Restaurant Spotlight: Prosecco, Contemporary Italian in River North
Illustrative artwork, not a photograph of Prosecco Ristorante.
Welcome to CIAP’s Restaurant Spotlight, where we introduce you to local businesses in our community and invite you to discover the people, places, and flavors that make Chicagoland special. This Sunday, we’re heading to River North to spotlight Prosecco Ristorante, a contemporary regional Italian restaurant at 710 N Wells St, listed in the CIAP Business Directory under Restaurants.
The restaurant describes itself as “a friend to everyone”. A friendly sentiment for a place where the setting and the menu are both part of the experience. If you’re planning a dinner downtown, meeting friends, or simply looking to explore another neighborhood restaurant, Prosecco is a place to add to your list.
Contemporary Italian in a romantic, art-filled setting
Prosecco is located in Chicago’s River North Gallery District, where its own description pairs classic-to-upscale Italian dishes with a romantic, art-filled dining room that evokes whispers of Venice. The restaurant’s website puts the idea memorably: “What’s on the walls is just as important as what’s on your plate.”
That attention to atmosphere gives you more than a menu to explore. Art, dining, and a sense of occasion come together in a setting the restaurant presents as both welcoming and distinctive. It’s a lovely combination for a date night, a gathering with friends, or a meal when you want to slow down and enjoy the whole evening, not just the last bite.
The name Prosecco nods to the Italian sparkling wine. Public reporting has also noted the restaurant’s large sparkling wine selection alongside an Italian-focused wine list. It’s a light but fitting part of the identity: a little sparkle for the table, without taking the focus away from the food or the company.
Illustrative artwork, not a photograph of Prosecco Ristorante.
A restaurant with a River North story
Prosecco was established in 2008. In 2018, the restaurant underwent a major remodel, as reported by Eater Chicago, and reopened that June. The update marked a new chapter while keeping the restaurant in its River North home.
Chef Partner Mark Sparacino leads the kitchen, according to the restaurant’s About page. Prosecco describes its cooking as contemporary regional Italian cuisine: a broad invitation to enjoy familiar Italian traditions through a menu with antipasti, house pastas, risotti, seafood, and meat mains.
What’s on the menu
The current menu offers several ways to begin. Cold antipasti include burrata, caprese, and bufala. If you’re in the mood for something warm, The Meatball brings together veal, beef, and pork with ricotta and burrata. It’s the sort of opening dish made for sharing, or for starting a friendly negotiation over who gets the last bite.
House pastas are another highlight to browse. Carbonara features bucatini, guanciale, farm egg, and pecorino romano. Bolognese pairs fettucine with veal, beef, and pork, while Tartufate combines orecchiette with black truffle cream. Risotti offer another option if rice is calling your name.
For a seafood main, the menu lists branzino, halibut, and scallops. In the terra section, you’ll find saltimbocca di vitello and bistecca tagliata. There’s plenty to consider whether you’re choosing a familiar favorite or taking a moment to explore something different.
Menus can change, so check the restaurant’s current menu before visiting. Prosecco also offers a happy hour menu; check its website for current information.
Illustrative artwork, not a photograph of a Prosecco dish.
Planning a visit
Prosecco is at 710 N Wells St, Chicago, in River North. According to the restaurant’s website, its listed hours are Tuesday–Thursday, 4–9 pm, and Friday–Saturday, 4–10 pm. It is closed Sunday and Monday. Hours can change, so please check before visiting.
For reservations, current details, private events, and group dining information, visit the Prosecco website. You can also review the menu as you make plans. The restaurant invites guests interested in private events or group dining to get in touch through its website.
If you’re getting together with colleagues, family, or friends, a shared meal can be a wonderful way to make room for conversation. And if you’re already part of the Italian American Chicago community, or are looking to connect with it, local restaurants are one more enjoyable way to discover and support businesses around Chicagoland.
Stay connected with CIAP
Prosecco Ristorante is listed in the CIAP Business Directory, where you can discover businesses and professionals in our network. We’re pleased to spotlight local places that bring people together around good food, thoughtful hospitality, and shared community.
CIAP welcomes Italian-American professionals across Chicagoland, from independent professionals and entrepreneurs to organizations and businesses. Our weekly Italian wine features are another way to explore Italy’s culinary traditions together. Monthly breakfast meetings resume in January 2027; stay in touch for updates and opportunities to connect.
Ready to get involved? Explore CIAP membership and find the option that fits you or your organization. And if there's a local business you'd like us to feature in a future Restaurant Spotlight, send your suggestion to Salvatore at salvatore@chicagolanditalians.com. Draft for Salvatore's approval.