Biagio Events and Catering

I started a new job recently and was tasked with planning the Christmas luncheon. I was told that in the past they had been using the same place over and over again and it was so bad that when the owners kids would come in for lunch they would bring McDonalds with them! So I started a search and found Biagio, I had attended an event there years ago and remembered it being good. After speaking with them and going over their menu I went ahead with Biagio (realizing that if it didn’t turn out way better than the past years it would be on me). Well they didn’t disappoint — the food was phenomenal! The portions were huge and our employees were able to go back for seconds and thirds which they loved! In fact the only complaint I received was that the plates weren’t big enough for them to fit as much food on to them as they wanted; I will take that complaint any day of the week! The portions were so generous we had leftovers for people to take home if they had containers and everyone said that next year I need to order to go containers as well (apparently they have all decided we are using Biagio again next year). The servers were polite, professional, helpful and conscientious. We couldn’t be happier. I actually had two of our guys from the shop come up and hug me and say thank you for an amazing lunch. I wish I could give 6 stars to them from their office/​planning staff, to the food, and the servers. My boss even texted me the next day when we were closed to thank me again for such a great job.

I recently used Biagio for my company’s Thanksgiving party and I could have not been more satisfied! Working with Kim made everything so easy and I felt as though she really valued our order and that we had a successful event. We only needed a drop off but the set up was great and they brought extra supplies for us as well! The food was great and was hot upon arrival. I would highly recommend them for any catering needs!

We were initially skeptical when we saw older reviews. But Kim was so willing to work with us on budget and on the menu that we went ahead with Biagio’s for off site catering. Kim was the only caterer willing to offer us a tasting prior to booking them and we couldn’t be more pleased. The chef worked hard to create a menu that reflected our Hispanic background but making the food of a higher caliber than anyone would expect. The day of the wedding, Kim, Blanca, and their team worked extra hard to make sure all of our guests were satisfied and make any necessary adjustments. Their attention to our guests was unprecedented and everyone loved the delicious dinner and the late night hot dog cart!

We were married here on October 11, 2014. Our only disappointment is that our new life has not allowed us to give this review sooner, because for such a grand occasion, such feedback is priceless to both business and customer. In short, they really delivered– everything was fantastic, and expertly done to our wishes.
Sylvia, Kim, Enzo, and Blanca (and the rest of the staff) listened to our vision and our must-​haves, they went beyond and delivered with honors! Attentive and patient– they weren’t content until we were.
The place has been there forever, but Sam has very convincingly executed a renewal as late, as everyone was very much impressed with the presentation, food quality, and service! I know that impression prompted several of our Italian guests to even hold subsequent events there since that night– the ultimate testimonial.
Difficult as it may be to believe with such a grand undertaking, we can honestly say we had NOTHING that fell short. Their services, their attention to detail, and the quality that night was really second to none. GRAZIE TANTE!
DEFINITE RECOMMENDATION!
–Denise & Romano

I had my 30^th Hollywood Themed party on Friday August 21, 2015, and Biagio was perfect for the event! I worked with Kim and she was amazing! She made sure to answer every email or phone call, and sat down and went detail by detail of everything, and thanks to her it came out great! The food was amazing, and the staff was great! Everyone had an amazing time, and what I loved the most was since the the place is beautiful already I didn’t have to do much decorating just add the finishing touches. I would do another party again at Biagio!

Went there for a bridal shower. Was sort of greeted by a valet who told me I could not park my car myself in their lot for «insurance reasons.» It was complimentary, but my car is brand new and the valet barely looked to be 21! I parked right on the street just outside the lot and walked a little. Service was terrible. The server got distracted and forgot to bring soup to three people at our table, so everyone else’s got cold while we waited. The plating was wildly inconsistent with my chicken swimming in butter sauce while my friend’s plate was nearly bone dry. The pasta was way overcooked as well. I would not recommend this hall to anyone hosting an event. Go to La Villa (Addison and Pulaski) for quality Italian food and service!!!

Attended a bridal shower brunch and it was tremendous. The food was great, and the servers were friendly and attentive. We were also glad they had a parking lot.

