AMORE MIO Italian in Hoffman Estates

Well, Friday my wife and I got a sitter and we were looking for something nearby and good. So I hit our forum and looked for some Italian. I found a few posts which mentioned AMORE MIO in Hoffman. I think it deserves it own post. In our search for good Italian in Palatine has been somewhat fruitless. My wife is Italian, so we have rather high expectations. So we decided to check out Amore Mio.
We pulled up to the strip mall about 9:30 on Friday and went into the place. The place was very empty and bright, only 2 tables(about 6 people total). The hours said until 10 and we were wondering if we would be able to get served. The waiter asked the kitchen and they said no problem.
So we sat down and looked at the menu, which looked good, but then saw the specials, which really peaked our interest. I ended up ordering the Zupa de Pece, a fav of mine, my wife ordered a ravioli stuffed with Italian sausage, served in a light creamy garlic sauce. The dinner started out with 2 pieces of complimentary brushetta, which were excellent. I loved the taste of the fresh herbs and the taste was light with a bit of a crunch. excellent. We ordered no other appetizers as we got there late and did not want to hold anyone up. By the way, this is a BYOB place. It has a $20 corkage fee.
We got our dinner and both meals were outstanding. I have to say I think I found my goto Italian place in the Palatine area. The Zupa was awesome, the seafood in it very fresh and tender. I let the sauce cool just a bit and it turned into a nice thick rich and lightly creamy tomato broth. The shrimp, muscles, clams, squid, and scallops all were very tender, very fresh no hint of being old. I thought this especially good considering what time we arrived and how busy the place was. As good as my meal was my wifes was better, The raviolli, obviously homemade was outstanding. The pasta was a perfect consistency, the sauce and filling, was excellent in flavor. It took a lot of self control not to pick up the plate and lick it!
I think the only reason this place wasn't packed is because it is on the edge of nowhere. It is a gem in the NW burbs. Highly recommend it here. For those of you who like Hole in the Wall, I think this place is better. I have eaten at Hole many times and never had a meal that I wanted to lick the plate clean. So check it out if you get the chance.

Amore Mio
1457 Palatine Rd
Hoffman Estates, IL
(847) 358-5506

We Are Open
Monday - Closed
(winter and spring season)
Tuesday - Thursday
4:00pm - 9:30pm
Friday - Saturday
4:00 - 10:00
Sunday
2:00 - 9:30

I love Amore Mio, it is my favorite (read my other posts). Just a heads up, the restaurant is very small and can get noisy when crowded but the food is worth it.

I am suprised this restaurant doesn't get more recognition. I guess it depends on what kind of food you are looking for.

I absolutely loved Amore Mio. It's the first restaurant that I've felt so strongly about in a long time.

My friend and I wanted one appetizer, one pasta and entree each and the waiter suggested that we split the appetizer and pasta so it would be a three course meal which worked out really well. I ended up ordering everything off the specials list, which consists more of contemporary approach, where as the real menu is traditional italian.

One of my favorites was the homegrown zucchini blossoms. Nicola our waiter and also one of the owners, told us how he grows them in his garden and picks them every morning.

We then shared cheese ravioli in a black truffle tomato cream sauce, it was very good. I really liked how I could really smell and taste the truffle.

For our entrees, I choose the salmon with some homegrown swiss chard . This was truly a great dish, you have to go try it and see for yourself. My friend had the chicken parmigiano and said it was good. I told him to get something different but thats what he wanted.

Amore Mio has a great mix of contemporary, interesting food, as well as the italian favorites. I can't wait to go back!

I love the place as well. Eat there once a payday. It probably doesn't get mentioned much because it is so far off the beaten path. It is a great gem for us in the far NW burbs though. I always order off the special menu for myself and they put up well with my screaming two year old. So thumbs up to them!!

I have posted here as a customer in the past, but now I am an employee and the owner wanted to offer this promo to the lthers.

Free tasting of homegrown zucchini blossoms.

http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=393439#email

FWIW, the DI article has a typo the restaurant link is wrong
is should be http://amoremioil.com/

Plus, I can't find a FB page searching Amore Mio or Amore Mio Italian Restaurant

I go there often would love to have that promo