We came on a double date for Sunday dinner. The place is hidden off Shermer Road in the club house…read moreof the public golf course. Parking is easy and free and the restaurant is attractive with a view of the golf course and lake. Service was provided by a young high school student being trained by a more-experienced gentleman. It was attentive, efficient and lovely. We all had handmade pasta dishes and shared the calamari appetizer and a family-sized salad. The food was tasty with an excellent presentation. I also had a glass of the house chianti which was good. Portions were reasonable in size and comparable in price to other restaurants in the area. Unfortunately the golf course is under construction, so the paver piles on the patio and dirty putting green drew our attention but that's not the fault of the restaurant. Overall it was a nice evening.

Hate having to write this…read more First off, lovely spot on the golf course. Nice enough menu. Really rough night for the restaurant. Must say that the team of servers was absolutely fabulous under dreadful circumstances. Apparently, a graduation party that they were hosting outside had 160 people show vs the plan of 80. Crushed them. Was also a nice night, so suspect they had a lot of walk ins (we had a reservation). Net result was ugly. What should have been about an 45-60 minute long dinner was more than twice that. Servers and kitchen were slammed. Sigh. Too long waits for drinks, salads, and entrees. Like...really long. One entree (steak) came out cold and we (with profound apologies) asked that it go back and be taken off the bill. In fairness, the other three entrees (orichiette, eggplant parm, and check parm) were good and more than ample in size, as was the large salad (enough for four, as our excellent if stressed server advised us). When the bill came ... literally more than two hours after we were seated... I notified the team that they seem to have left a round of drinks off of our tab. I expected that the answer would be " we're sorry for the challenges tonight ... that round is on us." It wasn't. They dutifully prepared a second tab, with a good natured but ill-timed "we're generous but not THAT generous." We left a generous tip on both the main tab and the drinks-that-should-have-been-comped tab. Again, I feel awful for the team working that night who did their very best. But might have been handled way better. Would have been a good call to tell the tables who were waiting about their challenges ... to manage expectations. And yes, I'd have expected a gesture like "we'll buy you a round" for a pretty disastrous dinner. Great setting though. Nice though menu. And again, fabulous team. Sick that they were in such a bad situation.

Title: A True Italian Hole in the Wall -- One of the Best I've Ever Experienced!…read more Francesco's Hole in the Wall in Northbrook, Illinois, on Skokie Boulevard may just be the finest Italian restaurant I've ever eaten at! This is a genuine Italian hole-in-the-wall experience. Small, tightly packed, full of character, and absolutely bursting with atmosphere. The walls tell stories of notable actors, sports champions, and generations of locals who have discovered this little treasure. I ordered something that wasn't even on the menu -- veal parmigiana with pasta. Now that's my kind of Italian restaurant! The veal was tender, succulent, fresh, and beautifully prepared. Every bite was a pleasure. I also enjoyed their signature Hole in the Wall Salad, a wonderful addition to an already outstanding meal. Served steaming hot and it came out quickly. Our server was amazing she truly enhanced my experience. Oh and the butter cake is perfect. And here's the icing on the cake: I even got my picture taken with the legendary Francesca "Frank" Gallo! What a character and what a memorable evening! I travel to the Chicago area regularly on business as a professional actor, and you can bet I'll be back. Add Francesco's Hole in the Wall to your must-stop-and-eat list when visiting Chicago. This is Italian dining with personality, tradition, and outstanding food. Five stars!

I traveled a long way from California once a year to eat at this restaurant the food,wine , and…read moreservers are awesome !! Thank you all for filling my belly with some of the best Italian food I have eaten. Hats off to the mangers, who actually come to your table and share in your experiences ! This place is above the rest ! Delicious 1/2 chicken and lemon sauce with salad and bruschetta Wine and desserts were awesome

IMPORTANT: IF YOU HAVEN'T BEEN HERE IN A WHILE, TRY IT AGAIN UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT…read more As I note below, I had been to the bar, but not the restaurant since it re-opened earlier this year after a water leak required them to close and remodel. We were expecting an "okay" meal and I'm delighted to say that they exceeded every expectation. This spot is a traditional, old time Italian spot and is a TOTAL home run. Greeted by the manager whom I had met before -- always a positive to be recognized, especially after only one other visit. Gentleman pouring our water and bringing the bread (warm, delicious, and served with olive oil, garlic, Parmesan) recognized the other couple with whom we came and hugs were exchanged (literally!) - this gentleman was upbeat and smiling and set a positive tone right out of the blocks. Our server/waiter was equally fabulous. He was attentive, knowledgable, personable...and emblematic of the type of restaurant this is, walked us through the menu (a lot of traditional Italian dishes) and a good list of specials (he had tried them all) ... and then noted that the chef will pretty much prepare anything provided they have the components. THAT, to me, is a sign of a great old-time Italian place. As is the personal visit from the chef. Entrees include a side salad or soup, so we skipped the appetizers. The side salads were as one might expect -- the house-made balsamic dressing served on the side was rich and fabulous. For the entrees: one order of the halibut, one pasta, and two of one of the specials: scallops in a saffron cream sauce. Four strong positive reviews. I'll add that I've eaten at the bar once, and ordered the veal parm which came with a side of pasta, and was elated with the food, the ambiance, and the service. The room is pretty traditional -- bar on the left, two well appointed (and pretty full) dining rooms to the right; tables and booths, white tablecloth, etc. Genuinely feels a bit like being in an old, traditional Chicago or New York Little Italy spot...but in suburban Glenview. There are a bunch of new entrants into the restaurant market in Glenview, and we have tried them all...and came here to make sure we were supporting the old standards. Gusto is a gem, and deserves every bit as much attention as its new competitors. Of note...with the new entrants, parking is at a premium. Gusto has its own lot...and offers complimentary valet for when it's full.

