Chicago - January 23, 2009

Can’t Touch This

Tocco Italian Bistro Opens

Just thinking about McDonald’s makes you feel fat.

So when the Golden Arches disappeared from Wicker Park, your thighs sighed with relief.

In its place? Tocco (“touch” in Italian), an Italian bistro from Bruno and Melissa Abate (Follia) that soft opens today.

Like Follia, Tocco emphasizes the artistic: Black, white, and magenta decor; imported Italian furniture; and local artwork (coming soon) make for a hip, low-key interior. A quaint outdoor patio will open in the spring.

And then there’s the food. From tasty basics (salads, pastas, calzones, wood-fired pizzas) to small shared plates (eggplant parmesan, oven-roasted fish, rabbit with potatoes, pork ragu), everything is cooked using authentic Italian techniques (Bruno hails from Milan).

Now that’s what we call a happy meal.

Tocco, 1266 North Milwaukee Avenue, at Paulina Street (773-687-8895 or toccochicago.com).

  Laid Back, Trendy, Wine