Link to this photo

Agostino Fiasche may be the chef and namesake of Ristorante Agostino Gustofino in the Northwest Side neighborhood of Montclare, but it’s a family business with wife and co-owner Anna Longobardi Fiasche and their children. Best known for his seafood and pasta, Agostino and son Antonio also make their own salumi, most notably a spreadable spicy 'nduja found on the house antipasto platter ($18) and sold worldwide, including at Eataly in Chicago. At Agostino’s, portions are generous, and every meal includes salad or soup, recently a cup of delicate chicken broth with spinach and raviolini. The linguini calamari ($21) is not sauced with the seafood, as the menu says, but instead the al dente pasta is so smothered with tender ringlets and tentacles that you can barely see the noodles. Logic dictates you'd be too full for dessert, but then the Fiasches serve a complimentary seasonal fruit plate, with knife, fork and a final flourish of Italian hospitality. 2817 N. Harlem Ave., 773-745-6464, www.agostinositalian.com. — Louisa Chu

Related: Agostino's is part of our look at Italian food on Chicago's Northwest Side. See the guide here

Link to this photo

Bongiorno’s 10-inch personal pizzas are quick, delicious bites perfect for workday lunches downtown. The price, $6.35, is tasty too, making this one of the better bargains in River North. You can choose cheese, pepperoni, sausage or “veggie.” Sausage is a good bet, with a crisp, thin crust, a sauce that’s neither too sweet or bitter, chewy nubbins of sausage and gooey cheese on top. Weather permitting, outdoor seating lets you drink in the view of neighboring Trump Tower and the skyline across the Chicago River, along Wacker Drive. 405 N. Wabash Ave.; 312-755-1255. http://www.bongiornoschicago.com/ - Bill Daley

Link to this photo

The West Loop contains its fair share of wild restaurant concepts, but an entire establishment dedicated to polenta? Sure enough, not only does The Polenta Bar have the creamy cornmeal on tap, it has two dispenser machines at the ready in case one runs out. Once the polenta is dished into a bowl, you can choose between six sauces and a variety of vegetables to toss on top. A rich bolognese ragu might sound like overkill on top of polenta, and it sort of is, but this is pure comfort food, which will taste even better in the middle of February. Plus, a copious side of sauteed carrots helps you feel semi-virtuous. $7.79. 1002 W. Lake St., 312-265-0207, www.thepolentabar.com -- Nick Kindelsperger

Link to this photo

Carmelo and Caterina Pugliese, the husband and wife owners of Riviera Italian Imports, the landmark market and deli in the Northwest Side neighborhood of Dunning, immortalized a regular customer with his own sandwich: the Will Special. The creation is now known as the Diavolo ($5.50) because it’s hot like the devil, said daughter Lina Pugliese, who shared its details recently. The sandwich starts with a 9-inch length of D’Amato’s French bread, then is filled with spicy soppressata, hot capicollo, prosciutto, salami, fresh bocconcini mozzarella and giardiniera. (The last two both house-made.) The bread of choice has changed from a so-called torpedo roll since the late Will Philpot (aka YourPalWill on LTH Forum) first dreamed up his ideal sandwich, but it’s still an edible Italian masterpiece. 3220 N. Harlem Ave., 773-637-4252, www.facebook.com/RivieraFoodsChicago. — Louisa Chu

Related: Check out our guide to Italian food on the Northwest Side.

Link to this photo

After 20 years in the printing business, Terry Rempert sold his company, earned a culinary degree, invested in an Italian pasta machine and bought a restaurant in La Grange, changing the name, decor and menu. Pasta dishes are predictably the kitchen's strength, but for an eye-catching starter, check out these grilled calamari-steak planks, tossed in olive oil, garlic and red-pepper flakes, radiating from a central pile of mixed greens and chopped tomatoes. 15 W. Calendar Ave., La Grange,  708-352-1621;  labuonavita.com. -- Phil Vettel

Related: For the review of La Buona Vita, go here.

Link to this photo

For more than 35 years, Cafe L'Appetito has been building subs, doling out biscotti and pulling espressos for hungry downtown crowds. The Lakeview location was a welcome addition when it opened two years ago on a corner of Broadway that really needed a deli. Choose from a variety of sandwiches, including panini, but the subs hit the spot on a recent weekend. The Italiano ($8) is a house specialty, with hot capicollo, Genoa salami, mortadella, provolone, olive oil, vinegar and Italian spices. Many subs are overpacked with meat, but this has a good balance bolstered by the cheese, plus lettuce and tomato. The meatball ($7.50) offers three medium meatballs with provolone or mozz (go with the provolone). Though it could use more sauce. the meatballs are tender, moist and savory. Either is just the right amount to fill you up -- but still leaves room for the pignoli-topped cookies. 3332 N. Broadway. -- Joe Gray