Follia
953 W Fulton Market
Chicago, IL 60607 (312) 243-2888
28 reviews
Neighborhood: Lakeview
"Rick's cafe is an absolute gem of Chicago. The french offerings are delicious, like the filet in red wine sauce, or the escargots, but…" read more »
51 Reviews for Follia
Very disappointing! This place pretends to be superhip, but besides the appearance (that I personally find bare and cold, rather than minimal) the food is everyday, actually substandard. While the pastas are very ordinary and the pizzas so-so, prices are certainly extraordinary. Small servings coming at an absurd high price. Desserts are unimpressive and tiny too. Service is OK, but the owner has certainly an attitude, making the already disappointing experience even worst.
Stay away, this place is joke, and a very expensive one.
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I don't get the whole food/fashion thing, as most people who fit into runway clothes don't eat.
That's a horrible stereotype! Many models are completely healthy; the industry is ruined by the Kate Mosses of the world.
Fine, but I'm sure they don't eat pasta and cheese in mass quantities.
Well of course not, pasta is all carbs and cheese might as well be painted on their asses.
My point exactly. So, again, I don't get the food/fashion thing, /at least in the context of an Italian restaurant/.
Thanks for clarifying.
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What an excellent restaurant! I was lucky enough to get over to Follia for a friend, and fellow Yelper Brett D.'s, birthday dinner on Saturday. Of course, I expected excellence from a restaurant chosen by Ms. D., and my expectations were not let down. Not one bit!
We ordered the antipasto platter, which was customized for the number of diners in our party. It included lots of tasty treasures like zucchini, eggplant, artichokes, prosciutto, cheese, nuts, etc. We decided to split a few entrees to share. Good call! The pizzas are as good as all the rest of the reviews say they are, and the risotto with truffles and asparagus and lemon pasta were killer. We also loved our complimentary after dinner drinks (thanks Bruno!) and desserts including the espresso custard and coconut sorbet.
The space is intimate, well lit and fashionable. Most def one of those "see and be seen" locations.
The service we recieved from our server, bartenders, Bruno and even the Fulton Lounge next door, who held a table for us while we were finishing our meal, made our group feel very well taken care of. All in all, an excellent Saturday night dining experience!!!
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I celebrated my birthday here over the weekend, and thought it was fantastic!
We arrived on time at 6:30, and were seated right away. It was smaller than I had thought, but has an intimate feel to it. The owner of the restaurant is cheerful and high energy. It was a great start to the night.
The food here deserves five stars. No question. We started with the beet salad, greens, goat cheese and walnuts. It's a pretty basic salad, with a nice presentation... pretty generous in portion for an appetizer. For the main course, I had the Chilean Sea Bass with mashed potatoes and butternut squash puree. Flakey and flavorful, it was cooked perfectly! The potatoes were SO GOOD... I couldn't stop eating it even though I was full.
For dessert, we had the lady fingers with marscapone. It is like a tiramisu, and was DELICIOUS! It wasn't heavy at all and didn't send me off on a sugar high either.
My one issue with the restaurant is that I was not crazy about the decor at all. In fact, I thought it was really tacky. There are dresses hanging in the window... making it look more like a retail store than restaurant. It seems like they are trying to bring food, fashion and design together, but it just didn't work for me. The tables and seating seem a little Ikea-ish... I'd recommend they invest a bit more in the design of the restaurant to match the fantastic cuisine.
Next time, I will come for the pizza and pannacotta!
