Centro Cafe RiverWest Milwaukee Wi

Here is the thing, Centro Cafe is an amazing gem. It is a small space, there will be lines..but it is worth it. I started with the Rocket Salad; arugula with lemon herb vinaigrette and shaved parm. My main course was Capellini Al Pomodoro. Very good! Fresh tomatoes, basil, garlic and olive oil. I had a side of spinach, sauteed spinach in evoo, garlic and lemon. The bread was crusty, warm and soft on the inside. Good wine by the glass list too. The only down side was it is a small space and it is noisy. The service is attentive and caring. The circuses can be interesting because of the close quarters. Diner23 gives this place 4 for food and 4 for circuses.

Chubby Hot Dogs

Special Alert! Hurry, run don't wait make your way down to Kenosha Harbor on Saturdays this summer to enjoy a tasty Chubby Hot Dog. Look for their cart..near the civil war museum. Grab a hot dog go for a stroll along the lakefront and take in the beautiful view. Enjoy and please let them know how much you liked it. The CHD crew works very hard to bring their customers one of the finest hot dogs I have ever eaten.

Mindy's Hot Chocolate on Damen in Chicago

First off this cute, busy little nook on Damen really has a good concept going. The service is helpful and attentive for the most part. The desserts are amazing good. Not a bad wine by the glass and beer list either. The food selections are very interesting and appealing..until you eat them. Chef please hold off on the salt. That is pretty much all I could taste : ( Our table had a nice assortment of apps and entrees. The mussels came with an interesting broth that we all liked. The savory monkey bread with prosciutto was very good. Pork tenderloin with pork belly, linguine with small shrimp, bacon cheeseburger with fried egg and a lamb sausage pita sandwich..again a good concept but..too salty. I really want to give this place another try so for now 3 triangles for service and 1 and 1/2 for food.

Maya Del Sol

What a gem in Oak Park! Great service and food. Try the sopas de tinga for a starter. Crispy corn mesa cups with savory chicken tinga, avocado, roasted tomatoes and fresh cheeses. The cochinita pibil is the greatest thing on the menu. Slow roasted pork in achiote marinade served with pickeled red onions and black beans. Be careful the habanaro salsa is muy caliente! The outdoor patio seating is very nice and fun. 3 triangles for food and service.

caffe DeLuca

This Italian restaurant in Forest Park is restful and fun. The food is very good and the service can be "iffy" but it all works out. For starters the steamed mussels and the garlic shrimp are a big GO! I'd leave the smoked mozzarella for another..no just leave it. The flat bread or small thin crispy crust pizzas are wonderful. Try the Napoli or the Milano very good! Chicken DeLuca is MMMM! Just to name a few tasty choices. They have a full bar and the wine by the glass is good. This neighborhood place is quaint and restful. Diner23 gives this place 3 triangles for food and 3 for ambiance.

There is a need for an update. Recent visits have proved to be even better than before. Try the Vegetable Lasagna, very yummy. Service has improved too.

Gratto Italian Tapas Glen Ellyn,IL

We had the pleasure of eating here on their opening day! Not bad for a first day. Bert the bartender took very good care of us. We visited a few more times, on a weeknight and found the food and service to be much better since our first visit. We were there again on a Friday night. The place was hopping! We were happy Bert the bartender was still there. Even though the crowd was a bit loud and pushy our experience was good. I hope this place does well, they really seem to be trying! We have yet to venture into the dining room, but for now the bar area is just right for us. I say the food and service (in the bar) gets 3 triangles.

Mon Ami Gabi- 260 Oakbrook Ctr,Oak Brook,IL

Mon Ami Gabi-More to come!
I really love this place. I know, I know so it is part of a "chain". Big deal, it delivers the goods. You have to give Rich Melman snaps, he really does know what he is doing. This fun, cozy place gives you exactly what you want. The raw oysters are fresh and tasty, the bread is crusty and moist on the inside, the cocktails are amazing and good. I've had their mussels, very good, except I would include frites with the small in addition to the large order. I like the casual but attentive attitude of the staff. Now, a few doors down at The Reel Club..can't say so much about the intial feeling we got from the front staff cause their rudeness and don't care attitude was so annoying that we left and went to Mon Ami!