pasta – Hillary Weller

2014 Best Bite #9: Spring vegetable orecchetti, Summer House Santa Monica

For the third year in a row, I’m using each day in December to celebrate the rest of the best bites (and sips) that I didn’t get to blog about in 2014, posted in chronological order. Browse all of this year’s Best Bites, or look back at year-end Best Bites from 2012 and 2013.

Spring vegetable orecchietti, Summer House Santa Monica — Spring vegetable orecchietti with ramps, favas, asparagus, and pecorino

Why it’s another 2014 Best Bite: Within Summer House’s bright, beachy environs, this pasta dish celebrated the peak of spring’s green vegetables. Fresh orecchietti pasta mingled with favas, peas, asparagus, and ultra-seasonal ramps, plus pecorino cheese and pickled onions to bring it together. And although they aren’t pictured here, it’s a crime to leave Summer House without at least one of the gigantic, freshly baked cookies at the front counter (I’ll admit that I’ve stopped in on multiple occasions just for the cookies alone).

The details: Summer House Santa Monica, 1954 N. Halsted St., Chicago.

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This week’s Best Bite: Fresh pappardelle with wild boar ragu, Piccolo Sogno

Tree canopy and lights on the lovely patio

Why it’s this week’s Best Bite: This is one of those restaurants that’s been in the back of my mind since I moved to Chicago, but still had yet to try. The day my roommate finished her second Chicago Marathon was finally the right opportunity to make plans for celebratory pasta and wine. As expected, the pasta was excellent. The wide, toothsome pappardelle noodles stood up to the hearty boar ragu, with the spiced, carrot-forward warmth that’s so comforting in a slow-cooked sauce. Getting to dine outside was what really clenched it, though – Piccolo Sogno (Italian for “little dream”) is nearly as well-known for its back patio as it is for its food, and I now see why. The atmosphere is nothing short of magical, its fairy-tale trees stretching over to ivy-covered walls to form a lush, softly lit hideaway. Come spring, I’ll be back for more pasta under the stars.

Pappardelle with spiced wild boar ragu and fresh parmesan — Fresh pappardelle with spiced wild boar ragu and fresh parmesan

Bread basket with house-bottled olive oil and aged balsamic vinegar

The details: Piccolo Sogno, 464 N. Halsted St., Chicago.