Artisan pizzas, homemade pastas draws for Mount Prospect's Trezeros
Trezeros Kitchen + Tap, a newcomer to Mount Prospect's downtown dining scene, fits right in with its stellar service and solid Italian-American menu, one that's larded with homemade pastas, artisan pizzas, steaks and seafood.
That's no surprise, taking into account the wealth of experience in the restaurant business its founders, Pasquale and Julie Ergastolo, bring to the table. The couple spent 18 years operating Des Plaines' Casa Royal Banquets, which closed in 2012, and they continue to run Club Casa Café, also in Des Plaines.
Their latest venture, Trezeros Kitchen + Tap, which debuted in July, occupies an extensively remodeled space whose previous tenant was a Jake's Pizza outlet. With its mellow, understated decor and comfortable banquettes, the restaurant can seat 160 patrons in its dining room, bar area and large private-party room.
The full-service bar offers a variety of wines, including several from California and Italy - and some on tap. We enjoyed a house red and a Ruffino Chianti with our meal.
Big-brand domestic beers are available as are several craft beers, such as Chilly Water IPA from Tighthead Brewing Co. in Mundelein and French Style Country Ale from Two Brothers Brewing in Warrenville. If a mixed drink is preferred, the bar staff will whip together a highball or a signature cocktail.
As for the menu, reasonably priced familiar Italian classics dominate. Among them are arancini (rice balls stuffed with beef, peas, mozzarella and tomato); a charcuterie plate with aged prosciutto, soppressata and seasonal pates; and ravioli filled with lobster, cream and tarragon.
A recent dinner started with a shared order of fried calamari served with mixed greens, basil aioli and sun-dried tomatoes, with two dipping sauces on the side. Unfortunately, the battered squid rings arrived chewier than expected. Still, that didn't keep my tablemate and me from eating them.
If you are a pizza fan as I am, you have come to the right spot. Trezeros turns out a handful of artisan pizzas large enough to suffice as a main course for two. Definitely try the Sausage E Pepe, a thin-crust Neopolitan-style pizza that has all the hallmarks of the classic version, from its thin crust to its tasty toppings: mozzarella, Italian sausage, onion and bell pepper. This is the real McCoy.
Other pizza iterations include margarita, wild mushroom, prosciutto and meat lovers.
While Trezeros has many other entrees from which to choose, it's wise to give more than a cursory consideration to its pasta dishes, all of which are homemade except for the gnocchi. We especially liked the shrimp scampi: Picture a dozen succulent shrimp intermingled in the spaghetti and enhanced by a flavorful garlic-white wine and clam juice sauce. Herbs and a sprinkling of Parmesan sealed the deal.
Still other entree options were chicken Marsala, bone-in rib-eye, lamb shank, swordfish, and fish and chips.
A handful of desserts are available, including carrot cake, flourless chocolate cake, and limoncello and raspberry sorbet. My vote goes to the salted caramel apple crisp, a seasonal favorite. For a small cost, this crusty made-in-house treat - more a galette than a crisp - was enhanced by a requested scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Not ready to leave just yet? A multitude of flat-screen TVs tuned to major sporting events allow fans in the bar area to linger over a pint or two while keeping tabs on their favorite teams.
Restaurant reviews are based on one anonymous visit. The Daily Herald does not publish reviews of restaurants it cannot recommend.
Trezeros Kitchen + Tap
302 W. Northwest Hwy., Mount Prospect, (847) 749-4020,
Cuisine: Italian-American with a focus on pasta, steak and seafood
Setting: A casual, comfortable meeting place for friends, families
Prices: Appetizers: $8-$16; entrees: $10-$28; desserts: $6-$7
Hours: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday; 11 a.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday; 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday
Also: Private party space; free Wi-Fi; reservations