Merlo On Maple

Such a disappointment! more

How do you say ""shakedown artists"" in Italiano? Pros: Best Shakedown Artists in Town Cons: No Apologies for Unprofessional Behavior more

Took 3 out of town guest here on Friday night and I was embarrassed. This night was a disaster mostly due to a very bad waiter, who did not listen, ignored us, continued to push food that we did not want. We waited sipping water for 45 minutes and finally had to ask again for the bottle of wine that we ordered and if we could have bread while we waited to order. The fish special tasted very fishy (not fresh) and when I told the waiter he argued instead of listening. I could go on and on. Just do not go to Merlot. The attitude and food quality is bad. This is a tragedy for such a lovely building and dining space. Interior beauty cannot not make up for bad service and food. Pros: Beautiful building Cons: Bad service and food more

I'm Italian, I lived 33 years in Italy. This is (at last!) an authentic Italian restaurant. Pros: Food, ambience, style. Cons: I couldn't find one. more

We did get the window seat we requested as it is the only place to set with any degree of ambiance. From there all down hill. Rissoto expensive and disappointing. I have enjoyed rissoto more at other Italian eateries for half the price and twice the quality. It was sticky and quite tasteless. We asked the waiter to reccomend a wine in keeping with our pasta entrees - also disappointing. Upon leaving we we were given a written narrative on the wine - nice thought however it is not reccomended for pasta - to pricey for a basic Italian eatery in Chicago. Pros: Location good Cons: Interior not more

We were a party of four that was seated upstairs. The dining room was uncomfortably warm and very far from romantic!. The service was slow, unattentive and unprofessional. Our waiter was very slow to bring our wine selection and then spilled the wine on the menus and the table when pouring it into everyone's glass. He did this each time he poured. The food was very slow being served and when we wanted to order a second bottle of wine I had to get up from the table and look for our server. Mind you we were drinking $100 to $160 per bottle wines. The ""homemade"" pasta was served in a clump that I could pick up in its entirety with my fork, so it was necessary to cut bite size ""pieces"" from the clump. Finally the ""complimentary"" after diner liquor drink was spilled on one our parties sport coat to end our evening. There are many other better Italian resturants in the area that I would pick over this place. Not worth the trouble! Cons: Inattentive staff, Below average food and presentation, uncomfortable dining rooms more

We are 4 women looking for a fun restaurant with tasty food. Found neither here. First, we were seated in a dull room with kitchen noise behind draped door. Our waiter was preoccupied with others and unfriendly even tho we remained smiling and jovial. We did ask to be moved and got the front room on 2nd floor. This was better. Menu-not very interesting. If you like veal and rabbit, you'll like it. Waiter-not attentive. Food- came covered with silver dome (thought that was cool) but when uncovered, only a plop of pasta which wasn't even hot. NO presentation what so ever! Glad to check this restaurant off our list. Pros: the other waiters were friendly Cons: not very interesting menu more

This was by far THE WORST RESTAURANT experience I have ever had. more

This was some of the best Italian food I have ever had!! The ambiance is fantastic - romantic if you want, but also great for a nice family dinner out. Being able to eat in a townhouse/brownstone in Chicago contributed to a relaxing evening with great food in a great setting. Try it!! Pros: Atmosphere, Yummy desserts!, Authentic Italy! Cons: Pricey, A little slow more

I don't know where the bad reviewers ate but we love good food and felt the meal we had at Merlo was one of the best Italian meals we have had anywhere. The service was outstanding and the food and wine were superb Pros: food and service, ambience more

My wife and I had high hopes for our dinner date at Merlo on Maple, We were placed in a cold corner in the basement section of the restaurant, Music was being played out of a boom box in the corner, The server was friendly but not well informed about the meals, My entree was undercooked my wife's was so spicey that she could not finish it. We happily skipped the after dinner and payed the unreasonably hefty bill and got out. We will not be back!!!!! Pros: Restaurant location Cons: Poor quality food pre, environment in the re, Price more

Not sure how someone else gave this a bad review. The owners are from Bologna and wow can the wife cook! She even came out to our table to say hi. The pasta is homemade, cooked to perfection and accompanied by a sauce that is so flavorful, you just want to chew slow enough to enjoy each and every bit. Our waiter was so helpful with the wine selection and was very attentive to our needs. This is true, authentic Italian food and all my Italian friends adore it. Although it is pricey, it is WELL worth the money if you want a nice night out in a beautiful restaurant with great food. I would recommend this to everyone. DOn't forget to make reservations. It's a popular spot. Nothing bad to say here. Pros: Food, ambiance, service Cons: parking more

This place is located in a three story mansion but if all the hot air and pretention were drained out you would be eating in a basement; undoubtedly the most over-hyped and under delivered dining experience we have had in Chicago; rude and inattentive wait staff, cold food and poorly prepared and presented entrees; just an overblown ""yuk"" that should not be inflicted on any unsuspecting couple; stay away at all costs; if you blunder in by mistake--run like Hell for the door! Pros: none, none, none, none, nada, no mas Cons: , the service, the atmosphere more