Via Roma
686 Lee St, Des Plaines, IL, 60016
Via Roma Menu
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Address :
686 Lee St
Des Plaines, IL, 60016 - Phone (847) 768-7461
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :10:30 am - 3:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Accepts Bitcoin : No
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Street, Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : No
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : No
Dogs Allowed : No
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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Paul R.
I read tons of these over-the-top POSITIVE reviews + agree 100% I LOVE everything about Via Roma and proudly suggest it. Lunch (breakfast) or dinner. everyday + special days. frankly. of all the restaurants on earth Via Roma is arguably my favorite ~Milioni di baci
(5)Linda L.
What a excellent meal tonight! This is the first time we've been to this restaurant and wow, have we been missing out! We got there at 5:30 and it was completely filled with laughing, happy, hungry people by 6:00. Great ambiance, outstanding food, friendly staff. The food is very authentic Italian with a slightly lighter touch. I had one of the specials which was handmade gnocchi, red sauce, fresh mozzarella on top. My friend had pumpkin ravioli topped with a light pesto with pine nuts and freshly chopped butternut squash. We shared each other's and both were outstanding - light, very fresh, could not have been better. Their food is lighter than some of the other Italian restaurants in the area and just hits the spot. Also, their menu is a little more inventive than some of the local rivals. Had we realized it was a BYOB, we would have brought it with us, as just about everyone in the place had brought their own! For dessert, we split one of the best tiramisu that I have ever had. Not overly sweet or rich. I would highly recommend this place and will be back soon with more friends and our own bottle.
(5)Donnie G.
I have never had a bad or decent meal here, I have had nothing but excellent meals here. I have been happy that they are now changing up the menu a little more often than before but in the end you can't go wrong with their vodka shrimp risotto or rigatoni bolognese. Looking forward to being able to indulge on some phenomenal comfort food this winter.
(5)Barry F.
One of my favorite restaurants in the area. Great food and the customer service is top notch. Everyone is friendly and makes you feel very comfortable. The mozzarella and tomato appetizer (burrantipasto) is unlike anything I've had. Mixed with prosciutto and olives it's a delectable blend of flavors. Their specials are written on the wall and are always fresh. As others have noted it's BYOB. Salute!
(5)Richelle T.
The food was pretty good, fell in love with the rigatoni boscialla. Would definitely go back and try the other dishes.
(4)P K.
I love this place more and more. The food is consistently spectacular. We brought our niece and her boyfriend tonight. They enjoyed the friendly atmosphere, professional service and the exquisite authentic Italian cuisine. They can't wait to bring their grandparents. Personally, I can't get enough of the burrata antipasto! And tonight we all shared a frozen mascarpone cheese dessert with caramelized walnuts. I don't know what it's called but we all agreed that it is one of the best desserts we have ever had. One serving was plenty for the 4 of us to share. Brava to Lisa the owner for bringing it to us. Mama Mia!
(5)Katherine A.
I went here on the way to the airport and it had great reviews. I got to the restaurant at 2:45 and to my surprise they closed at 3pm. I should have checked but they let me sit outside on the back patio and order anyways. I got the caprese salad, and the pumpkin ravioli. The freshness of the tomatoes was amazing and the olive oil was very very good quality. I asked for some balsimic for the salad and bread and it was the nice aged kind. I asked and it was aged 5 years. Which is nice because most places will skimp on that. Then I got the ravioli and it was suppose to have a butternut squash and pesto dressing but the taste was overwhelmed with some sort of stock. I would have assumed seafood stock but the waiter checked and they swore it was chicken stock. I could not shake the seafood taste. It was just did not pair well with the ravioli and it was covered in it so made me sad I couldn't get the full taste. I am conflicted with the rating because it started off so strong and amazing and I feel if not for that stock overpowering the taste it would have been a perfect 5 stars. If I am in the area again I will have to give them another shot. But I went with 3 becuase the main entree was not very good but it was fresh if that counts.
(4)Rob W.
I had heard some good things about this restaurant as well as the fact that they are often crowded with a wait, so I grabbed an opportunity to stop in for a late Tuesday lunch when it was fairly quiet. I opted for the penne puttanesca which was nicely done with olives, capers and some anchovy; not too much or too little, which made for a good dish. Also decided to try the pistachio gelati and am I glad I did. This was a generous portion with a ton of flavor and a nice dollop of sweet whip cream on top. Service was pleasant and prompt. I plan to return.
(4)M L.
I've been eating here since I moved to Des Plaines three years ago, and I've never once had a bad meal. I'll bring my Italian family members here whenever they're in town and they can't get enough of it. Incredible food, friendly service, charming atmosphere. This place is perfect.
(5)Namon K.
This place is a BYOB, so you can bring your own wine and enjoy the good food.
(5)J S.
I love this place! The food is amazing, the bread always crusty yet soft, dipping it in the oil and parmesan yum...This place is BYOB with no cork fee. Sometimes they run out of wine glasses but who cares, bring in your own glass if you don't like it... Save room for dessert, the gelato is out of this world!!! The owners are so nice and genuine. You will not be disappointed! Plenty of parking out back. The place is small but that make its even more intimate. Small outdoor patio for dining! Check it out!!!!
(5)Laur B.
Very good food and service! BYOB wine, had my relatives in from England. Everything was divine. Group of twelve and we were able to be seated and accommodated. I liked my veal entree with potatoes and asparagus. It also came with prosciutto. Very yummy. Great atmosphere for eating and visiting.
(5)Lita D.
My family and I absolutely love this place! We just moved to des plaines and we have already been back multiple times!! We have not had a bad meal and we get something different every time! The arugula salad is fab!
(5)Goeun K.
The worst dinner ever.. We ordered 2 dishes and waited for an hour. Other customers who came after us were all served first. Rice in our risotto was not fully cooked. The manager apologized and gave us 2 free desserts but our waitress's service was poor AND they made a mistake on our check caclulation.. we literally spent 2 hours there... what a waste of time and money..
(1)Steve S.
We went back after Christmas again this year, since last year was so good. Unfortunately, not the same at all. We were there early so there were only a few people in the restaurant. The first thing I noticed was there were so many servers. Clearly, they were expecting a big night. We were seated near the kitchen door. The food was alright but that is not what I remember most. We were CONSTANTLY interrupted by servers--no less than 6 times. At the end, while we were drinking coffee, they brought us the bill and moved a table up against ours and put a "reserved" sign on it. We weren't even finished. The place was absolutely packed so I understand wanting to move people along but honestly...we weren't even there for a hour, we barely had enough privacy to talk, and we were hustled out like we had a disease. As we were leaving we were asked again how "everything" was. I stopped and said it was, frankly, terrible. There was honest concern but to bad. Never going back again. There are a lot of places to eat in Chicago and I don't care to get the bums rush.
(2)Sharon P.
I cannot believe this restaurant has escaped me for so long. I live in des plaines and didn't find this restaurant in be to intriguing from the outside.. Wow was I wrong. To begin with its BYOB :). Our waitress was awesome. Lots of specials for her to tell yes about and she took her time to elaborate on each one. We took her recommendations and they were fabulous. Started with the fresh mozzarella , prosciutto , hearts of Palm appetizer. So very simple but incredible. Fresh bread was served with it. Fantastic. I had the mahi mahi and it was one of the best tasting I have every had. Done perfectly with a wonderful sauce with great vegetables on the side. Deserves a 10. My husband had the linguini with a spicy red sauce with clams, mussels and calamari. Perfectly cooked seafood and awesome flavor. A little kick in the sauce. We will be back soon to explore more on the menu. We went early on a Saturday. No waiting at that time, around 5:00pm but a line was starting when we left. It's a very small restaurant with a friendly atmosphere. Definitely recommend!
