Pinstripes offers so much in between their bowling and bocce that it can be easy to forget that they serve mouthwatering Italian food on par with many of the city’s great bistros. With the new additions to their fall menu you’ll never forget about the food again.
Some of the changes on the menu are more nuanced like replacing the polenta that was on their Caesar salad with black sesame crostini and Parmesan with Pecorino Grand Cru. However, they did add purple kale to the salad that gives the dish a much-needed bite.
You’ll find more noticeable changes in the pastas with the additions of ratatouille and ravioli. The ratatouille is always great for fall as every bite of campanelle, sauteed vegetables, spicy tomato-herb broth, and pecorino gran cru is more comforting than the last. The ravioli of housemade lamb sausage, mozzarella, brown butter, sage, and sun dried tomato is unlike any other ravioli I’ve ever had. Not only is the lamb sausage wonderfully savory, but the way chef Cesar Gutierrez layers it in the ravioli with the mozzarella in the middle adds a different structure to traditional ravioli.
The favorite maple glazed salmon stays on the menu but with a new twist with the addition of eggplant caponata and a red pepper sauce to the organic quinoa that gives it a nice kick. If you somehow have enough room for dessert it would be a crime not to have the pistachio profiteroles consisting of housemade pastry, pistachio gelato, hot fudge, caramel.
Of course, having Italian food without wine is probably illegal, so make sure to try one of the bottles from their excellent collection. For those who typically turn down white wines, like myself, don’t ignore the Blindfold white blend from The Prisoner Wine Company out of California that will make you rethink your wine preferences all together.
Pinstripes is located at 435 E. Illinois St. For more information visit pinstripes.com/chicago.
