Location: Forest Park
Top Restaurants in Forest Park
Countries
Most Popular Italian food in Forest Park, Illinois, United States
Find out what Italian restaurants to try in Forest Park. Forest Park (formerly Harlem) is a village in Cook County, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago, United States. The population was 14,167 at the 2010 census. The Forest Park terminal on the CTA Blue Line is the line's western terminus, located on the Eisenhower Expressway at Des Plaines Avenue.
Things to do in Forest Park
10. Mancini's Pizza Pasta Cafe
Overall Ratings
4 based on 36 reviews
Reviewed By Rheinhold F
Maybe pizza is their forte, but their dine in dinners are just okay. Very reasonably priced.Went there about 5:30 on a Friday night and were seated immediately. Wait staff was attentive but not intrusive. Dinner bread was good, but the portions were skimpy The salad that came with the meal was actually quite good and the house dressing was delicious.I had the Italian beef sandwich with steak fries. My wife had Chicken Limon. She says hers was good, but she wouldn't necessarily go back to this restaurant.My Italian beef had an amazing roll and the beef itself was extremely flavorful and tender. BUT, a) there wasn't much au jus, b) there wasn't ANY au jus on the side and c) worst, the au jus was extremely salty and, I'll bet, "canned".Yup, it's a good place for a quick bite and conveniently located, but I wouldn't make it a destination.
9. La Bella Pasteria
Overall Ratings
4 based on 57 reviews
Reviewed By SJPONJ
La Bella is small in size but huge in flavor. Four of us ordered different entrees from pasta to veal. Portions are generous and well prepared. The pork chop entrée included 2 huge chops in a vesuvio like sauce. There are several interesting gnocchi entrees. The veal dish was excellent...covered with a generous amount of cheese and sauce. The cocktails were well prepared. I enjoyed the best Old Fashioned ever! Too bad the huge round ice ball filled most of the glass, leaving a very small drink for the price. Service was impeccable ; friendly, relaxed and not rushed. Larger print on the menu would be appreciated. We will definitely be back.
8. Jimmy's Place
Overall Ratings
4 based on 48 reviews
Reviewed By MassarelloFamily
We keep going back to Jimmy's for the wonderful comfort food I remember my nonna (grandmother) use to make. We love their pastas and braciola (rolled up steak).Their food and wine prices are more than fair. Service is always attentive and friendly. This is why we keep coming back!
7. Francesca's Fiore
Overall Ratings
4 based on 39 reviews
Reviewed By barbarapC4814MC
...when it was called Tutto Tapas. A few years later, Francesca chain bought it, so it's an Italian place now. We go back every year on our anniversary anyway, so we've dined here at least 15 times. Food is consistent. The layout is inviting, with areas for dining al fresco, another one near the fireplace and bar, and the room where our small buffet reception was held. We chose the place for our reception because my husband's blues band could play in the bar area after we dined. And back then, the tapas menu and food were amazing.Open kitchen plan makes it a bit loud. Seating is tight, and the place is always full for dinner. The Francesca's menu is inviting and innovative, if not a bit pricey for pasta--$14.95. range a la carte. Pumpkin ravioli, tilapia were memorable. There was chocolate hazelnut gelato at one time, to die for. Dessert menu is too tempting, so save room.
6. Freddy's Pizzeria
Overall Ratings
5 based on 91 reviews
Reviewed By Z7229JMmartins
The place is legendary and proves every time why!I always come in ready to buy a particular item. But my mind usually changes when I see the food displayed! Some fabulous food just calls my name and I have to get it.Just the other day, I came in open minded and the chicken parm and rice balls were calling me. They were awesome continuing the long amazing track record of great food from Freddyâs.Pizza, gelato and everything they make and sell is special. Do yourself a favor and experience Freddyâs!
5. Caffe de Luca
Overall Ratings
4 based on 49 reviews
Reviewed By samuel755
We had dinner on a week night. The restaurant was not very busy. A gentleman wasplaying soft ballads on an accordion. The service was excellent. The food was goodbut not great. We had chopped chicken salad and braciola.
4. Cucina Paradiso
Overall Ratings
4 based on 132 reviews
Cucina Paradiso is a regional Italian restaurant, meaning that we create weekly menu changes from the Northern part of Italy all the way down to the Southern part. All in a modern, contemporary dining room along with a professional staff.
