If you’re looking for Michelin-quality food at a reasonable price point, the Purple Pig should be your next spot. In comparison to its first location, having won the Michelin Bib Gourmand Award, its Oakbrook location does not disappoint.

Most famously located in Chicago’s Loop, the Purple Pig has been in business for 17 years and recently opened a second store at 15 Oakbrook Center in Oakbrook. The menu consists of traditional Mediterranean dishes ranging from charcuterie and wine to pasta and seafood dishes. 

After making a reservation online, upon arrival, we were seated quickly with attentive service. Our waitress made sure we knew the most popular picks on the menu and helped us decide on our courses. It is a family-style food presentation, which is great if you want to share and taste different food options. The pasta is made fresh daily along with the sauces and bread. 

In addition to the great food, the atmosphere was very upscale. With a spacious bar and kitchen view, it was very aesthetically pleasing to look at. The full-service restaurant incorporates an off-site bakery that has many grab-and-go options from coffee and gelato to pastries and croissants. 

For our main course, my mother, sister, and I started with the Rosemary Focaccia ($8) and Maple-glazed Squash ($16). The focaccia came dressed with salt and rosemary and an option of olive oil, butter, and parmesan cheese on the side. It was light and very fresh tasting. The squash was a very pleasant surprise: made with house ricotta, sage pesto, and pumpkin seed, it was amazing. It was over a creamy pesto sauce that was truly delicious, mixing maple sweetness with baked squash. 

For our main courses, I got the Creste di Gallo ($22), a pasta in a rapini, garlic, chile, and parmesan sauce with pieces of duck sausage mixed in. It was creamy and full of flavor and a tiny bit of spice. My sister got the Chicken Thigh Kebabs ($21), sided with fried smashed potato and housemade tzatziki. The chicken was perfectly cooked and very flavorful, and the potatoes with tzatziki were a nice touch. Lastly, my mom got the Malfaldine pasta ($19), and it was made with a kale pesto leek sauce. This was heavier than expected but still tasted fresh, and the kale came through nicely and was not overpowering. 

Throughout our meal, many staff members refilled our waters, changed our utensils, and made sure we were taken care of greatly. The food was amazing, unique, and something that you can’t get at a regular restaurant. Overall, if you are looking for a great dining experience and want to try many flavors of food, I would highly recommend the Purple Pig. 

5/5 paws