Stopped there for a quick lunch, Mussels & a beer. Weirdest order of mussels ever, 12 shells & like 17 mussels, in two different colors, pink and light beige, I’m talking about the edible mussels, not the shells. Many of the shells were broken, which made me fear the chef had forced open shells that did not open themselves while cooking, which you are not supposed to do. I asked server if the chef knew you are not supposed to force unopened shells open & he said he didn’t know… right now, I’m just hoping I don’t get ill!

Choosing a venue to hold our wedding reception was full of trepidation for me. We could on the one hand have had a very small reception with high quality food and décor or we could accommodate my family with sub par food and bare bones ambiance. When we were quoted by Kim Olney a price we could not refuse, we signed on the dotted line. Everything looked clean and the menu appeared divine.
The tasting was phenomenal. No detail was spared and all of the food was delicious. We went into the day feeling confident everything would be great. Walked in and WOW, the place looked stunning! Food was plentiful and everything was delicious. No detail was spared!
Just a note… make sure you discuss how you would like food items cooked (e.g. meat, pasta, etc.) Some guests prefer their meat a little more cooked. All of our guests were accommodated and all instructions were followed to the letter. The place looked gorgeous and we had an amazing day.
Thanks Kim! You really went above and beyond for us :)

There’s so many mixed reviews here on Unilocal about this place and to be honest in the beginning I was a little skeptical. However, every person has different expectations and different taste. What seems bad to one is great for another. Bias aside here is my experience.
I got married on September 28, 2013. Don’t know why I waited this long for a review. I worked with Sylvia Matura. She was by far the best coordinator that I could have asked for. When I would email her with questions she would respond right away. She would give be options, she would provide her expert opinion when I would ask her for one. She knew that this needed to be a special moment and she worked very hard to make it happen. Anything that I wanted she made it happened. She worked with me the whole entire time and not once did she say, «I can’t help you there».
Wedding day came and the ceremony area looked beautiful. Everyone was so in awe of how the place looked. So elegant and so intimate. After the ceremony the staff did a great job transitioning from ceremony to reception. Our decorations looked amazing. Everything was perfect. I need to mention that my wedding colors were purple and orange, both bold colors. Sylvia found a way to make the place look elegant and not like a explosion of color. We had chiavari chairs that gave the place a fall look. Our tables were covered with ivory table clothes and an orange see through over lay. Our center pieces were amazing. Orange calla lilies and willows with purple led lights. It was just amazing! The place looked amazing!
The food; OMG!!! Honestly when chefs cook for that many people we understand that the flavor may be off. Nope, not with our wedding. People ate and enjoyed their meals. I’ve yet to hear a complaint about the food. Everyone said that they gained like five pounds after our wedding. The fried calamari was delicious, the soup, the salad, the chicken, the beef, the pasta, there’s nothing that I can complain about the food. I wish I would have had more time to eat more but you know as the bride I had to be everyone that night.
Overall, I had the best time if my life and I was so pleased with the service and the work of the people at Biagios. It might not meet everyone’s expectations, but it met mine and my husbands. We are extremely happy we had our wedding and reception there. The staff there are phenomenal. It I could go back and do it all over again, I totally would.
Thank you Sylvia for making my wedding a dream come true!!!
I hope this help future couples! I had a wonderful experience, I hope you do too.

After stressing myself so much about coordinating my daughter’s Sweet 16, I was very impressed with the service I received from every single one (from Valet service to the servers). Everyone was very welcoming and accommodating to my needs and requests. The tables were setup nicely, although I added my personal center pieces. The atmosphere was relaxing and even the bartender was nice. My event included an economic open bar, but my guests and I were very impressed that the drinks were really good and had the perfect amount of alcohol in them compared to other open bars. Kim was also very helpful and accommodating to everything, she is so nice and helpful. She would always calm my nervous, saying «don’t worry, I got you». I felt like I was talking to a close friend! She is amazing! Thanks, Kim! A cake was also included with the banquet package, although I had to pay extra for certain things on my cake like: hazelnut filling, fondant and other flowers and decoration designs. Food was AMAZING, everyone enjoyed it. The grilled chicken lemon is Mmmmmm super good. The pineapple ham was a lil salty at the tasting, but at the event was PERFECT! The wild rice is good and the mixed veggies with zucchini was really good an flavorful! Overall and amazing night. This might be a once in a lifetime thing in my case, but this will definitely be my #1 go to banquet in my book. Super happy customer :)