3.5 stars Went with…read morea very large group recently. It was only alright. Fried zucchini app - the breading had mostly fallen off by the time it got to us so we were just eating zucchini which was mushy and wet. I'm guessing the moistness of the zucchini is why the breading didn't stay on but I dont know. Eggplant appetizer - this was fine Branzino special - good fish but they ran out of polenta and everyone was disappointed since a bunch of people in our group ordered it. Most ended up w a side of spaghetti that didn't have enough sauce and one got mashed potatoes that he said were bland. Tortellini special - overcooked, making the noodles too soft. Not enough sauce either Service - excellent

Consistently amazing home cooked food and excellent service. Our wonderful server, Amy, took great…read morecare of us. The experience in this hidden gem starts with a warm welcome and warm bread in this family owned restaurant. There are specials and there are the tried and true menu items. Whatever you choose, you won't be disappointed. Homemade pasta, dressings and desserts are a staple. The portions are large but save room for dessert. We loved being able to have a conversation with our table mates and many people celebrate their birthdays here. Great for dates and families. Once you try it, you'll want to return, as we do. Just 20 minutes from Northbrook and Glenview, don't miss it!

Amazing place! Food and atmosphere was extremely inviting. Wait staff was pleasant and not a lot of…read morewaiting around as we did not have reservations and we were given a table on a Friday evening. Ample parking and a good local Italian place. The menu was updated with no prices- (not shocking) but still a bit jarring to have no prices on menu as this is a local restaurant and not a super fancy place. Overall, a bit pricey but enjoyed the food, and service.

My family and I decided to try this cute little byob restaurant out since it was so close to our…read morehome, and we were not disappointed. The staff made us feel at home, and the food is not only delicious, but the portions will have you set up for lunch the next day. We've now come here so often that the staff knows who we are, so if that doesn't make you believe me about how good this food is, I don't know what will.

Via Roma is hands down one of the best Italian dining experiences in the Charlotte area. From the…read moremoment we walked in, the atmosphere was warm, elegant, and inviting. The staff was attentive, friendly, and made us feel like valued guests throughout the evening. The food was exceptional--fresh, authentic, and beautifully prepared. Every dish was full of flavor and presented with care, making it clear that quality is a top priority. From the appetizers to dessert, everything exceeded our expectations. We had the halibut for our entree, which was cooked to perfection! The strawberry sorbet was very pleasing to the palate. Whether you're celebrating a special occasion or simply looking for an outstanding Italian meal, Via Roma is a restaurant that delivers. Excellent food, outstanding service, and a wonderful ambiance make this a place we'll gladly return to. Highly recommended!

Ready on time. Friendly. Pizza was delicious. Perfectly…read morethin crust - firm, good texture to the bite, tomato sauce great (not too sweet or heavy), plenty of sausage and right amount of stretchy cheese. Especially, not greasy on the top surface.

We were not disappointed with our first order from Vinny's! We ordered the xl pepperoni and sausage…read morepizza... loved the thin crust! Looking forward to trying the other items on the menu next time!

(4.25) ~ Very good overall food & service…read more DRINKS: ** Pinot Noir (De Bon) = (4.35) Very good ** Doppio Espresso = (4.25) Very good, comes w. rock candy;) ** Water (tap) = (4) very good FOOD: ** Prosciutto E Rucola (white pizza) = (4.35) Very good ** Sausage & Peppers = (4.25) Very tasty & shareable ** Bufalino D.O.P. = (4.25) Very good ** Cookie Dough Gelato = (4.25) Very tasty

