Meal was complimentary (Media Lunch) THE COMPLIMENTARY STATE OF THE FOOD DOES NOT CHANGE THE REVIEW. prices here are competitive with other upper end bistros. Drinks are nice and they provide very good water quality The hibiscus pineapple spritz was tasty with a light flavor. Dominated by mint and pine apple the hibiscus was a dim note. The Bloody Mary was delicately made with lovely easily readable notes of lemon and lime. The pepperoni olives add a delightfully erotic combination. I have no way to describe this Bloody Mary other than erotic. There's an anchovy chunk hidden in the olive muted by a creamy sauce. It gives a lovely salty kick to an otherwise calm Bloody Mary. Honestly I like a calm Bloody Mary that has a lot of defined flavors rather than a shelf made clusterbomb of chemicals. This tastes like home made pours. The calamari appetizer is soft and almost reminds me of the yesteryears of long John silvers fish sticks. But more refined with octopus for the core flavor. What a delightful recipe. Mushroom blue crab. Very soft and enjoyable. A lovely lightly salty earthy treat with a rich crab slice covered in batter. Lightly spicy in the aftertaste. A great minimalistic mid meal palate cleanser. Their lemon braised chicken I was only able to get a tiny taste by the time the press plate made way to me. The skin is actually IMPRESSIVE. I can only imagine the meat inside but the other press member who ordered that dish had a lovely time with it and said it was fresh and made him happy to eat. The Margherita pizza was flavorful despite missing a lot of visible basil. I would appreciate more leaves next time but this isn't a demerit as much as it's a presentational desire to have. This whole restaurant carries a delighting spirit. It's very easy with the music here the good food and good people to slide upward on the mood scale. This isn't a bistro. This isn't your stuffy formal place. This is a place to flash your fashion in a daytime club atmosphere. This is a place for a business luncheon where high level service needs exist. Addendum V1: This restaurant was a sensory nightmare, as a person with autism I can only call this restaurant "socializing on extra hard mode" the acoustics are not very good with the curved walls and there is poor to no noise isolation, if you're sat next to the windows and the tree cutting team starts cutting ENJOY THE REST OF YOUR DINE (Or ask for a new table, the waitstaff are glorious people here who will accommodate most any request. They are great personalities and everyone is very sociable. There was a three way birthday at our table and they brought out wine and fireworks for us to all take pictures with. I found the birthday presentation simple classic memorable and highly photographable for pro photographers looking to experience lighting in an exotic location. LIGHTING and ENVIRONMENT is where I had to take a half star off, due to the existing California Pizza Kitchen design having been overlaid on top of much like a Bathtub remodel all of the existing CPC issues were brought to the new location, some were reduced others weren't eliminated at all. Sound propagation in the restaurant is a total mess, the windows at mid day allow too much noise and could use a thin soft black curtain that mutes the dull city landscape. The atmosphere here at dinner changes so I'll have to revisit this restaurant at evening time and see how the sensory noise problem is, but visiting this restaurant at lunch is something I'd save for a quick drink at the bar rather than a drawn out meal. Having a drawn out meal here definitely sounds better at evening. When I get complaints about being socially unresponsive and am almost unaware that there were long periods, clearly I was retreating onto working on the phone trying to extrapolate a review from a limited amount of food instead a full menu flight in one bite serves. The complaint was that this review isn't detailed enough, this should resolve some of that and as for lack of details, well stop complaining on this one because the conditions I was creating my review in. Also I left out one of my FAVORITE rooms to review in a restaurant, the waterclosets... Here they were impressively clean and well decorated. The atmosphere here is minimalist modern eclectic, the only thing I hate is that damn ceiling and those walls. Fix the acoustics in here and I can probably go back to a five star. Oh and seriously, more basil on that margarita pizza. read more

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Flavors were good and the service was average. We ordered their "Our Chicken Parm" although the flavors were good, the plate did not have good temperature, there were parts of the chicken that were cold. It seemed like they had it made due to beating their top selling plate. The chicken had a rubbery feeling, for sure did not meet the hype. We ordered it and it was served very fast. In the other hand, their "Pesto Cavatappi" was served warmed and you could tell it was just made. The chicken on this dish tasted very good and the texture was very different from the Chicken Parm. I would recommend this dish instead of their number one as it was told to us by the server. We ordered two cappuccinos and their Flourless Chocolate Cake. Both cappuccinos were very milky and not warm enough. The dessert was really good but it also took a while to get it. We were half way done with our cappuccinos. Price - I feel they are priced too high for a chicken dish and pasta. Although it is a good portion it is still chicken and pasta. It was $31 for the chicken parm and $26 for the Cavatappi. The dessert was $12 It was a busy day but they should still keep their standards and serve food with the right temperature. I will give it another change for sure. read more