(4)Bina P.
Headed in on a weeknight and it was hustling and bustling in this little spot squeezed between shops. We got started off with fresh and warm bread with oil and parmesan. The captures salad, minestrone soup and gnocchi primavera were part of our order. The gnocchi were soft as pillows and the squash & zucchini were flavorful and it was made spicy, as requested. The server was apologetic that it was busy and she'd gotten delayed getting us menus. All staff was friendly. The server even brought us more bread as food service was taking some time. The cafe ambiance was nice. The food was good. It's a hidden gem!
(4)Ashley M.
I really appreciate Via Roma. The Red mar Sauce itself is amazing. The options are great. The servers are well versed !! They know what's good, the special. Everything I've had and what my table had, was delicious! Can't go wrong
(4)Elle M.
Home made Italian food worth the wait!!! This is a fabulous Italian restaurant. BYOB. You must try the food. And the service is equally as wonderful!
(5)Patrick M.
Really good ...... Hard to believe I hadn't been there before ...... Very friendly staff and awesome food .... Ambience is similar to an episode of Sopranos
(5)Arletta C.
The food is delicious here! I came here for lunch with friends and it was extremely packed and the service was a little slow then what I am used to at lunch time at other restaurants. Not sure if the service is normally like this or if it was because it was packed. The food is reasonable priced and the best part about this place is that it's BYOB! Yay! I had their butternut squash ravioli which was yum! Via Roma is one of those places you probably would not find unless you knew about it or lived in the area. It's honestly a "gem" It is a really small restaurant and the sitting is a little congested but overall great!
(5)Chris P.
It's been a while since my last update, but not since our last visit; because Via Roma continues to be one of our favorite local spots. On our most recent visit last night we had the new addition to the appetizer specials, Calamari Griglia, which was wonderful. One of my favorites, the Involtini Romana is now a regular on the daily specials, and the Zuppa de Pesce rivals any other I have ever eaten.
(5)Marie B.
What a wonderful find! We love the owners Lisa and her talented chef! Authentic, clean, and delicious! Did I say wonderful and fresh? Great service!
(5)Patsy D.
Friends brought me here over the weekend. Since they are regulars, they knew what to order, but everything was fantastic. Pizza was thin and hot with the right amount of sauce and cheese. Veal dish was fantastic. Dessert--limoncello cake--was sublime. I would gladly go back here again and again. Very nice outdoor seating area, too.
(5)Tony C.
I made the mistake of living in Italy for a few months and it pretty much ruined Italian food, wine, gelato, architecture, sculpture, and tomatoes for me anywhere else. If you've spent a lot of time in Italy, you know what I mean, if you haven't you should book a trip now, it will change you...it's amazing. Every time I go to an Italian restaurant, I remember all the things I loved in Italy but don't quite get the same experience I so desperately want... Until I went to Via Roma. It's the most authentic Italian experience I've had in the states, or anywhere else. There was an amazing place in Marrakech, but that's another story. The food is authentic! I don't know who's cooking back there, but judging by the Italian you hear in the kitchen, I assume it's someone equally as authentic. Generally I'd recommend anything off of the specials list - I usually do that and I'm always delighted. The carbonara is amazing and just like a little place in Rome I went to. The eggplant dishes are my favorite and the veal is always great too. Via Roma doesn't have a bar or wine list - but they will open bottles you bring for free. I don't really drink wine since getting back from Italy, but it's nice for friends - and keeps the bill down when out with a big group. I highly recommend the gelato, it is just like the gelato in Venice, and that is a rare treat. Rare treat pretty much sums up the whole experience every time I go to Via Roma - give it go!!
(5)Andrea Nagle R.
Gotta try this gem. Delicious food. Reasonable prices. Byob. Small, don't take reservations. Guaint.
(4)Maureen T.
We just left the restaurant. We brought my 90 year old aunt with us. My aunt had been there several times and Lisa took the time to come over and give my aunt a great big hug! My aunt was ticked pink! Oh and the food was fabulous as well. My aunt had the pumpkin ravioli, I had a Margarita pizza and my daughter had a shell fish pasta dish. All of our dishes were excellent. We had been customers almost since the place opened and we've never been disappointed. Maybe next time we come we'll be able to sit in their little back patio.
(5)Magali O.
I gotta say I'm so thankful for finding this amazing restaurant. It is so wonderful in so many ways. The food is very very good! The owners are wonderful people...the wife comes around checking in on you. I just really appreciate their welcoming attitude and delicious food! It's byob which is nice because the prices are fair already so that's an extra bonus. Check it out...it's honestly the only restaurant in des plaines to look forward to dinning at.
(5)Gail H.
Amazing food. Amazing service. Unbelievable wait time. Do not wear high heels like I did! There is no where to sit while you wait, and the wait time was over an hour. It was also a lot louder than I expected. Not exactly the romatic setting I had hoped for... At least the food was incredible.
(3)Renee M.
The place is cute and the wait staff was friendly. We enjoyed the BYOB with no cork fee. Now for the food...it certainly was not bad but it wasn't that good either. Nothing special and I certainly wouldn't go back. My husband and I are foodies and we went with my sister and her husband before a show at Rosemont Theater. I had high hopes with all the positive reviews but everyone in my party thought the food was just "okay". I hate how misleading Yelp can be...foiled again!
(3)Daniel L.
To be fair, I've lived half my life in Italy and only recently returned to the States. The lasagna that I had was some of the best that I ever had. Light, not too much cheese or ricotta to cover the taste of the tomatoes (diced, not tomato paste) and the pasta was al dente. The tiramisu was good, but I've had better (only in Italy though). Pompi in Rome pretty much ruined tiramisu for me, theirs was more or less perfection. Price wise, you get a lot of quality for the dollar. Highly recommended.
(5)Julia R.
Apparently thinking you're a foodie doesn't mean you have a palate...that being said Via Roma's meals are delicious, clean, and uncomplicated. Not the usual pasta, sauce, or minestrone. I have been introduced to dishes I have never eaten before. Yes, the ambiance is energetic but that's what happens when you run a successful business. I don't live near Via Roma, I've been there a handful of times but I find it very hard to eat Italian anywhere else.
(5)Jay B.
Flew in to O'Hare for a business meeting. Gathered colleagues here the night before. Was so excellent I returned the next night. Service is genuine, friendly, old fashioned I'd even say. Food is fantastic! A+ all the way!! I'm trying to save room for dessert!!
(5)N n.
Amazing Italian food!! Very busy but the staff was extremely nice and attentive-will return
(5)graham h.
Great food!! Lisa is so sweet and welcoming! We have never had a bad meal here. And it doesn't hurt that it's BYOB!
(5)Jackie B.
this place is quickly becoming one of our favorite restaurants. Extremely friendly people and the food is just so good. BYOB is great. We usually wait at least 30 min but it's worth it.
(5)Sergio R.
Awesome, authentic Italian food. Cozy atmosphere, good place for a date. The bread and olive oil is spectacular. I recommend asking for the daily specials as they are always changing and always fresh. Service is great and friendly. There is a liquor store nearby within walking distance if you want to get a nice wine with your dinner.
(5)Kat Q.
I had the Marinara over penne with prosciutto. Very good. Simple fresh sauce with spinach too. Nice family owned restaurant that is also a BYOB. And no Corkage fee. A nice dinner out that can be customized as to the wine or beer that you like
(4)Leslie W.
