NEAR Restaurant
108 Barrington Commons Ct, Barrington, IL, 60010
NEAR Restaurant Menu
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Shared Plates
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Pastas
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Entrees
Healthy Meal suggestions for NEAR Restaurant
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Shared Plates
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Pastas
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Entrees
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Address :
108 Barrington Commons Ct
Barrington, IL, 60010 - Phone (847) 382-1919
- Website https://www.near-restaurant.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Tue
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Classy
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
Categories
Italian Cuisine
The immense popularity of Italian cuisine globally isn't unknown. You can find an Italian Pizzeria around every corner of almost every city in the United States. Not to forget that in every house, people enjoy mac and cheese as comfort food. But it would be wrong to believe that Italian food starts with pizza and ends with good pasta as this Mediterranean country has much more to offer other than these two dishes. In Italian Cuisine, there is a high use of fresh tomatoes, all kinds of herbs, great quality of cheese, all types of meat, seafood and fresh handmade pasta. Many find it hard to believe that Italians have been making noodles long back.
Italian and Greek cuisines are always mistaken to be same, but they are poles apart. The primary difference between the two cuisines is the use of cheese in most of the Italian dishes. Italians love to cultivate their own cheese and process them as per their food requirement. It is believed that some cheese is so expensive that cheese producers secure them in lockers.
If you are bored eating the same old pasta or pizza, you can try some of the authentic Italian dishes like Risotto, Polenta, Ribollita, Lasagna, Fiorentina Steak, Bottarga, Ossobuco, Carbonara, Focaccia, Arancini and Supplì. Another item which Italians love to relish every morning is a good cup of Italian Coffee. Once you taste a freshly brewed cup of Italian Coffee, you might not visit Starbucks ever again. Authentic Italian food is made with heart and soul, so go find a restaurant where you can relish Italian cuisine in your city.
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Linda S.
I am always amazed when anyone in Barrington says they have not been here yet! The food is amazing. The eggplant is what I go back for time and time again. The Gnocchi is another favorite. Anthony the bartender, makes a MEAN old fashioned. The best one around! Great ambiance, but make a reservation, this place is popular! This place continues to be one of my favorites!
(5)Eric T.
Maybe I'm just not the target audience for this place, but this Italian "tapas-like" experience left me feeling unsatisfied. Food here is solid, but the cost and portion size are factors too hard for me to overlook. This was my second time dining here, I came in with a friend and we ordered two appetizers, a pasta, and a entree, which was how our friendly waiter recommended us to order. My friend has a small appetite, but in the end we were still not full and hesitant to place an order for another dish. I will say that I like the flavor profiles for each dish that I had, the freisee salad, grilled octopus, mushroom pasta, and duck breast.
(2)Richard A.
There is no doubt that this is the best restaurant in the area! I had the duck and it was perfect! My wife had the chicken and she loved it! I had a piece of her chicken and it was cooked perfectly. The wine selection was adequate but a little deeper selection would be perfect. I found the staff professional and friendly. The restaurant is small and very clean. When we were there it was 90% full and not noisy. We can have a low volume conservation with out issue. Executive Chef Gaetano visited each table to ensure everyone was enjoying their experience! The only criticism I have is that they have swing waiter (Chef did this when he was not busy) and Chef not yell out when orders are up. These two items are really stretching issues.. We will be back and highly recommend! BTW, they have many gluten free items that can be made or already gluten free!
(5)Robert P.
Awesome find. Decided to run out for a bite of dinner and found this place on yelp. Good ratings so I expected a good meal, but it was exceptional. Grilled Octopus was amazing and the chicken was incredible. Will definitely be back.
(5)Becky S.
Very nice ambiance in this restaurant - everything is clean and inviting, from the dining area, to the bar, to the bathrooms. I attended with a group of people and we tried just about all of the dishes on the menu! A few favorites - the shrimp starter with bread pieces to soak up all the garlic, tomatoes and other delicious ingredients tasted great and looked amazing as it was served up in its own little crock. All of the pasta dishes tasted as though they were made with the utmost TLC and all of the ingredients were very fresh. We also had the short ribs which could be cut with a fork, they were not only tender, they were flavorful too. Our server was attentive to us and let our group sit and chat for quite awhile without any pressure to get the heck out! I also like that he encouraged us to place our whole order at one time so that he could bring out the food in a recommended tasting order. Really great service here.
(5)Colleen M.
I was back in town visiting my family and we wanted to do one final group dinner. I very much enjoyed the meal which included: Risotto, Mushroom Crostini, Buratta, gnocchi, and fried chickpeas. The kitchen timed everything perfectly and I felt that our server was excellent! We had two little kids with us and she made sure they had a meal, too (plain pasta with cheese). The inside is nothing fancy, but I'd love to go back to sit at the bar next time. Worth making a reservation!
(5)William L.
First time and I have to say outstanding very unique. Service was friendly and on top of every thing. I will be back.
(5)Laurel B.
Friendly staff, lovely favors - arugula Salad. Gnocchi, Risotto, chicken breast and penne Bolognese. Our almost 5 year quite enjoyed the penne as well as the gnocchi. Our visitors from Ireland, a vegetarian and a meat only person were satisfied as well as the two of us who don't often get something other than local Mexican or a chain but appreciate good food nonetheless. Nice dinner out.
(4)Joshua W.
Everything was absolutely amazing and very reasonably priced for the quality and portion size, especially for Barrington. Do yourself a favor and order the fish entree.
(5)Jill K.
Long overdue review.... Service "A"--very nice waitress, knowledgable and full of suggestions without being pushy. Appetizers are delicious. Try several and share ! Excellent meal. My beau and I both tried different specials and shared. Both were delicious. Double date, not rushed, ample space between tables. Very comfortable atmosphere. The bar area is "cool". Great area to wait while they prep your table. Will be back soon !
(4)Lucas C.
Food- The food is actually pretty good. The problem comes with the portion size. This place needs to make a decision- are they a small plates place or not? And if they're not, they need to at least double their portion sizes. I had the ravioli and the bolognese and still wasn't full. Service- service was good but the atmosphere was weird because the windows were half open, which means the top of the restaurant was dark and the bottom was light. I would probably not come back because I just wasn't satisfied when I left.
(2)Steve C.
Food was good but portions were small. Menu was limited. They did allow my kids to order items not on the menu.
(4)David B.
If you like fresh , original Italian dishes, great service, and a very comfortable dinner experience...this is the place...everything we ordered was delicious, and the portions were just right to allow for a fantastic desert and an after dinner drink. Great setting for a great dining experience...you won't be disappointed!!
(5)Karen S.
Near is one of the best restaurants in the NW suburbs. Chefs menu with fresh ingredients and friendly staff. Don't miss the burrata cheese app and the gnocchi with braised pork. Or the mushrooms app with steak. Or the arancini app with chicken. Everything on the menu is delicious! Chef Guy is amazing and has quite the talented team.
(5)Mark S.