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I rarely give 3 star reviews - Passero is closer to 3.5 why? The Food took time to show up And we got there around 11:40, before the lunch rush. Our server asked us way later how we're doing - I could almost sense she forgot she already took our order some time ago. I had the Kale Mango Salad with chicken. For a kale salad it was fine - but the mango pieces were far and few in between and tiny. There are fast casual restaurants with better mango salad. Just call it a kale salad. My co- worker had the double cheeseburger which was fine according to him. I had his fries they were fantastic. A lot of my coworkers go here so maybe this is a one off. Although the rare mango pieces in that salad still sounds like false advertising. This was my first. Take that for what it's worth. read more

Passero - Kale mango salad - Italian Near Me - Arlington Heights, Illinois

Passero was an unexpected treat! Exceptionally fresh ingredients, an interesting menu, and our server Cassidy was wonderfully helpful going through her recommendations. We had a Kale Caesar salad w chicken, meatballs in polenta, fusilli pasta, fries, and flourless chocolate cake. Overall the pasta was the star of the show, and I have been thinking of it since the day I ate it! I wonder would I order it again or try another pasta? the chocolate cake was also decious and rich, the pistachio gelato was a great pairing. My advice, the meatballs and polenta were very bland- I'd skip this item if it's still on the menu. Also the portions are fantastic, everything is shareable and you will have leftovers. I'm looking forward to returning to explore more of what they have to offer! read more

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First time I came here was for valentine's day. The restaurant has a nice vibe for either a nice date or with family. The service at the bar was great and very welcoming. They have plenty of room to sit and eat at the bar. The only disappoint and I will give them another try was the food portions on the valentine's day specials. My wife had the lobster tail and it was the size of a jumbo shrimp. I had the medallions and each one was about bite size. The meals were very disappointing but could have been a one off. read more

Passero - Valentine's Lobster and filet special - Italian Near Me - Arlington Heights, Illinois

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Second trip to Passero with a group of friends and had a really good time. They once marketed themselves as a Spanish restaurant, but the menu felt more Italian to me. Nonetheless; the food was great, was able to find one of my more favorite beers here (Jai Alai), and dined on short ribs so I was happy. Service was acceptable for a group our size and its decor warrants higher quality dining. read more

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Delicious dinner out on their patio! Our server was excellent! We loved the fried green tomato appetizer! read more

Passero - Fried green tomatoes appetizer. - Italian Near Me - Arlington Heights, Illinois

Always a great atmosphere with friendly servers. My favorites are the mushroom pizza and vodka sauce fusilli. I continue to come back time and time again. A great find in the suburbs! read more

Service was amazing here. The cocktails were good and pasta delicious. A little pricey.

I've been to Passero a few times now and it's always great. This time I went to try their fall menu and everything was good. We started with happy hour and got the Wood-Fired Wild Mushroom Pizza and Toasted Burrata Ravioli. Both were so good. From the fall menu I tried the Imported Burrata and loved it. It had roasted eggplant and I'm a big eggplant fan so that one really stood out. The Whipped Ricotta was another favorite, super creamy and perfect with the bread. For mains I had the Little Gem Salad, Gnocchi Pomodoro, Fusilli alla Vodka, and Radiatore Cacio e Pepe. Everything had great flavor but the vodka pasta is my go-to every time. It's so comforting and always perfectly done. And that Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie was honestly amazing. Rich, sweet, and the perfect way to end the meal. The service here is always great. Everyone is friendly and attentive. Definitely recommend making a reservation since it gets busy, especially on weekends. It's also gorgeous inside! read more

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Came here for a birthday dinner and it seems like this the place to come celebrate your birthday. There's lots of seating to accommodate large parties and service is very good including a fun sparkler celebration at the end. For appetizers, we ordered the brussel sprouts (made vegetarian), whipped ricotta, and arancini and all 3 were great. I ordered the spicy vodka pasta and it was delicious and the portions were also very large. Thanks for a great time Passero! read more

