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Shrimp Satay from Jolane's. |
Gio
1631 Chicago Ave., Evanston, 847-869-3900
Gio presents a comfortable dining area with its colored murals, soft lighting and its popular brick oven wheat crust Roman pizzas. Other dishes include duck ravioli with shiitake mushrooms and red wine sauce, pappardelle with lamb shank and red peppers and grilled sirloin with portobello and polenta in a Chianti sauce. $$ Dinner daily
Gusto Italiano Ristorante
1470 Waukegan Road, Glenview, 847-729-5444
A taste of the Mediterranean is what Gusto puts on its large and varied menu, served up in a welcoming atmosphere. Check out the goat cheese platter, whole wheat pasta primavera, authentic bone-in chicken Vesuvio, veal with baby artichokes, mushroom and spinach, shrimp Dijon and its popular eggplant Parmigiana. $$ Lunch Mon.- Fri.; dinner daily
Moderno
1850 Second St., Highland Park, 847-433-8600
This downtown spot celebrates the simple spirit of Italian cuisine by presenting dishes comprised of five or less ingredients. The chef calls it "forward thinking food," made with fresh, local produce and sustainable meats. The arancini are crispy risotto balls with marscarpone and fresh herbs. Garlic confit pizza combines dried cured olives, capers, grana padana and arugula. $$ Lunch Mon.-Fri., dinner daily
Pensiero Ristorante
1566 Oak Ave., Evanston, 847-475-7779
Tucked inside the historic Margarita European Inn, Pensiero Ristorante offers a charming atmosphere and Italian fare prepared from imported ingredients. Choose from seasonally inspired dishes and such creations as Pappardelle Rustiche, housemade and hand-cut pappardelle pasta in a wild boar Bolognese, or Risotto Carnaroli. $$ Dinner Thurs., Fri., and Sat.
Pizano's Pizza and Pasta
1808 N. Waukegan Road, Glenview, 847-486-1777
Born into a Chicago pizza empire, Rudy Malnati Jr. built his own pizzeria emphasizing fresh and quality ingredients. In addition to its deep-dish and thin-crust pies, the menu offers entrees of chicken Parmesan, bowtie pasta with sun-dried tomatoes and hearty beef, sausage and meatball sandwiches. $$ Lunch and dinner daily