Went here on a date on Friday night. It was a good date spot. The lighting was good and helped to set the mood. The service was great. The people working there were very personable. We started out with a bottle of sexual chocolate red wine. I don't remember the exact name. The name of the wine helped to break the ice a little bit. I'm not much of a red wine type of person, so I'm not qualified to comment on it. I'm trying to acquire the taste since red wine is healthier than white. The food was good and I recommend trying this place. It's like an Italian tapas place where you order multiple small dishes and share them. We had arancini, fried polenta bites, marinated eggplant and Gnocchi. That was a lot of food for two people, but definitely worth it. Both of us liked the polenta the most and I thought the Gnocchi was just as good. The arancini balls were okay, but nothing great. They were a little bland. The eggplant was different. It is marinated for four days I think they said. I think it's marinated in an oil/vinegar blend. It comes with bread and lettuce. They serve it in a little glass jar and looks like something you would find in a science lab. It was worth trying once, but not good enough to order again in my opinion. Being in Barrington, I thought the place would be nicer inside. It's pretty small. The chairs were comfortable from what I remember. The tables are cheap. We had a wobbly table that was very noticeable. I can't believe they sat us there. I made a subtle comment about it and the guy tried to put something under the leg of the table. When he couldn't fix it, he said he would take care of our bill. I told him that wasn't necessary. He gave us a $50 gift certificate at the end of the night, which was very nice of him. He was also the same guy who greeted us when we walked in, nice guy. My date, Susan, saw the cook lick a serving spoon in the kitchen. Hopefully that was the last time he used it that night. Every business has flaws. I don't like to have to point them out, but they are facts, so am I supposed to just ignore them?
(4)Paul H.
My wife and I recently visited Near and were very impressed. Tucked in a strip center in downtown. In short, Chef Gaetano Nardulli creates dishes that are well executed, tasty and creative. The starters are absolutely sharable. Pastas are fresh and delicious. Chef Gaetano made it a point the night we were there to come out and speak directly with every guest and thank them and ask how they enjoyed their dinner. I would give this restaurant 5 stars if they would put a bit more attention to decor. The room is laid out a little funny and kind of blah. But that's being picky. Come for the food and the service. You will be hard pressed to find anyone else doing anything this creative anywhere else in the NW suburbs.
(4)Nirel I.
I LOOOOOVVVVVVEEEEE this restaurant service is unsurpassed ok maybe slightly surpassed by the menu. Without a doubt the best short rib and chicken hands down. When he says crunchy kale it literally crunches. The salted caramel panna cotta is perfection. Just had to order the ricotta fritters to go for breakfast tomorrow. This is an incredible talent to have in the burbs. And without a doubt the barrel Manhattan is a must.
(5)Peter N.
Many people were telling us to try Near when we moved to Barrington. We finally made it, remembering to go on a day that wasn't Sunday or Monday. We had the fried chickpeas and burrata as starters. Then I had the pappardelle and my husband had the gnocchi. The food was amazing and simple. The fried chickpeas were addictive. Great texture, a bit on the salty side, but something that went quite well with my beer. The burrata was deliciously creamy and was awesome on the freshly grilled bread. My husband said the gnocchi was the best he's ever had and gave me a guilty look when I asked if he liked it better than my ricotta gnocchi that I make for him. I tried it. I'll admit, this was better, but mainly because they put some very tender pieces of pork shoulder in the dish. My pappardelle was simple, the Italian sausage in the dish was almost too spicy, but went well with the escarole in the dish, which gave the dish a spicy, bitter, unique flavor. I liked the gnocchi better, but devoured my pappardelle. We skipped dessert, but I'm certain that if we had indulged ourselves to the max, we wouldn't have been disappointed with dessert either. Definitely a place we'll be going back to on a regular basis. If we limit ourselves to one starter and one pasta dish each, it should be a reasonable meal. If you go, make sure you chat Gaetano up. He's got a great personality and was very attentive and made sure we were enjoying our meal.
(5)Robert C.
The menu changes monthly and is designed to be shared items. The selections are amazing and an experience you must try. The food is a mixture of country Italian with exclusive gourmet dishes you will not see elsewhere. The chef/owner greets everyone and interacts with his customers allowing for a more personal touch. Near was named one of top 50 new restaurants a year ago. We sit at the bar which allows us to meet many interesting people who are regulars. The staff are very personable.
(5)Payal T.
My husband and I finally had chance to try NEAR and wow! I am a vegetarian and they were so accommodating! Food was fantastic! The ravioli with chestnut creme sauce and grapes and arugla. Mmmmm..... Even dessert was fabulous!
(5)Kate H.
Wow! My husband took me here for our anniversary dinner, and I was so impressed. It really looks like it's not a big deal. It's in a strip mall, and the interior decorating is totally boring. However, the food is exceptional. It seems that their menu changes seasonally (I could be wrong), but they offer some fun specials too. I went into it with a totally open mind, and I'm happy I did. I tried foods that were so interesting. YUM, guys! Don't miss out!
(5)David K.
Guy is a great chef/owner. He knows how to entertain a crowd every time! Choch/ bartender& server never fails to make me laugh. GREAT FOOD GREAT SERVICE GREAT FUN! #MustTry #HiddenGem #HappyBirthday
(5)Rose D.
Yes, the star rating & my overwhelming love for NEAR remains the same but I just had to write an update. Everything I've written previously about Chef Gaetano & his lovely gem of a restaurant still holds true. I love how he changes little things up on the menu to keep it interesting for regulars. The tried and true faves are still there and some others have a new twist. For example, last night we ordered the Arancini as a starter. I saw "peas" listed on the menu in the description this time. Oookay, that's new and sounds a bit odd. But then I tried 'em and OMG what a nice springtime addition! The peas inside the Arancini gave it just a little burst of brightness in the taste mingled in with the delightful crunch of the outside contrasting with the creamy cheesy velvety texture of the inside. So good. The other tasty new twist was the pureed swiss chard added to the ricotta filling for the ravioli. Wow. Again, it added a wonderful springtime brightness & flavor to what could be a very heavy dish. Partner that with the light cream sauce it's in, the pureed beets & the sprinkling of candied walnuts and I was in ravioli heaven! I love absolutely everything on the menu! Thank you, Chef Gaetano & staff, for continuing to make it always a fabulous experience. P.S. - if you prefer white wine over red and will be enjoying pasta the 2010 Fiorano Trebbiano D'Abruzzo is amazing with all the pasta dishes, in my non-wine-educated opinion.
(5)Patrick P.
Incredible meal.. awesome service and the coffee and desert were a great ending. . Love it when they leave the whole coffee pot.. just chill and enjoy.. Rigatoni Bolognese and the grilled octopus were off the charts and the chef came and checked on us and was a pleasure to meet.. he has a great thing going at near.. highly recommended
(5)Elea O.