Passero - Italian Near Me - Arlington Heights, Illinois

We tried Passero for a weekday lunch this summer. The server/bartender were attentive and gave nice suggestions on drinks. The brussel sprouts and whipped ricotta appetizers were amazing. The bread with the ricotta could have been my entire meal! We also tried the chopped salad (added shrimp) and the chicken salad sandwich. All were delicious. Although the food was great, I think it's a bit pricey for a lunch. read more

Passero - Grapefruit spritz cocktail - Italian Near Me - Arlington Heights, Illinois

We had a table of 9 for a retirement party on a Tuesday and the place was packed! We ordered every appetizer on the menu, but the standouts were the cheesey bread and the brussel sprouts - amazing! We ordered a variety of entrees and everyone loved what they got! The homemade pasta was perfect and the sauces were excellent, as well as the pizza. We also ordered a variety of the desserts, but the pistachio gelato was a star! If I am ever near again, I will definitely stop by! read more

Passero - Tutti del mar - Italian Near Me - Arlington Heights, Illinois

This is a late review because I visited this place in April, but didn't have a chance to write a review until now. I chose this place at random because it was close to my friend's place. We arrived a bit before opening, and there was already a line of people waiting to get in. As soon as the doors opened, we were seated promptly and received fast, friendly service. As for the food, it was beautifully presented, but the flavors didn't quite match my expectations. That may come down to personal taste, but I can't say I truly enjoyed my dish. I ordered a salad with added salmon and a glass of wine -- the wine was excellent! I'm sure the patio is beautiful during the summer, and I'd love to come back and try it when the weather is nice. read more

Passero - Italian Near Me - Arlington Heights, Illinois

Good atmosphere, we sat outside on a warm summer evening. The food was good, just smaller portions for the price. But I guess that's happening everywhere now thanks to you know who... I would visit again. read more

We took a loooooong break from this place after my first review in 2017; on subsequent visits, the place was still TOO LOUD to have a pleasant dinner with a group of two or four. So it was off our list for a while. We've now started eating at the bar, which gets us away from much of the noise, and the food and service are still excellent. Today two of us came for lunch; our server Clarissa was very attentive to my guest's need for a gluten-free meal, and also cheerfully got the pounding music turned down so we could hear each other talk. If only there was a way to address the noise issue overall, I would be happy to give this place five stars...! read more

I take back what I said. I just ordered wrong my first round here. Great service, happy hour, and food my last time here. Love the staff!! read more

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Passero is a gem for those who enjoy thoughtful dishes in the burbs, where sometimes it can be a struggle to find excellence. From the service to the food, Passero has been pleasing me season after season. This version of the menu features the must-try Truffle Sacchetti (or "little purses"): italian pear + mascarpone black truffle cream toasted pistachio + aged balsamic + parmigiano reggiano. The pear-infused balsamic is absolutely to die for, and blends absolutely perfectly with the dish. You really can't miss this one! My second favorite, the chicken parmesan, is a safe bet every time, and is frequently outstanding. My fave-fave is the veal, but it comes back like the McRib -- every so often. When it's there, I'm a weekly visitor. read more

We went to Passero for the first night of Arlington Heights Restaurant Week. From the looks of it and our 7:45 pm reservation we weren't the only ones. This resulted in our three course pre-fixe meal taking two hours to complete. The dining room has a modern vibe to it and the staff were friendly and helpful. Our appetizers were served quickly. Three of us had the bisque, which was good. My husband ordered the meatball appetizer which also was good. After that things slowed down a lot. It took a really long time for our pasta course to be served. I'm not clear on what happened but at one point our waiter stopped by to apologize. The pasta course finally arrived and when we were done there was a dessert course. By that time the chocolate option was no longer available so the waiter offered a slice of peanut butter pie. My husband said it was good. The rest of our party had the apple crostata with vanilla gelato. I thought the food was good but nothing was so good I have to go back. If you are going to try this restaurant avoid holidays and events like Restaurant Week. read more