I had my daughter’s bridal shower at Biagio’s last month. I cannot say enough great things about Kim and her staff. The room was set up and ready when we arrived and her staff immediately addressed the guests and took their drink orders. Every guest complimented us on the menu selection and how good the food tasted, I would absolutely recommend Biagio for any party needs. The pricing was well within our price range and competitive with other venues. I am glad we chose Kim and Biagio for the shower. It was perfect.

I will admit — I was very skeptical about going with the caterer that came with the venue for our wedding (Grand Piazza).
The skepticism flies out the window when you start working with Kim Olney. She honestly asks you your budget and does not belittle you or try to sell you something you don’t need or want. She truly WORKS with you wherever you are financially. I did not think it was possible to have the wedding reception of my dreams and began to second guess whether the timing was off.
Kim Olney (in the most positive way) is a beast. She works non-​stop to make sure every critical detail is met.
At our tasting, she set the table up with colored tablecloths that we had not initially considered — and we are GLAD she used her foresight in doing so. It gave our reception that extra bit of oomph.
The main location of Biagio Catering also is a ceremony venue. While I did not have my ceremony here, I noticed that the other rooms setup could easily have accommodated my ceremony and reception. Quinces, weddings, and cotillions are held here as well and from the décor, they were just as beautiful as my setup.
Did I mention — the food is AMAZING. You always hear that wedding food is just (meh) and honestly who cares about food when there is free liquor? But nope — the food was not to be ignored.
Biagio, and Kim, come highly recommended.

Went here for a party once and it was meh. First, there are 2 separate buildings which was confusing. I walked into the main building and was so lost until a person working there asked if I was at the wrong party, as if she knew that this happens and that people would be lost. Still they don’t think to put up a sign or something saying that there’s another building down the block. Went to that one and it was significantly not as nice as the main building. Low ceilings and small rooms. Probably meant for smaller parties but still. The party was split between the two rooms but can’t really fault Biagio for that since the people planning it knew that it would be like that going into it. But the 2^nd room was so quiet and just felt secluded from the rest of the party in the main room.
The food on this night was family style and I wasn’t really impressed with the food. Had the chicken, roast beef, and veggies and usually I eat a ton of food if it’s free, but def was not feeling it this night. Mashed potatoes were pretty good though. Then the person who threw the party was making a speech so people paused eating and went to go listen. Then when they came back their plates were cleared and all the food was gone because the servers thought everyone was done. Pretty funny though since it didn’t happen to me. Anyway, ok place I guess but I’ve been to nicer places. Free parking across the street though.

My wedding took place on 9÷7÷12 at Biagio’s. Kim was my coordinator and I would recommend anyone to work with her and Blanca. My wedding was absolutely amazing. Kim, is worth every red penny and makes everything for anyone extremely stress free. She was a wedding planner without even hiring her directly as one.
When I walked in to see the venue on the night of my wedding I cried, literally shed tears, the room looked absolutely fabulous. I had draping on the walls that were surrounded by gold lighting, I had tall boy tables near the bar to make the room look very social, my tables were spaced so wonderful and my linen, candy bar, cake table, and sweet table just looked fabulous. Kim made my wedding awesome.
Although, our food came out completely wrong, I was not upset, because for 1 no one knew about it; two she fixed it before the week ended; and three there was plenty of food, no one would have noticed. Kim is extremely passionate about what she does, and during the process she did everything to make everything work. And we all no reality is life and in life some things won’t turn out right always. They placed our signature drinks in vintage mason jars, which was awesome because it went well with our theme perfectly. The price was right for everything, the cake was included as well, which we had a beautiful cake four tiers with three different flavors of our choice, my favorite the carrot cake yum!!!
I honestly couldn’t have had a better wedding night, I married my best friend celebrated with my friends and family and Blanca and Kim did an amazing job, making my wedding dreams came true. I was hesitate at first but I am grateful that I trusted this extremely passionate and lovely lady to coordinate my wedding.