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This place is a rip off. You'll end up paying 50 bucks for a burnt pizza and a glass of wine. Besides the mediocre pizzas, it's all basic food coming at an outrageous price tag. The staff will insist in you trying the veal cutlet that comes at market price. Once you'll get the check you'll find out that your cutlet cost 50$! The manager says cost of veal varies (it must depend on the fact that one day they'll catch these animals and anther they don't...), but as you can tell from the many negative reviews, you will always end up paying 50$ for it. So much for the market's fluctuations. The market price story is just an excuse to avoid putting its price on the menu, otherwise nobody would have it. Let's say this is a tricky practice, not to call it with its proper name. You will find out only at the end of the dinner that the place doesn't accept more than 3 credit cards per table, which could be acceptable if they only printed this rule on the menu, although for such a pricey place this rule seems bizarre. Their ridiculous excuse was that the "system" would not be able to process them! Well, they were obviously lying, as in the end our cards got swiped. An 18% tip for tables of 8 people or more was added to our check although we were only 7: we asked to get a new check and it took 45 minutes! The worst thing about it is how pretentious the place is and how rude the manager was! We left disgusted, will never go back again. Don't waste your money: there are plenty of better -and way cheaper- places for pizza and good Italian food in town.
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Excellent food! The food is fresh and many of the ingredients come straight from Italy. Plenty of my fellow suburbanites make the trip to this restaurant, so I find it funny that a fellow yelper said they rarely see suburbanites here. I guess we aren't so easy to spot. The pizza is fab as is every pasta dish I've tried. I find the decor to be a bit sparse and perhaps trying too hard. However, the food and service are spot on.
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Bruno is a genius ... and a quintessential front of the house guy.
The pizzas are beautiful, the wine is beautiful, the people are beautiful.
You will not be disappointed if you are looking for a real fab, fine Italian meal.
Chic eats!
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Have you ever tried Pannacotta? Well, if you haven't I highly suggest you get your booty to Follia and order one. What is pannacotta? Well, it is kind of like a flan, but with out the egg flavor. It is a highly addictive Italian desert that everyone should experience before they die.
About the restaurant: nice ambiance, great music, good wait staff, lovely menu and truly authentic yet trendy. Sometimes trendy can mean that the rest isn't as important.
Did I mention you should try the pannacotta?
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After reading the reviews, I wish 2 things. 1) That I had read the reviews more carefully before coming here; and 2) that I had ordered the pizza! Even though I didn't, I still enjoyed the restaurant.
I really liked the atmosphere and decor, even though some other reviewers described it as pretentious. My date and I started out with the cheese plate, which was really good, but overpriced in my opinion. I had the spaghetti with baby lobster tails as an entree. I enjoyed it, but the serving size was very small, and it was also overpriced. For dessert, we split the tiramisu substitute, which was superb. Nice wine list. Service was stellar.
While my experience at this restaurant was favorable, I guess I would suggest ordering the pizza in lieu of the pricier entrees, because the entrees weren't so fabulous as to warrant their price. I will be back to try the pizza for sure.
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Outstanding. Just...outstanding.
The service was very attentive the night we were there and the atmosphere & decor is very cool and minimalist. I don't really "get" the mannequins in the front windows, but to me that is different than what you normally see in Chicago, so that's cool. Shows me the owner is trying something new.
Ketel One martinis were awesome. I had a lemon one and an orange one, BF had pomegranate. We then shared the beet salad, which was arugula, balsamic vinaigrette, beets, walnuts and the most deliciously creamy piece of Gorgonzola on top. yum. We thought the pizzas would be small, so we each ordered one, but they were huge! I ordered the margharita and he got the prosciutto & mushroom. For dessert I had to order the panna cotta, and boy that surely did not disappoint. BF ordered this lemon sorbet that was drizzled with some sort of liqueur.
It was all very decadent and fabulous - perfect for a special night out. I am very glad I finally got to try Follia and will definitely be back.
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Food: average, at best. Service: "okay." Scene: eh. I was at Follia with an eclectic party of friends last Friday night. There were nine people in our party. We ordered food "family style" and all shared salads and pizzas. Some of us had cocktails, others wine. At the end of the meal the bill came. Individually, we put in our credit cards to evenly divide the bill between the nine of us. When the server returned to collect on the bill, he informed us that the bill could only be separated three ways. At no time prior to this did he inform us of this policy. I eat out a lot in this and other cities; frequently in large groups. While it may be inconvenient to a server to "split" the bill, I know that it can be done with relative ease and my tip always reflects my appreciation. If restaurants wish to impose such a policy, I believe it would behoove them to inform groups of the policy prior to the end of the meal. As a result, two friends and I wound up paying more than $150 each on the bill. It was frustrating, the server was unapologetic and the manager was unavailable. I feel that we were treated unfairly and that Follia's policy was arbitrarily imposed on us. Don't waste your time at Follia... there are comparable restaurants that are better in Chicago, with better service and with reasonable payment options- like La Madia.
