I was a polenta with meat sauce fan until I tried the shells florentine which quickly became a favorite as well! Chianti wine is a must and save room for dessert! I've been going since I was in my twenties and I'm nearly 60! Make a reservation so you don't get turned away at the door. Only so many people each night and you need to be one of them! Thank you Lisa for always making my experience and evening a pleasant one at one of the best restaurants in the area! read more

Paparazzi best true Italian restaurant in Peoria! Been coming here for many many years. Food always amazing! Service impeccable and so attentive! Ambiance beautiful, small and perfect for date night! Tonight we had our usual garlic bread and Caesar salad! My husband had Beef Tortellini with Bolognese Sauce. I had delicious Shrimp Scampi! Large shrimp, mushrooms and pasta with garlic Parmesan cheeses! Delicious! Food always consistent, prepared perfect! Many choices! Save room for Spumoni! read more

Paparazzi - Shrimp Scampi and Beef Tortellini with Meat Sauce ...Delicious - Italian Near Me - Peoria Heights, Illinois

Consistent food and service always good. It's always a great place to go. Good food and wine choices. Restaurant is clean and well maintained. We had a great experience and will be returning soon. read more

Granted we didn't make a reservation but didn't feel we needed to for a small not upscale restaurant. Showed up at 6:55 and only four tables had guests. We were turned away because "we needed reservations" even though 75% of tables were open. Waited in the parking lot for 10-15 minutes deciding where to go and not a single car showed up. Would like to rate based on the food but pretty sure they were understaffed and didn't want to serve us. Would be a valid excuse if there were more than four tables to service. read more

Highly recommended but Highly disappointed. Server was professional but we felt like she really didn't want to be there. Caesar salad was so watery as if it was not dried at all after a rinse so the dressing just puddled on the plate. I ordered the eggplant parm. Unedible. It was so tough I could barely cut through it. Server didn't question why I did not want to take home a full plate. Sad. read more

This used to be my favorite true Italian restaurant. Took friends for dinner last night....what has happened there. My usual spinach fettuccine al carbonaro was horrid, tough noodles, tons of raw bacon fat, and little sauce. So disappointing....plus used to be a friendlier place. I won't be going back, let alone taking friends. Perhaps Olive Garden would have been a better choice! So sad!! read more

We scheduled a group outing in the Peoria area for 8 out-of-town people and not familiar the area. This restaurant was recommended by a local at a golf course. The venue is a typical "Old Italian" ristorante! WE LOVED IT. The food was fabulously delicious. The chef is Italian and cooks everything when ordered. Our group of 8 was delighted with everything we ordered from the menu. The ambience is FAMILY. The wait is well worth it. Bread is an extra charge but not everyone wants bread! Wine was served in 6 oz glasses just like Italian families served it many years ago and not in fancy wine stem glasses. The only issue was when Chicken Marsupia was ordered, the kitchen was out of mushrooms. The lack of mushrooms should have been brought to the attention of the person who order it before the plate was brought to the table and placed in front of them. Due to this issue the star rating is a 4.75. read more

Fantastic Italia. Been dining here for 27years. Pasta is fantastic. Best veal in the city. Get the cold antipasto plate as an appetizer. Have the cannolis and cappuccino for dessert. Can't wait to get bac Celebrating 25th wedding anniversary. read more

Honeybun and I have been on a quest to find good Italian food here in Peoria and Paparazzi was recommended to us. Well, the quest continues, sadly. The good: the waitstaff was very nice-warm friendly and prompt. The place itself was very clean. They certainly appeared to have their regulars and they greeted them like family, which was charming and endearing to see. The food-I really wanted to like the food. I personally found it very mediocre. Honeybun ordered a chicken and pasta dish with a portion size so small he actually stopped for tacos on the way home. My dinner was so "meh" I honestly can't recall what it was. And the pasta itself was very clearly the type of stuff you buy at Kroger. C'mon guys, fresh pasta is pretty simple to make. And you're supposed to be an Italian place - why are you serving over cooked mushy generic Kroger brand rotini??? I think what was the most profound "wtf" moment for me was learning the special that night was puttanesca. If you know puttanesca at all you know it's a very fragrant dish. One of the things I noticed when we got there was the place smelled very clean (like pleasant smelling cleaning supplies) but it didn't smell very "food". I didn't think much of it as we got there pretty close to opening and the dining room hadn't had any tables eating yet. Perhaps the ventilation didn't bring a lot of the kitchen smells to the dining area. Anyway, as the tables around us ordered the puttanesca, you couldn't smell it! I actually was so incensed about it I made puttanesca at home later that week and you could smell it from the driveway. Let me assure you, that shit was delicious as well. Sorry Paparazzi. We were not at all impressed. And having portion sizes so small we had to stop for tacos on the way home? Nope. I think we are reaching the point where Italian food, like Cuban, is going to be an at home thing or reserved for our trips to Chicago. read more

