We had a hard time connecting to make a reservation. Open Table has no availability. We called and waited then got a call back that they were closed and remodeling. It would be nice if they updated their website about this. read more

We came for the first time on a Wednesday evening. We sat outside because the weather was decent, the only issue was the cars are parked so close to the tables, that if someone has just pulled into the parking spot, the heat emanates from their car right onto your chair. Wish the tables were a little bit further away, or maybe along the wall, anyway, that was probably the only issue with the tables outside. The menu is extensive, with a wide variety of dishes. My better half got the pork chop, which was pounded thin yet still on the bone. It had a very nicely seasoned breading with lots of garlic and a few herbs. It also had three or four fresh cayenne peppers, which were sautéed with a butter type sauce and poured over the pork chop. It was nicely spicy with very good flavor. My entrée was the chicken Milanese, which was virtually identical in preparation as the pork chop, except obviously no bone, and no peppers or spicy butter sauce and was served with an arugula salad, which was delicious. Our two table mates got salads, one with grilled chicken, which was nice and warm and the other with shrimp. We also shared an order of the sautéed broccoli. It was amazing! It had nicely crisped and toasted garlic pieces, some lemon and olive oil. It was one of the most delicious broccoli side dishes I've had at a restaurant. Even though I took a pass on dessert, they ordered the cannoli which came two to an order. Am going to have to say that the cannoli shell itself was not very good. I tasted a tiny piece of it, and it seemed to have a little stale/refrigerator flavor and was not crisp or fresh tasting. That was the least favorite part of the meal. Everything else was delicious. Service was solid and there were a decent variety of wines by the glass available. We will definitely return to try other dishes that sounded great! read more

Merlo's - Chicken Milanesa - Italian Near Me - Glencoe, Illinois

I'm thrilled we have a new restaurant within walking distance to our house. We were fans of the other Merlo's back in the day so excited to see one in Glencoe. We met friends here for an earlyish Saturday evening dinner and it was quite busy. I expected the service to be somewhat slow based on the crowds and it being a new restaurant, but the staff was very attentive and everything came out very fast. We started with much needed cocktails (vodka martini for me) and a variety of appetizers. They were all great, but the eggplant stack was the clear winner. One of my dining companions enjoyed it so much she ordered the eggplant parm for dinner, which looked big enough to feed the entire table. I ordered the salmon for my entree. It was a little under cooked for my liking, but I would order it again and next time specify I like it medium/well done. My husband got the halibut, which he was underwhelmed with. And our 4th dining companion got gluten free pasta which looked so good that my husband mentioned several times after dinner that he should have gone the pasta route. Next time! If there's tiramisu on the menu there's a good chance we're ordering it and it lived up to the hype. Overall, it was a fun and delicious meal and I"m sure the first of many meals for us at Merlo's! Welcome to the neighborhood! read more

We're always looking for outstanding Italian food and came across Merlo's on Yelp. We really enjoyed it! The food was excellent and the portions were very generous. Four of us shared a grilled calamari appetizer and a Merlo's salad. We each had our own entrees and all loved them. They included Linguine Fra Diavolo with shrimp, Eggplant Milanese with arugula, Eggplant Parmigiano and the Brick Chicken. We each had enough left to take home for lunch. The room is not fancy but nice and the acoustics are good. We will definitely return. read more

We were in the area for Lightscapes at Chicago Botanical Garden and wanted a nice dinner beforehand to celebrate the Holidays. Merlo's did not disappoint! The ambiance was wonderful and J particularly enjoyed it being a small restaurant. The food was amazing and the proportions were large enough to share plates. The service was a little slow (we were not in a hurry, so it wasn't a bother), but our server was very friendly. We'll definitely be back when in the area again! read more

Nice people, but very expensive and uninspired. Relentlessly straight ahead Italian. Kids love it, but tough for adults. Pricey pastas and everything else. Drinks are not bad. Ambiance lacking. read more

Excellent Italian food, especially the Pork Chop Calabrese and the Penne Romano. Upscale but comfortable vibe and really good cocktails. It's the perfect night out! read more

So happy to have this beautiful, delicious restaurant in our town. We came with a few friends before seeing a show at Writers Theatre and it was perfect. Great cocktails, attentive service, yummy food and great ambiance. read more

Very disappointed with the experience. Waiter took forever to visit our table after being seated and appeared very disinterested in serving us. He never asked if he wanted something to drink or if we were ready to order, and he seemed surprised when we said we wanted to order drinks after the second visit to our table. Getting refills was a hassle. We had to flag him down multiple times, including asking for the dessert menu. Wait staff needs better training. We were quite disappointed in the food quality. I didn't even finish my entree because of how disappointed I was. This place needs a new chef who better understands how to make great Italian food. Will not return. read more

Everything was perfect! The food and the service was a 10 out of 10. The ambiance was great as well. I am definitely coming back

Excellent food and service make this restaurant perfect choice if you are looking for a charming snd quaint environment where you can dine in a perfect surrounding that is conversation friendly. Five stars all the way! read more

First time here, we were a large group. The food was Wonderful, all of it. There were 14 of us and EVERYONE raved how good the food was. Our wait staff was exceptional as well and we look forward to returning! read more

We had pre Writers Theatre dinner here for the 1st time and we will definitely return. We arrived early 5:30 and quickly the place was packed. Service was surprisingly good for a busy time. I had the whitefish special which was seriously great. My wife had the rigatoni bolognese which she loved as well. We started with the sausage and peppers appetizer which the portion could have been a main course. Delicious as well. Nice ambiance too. read more

