Chicago’s has always had an Italian connection. In the early 1900s the influence of Italian mafia on Chicago was strong and especially that of Al Capone. As the years passed by the mafia’s influence became less but they surely left behind their Italian cuisine for the people of Chicago to enjoy. One such classy place is Luigi’s, an Italian restaurant. After enjoying Luigi’s food, ambience and service it could definitely be distinguished as a classy restaurant, which is not too expensive.
Luigi’s is located at 778 N. Route 59, Aurora Illinois 60504. The restaurant requires proper dressing and doesn’t allow sleeveless or tank tops. Basically, the restaurant has three different sitting areas with three different themes. One of them is the bar and lounge area. It has a live band from Tuesdays to Thursdays and a live singer on Friday and Saturday.
The instruments used by the musicians are a piano and a guitar. It is an area with high bar stool tables and only smoking. It has wooden flooring and walls. The best part is that the loud music being played at the bar cannot be heard at any of the other two dinning areas. The second area is right in the center of the restaurant. It is a non-smoking area with a cozy and romantic feel to it. It is a small circular room with entrances from four sides and arched window shelves in between with wine racks in them. The ceiling is like a dome and has tilted earthen pots fixed to it with some of them having lights in them.
The room is dimly lighted with candles on each table, but the light is just enough to make you feel comfortable. The walls have a texture as if made from mud. The third dinning area is called the garden. No, it is, not in the out doors, but the room has an appearance and feel of a garden. The room faces the street from three sides and has French windows. The ceiling has fake branches hanging down. Despite the room’s exposure to the street from three sides the seating and the lighting has been done in such a way that your privacy is still maintained and the passerby’s won’t be able to see you dine. This room has been divided in to smoking and non-smoking sections. The room is brightly lit. The china used in all the three dinning areas is the same and has been kept simple with white plates and wine glasses. The restrooms at Luigi’s are well equipped and more importantly clean.
The service in Luigi’s is excellent. As soon as you enter, the front desk personnel escort you to your table after knowing your preference of smoking or non-smoking. After the escort seats you at the table, you are given your menu cards and asked for your water preferences. Then the Italian bread and butter are placed at your table, which are on the house. The staff knows their job. They know what the whole menu card is about. They make good suggestions if asked for while ordering provided you tell them your tastes and preferences.
Luigi’s is a good place to eat for both vegetarians and non-vegetarians. The vegetarian eateries are specifically made for vegetarians and not just meat substituted with vegetables. The chief chef, Phil Manolis is an expert in authentic Italian cuisine and probably will make you fall in love with Italian food. The menu comprises of starters: zuppa (soup), antipasti (appetizers) and wood fired pizza baked in an open oven; insalate (salads); pastas; entrees: vitello (veal), carne (meat), pollo (chicken), pesce (fish), sides and dolce (deserts). Luigi’s has a complete wine cellar guaranteed to satisfy the choosiest of palates. The wines are ranged from $6 to $13 per glass and are comprised of imported as well as domestic brands. Some of the best wines from France, Spain, and Italy are offered in their wine list. Luigi’s also offers the regular beers and soft drinks (1.75), like coke and sprite and other coca-cola soft drinks. Luigi’s also offers variety of freshly brewed coffees (2.75), like caf latt, espresso coffee, cappuccino, and caf mocha.
When its time to order there are only two types of soups, one is the soup of the day (3.59) and the next is Pasta e Fagioli, their own version of classic Italian bean soup with ditalini pasta (3.59). A great appetizer is the Crab, Spinach and Artichoke Dip (6.95) made from tender crab and mixed with spinach and tender artichokes and served with three imported cheeses and their home made seasoned flat bread for dipping. For vegetarian lovers the Bruschetta alla Luigi (7.95), a lightly tossed Tuscan bread slices served with baked goat cheese, basil pesto and fresh Pomodoro mix is a great choice. No Italian restaurant is complete without pizzas and so Luigi’s has their own fresh thin crust pizzas topped with fire roasted tomato sauce and fresh ingredients baked in an open wood burning oven (8.95).
For those of you who are weight conscious Luigi’s has a wide variety in salads too. Insalata della Casa (8.95) is their own Italian house salad with mixed greens, ceci beans, roasted red peppers, pepperoni, provolone cheese and kalamata olives with their house dressing. And if you just want to have something simple then there is Anthony salad (3.95), which has mesculin greens, house dressing, crisp prosciutto, crumbled blue cheese and red onions.
Coming to the main course Luigi’s has something for everyone’s taste. Chicken Ravioli al Forno (13.95) is hand rolled freshly made pasta filled with chicken, prosciutto and Italian seasoning, topped with Alfredo sauce and Parmesan cheese and baked to a golden brown. The Chicken Bow Tie (13.95) is sliced chicken breast saut in olive oil with Portobello mushrooms, broccoli florets and sun- dried tomatoes tossed in bowtie pasta and topped with parmesan cheese. Some of their vegetarian classics include Pomodoro con Capellini (10.95), ripe cherry tomatoes, fresh basil and garlic, extra virgin olive oil and fresh herbs tossed with delicate angel hair pasta. Ricardo’s Ravioli (13.95) is homemade pasta filled with house’s own seven cheeses blend laced with spinach and topped with marinara sauce. The Lasagna (13.95) gives you layers of fresh pasta sheets with cheese, spinach and marinara sauce, then baked and topped with mozzarella.
Their entrees include Veal Caprese (20.95), tender veal medallions saut in olive oil, topped with fresh mozzarella and finished in rich red wine demi-glace with asparagus and sun-dried tomatoes and served with escalloped potatoes; and Chicken Vesuvio (14.95), half a bone-in chicken marinated and baked to a golden brown and topped with a white wine, garlic and chicken sauce with peas and oven roasted potato wedges.
Topping everything up with mouth-watering deserts, Luigi’s is a delight for chocolate lovers. Most of its deserts have chocolate in them some way or other. Turtle Brownie (5.95), a freshly baked pecan brownie topped with vanilla bean gelato, hot caramel and hot fudge and toped with fresh whipped cream and chopped pecans; Walnut Pie (5.95), a semi-sweet chocolate and walnut treasure warmed throughout and served with creamy gelato.
The portions at Luigi’s are quite satisfying. Luigi’s doesn’t home deliver but has a carry out service. Luigi’s also organizes parties and business luncheons, but for a minimum of 20 people. Luigi’s is open from Monday to Thursday from 11:00 am to 10:00 pm, on Fridays and Saturdays from 11:00 am to 11:00 pm and on Sundays from 11:00 am to 9:00pm. Luigi’s also has a web address, for any further details one can always visit www.portillos.com. Luigi’s also takes phone reservation made on the number 630-851-0566.
Whether u want to celebrate something really important, want to propose to someone, want to really impress your first date or just want to have a good family time at a classy but not too expensive place then Luigi’s is the best choice.
