Osteria Via Stato

Great find for easy Italian food. Gluten free menu. Decent selection including gluten free pasta. Our server was cheerful and excited to talk with us. Would highly recommend for an easy affordable Italian dinner.

Wow! We arrived a little early for our Saturday at 7:30 dinner reservations in hopes of getting seated early, if there was a chance. It was restaurant week in Chicago Osteria was very busy. Unable to get a table early, we happily sat at the bar and waited. After debating on what drinks to order, we opted for the "just bring me wine" . The bartender asked if we were having the restaurant week menu, as that had specific wines to go with the courses (which is what we went with). We were seated a little after 7:30, no complaints on my part over that, as they were very busy. When a place is participating in an event such as restaurant week and there is a set menu, one shouldn't expect any substitutions from said set menu. I completely understand this, although having to eat gluten free poses a bit of an issue for me. The options for the main course of the set menu wasn't going to be a problem for me. I inquired about the ingredients on the first course. I knew the bread and roasted garlic, as well as the meatballs were a no go for me and explained that I couldn't eat the prepared salad due to the croutons. Much to my glee, I was offered a caprese salad instead of the Caesar. My husband thoroughly enjoyed the bread with roasted garlic in oil and vinegar, as well as the meatballs and Caeser salad. The soup was a delicious chicken and vegetable soup. At 8:10 started to get nervous about the time, due to us having tickets to see Drunk Shakespeare at 9pm. This was poor timing on my part, I should have reserved our table for 7pm or earlier not 7:30pm. When our waiter came over to check on us I explained that we needed to put out by 8:30(ish). Mild concern came over his eyes and he went back to check in at the kitchen. Moments later, a gentleman came to our table (I'm assuming the manager) to discuss our predicament. He kindly explained that our main course wasn't going to be ready for another 20 minutes (the restaurant was very busy). The timing would have been just fine any other night for us, but not that night. After a discussion with the manager, we all came to an agreement of us having a second bowl of soup and paying ala carte for what we had eaten and forgoing the set menu. I take full responsibility for our poor timing and am delighted in how the restaurant was gracious and accommodating. Our waiter brought over two glasses of chocolate wine to finish off our meal. The food was outstanding and the service was even better. Next time we are in Chicago, I'll make sure to set enough time aside to enjoy the full eating experience.