My husband and I finally had a chance to visit Napolita Pizzeria & Wine Bar in Northbrook for a…read morecasual dinner. When we arrived around 6:30 p.m. on a Wednesday, the restaurant wasn't busy, so we could pretty much choose any table we wanted. We waited about 10 minutes for our server, Mike, who provided very nice and attentive service. I ordered an iced tea ($3) and a Salsiccia Rossa Pizza (it was $18.95 when we visited, but is now $19.95 on their website). It came topped with house-made sausage, roasted peppers, caramelized onion, fresh mozzarella, basil, chili, and olive oil. The pizza came out very quickly, so we were surprised that it was rather cold. Mike told us that their pizzas were meant to be eaten with a knife and fork, and I could see why. The center was extremely thin and soggy, making it difficult to pick up a slice with my hands. I've had Neapolitan-style pizza before, but this one was a bit extreme. Some parts of the crust were burnt, too, leaving less of the pizza to enjoy. I'm not a big eater, so, I still shared some slices with my husband. The good news is that the pizza tasted pretty good. My husband ordered a glass of Chardonnay ($12) and the Trota Iridea ($30.95), which came with rainbow trout, sautéed spinach, roasted tomato, and salmoriglio sauce. He wanted to share the dish with me, so I tried a bite of the fish. It was tasty, with nicely crispy edges. If I return to Napolita, I'll probably skip the pizza and try some of the other dishes instead. A 3% hospitality charge was added to the bill. The policy was clearly disclosed, and the charge can be removed upon request. We chose to leave it. After dinner, we took a look at the patio in the back. I was pleasantly surprised by how beautiful it was, especially since part of it was covered. There was a live singer, and the atmosphere was relaxed and comfortable. It looks like a lovely place to dine when the weather is nice. Overall, we had a pleasant experience, although the pizza was a disappointment. I'd consider returning to try other dishes and enjoy the patio. 3.5 stars, rounded up to 4.

Best place to go in Northbrook for Italian. Francesca's North is one of the locations of this small…read morelocal chain where each location has uniqueness. It has more of the classic items like pasta or whatever. Cheaper than expected. The happy hour is great but ends too early for lots of people. A busy restaurant in a shopping center. It's located by the Sunset Foods. The inside is fancy enough but still casual though. A pretty okay happy hour. This is mostly for wines. A few appetizers and pizzas are included. It's about $8 for certain glasses of wines. Got Cabernet Sauvignon. The food options are meaty things. It's about $8 for a basic salad with iceberg. The pasta is the main thing but they also got sandwiches. For sure it's a pretty okay value for what one can get. It's okay for being in a strip mall. They have gluten free options so they accommodate allergies or other things.

We selected Francesca's North by reviews for after a wake. We are all from out of town and needed…read moresomething a large group could sit down and enjoy a good Italian dinner. Sorry no pictures, but the entire meal was picture worthy. The service was great thanks IVAN! We had lentils and spinach, sausage and peppers, rigatoni, salmon, chopped salad, roasted chicken and carbonara. Honestly we all ate some of each and the result every one of my picky family when it comes to Italian food said great choice. So if you are looking for a great family Italian dinner this is definitely a contender. And ask for Ivan he was great.

For years, we have eaten at Viaggio before attending summer concerts at Ravinia. This year, we…read morelearned that Viaggio had "evolved" into Nico, so we didn't know what to expect. It turns out, Nico is GREAT! Many of our favorites from Viaggio remain on the menu; the crusty bread, the Caesar salad, the gnocchi, the chicken Parmesan, all were top-notch. Terrific seafood dishes remain, too, although we didn't try them during this visit. And some new items that will be fun to try have been added, such as pizza. As always, the service was friendly and efficient. And best of all, the spumoni bombe is still on the menu! (It's our favorite and SO delicious.). Other delightful desserts, such as Tiramisu, are also available. We loved Nico and we will return soon!

Nico's, formerly Viaggio's, underwent a full renovation and change of ownership. Thankfully, much…read moreof the excellent staff remains. We loved the old Viaggio's and really wanted to love Nico's, but one major design decision has completely changed the experience for us. The bar was always the heart of this restaurant. It was a comfortable neighborhood bar where locals could have dinner, drinks and conversation. The new owners installed the pizza oven and pizza-making station directly in the middle of it. As a result, the bar is now literally a pizza counter. When you sit there, you are sitting directly in front of a working pizza station, watching pizzas being prepared, with boxes and supplies around the bar. Instead of feeling like you're having dinner and drinks at a neighborhood bar, it feels like you're sitting at the counter of a pizzeria. For us, that simply isn't an appealing or relaxing way to spend an evening. The layout also makes normal bar service extremely awkward. The pizza operation physically separates the bartenders from many of the customers sitting at the bar, requiring them to walk around the bar to take orders and serve patrons. Finally, you are sitting directly in front of a large, very hot pizza oven. The heat is significant. The pizza maker working in front of the oven was, quite understandably, sweating heavily throughout the evening just a few feet in front of us while we were trying to eat dinner. That's not a criticism of the employee--it's an illustration of why placing a commercial pizza oven directly in the middle of a dining bar simply doesn't work. The frustrating part is that so much about Nico's is good, particularly the staff. But putting the pizza operation in the middle of what was previously the heart of the restaurant fundamentally changes the experience. I hope the owners reconsider the layout and return the bar to being a bar. We would happily come back.