Merlo's has a very nice looking little restaurant in Glencoe. I doubt, however, that I will visit it very often. The food is OK, not special. The menu is somewhat limited, but they may have specials. However, they give you a major screwing on liquor on the rocks. I had a Tito's on the rocks. The glass was filled to the brim with small ice cubes, which left very little room for air, or liquor--very little. It was a short drink. I was then shocked when the tab came and there was a $2 charge for the ice. I don't like to be ripped off. read more

We had a great dinner! Sat night 7:30 reservation we were seated immediately. Great menu. On the table was crusty bread slices and a bowl of delicious chunky red sauce. Great touch! We decided to split the Merlo salad, the arugula salad and a side of meatballs. Everything was delicious! 2 meatballs were perfect to split. Dinner were whitefish special, chicken Parm, chicken piccata and a chicken Milanese. All chicken lightly breaded and pounded thin. My Milanese was covered with oiled argula and some tomatoes. It was delicious. Too stuffed for dessert but great option including cannoli, tiramisu and 2 cakes. Next time! read more

Incredible atmosphere and great food! I'm so excited to have another cute restaurant in Glencoe. The service was also top notch. I'm excited for this restaurant to grow and see an expanded cocktail menu! We will definitely add this to our regular visit list. read more

Service was great as was the food. We will be back. Ambiance was nice. We sat outside which was nicely set up.

Went last night to Merlo's in Glencoe in late dinner with my son after the playoffs. We were traveling from out of town and took a chance on Merlo's especially since it appeared to be open on the later side. I made a reservation online for its latest slot and we arrived about 7 minutes early. I could see only 4 other tables seated who looked like they were almost done with their meals but we were greeted in a friendly way at the door with"we were waiting for you" and our reservation honor. We were shown to a window table with was half booth and in a corner which I love. The rest of the atmosphere inside had dark wood chairs and tablecloth & paper cloth coverings and in the back medium-sized bar-- think old-southern euro-chic. I was told they had the TVs on with the game earlier in the evening but by the time we came, they were not only off, I could barely see the TVs. It was perfectly calm and quiet in the place but I know from the lack of reservation times that it had been hopping beforehand. The waiter Ryan was great --Just enough attention without being bothersome and no attitude when asking questions. I especially liked that there was no sense of running us out of there as I learned the kitchen was closing soon. We ordered Orecchiette pasta dish with Italian sausage and Milanese chicken with the arugula salad and Tiramisu and Chocolate cake w vanilla gelato for dessert and both of us agreed everything was scrumptiously delicious. Good selection on wine. I even had the option of a sweet wine which is rare to have. I see there are reviews about it being too loud but I think it might be best to go when there are less crowds, like later in the night or off evenings because the experience was very, very nice. I would recommend highly. read more

I just went to this restaurant which I've been to before and unfortunately had a terrible experience. I ordered the meatball salad and asked the waiter if there was cheese on it and he told me no my meal that arrived with meatballs covered in cheese and unfortunately I had to send it back, the waiters attitude clearly was annoyance and lack of accountability. After quite some time I then got my order again, and this time the meatballs were frozen the waiter, then who clearly did not even hear what I had to say, offered me a free dessert of ice cream, which I reminded him again I cannot eat dairy, I will not go back read more

So, so good -- and not that expensive! The Nanna's Gravy is the way to go. Great pasta and the most succulent beef!

Great new Italian spot in downtown Glencoe. The mussels were great, the brussel sprouts amazing. Had the Penne Romano that was also great. The tiramisu might be the best I've had. Service was excellent, give them a whirl. read more

Food and service were outstanding! A great addition to Glencoe. The owner is onsite....cordial and caring. can't wait to return. SB Glencoe read more

So happy to have a new restaurant on The North Shore. Service was very friendly attentive and the food was excellent. Rigatoni bolognese, penne vodka, arugula and capers salads....all amazing!!! read more

Best Italian on the North Shore. Family owned and operated with a friendly staff. Old School Italian food in a contemporary setting. It doesn't get better!!! read more

Merlo's - Italian Near Me - Glencoe, Illinois

Last night's experience at Merlo's was a winner. Good food, hip atmosphere, attentive service and friendly overall vibe. Loved the broccoli salad, tasty eggplant parm and my favorite non-alcohol beer, Clausthaller, was an added bonus. We'll be back! read more

Food and service were very good. I can't get past how loud it is inside...it was difficult to hear each other talk. I felt old

Tried Merlo for the first time last Saturday. The food was quite good, carefully prepared and reasonably priced for the area. But the loud crowd made it impossible to talk and slowed the service. Will try again on a week night. read more

Great Food. Excellent Service! Nice atmosphere. I would definitely dine here again. Great location and menu options are awesome!

Good classic Italian. Quiet spot for date night or a small group. Would go back and try it again

I would love to give this 5 stars but had to push to give it two. Although the food was amazing and service was good, it was so loud that we couldn't have a conversation with the two other people we were with. It made for an overall awful experience. We had sore throats at the end of the evening. We won't be going back and it's a shame because the food was really good and the wine chilled to perfection. read more

The owner of the restaurant, John Merlo was very rude. They moved into a location that was previously a restaurant. It seemed like they didn't do anything but clean it up. It was horrible noisy and cold. I mentioned this to Laura Merlo who said "oh we have acoustical panels on the ceiling'. Being an architect and builder of many restaurants. I suggested that they hang some acoustical panels, she said oh very expensive (didn't let me talk further). Not true they are available on line at a very low cost. My wife and I were sitting next to the entry (it was 21 degrees out). I called John over because it was a two door vestibule and and the front door was missing. I suggested that they should put on a front door and heat the vestibule. He started arguing with me about. I said WTF, what happened with the customer is always right. He told me that he wants me to leave the restaurant. Then our food arrived and we ate it. It was OK. When we went to pay our check we presented a gift card for the restaurant. Laura asked who we got it from, I didn't say this but WTF. I have never been treated so rudely by restaurant owners. read more