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My whole experience here was perfect! From the moment I drove up to the place (found street parking VERY easily so don't waste your money on a valet) to the moment I left I had a great time!
The drinks were great (forgot what kind of martini I ordered but it had gin and I had at least 3 of em).
I loved the atmosphere, crowded and cozy but not TOO crowded like Avec.
I had a vegetarian couscous that was really yummy and left feeling perfectly satisfied. One of the people I was with could not stop raving about her dish and experience at Follia and wants to keep going back.
Unfortunately I can't comment on the bill but please try Follia, you won't be disappointed!
I adore this place! The pizza is extremely delicious and the tomato and basil salad is always fresh and tasty. The service is outstanding, I don"t think you could be treated better unless you were the queen of England. Go to Fulton Lounge after dinner and your night is one to remember!
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I can only comment on Follia's pizzas. I have eaten at this restaurant on several occasions but because the pizza is so out of this world good, I have yet to try a different item :(
In the summer, I will have an arugula salad and share a pizza with a friend. Good wine list. Great people watching. I rarely see suburbanites (and for me that is a good thing) but I do see a nice set of "smartly dressed" people of varying ages.
Finally, I think the owner is a warm and friendly man and that usually makes it a worth while visit for me.
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Chicago's own version of the NYC meatpacking district has produced some true culinary delights with Follia being no exception.
I've had two outstanding dinners here... one as a large group (approx 12) and another as a pair dining a deux.
The fashion displays that revolve monthly are funky, creative and totally play to someone just like me. Follia, serving traditional italian fare, does not in any way look like a pasta and sauce type joint. It's clean white lines, teal glass tile and chrome accents are sleek, modern and sexy. Trendy without being obnoxious.
My meals have been amaaaaazing. I'm still dreaming of the Osso Bucco and the Tortelli al Tartufo - homemade tortelli stuffed with spinach, ricotta and sauteed in butter and black truffles. OMFG.
The antipasto rustico platter is a chefs choice of daily fresh ingredients.... the perfect starter to an amazing meal. The platter was practically the size of our table plated high with cheeses, meats, fruits, veggies, eggplant, spreads, nuts, you name it!!!
Everyone drools over their thin-crust pizza and rightfully so.... they were amazing. Every last one of them, although no one would try the anchovy (napoletana) pizza with me. I may just have to make a special trip back alone to dine with my sardines and without disgusted looks!
We enjoyed delectable dishes, sweet prosecos, amazing wines, complimentary lemoncellos, and great company all wrapped up the pretty package that is Follia. I will surely be back... again....and again.... Avere la Botte Piena e la Moglie Ubriaca!! Have your cake and eat it too!!!!!!
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I guess I'll just have to come back and try the pizza. Pizza seems to be where it's at.
Husband and I made reservations for NYE last night at Follia. We'd been wanting to try it for some time now and just kept putting it off. Being such a big night we decided to have something other than the pizza. I started with the salad w/ beets, blue cheese and walnuts. It was pretty great...Husband started off with the prosciutto and Parmesan, he was quite pleased with it.
It came time to order entrees and I was a bit torn between three of the four pasta dishes. So I nicely asked our server which she preferred and she was kind of taken a back that I would even ask which dish was preferred...she kind of "tsk'd" me and said they're all very good. Well fabulous, I didn't ask which one was the best of the list, I specifically asked which she preferred, what her favorite was, usually seems to be a good way to decide when you're torn. So I decided to try the lobster and spicy tomato dish w/ linguine. Husband had the Chilean sea bass.
