Best Red Sauce Italian.....North or North Suburban?

Does anyone have a suggestion for good red sauce Italian preferably in the north suburbs...but I am open to other suggestions.

I'll cast my vote for Francesco's Hole in the Wall, which has been a stalwart in Northbrook for a couple of decades. It's small, they don't take reservations and it's cash only. They open at 5 pm and folks will usually line up for the first seating just after 4:30 or so. Chef/owner Frank Gallo serves hearty but refined fare that is very satisfying. IIRC, they were featured on Check, Please! a few years back.

=R=

Francesco's Hole in the Wall
254 Skokie Blvd (between Dundee and Lake-Cook)
Northbrook, IL 60062
847 272-0155

I highly recommend Giacomo's in Des Plaines and Dave's Italian Kitchen in Evanston. Both have better than average red sauce Italian

Giacomo's
740 N. Wolf Road
Des Plaines, IL
847-390-7330

Dave's Italian Kitchen
1635 Chicago Ave
Evanston, IL
847-864-6000

I can second Dave's - it's inexpensive with a great (also well-priced) wine list.

Not suburban, but north, and arguably a best-in-class:

Sabatino's

Giacomo's is my favorite, and I am a fat Italian guy. You got to get the sauce on a hunk of their lasagna. They put a layer of gnocchi on it and it will blow your mind.

Giacomo's is good. I really like Salerno's, which is just up the road from there. My favorite combination is angel hair pasta with the meat sauce. I don't think I've had anything bad from this place yet (their pizza is excellent- they do not skimp on the toppings and everything's really fresh!)

Salerno's Pizzeria
1716 East Kensington Rd.
Mount Prospect, Illinois 60056
Phone: 847.699.2822

Hours:
Sunday – Thursday 11am – 9pm
Friday, 11am – 10pm
Saturday, 3pm – 10pm
Sunday, 3pm – 9pm

abe_froeman wrote:Giacomo's is good. I really like Salerno's, which is just up the road from there. My favorite combination is angel hair pasta with the meat sauce. I don't think I've had anything bad from this place yet (their pizza is excellent- they do not skimp on the toppings and everything's really fresh!)

Salerno's Pizzeria
1716 East Kensington Rd.
Mount Prospect, Illinois 60056
Phone: 847.699.2822

Hours:
Sunday – Thursday 11am – 9pm
Friday, 11am – 10pm
Saturday, 3pm – 10pm
Sunday, 3pm – 9pm

Probably a dumb question but is this place affiliated with the Salerno's on Grand in the city?

=R=

Not to mention the Salerno's on Roosevelt in Oak Park/Berwyn.

(and yes, the one on grand and the one on roosevelt are related, as is Arnie Salerno's in Berwyn, and, I strongly suspect, this one).

I think salerno's does a better job with meat dishes and soups than just about anything else, but my wife really likes their pizza for some reason.

I'll throw my vote in for Rossini's in Niles. It's on the northwest corner of the intersection of Milwaukee Ave. and Golf. Great food, good ambience, decent prices.

Rossini's Great Italian Restaurant
8808 N. Milwaukee Avenue
Niles, IL
847-297-5555

www.rossinisitalian.com

stevez wrote:I highly recommend Giacomo's in Des Plaines and Dave's Italian Kitchen in Evanston. Both have better than average red sauce Italian

Giacomo's
740 N. Wolf Road
Des Plaines, IL
847-390-7330

Attended a family anniversary dinner at Giacomo's last night, and had the finest braciole of my life, thanks to the spot-on recommendation from SteveZ. Refer to his braciole pic in another post for the visual, but it arrived steaming hot, so add the wafting smell of tomatoes, green peppers and red wine to the photo. Fine, fine dish.

The rest of the party were very pleased as well with their choices, from lemon perch with capers, to osso buco, to grilled squid & octopus, to eggplant parm. Prices generally in the mid-teens. Nice choice of red wine by the glass. Owner greeted us like family at the door, and meant it. Never discount the importance of that aspect in the grand scheme of things. Oh, they also make a mean Maker's Mark Manhattan.

It was a solid alternative to our initial choice of Bruna's on South Oakley, but driving from far north suburbia to 2400 South on a Saturday night, with the city torn up with construction, would have heightened our tension levels no doubt.

