Cucina Casale

02/28/06

A Hidden Gem

by nancy53 at Citysearch

I can't say enough wonderful things about this restaurant. The food is absolutely fabulous especially their daily specials. Everything is always fresh and creative. It is a small restaurant - about 15 tables - so make a reservation if going during a busy time. They also have a carryout section where you can take home pastas, pizzas, salads and sandwiches. Even though there is a bar within the restaurant I've never noticed a problem with smoke or noise.

One thing they are limited on is parking space. The parking lot is quite small and do not make the mistake of parking in the 7-11 store parking lot as you will be towed. During the evening you can always park on the street or at the Metra train station which is just around the corner.

• Pros: fabulous food, pleasant owners
• Cons: limited parking, not open on Sunday, not much ambiance