We should have ordered the pizza. Husbands bass was lukewarm and over cooked on a potato patty of sorts. It didn't taste bad, but it wasn't a $30 fish dish, that's for certain. My lobster, eh. I wouldn't have paid $15.00 for it at Red Lobster...never mind that I hate Red Lobster. Our bill w/ tip was close to $200 after 5 drinks between the 2 of us, apps and entrees. We were very disappointed and can't even blame it on the business of NYE crowds, because it wasn't over packed by any means.
I do want to go back and try the pizza's, we really should have just gone with what they seem to be known for... next time, there will probably be a next time.
2 Stars from me for only one decent part of a meal, less than desirable service and severely over-priced establishment.
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First the good stuff: we had a pizza appetizer, which as everyone says, was very good. The pizza guy is in full view of the tables, we were seated right next to him and it was cool watching him flip the dough, it is definitely all handmade. For dinner I had risotto and my husband had the veal chop. The risotto was good. The veal was ok - it was pounded and breaded which seemed like an odd preparation for a chop but ok. It is listed on the menu at 'Market Price'. I have never seen veal listed MP, usually its lobster or fish of the day. When we got the bill I understood why - $50 for the veal. Ridiculous!! Wine was also overpriced. In sum, we had one pizza, one risotto, one veal chop, one bottle of wine and the bill was $180. I thought this was outrageous. We talked to the owner and I asked why he didn't put the price on the menu since he says it is a 'signature dish'. He said the price of veal fluctuates too much - last week it was more. When we suggested then that the waiter should say what the MP was he said we should have asked. True, we didn't ask - but I believe if the price is so out of whack with everything else on the menu it is incumbent on the waiter to inform the diner proactively. The owner said this would be rude. But I guess it is not rude to stick it on your customers' bill. There are far better places that are much more reasonably priced.
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I liked Follia but a few things could have been better in my opinion. This restaurant is set up for warm spring/summer nights, not for cold weather which in Chicago happens more than just a few days a year (hello???). We sat across from the front door and every time someone came in, we got blown by this cold breeze and after a couple of times, it got to be quite a pain. The other complaint I have is that the pasta menu is pretty limited. Only 3 pasta dishes + 1 risotto. And if someone tells you that this place is conversation friendly, don't believe them. High cielings and no carpet make it for a loud environment.
Ok, with all that out of my system, I must say that my Black Tagliatelli with Shrimp was simply to die for. And my husband's pizza was awesome too.
But for some reason, if I think of Follia, the word "naked" comes to my mind. A naked place with a naked decor and a naked menu.
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Fulton Lounge's amazing pizza is being made in his terrific oven.
however, other than that, the food was lacking any inspiration.
kind of a shame, when you try to compare the awesome pizza to everything else here.
too noisy with average (at best) service.
oh well, i'll stick with Fulton Lounge.
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I decided to check out Follia for my birhday last week.
My thoughts before I went there:
- It's supposed to be extraordinarily expensive
- The service is said to be snooty
- The place looks very plain
- The portions are too small and not worth the $
My reactions after my bf took me there:
- Staff was great! They gave my bf the exact table he requested over the phone.
- They had flowers he ordered already placed on the table with a candle.
- The staff was really nice, the owner said hi, they didn't act obnoxious at all, even though I had to be on the phone a few times to accept birthday wishes from friends.
- We ordered just an appetizer and a pizza, then ended with the tiramisu-substitute dessert. And were very full and satisfied. The pizza was done to perfection!
And I loved my experience there!! The ambiance was soothing and stylish, staff was nice and friendly, food was good, paid only $30 (we are vegetarians and don't drink) - great birthday overall !!!
Only one con if I may add: The noise! It was LOUD in there!
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I met a friend for dinner and had no idea where we were going. Upon entering this place, I definitely got the wrong impression at first. While the decor is really cool and modern, it looks like one of those really snobby, overpriced Italian restaurants where people care more about being in a hip restaurant than about the food. I was wrong.
While the menu is kind of expensive, the pizzas are reasonably priced. Also, they are probably the best pizzas outside of Europe that I can remember eating. I'm talking about real Italian style pizza here: very thin and light crust, fresh and authentic ingredients, not greasy.
If you like this style of pizza, you will definitely not be dissappointed coming here.