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This is our second time dining at Passero in a month and the experience on th both the occasion had been fantastic. We went out for my birthday lunch, the roasted brussel sprouts, stuffed mushrooms and the wild mushroom pizza all were lip smacking delicious, limoncello spritz tied everything together perfectly. Our server was very quick and friendly. Finally for the dessert, we tried the Dark choc boudino for the first time, and it was delightful.. after coming to know that it was my birthday they took it off of our check.. Overall, the lunch today was superb and very enjoyable.. Will definitely go back again and going to recommend to our friends as well read more

Original review from Summer of 2024. Service, pizza and entrees were all 5 stars! The inside was a bit dark, but I quite loved the resulting ambiance. The pepperoni was crisp and spicy and salty and decadent. The chicken parm was huge and filling and comfort food at its best, and the whipped honey/rosemary/ricotta was out of this damn world. Loved everything so much. Updated review to add our takeout experience! Definitely tough to keep a burger and fries dish feeling fresh, but Passero did a pretty darn good job with packaging! Burger was a 4/5 (could have had a bit more sauce), and fries were a 3.5/5. Love that they were beef tallow fried, but they definitely arrived a bit less crisp than we'd have liked! Still a great meal. read more

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Recently had lunch outside and the service was great. Our server was very attentive and pleasant. Our calamari appetizer was a little over cooked and instead of shishito peppers, they fried lemon slices. Not tasty! Our salads were good and but the salmon was very small for the price. A little disappointed with the food this visit but will try again sometime in the future. read more

Despite having a reservation, wait time for table was far too long-20 minutes. Hostess was very slow, unengaged, disinterested. table service was fine though slow-.meals x 2 were terrible. dry chicken in a limp salad and invisable in the pesto cav-overpriced, lousy service-never again read more

Atmosphere, service, food and drinks - Passero is 5 stars for ALL. OF. IT. I was here for a week day dinner with a group of 4 and I really enjoyed myself from start to finish. The decor here is simple and elegant with cascading greenery from the ceiling. The restaurant is modern, kept clean and provides indoor as well as alfresco dining. Service was great and consistent. Drinks and food came out in a timely manner especially given that the gals and I were here during a prime dinner rush. Within minutes of being seated our server approached us for our drink order then also gave us time to look over the menu for food. I started out with a red wine (Scarpetta Frico Sangiovese Blend) and thought it was bold, well balanced and delicious. The server noticed I was in between a few drinks and offered to bring samples of the 2 I was considering. I don't normally have that happen when it comes to wines so this was very much appreciated. Throughout my time here she checked in on us several times which I thought was the perfect amount of attentive. More than enough and not every 10 mins too much. For food I tried the bucatini carbonara and dannnnnnnng was it GOOOD. The high quality ingredients plus freshly made pasta, UGH! The sauce was a perfect texture and consistently of creamy and thiccccck. The noodles absorbed the sauce very well. The egg yolk?!? STOP! GAME CHANGER! The way this dish is presented and prepared is full of so much love and attention. This was my first time at Passero and I can't stop thinking about this dish. I'm looking forward to trying other items in the near future. read more

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Still thinking about my pasta from last night! Passero is located downtown Arlington Heights along the train tracks. The entrance was a bit difficult to find but once inside, they offer a modern take on rustic/industrial accents. There was plenty of seating inside and more offered outside on their large patio. Their menu offered starters, salads, pastas, pizzas, and larger entrees. To start, I ordered the Late Taverna Nights which was their take on a Manhattan. The ice cube was perfectly clear and garnished with the good maraschino cherries. It was the perfect drink as we transition into cooler weather. For my entree, I got the Hand Rolled Fusilli pasta. YUM! The vodka sauce had a slight spice that was enjoyable. The pasta tasted freshly made. The rest of the group got a mix of entrees: Bucatini, Loretta's Chopped Salad, and Prime Skirt Steak. Everyone enjoyed their food and drinks! The menu can be a bit pricey but the quality in food is there. Our server was lovely and checked in on us often. This is the perfect spot for a nicer evening out and I'm looking forward to when I can go next to try more on the menu! read more

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I brought an out of town friend to Passerò for dinner. It was our first time but seemed promising after reading the review. First of all, the ambient and the service were good. We were going to sit outside but it was right by a commuter train track, so opted in for inside seating. There's a good selection of cocktails and even zero proof ones. The foods were underwhelmed. The garlic bread had a crunchy crust (good!), it's cheesy, but didn't deliver on the garlic flavor. The portion was big, but it's only so-so on the flavor. We might come back for drinks and desserts. read more

