SOCCA
www.soccachicago.com
3301 N. Clark Street, Chicago
773.248.1155
ITLC’s Overall Rating: A-
Cuisine: A-  Ambiance: A-  Service: A-

Socca takes its name from the chickpea pancakes popular in the south of France and offers Mediterranean-inspired cuisine. Co-owner Dennis Antoniello, chef/owner Roger Herring and sommelier Keith Ross make a strong, dedicated on-site team to keep things running smoothly in this upscale yet casual and inviting setting. Two walls of glass look out onto bustling Wrigleyville life, making people-watching a great diversion during dinner. The large bar area invites guests to meet for a cocktail or a draft, and move on to the large dining room for a flavorful dinner that evokes images that are “a little French, a little Italian,” with a casual-formal blend of service.

The list of appetizers ($6-12) is all-enticing. Grilled shrimp Socca is a signature dish, served with tasty chickpea flour crêpes. The escargot with Pernod-garlic butter were ooh-la-la! Pommes frites with cheese fondue sauce were the real thing! While the steamed mussels were fresh and earthy-sweet, the broth was lackluster and tasted a bit of alcohol from the wine.

It’s worth the trip to Socca just for the pizzettes ($6-8), small pizzas still large enough to share as an appetizer—but you’ll want to eat the whole thing! Five versions are available, but the one with mushrooms, caramelized onions, fennel sausage and Gorgonzola had our names written all over it. Three salads ($5-8) are available. The hearts of romaine and radicchio sparkled with the roasted garlic ciabatta crisp and lemon Asiago vinaigrette.

Three house-made pastas ($12-18) are available, but our carb craving had been satisfied with pommes frites and pizzette. We moved on to entrées ($15-26). The grilled pork chop alla Toscana was flavorful, if a tad dry (American pork being what it is these days). The accompanying white beans and fennel sausage with wilted spinach were so tasty that they made up for lack of moistness elsewhere. The evening’s special 12-ounce strip steak had a hearty beef taste, and the asparagus and Gorgonzola risotto, with Asiago and Parmesan cheeses as well, made me a happy carnivore. Crispy-skin whitefish, sautéed boneless breast of chick, braised beef short rib, and other mains ensure satisfaction for a group of diners with diverse preferences. Sides ($4) include an irresistible Parmesan polenta.

In addition to the obligatory crème brûlée, gelati and sorbetto, desserts ($6-7) also include a croissant bread pudding with roasted bananas, vanilla bean ice cream and warm caramel sauce. The chocolate exotic nut crunch with pistachio gelato and mint chocolate sauce demanded attention, and satisfied.

The 90-bottle list of French, Italian and American wines includes good selections by the glass as well as by the bottle. Full bar service is available. And on Sundays and Mondays, there’s a bargain $20 prix fixe option for dinner. Join the party in Wrigleyville. Bon appétit! Buon appetito! Enjoy!

Open Daily at 5 p.m.
Sunday brunch 10 a.m. till 2:30 p.m.