Portion sizes were a JOKE! I suggest going to the grocery store and buying a frozen dinner, because I'm convinced that what they brought out to my table. It was tasteless pasta. The garlic bread was pretty good though. Our server was really nice though! read more

Fantastic Italia. Been dining here for 26 years. Pasta is fantastic. Best veal in the city. Get the cold antipasto plate as an appetizer. Have the cannolis and cappuccino for dessert. Can't wait to get back. read more

We were finally able to eat at Paparazzi and it was worth the wait. Ambience was low key and conducive to talking with friends and enjoying a full evening. Food was delicious all around the table. We will certainly be back to take advantage of this Peoria gem! read more

My mom likes this restaurant, so we took her there for her birthday. I remembered it vaguely from when I was a kid, but as an adult I was unimpressed with the ambiance. It just seems kind of cheap. We got the garlic bread and that was probably the best part of the meal. I had the tortellini with meat sauce because most of the sauces and dishes have a cream sauce or cheese, which does not agree with me. My mom and boyfriend liked their dishes. I ordered a cannoli and spumoni for dessert. The cannoli was awful, I should have gotten the chocolate mousse. It was an okay time except our waitress had a bit of an attitude. I must say, though, it is nice to go to a restaurant in Peoria that is not a chain. Oh, and it is pretty inexpensive as well, that is a huge bonus. read more

As a preface, I went into Paparazzi expecting great things; my parents always took me there for special occasions, and I have always had fond memories of the place, so I was looking forward to trying it out again, a good decade later. Paparazzi boasts a fairly small menu, which is generally a good thing in my opinion. Expect to pay about $10 a head for a dish here, nothing wallet-breaking. Unfortunately, the quality of the food is reflected in the prices. This isn't to say that the food was bad; nothing I couldn't or wouldn't eat was served... but at the same time, nothing was really all that good. It was on-par with the pasta I bought at Illinois State University's cafeteria. I ordered the antipaso platter, which itself was nice, but then I was asked if I'd like bread. I said yes, not thinking much of it... later, I was more than annoyed to discover that I was being charged for the bread, at about $5.00 a loaf; this was a sort-of garlic bread with Parmesan, but it was rather crusty, and no where near worth what I was charged. I also note being asked on at least two occasions if I'd like more bread; never once did they mention that I'd be charged for it. To me, this is a slap in the face. Inexcusable. Dessert was their chocolate mousse, with raspberry puree. They boast that all of their desserts are made by hand (with the exception of their cannoli), which is something I generally enjoy seeing. In this case, the mousse was... odd. Some portions of it were watery. Other portions required chewing. Not exactly what I expect when I think of mousse. Again, disappointing. The service was unremarkable. There was only one waiter dedicated to all the tables, with what appeared to be a manager helping out when not rushing between the kitchen and the front. I had the distinct impression that my waiter was going to be more than happy to see me go; This might just be due to having several other tables to manage, I don't know. I do have to mention that when I left my dinner's bagged leftovers at the table by accident, she did run out in an effort to return them to me. Plus marks there. As far as atmosphere... I cannot say that I'm altogether impressed. It was neither bad enough to detract, but not good enough to warrant any mention; I simply put this here because of other reviewers mentioning it. It is no better or worse than your average Olive Garden. Overall, I have to say I won't be returning to Paparazzi. There are several other wonderful options for food in Peoria Heights, I can't imagine wasting my money there once more. read more

How has this place stayed open so long? The food is not good. It's sad when the best part of your meal is the coffee. The atmosphere needs a serious update and airing out. It smells. The salad was bland, served with mushy tomato chunks. Bread/garlic bread is an extra cost, fine. I ordered a basket of garlic bread, but it wasn't warm or fresh. The cheese ravioli was not al dente, it was al not done. The cannoli was served in a paper hot dog wrapper. The only reason this place got 2 stars from me is because of the cost of the food; however, the saying goes you get what you pay for. This is not real Italian food. While the restaurant may have been a hit in the 80's, it has obviously stayed there. Save your time and money, choose another restaurant because this place needs an entire overhaul. read more

