One of the neighborhood’s best Italian restaurants is undoubtedly Ortomare Ristorante Pizzeria. However, given its location at 109th and Columbus – which is a bit off the grid for some – it may not have gotten onto your radar since opening back in January 2019 – when it became an instant hit.
Early praises have continued to this day. We think it’s a fantastic restaurant, but more importantly, so does the public: Ortomare has a Google and Yelp score of 4.7 out of 5 stars – based respectively on 480 and 152 reviews.
Since the restaurant opened its doors, people have raved about Ortomare’s happy hours; its $25 pizza & vino and other sweet specials; its quick service and pleasant indoor and outdoor atmospheres; its wood-fired pizzas, with a particular penchant for the margherita pie; its homemade pastas, especially the gnocchi; and its authentic Italian desserts, with the tiramisu taking the cake.
Pizza Margherita
Hand Rolled Gnocchi Served with Creamy Truffle Sauce and Spinach Leaves
Tiramisu
Prices are also very decent, and the laid-back atmosphere – rustic, charming and friendly – attracts diners from all slices of life.
If you haven’t been here, you really need to get in on the neighborhood food scene’s best kept secret and make yourself a reservation. And if you have, you really need to get yourself back, as a number of new and upgraded eye-popping plates have made it to the table.
For starters, Ortomare’s brand-new Parmigiana di Melanzane (baked Eggplant parmigiana style) is an immediate hit, joining the ranks of popular apps like its Calamari Fritti and Caprese.
Their popular Ravioli (Homemade Spinach & Ricotta Cheese) has gotten a sauce upgrade – from butter & sage to fresh tomato and basil – as displayed in the tantalizing image below.
Another new dish is the Bucatini all’Amatriciana (bucatini pasta with pancetta, onions, fresh tomato sauce and pecorino romano cheese), and like all ten of Ortomare’s fresh, homemade pastas, it can be served with gluten-free or whole wheat pasta.
And, while the tiramisu appears to be an all-time favorite, there’s also a new crème brulée which, well … just look at it!
But every dessert is next-level, and if you need even more reasons to head to this classic Italian joint, try Ortomare’s dairy- and gluten-free sorbet, the perfect summer treat made in Italy with the finest of ingredients.