So much care goes into the food here! Everything is always so fresh, the meats melt in your mouth, the fish is always cooked to perfection. I have food allergies, and they always bend over backwards, on the busiest of nights to make sure I get something delicious and safe. The atmosphere is like a TV show. Super warm and friendly, drinks are amazing. Gaetano, the owner and master Chef, true to his italian origins, is as convivial as he is talented, and usually comes out several time an evening to make the rounds, wanting to make sure everything is to everybody's liking, and greet his guests. The Staff is SUPER friendly. You definitely don't just come here for Dinner. Once you come in, you want to stay a while. In fact, we've just gotten to the point where, if we want to go out for dinner, this is where we go, period. Whenever we have ventured in the area, we end up disappointed. NEAR IS THE BOMB!!!!!!
(5)Laura W.
The fettucini Bolognese. Seriously, I have dreams about the fettucini Bolognese. There is no good reason NOT to order several bowls of it.
(5)J B.
I was thoroughly pleased and surprised by this restaurant. The food was excellent and creative, and the service was top notch (including the chef stopping by to check on our meal). We brought our own wine, since the corkage is very fair ($15/bottle). However, I want to note that their wine list was a positive as well... it wasn't an extensive list, but they many interesting wines that were intelligently selected by the chef, and not just a bunch of over-priced under-performing name brand wines (Banfi, Ruffino, Caymus, etc) pushed by the local wine distributor.
(5)Marty H.
Have to agree with the other 1-star'ers on this one, although I'll toss them a star. Near is another suburban faux fine dining spot which would be out of business in a month in NYC or Chicago. The room lacks character and is about 3x larger than it needs to be, which erases any of intimacy they were trying for with the dim lights and minimalist decor. Service was inattentive and borderline rude. Mostly indifferent though. Our server stopped-by regularly, just long enough to spit-out the next question in the drink-eat-pay progression. Another lowlight, the cheap-ass white wine pour. 1" in the bottom of the glass? Please. This isn't 1978 Montrachet we're drinking here. The appetizers were mostly middle of the road (Eggplant, Burratta, and Octopus) - underwhelming across the board. The cheese was the best of the 3... it's melty cheese & some kinda toasted bread. Wifey had Gnocchi which was anything but pillow-y. Meh. Chicken entre was fine, albeit probably too salty... but you wouldn't notice because it's paired with the most disgustingly oversalted Broccoli Rabe ever. Really, it was gross. This place is a pass.
(2)Angelica H.
This restaurant has the best food that I know of in the Northwest Suburbs.
(5)Peter K.
I think this place is a great addition to Barrington. The food is great...appetizers: eggplant, shrimp, burrata, etc. All rock. I think all the pastas are excellent and well portioned. All the entrees I have had were solid. I am particularly fond of the walleye! Finally, the deserts are a blast. The ricotta fritters are awesome. Keep up the good work.
(5)m t.
I ordered pasta for dinner and got 4-5 ravioli on my plate for $13. The waiter wasn't especially friendly either. Seemed mostly interested in getting us to order more. Bottom line: Overpriced.
(2)Jim H.
My wife and I decided to try this place after watching a movie at the Catlow Theatre. We arrived about 7:30pm on a Saturday night. We were told it would be a 30 minute wait, which we agreed to, so it gave us time to assess the menu as well as the restaurant itself. After 5 minutes, both of us decided it wasn't worth the wait. We were very surprised at the lack of decor in the entire restaurant and lounge. I've seen low scale coffee shops that look more appealing than this place! The first think you notice about the dining room is, well, the kitchen. It's loud and very distracting. If I'm out to enjoy a meal, I don't want to be overwhelmed by the activities going on in the kitchen, and that's exactly what stuck out to both my wife and I while we're were waiting for a table. Also, everything looked disheveled...2 empty tables had no chairs, and a few chairs were just scattered in the middle of aisle and against a wall. Really?? The tables and chairs looked more suitable for a local beer hall than an upscale Italian restaurant. The menu is very limited, and although it wasn't outrageously expensive, it wasn't cheap either. Pasta dishes were around $13 and the house specialties were $24 and higher. And when the servers came out with the food for a particular table near us, we noticed how small the portions were. Ok, we didn't eat there, so I don't know how good the food actually is. But we ended up going to a different restaurant that offered great food and service and the ambiance was so much better than this place...and probably for less money. Sorry folks...just don't see the appeal here.
(2)Victoria C.
Well here I go..... Slow service, cheapest glass of wine is $8 and the pours are tiny, the atmosphere is not the same standard as the food, the menu is small which isn't a problem, but they need to update the menu on their website - i went to this restaurant after finding ONE item on the online menu that I really wanted - when I dined in the menu had different items and not the item I actually went there for. the servers all seemed like college kids on break or recent grads without a job (my server seemed clueless, never asked how our food was, took 10 mins for the first glass of wine, told us he would come back an explain the menu to us but took him over 20 minutes to come back) Portions are small, although I did assume that. I did enjoy my food but can't imagine going back based on the service received - dining is not just about food - it's about the total experience and I did not enjoy mine at Near.
(2)Kendra P.
NEAR is our absolute favorite restaurant in the Northern Suburbs! The staff is wonderful and friendly. Service is fantastic. But what we love most is the amazing food. Chef Gaetano outdoes himself with unique Italian dishes! You must try his fried polenta bites and burratta cheese - mouth watering!
(5)Joe W.
Gaetano is awesome! Great local Italian place with authentic, authentic Italian Cuisine! I go here about once a month, the Gnocci w/ Braised Pork sauce is amazing.
(5)Mark M.
Octopus grilled with beans & bacon was spectacular. Surprise hit is the risotto - like I have never experienced before - a must order.
(4)Antoknight B.
Great food and drinks. Love the modern twist on Italian food
(5)Brian F.
Very cool place! Great food in a hard-to-believe post office mall location. The restaurant and furniture are kind of cold and clinical while the staff and chef are warm and friendly. Hopefully they will address this when they move to a more suitable location for a great restaurant. We had the fried chickpeas, mushrooms confit, fried polenta bites, Arancini, Risotto, chicken, and pork loin. The real outstanding dishes were the fired polenta bites and pork loin. The polenta was creamy in the middle and crispy on the outside. The pork loin was perfectly cooked to a light pink middle and was perfectly tender. The chicken dish was perfectly cooked, but I didn't care for the sauce at all. I will definitely be back here! I probably would give them 4 for the food but the attentive staff and chef put them over the top!
(5)Kris L.
Back for the fourth time to NEAR and their new scallop entree with fava beans and shiitake mushrooms is fantastic. The scallops were perfectly cooked and the sauces and garnishes made it rich and delicious. The chef and his team are bringing on great service, knowledgable staff and contemporary Italian dishes that look back to the past but embrace the future of Italian style.
(4)Carri N.
Wow! I haven't ventured past the gnocchi because it's so amazing, but we had the rigatoni this time and it was to die for! Not a huge fan of Italian sausage, but this dish changed that for me. Yum! Stuck with the arugula salad because it's the best. Never disappointed here.
(5)Corryn A.