Reviewed By Zlch0c
Our family of four with two teen boys were out for dinner in Oak Park due to another event near there, and looked for an Italian restaurant. This had great reviews already. We are more great experiences to share. They provided breads with 3 different kids and olive oil with parmasean cheese and 4 olives that were soaked and slight pepper flavor. A great start. We started with the fried calamari and the brussel sprouts. The brussel sprouts were Amazing - with lemon and parmasean cheese on top. My son and I then tried the lobster bisque. This was different that most, with a brown color. It was broth based instead of heavy cream, and we both loved it. It was larger than cup for sure also. The best story was when my son commented that the soup only came with 1 toasted piece of bread, and about 30 seconds later the waitress showed up and asked if he'd like a few more pieces of bread to go with the soup. Wow! It's like she read his mind. Then I ordered the Pear pizza, which was very sweet and tasty. I only finished about 1/2 of it. My husband ordered the Margarita and similarly only finished half. Our teen sons, both over 6'3" who usually finish all meals, got the "full" portion size of pasta and both did not finish. Both the shells and the spaghetti bolognese were excellent. We didn't have room for dessert, so we got our leftovers to go.
3. Il Vicolo Trattoria
Overall Ratings
4 based on 133 reviews
Reviewed By RockeRoanoke
Arrived at opening and we were warmly greeted by Roberto. After viewing the menu and given warm bread with olive oil, Roberto answered some menu questions. We ordered and thoroughly enjoyed Gnocchi alla Vodka and Penne Prosciutto e Piselli. Both meals were EXCELLENT and presented well.
2. Gaetano's & Ristorantino Mediterraneo
Overall Ratings
5 based on 101 reviews
Analyzing who Gaetano is, and where he comes from (Bagheria, Sicily), he decided to go back to his roots and the basic fundamentals of Mediterranean cuisine, honoring the chefâs who taught him, his parents, and his mentor, Francesco Paolo Sanmarco, the pr
Reviewed By Taylor B
In 2011, owner/chef Gaetano Di Benedetto of Gaetano's in Forest Park was presented the distinguished "Ospitalita Italiana" award by the Italian government for his "authentic" Italian restaurant, an honor that only 600 restaurants worldwide have achieved. It figures. Gaetano's is unique with appetizers like crab cake cannelloni dei Cesari or desserts like tiramisu and home-made limoncello. Located at 7636 Madison Street, Gaetano's specializes in old school Italian cooking with classic recipes. Opened in 1978, Gaetano's serves from 5 to 9:30 Monday through Thursday and 4:30 to 10:30 Friday and Saturday. My wife and I opted for the a la carte menu. We started with spicy shrimp bisque with house-made Italian sausage, baby mixed greens tossed with sliced tomatoes, cucumber and red onion with sweet mustard vinaigrette, caramelized almonds, crispy pasta and carrots, and shrimp sauteed with caramelized garlic, gorgonzola and a touch of cream served in a puff pastry. Can it get better than this? Yes. For entrees, we chose one of Gaetano's specialties, the veal chop stuffed with crab meat sauteed with garlic, shrimp, gorgonzola fondue served over mashed potatoes, and the provimi veal scaloppine sauteed with shallots, garlic, assorted wild and exotic mushrooms, soaked with Marsala-white wine sauce and served with mashed potatoes. For dessert, what else but tiramisu? For a fine dining experience at an Italian restaurant, it doesn't get any better than this.
1. Lou Malnatiâs Pizzeria
Overall Ratings
4 based on 269 reviews
Reviewed By Eric H
This would be great pizza if it were the 1970s, and your other options were Little Caesarâs and Dominos. However, in the 21st Cenrtury, there are so many better options, even among national chains. Visitors to Chicago who feel compelled to try Chicago deep dish will find it here. Just donât confuse it with GOOD pizza. Hi Eric, we are sorry to see you had a disappointing experience with us. We would love to hear from you about this more directly. What could we have done better? Please click the link to fill out the corresponding information. We are looking forward to hearing from you and truly appreciate your patience with us. http://bit.ly/LousCrew Best, Michelle Martinez Lou Malnati's Pizzeria
