This was our first time here, and we came to celebrate a birthday. We had noted it in the…read morereservation and also had a conversation about it with our server. We were a little surprised when nothing was done for it, which isn't a big deal, but I'll be honest it was disappointing since we did come specifically to celebrate and had talked about it w our server. 3/5 Arancini - Very salty. None of us really enjoyed them because of that. They also came out lukewarm instead of hot. Would have been excellent if it was less salty and came out hot and crispy. 5/5 Fig & Mushroom (subbed for prosciutto) - The menu doesn't specify how the fig is served. Turned out to be fig jam rather than fresh fig, which wasn't what we expected. A little too sweet for me but overall still very much enjoyed it. Their pizza was cooked perfectly with enough toppings and cheese. Very good pizza! 5/5 Braised Short Rib + Polenta - so good! The short rib was excellent, just slightly salty. The polenta was perfect, and it came with a generous portion of wild mushrooms. 2/5 White Wine Cake (recommended as "unique") by our server - This was the most disappointing meal item. Our waitress told us it was special, but it was very bland and didn't match the description or image on their website. Their website showed a cake with a large scoop of ice cream on top, fair amount of whipped cream and raspberry sauce. Ours came with maybe a quarter of the size of that ice cream scoop, a little teaspoon dollop of whipped cream that you eat in one bite and the raspberry sauce was a tiny smear on bottom for decor but there wasn't enough to actually eat it. The cake itself was moist but lacked flavor. It took a really long time to come out, we thought perhaps they forgot, then forgetting we were celebrating a birthday on top of that was disappointing. Atmosphere - Beautiful space, very well done. The only issue is how close the tables are, you can't pull your chair back without hitting someone, and getting to the bathroom requires asking others to move because of how tight the layout is. Overall, we really enjoyed it and would return. While there were a few dishes we wouldn't order again, and others we would. Would love to try the wild mushroom pizza next time! The only thing was that since we had come to celebrate a birthday and didn't end up doing that, the night felt a little less special than we had expected--but still a nice experience overall.

I'm glad I finally got to check this place out, as I've been curious about it for some time. This…read moreplace is swanky and sophisticated, and a nice addition to the Park Ridge restaurant scene. I came to meet some folks and we sat at the bar. They have an extensive beverage program here, including mocktails, and that's what I settled on. I got one called Strawberry-Basil something, and it was so good. The strawberry-basil shrub was a key ingredient, and I don't get to a lot of places that use a shrub in their drinks. There was definitely a STRONG vinegar taste but for me, that was great. I also ordered a pasta dish, orecchiette and sausage with peas and a sweet, creamy sauce. Orecchiette and sausage are such a classic combo and I hadn't had this sauce before; it was a pleasant dish and was perfectly al dente. Service was good for the bar area. There's parking around, both in the lot right outside and the public parking lot below. And then of course there's the lots by the library and whatnot, so you should be able to find something.

Another wonderful visit and another wonderful meal. We really love coming to Pasta D'Arte. On…read morethis visit we skipped the openers and went straight to the main course. Sacchettini Bologna's for me and Seafood Cannelloni for she. A few glasses of Santa Margherita Piño to wash it down. Both dishes were excellent and we were happily full when finished. Our server was attentive and helpful helping to make another meal, another fabulous meal.

We went on a Sunday night and sat in the front small room that only has six tables and it was very…read morequaint. Our server, I think his name was Jose, was very professional, courteous, and friendly. He came back to check on us numerous times and was very quick bringing anything we needed. We had the asparagus salad, the Darte salad, the grilled shrimp appetizer, the grilled vegetables, the grilled calamari, the carpaccio of octopus, and chicken Parmesan. At the start, they brought out bread, olive oil and grated cheese. The bread was a little dry on the outside, but it was warm. The asparagus salad was missing something - maybe salt? It just felt like it lacked flavor even though it had Gorgonzola cheese on it. The grilled vegetables, however, were perfect. It was a combination of one longstem, artichoke heart, one long grilled carrot, a couple of slices of zucchini, and a couple of asparagus. We had asked for them to be well grilled and they were sort of, I can't imagine how few grill marks they would have on them if they hadn't done what he had asked. The Darte salad was a nice size portion with mixed greens, golden and regular raisins, and walnuts. The balsamic vinaigrette is nice and flavorful, and doesn't separate the way it can at some places. The grilled shrimp were very good, nicely seasoned and very well charred. The grilled calamari were great, although they were quite small. There were many more of them than on the pictures. The carpaccio of octopus was very nicely, presented with very thin slices of octopus a nice bright dressing over it and the greens. The chicken Parmesan was a very large portion with the breaded chicken cutlet underneath a large layer of cheese ravioli all topped with marinara sauce, and then cheese, which was browned very well, it was very tasty. For dessert we had two different gelato - the maple bourbon, which would go great with a banana cake and the hazelnut chocolate, which was unbelievably flavorful and smooth. The pistachio and ricotta cake looks very good, but we didn't want to get three desserts. Maybe next time!