I love Via Roma! It's a delicious Italian, BYOB restaurant with no corkage fee. It's quaint and near the train so it's easy for my friends in the city to come and join us. We recently moved to the suburbs and were worried that gems like this weren't going to be out here, but we were wrong. Everything I'd eaten here is delicious. The owners are very nice and the food is delicious. It is a small indoor space but they have outdoor seating as well. Whenever I'm in the mood to go out I usually think of going to Via Roma.
(5)William S.
Great food, great owners, no corkage fee! Everything on the menu is awesome! I live around the corner and eat here for lunch or dinner at least twice a week! Try the beef rolls or the cod, great every time!
(5)Beth S.
This is one of my favorite restaurants. The food is fresh and delicious. I love the burrata appetizer with prosciutto. All the entrees are made with attention to detail and everything I've ordered here has been amazing. I always have dessert and it's always awesome!
(5)Laura C.
We arrived Saturday at 6 & were told it would be a few minutes for a table, so we sat out front--we began noticing that 3 other parties were seated a head of us & when we questioned the hostess, she barked at us that we said we didn't want the patio-the patio was never mention as an option. Once seated our waiter came by & seemed annoyed & distracted the entire time he was reading off the specials-we had 3 questions re: the entrees & he made some wise crack about my husbands dinner choice--he could have guided him in a polite manner All the food was BLAND-and the appetizer was waaaay over priced for what it consisted of-the only good thing about the whole evening was our bus boy-he was courteous & kind-we will NOT be back.
(1)Ashley S.
Awesome service, awesome food. The lemon cake is delicious! Best mozzarella I've ever had.
(5)Maggie G.
It's easy to miss Via Roma, tucked into a little space off of Lee Street. But it's worth the hunt. Delicious food made from scratch, hearty portions and low prices, plus, BYOB, with no corkage fee. They don't take reservations for parties under 7, so on Friday and Saturday night, be prepared to wait for a table. Bring your wine, and ask for glasses, or even order an appetizer while you wait for your table. My friends love it because there are always several vegetarian options, I love it because the vodka sauce is the best I've ever had! Don't bother trying to park on Lee St, turn onto Prairie, and go into the large municipal lot behind the buildings, follow the signs for the Post Office. There's no time limit, and you can go into the restaurant through the patio. It's a little noisy during the dinner rush when every table is filled, so don't expect a cozy, private conversation. Don't be surprised if you wind up chatting and laughing with the neighboring tables, this really is a neighborhood restaurant, everyone is friends.
(5)Lana R.
I am sad to say that I will never be able to come back to Via Roma after the terrible way my friends and I were treated last Friday night. I actually love the food, and have been coming to this restaurant since it opened. My 5 girlfriends and I came here for dinner. We waited over 2 hours to be sat, it was a long wait, but we knew it would be worth it. We were told by the hostess that we would be getting the next available table outside, but when the next table opened up, another group went to sit in it, without even being told to do so by any of the Via Roma staff. When I went to talk to the host, she told me these people came before us. I knew this was not true, because I saw when they arrived. I went inside to speak to the owner, whom I have spoken to many times, and she basically told me that my group and I had not waited 2 hours, and there was nothing she could do. All I got was a "sorry" with a shrugged shoulders from her. She couldn't care less. Four of my girlfriends whom never ate here before, refused to eat at this restaurant, once they saw how the owner treated me. I have worked in the restaurant industry for many years, and I, nor any manager I have ever worked with, would have ever treated a guest like this.
(1)Luca B.
Finally a great place to dine out in Des Plaines. A petite restaurant with a an outstanding Italian food. Friendly atmosphere, great service. The Burrata was fabulous as well the risotto porcini. I will definitely be back.
(5)Lagu B.
What a place. Bring wine, get your table, sit down, and be satisfied. This is what Italian food can be all about. Gracious service as well.
(5)Leah B.
Really good tasty creative Italian food. This is not a place where you can get spaghetti and meatballs. Their dishes blend unexpected flavors and the end result is great. My husband had the tortellini with marinara sauce and I had a chicken dish with artichokes, spinach and potatoes with a gorgonzola sauce. The portions were large and the prices were reasonable for the portion size. Its a BYO and they do not charge a corkage fee. We went there on a Saturday night. We called to make a reservation but they said that they do not take reservations. We got there at 7 and had about 1/2 an hour wait. They have a small space but the wait was worth the meal experience. Its hard to find a restaurant like this in the suburbs.
(5)Donna R.
This is a little gem in Des Plaines... Food is not perfect, but its pretty good. Service is fantastic, everyone is very friendly and accommodating. It's a BYOB place with NO corkage fee (thank you!). Prices are very reasonable and I feel as though the portions are just right--not tiny, but not overwhelming. We enjoyed the Grilled Calamari for an appetizer--very fresh and a great garlic taste! All of us had veal, lol, and while it was good, I felt as though my Saltimbocca wasn't prepared the way I am used to. I have usually had it where the prosciutto is encrusted into the veal, and this time it was just on top. It was not bad by any means, I am just used to it the other way. We washed down our dinner with a FANTASTIC cannoli :) As others have said, I love the cozy feel of this place--it is very sweet and we really enjoyed our double date here.
(4)Stephanie Z.
I cannot say enough about this place. Growing up Italian, I am about as picky as they come. I feel at home here. Every menu item I've had I have enjoyed but I must say I'm a sucker for Baratta and all that is cheesy. Fresh pasta and byob no charge!? I found heaven
(5)Bill S.
Went there the other night and service was terrible they kept us waiting for over 1 hour to get our food and then when it got there it was cold and the center was uncooked, parking is a pain and I know there is parking in the rear but it is still hard to get to I would suggest just keep driving. When we tried to talk to the owners about it all they said is that WE WERE WRONG...
(1)Monica K.
ZERO STARS! ! ! ! ! But i couldn't post this without adding a rating. I will NEVER come here again. After hearing all the great reviews of our family and friends I was actually excited to try this DUMP. We were waiting 2 hours for a table after being told that we'd be next 3 TIMES! It was light out when we got there and dark when we left without eating! When we asked the owner about our tables that we'd been WAITING on, she tried to tell us that we hadn't been there for 2 hours and that the people that decided to sit on their own, in what was supposed to be our table, were waiting before us when we WATCHED THEM PARK AND WALK IN AFTER US! None of us will EVER be back here, including the 3 of us that frequent here. Soooo disappointed that the customer service was terrible. AND she had the nerve to ask us if we were still going to eat there!!
(1)Danielle W.
I love this little gem! I wasn't that impressed with their gluten-free options (4 risotto dishes). But...I got the risotto crema di scampi and it was PHENOMENAL. SO GOOD. Best meal I've had in months. I love how cozy and small this place is. And the service was very friendly. Get more GF options and I'll give 5 stars!!!
(4)Linda N.
I am bumping up my rating based on the following: delightfully decadent, moist limoncello cake with gelato Rigatoni Bosiaola very tasty Mushroom risotto - still stellar and worth repeating Would like to see an expanded menu and more evenings open for dinner. If you want ITALIAN and are in downtown Des Plaines, go here - bypass Olivetti's and Leonas (great for burgers, but not "Italian").
(4)James R.
Been here few times since we've moved in the area and the food is amazing every time. Very consistent, friendly service, excellent choice. Thank you
(4)Jim R.