I only heard about this place from a friend of mine. Without her, I would have never known about this place. It's in a very nondescript building and the parking is completely obscured. It almost feels like you are a VIP if you know how to find this place! It's bigger inside than I expected. It looks newly remodeled inside of an older brick building. I was disappointed that there was no character. It looked like one of those homes on HGTV with the white baseboard and the green/gray walls. I think a more "industrial urban" look inside would have fit the food concept and the logo really well. We opted to sit at the bar instead of the tables and got there early on a Friday night. I love that you can get the full menu at the bar. Wine is served in stemless glasses - a nice modern touch. Ladies' restroom is brand-new and clean. I love that they have a small menu that changes. We just opted to have small bites and martinis. I wish I remember which one I had, because it was DELISH. We had the marinated eggplant, the shrimp, and I could have sworn something else, but by now the liquor was kicking in and I didn't pay attention to much else. The food is wonderful - the shrimp was so vibrant and the eggplant was tasty, although a bit oily. It's shaved paper-thin and served in a glass bowl with the marinade. Never had eggplant prepared that way before. It was great. The shrimp was almost like a stew - so I took the bread from the eggplant and dipped it in the bowl. We wanted to swim in it. I will definitely be back, if I can find it. I'm not helping anyone discover this secret, so don't ask. I only took 1 star off for the blah decor. The food could compete in the city, so I want the decor to look like I'm in the city. So happy to have a place like this close to home!!!
(4)Doug A.
If I told you how good the food is here you wouldn't beleive me. Go try for yourself. The burrata cheese appetizer will floor you, it's amazing. I've been here about 6 times and have just an awesome culinary experience. I've almost tried everything on the menu and have yet to be dissapointed. I'm so glad this place is walkable from my house. The chef here creates magic. The drinks are a plenty. The polenta bites are so great. Everything is so fresh. It's nice to go to a restuarant where the chef comes out asks how everything, shakes your hand, thanks you, and remembers your name. The guy is solid. This is a must if your in a 50 mile radius. People have found out about it and reservations are a must on weekends. You won't be dissapointed.
(5)Robin R.
What a find! Don't be put off by the strip mall location. You can tell the chef worked at some of the best restaurants in Chicago. Truly excellent food, a charming young chef, and a comfortable modern dining room. Our group enjoyed an excellent green salad, marinated eggplant, luscious burrata cheese, fried polenta bites, perfectly cooked pork loan and a special of incredible lamb meatballs. Service was spot on, and the personable chef stopped byt o make sure we enjoyed our meal and to chat. This is a keeper -- cannot wait to go back!
(4)Joe J.
Having just had a completely overrated experience at an overpriced restaurant in the city (you can check out my review of Paris Club for that sob story), I was leery that this one might be another ... but no chance - it was everything the reviews have said - a great hidden gem in the Barrington burbs. We had attempted to get in on a Friday night two weeks ago. Called around 6:00 to see how long the wait was - nothing open 'til 9:30. Discouraging, but a good sign. So we decided to go by on a Tuesday and had no problem getting a table. The only reservation we have at all about the place is one that others have noted ... the decor, despite being tasteful and modern, needs some texture. Even some more tables would help it seem warmer, but I doubt that the kitchen could handle the extra capacity of the new tables. Maybe some high-back fabric covered chairs or something along those lines. Chef seems to have figured everything else out so I'm sure he'll tweak something about the decor based on everyone's input to get it to the next level. The three of us each ordered an appetizer, entree and dessert, with assistance from our very helpful and friendly waiter. The eggplant is incredible (didn't expect to love pickled eggplant, but it is soooo good) as are the shrimp and the grilled calamari (the anchovy touch is perfect). The best part is that none of these are prepared as you would find them commonly (boringly?) prepared in every other restaurant. As we moved through the entrees and dessert, we got too full to continue - but did anyhow. Every last morsel, gone! The flavors of each dish were full and wonderful. When eating at a place like this that has such great diversity of flavors, I highly recommend dining with friends or family - those who are willing to eat family style. We each had tastes of nine unique and very palate-pleasing dishes in this fashion. If there were a 4-1/2 start choice, that's where I'd be - just due to the fact that the ambiance needs a bit of work. Seriously though, if that's the biggest problem, then this is a place that I expect is going to get busier and busier - so give it a shot while you can still get a table (weeknights). If you don't know the area, make sure you get good directions from someone who knows their way around. It's one of those "inconveniently located" spots that has its entrance from a courtyard that doesn't front to any street - so you have to work your way into the courtyard-style parking lot to find it. Street visibility would definitely drive this place over-the-top busy, so maybe this is a hidden blessing for those of us who hope to return and actually get a table.
(5)Benjamin B.
Great bartender in Jimmy made the already great food am experience worth coming back to
(5)Jim D.
Awesome food!! The flavor profiles they get out if the food are the best. I have been here over 10 times and never had a bad meal.
(5)Sean F.
Short review: Gaetano Nardulli worked under Tony Mantuano and Michael Carlson. And he lives up to the standards of both of these ridiculously talented chefs. Go now. Slightly longer review: We went here the night after Thanksgiving about 7:30. Having just finished the pub quiz at McGonigals (note to self, review bar and pub quiz) my brain was no longer a functioning instrument, so this review is only "slightly longer" than the one above. We didn't have a reservation. The restaurant wasn't full. This alone made me hate the suburbs. There should have been a wait for a table at that time on a Friday. But enough about why the suburbs are awful. We went with a few small plates to share. The burrata was excellent, the balsamic and tomato jam giving the dish some nice acidity and sharp flavor to cut the creaminess of the cheese. The crostini with chicken liver was nicely whipped and a little bit of black truffle gave earthiness to the dish. Fried polenta was nice, but nothing out of the ordinary. In retrospect I really need to quit ordering any and everything with the word "fried" in it if I want to live past 40. Knowing Chef Gaetano's history working at Schwa with their awe-inspiring quail egg ravioli we had to try the ravioli dish. I am cast no aspersion when I say that the Near ravioli was not as life-changing. However it was a very solid pasta. The use of peas and radishes to add lightness was welcome. Service was very friendly, and the fact that Chef Gaetano remembered us from dining at Schwa was mind-boggling as I need 20 minutes to find my keys every morning. If I lived anywhere close to Barrington this would be THE must-visit place. As it is I hope to find a few more chances than before to get out that way and try the rest of the menu. This is a warm, comfortable place to eat excellent food.
(4)Linda R.
Haven't been to this place since it was Grandpa's Deli -- and that's been awhile! Heard good things from other friends, so with a snowstorm on the way and the desire to get out of the house, we called for reservations, and snagged a table. We decided to stick with the small plates so we could try several things. The first round was the chickpeas/olives and the mushrooms. Delicious! The chickpeas were flash fried - nice coating on the outside and creamy on the inside. And a generous portion. Mushrooms were also wonderful, but had to cut them up a little to put them on the bread. Thin slices of cheese were a nice touch. Second round was the polenta bites and the shrimp. Heaven! Sauce on the shrimp was fabulous, with nice dipping bread cubes. Polenta was nicely done with a creamy dipping sauce. Third round - too full! So we'll have to come back and try the others we selected! So sad it took us so long to find this place. Very much a foodie place. Thought the décor was nicely done - more modern and fit with the menu in our opinion. And noting a reviewer who wanted the tables closer together -- appreciated that we felt like we weren't sitting on our neighbor's laps. Although funny, we ran into good friends there, and talked over the aisle. Had a great time.
