Acanto Menu (2025 Update)
Introducing Acanto, a classy Italian wine bar located in the heart of Chicago. Acanto offers a variety of appetizers, soups, salads, and entrees, all crafted with attention to detail and flavor. Highlights from the menu include the bruschetta di prosciutto, arugula salad with strawberries, and short rib rigatoni. The ambiance at Acanto is romantic, with dim lighting and taper candles, making it a perfect spot for a date night or special occasion. The service is top-notch, with attentive staff who ensure a pleasant dining experience. Acanto also offers an impressive assortment of wines to complement your meal. Overall, Acanto is a must-visit for those looking for delicious Italian cuisine in a sophisticated setting.
Antipasti / Appetizers
Mixed Olives
garlic, rosemary, orange
Bruschetta di Prosciutto
truffle ricotta cheese, prosciutto di san danielle, aged balsamico
Calamari
crispy-fried, castelvetrano olives, cherry peppers, lemon, calabrian chili aioli
Formaggi
Cheese: gorgonzola DOP, capra sarda, robiola langhe "tre latte". Accompaniments: honeycomb, seasonal fruit, salted mixed nuts, fig & date cake**
Hamachi Crudo
citrus vinaigrette, calabrian aioli, basil
Mussels***
out of the shell mussels, saffron bianco, oven cured tomatoes, fennel salad, sourdough croutons
Arancini**
fried tomato risotto, mozzarella, basil pesto aioli
Filet of Beef Carpaccio*
arugula & herb salad, capers, parmigiano, first-press olive oil
House-Made Meatballs
dry-aged beef, pomodoro, shaved parmigiano, focaccia
Octopus
crispy-braised, vidalia onions, fennel, parsley, fried capers, espelette pepper
Ribollita (Tuscan White Bean Soup)
seasonal vegetables, fennel sausage, ciabatta, parmigiano
Chopped Bibb
butter lettuce, gem lettuce, radish, tarragon, gorgonzola, crispy prosciutto, foccacia croutons, roasted garlic dressing
Simple Greens
organic mesclun, shaved parmigiano, truffle vinaigrette
Baby Arugula**
strawberries, midnight moon goat cheese, almonds, shaved fennel, shallots
Zuppa e Insalate / Soup & Salads
Pietanze / Entrée
Chicken Piccata***
roasted broccolini, capers, piccata sauce
Pesce del Giorno*
seasonally prepared
The Italian Job**
porchetta, soppressata, hot soppressata, hot coppa, stracciatella, arugula, tomato, pesto aioli, sicilian sesame roll
Whitefish*
house pickles, arugula, caper aioli
Panini
Housemade Pasta
Rigatoni***
dry-aged beef bolognese, cacciocavalo, fried breadcrumbs
Pappardelle
truffle porcini, roasted wild mushrooms, grana padano, garlic, shallots, marsala
Tortelloni
truffle ricotta, pickled beech mushrooms, summer truffles
Fusilli
squid ink, lobster, scallops, shrimp, san marzano tomatoes, calabrian chili, crispy garlic
Bucatini
dry-aged beef meatballs, pomodoro, shaved parmigiano
Risotto of the Day
chef's daily seasonal creation
Margherita
fior di latte, marinara, basil
Mushroom
truffled ricotta, roasted garlic, parmigiano
Spicy Calabrese
fireball sausage, fior di latte, chile-pomodoro
Stone Oven Pizza
Contorni / Sides
Bread Selection
seeded cracker, rosemary and garlic focaccia
Tuscan Potatoes
olive oil, garlic, herbs, parmigiano
Roasted Broccolini
olive oil, garlic, parmigiano
Cauliflower**
calabrian chili, caramelized yogurt, golden raisins, sicilian almonds, mint
Negroni Classico
sipsmith italian gin, cocchi vermouth di torino, campari bitter, orange twist
Martini "Al Acanto"
sipsmith gin, cinzano 1757 dry vermouth, castelvetrano olive
Aperol Spritz
aperol, prosecco, grapefruit-olive garnish
The Acanto Smoked Single-Barrel Old-Fashioned
10 year single barrel bourbon, demerara, bay, apricot, hickory smoke
The Montferrat
basil hayden bourbon, porcini-infused vermouth di torino, benedictine, bitters
Amalfi Smash
house-made limoncello, fresh lemon, crushed ice, mint
Spritz "Alla Sardegna"
prosecco, blood orange, saffron, fresh mint, soda
The Cagliari Revivifier
gin, spanish vermouth blanco, myrtle liqueur, pineapple, lemon
Acanto Classics
Sparkling
Fresh - Brut Vermentino - Santa Maria la Palma "Aragosta" - Gallura DOC, Sardegna
Complex - Brut Classico - Barone Pizzini "Animante" - Franciacorta DOCG, Lombardia
Crisp - Prosecco Rosé - Villa Sandi - Prosecco DOC, Veneto
Sweet - Moscato d'Asti - G.D. Vajra - Asti DOCG, Piemonte
Crisp - Nascetta Blend - Luigi Baudana "Dragón" - Langhe DOC, Piemonte
Aromatic - Verdeca - Li Veli "Askos" - Salento IGT, Puglia
Complex - Fiano - Antonio Caggiaro "Bechar" - Avellino DOCG, Campagna
Juicy - Vermentino - Stanta Maria la Palma "Akenta" - Gallura DOC, Sardegna
Elegant - Chardonnay - Girlan "Marna" - Alto Adige DOC
White
Rosé & Orange
Bright, Crisp - Monica - Pala "Chiaro di Stelle" - Isola Nuraghi IGT, Sardegna
Rich, Juicy - Nerello Rosato - Bonavita - Faró DOC, Sicilia
Bold, Savory - Orange Vermentino - Cardedu "Bucce" Macerato - Sardegna DOC
Sparkling - Dry Lambrusco - Lini "910" Riserva - Lambrusco di Sorbara DOC
Bright - Carignano - Santadi "Grotta Rossa" - Sulcis DOC, Sardegna
Juicy - Cannonau - Santa Maria la Palma "Bombarde" - Sardegna DOC
Jammy - Negroamaro - Li Veli "Pezzo Morgana" Riserva - Salice Salentino DOC, Puglia
Elegant - Barbera - Azelia "Punta" - Alba Superiore DOCG, Piemonte
Complex - Bordeaux Blend - Punica "Montessu" - Isola di Nuraghi DOC, Sardegna
Red
Draft
Peroni - Italian Pilsner - Lombardia
Saison Dupont - Saison - Belgium
Moody Tongue "Cold Kiwi" - American IPA - Chicago
Baladin "Nora" - Spiced Ale - Piemonte
Baladin "Sidro" - Italian Cider (4.7 ABV) - Piemonte
Bottle
Zero Proof - Non-Alcoholic
Lurisia Italian Sodas
chinotto (bitter orange), lemon, or blood orange
San Pellegrino
sparkling mineral water
Aperitif Spritz
lapo's aperitivo n/a bitter, n/a sparkling, orange
Stappi "Camparisoda"
bitter red aperitif soda