Although it has always been one of my favorite restaurants I am disappointed with the recent change of their menu. They removed my favorite dish - Fussilli affumacato (previously cavatappi affumacato). PLEASE BRING IT BACK!!!! read more

Portion sizes were small. Food wasn't that good at all. Tortellini tasted like rubber. Oh and it wasn't nice to have the hostess sit and stare at us the ENTIRE TIME WE WERE THERE with a shitty look on her face. Not pleased. Dont go there. read more

I love Paparazzi. It's always great here! An intimate setting, jazz music, and delicious food. Greeted cordially at the door and seated quickly. Service was friendly and very attentive. Water and garlic bread appeared promptly. The garlic bread was incredible: crunchy and garlicky with just the right amount of butter. I had the filet of sole and it was amazing!! My companions had the lasagne and the veal. They are old Italians who often come to Paparazzi. They say it is as good as any you'll find in Italy. For desert we had canolis and biscotti, both very sweet and delectable! Will be coming back here many, many times. read more

Saturday 7:30 almost empty. 2 people 2 small glasses of generic house wine, 2 tiny salads on bread plates (bagged spring blend with 1 small piece of tomato $3.95) entrees were good but by the time we got the bill with 20% tip $75.00. I've been to probably 75 Italian restaurants and this is the only one bread is not included, cost $5.95 for small basket. Old school atmosphere but way too expensive for what you get! read more

My family has been going here since I was a kid. The food is good- not amazing, but definitely good. Prices are reasonable. The waiters/waitresses are always VERY pleasant and the atmosphere is excellent. Wine selection is great. read more

I had to double check to be sure the other reviews were for the same place I was at last night! I can not believe Paparazzi has been around that long! The atmosphere was cheap and the service was less than amateur. I figured it was a start-up doing things on the cheap and still working out kinks. They charged us for bread! Yes, you read that right... bread. The bread was a bit dry and the butter was rock hard. Garlic bread not good either - very crunchy. The waitress offered us salads when taking our order without mentioning the $4.25 extra charge for it, which is steep anyway for a simple lettuce salad. The lasagna was okay ... just a step above a frozen meal lasagna, which I think are pretty good, but not to par with what to expect from an italian restaurant. The service was slow. Food service was slow and there was no follow up to see how our meal was. This was my last night out with friends before I get married tomorrow and I was really disappointed. I plan on contacting the restaurant. I don't usually complain and always comment on service/food that goes above and beyond but I just can't let this go... read more

Both my wife and my dinners were fantastic. We had lasagna, meatballs, pick chops, and pasta. All were very authentic Italian and tasty.

The food gets this place 1 star. The service, 3 stars. Initial thoughts: Dimly lit, outdated, but it appears clean. Music is playing, but my fiance and I were able to have a whispered conversation. I liked that. The bottled beer selection was small, but I was happy with it--other than the requisite Heinekin and Bud/Miller, there was not a bad beer on it. The wine selection seemed small, but fairly priced and something for everyone short of a true wine connoisseur. Bonus points, it was a pretty full glass of wine. We got the garlic bread as an appetizer, and were far from impressed. It was just... Meh. Not too garlicy, not too buttery, just warm bread that with a nearly overcooked crust. For the entree, the waitress started off by informing us that they were out of about 1/2 of the menu. Then I ordered something, and she came back and informed me they were out of that as well. My fiance had veal parmesan with a side of pasta with alfredo sauce. I had just fettucini alfredo. The veal was decent--maybe a 7/10--not bad, but certainly not great, especially when I veal starts at a 5/10. Her side of pasta--well, the pasta was way overcooked. Just mushy. The sauce, well, she hardly had any of it, but what there was was flavorless. I had the same sauce. While my noodles were fine, the sauce, like I said, was flavorless. Needless to say, we will not be back. It pains me to say this, but I have had much better food at Olive Garden, which I try to avoid at all costs. I still have not found a spectacular Italian Restaurant in Peoria, but at least we have Biaggi's as a "good enough" option. read more