Why only Five Stars?…read more Pazzi Di Pizza in Park Ridge, located next door to the fabulous Pickwick Theater, was an amazing choice for a birthday dinner. Just the two of us on a Monday night when many restaurants are closed, we arrived at our reservation time and were promptly seated. Each person who 'greeted' us had a big smile and a welcoming tone helping to set the mood in a positive way. Our server was Patrick who arrived once we were settled and we placed our drink order. My partner ordered a Mezzacorona Pinot Grigio, which she truly enjoyed, and for me, well, Jamesons is Jamesons and I'm always happy when my friend John Jameson joins me and especially when it's a healthy pour. As an appetizer we ordered the Grigliata Mista which hosts grilled Calamari, Octopus and Roasted Red Peppers with a Balsamic Vinaigrette dressing. Check out the photos, it was like a meal onto itself. The chef has Octopus down to an art. Soft, melt in your mouth with a fabulous 'grilled' accent. The Calamari was also done perfectly. soft with Just the right crunch, not tough and I'm not sure I'll ever order any other of their Antipasti moving forward. A great start to the meal. For entrees my partner, who has dined here with friends several times before, and being a huge eggplant fan, always has ordered the Involtini di Melanzana. Lightly breaded Eggplant Rolls Stuffed with Fresh Ricotta and Topped with Marinara with a side of Crostini. I tried a taste and knew exactly why it's her go to dish. Yes, it's on the Antipasti portion of the menu but she brought home enough for dinner tonight. I ordered from the Pasta portion of the menu and went right to the seafood medley, Zuppa di Pesce. Mussels, Clams, Shrimp and Calamari over Linguine. I ordered with the Garlic and Oil 'sauce'. The 3 Shrimp were 3-bite large and done to perfection. The Mussels were plentiful; the clams tender and the Calamari was delicious. Again, check out my photos. I've ordered this at many restaurants and never taken any home but, I too, have dinner tonight. As an aside, I watched a few of their Pizzas be delivered to nearby tables and as a New York Pizza Snob I will have to give them a try soon, they looked 'just right'...

Great place for drinks and pizza. The lychee spritz was very flavorful and refreshing-something…read moreunique vs the standard spritz. I liked that when you walk in, you can see pizza oven. The pizza was tasty and delightful. You can definitely tell that they use quality and fresh ingredients. I wish the place was little more colorful or had more of an ambiance. It is little standard and the bar area was the only focus point with something interesting. Our server was beyond amazing. Very attentive, friendly and accommodating. Overall, I would give 5 stars but the only hiccup that we had was that when we walked in and asked to sit outside, we were told that we can't even though people were sitting outside. Not sure what happened there.

Via Roma was the cutest!!! Very small on the inside which made it feel very quaint and homey. Our…read moreservice was great - we went right around 5 and got seated right away but it quickly became packed by 6/6:30. Our food portions were HUGE! We split 3 things between 2 people and had a good amount of left overs. My favorite was the gnocchi, I definitely recommended. Also it's great that's it's BYOB, so you can bring your favorite bottle of wine for no cork fee!!!

Finally got a chance to go to this Italian restaurant that's been on my list on other places. Went…read moreon a Friday, around 5:30 and lots of tables still , before the evening crowds started. Went were served by Caitlyn, and others who started off with bread and olive oil and some parmesan. Went started with some apps like Calamari and shrimp fritti both were cooked well . Service was great and our food was excellent. We went with Zappa de peshe for my wife and i had the Fettuccine Bolognese which was highly recommended by our server. Best part was we bought our own bottle of wine which this place is a BYOB . We met one of the owners, and will be back again to try the other dishes.

My lovely wife and I were recently invited to a luncheon at Café Lucci in suburban Glenview. Our…read moresizeable group occupied the main banquet space on the upper floor. The Italian meal included bread, salad, and soup to start things off. Dishes included sliced sausage with peppers (our favorite), penne pasta marinara, and chicken marsala. One vegetarian opted for the eggplant parmesan and it looked good too. Spumoni ice cream completed our meal. Service was spot on, as our glasses of water were filled throughout the meal.