(4)Karen K.
This restaurant was recommended by an acquaintance. The service was great. The food selection is not large, but well prepared. If you're looking for a more contemporary restaurant with well prepared food and good service, this is the place
(5)Cecilia B.
Living in the far suburbs of Chicago, it's a challenge to find a suburban restaurant that caters to a more sophisticated palate. We typically head into Chicago, but now, we finally have an option to stay near ;) home. My husband and I were so intrigued by the starters that we ordered five of them, and they were excellent. The mushrooms were heaven, LOVED the chickpeas, the burratta cheese was creamy and decadent, and the polenta bites were creamy on the inside and crispy on the outside. We also ordered a scallop special which was very good as well. For entrees, my husband ordered the gnocchi which had a deep, rich red sauce that reminded him of a cioppino - and he loved it. He said the gnocchi were excellent - very tender. I ordered the risotto which was unlike many I've ordered as it was served in a delicious creamy sauce - we would both order our entrees again. Nicely stocked bar for martini's, wine list was nice, and the beer list had several craft beers to choose from. I'm gluten free and had no problem (obviously!), finding many options that I could choose from. Near is a gem of a restaurant, I'm just bummed we took so long to find it!
(5)T.P M.
The food is over the top good, (try the Shrimp!), and always fresh. Great spot!!
(4)Tom L.
I live here in town, and for whatever reason we only just now finally got around to trying NEAR out. Glad, very glad we did. As some have said, the decor is, shall we say, spartan. But spartan is an aesthetic, and if country lodge taxidermy or Holly Hobbie frilly is your dilly-O, you might be let down. As hip suburban wannabes, the wife and I fit right in. The food is spot on. I've lived in Borington for most of my life, but I've also traveled a bit, and I'm a bit of a gourmand myself, and I found myself saying to the Mrs. During the appetizer "I've never had favors like this in Barrington before". I love Ciao Baby just around the corner, and they are still the kings for comfort Italian and value, but they don't have a full bar, which has stopped me from doing dinn there about twenty times since they opened. When ya wanna drink, ya wanna drink! NEAR has a not only full, but interesting bar. We'll be back.
(4)Darlene L.
This place is fantastic. The food is so fresh and plentiful that we awaited each course with anticipation. Burrata with beets was nicely plated and so good with the toasted bread. It was a nice starter to share. Loved the fettuccine Bolognese. Sauce was rich but did not overpower the al dente pasta. Entrees of whitefish and chicken were excellent and large portions. Brought a top notch Merlot to accompany dinner. Corkage is a reasonable $15. Service is not polished but friendly and unpretentious. Would like to see stemmed wine glasses to kick up the atmosphere a bit. All in all, this place is a winner.
(5)JC O.
Sorry to buck the trend here. I'd like to preface my criticism with I enjoy a lot of different cuisines, and have spent some time in Italy. I'd like to think I have a decent understanding of what makes a good restaurant and what doesn't. I do take exception to someone calling another person childish names if they don't agree with their opinion (Tom B.). At the end of the day it doesn't matter if only a small few like a place, this restaurant will succeed by catering to a larger audience, not the few. Watch an episode of Restaurant: Impossible sometime.... On to my review: Things I liked: The decor was nice if a little bare, the welcome from the wait staff was great, and it was very roomy on the dining side. Unfortunately the roominess and lack of more decor made the space feel somewhat clinical/masculine, and lacked some warmth. During our meal the owner/chef came out to check on the whole restaurant and was very nice and amenable. You couldn't help but want to help him to succeed. Too many places that we visit (ESPECIALLY when they are new) don't bother to connect with their guests. A cardinal sin in my book. Parking was NOT an issue at all and the place was well signposted and easy to find. We arrived at a quiet moment with our 7 year old, and everything was great at first. Things that I didn't like: The menu was a lot smaller than I would have liked. One reviewer correctly stated that there was 1 Fish, 1 Pork, 1 Beef, and 1 Chicken entree. The fish in question was not identified. I think they could have added a few more options with similar ingredients without too much extra cost to the restaurant. The overall concept (which is based on the Italian concept of eating for a long time and sharing lots of small dishes) works out to be very pricey if you have an appetizer each and entrees each. Comparative to Francesca's across the road the overall meal worked out to 30% more than the equivalent there. Wine was excessive at $11 for a mediocre white wine. I like the appetizer plates, but they were a bit too oily for my wife. We had the mushroom on crostini, shrimp with focaccia, and chicken fried meatball appetizers. Overall I'd have to say 4/10 there on that round. For main entrees we had tagliatelle bolognaise (not very nice - salty), gnocchi pork (we all really like that), and the risotto (over salty and too wet). We read the reviews here on the desserts and wanted to try out the chocolate dish and the deep fried cheese dish with vanilla sugar. Unfortunately for me the cheese dish was very dry and slightly overcooked. The chocolate dish was well presented but the tastes were too conflicting and didn't come off for my wife who is a chocoholic. Service started to die off once the place got busy and moving (about 30% capacity) and our overall experience took close to 2 hours from start to finish through waiting. The chef owner asked us if everything was ok several times (big plus for him) but failed to offer any alternative when our risotto went back mostly untouched. He said he knew it was salty because of the fish roe, and never offered another dish to make up for it. Good customer practice imho. So overall I would say 7 for effort, but 2/3 for execution, with food being 2/3. Before other reviewers start attacking my palate or accuse me of being an Olive Garden groupie, I loved a small restaurant that we used to have in Barrington called Eclectic and were there 2-3 times a month. That was a gastronomic delight. I hate most chain restaurants. I think that with some tweaking, some regular movement of the menu (some reviews on here mention the same dishes I had and the reviews are over a year old which means the dishes are the same and no movement), and a little more work on the decor, NEAR could be a gem, but for now, we will not be going back for a while. We wish the owner success and hope they read this.
(2)Vito D.
We had friends staying at the Renaissance in Schaumburg and decided to pay NEAR a visit. I have been to NEAR a handful of times for dinner and once for a banquet.....always great food and service. Our dinner at NEAR last weekend was perfect. We started off with appetizers....Marinated Eggplant, Arancini and Polenta Bites were amazing. For dinner, I had the Pappardelle with Lamb Ragout....outstanding flavor and fresh. The lamb melted in your mouth with subtle hints of fresh rosemary...reminded me of Italian Easter dinner. I sampled my wife's Ravioli Brown Butter Sauce with Roasted Brussel Sprouts and Cauliflower, delicious. My two sons enjoyed the Braised Pork Gnocchi which is always good....was the first dish I had at NEAR. Our friends, vegetarians, said their dishes were phenominal....Broccoli Risotto and Ravioli Brown Butter Sauce. They are excited to try NEAR again when they are back in town.