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Amazing! Freshly prepared entree's, outstanding service! Our server Shayla was very attentive, very friendly, smile on her face, made some great recommendations. We will definitely be coming back! Also the desserts were to die for. read more

Large portions, great service & delicious food. The chopped salad was fresh & flavorful & the short rib was " cut with your fork" tender & moist with just the right seasoning. The apple tart for dessert topped off a great meal. Crust was flaky & apples were warm. read more

Great location. We went here before a play at Metropolis and it was within walking distance. Restaurant was nice with big windows. Server was very nice. Only issue is she put in two of our orders incorrectly. We wanted the braised short rib Marsala, but got the short rib pasta. The waitress indicated making the right dish would take another 15 minutes. We didn't really have time to wait so we kept them. It was ok, but not what we wanted. Overall it was a nice night, but it sucks to be forced to buy a dish you didn't order or want. Would have thought a manger would have stopped by, but no one did. I'd probably go here again. I really want to try the right dish. read more

We asked for Lasagana...we were told it's a minimum 30 min wait We asked to split a salad...they said the chef's policy is that meals can't be split They delivered my pizza 10 min before everyone else's...we were told its policy to deliver food as soon as it's ready When they started clearing the table while we were still eating, we asked them to stop...they said this was also policy (they also threw away my pizza before I was finished) When I go to a restaurant, it shouldn't feel like a damn bureaucracy... read more

Great food, great atmosphere, great service. I don't usually sit at the bar, but I had an amazing time at the bar. The bartender was great!!! read more

The food is amazing. It is pretty expensive though. The service is good, almost too good because it feels like you are being rushed out

I visit Arlington Heights a couple of times a year and have never given it much thought. Chain establishments abound in this affluent suburb, and it's rare I have the chance to experience something even remotely local. So it was with great pleasure that I had the chance to enjoy a recent dinner at Passero. My wife and I picked it purely from a quick Yelp search, and I am really glad we trusted the locals. Passero's food is fantastic, unique while familiar, and perfectly framed by a welcoming atmosphere and extremely friendly service. I particularly enjoyed the Mussels Arrabiatta, which offered an epically high pile of mussels, served in a rich tomato broth, complimented by deep-fried peperonis, which added both a depth of flavor, but also just the right amount of textural contrast to the seafood. The oily, almost greasy slices of bread to dip were perfect, and my only complaint is how little came with the dish. I also REALLY enjoyed the 'It Aint Easy Being Green' salad, which was filled with an unexpected mix of green ingredients. Who knew apples went so well with avocado? This salad was eye-opening and delightful. And to be honest, I actually enjoyed everything, including the several bites of my wife's 'Fusilli Vodka' with a Calabrian cream sauce, that I quickly consumed while she was off to the restroom. While I'm sure she would have offered me a bite had I asked, there was something thrilling about sneaking a sample of the richly seasoned dish behind her back. If I lived in Arlington Heights, or if there was a Passero near me in Ohio, I would likely go at least once a week. It's a perfect combination of service and flavor. Highly recommended! read more

