Squid Ink Chitarra Terra e Mare
I had a FANTASTIC meal at the modern Italian restaurant, Terra E Mare. My favorites would have to be the the scallop crudo, mushroom risotto, squid ink chitarra, and the Branzino. I love finding authentic Italian restaurants. Read the press release below on why this one is so special.
CHEF NOAH ZAMLER OPENS
TERRA E MARE, A NEW MODERN ITALIAN RESTAURANT IN CHICAGO’S SOUTH LOOP
Terra e Mare features a menu of scratch-made dishes highlighting the land and sea, utilizing the freshest seasonal ingredients through partnerships with family-owned farms and producers.
Terra e Mare, a modern Italian restaurant from Chef Noah Zamler located in Chicago’s South Loop neighborhood opened in November 2023. Terra e Mare, or the land and the sea, is a dream concept for Zamler, incorporating a family pasta-making legacy, lessons learned from living abroad in Rome, and his personal penchant for cacio e pepe. Zamler will source the finest seasonal ingredients and meats available throughout the Midwest and beyond by partnering with small, independently operated farms and purveyors like Nichols Farms, Slagel Farms, Urban Produce, Mick Klug Farms, and more.
From snacks and appetizers to meats and fishes, the menu is packed with something for everyone’s appetites. All dishes at Terra e Mare are designed to be shared around the table, much like diners would expect for family dinner in Italy. Spuntini, or snacks, at Terra e Mare include dishes like Burrata, Salumi e Fromaggi and Beef Tartare with egg yolk jam, greens and capers served with sourdough.
Zamler, who grew up a vegetarian, was intentional in building a rich selection of vegetable dishes for guests, especially leaning into the idea of seasonality and how diners eat in Italy. Contorni, or Zamler’s vegetable dishes, include some of his favorite additions on the menu and are primarily sourced from Marengo Farm in Marengo, Illinois. The Cicoria takes radicchios and pairs it with puffed farro, sheep’s milk cheese and comes topped with a honey anchovy vinaigrette. Diners will also find Brussel Sprouts, as well as Zamler’s Celery Root Parmigiana with capers, tomato, parmesan and basil.
Undeniably, the shining star for Terra e Mare is Chef Zamler’s pasta program. Ever since Zamler could remember, he was in the kitchen with his mother and grandmother making homemade dough, which became his culinary obsession. All pastas at the restaurant will be made from scratch, and all breads and doughs will never feature more than six ingredients.
Diners can find plenty of meat and fish dishes for their secondi appetites. Chef Zamler’s Mezz’anatra comes with a confit duck leg, dry aged breast, farro risotto and braised artichoke. His fresh-caught Brook Trout is served with parsnip pave, trout roe and gremolata. Terra e Mare will also serve a Pork Porterhouse with heirloom beans, salsa verde, pickled cipollini. For desserts, Terra e Mare serves a luscious Tiramisu cake with savoiardi, mascarpone, cocoa and espresso.
The cocktail program highlights Italian spirits. Terra e Mare cocktails include an Italian Sidecar with Italian brandy, lemon and curacao, an Aviation featuring luxardo Maraschino, a Paper Plane featuring Amaro Nonino, and a classic Negroni. Other fun cocktails include the house Fiore di Ibisco with mezcal, hibiscus, lime and egg white. For beer, expect to find producers like Balladin and Forst, as well as local favorite beers like Maplewood Pulaski Pilsner, Begyle Brewing’s Free Bird and Escapist from Temperance. Wine at Terra e Mare dives deep throughout Italy, highlighting many different varieties and regions of the country. The wine list includes some small unknown producers all the way to big hitting Italian producers like Emidio Pepe, Biondi-Santi, and Paolo Bea. Terra e Mare also offers a curated American wine section as well.
Terra e Mare is located at 404 S Wells Street in Chicago’s South Loop neighborhood. Terra e Mare will be open from 3-9 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 3-10 p.m. Friday through Sunday. For more information, visit www.terraemarechi.com or find the restaurant on social media at @terraemarechi on Instagram and Facebook.
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