Gioia is an Italian restaurant in Chicago’s West Loop. I live in NYC now but I remember working at a photo studio in the West Loop right out of college and the area has dramatically changed. What once was a drab area with a bunch of factories and run down storefronts has been transformed into a posh area with luxury condos and this delightful restaurant.
I would describe Gioia as modern Italian cuisine. They have all of the classic dishes that you would expect to find in an Italian restaurant but prepared in a new fresh way. Familiar but definitely not what your Nonna would serve. Maybe she would only make a face and then smile after her first bite. The cacio e pepe is served very much in the classic style but with less cheese and a little sprig of basil. A little variation from what you might typically find but nothing too crazy. When the fluke crude comes she’s probably going to raise an eyebrow. It’s an artfully arranged dish. Thin layers of fish, parmesan cheese, and an artful splatter of sauce. Whether she likes it or not I couldn’t possibly say in advance but I can definitely recommend the Calamarata Pomodoro. The pasta comes in big voluptuous shapes that are drowning in a slightly sweet tomato sauce. The shape of the pasta is designed to allow you to scoop up as much gooey sauce as possible. And when there’s still delicious red streaks on your plate the dish comes with fresh baked bread to soak it up with. It’s also prepared table side and the show is definitely a part of the meal.
The interior is sleek and modern. It’s approachable but also the sort of place where a couple on a date could get lost in fantasy. Be transported into a narrative out of a book or spy movie. A rendezvous to discuss clandestine plans over an espresso martini and a Negroni. It’s the sort of date where a married couple forgets each other and assume fake names and identities.
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