Arlington Heights dining

I'm meeting some people on Saturday for dinner in the Arlington Heights area. I don't know any of the restaurants. We don't have to stay in Arlington Heights, just the general vicinity. Probably Italian or American Bistro type dining would be preferred. Suggestions?

In downtown Arlington Heights...

if casual is ok, I'd definitely recommend Armands for Italian. Very good pizza plus a large menu of pasta, salads, etc. I found this place b/c of LTH and you'll read lots of positive comments if you search the boards.

http://www.armandspizzeria.com/

For something a bit quieter you might try Regina's which just a block or so away. They are not as good as some of the other well-loved Italian restaurants that are frequently mentioned here but offer a fairly good rendition of standards and specials.

http://www.reginas.net

On Arlington Heights Rd, a bit outside of the downtown area, there is an outpost of Francesca's (Francesca's Tavola). I actually like their menu better than Regina's and think their food is generally fresher tasting but I don't care for this location as much as the Francesca's in Barrington. It's mostly been service issues and I haven't been back for a while so I may have just been there on a bad night.

http://www.miafrancesca.com/

The same people who own Fuego's (mexican) in Arlington Heights recently opened a new spot called Grand Station. Definitely a large menu that would be considered American. Haven't been yet so can't speak to the food itself but it's on my list.

http://www.grandstationdining.com/

You didn't mention it but if Thai is of any interest, there is a very good, contemporary place in downtown AH called Alt Thai. Definitely a favorite in the area!

http://www.altthai.com

I like Fuego, in downtown Arlington Heights, for upscale creative Mexican food. I realize that opinion on Fuego is mixed, but it's geographically convenient for you, the atmosphere is pleasant, and I think the food is reasonably good. As another option, for Mexican seafood, Flamingo's, right next door in Mount Prospect, is also excellent and worth considering.

I also like AltThai, in downtown AH and recommended above, for Thai food. The contemporary decor makes it seem more trendy than your typical Thai storefront.

Another possibility is Yanni's, a nice Greek restaurant in AH, right off the Tollway at Arlington Heights Road and Algonquin.

It may also help to review this discussion about dining options in downtown Arlington Heights:

Downtown Arlington Heights?

This thread may help you find some northwest suburban options.

I like Joe & Giuseppe better than any of the Italian options named so far.

Joe & Giuseppe
847/259-6448
925 S. Arthur Ave. (off Central)
Arlington Heights

It seems that 3 of our favorites have been mentioned here... Fuegos, Grand and Flamingo are all top shelf in our book and we can be considered regulars at all 3. Simply depends on what you are in the mood for but for us, none of these will disappoint.

BAT

I had lunch at Fuego again today, and it reminded me of why I like the place. When I asked the server about the mole of the week, she said it's butternut squash and offered to bring a sample of it; I asked if I could have a sample along with one of their always-available mole poblano. This was a great way to discover the difference between the two! The squash version didn't really taste like squash, but rather, like a spicier (mas picante) version of mole, also somewhat thicker than their somewhat-thin mole poblano. It also made for a great dip for their basket of warm chips (their salsa is okay, nice uniform consistency but not as spicy/picante as I generally prefer). I ended up getting the pechuga (chicken breast) with their squash mole instead of the poblano, and it was excellent. I also really like their horchata (sweet rice beverage); it's perhaps the best I've had in the Chicago area (at many places, it's a bit too thin and watery, I've found).

thanks! All good ideas. I'll run them by our guests.

Not really a dinner place, but Arlington Heights has Italian Beef - the legendary Johnnie's Beef. (The original is in Elmwood Park). I was at Johnnie's last night and it was perfection. The LTH Great Neightboorhood Restaurant Award was right up front!

I recommended La Tasca, I've been to all the restaurants listed above and La Tasca is the only one I return to.

While it isn't exactly in the range of options originally requested, I highly recommend Asian Bistro in Arlington Heights, where the flavors are bold and authentic. I also strongly second the recommendation for Flamingo's seafood, which is just terrific.

=R=

Asian Bistro
65 West Golf Road (just west of Arlington Heights Road)
Arlington Heights, IL 60005
847 439-5888

Flamingo's Seafood
1590 S Busse Road (corner Busse & Dempster, ½ block east of Algonquin)
Mt Prospect, IL 60056
847 364-9988

ronnie_suburban wrote:While it isn't exactly in the range of options originally requested, I highly recommend Asian Bistro in Arlington Heights, where the flavors are bold and authentic.

I'll echo the Asian bistro recommendation. The one time I was there everything was fresh, hot, and boldly spiced indeed. Portions were very generous too, iirc.

LAZ wrote:This thread may help you find some northwest suburban options.

I like Joe & Giuseppe better than any of the Italian options named so far.

Joe & Giuseppe
847/259-6448
925 S. Arthur Ave. (off Central)
Arlington Heights

Is this the same Joe & Guiseppe that were previously on Milwaukee just south of Lake (where Cy's is), and then in Prospect Heights where River and Milwaukee come together?

JoelF wrote:Is this the same Joe & Guiseppe that were previously on Milwaukee just south of Lake (where Cy's is), and then in Prospect Heights where River and Milwaukee come together?

Yes.

We went to Joe and Giuseppe's for dinner. The place was packed when we first arrived but they seated us on time. The fried calamari was excellent and we couldn't finish it between four of us. I had the linguini with clams and it was very nice. My husband had the risotto and without tasting it, I new it wasn't going to be good. It was gummy and had no flavor. Bolognese sauce and shrimp with rapini was enjoyed by the other couple. All of the portions were extremely generous. The waitress couldn't have been any friendlier and attentive, even though she was very busy. All in all, I'd say that if I lived in the area, I'd make it a place to go to occasionally for a decent meal at fairly reasonable prices. Next, I'd like to make it to Flamingo since that's been on my radar for some time. Thanks for the suggestions!

Hi all!
My boyfriend and I will be celebrating our anniversary this weekend and want a romantic, Italian joint not too far from the racetrack that won't make us cry when we get the bill ($75 or less before tip would be best). Joe & Giuseppe's seems to be a favorite of some folks here, but I can't find a website to take a peek inside. Does this place fit the bill?

Other options I have so far are Bapi, Regina's, Anna Maria Pasteria, Grappo di Amici, and possibly Anteprima (those last three are not terribly close, but they're not terribly far from home either, so I put them in the maybe pile).

I couldn't get a good read on Carlos & Carlos; it seems it hasn't gotten favorable feedback here and their @*&^@$! website refuses to show me the menu. Any other feedback would be appreciated.

I don't know anything about any of the other restaurants you mentioned but Joe and Giuseppe's is not romantic. On the plus side, the bill won't make you cry.

Cafe Lucci isn't that far, and I think it's in your budget unless you get things like the humungous veal chop.

http://www.cafelucci.com/

I consider it a good date-night restaurant. Service is flawless and the bar is fun.