Very good food and service. This was the first time to Via Roma and did not know what to expect. What we found was a real gem in Des Plaines. We had a group of eight and all loved the specials. It is a bit tight around the tables but I can understand as they want to accommodate as many customers as possible. Lastly with it being a BYOB establishment you could enjoy your favorite beverage with a great meal.
(4)Shawn S.
The only reason they have one star is because they are nice. Little tip for the "italian" chef - a plate of spaghetti with bacon or pancetta and alfredo sauce does not a carbonara make. There is no cream in carbonara. Eggs, cheese, and jowel fat, pancetta if you must and flakes of crushed pepper - hence the dishes namesake the italian miner known as carbonari. Also risotto cannot be made in 7 minutes, or premade- thats how long mibe took to come out. I know when i order risotto i am going to wait 39 minutes for my food, no biggie, otherwise its not risotto. The Meatballs are tiny little frozen things, chicken in risotto was canned chicken breast. I mean for god's sake making your own meatballs is not hard and more cost effective, maybe i am biased as an executive chef at a 100plus year old real Italian establishment. But you guys gotta get a consultant in there. Your desire seems genuine, ambiance is good, but that doesnt help when your serving hamburger helper.
(1)Tina G.
I would love to give them 5 Stars, but it is so hard to get a table : ( I guess that is not a bad problem to have though. I love the BYOB, we have an ongoing dinner club and let me tell you the BYOB is perfect for us. Our bill is cut in half with the BYOB! The food is always fresh and good, we eat way more bread then we should when we go there. But you can guarantee that you will always have a good meal : )
(4)Rodrigo D.
This is one awesome local authentic Italian restaurant. This place brings together great food with friendly service. The place is operated/owned by a husband and wife team, who really care about their customers. This place gets really packed on Friday/Saturday nights, so be ready to wait in case you happen to come when it is at full capacity. Most local businesses in downtown Des Plaines do not not last long, but this is one place that will last.
(5)Lauren K.
Great food. We had the mussels in a white wine butter sauce as an appetizer and fresh fettuccine with a tomato-beef pot roast sauce. The dessert was called croccantino which is like a combo of cheesecake and vanilla custard with a spiced walnut graham cracker crust. Top notch.
(5)Jenny V.
got the chicken parm, tasty but nothing too special, went for lunch and got a pretty big portion of noodles with it. great price for lunch + BYOB. it's pretty small, street parking and additional parking in the back.
(3)Michael D.
Via Roma is a family owned Italian restaurant that is open for lunch Monday through Saturday and for dinner Thursday through Saturday. An extensive menu is offered that includes daily specials. The dining area is intimate and comfortable. It is BYOB with no corkage fee. On a recent weekday our party of six lunched there with four of us as first time customers that included me. Italian bread and olive oil were immediately provided. The bread was crusty and flavorful and the olive oil was first-rate. We started the meal by sharing an antipasto that consisted of burrata and prosciutto with olives, artichokes, and tomatoes. This appetizer was a huge hit. The cheese was creamy and luscious and the entire dish was very fresh and delicious. For my main course I had a veal scaloppini dish with a sauce made on the order of a marsala that was one of the specials. This dish was nicely prepared, tasty, and bountiful although the veal was a little thicker than I like. Overall, the quality of the food at Via Roma was very good as well as being extremely affordable. The service was efficient and unhurried. Free parking on the street and in the restaurant's rear lot is available. I look forward to coming back soon.
(4)Carol G.
We live in the neighborhood and walk there. I almost hate to give it a good review. I love the atmosphere of the little "hole in the wall" Italian place and the food is terrific. I don't want too many more people to find it as they're always busy! Maybe they'll expand or open another night or two. Love the BYOB too. If you go park in back and walk down the hall to put your name in. Yelp says they take reservations but they don't exactly encourage it. Just take a bottle of wine and relax while you wait. In nice weather there's a little garden out back to sit in.
(5)Rob P.
Excellent authentic Italian cuisine! Large portions at reasonable prices. Highly recommend this little star with big flavor.
(4)Jim L.
Visited last week food was great, and our server Nicole knew all the specials inside out.Best service we have had in a long time.Now for the bad, the place is small and the noise level was crazy,could not hold any type of conversation.would not return.
(2)B R Hungry X.
Cozy place! There are many regulars from the area that eat here. We live within walking distance and it's nice to have such a great quality italian restaurant. The chef used to work in downtown high end restaurants and is authentic italian. His wife is always there helping out and very sweet. Get here early as its a small spot and the wait can get long. BYOB, no corkage fee. Fresh made pasta, quality ingredients. Try the pumpkin ravioli, fresh pastas, Ive had the fettucine, and mussels. Also anything with proscuitto!
(5)Bruce S.
My wife and I really enjoyed our experience at Via. First, it's BYOB. We didn't know that, but were able to get a bottle of wine at the the local market on the street. The service and the staff are friendly and helpful. It is small, and busy during dinner times, but that adds to charm. I can't say how authentic the food is, but growing up with an Italian grandmother, I have some idea of what Italian home cooking would be like. For an appetizer, we had an antipasto plate that featured fresh mozzarella, very much what I remember visiting Grandma in NYC, which was outstanding. For a main meal, I choose the Chicken Parmigiana and my wife had one of the specials, a beef short rib pasta. They both came from the Kitchen hot and steaming - a big plus. The portions are large, we both took half our meals home. We tried dessert, which again was very good. Honestly, the reason for four versus five stars is that a week after I've been to the restaurant, I don't specifically remember much about the meat, other than it was good, hot from the kitchen and the portion size was great. We both remarked that we'd like to become regulars. Bottom line, I think this Italian food is as good as you can get in this area, and well worth checking out.
(4)Bludog X.
I was really looking forward to coming here, especially after seeing reviews that they had good vegetarian options. However, it was a disappointing first outing for me. There were only 4 vegetarian options on the menu, a mushroom risotto, mushroom ravioli in cream sauce, fettuccine in butter sauce with pepper, and baked rigatoni. I was looking forward to something in vodka sauce or just a simple marina sauce, an eggplant dish, or something with a variety of vegetables, but none of these were on the menu. Everyone I was with loved their food - risottos, seafood dishes, and the mushroom ravioli were all favorites. Via Roma is a great place for you if you eat seafood, love risotto, or are a fan of mushroom. My husband had the veal parmigiana, and I ate his side of linguine marinara - it was very good. Wish I could have had that as an entree. My other reason for giving only three stars is the lack of ambiance - plain laminate table tops with no linens, silverware rolled in chintzy paper napkins, and they seemed to have a problem with a shortage of glassware?! Glasses were getting to our table in a scattered fashion as quickly as they could be washed. We were jammed into a hallway next to the kitchen, and servers and staff struggled to get past our table and into the kitchen all night. Having said all of that, I would absolutely give Via Roma another try. I'm certain the food is good - it just wasn't a fit with what I wanted to have. Perhaps in the winter when I want a heavier dish? The server was top-notch, a real pro. The chef seems like a very nice guy - visiting tables and checking in - and he has a devoted following. The BYOB (as everyone mentions) is a big plus. Parking is plentiful with a number of parking options available. Everyone in my party enjoyed it very much; hopefully, I will too on my next visit.
(3)Jasmin V.
I got the rigatoni carbonara. It was okay nothing special. Best thing about it was the price $6.50! Comes with bread, cheese & oil. Okay food. Cheap prices! Cute place. Pretty tiny. BYOB Street parking in the front. Parking lot in the back.
(3)Meredith W.
Villa Roma is a hidden gem in Des Plaines. On my frequent business trips to Chicago I was make a point to eat here. The shrimp risotto is one of the best risottos I have had. Great food and service!