(5)Chris M.
We were VERY excited on trying this place out, so we finally went. The rating for the review was mostly for the service, this place stood out for how poor it was. WE were rudely stared at when arriving at this empty room by a hostess that seemed to be bothered by people. We have never had such a clueless server either. Maybe it was her first day but the bus boys should have taken her job because they were the only good thing about this place. We waited 20 minutes for a check after we asked for it. The food was decent but nothing special especially for the price. I felt I was being upsold to order a 10 dollar appetizer. 20 bucks for two drinks was a bit over the top as well. Will never, ever come back here. The only way this place got the high reviews could only possibly be from people that have never experienced better cuisine or they all know everyone that works here. Awful service
(1)Jaime B.
Is this really in the suburbs. Stunning. Innovative food. Great prices. And most importantly f*cking hospitality.
(5)Dan W.
Went for the first time on a Saturday night, very nice looking and inviting, servers dressed in black and chefs in blue aprons. Our waitress was more than happy to go into detail of everything on the menu or the wine list. We had a selection of dishes, everything from the fried chic peas to pickled eggplant. Everything tasted amazing. For the main courses we selected the gnocchi, fettuccine with meat sauce and white pepper, it too was exceptional, the chef also stopped out a few times to see what we thought about the food. I was pleasantly surprised that a place so contemporary and classy would exist in a strip mall in the suburbs. We will be telling all our friends about it! And by the time we were finished, the place was packed...
(5)Yakuza G.
Poor value for so-so, "nouveau" cuisine. The proprietors have done a great job with the facility - which used to be a deli. The ambiance is very nice, but the food is only fair, is expensive, and comes in portions that can generously be described as "modest". I can only attribute the high ratings to the fact that there are so few decent upscale restaurants in the Village of Barrington. If you have a choice between Near and other decent restaurants in the area, take a pass on this.
(1)M. H.
4 of us just had our first experience at NEAR this weekend and were very pleased with our time there. PROs: Appetizers: The arancini were amazingly crisp on the outside and moist on the inside, not greasy at all. The fried polenta bites were also very moist and tender, but definitely needed the sauce it came with. They may be bland without the sauce. Entrees: My gnocchi with braised pork and fontina was to die for. The gnocchi wasn't gummy and dense. The braised pork and marinara sauce had unbelievable flavor - not bland at all. My husband had the rock shrimp risotto and it was gone in about 5 minutes. My brother-in-law ordered the halibut and said it was one of the most moist, flavorful halibut he's ever had (and he's quite picky). My sister-in-law ordered the chicken with the scrambled eggs, potatoes, and truffle. She's picky also, and really enjoyed the flavor combination that the chef created. Desserts: We ordered 1 of each dessert on the menu and were overall pleased, but thought it was the least exciting of the entire night's feast. CONs: Parking is a little hard to get to if you don't know the area. I was also bummed that Prosecco was the only sparkling wine/champagne that you could drink by the glass. The rest you had to order the bottle. They also didn't have Riesling, which should be a white wine staple. Pomegranate martinis were delicious, but seemed to have no alcohol in them whatsoever. Our server hardly smiled, which always makes you feel somewhat "wah wah wah," but I'll give her props for her promptness. Overall, the food was amazingly fresh and meticulously prepared. It's very apparent that this chef takes his food seriously. I know some reviewers though the atmosphere was bland and lackluster, but that didn't bother us because the food was astonishing. I'd rather have great food and an okay ambiance than terrible food with a beautiful décor. We will absolutely be back to NEAR again!
(5)Lou L.
Outstanding. Flavors and freshness of ingredients was apparent. Even items I wasn't sure I'd like we're delicious. Casual service and simple decor put all the focus on the food as it should be when it's this good. Love this place
(5)Bruce K.
This is the top restaurant in Barrington, the top restaurant in the Northwest Burbs and one of the best restaurants in the Chicago area.
(5)Sarah S.
Came for dinner at 7 on a Friday night and stayed 3.5 hours! Long time, but so much fun. Well paced meal to match the bottles if wine we were consuming and the great conversations taking place. Loved the risotto (of course!) and also the eggplant small plates. Staff friendly and interactive, owner/chef was also out mingling amongst the tables. Great night, great place!
(5)Pete D.
One of the best kept secrets in the entire Chicago area. Every dish is spot on. Service is friendly and they know their food. Wine list is good and they care about it. I'd recommend sharing as many dishes as you can. Get a group and just have at it. Don't miss the Bolognese though, which is killer!
(5)Erin A.
This restaurant is a hidden gem in Barrington. As a recent transplant from the city, this restaurant reminds me so much of a restaurant that should be in the city! Their food is simple yet amazingly delicious. The staff is attentive, helpful making recommendations and the chef came by our table to give us some info on the menu and thank us from coming. Definitely try the eggplant appetizer (small plate) as it's the chef's grandma's recipe. The cheese is also really yummy (small plate) as is just about anything on the menu. This isn't your typical Italian restaurant with marinara sauce and cheese poured over huge servings of food. The food is light, fresh and definitely worth a try!
(5)Meghan K.
It's wonderful to see a restaurant like this outside of Chicago. We ordered a few small plates, and each of us ordered a pasta. The eggplant was really excellent, the grilled octopus was pretty good. We also ordered the chicken liver but the black truffle flavor was missing. As for pasta, I had the gnocchi and was very impressed. I asked for a red wine to go with my pasta but received a white.. thought I'd try it, maybe it'd pair and I just didn't know it? But no luck. Saved it for dessert, which was the chocolate dish with grapefruit and pretzels... delicious. The service was a bit hit or miss. But overall, having something like this in the 'burbs is awesome.
(4)Kelly G.
We were very excited to try this new restaurant that was a bit different than every other italian place. We were quickly disappointed. We found the decor to be cold, service slow, and food ok especially for the price. You are encouraged to order small plates and pasta to share and then a main course for each person. Each of these items are reasonably priced but when you order the amount the recommend it quickly becomes pricey. We ordered the polenta bites, which were ok, the crostini, and the croquettes, which were basically breaded and fried sausage bites, something you could get at any pub. For our pasta course we ordered the fettucine bolognese, tortellini, and the risotto. The first two were average and the risotto was too al dente and runny. Our main courses pork, halibut, and ribeye were good but average. This restaurant doesnt not serve bread on the table but were very happy to accomodate the request but we were served very bland dried out foccacia. I had high hopes for the restaurant but found the food to be average at best. Maybe when some kinks are worked out I will return.
(2)Andy M.
Hands down the best suburban restaurant for miles around. Great service and a visible chef/owner. Limited menu with much flavor. Do yourself a favor and just order a number of the apps between you. It's like a tasting menu and you won't be disappointed with any of the dishes on this ever changing menu. Book ahead as it will be full. They could provide more tables but then that would just spoil the atmosphere. Oh, and the bartender was a great guy too!
(5)Erica J.