Another prototypical red sauce Italian, which I've found to be better than I expected, is

Cafe Lucci
609 Milwaukee Ave.
Glenview

My list of favorites:

1. Enzo & Lucia (Long Grove)
2. Cafe Lucci (Glenview)
3. Rosebud (Highland Park)
4. Rosini's (Niles)
5. Gusto (Glenview)
6. Tonelli's (Northbrook)
7. Italian Kitchen (Deerfield)

TonySpilotro wrote:7. Italian Kitchen (Deerfield)

Another thumbs up for the Italian Kitchen in Deerfield, as much for the desire to see a long-lasting family place like that stay in business as for the food, which has never disappointed us.

nr706 wrote:Another prototypical red sauce Italian, which I've found to be better than I expected, is

Cafe Lucci
609 Milwaukee Ave.
Glenview

I'm glad to hear that -- Lucci has had a bad rep for so many years that I've forgotten just why I was told not to go (price, perhaps?). If you and Tony both praise it, I'll have to give it another look (even tho I practically have to pass Giacomo's to get there)

I'm trying to decide between La Bella (Winnetka) and Portofino (Vernon Hills) for dinner this week. Anybody have some insight on one or both of these spots? They are both highly praised from what I can see...

I agree with the Salerno's suggestion. Here's some history about the restaurant taken from their website:

Arnie Salerno from Cosenza, Italy and my father, Frank Rossini, from Lucca, Italy migrated in 1957 through Ellis Island. They met ten years down the road while
currently owning successful restaurants. These two great cooks with unique recipes have opened up several restaurants. Arnie is most famous for Salerno’s Pizzeria and my father is best known for Rossinis, Spazios, Armandos, and Sassis.

This restaurant is nothing fancy-red checked plastic tablecloths, soda machine right out in the open and up till about 6 months ago it was a BYOB place. Lunch service is order at the counter. It's the food, not the service or the atmosphere that brings me back. The family style dinner (you pick options) is a bargain at $39.99 for 5-add the skirt steak for $9.00-it's delish! I have catered from there as well it is reasonable and good. They give you enough food for what you order. Be aware, they have wait staff at night (high schoolers) so don't expect too much! The only thing that I would not get again was the bland & non-descript alfredo sauce.

Another great little place that gets my vote is Joe & Giuseppe at 925 S Arthur Ave., Arlington Heights Tel: (847) 259-6448. The restaurant as some may know used to be on Milwaukee in Glenview years ago. They closed and reopened in Arlington Heights for at least 5 years now. Guiseppe runs the place (Joe left). Their red sauce is to die for! It's made with carrots and has a more orange tinge than red-the sweetness is what makes me coming back for more. The eggplant parmesan is a must have and the linguini with fresh clam sauce is not to be missed-tons of clams!. If you go in to the restaurant, Kimmie is the server you want she's on top of her game 100%. All entrees include soup or salad and they are open for lunch but closed on Sunday.

jbambuti wrote:I'll throw my vote in for Rossini's in Niles. It's on the northwest corner of the intersection of Milwaukee Ave. and Golf. Great food, good ambience, decent prices.

Rossini's Great Italian Restaurant
8808 N. Milwaukee Avenue
Niles, IL
847-297-5555

www.rossinisitalian.com

Another vote for Rossini's, but note that the intersection is Milwaukee and Dempster, not Milwaukee and Golf.

TonySpilotro wrote:I'm trying to decide between La Bella (Winnetka) and Portofino (Vernon Hills) for dinner this week. Anybody have some insight on one or both of these spots? They are both highly praised from what I can see...

My husband's bachelor party was at Portofino's. He gives it two thumbs up. They ordered a variety of appetizers and liked them all, as well as the entrees. They sat outside to enjoy the view of the lake. Really nice food and a nice setting.

I haven't eaten at Portofino's, but have eaten three times at the Greek place, Opa Estatorio, which is right next door and owned by the same people next door. Two times I really enjoyed the food at Opa and once I didn't, but every time I liked sitting outside at sunset with a view of the lake. It's a beautiful place.

I think you'll enjoy Portofino's. If you are looking for post-dinner entertainment, there's a Zanies comedy club just a block away.

TonySpilotro wrote:I'm trying to decide between La Bella (Winnetka) and Portofino (Vernon Hills) for dinner this week. Anybody have some insight on one or both of these spots? They are both highly praised from what I can see...

I love La Bella's... some of the best veal around. And you can't beat that outdoor tent they have on a nice summer night.

Last time I checked to make reservations (early June) they were still not open after the recent fire, but mentioned they would hopefully be reopening in next few weeks.