(5)Kristen F.
I like it and would definetly go back. Was it perfect? No, cause I wouldn't say my meal was something to write home about but it was solid and tasty and I appreciate that they appeared to take some chances in their preperation that deviated from what I would expect in terms of flavors and presentation. I would've like some mozzerella on the bruschetta appetizer but it didn't ruin the flavors that were there for me. We normally don't get desert but the mood struck us and I must say that the tiramisu was more than worth the extra cost in my mind. I had one of the specials, a veal and lemon dish which as I mentioned before was passable and good but I wasn't blown away. But it was good enough that I'd happily come back. I LOVE the atmosphere and cozy feel of the place, I think its super cute with a nice intimate "family feel". Our service was fine, no complaints there and the place was actually pretty busy(we had a wait) as it was a weekend night. Perhaps they've improved from some earlier reviews that mentioned slow service? So minus one star cause I'm hard to blow away to the point that I throw out five star reviews but I love this place and hope they do well.
(4)Tom K.
This place is awesome! I contemplated not posting this because I don't want a bunch of people going here. I decided that I couldn't do this to the excellent owners and staff. Via Roma is a delectable BYOB Italian restaurant. I have been there 3 times and each time I had something different. The veal meatballs and spaghetti are outstanding. Plus the best part, BYOB. If anyone is looking to boost their business in the suburbs, go BYOB.
(5)Naomi M.
Based on recommendations from friends,we decided to go to via Roma one night for dinner. First off, if it is a Friday or Saturday, get there early. Every table gets taken! Had a wonderful dinner, at very reasonable prices and despite the restaurant being crowded, we were able to visit (uninterrupted) and enjoy our meal.
(4)Joel O.
Stopped in for a quick lunch. The lunch menu was small, but that was ok with me. I decided to get the sausage pizza with the minestrone soup. The soup was ok, but for my taste, there were too many noodles and not enough veggies. I enjoyed the pizza though. It had sliced Italian sausage instead of crumbles. It was thin and crispy and the amount of cheese was just right as well. As for the ambiance and all that, it is a small place but charming. I believe there was a patio out back, but I didn't see it. Overall, worth a try. Not to mention it only cost me about $6!
(4)Michelle B.
Limoncello cake....you complete me. We were searching for a place to meet friends where we could eat and socialize near Des Plaines and found Via Roma on Yelp. (Thanks again Yelpers!) It was intimate and casual with the perfect noise level to carry on a conversation. It was still hopping at 8 pm when we arrived but we were seated and greeted graciously after a few minutes. There are so many places to go with fantastic Italian food all around Chicago, but Via Roma has earned my business for their perfect storm of excellent food, sincere and pleasant service, and at least my idea of an excellent atmosphere. All four of us had specials, appetizers, dessert and coffee we BYOB'd some beer and ciders, but many tables had brought a bottle of wine or two. An excellent value for around $65 a couple. Please give your money to those who love what they do, Americans who love freedom patronize small local businesses!
(5)Northshore F.
This is a small quaint place. The service is excellent, servers are very friendly and helpful. The food is outstanding, absolutely delicious. Everything has that authentic Italian taste to it . If you are Italian - you will also love this restaurant. It's BYOB, which is wonderful. Many people bring their own wine, which is nice touch to see everyone enjoying wine with bottles on nearly all of the tables. The only downside is it can be a little noise-y, but not a deal-breaker. (Deducted 1 star for it being a little bit louder than I would have prefered). Between this and Olivetti's (bad everything), this is by FAR the superior Italian restaurant all the way around - food, service, ambiance, everything. I can highly recommend this restaurant!
(4)Bobi L.
I love the atmosphere as well as the food. I had the mahi mahi special and it was so delicious. I try to stay away from most fish dishes because I can't stand super fishy tasting fish. The staff where friendly and I was surprised it was almost a full house. This is now one of my new favorite places to go.
(5)Paola D.
Great Italian food especially considering how inexpensive it is. BYOB. Super friendly staff. Family owned. Only challenge is getting a table so plan to be early or you'll wait for a long time.
(4)Deanna c.
Absolutely love this place. We moved to Des Plaines about a year ago and have been here a few times now. My husband and I have been to Italy twice in the last year and I can say that this place has got that Authentic Italian down pat! It's busy and loud and small and crowded but honestly it is such a great atmosphere everyone in there is happy and laughing and enjoying there food that at least for us it makes it all the better. Food is GREAT! BYOB as everyone said is really nice. Can't wait to go back. Saw a review saying if you like applebees you'd like this place, I don't know what kind of gourmet applebees they've been to to compare the two haha. Seriously from a couple who have eaten at dozens of 'off the path' authentic Italian restaurants in Italy (not the touristy places) we are transported back when we are here. Don't miss it.
(5)Jeff N.
Most amazing octopus I have ever had. The size of your hand! And so tasty. We come here for lunch about 6X a year. As good as any downtown Italian restaurant. We live downtown and and have tried most of them.
(5)Lisa M.
Great little BYOB Italian restaurant. Great prices. Friendly owners that get to know you. Perfect prices and portions. It can get quite crowded but that's because its so delicious!
(5)Patrick K.
Ahhh so frustrating! This restaurant has such potential! A professional Italian head chef, good location, and nice restaurant, however, Via Roma needs to step it up. I had a chicken parmesan and I was DISAPPOINTED. The chicken was poached instead of baked and it was not as flavorful. Don't get me wrong, fresh ingredients, but lacking flavor. Their marinara sauce is bland and needs some spice, onions, more garlic, oregano, tomato paste, SOMETHING! Otherwise their appetizers and desserts were very well cooked. Great gelato, yummy. I do like the BYOB ;) . Via Roma, I want to love you, but you need to spice things up.
(3)Gina D.
This is one of my most favorite places in the entire world. I come here so often that they have my soda ready and waiting for me before I even come in the door. Not only are the owners absolutely wonderful, the food is amazing! My favorite dish, the penne pasta with pesto cream sauce, is to DIE for. I'm a 100% Italian so listen to me when I say this. To die for. They know I like it so much they will even make it special for me when it's not offered on the menu. What else can I say? The atmosphere is great. It's small and homey but still feels big enough to serve a large lunch crowd. It's never too loud, and the prices are so good. Especially for the quality of food that you are getting. I just love this place. It's my little home away from home.
(5)Jan B.
Four of us dined there on a Saturday night. Service was excellent. Very nice atmosphere and decor. Price was very reasonable. Food was freshly made and tasted really good. Everyone enjoyed their meals. Easy to get to and easy parking. BYOB. We will definitely return.
(5)Shonda D.
I'm gonna keep this to the point: good food, reasonably priced, charming space, byob and they have a parking lot. What more could you ask for? I went to Via Roma for a late lunch and I barely made it (they close at 3pm). I ordered a green salad and the risotto with shrimp. Very delicious. And I had the pleasure of being waited on by the owner who was the BEST. When I come upon a gem like this... it justifies why I believe in supporting small businesses! I will definitely go back!!!
(4)Wendy T.
What an amazing little place! We were a bit concerned with the crowded look of the place and getting sat in the only table left between a mess of kids... But our fears were quickly banished when we met our funny and wonderful waitress. I ordered the butternut squash ravioli and it was to die for! Simply amazing! The staff and food were excellent. I would defiantly go back!
