You should check out Lucrezia even if it is a bit of a roadtrip from your digs. The original in Chesterton is solid and they recently opened in Crown Point too:

Hi,

I have been curious about Lucrezia. I met the Chef's mother (or was she the Mother in Law) at a function who was describing their efforts to run this restaurant.

Someday!

Regards,

MarisaR-
My wife and I really like La Dolce Vita, especially considering the location and other eating alternatives. We have a beach house in Miller so we are always looking for new places to eat other then the Bakery or Cafe 444. The brick oven pizza's are really good and are reasonably priced. This past summer after a day at the beach, we would get a few pizza's for carry-out and sit on our deck with a bottle of wine (our friends were really impressed)

The restaurant itself is in an old Pizza Hut and the new owners have done a good job trying to hide this fact. There is a great outdoor space if the bugs aren't out. The other food options are standard but good. However the corn chowder was out of this world delicious.

The only problem would be the service. The waitstaff is a little off, however they try really hard and are so friendly you forgive them for the goofy minor mistakes.

PS.
I love Giovanni's and have been eating there since I was a kid. I can't remember ever having a bad meal. The price is reasonable since everything is homemade from the garlic rolls, pasta and even the salad dressing. They serve the best Dover Soul on Friday's that you will ever eat. My other favorites are the chicken alfredo, veal piccata and the gnochi.

Sad news. Taste of Italy in Calumet City to close June 2013.Another great one gone.