Note: The 5 stars only pertain to the pizza. I've never eaten anything else here, and as long as the pizza is this good, I probably won't either.
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Went here for dinner on Tuesday night and it was pretty empty. The service was very good and the food was delicious, but for some reason, it didn't stand out as a 5 star experience (maybe because of the emptiness of a tuesday night?). I had a Caprese salad which was outstanding. The mozarella was definitely fresh. We then got a quatro formaggi pizza which was very good. After traveling to Italy last September, I do have to say that the pizzas here are the closest thing I have had in the US to the great neopolitan pizzas. I didn't try any desert but would definitely try it next time I come here.
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I was brought here on a surprise unexpected date with my man. Because this was a surprise and I was coming straight from work (which is casual) I may not have been dressed up and looking like the model hostess would of liked..
but...after getting past the hostess (whom i had the feeling was stumbling for words and trying to tell us without a reservation we couldn't sit..even though it was early on a weeknight and lots of tables were open) the rest of the experience was lovely.
Our waitress was super kind and helpful..and the food was awesome! Though it's pricey I thought the portions were quite large.
The pasta was great and my East coast boyfriend exclaimed as he bit into the pizza, "this is the closest thing I have had to New York style pizza in years" - which must be a good thing because it was nice (we got the vegetarian pizza).
and..
We had the fish which was quite good also.
I think you can order the same pizza next door at Fulton Lounge..and when I'm feeling fancy..I like to go there in the summer and get a Key Lime Martini..and now with a side of pizza!
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Yummy!
See my review of Pizzeria D.O.C. to understand my passion about real Italian pizza. This is the place in Chicago to get it (not D.O.C.).
It is:
-- Light, airy, thin, crispy crust.
-- Just a smattering of slightly sweet, garlicky, Italian herbed tomato sauce.
-- No more than a few toppings (Italians frown on more than 3 toppings on pizza unless it's Quattro Staggione - which has one topping in each quadrant - because you cannot discern the flavor of the individual toppings at more than about 3).
-- The freshest of ooeey, gooey mozarella (or similar) cheese
-- topped with either fresh basil, arugula, and/or freash grated parmaggiano
-- Served steaming hot in individual uncut rounds
It is not:
-- Cheap like in Italy (although it's not outrageaously expensive either)
The pastas and mains are very good too according to others I have been with (although I only ever have the pizza cause I love it!).
Service was fine, ambience a little sleek and modern and as an added bonus you can get the pizza next door in Fulton Market while checking out the singles scene....
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I came here last Saturday where I and a few friends took a client out for dinner. Very clean, simple design, but refined, dimly lit and modern. First off, nice wine collection, extensive but certainly not overwhelming. Our waiter did make some nice recommendations and the choice we made was a good. We started off with a margarita pizza and the antipasto plate. Excellent pizza, light crispy, great crust, the antipasto was large and had a great selection of great starters. From fresh buffalo mozzarella, to mortadella, prosciutto, grilled peppers. I had the pan seared duck breast with roasted vegetables, others had the sea bass and the New York prime steak. Wow. Lovely to look at, even better to eat. We all sampled each others, though I thought mine was the winner, well because I picked it. I don't know if you could go wrong with any of them though. Even though I was full at this point, two out of the five of us got dessert and we all shared. One had the coconut sorbet and the birthday boy had the warm chocolate cake. I am not the biggest fan of coconut, but it was refreshing and good, the cake was the beautiful decorated, almost to pretty to eat.... noticed I said almost. Warm and gooey on the inside, how can one say no to a bite or three? I will say the one complaint I have is the service was okay, though I was expecting a little more, although at the end the server disappeared for 10 minutes while we sat waiting for the check. A great experience, that would also be great place for a date with that special someone.
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Fashion meets food. Beautiful space, beautiful people and the food very Italian. Real Italian. Not huge heavy portions, the pizza is fabulous I almost wish I would have just gotten that for my meal. I actually met friends there and I was the first to arrive, I walked in went to the bar and immediately felt comfortable. Staff is very nice, from the outside does not look like it would be a warm friendly place. But, it is. Try it.