If you do decide on La Bella post if they are now open, I'd like to have dinner outside there sometime this summer.

TonySpilotro wrote:I'm trying to decide between La Bella (Winnetka) and Portofino (Vernon Hills) for dinner this week. Anybody have some insight on one or both of these spots? They are both highly praised from what I can see...

I also love La Bella. We had a 60th birthday party for my mother there under the tent a few years ago and it was wonderful. Great food and great atmosphere.

Is the peripatetic Georgio still working the room at La Bella Winnetka? I remember him from the days when his place was in the space now occupied by Tapas Barcelona in Evanston.

Arnie Salerno from Cosenza, Italy and my father, Frank Rossini, from Lucca, Italy migrated in 1957 through Ellis Island. They met ten years down the road while
currently owning successful restaurants. These two great cooks with unique recipes have opened up several restaurants. Arnie is most famous for Salerno’s Pizzeria and my father is best known for Rossinis, Spazios, Armandos, and Sassis.

It seems that like most family histories, the Rossini's/Salerno's may be a bit "clouded". Ellis Island ceased operation as a port of entry into the U.S. in 1954. (Sorry for the diversion from a self-proclaimed history geek...)

Thank you all for the comments, last night we actually ended up at Bapi Ristorante on Hintz Rd (BG / Arl Heights border). This is Arrenella's old space (very small at 12 tables) and is owned half owned by the guy who had Christiano's for a couple years. It was nice with the exception of an overcooked stuffed chicken dinner that was served alongside frozen bag veggie medley and some fried potatoes that also seemed frozen. Thankfully his gnocchi is so amazing that everything else could have sucked and I'd still have walked out of there happy.

We decided to wait on Portofino because I wasn't so sure about hitting a big restaurant on a Monday night.

I was planning on La Bella until I called and they said they are closed on Mondays. Disappointing, but the girl didn't say anything along the lines of "actually, we're still not open at all right now because of a fire" so it sounds like they are back up and running.

Planning on going to Portofino and La Bella before the summer is over and will report back. As far as Bapi, I recommend it for an authentic Italian experience in a nice quaint setting...but do it on a night you're in the mood for pasta and make sure to try the gnocchi. I'm not so sure I'd give another meat dish a try after the pretty brutal stuffed chicken / frozen sides debacle.

I'll put in another vote for Sabatino's. Had a late dinner on Sunday with my mom who visiting from out of town and helping me get settled in my new place )much better eye for interior decorating than most ). She said she wanted something quintessentially Chicago and I couldn't think of a better place for a nice, relaxed Sunday dinner. To say the restaurant was accommodating was an understatement. We had the last res. in the place but they never rushed us. Through bread, apps, soup, salad, mains, and dessert, the pacing was perfect. Had the baked clams, bresola, aforementioned S & S. Moms had veal with prosciutto, eggplant, artichoke, asparagus and roasted red (has a specific name that I am not able to recall). I had chicken vesuvio mainly because she had not had it and, along with a proper dog, Italian beef, and good deep dish its one of the things you really only find here. To say everything was excellent was and understatement. Not one bit failed to deliver. Nothing was even slightly "ehh". Mom couldn't believe that an neighborhood spot on a late Sunday could produce such a fine meal. All she kept saying is how lucky I am to have a place like this so close and that nothing like it exists in North Carolina.... you don't have to tell me! The kicker is that, for those that have not make the trip, it is very close to 90/94 and, outside of rush hour, is very accessible to North and South siders alike.

I was at Portofino's last night for a mediocre meal.

My friend and I split a caprese salad. The tomatoes tasted like supermarket variety (no tomato flavor), the fresh mozzerella was pedestrian, and the flavor of olive oil was hidden by the drizzle of so-so balsamic vinegar.

My friend ordered the salmon special. He enjoyed the salmon but the side of parmesan risotto was overcooked, mushy and bland. There were three overcooked super-thin roasted asparagus spears atop the risotto.

I ordered the farfalle with mushrooms and sausage in a tomato cream sauce. The farfalle was overcooked, there was very little sausage in the bowl, and the mushrooms were typical white button mushrooms. The sauce wasn't bad, though.

We ordered a chocolate dessert, which was also mediocre, served with lukewarm coffee. When my friend complained about the coffee, the server brought a fresh cup (no saucer), with coffee dripping down the sides.

The room is beautifully done, with a nice bar area. Now, if only they can improve the food.

