Segnatore is All About Fresh Ingredients and Italian Tradition

Tucked away on the west side of the city, nestled somewhere between Ukrainian Village and Humboldt Park, you’ll find a little slice of Italy. The moment you step inside Segnatore’s softly lit dining room, you’ll be instantly transported to a neighborhood restaurant in a seaside Italian town. From the marble bar to the candlelit tables, every accent is handpicked to promote a sense of serenity and welcome.

The menus pay homage to classic Italian cuisine with starters such as cherry-wood smoked olives, house-made focaccia, and scamorza-stuffed meatballs. However, the chef enlists locally sourced ingredients and pulls from a midwestern sense of hospitality to put his own twist on each dish. For instance, the “freestyle'' lasagna showcases layers of mushroom bolognese and whipped ricotta with garlic mafaldine pasta in place of the traditional sheets of noodles. Complement the fresh pasta with a fennel-and-citrus or beets-and-salata salad.