Gianni's Cafe: Good food in a casual setting
Palatine lost a favorite restaurant when Mia Cucina closed to make way for a downtown redevelopment project. The town now boasts a grand, new Italian eatery in the form of Gianni's Cafe.
The trackside address gave owner Michael Siena a larger space in which to showcase the hearty Italian fare and cocktails that has his Kildeer spot bursting at the seams on the weekends.
The space echoes the warm interior of the original spot, but with a more-open floor plan, high ceilings and a view into the kitchen.
Let's find out what our panel thought.
Name: Sheri Jo Howell
Age: 45
Hometown: Palatine
What I ordered: Lemon chicken soup and angel hair pasta with vodka sauce, prosciutto, basil and garlic from the build-your-own portion of the menu ($20.45, includes soup).
Taste and presentation: I liked the soup, it was good, but I wish I had ordered the salad; I'm more of a salad person. I enjoyed the pasta; the portion was very large. I'm taking three-fourths of it home.
Atmosphere and service: The atmosphere is festive, the decor is nice. Our server was good.
Good if you want: A casual night out.
Name: Stacey Licari
Age: 44
Hometown: Fox River Grove
What I ordered: Stuffed mushrooms ($9.95) and seafood suprema ($31.95).
Taste and presentation: The seafood pasta was rich; I think it was a little too cheesy. The seafood was very fresh and tasted really good. It wasn't rubbery.
Atmosphere and service: I really like the decor.
Good if you want: Mushrooms that are to die for.
Name: Shannon Reed
Age: 32
Hometown: Palatine
What I ordered: Stuffed mushrooms, chicken spiddini ($18.95), chocolate cake.
Taste and presentation: The mushrooms were very good; I'm kind of a mushroom snob. The chicken was a bit too browned, but I would get it again. I love spiddini (topped with prosciutto, spinach and cheese in a sherry sauce). I liked the chocolate cake; I'm a chocolate gal.
Atmosphere and service: I love that the dining room is more open (compared to Kildeer). I think our service has been excellent.
Good if you want: I would come here again. It's not real dressy; but I don't think I'd take my kids (ages 1, 4 and 6) here.
Gianni's Cafe
Facts: 18 W. Station St., Palatine; (847) 991-1416; gianniscafe.com
Cuisine: Traditional and contemporary Italian
Prices: appetizers $6.95 to $10.95; salads $3.95 to $12.95; pasta $12.95 to $19.95; meat and seafood entrees $17.95 to $31.95
Hours: 4 to 9 p.m. Sunday; 4 to 10 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday; 4 to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday
Accepts: Reservations, major credit cards
Also: Valet parking, private party space