was lusting for more of the same! And I didn’t have it. Thank heaven Carol had picked it up by mistake, so my “lust” for Eggplant Rolls could be satisfied!
Our group also enjoyed the Saltimbocca Alla Romana, which were thin slices of veal topped with prosciutto di parma and fresh sage, then cooked in wine sauce and served with spinach, as well as Sea Bass Alforno, an autumn harvest special with a Parmesan crust with vodka sauce with roasted potatoes and asparagus. Another enjoyed one of the shrimp dishes on the menu, but in the only true critique of the evening, said that the shrimp were “slightly overdone.”
A word about desserts: You must try the Tiramisu, which was house-made. Trust me when I say that it was the lightest, largest, layered Tiramisu I’d ever tasted…the expresso layer was sweet and tinged with a hint of cinnamon, topped with a frothy layer of whipped cream, in a light crust. Equally desirable was the Key Lime Pie, a tangy, light mix of goodness. Please note that portion-wise, both are plenty for two!
The atmosphere in the restaurant was enhanced by the music of Maya Baranova, a personable, soulful singer who takes requests from the audience. We were seated next to Maya, which made conversation a bit difficult, but she did take breaks during the evening so we could chat then.
Raffi’s Locale is open Sunday, Tuesday-Thursday from 3pm–10pm; and Friday and Saturday from 3pm-11pm. They are closed Mondays. Reservations are highly recommended, and can be made by clicking here.
Alison Moran-Powers and Dean’s Team Chicago