Brand new restaurant opened in Barrington this past week. Went there with my family from out of town which included two picky kids. Atmosphere was very warm with lots of dark woods, feels slightly more upscale but very comfortable (we were dressed in jeans and t-shirts trying to stay cool in the 100+ weather). They're promoting small plates, which reminds me of tapas. Seems to be set-up so that you can do courses, so all the portions are not typical restaurant portions. Prices are very reasonable appetizer course $6-$11, pasta course $10-$12 and entree course $18-22. Our table shared a bunch of appetizers including Confit Shimejii Mushrooms, Shrimp in a creamy garlic and herb sauce with roasted tomatoes and Burratta Cheese. If you have never had Burratta cheese I definitely recommend that you try it immediately! Its fresh mozzarella infused with cream, this was utter heaven and imported directly from Italy according to the Chef. I have a gluten allergy so I wasn't able to try the bread or pasta, but my mouth was watering as everyone at my table devoured theirs. The server came around to our table several times offering fresh focaccia out of the oven. The picky kids enjoyed Risotto and fresh pasta with marinara sauce. My aunt raved over the Spaghetti alla chitarra that had grilled octopus, asparagus and fresh herbs. I really liked the concept of the small plates, this way you can try a little bit of everything that sounds good on the menu. The menu is on the smaller side, but if you do something you should do it well and that seems to be what NEAR is aiming for. I did suggest that the Chef look into some rice pasta for us gluten intolerant people. Almost forgot...I had the meanest pomegranate martini. Check out NEAR. Support local business!
(5)Vicki K.
Becoming less enchanted....still a quality place, but last time we went, service was lacking...then last night, service was better, but after a much touted "re-design", the only improvement in the decor was some nice booths put in the bar area.....I really don't care about the decor, but with a limited menu, I would expect a more frequent change in the menu..it's becoming boring. Will continue to go to Near, but maybe only once or twice a year, as that seems the frequency of a changed menu.
(3)sandi e.
The early reviews are true - downtown Barrington has a new local gem. Chef Gaetano Nardulli and his team expertly prepare savory dishes for sharing in addition to other delicious entrees and pastas. The atmosphere is perfect for a date or small late night gatherings but hurry in and make a reservation soon because this place is starting to fill up quick. Some of my favorite dishes were: burratta cheese - perfectly creamy and fresh, the tomato and olive mixture served with crostini makie it a great combo. roasted fish with black garlic and roasted cauliflower gnochi - very light and full of flavor... amazing!
(5)Jack T.
Outstanding food! This is Italian as it should be . All fresh ingredients and super creative!
(5)Mike M.
I was a little underwhelmed when first looking at menu. It was a bit short and the descriptions of the food was pretty simple. But then the food came to the table and the underwhelming came to a quick halt. Some really great dishes and very interesting food combinations. The highlights on our trip were the risotto and the panna cotta desert. I definitely plan to go back.
(5)F M.
Ignore the "so called" reviewers that didn't love the food at NEAR... those people can't be foodies and they must have been looking for an Olive Garden when they stumbled upon upscale food beyond their understanding. If you're looking for a place with a bottomless bread basket and 3LB portions of spaghetti and meatballs, NEAR is not for you. Rather than go on and on, I'll just say - they're wrong... NEAR offers a concise menu of elevated dishes featuring primarily Italian ingredients of premium quality. The sauces, reductions and other accompaniments are delicious, unusual and meticulously prepared. For your first two courses, you choose from approximately 10 "Shared Plates" and then move to a course of Pasta. The portions sizes for Shared Plates and Pastas are not large but are certainly big enough to share for two people. You then have four choices for entrée which the chef seems to change approximately every month or so but they seem to be consistently one each of: seafood, poultry, pork or beef. The seafood entrée has varied from such things as Zuppa di Pesce to scallops compared to the beef entrée which has featured cuts such as short ribs and ribeye. I've never been disappointed. Desserts are interesting and worth trying along with a properly prepared espresso with a thick layer of crema. The décor is simple and clean because NEAR is all about the food and you'll appreciate that the tables are spread out offering plenty of room and comfort. The kitchen team delivers and describes the food to you, ready to answer questions you may have. Similarly, Chef Gaetano frequently visits the tables and attends to the guests like family in a fun and casual atmosphere. The prices are very reasonable for food of this quality - dishes range from $6-$25. The wine list is fair sized with good wines at all prices or pay corkage and you can BYO. There is also a full bar for before and/or after your meal with good options including craft beer and Italian staples such as Sambuca, Grappa and homemade Limoncello.
(5)Kevin R.
Great places out here in the suburbs are few and far between, this is one of them. Everything we've had has been fantastic. Service has been good. It's not a fancy place, just a little storefront in a strip mall. Try the Burratta, it was delicious. As was the ribeye.
(4)Richard S.
The food was spectacular! My whole family enjoyed everything we ordered. My four year old daughter loved the grilled octopus, which was cooked to perfection. It was tender and not chewy at all. The marinated eggplant was my favorite. The flavors were bold yet subdued and I just couldn't get enough of the marinade... I had to ask for more bread to dip in it! The chicken liver on top of the garlic bread was out of this world! Its flavor was liver but toned down. This was our first visit and we just stumbled upon the place as we were exploring. We will come back again and again!
(5)Kate F.
Dinner at NEAR was absolutely wonderful on Friday night. There were a few hiccups: the server did not perform proper wine service and entrees took much too long. HOWEVER, the food itself was incredible. I couldn't believe our bill was only $100, I definitely felt like a three course meal of that quality would've set us back twice as much in the city. My only complaint is the ambiance. Dim lighting, art, plush furniture and booths would bring this place to the next level. The dining room is a very basic square room. I would love to see the owners fill the space out. It would be difficult to bring any non-foodie suburbanites to this restaurant because the ambiance is so stark. Maybe that is the point....
(4)Bill A.
So so. Probably never go back.
(2)Chelsea H.
As great as the food was, the service drags this whole review down. We made reservations for a Friday night meal with four of us friends. We were told as we were sat that all of our orders would come out at once. Mine came a solid fifteen minutes before everyone else's. Good thing we were all sharing dishes anyway. I also asked for a side that never came. It was about twenty minutes for them to tell us that they were out of a specific wine we asked for. The food was great, but the service was awful. I can't even blame our waitress because I heard her asking for our bread twice, and about our drinks. I do blame it on the guy with the apron who kept coming up to the front of the house to play grab ass with every single female on the staff. Groping the host in front of all the guests and then going in for the other waitresses at the bench in the back. It was just gross to watch. He came up a handful of times, literally just to grab a handful and sachet himself right back to the kitchen. I would definitely eat there again... If I ordered for takeout.
(1)Karen Z.