(5)Joan D.
this is an update. My gourmet group came here in October for one of our occasional nights out, which we started years ago going to Chicago Magazine's ten best restaurants. I live in Des Plaines and love this place so we came on a Saturday night with reservations for the eight of us and BYOB with pro secco and a nice california red and white and shared two appetizers, four entrees and two desserts. My friends from LSD, Park Ridge and Evanston loved it. The bruschetta were universal favorites especially the mushroom with white truffle oil. People were out on the sidewalk for over an hour waiting to get in. Go Via Roma!
(5)Annie J.
Consistent fabulous food, attentive and friendly staff, warm, family atmosphere. Great for a dinner with your honey or a group of friends. This place is a definite stopover for lunch or dinner in Des Plaines!
(5)Ken S.
tax & tip $20 per person...great deal for delicious Italian food. BYOB is an added extra with no corkage fee. Great variety, great service. Chef came out to check on how we linked our food. Got a there at 5PM and it quickly filled up! Many regulars it seemed. Great variety of foods, chicken, veal. pastas, fish. Missed an included soup or salad. but plenty of bread, oil & cheese. Gelato was yummy for dessert.
(4)Danielle M.
My husband and I were deciding where to have our monthly date night. We have enjoyed living in downtown Des Plaines so far, and were looking to try a place we hadn't visited. I remember driving past Via Roma and thinking it would be nice to try. We read great reviews online and also realized it was BYOB. This is a huge perk for us as we always like to enjoy wine with dinner. We entered from the back entrance which has a nice outdoor patio area. We decided to sit inside, and were quickly seated. The restaurant was already filling up and became quite busy, but it did not feel hectic or slow down the service. We could tell right away that many of the other diners were regulars. The chef and his wife were very present in and around the restaurant, greeting guests and making sure everyone was tended to. Sometimes at other restaurants you feel rushed through a meal; it was just the opposite here. We were encouraged to relax and enjoy, taking our time to enjoy our grilled octopus appetizer. The octopus was tender, lemony, bright and a great start to the meal. My husband tried a veal dish that was superb. I had the wild mushroom ravioli which was divine. The quality of the ingredients was apparent from start to finish. We came back the next day with friends because we raved about our experience. We had a combination plate appetizer with delicious olives, fresh mozzarella cheese and prosciutto. The mozzarella was unbelievable. The other highlight of the meal was our dessert, where we sampled some flavors of gelato. The pistachio gelato was our favorite, and the perfect end to the meal. Overall, if you want fresh, beautiful italian food in a delightfully warm dining atmosphere, then visit Via Roma.
(5)Lindsey M.
I love Via Roma, I drive from Naperville to eat here. Everything is homemade and prices cannot be beat! The chef (from Rome) and owner (fiance) ...Lisa, know how to do it right! Their friends and family work here and they have been in the restaurant industry for a very long time...it shows. This is a great place for groups or singles, it gets very busy so I suggest to call for a reservation! (at least for dinner) Once summer hits they will have a patio and outdoor space. You can take the train or drive, plenty of parking. I always get the green fettuccine (Spinach) with peas and prosciutto... A must try! BYOB, can't beat that. YUM i'm craving Via right now!
(5)Jenn M.
I was so excited to see a new Italian place opening close to my home in Des Plaines. There isn't really anything like this nearby and I was so thrilled. Of course, I should have known better than to get my hopes up. First off, they are NOT open for dinner. Even so, I wanted to give it a try and was still hoping for the best. Keep in mind this place had only been open for a week but they do not have intentions of opening for dinner for at least six months. The owner (wife) was very friendly and instantly told us what an amazing cook her husband was and that she knew we would love our meal. We didn't. And we so wanted to. We really did. We liked the people so much and thought the place was really cute. We almost wanted to go in there and tel them what was wrong and what they needed to fix so that they could succeed. We'll start with the salad. I had the caprese salad and to say it was disappointing is an understatement. The tomatoes weren't even remotely ripe. They were hard and so incredibly cold. The basil looked like it had been purchased a week ago as it was wilted and browning. Not at all appetizing. For entrees, I ordered the spinach ravioli with some kind of sauce. I can't recall what it was now but it was something similar to a vodka sauce if not exactly that. Hubby ordered the carbonara. When they served his carbonara I was shocked at what I saw. The eggs were completely scrambled. My husband, who doesn't have a drop of Italian in him can make a mean carbonara and he would never serve one where the eggs were scrambled. The pasta was severely overcooked and there was no flavor to it at all. The panchetta didn't have that caramelized crunch that it should have. It was just a mess. My pasta was bleh. It was overcooked and the sauce tasted like it was from a jar. Certainly not the disaster that my husband's dish was but nothing I would come back for. I'm willing to try the place out again in a few months when they've settled things a bit. It seems like they are a young couple that thought it would be fun to start a restaurant because the husband could cook. Maybe he needs to get used to a commercial kitchen. I really hope they improve because I can't see them lasting serving things the way they are now.
(2)Emily K.
Stopped in for dinner finally on a Saturday night and we had a great time. Service was pleasant and friendly, prices affordable and the food was delicious. They have an expanded menu for dinner that's different than lunch and worth checking out. All 4 of us had an entree, split an appetizer and brought a bottle wine. Our total was $40-something bucks. Hope people in Des Plaines take advantage of this place.
(4)Jenny P.
Via Roma is a very quaint neighborhood trattoria in Des Plaines and is a place where you go for a good solid "home" style meal. The menu is simple and not overly ambitious, plus the daily specials, & the best part is BYOB! I've had several meals some good some not so good. Let's talk about the good. - Grilled polpo when you see it on the daily special get it. It's very tender and delicious. -Pumpkin ravioli solid dish delicate flavor sweet/savory. -Bucatini Americiana one of my favorites full robust flavor. -Cannoli-Awesome!!! The misses-Spaghetti carbonara was a hot mess....way too salty and the carbonara sauce was goopey. I would like to see them change out the pasta instead of spaghetti how about fettuccine and adding fresh peas. Spaghetti Vongole-again way too salty and left me flat, it can use a dash of fresh Italian parsley to make this dish pop. I appreciate what Via Roma is doing and overall they make good food, they just need to make sure the kitchen is consistent. A tavola a mangiare!
(3)Jennifer C.
Wow! We have found our gem in Des Plaines! I cannot agree more with Gina D. that this place is awesome! My fiance and I started coming here about 6 months ago and we have never been even slightly disappointed. The food is incredible and the service is even better. Alessandro does an incredible job in the kitchen and Lisa does a great job running the front. Their servers are a joy to talk to and make you feel like old friends the moment you walk in. The seafood lasagna was a hit with my fiance and I love the risotto and spaghetti carbonara! Prices are incredibly affordable for excellent food and it is BYOB without a corkage fee! Offer a glass of wine to Lisa and Tami, they will appreciate it!
(5)Jessica F.
A great little gem in downtown Des Plaines. It's BYOB which is amazing. We ordered mussels as an app and I had a pasta dish for dinner. Everything was really good- we'll definitely be going back!
(5)Katie K.
My husband found this place on an exploration and we liked the idea of a small, family-run BYO Italian so gave it a try. On the whole, we enjoyed it a lot. Pros: attentive and considerate service, ample portions of very good food, affordable prices (helped along by the aforementioned BYO policy). The only con, which is not really the restaurant's fault, is the acoustics, especially in the narrow hallway towards the back of the restaurant. We were stuck between a couple with two small shrieking children and a table of elderly women shouting at each other, and tables are extremely close together - hurt my ears! Absent that aspect, I might have awarded 5 stars but still a solid 4-star performance, we'll quite likely be back.
(4)Summer F.