My wife and I come here for every special event (to celebrate promotions, anniversaries, birthdays, etc.). They offer authentic Italian at great prices. We almost always get the tomato and balsamic antipasto with gorgonzola, garlic bread, one of a number of specialty pastas (try the "Paparazzi Sauce", a creamy pesto-like sauce that knocks the socks off marinara (although they have that too- and it's also good)), bottle of wine, and chocolate mouse with raspberry purée and still pay less than we would just for a couple of main courses at other places. The wait staff is friendly and knowledgeable- one time when we came in late the owner came out and talked with us for almost a half-hour while they were closing up. This is truly a hidden gem in the Heights! read more

I can nearly sum it up in one sentence: You'd be better off at Olive Garden... And that's never something you want to hear of an "authentic" Italian restaurant. The wine was served in orange juice glasses. The pastas were completely tasteless and very soupy. No bread served. No martinis or liquor. Salads only have one dressing choice - how hard is it to buy a couple bottles from the store to just reach more people? This place sucks, plain and simple. Save yourself the trouble and go elsewhere. read more

I don't regret many things in my life, but I regret coming to this place. The hostess sat us, and stared at us for 45 minutes while we were eating dinner , and having our drinks. Horrible food and small dinner portions. Would not recommend for anyone. read more

This restaurant is kind of a secret in Peoria. The only Italian places people talk about are Avanti's or Biaggi's, but Paparazzi is much better than both. It's a small restaurant a block east of Prospect in Peoria Heights behind that terrible dive bar Silver Dollar. The drinks are good and the food is great. There is sometimes a long wait because the restaurant is small, but it's worth it. read more

This is my favorite place in Peoria! The atmosphere is very charming and the wait staff is very friendly. The food is very good and very reasonably priced. Great place to take a date or just enjoy a nice, cozy meal! read more

I always enjoy dinner at Paparazzi. The wait staff are all professionals, the ambience is perfect for great meal with a special someone or friends. The food is always great. read more

Can't recommend. No mixed drinks, no calamari, no tube pasta. Small portions and slow service. Dark and musty smelling. Wine served in tiny juice glasses. $4.50 for bread. Oy vey. read more

My first visit. It's one of the only true dining experiences in the area. No one is in a hurry to flip your table. Your experience is to enjoy your food and each other. My party of four was there for 2 and 1/2hrs. I got the polenta and asked for pesto on it...which wasn't on the menu together, but they were happy to do it. It was heavenly. Creamy polenta with mushrooms simmering in olive oil and covered with crusted cheese. The wait staff was very attentive but not intrusive. This quaint, lovely place is added to our favorites list and I highly recommend it. read more

My original review from 01/03/2015 didn't make the yelp cut so it's there but you have to dive a little deeper to find it. In any case I was successful in dragging that certain someone back last nite. I phoned for reservations a little past 5:00 pm and told first available was 7:30 pm. I asked for 8:30 pm and got a reservation for that time. We arrived and all but two tables were full which was nice to see. We were seated and ordered. A creature of habit I ordered the mushroom polenta which did not disappoint. My companion had the special which was cannoli florentine which he stated was delicious. We both had salad which needs to be in a bowl and 50% larger. The wine we wanted was no longer on the menu but we located a good substitute. We ordered desert which was good. I would like a good tiramisu but it won't be found on their menu. Spumoni is a nice touch though. All in all food great and for those that say the decor is outdated: they are probably not smart enough to notice it's painted like the Italian flag. They were out of only lasagna but I noticed too many veal options which I find disgusting just thinking about and no chicken piccata which should be on there. Again my problems are with the owner. She was short with me on the phone , had a reserved sign on the nice big round table in the back where she took off her boots, put her feet on a chair in view of the customers and then ran around the restaurant in stocking feet including ....yes including the kitchen! All the while she swilled wine while working. We'll go back regularly in the hopes that Lisa see's that she needs to smile more, drink out of view of her patrons ( eating as well ) and for heavens sake leave her shoes on! And for you Yelpers out there I don't believe ANY review should be hidden! Those can really be eye openers! read more

My husband & I try to find restaurants that are not the run-of-the-mill chains when we travel. We found this cozy little spot last night. We loved the small, dimly lit atmosphere. The waitress could have been a bit friendlier, but we appreciated that she gave us our space. I'm sure that's a dance that waitresses struggle with. It's very clear on the menu that the bread & salads cost extra. We ordered the bread, which was good & a large salad that they graciously let us share. It was plenty for the two of us. My husband got the lasagna, which he thought was delicious & I ordered the shells florentine. It was very tasty. We each ordered a glass of wine, which were served in these funny little glasses. I might add that their wine is super affordable, unlike most places these days. Even with all of that, our bill was a bit over $40. We easily spend that at all the chain restaurants we go to. We would definitely recommend going here. The next time, I want to try the pasta with your choice if sauce. A sweet little find! read more

