This Old Town spot for Italian eats stays open late, so if you're in the mood for some farfalle con pollo to cap off your Second City show, look no further than Dinotto. The father-and-son-owned restaurant prides itself on friendly vibes: The staff is happy to accommodate your nit-pickiest demands, and the crowd comes casually dressed and ready to sample some vino. When the weather is favorable, an outside patio can accommodate 50 diners. But for the rest of the year, Dinotto's antiqued yellow walls and comfy black banquettes pleasantly suffice.

Start with the signature salad, full of mesclun lettuce, gorgonzola cheese, pine nuts and tomatoes topped off with warm balsamic vinaigrette. The extensive pasta list includes another house fave: the gamberi con risotto, which adds tiger shrimp, tomatoes and basil pesto to crispy risotto. Also on the menu: smothered-in-sauce chicken, veal and seafood dishes ranging from $14-$18; pasta dishes start at $7.95. Reservations are accepted and recommended, so set aside some tiramisu-time and call ahead.

Average cost: $10-$20

Centerstage Reviewer: Jennifer Berg