A great find in Des Plaines. Good for an upscale business lunch. Be aware of the hours for dinner ( it doesnt open for dinner Mon-Wed). Be sure to bring your own wine, because the authentic Italian menu requires a nice glass to complement the meal. Our tastings ranged from the pumpkin ravioli to the shrimp risotto, as well as some red sauce dishes. All were perfectly seasoned and portioned.
(4)Debbie S.
This place was amazing! Small BYOB and the food was amazing! Met Lisa (owner) and she was just as pleasant as she could be. Our service was amazing, but I just can't get over how good the food was. We had the mozzarella cheese appetizer and a sausage pizza. Then we had the rigatoni and linguini with red clams. I have never seen so many clams in this dish. We were a party of 4 and did have to wait a bit, but I would have waited longer - well worth it!! Can't say enough about this wonderful restaurant! We'll definitely be back!
(5)David B.
Went with the missus last Friday. Our first time to the place. It struck me as one of those cool independent, funky restaurants that I like to frequent, but took a while to. We finally made it. One word: delicioso. The place reminds me of little hole-in-the-wall family-style places I ate in Rome. Small, dark (romantic dark--not a bad thing) and cozy. It's winter here and there was a bit of a draft near the front windows, but that's my favorite place at a restaurant so no big deal. Great, crusty brick oven bread arrives at your table in short order. Extensive evening specials--everything sounded good. I wound up choosing the shrimp risotto--very good. A large portion, too. My wife ordered the pasta carbonara--excellent. Perfectly al dente, which so many Italian restaurants screw up. A smaller portion, not enough for leftovers. But a very good value at $8.95. We had gelato as a dolce afterwards. Turns out it's homemade by a friend of the owners--Lisa and her Italian husband (the chef). Excellent and fresh. Lisa stopped by our table to discuss the meal. She described her husband's extensive experience cooking at several Chicago restaurants. Very sweet lady. And our waitress was attentive and charming. All in all, as I told my wife, I'd rather eat at a thousand Via Romas for every one Olive Garden. Did I mention it was BYOB? Fantastico! A real gem of a place in downtown Des Plaines. Worth a MUCH longer drive than our 5 minute drive. I guess we're just lucky.
(5)Kevin D.
They got my order wrong, but it's ok I didn't care at all. Their fresh homemade pastas are amazing and coming in perfect portion sizes!!! Can't wait to come back again!
(4)Christian M.
They clearly advertise in the window that free WiFi is available. I just overheard the waitress complain that I came in and only ordered a coffee, I could see the issue if the place was busy, but have the tables here are empty and I need to kill 30 minutes. It has been 15 minutes and still no one has given me access, have asked waitress twice and a bus boy as well. Wait they just gave me the code! Their WiFi is listed as 2WIRE824 which I had to figure out on my own. Getting work done while enjoying my coffee and bread. I hope on future visits they are friendlier as I can see this being a nice coffee shop during off peak hours. :-)
(4)Denise F.
The food here is excellent. Very authentic. Last night we had mussels in a fra diavolo sauce as an appetizer. The called it something different but they were in a red spicy sauce. They were amazing. A lot of places only give you a small amount of museels but they do not. The plate was huge! My Mahi Mahi with lemon was cooked perfectly and my husband's veal was terrific as well. It is a gem of a place. The fact that it's a byob is just another plus.
(5)Shark S.
Went again for lunch. It kills me to drop my rating but the service is lacking. I DO NOT LIKE the family waiting tables, makes them less attentive. Food is great but I might not be back. STEP IT UP. Also you need a liquor license.
(3)sharona p.
Via Roma is our family's favorite restaurant. Chef Alessandro and Lisa are the best...this is really the only place we like to go to around town. The food is simply the closest to how the food tastes in Rome. Everything is fresh and made to order--there's just nothing like this place around. Des Plaines is truly lucky to have such a great place such as Via Roma. In addition to their wonderful lunches and dinners, Via Roma has an excellent catering offering. They catered my daughter's 3rd birthday party and the food was AMAZING. Chef Alessandro made everything right from his heart--our guests were blown away and we really appreciated his attention to detail. We started frequenting Via Roma when they first opened and we go several times per month, usually every Saturday, for lunch or dinner. This place is truly as good as it gets for me!
(5)Jerry B.
Good food, good service, good cannoli's and BYOB. Got last table at 5:30 on Sat. Would have wait after that. Reservations only for large parties. Go early or late. Definitely will return.
(4)Molly E.
I went here a week ago with my dad when we were looking for a quick bite to eat. The service wasn't all that fast, but the food made up for it. Our waitress was super attentive and the food we got was great. They served bread with olive oil and parmesan to start out and the olive oil was GREAT. Not some cheapy grocery store stuff. My dad got a caprese salad which was about a 7/10 and I had pumpkin ravioli. 8/10. Overall, much better than I was expecting for a little place in Des Plaines and I would definitely go back. The only thing was that we forgot the wine- BYOB!
(4)Claudia G.
Just needed to up the stars. I already liked this place and I just like it even more every time I visit. Recently had the pumpkin ravioli and pumpkin gelato. Heaven!
(4)Jeanie S.
Baked bread with mushrooms & Mushroom Risotto was AMAZING! The Vodka Pasta was okay. You can taste the freshness of the ingredients, and will definitely return. Best thing... BYOB!!!!!
(4)Ivan T.
Eat here for a great price and even better food for what you pay. My girlfriend and I ate there for lunch today (they are only open from 10:30-3 pm for lunch M-Sun). We started with an appetizer of bruchetta and were intially served some bread with oil and parmesean cheese. The plentiful house salad was next, which was garnished with house italian vinagrette, cucumbers, and wedges of tomatos on a bed of spring greens. Our main course was spinach and cheese raviolis with a cheese sauce, and a spicy penne arrabiatta (perfectly spiced). Everything was great. I cannot comment on the dessert, since we didn't have any, but it was offered to us (gelatto, tiramisu, cafe). By the way, it's BYOB too! And the wait staff are all very friendly and give a warm Italian welcome. You can't beat this downtown Des Plaines gem. I highly recommend it.
(5)michelle h.
Can't wait to go back, I LOVE this place!! Went here today with my Dad for lunch. What a warm and friendly local Italian cafe!! We were greeted by Lisa the owner and Alessandro the chef and we sat at a cozy window table. The restaurant was filled with locals who seamed to be regulars calling Lisa by name. We started with great crusty bread, olive oil and parmesan - delicious! Then onto fresh tomato basil bruschetta and polenta with a tomato cream mushroom sauce. Both were terrific! Our entrees were the homemade spinach fettucini with peas and prosciutto and the homemade spinach ravioli. The pastas were fantastic and the serving size was perfect. There are lots of Italian restaurants out there but it's rare to find one with homemade pasta. We didn't really have room but could not resist ordering dessert, we had the cannoli gelato and a cannoli. Both were delicious and the cannoli was made to order. I'm Italian so I like to think I know what good Italian food should taste like!! This is it! The prices are great too. I believe the most expensive entree was $8.50. I highly recommend Via Roma, looking forward to my next visit!!
(5)mike h.
Unreal, authentic, delicious food! everything i ate...which was a lot- the salad for starters....anything with that balsamic will be delicious simply said! Then an order of mussels cooked perfectly in a red sauce. Shrimp in a vodka sauce risotto...are you kidding me? Ravioli, again pretty sure any sauce those are in is also awesome! then we somehow saved room for desserts, and yes, we tried all 3, or actually 4 counting the gelato.....very hard to choose one favorite...and i don't even like tiramisu all that much., but it was my favorite. My friend heavily favored the lemon cake. Delicious Espresso to end it all... I might move to Roma and take Alesandro and Lisa with me. To top that all off, some of the best service i have ever had in the ChicagoLand area. Which is king for service i think! A must go!