I went with a couple who told us this place is their favorite. I read the reviews and was a little worried about what I was getting myself into. It is a very quaint little restaurant hidden from the main roads. I was expecting it to be practically dark, but instead I found it to be just right; not too bright and not dark. As everyone has stated, the menu is very clear that everything is priced individually. I found it ridiculous that we had to pay for the garlic bread. (The bread was very good, but not 4.25 worth). I ordered the special of the day, which was Chicken Lasagna. When it arrived, it was a good portion size, covered in Alfredo sauce, with spinach, sun dried tomatoes and a couple other ingredients. I got to say, it was really good. It had a good flavor to it and wasn't very bland at all. For dessert, we ordered the chocolate mousse with raspberry sauce (which you have to pay extra for). If you like chocolate, then you'll love this dessert. Overall, our bill wasn't any higher than if we had gone to The Olive Garden. I would go back so I could try a different pasta, and maybe even spend some extra money for a salad, and skip the garlic bread. read more

We made it back to Illinois to visit and hit our favorite spot to eat on Friday May 31. We have been going to Paparazzis since 1987 and love the place as much or more today as when we first found it. Lisa is always friendly and runs a very tight ship, good for business. I always get the Shells Florentine, the best in the entire world in my opinion and the garlic bread is to die for, unlike others it never gives me heartburn or indigestion, LOL Thanks Lisa and Bruce for running the best Italian Restaurant we have ever visited. read more

Ehhh. Server was nice and always kept drinks filled and dishes removed from table.. Decor was out of date. Food was so so. Bread was nothing to write home about. Regular old garlic bread. Never heard of this place before and I'm told it has been around for a long time. That has to say something. I didn't feel like it was authentic Italian food. Was expecting some fancier. I ordered chicken in parchment with sausage with house salad. Lettuces were a bit on the limp side but they were cold. Can't stand a warm salad. Chicken was good but a little on the dry side. Pasta of the day was good. A little over done, but good. Would of expected to be served my sweeteners for iced tea in something other than an old coffee cup. They serve the wine in juice glasses. Thought that was a bit strange. Probably wouldn't visit again. read more

Paparazzi is like McDonald's in some respects...you always know the quality and service will be consistent. In this case consistently good for 30 years. The noise level is generally quiet, the service good, and the wide variety of Italian dishes is both excellent and moderately priced. We've been coming here for 30 years and appreciate this "hidden gem " that sometimes gets overlooked or forgotten. Bruce and Lisa are the best. read more

Came here for the first time and it will absolutely be the last! Food was terrible and had zero flavor, even the salad tasted like water. We both ate 1-2 bites from our plates and that was enough. It was the worst $30 I've ever spent in my life! read more

This place is not what it was in the past. They don't serve lunch or breakfast and they are down to only 4 dinner services per week. If the good restaurants in Peoria Heights are busy I would choose the Subway sandwich shop before going to Paparazi's read more

WHAT a total disappointment on all fronts. Other than the better decor from my last visit years ago, nothing at all I would recommend about Paparazzi, unfortunately. Starting from the hostess greeting and choice of tables(in an almost empty restaurant you sat us/me next to a pole resting against the table and my arm??), to the blah attitude of the waitress. And as opposed to my last meal there LONG ago.....really terrible to mediocre at best. From my date's tortellini with NO flavor despite pesto sauce to my veal marsala that resembled lunchmeat with mushrooms/no sauce/tri-colored rotini pasta(really?) we barely ate anything at all. Yet NO questions why from the waitress? Even the oil(AWFUL) for the STALE bread missed the mark. How can that be? Absolutely the worst meal/dining experience I have had in Peoria in 20 years. In many years past, nice, solid meal at a very fair price. Now? No amount of money big or small could justify the quality of the food, wine or service experience. Sad but true. Obviously I will never be back and clearly the owner, based on web-site setup and abilities to communicate through that site, does not welcome that nor want to hear it apparently. So I am left no choice but to post it all here. The good, the bad and the ugly. read more