What a gem of a place! From the moment we walk in, this family-owned restaurant isn't just about…read moregreat food - it's about creating a welcoming experience. The owners are so friendly and hands-on, making sure every guest feels like part of the family. The atmosphere is cozy, warm, and perfect for and special casual meal with loved ones. The food? Absolutely delicious! Every dish is made with care and top-quality ingredients. We started with the homemade bread with garlic spread and calamari "Bobby style" a signature appetizer, which was perfectly crisp on the outside and soft on the inside. For the main course, I had the Veal Pancetta, and as always it was one of the best I've ever had - rich, flavorful, and packed with layers of love (you can really taste the passion in the cooking). You can tell this restaurant is dedicated to keeping things local and supporting the community, which I truly appreciate. It's rare to find a place that combines amazing food with such a strong sense of family and connection. Highly recommend stopping by if you're in the area - you won't be disappointed! We'll definitely be back!

It's a wide open concept with lots of seating…read more The waitress and staff are very attentive. Baked Clams - we nicely breaded taste good Pino Puffs - Shredded zucchini and 3 cheeses formed into a light puffy ball, served with besciamella sauce- was good Potatoe Sausage Soup - ok...it wasn't as creamy as I thought it should be. It was ok Beet Salad, too much dressing. It was ok. Country Rigatoni- Tomato cream sauce with grilled chicken, sliced Italian sausage, peas & fresh mozzarella - nothing to rave about. Basic pasta with sauce Tiramisu - ok. Needed a little more flavor Bread Pudding - ok too Nothing really stuck out. It was ok food, I can't say it was great.

This place has been on my list of places to go to as im in the area. Our server was pleasant and…read morefriendly, and place gave a nice old school Chicago italian pasta and pizza vibe. Food was extremely delectable and prices were excellent compared to other locations. An excellent neighborhood restaurant.

A+ Italian Steakhouse has quickly become one of my favorite spots. I've been here several times,…read moreand every visit has been consistently great. The food is absolutely delicious , you can really tell they put care into every dish. Restaurant is clean & quiet . Perfect for a date night ! What really sets this place apart, though, is the service. The owner, bartenders, and waitstaff are all amazing, friendly, attentive, and they make you feel genuinely welcomed every time. If you're looking for great food and top-notch service, I strongly recommend A+ Italian Steakhouse. Definitely a place worth coming back to again and again!

From the moment I walked in, the ambiance set the tone-beautiful lighting, cozy yet elegant, and…read moreperfect for a relaxed evening. The service was outstanding: attentive, friendly, and genuinely welcoming without ever feeling rushed. The food was exceptional-authentic Italian flavors, perfectly cooked, and clearly made with care and quality ingredients. The baked clams, the steak, all phenomenal. Every dish I tried was fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented. Overall, this restaurant delivered a complete experience: great service, amazing food, and an inviting atmosphere that makes you want to stay longer. Truly a gem and a place I can't wait to return to. As a city girl, this met all my expectations without having to take the drive downtown for that sought out experience.

This was an easy and convenient option as it was in the building connected to my Marriott hotel. My…read moreserver and runners were friendly and efficient and the dining room was cozy. I enjoyed some wine, bread, soup and butternut squash ravioli with gelato for dessert. Everything was good but nothing amazing. I enjoyed the butternut squash ravioli after I rescued each piece that was drowning in brown butter. I would dine there again due to the convenience.

We celebrated my mother's birthday dinner here last weekend. My family has been going to Carlucci's…read morefor years, but this was my first time. First, the restaurant is beautiful. Such an old school Italian vibe, you can't get better than that! So many restaurants focus on being modern looking, it really removes the charm out of places. Carlucci's was such a vibe. I can't wait to bring my husband here. Onto service - our waiter, Sal was incredible! Had an amazing personality, and took wonderful care of us. We were never without drinks, our food came in a timely manner, couldn't have asked for better service. Onto the food! My mom and I split a salad, so fresh and delicious. We also split the octopus which was great! Very tender. I ordered the chicken Marsala as my main and it was delicious! The chicken was perfectly tender, the Marsala sauce was perfectly balanced and tasted incredible!! I was hoping for personal redemption because the last time I ordered chicken Marsala at a different restaurant, it was awful. So happy Carlucci's hit every mark on making it a perfect dish. Everyone else in my family loved their dishes. I did take a bite of my mom's bolognese, and it was so meaty and delicious. They brought out a piece of tiramisu for my mom's birthday, what a wonderful end to our evening! Can't wait to come back!