(5)April Z.
after calling three times i was finally able to speak with someone to make reservations for 8 of us. the lady on the phone was a bit abrupt. we arrive for our 6pm reservations on a friday night. they had our table set and waiting for us. the lady who greeted us (i believe the same one we spoke with) again very abrupt and not very friendly. i dont think she even said hello. our waitress was excellent. however their specials were on a chalkboard that was hard to see and not descriptive, no paper copies. our table kept needing the specials repeating because we forgot what came w/what. a printout of specials is pretty easy...not sure why they dont do that. when we were placing our order our waitress looked a little distressed while taking our order. i asked her if everything was ok she said "its just that you all are ordering so differently and we only have 6 burners so everything might not come out at the same time". that is a direct quote. ummm...what?? lol very bizarre...why would you say this? and we all "ordered so differently?" very strange comment.....at a restaurant. our food all did come out together in fact, everything piping hot . everyone's dish was good. not excellent. but good. we ordered dessert and towards the end i was feeling a little rushed by the staff. and the bus boy started collecting our glasses by asking us "can you pass me your glass" instead of walking around the table and picking them up. didnt think that was the best etiquitte. my mom and I went to use the washroom, when i got back the remaining guests at our table told us the staff (we believe it was manager/owner again) asked if we had any more wine to drink (we had just finished) and if we didnt that she had told me on the phone (when i made a reservations) that we only had the table for 90 minutes and its already been two hours. (For the record she never mentioned to me once about any time limit on our table when booking our reservation). Our party told her we were just leaving anyhow. everyone at our table felt a little put off by this comment and thought it lacked good taste and manners. we were not lingering. we had just finished dessert, my mom and I were using the washroom and we were about to leave. so i left feeling i would go back because dinner service was good, prices were great and i love the BYOB aspect. but some of the hiccups throughout our experience leaves me with only giving three stars. its unfortunate that the owner/manager has no tact and lacks professionalism.
(3)Suzie K.
We took my parents here the other night for dinner and it was excellent! The staff was super friendly and the food was fresh. We had the pumpkin ravioli (amazing) as well as the Veal Limone (incredible) and the Chicken dish (can't remember the name) also amazing. We enjoyed the sauces and the smaller portions left us comfortable. The gelato was excellent as well--we were thrilled. We can't wait to spread the word and head back soon!!
(4)Steven K.
Simply put, the restaurant really WOW'D me!! I had 3 friends in town from Puglia Italy and they agreed that this was as close to home cooked as they ever had in Chicago! I have become a regular here for 2 reasons; 1) I can afford it - it is very difficult to spend more than $10 (including beverages) 2) The special board- these are constantly changing items that make it a new restaurant menu every time I am there. My friends had the Baccala Trasteverina - it was baked with raisins, pine nuts, fresh tomato and fresh basil - truly a must try. I happen to have many food allergies, so the Chef is always willing to create a special dish for me. The dish was Risotto with mushrooms, asparagus, fresh tomato, zucchini and green peas. It was really really good. For desert, we had pistachio gelato and tirmisu. I have told other friends about this restaurant and they all agreed after their experiences that they will become regulars as well.
(4)Barbara Z.
Went there for the first time for lunch with a colleague today. Friendly and efficient service, fresh and delish food, clean, relaxing, good portions, great value. Will definitely be back with family and friends. Can't wait to try out their outdoor patio in the back. Nice find.
(5)Angela S.
Creative dishes, family atmosphere and BYOB, you can't go wrong!!
(5)g h.
hey all, let's show our support for finally getting a great value, home made pasta, italian BYO place in des plaines. this cozy little spot has been a revolving door of forgettable spots for years. finally, a couple who know what they are doing have landed here. carpaccio was terrific, with fresh aruglula that was so peppery, and some fresh grated parm! server forgot to offer pepper, but that is forgivable to me anyway. home made pastas, ncluding a light, fluffy gnocchi, are amazing and so incredibly affordable! PLEASE GO, let's keep it hear for years!
(4)Ania A.
I don't often dine out in Des Plaines, as the culinary options usually aren't that interesting. The other "Italian" offerings (Leona's, Oliveti's) are beyond dull, not to mention their service is not much to write home about. Tonight my dad decided that it'd be a grand idea to take the family out, and I wasn't too thrilled about it, as I'd made plans for a great sushi place in the city. Ah well, family first. Upon walking it, I have to say that I was very impressed that all but 2 tables were filled (one table had just emptied, the other was our reservation). The music wasn't too loud, which made conversation easy. BYOB enabled us budget minded people to bring along 2 reds & not pay lots for good wine with dinner. I'm a big fan of BYOB. The service was excellent. The staff was very attentive, & the owners came out to say hello & have a chat (apparently my folks are relative regulars). The soup (eggdrop something or other with spinich, I'm horrible with names) was very good, with a variety of flavors & textures that I savored from start to finish. I'm not a big fan of pizza around Chicago (I grew up in NY after all, our pizza is not warm cheesecake topped with tomato sauce), but Via Roma served up a very genuine Roman styled thin crust pizza for an appetizer. I had veal with mushrooms in wine sause (again, bad with the names) & potato. Mmmm mmmm good. The portion size was huge, & since I'm a bit diet minded, I decided to eat only 1/2, slowly. Even slowly, I devoured (savoring every bite) each & every last bit of it. Lastly, the desserts. Out of 6 of us, 4 ordered gelatos. The others had hazelnut, strawberry & pistachio (sampled the hazelnut & pistachio, excellent) They were out of teramisu, which is what I originally ordered, so I opted for pumpkin gelato. Pumpkin??? Gelato??? Oh my gosh was it ever so tasty. Anywho, to explain the 4 star rating instead of the 5: The bread, while served warm, wasn't the best I've had at an Italian place. The DRAFT. The winter brings along a rather unpleasant companion, the cold wind that sweeps through any room when a door to the outside is opened, leaving everyone chilled through the bone. Via was nice & cozy warm as long as the door remained closed, but everytime someone went in or out, there was an unpleasant reminder of the frozen tundra outside. My one suggestion that would bring my rating up to a 5: Get one of those temporary cold weathery doors to put up before the regular door to block out the wind. Lots of places have them, & they make a HUGE difference. I can't wait to find out what this place is like in warm weather, with the outdoor seating. Hope to return soon!
(4)Jeff g.
Went with my girlfriend for her parents birthday. The place was ok looking. Loud as hell. The food was expensive for what it was and the portions were pretty small. I had the riggattoni with sausage, it was pretty bland. The Tiramisu was good but again small. We had a party of 6 and were there for about two hours. We had to constantly ask what they had to eat since the menu was small and didn't show everything. We decided to linger a bit when the manager(some pregnant bitch) came up to us and asked us to leave, which she explained to us for five minutes why she wanted us to go. Which we were trying to explain we were leaving soon. I'm sorry but our group paid 200$ plus tip, we should not be getting the bums rush. There were other tables there that were full way before we were and they weren't being asked to leave. We were only waiting for our niece to be changed. I have been to way better Italian restaurants in the city were they don't pull this nonsense. Such as Il Vicinato ristorante. I hope this is not the only Italian restaurant in Des Plaines. OVERRATED!!!! Will not go there again.
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