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Good food. Good service. Nice space.
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Pretty much to add on what to what everyone else said, this restaurant is excellent all around. The space is very well made and decorated and the service and food was all pretty delightful. The party I went with had heard that the pizza is one of the specialties there and it did not fail to impress one bit. The cheese was fresh, the prosciutto and mushrooms on there were just so perfect! I sampled off of other peoples plates to try the other items on the menu and they were all just fantastic. The food was contemporary but had a home feel to it. I would definitely recommend this to anyone looking for a great dining experience off the beaten path. It is pretty secluded in the meat packing industry which makes it that much more "chic" or "cool." I am neither so I thought I'd put those words in quotes.
So are the clothes on the mannequins there for sale?
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Ehhh...I wish I had like it more. The decor is so cool-very meat packing district New York. Except it's the meat packing district Chicago. Food was definately fresh and the staff were very involved in greeting the customers. I just wasn't blown away by anything I ate. Nor was anyone I dined with. We all had a good time though. Caprese salad looked big and yummy and I'll have to go back and try that one.
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I loved everything about this restaurant...
I love the decor...the aqua tiles sound tacky in writing be were actually really pretty...
I LOVED THE PIZZA...I've been craving really good light thin crust pizza...I'm from San Francisco and you can get this anywhere there but Chicago not so much...It has been a 3 year search...I'm sorry I wasn't here earlier!
It is quite possibly the MOST perfect pizza I have ever had the pleasure of....Only to be rivaled by Tomaso's in San Francisco.
There anitpasti platter is gorgeous as well...The mozzerella was to die for...It tasted like they made it in the kitchen...
There portions are perfect...Not 30 pounds of pasta...just absolutely perfect....
I must say Follia is my new fave restaurant in Chicago....
It is a little pricey...and the wine list is quite expensive.
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Cibo e Moda, food and fashion is supposedly their forte. But, I'd have to say that a stark, naked decor and a limited, non-unique menu but trying to pull it off as a classy joint is their high point. Yes, the pizza is quite impressive, it is thin and cracker like with fresh ingredients. But, if all you crave is a solid stone fired pizza why not just go to sapore di napoli, spacca napoli, or fornetto mei - all of these places, located throughout the city, have excellent neapolitan style pizza. I would figure that Follia is in business for more than just its pizza. But, for the most part, that was all that was notable. The salads are petite and some come with good cured meats and the pasta un-imaginative and does not reflect the flavors of Italy. I never mention this aspect, but the tagliatelle was $18 and was a tiny portion with a few gamberi (shrimp) I make this dish at home on my stove and it turns out far better than what I had at Follia. As a cook, I cannot applaud Follia, they simply are not unique. The service was as naked as the decor, non-existent. And my pasta came out as I was still eating my salad, so the busser just placed my pasta on the table - this would never be done at high class establishment.
I was excited to go here, yet I left dissatisfied.
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It's been a long time since service at a place has left me this smitten. There were 6-7 people bustling around us, never intrusive, perfectly timed, dashing over to grab my coat/pour the pellegrino/wisk away the olive platter etc. The atmosphere at this little West Loop Milanese hot spot couldn't be better. The legend of an owner struts around the place in a plum suit, we spotted him grabbing drinks next to us at Fulton Lounge (which is right next door, no need to go outside) and he is a total charmer.
Prices very doable, entrees $16-$25. Antipasto platter was to die for, specially imported cheeses and an impeccable wine list to match. Ask the very knowledgeable wait staff for recommendations.
Decor is minimalist, cool and trendy, and the astro-turf mounted on the walls is a nice modern touch. Urban intrerior meets quirky fashion meets great authentic Italian. One of the top restaurants in the city, but please don't spread the secret; grabbing a weekend table is still no problem the night before.
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The food was definitely excellent. The mozzarella was the best I've had outside of Italy, which is where, I believe, it comes from. The gnocchi was cooked perfectly--though nothing has ever beaten the gnocchi at Fillipo's. The decorations / ambiance / acoustics were great, as well.
