The Aqua Tower (the building with the undulating white balconies) seems to call for a chic, up to the minute restaurant, but it might surprise at first that the one it got (in the Radisson Blu Hotel) is a determinedly authentic Italian one. But Filini (named for a type of pasta and no relation to the Italian film director, even if they did already send out an invite promising La Dolce Vita) seems to be aiming to capture the side of Italy that seeks out a 21st century atmosphere in which to dine 16th century-style. Which probably doesn’t seem a contradiction at all to chef Christian Fantoni, who reportedly grew up in a castle in Bergamo, where his mother was a cook. The menu ranges from stuzzichini (small plates) to woodburning oven pizzas, pasta and secondi such as osso bucco; the full list is below.
STUZZICHINI
Marinated tuscan olives 4.00
Warm almonds 4.00
Arugula with fennel, cured tomato & parmigiano reggiano 6.00
Radicchio, frisee, apple, walnut & gorgonzola dolce 6.00
Broccolini with peperoncino & garlic 6.00
Roasted beets with ricotta 6.00
Eggplant parmigiana 6.00
Burrata with cherry tomatoes, olive oil & sea salt 10.00
Bruschetta with spiced carpaccio of beef & aioli 12.00
Bruschetta with ceci, anchovy, black olives & arugula 6.00
Meatballs with spicy tomato sauce 6.00
Goat ragu with bay leaf and cipoolini onion 9.00
Filini’s bread - foccacia, panne carasau, grissini & olive oil 5.00
AFFETATI E FORMAGGI
Prosciutto di Parma 8.50
Finocchiona Biellese 6.50
Bresaola Bernina 8.50
Speck alto adige 8.50
Sopressata 7.50
Mix of all 5 meats 17.50
Gorgonzola dolce 6.50
Taleggio 6.50
Grana padano 6.50
Robiola due latti 6.50
Mix of all 4 cheeses 15.50
PIZZE
Margherita: tomato sauce, mozzarella & basil 13.00 With burrata + 3.00
Napoletana: spicy tomato sauce, olives, capers & anchovy 12.00
Salsiccia: fennel sausage, spicy tomato, mozzarella & garlic 13.00
Verdure: pesto, grilled vegetables & ricotta 12.00
Patate: potato, rosemary, radicchio & gorgonzola dolce 13.00
Filini: tomato, arugula, buffalo mozzarella & speck Alto Adige 14.00
Contadina: broccolini, pancetta, tomato & buffalo mozzarella 13.00
Funghi: Funghi misti, tomato, fontina & thyme 13.00
PIATTI DEL GIORNO
LUNEDI Braised beef in Barolo wine with creamy polenta 17.00
MARTEDI Cioppino with fennel, tomato, saffron aioli & garlic bread 19.00
MERCOLEDI Braised lamb shank with cipollini onion & gnocchi 18.00
GIOVEDI Roasted free-range chicken with rosemary & mashed potatoes 19.00
VENERDI Monkfish & gulf shrimp with garlic, thyme, chile & fingerling potatoes 22.00
SABATO Niman ranch flat iron steak with arugula, cherry tomatoes & grilled polenta 22.00
DOMENICA Osso bucco Milanese 26.00
DOLCI
Selezione di gelati: Vanilla, chocolate or pistachio 8.00
Panna gelato extra virgin olive oil and sea salt 8.00
Selezione di sorbetti: Raspberry, lemon or mango/passion fruit 8.00
Bomboloni: Amaretti scented doughnuts with 3 sauces 8.00
Filini tiramisu: Mascarpone crema, Marsala wine & espresso 8.00
Torta alla ricotta: Mascarpone & ricotta Italian style cheese cake, pistachio gelato, candied fruit 8.00
Budino al Panettone: Warm bread pudding with vanilla gelato 8.00
Formaggi: Selection of ripe Italian cheese 15.50
Biscotti: Assortment of Italian cookies 4.00
Filini, Radisson Blu Aqua Tower, 221 N. Columbus Drive. 312-477-0234.