When they say Kim Olney does it all, they are not kidding! Kim may be the hardest working lady in the catering business! She was even returning my calls when she was home sick with the flu. I understand that brides-​to-​be want everything to perfect, and Kim is so patient and completely understands all of her clients’ needs. She made me feel that I was in good hands, and she really delivered. Kim even went out of her way to find suggestions for vendors such as florists, djs, etc. that were within our price range. Anything you need for your wedding, Kim has the answers and is so accommodating. Even when our guest count changed dramatically during planning, Kim was able to accommodate us. The food was great and included the wedding cake in the price. Her team even set up all our favors, place cards, etc., for us at the venue. Her entire team was very efficient and organized. They made the entire night go so smoothly. We had a hot dog cart come out toward the end of the night, which was big hit with our guests. Thank you, Kim, for all your hard work. Our wedding went so smoothly, and we really couldn’t have asked for a better team to help our day be perfect.

My school’s entire eighth grade class came here to celebrate the end of the year, and honestly, I was disappointed by the food.. . And by what I saw in the parking lot. In the parking lot as I was being dropped off by my parents, I spotted a chef out for a smoke, looking SO disgusting and SO filthy. My dad jokes, «He’s your cook.» And then he went right in, and that statement freaked me out. He wasn’t the kind of guy that you would want to be NEAR the kitchen. — So yes, that was my mortifying experience.
Don’t get me wrong on the place though — When I stepped in, I was in awe. The hall was beautiful.. . Especially the bathrooms. Gosh, I wanted to EAT in the bathroom.
My only complaint about this place was the food.
The salad was decrepit. The soup was alright. The roast beef was.. . interesting. The mashed potatoes and chicken though, were the best thing — Oh, and the bread. We got some ice cream afterward, which was my lifesaver.
I am not sure if their food is like this all the time, or they just lowered their standards because they saw that we were a bunch of teenagers, but even if so, they shouldn’t have — because here I am, writing this review on Unilocal.
I don’t believe that I would want to hold a special event here when I grow older, but if someone had an event here and I was invited, I would go.

Attended a luncheon banquet here in a party of 450 people and was very disappointed with the food. The main dish consisted of a fatty piece of bland steak with chicken that also lacked taste. Potatoes were hard and vegetables tasted like vinegar.
The appearance of the hall was beautiful, and I was very surprised by the quality and taste of the food. My entire table of ten was unhappy.

My husband and I got married at Biagio in October. Planning a Chicago wedding from our home in Ohio proved to be pretty darn easy because we used Biagio. Our food, drinks, including alcohol, cake, linens, ceremony fee, valet parking and a few decorations were included in our package. Although we had a very small budget compared to most couples, our wedding turned out to be exactly what we had envisioned. Cheryl S. was great to work with, although a little scatter-​brained at times. Everything was set-​up exactly as I had instructed, without complications or delays. My only complaint was our venue was being used the night of our rehearsal so we did not get to practice the timing of our walk down the aisle to our music. This really threw off my walk down the aisle which was not a huge deal. I just wished someone would have told me so we could have rehearsed on a different night.
EDITED TO ADD: do not write a review of Biagio unless you want to be contacted by them regarding your review — NOT COOL, Biagio, NOT COOL.

The event coordinator at our wedding venue had Biagio’s on a list of caterers that had worked in our venue before, and I read on a few bridal blogs that they were able to cater at a lower price than most of the other companies in Chicago.
So, I sent an email off to them at the start of September to inquire about their services. We traded off a few emails and arranged to come in for a tasting. After the tasting, I received another email saying our coordinator would be out of the office for about a week, but that she would be sure to provide us with a formal quote when she returned to the office on Saturday.
Welp, Saturday came and went. Two other Saturdays came and went and I never heard back from them. I don’t know what happened on their end, but they just disappeared into a bridal abyss.
It’s probably for the best, as we weren’t enamored with their food anyways. But I will never, ever understand what has happened to common courtesy. If you couldn’t/didn’t want to cater our wedding, you could’ve at least dropped us an email to tell us that.