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Fashionistas will love Follia! So will foodies who love Italian cuisine.
Located in the Warehouse District, this restaurant is sleek and modern, and has mannequins in the window displaying fashions by local college students. The food is authentic Northern Italian....try the thin-crust pizzas, which are the best in the city.
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Excellent, super authentic Italian food. Everything was very fresh and not drenched in sauce the way most Italian restaurants are. The owner is very friendly and will probably stop by your table and chat with you a bit. It is also pretty reasonably priced.
The only thing I thought was a bit off was the decor. The restaurant itself was very stylish and fun but the clothes in the windows and throughout the restaurant were weird. I get that the theme of the restaurant is "food and fashion" but most of the clothes I saw were distracting and frankly hideous and just didn't seem to fit in.
I would definitely recommend going next door to Fulton Lounge for drinks after dinner. It has a great sexy vibe, althoug a little bit of an older crowd.
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God, I hate to carry a grudge...but Bruno Abate still hasn't offered an apology, and thus, 3 stars buddy.
We had visited Follia the week it opened and every week for about 9 months, thus creating a unique chef/owner - patron relationship, only to learn Bruno didn't make it happen for a birthday dinner. Sure it was my birthday, but hell, he offered to host my party (12 in the group total). 8pm reservation equated to a 10:15 seating. 1/2 the party left. And the bill -- he charged us extra because the reservation was for 12 and only 1/2 our party showed up. (uh, wait, we were all here until 9:30)...
No apology...no coming out to visit, etc. So, I have concerns.
And the strangest thing is that we see eachother on the street and in the stores around Chicago all the time.
The food is excellent, however. And I miss it. His side business (Model Agency) fills the hostess/waiter/waitress roles, and they are nice to look at, indeed.
Best not to plan on anything rigid, and given the small space, make your reservations for 6 or less.
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I went here last night w/my mom...we loved it. Its trendy, minimal, funky lighting, good vibe. The bar is very cool...light blue mosaic tile.
Would be a great date place, I really liked the ambiance, but it was perfect for my mom and I as well. Our server was friendly, knowledgeable about the wines, and brought us tastings to be sure we liked them.
We got the special pasta entree, white wine reduction sauce, fresh clams...delicious. We're small eaters so we split a salad w/beets (excellent) and an entree. I will have to ask if there was a split fee, but they did split all dishes for us.
Panna Cotta dessert was some of the best I've had.
Follia is known for its thin, italian style pizza, which I found out you can order if you are next door at fulton lounge...they share the bathrooms. I plan on hitting fulton lounge next week, sitting outside and ordering their white pizza.
Seriously one of the best meals I've had in awhile. Super authentic Italian food...possibly the best pizza in town. And the fresh mozzarella...to die for!! Great service too....warm and inviting atmosphere. After becoming a repeat customer here, we are treated like famiglia. I love this place!
The reason for 4 stars instead of 5 - the place is on the smaller side, and sometimes they get really slammed and the service and food is not 100% - I would recommend going here on an off night, but here at follia, there are no off nights and a random tuesday will be just as crowded as a saturday night!
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I've only been to Follia once and I've been meaning to go back ever since. It's pretty far into the west loop, but worth the trip. Great Italian food, especially the thin crust pizza. It's a very tiny restaurant that fills up quickly (at least it did when I was there) so make recommendations ahead of time.
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wow. what a disaster. This was my third time and it sure wasn't a charm. Though, the room is nice looking it's way too noisy. Owner Bruno seemed like he was going through the motions. His passion is gone. Our waiter, which was his first time, was so not the caliber or what this restaurant or prices could even come close to. We waited for our drinks. Both of our red wines bottles were too warm. I had to make the cooling down suggestion two times. The appetizer platter was the highlight but main course came two hours after we sat down. We asked a few times and even offered Bruno a glass of our bottle which he gladly accepted A FULL POUR! He wasn't concerned with our inquiries of the main course taking so long. Nor, did he offer an apology. That really was unacceptable. Our four dishes were overcooked, not as described or tasteless. There was nothing encrust