So Good! I read the reviews about the place before I went, people talked about the amazing food, short menu and lack of ambiance. YES the food was SO GOOD! Our server gave great explanations and offered suggestions. Food came out promptly and excellent. The eggplant starter.... YUM. Gnocchi... YUM again! Yes the Chef came out and asked how things were, so kind and nice! I appreciated the short menu, sometimes there are too many choices and everything was good. We were celebrating a birthday and they offered a free dessert- again, AMAZING. The combinations of flavors and textures were awesome. Before heading home the Chef asked if we'd like to stay for a drink, on the house, and since you can't really say no to that- we did! Immediately the patrons at the bar and the staff included us in conversations like we were old friends. As far as the comments on the decor... maybe they've changed things but I didn't think it was bare or cold at all. It was very clean and open, and any lack of decor was MORE than made up with outstanding service and great food. I highly recommend this place!
(5)Nick F.
Best Italian in Barrington. Unassuming from the outside, so-so decor, but interesting food. Not all classic dishes, more of an Italian 'fusion' with the chef going off-piste a little.
(4)Malorie F.
So excited to have discovered this restaurant. It sits a bit off the beaten path, so I didn't even know it existed until recently. The website seems to be down right now but rest assured they are open and serving up scrumptious food! We could have made a meal by ordering four or five of the small plates (polenta, arancini, fried chickpeas, yes please!), but the entrees were equally as appealing so we limited ourselves to just two. We started with the newest up and coming star on seemingly everyone's menu, burrata (which was delicious), as well as the grilled octopus. The octopus was cooked to perfection, which is hard to do, so we enjoyed it. For entrees we had the rib eye and the risotto. The rib eye was cooked with the perfect pink center, and looked like a labor of love. The risotto had almonds, cauliflower and olives in it, and it was a flavor fiesta! Very tasty indeed. The food took a little while to come out, but once it did you could tell the time was due to the attention to detail and the fresh preparation, so it was worth the wait. And since the dining room is cozy and soothing, it was all that much more tolerable. They have a pretty good wine list, but also offer a $15 corkage fee if you just HAD to have your favorite varietal with their delicious food. The music they had on was interesting. I've never before nibbled on frisee to the musings of AC/DC, but I'd do it again. Oh, and their posted hours claim they are open until 2, which is a rarity in the Barrington/Fox River Grove area. Not that they would really cater to the drunken stumbling "need-to-stuff-my-face" crowd, but at least we know there's ONE option should we ever find ourselves in need of SOMETHING on our way home from the train station, other than the freezer burned blueberries in our freezer at home.
(5)J A.
My favorite restaurant in the burbs!!! Great service, atmosphere and most importantly the food is incredible...Everything here is amazing!
(5)Pat N.
Flavorful; down to earth fresh food goodness; burrata cheese with roasted garlic, tomato jam and balsamic vinaigrette ; tender grilled octopus with chimichurri, fresh garbanzos fennel and almonds; home made pappardelle with anchovy tomato sauce and chili flakes; grilled chicken breast with creamy leeks and kumquats asparagus. attentive and friendly service. Decor is sparse/minimalist; generous space between tables. A welcome addition to Barrington's neighborhood dining. It is a bit difficult to find, as it is not visible from both entrances of the small shopping center where it's located. So be persistent, look for it. We will be coming back. Can't wait to sample more of this talented kitchen's creations.
(4)Anne R.
Great meal & good service. We found NEAR on Yelp while looking for a place near a softball tournament. Small plates were delicious & different. Pastas were fresh & flavorful. We'll go back when in the area again.
(4)Cinda P.
Food is fabulous !! Best in Barrington The ravioli with fresh peas is wonderful!! Decor is cold and unwelcoming, more like a breakfast place than a dinner spot . But really, go for the food!
(4)Paul G.
A very unobtrusive restaurant that has some of the best food you'll ever have. Try the marinated eggplant, it's wonderful and the burrata is the best I've ever tasted. Very friendly and dedicated staff make this a wonderful experience. Highly recommended.
(5)Laura A.
I love this little gem in Barrington. I have been there twice for wondeful meals. I love the shared plate concept and the fact that you can byo wine for a $15.00 corkage fee is nice. The wait staff is attentive and it's a special touch to have the chef come around and check on your meal. Be sure and try the marinated egg plant and the shrimp small plate dish. The gnocchi is to die for! The other nice thing about this place is that you don't have to break the bank in order to get a nice meal out.
(4)Jacqui P.
Had the pleasure of dinning at NEAR in Barrington this weekend. The food was A- MAZING! What an undiscovered GEM in a tiny strip mall just the other side of the tracks in the village of Barrington. Kelly was our waiter, pleasant, helpful and personable-refreshing! We started with three of the small shared plates-burrata cheese (melt in your mouth heaven on a plate), the shrimp dish (OMG saucy goodness) and the Arugula Salad(perfect balance of lemon,spice and crunch). After such a tasty start it left us excited to peruse the menu for our next course....After consulting with Kelly again we excitedly ordered the scallop dish and the fettuccine and meat sauce. Hands down my husband and I thought the scallop dish was the BEST dish we have ever had! Words can't describe- run don't walk to NEAR to experience true scallop bliss? The fettuccine was good - honestly could have used more kick. But did melt in my mouth, and I would order it again (with a side of red pepper flake). THE only thing I would say needs attention, is the decor........needs to be warmed up-a bit sparse, throw some white table cloths on the tables with lovely votives, the tables are a bit slight in scale. The lighting is lovely but the artwork could be larger. There is enough space for additional seating- fill in the blanks! With SUCH AMAZING tasty different (in a good way) food you will need more seating for the crowds!
(4)Michael L.
Just tried this place, it was recommended by a friend and I have to say it was definitely worth the drive from Naperville. There were 4 of us so we tried each others orders and no disappointment by any of us the staff was friendly and prompt the Chef/owner Guitano came out to introduce himself and checked to see if we were satisfied and if we had any special requests which I really liked. I will recommend that you give it a try it's new and I'm sure it will get really popular and hard to get in but I will definitely go back for dinner again even if I have to wait a bit!!
(5)Laura G.
Went to NEAR for the first time last night. What a wonderful little place! It is separated into a nice bar section and a regular seating section; my friend and I sat in the regular seating section. Our server, although I don't remember his name, was very nice and helpful with recommendations, and we felt in no way rushed, nor did we feel neglected. I have a feeling that their small menu changes often, but always keeps staples: shared plates, pastas, and meat entrees. Both of us had pastas: a risotto and a gnocchi, and shared a cheese dish appetizer. Everything tasted so fresh and authentic and individually produced. They don't overwhelm you with quantity of food here, but it was filling nonetheless, especially my risotto which was deliciously rich. It was a great ambiance, and I would definitely return the next time I am in Barrington looking for a nice (but not over-the-top expensive) dinner out.
(5)danielle o.
We had dinner at Near last night and can honestly say that everything was outstanding. This restaurant is for people that truly appreciate authentic Italian food, not your typical "all the bread you can eat" establishments. We had several small plates including the Barrata cheese (TO DIE FOR) ,chicken liver pate and shrimp rissotto-all absolutely wonderful. My husband had the Pork entree and I ordered the Halibut-both were cooked to perfection. Believe me...we didn't miss the free bread:). The desserts...berries with mascorpone cheese..I'm still thinking about today.
(5)