JoelF wrote:

nr706 wrote:Another prototypical red sauce Italian, which I've found to be better than I expected, is

Cafe Lucci
609 Milwaukee Ave.
Glenview

I'm glad to hear that -- Lucci has had a bad rep for so many years that I've forgotten just why I was told not to go (price, perhaps?). If you and Tony both praise it, I'll have to give it another look (even tho I practically have to pass Giacomo's to get there)

I ate at Cafe Lucci last night (for the first time) and thought it was quite good. I was very happy with my meal and will definitely return there.

The four of us started by splitting a delicious order of Gnocchi Contadina, which was topped with ground sausage, ground prosciutto, shiitake mushrooms and a plum tomato sauce. Here, you could really taste the pork in the sausage and the prosciutto. The flavors and textures went together exceptionally well. A great start.

The Caesar salad, which came with the entree, was nothing exceptional but still tasty. It had a boldly-flavored, creamy style dressing that delivered a mild anchovy note and, perhaps, a bit too much garlic. There was nothing wrong with this salad but compared to the other items we ate, it seemed a bit perfunctory.

For my entree, I ordered the Pollo Peperoncino, which was completely wonderful. Here, a properly roasted half chicken (crispy skin, moist flesh) sat atop a pool of delicious, spicy-garlicky sauce that accented the bird perfectly. Accompanying it were some nicely roasted red and yellow bell peppers and 3 large pieces of Italian Sausage. The sausage, while not my favorite of all time, was still quite respectable and had robust flavor and great definition. It had been cooked deftly, so that it remained juicy and did not crumble one bit when cut into. Frankly, I was surprised by this dish. I expected it to be one of those "overkill with ingredients" type of dishes but instead, it was a cohesive plate of high quality ingredients that were cooked carefully and accented each wonderfully. While I am not much of a wine person, our wine-loving friends thought the list was solid and the Barolo we ordered seemed like a very nice value at $65.

Desserts were also way above the expectation line. The well-made tiramisu was drenched to order in delicious coffee and the chocolate mousse cake did not disappoint. A delicious tartufo of hazelnut gelato rolled in chocolate trumped the other desserts. Cannoli are not made in-house but are, respectably, filled to order. Next time, I'll try one.

Service, by Eddie, was simply outstanding. It's rare to find such a dedicated and professional server in the suburbs. His intuition, intimate knowledge of the dishes and physical dexterity -- you should see this man serve pasta tableside with 2 spoons in one hand -- made our meal even better than it would have otherwise been. If you were guaranteed a server with this level of skill, going out to eat would always be a pleasure.

I look forward to returning to Cafe Lucci in the very near future. As far as my initial experience, I thought the food and service were on a par with Francesco's Hole in the Wall. But Lucci takes reservations and accepts credit cards, so it seems to be a bit more customer oriented, which is nice because wanting to eat decent Italian in the suburbs shouldn't require having to stand in a line or stop at an ATM.

=R=

Cafe Lucci
609 Milwaukee Ave
Glenview, IL 60025
(847) 729-2268

I missed this when you first posted it. I am so glad you like Cafe Lucci too! It's on our regular rotation-- we live nearby-- and we've never had less than stellar service. My husband thinks the veal dishes are amazing, especially the veal chop. I love the pastas, although the portionas are so large that I can't eat pasta + anything else. I keep meaning to ask for half portions of pasta. They would certainly do it; they will do pretty much anything you ask.

Hello - I'm a new poster here at the board, but have enjoyed reading some good, informative posts and food pics (usually when I'm hungry)

Thought I'd share an article about a local north suburban favorite called Tonelli's that may be closing its doors soon. For those who remember or still dine there, this restaurant will be missed. There's still some time to enjoy though.....

http://www.pioneerlocal.com/northbrook/ ... s1.article

rolledoats wrote:Hello - I'm a new poster here at the board, but have enjoyed reading some good, informative posts and food pics (usually when I'm hungry)

Thought I'd share an article about a local north suburban favorite called Tonelli's that may be closing its doors soon. For those who remember or still dine there, this restaurant will be missed. There's still some time to enjoy though.....

http://www.pioneerlocal.com/northbrook/ ... s1.article

bummer if it happens. I've always liked Tonelli's thin crust. The rest of their menu is rather mediocre but the pizza is tasty. And of course it would be replaced by a freaking walgreens

And, Parlor has been kaput for at least 3 months.