L8 Facts

LOCATION: 222 W. Ontario

HOURS OF OPERATION: Closed Mondays
Dinner: Tuesday-Thursday, 5 p.m.-12 a.m.; Friday, 5 p.m. to 2 a.m.; & Saturday, 5 p.m.-3 a.m.

FARE: Contemporary American, Italian-inspired

CHEF: Alex Stanciu

SIGNATURE DISHES: Homemade pizzas from our two wood-burning brick ovens; Pacific Chilean Sea Bass; Prime Rib Eye Filet; L8 Cornish Hen.

BAR: Features the original granite bar top from Lino’s with mahogany and glass windows overlooking Chicago’s busy Ontario Street. Windows remain open while the Chicago weather permits. Extensive wine list with many offered by the glass.

DÉCOR: Designer, Andrea Caputo of InArc Design.
The restaurant’s style exudes cleanliness in a minimalist setting. Beautiful LED lit columns with floating white fabric and custom-made frosted acrylic speakers radiate the dining room as they change in color throughout the day and night. Neutral earth tones are used throughout the space to create a comfortable yet trendy atmosphere.

CAPACITY: 350

PRIVATE DINING: Accommodate 30 to 150

CONTACT INFORMATION: (p) 312.266.0616, (f) 312.266.4895

WEBSITE: www.l8chicago.com

GENERAL MANAGER: Jay Melnick

PRIVATE EVENT/PR DIRECTOR: Nicole Pagnano – Nicole@sound-bar.com

What they are saying about L8.......

Citysearch
Pillars draped in white fabric are illuminated with changing colors in this late-night dining spot, a partnership between the folks at hipster club Sound-Bar and Phil Stefani Signature Restaurants. The warm, minimal space boasts a front bar with rich granite countertops and seating in the muted gray dining room for up to 100. The classic Italian menu features standard starters like fried calamari, bruschetta and beef carpaccio, plus pasta, salads, pizzas cooked in a wood-burning oven, and a small-plates menu of crab cakes, cold cuts, calzones, a cheese plate and more.

Metromix Chicago
The team behind nightclubs Sound-Bar and Y have teamed up with Phil Stefani's Signature restaurants to open this late-night dining spot. Located in the former Lino's Ristorante space on West Ontario (just east of Y), the partners now pretty much own the block between Wells and Franklin Streets. Gourmet pizzas are prepared one of the two centerpiece wood-burning ovens; also check out mid-priced wood-roasted entrees, small plates and pasta dishes. Although there's no alcohol past 2 a.m. (3 a.m. Saturday), but L8 will has a similar room-bumping sound system to its siblings, so still expect a high-energy dining experience. The wine list features middle and high-end wines with an American slant, with about 20 by-the-glass choices and ample half-bottle selections.

AOL Cityguide
Ever since Iggy's moved and succumbed to a 2AM license, there's been a void on the late-night dining scene. With the arrival of L8, owned by Y/Sound-Bar's Stephan Billen and the Phil Stefani Signature Restaurants, clubgoers can get their munchies on 'til the early morn. Those who frequent nearby White Star, Ontourage, Y, Sound-Bar and Spy Bar may extend their groove as the eatery caters to a young and moneyed crowd. The former home to the 'Sopranos'-like Lino's Ristorante continues to offer Italian-American favorites, including gourmet pizzas, pastas, seafood entrees and light appetizers. But for the sake of this crowd, L8 cranks up the intensity to offer a clubby vibe, with pumpin' tech-house and hip-hop bouncing off the walls. The wine list offers a nice selection by the bottle and by the glass. For those who come after 2AM (3AM Saturday), no alcohol is served. -- Audarshia Townsend