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Made a reservation for Christmas Eve dinner for my wife and I. This was to be our first time dining here, yet sadly we didn't get to do that. Strike one was there is no off street parking and there was no close handicapped parking which we need to utilize. While Passero can't control the handicapped parking issue because they don't have a parking lot, their website should mention that that, especially the night we went as it was raining and we had to walk a block from where we parked to the restaurant. Strike two would be the table they offered us. It was the size of a cocktail table, not even big enough to accommodate dinner plates or drink ware plus condiments and silverware. This table would have been perfect for someone just having drinks and appetizers. It's like they threw this, plus another table this size out into the dining room for extra income not considering that they didn't match the rest of the dining rooms decor. I should point out that while I did request a table and not a booth with my reservation, I had no idea that the restaurant only had these two small tables. Then the hostess informed us that a half table half booth was opening up and asked if we would like that. We said yes and then waited 15 minutes to be taken to it. Strike three was that it was a high top table in the bar area. My wife is 5'3" and cannot sit comfortably at a high top. We feel the hostess should have informed us about the table type so that we wouldn't have had to wait in vain for something that would not accommodate us. At this point we felt defeated and that the special dinner we were hoping to have had lost its spark. We told the hostess that we would be leaving to which she replied "Ok". No apology, just a brush off reply. When we got to the hostess stand, I told another woman, whom I assumed was the head hostess, that they had ruined our evening and that we were leaving. Instead of immediately apologizing she chose to imply that it was my fault because I requested a table with my reservation. I told her that since I had never been there before I had no idea that the only two low top tables in the entire restaurant were so small. It was only after she muttered a few more comments that she apologized. We walked the block back to our vehicle, in the rain, and drove off. After approximately 10 minutes I received a phone call from this woman saying that a low top table/booth had opened up and it was ours if we wanted to come back. Well because of the very light traffic, I replied that I was already miles away and wasn't interested in going back to the restaurant where I would have to search for parking and then walk back to the restaurant in the rain. She said that she just wanted to offer us something so that our night wasn't ruined. If she was that interested in our evening not being ruined, why didn't she offer us the next available table while we were still at the restaurant? Both my wife and I were looking forward to dining at Passero because they advertised a Christmas Eve Experience with the chef preparing special dishes for the occasion. It was very disappointing to not get the opportunity to have done that. When woman who called me said she hoped to see us in the future, I told her that we would never come back. read more

My wife and I are somewhat frequent diners at Passero. Last night, the food runner delivered our entrees to the wrong table. We were in no hurry and didn't bother us, other than being hungry. Both the waitress and manager came to our table and apologize. They made a slight adjustment to the bill as well. In our experience, they handled this very well and retains us as loyal customers. And btw, the food was terrific. Never had a bad meal there. read more

One of my favorite restaurants of all time, the food is always amazing! I've had just about everything on their menu, which they change up from time to time, and it has always been delicious. As for my top favorites, the garlic bread is a must and I almost always order the short ribs or risotto. The restaurant design is elegant, great for a date night. Usually I don't have an issue with service, and maybe our server was having an off night, but during our recent visit the server was inattentive and our food and drinks took much longer than normal. Certainly not the level of service you'd expect with this caliber of food and these prices, but hopefully this was a once off issue. This place is a must try!! read more

Passero - Garlic bread - Italian Near Me - Arlington Heights, Illinois

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I loved Passero! I went for dinner recently and had an excellent time. Service was very knowledgeable, friendly & provided great suggestions of the menu options. Cocktails were delicious, all of the food options were large portions and super tasty! I'll definitely be back! read more

Passero is one of my favorite restaurants in the Chicago suburbs! This is a restaurant that has an elegant dinner menu but also a great lunch menu. It's gorgeous inside too and has a ton of natural light. The service was super attentive and you can tell they know what they're doing. We went for lunch and we got brussels sprouts, whipped honey ricotta, sausage pizza, and their vodka fusilli. I loved the brussels sprouts because they had a hint of spice and were cooked well. I don't like when brussels sprouts are too hard or too soft but this had both. The whipped ricotta had a great texture and I loved the honey with it but there was a bit too much rosemary where it was overwhelming and I had to pick it off. The pizza was a bit bland because of the white sauce but the ingredients tasted fresh and authentic. I loved the pasta because it was a bit spicy, creamy, and the noodles were cooked perfectly al dente, just how I like it. We ended with two desserts: the key lime pie and an apple strudel thing. The key lime pit was a bit too sweet for my taste but I loved the crust on it and the gelato. The apple strudel felt so homey I liked it. I'll be back! read more

Passero - Italian Near Me - Arlington Heights, Illinois

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Enjoyed everything we got from Passero! We did family style and got to enjoy a bit of everything. I loved the mushroom pizza and other apps we got!! Pastas were standard but pretty tasty. Prices were fair especially when splitting everything. Not the type of place you'll have a ton of leftovers after. The drink I got was really good (which was what I would expect at $15 each). Didn't have any of the issues with service that ppl had mentioned before. It was a little loud but quieted down as the night went on. read more

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I hope the owners see this and know to never take the cacio e pepe off the menu. Some of the best pasta I've ever had. Brussel sprouts and focaccia bread were also great and we loved our server! read more

Passero - Cacio e pepe - Italian Near Me - Arlington Heights, Illinois