MAY 2005 Chicagoland's ITALIAN AMERICAN VOICE® FRA NOI The Results Are In! Late last year, Fra Noi asked the presidents of Italian-American organizations and other civic, business and political leaders what Chicago-area Italian restaurants they like the best.  The top three dining establishments were sought and points were assigned to each ranking:  5 points for first place, 3 points for second place and 1 point for third place.  The results are as follows: TOP 5 VOTE GETTERS     Agostino's.......................................86 Roberto's........................................54 DeMarco's......................................42 Porretta's........................................32 Capri..............................................30   RESTAURANTS WITH 20-30 POINTS Angelo's Spavone's Brunetti's Tufano's I Gemelli Tuscany on Taylor Italian Village Venuti's Sabatino's Vic's RESTAURANTS WITH 10-20 POINTS Abruzzo's Freddy's Monastero's Sorriso Antonino's Gennaro's Oliveti's Sparacino Armand's Gioacchino's Palermo's Spiaggia Aurelio's II Jack's Pescatore Palace Topo Gigio Bella Notte Il Cortile Pi' Ano Trattoria Trullo Biaggio's Jim & Pete's Piazza Bella Tuscany in Oak Broak Bice Joe & Guiseppe's Pizza DOC Via Bella Caliterra La Notte Due Pompei on Taylor Villa Verona Coco Pazzo La Strada Riva Village Pub Cucina Roma Lorenzo's Rosebud Villagio D's Little Italy Mambo Italiano Arnie Salerno's Vince's Fellini Merlo Sergio Volare Francesca's Hole in the Wall Mia Francesca's Sorrento's Zza Zza in Clarendon HIlls

First Time Patron

To the best of our recollection, Valentine's Day 2002 involved some sort of take-out and a Blockbuster video.  Determined to set the bar a little higher this year, we scouted out some local restaurants and finally reserved a table for two at Capri Ristorante Italiano, 1238 W. Ogden Ave.  it was a new restaurant close to home and came with the recommendation of a friend, so I eagerly escaped the office at 5:00 that evening anticipating a romantic dinner that did not require fighting rush hour traffic or dishpan hands.  As it turned out, I was not disappointed.

With reservations at 6:00, we were seated and perusing our menus, which offered a standard selection of appetizers, pasta, seafood, veal, chicken, and steak.  Prices for appetizers ranged from $5.95 for bruschetta to $10.95 for mussels, clams, calamari, etc.  Entrees were typically between $10.95 and $16.95, with a few specials and combination dishes running higher.  Our server, who spoke as much with his hands as with his mouth, was happy to recommend a pasta dish at our request:  "I got a rigatoni with vodka sauce that's phenomenal.  You're gonna lick the bowl."  My husband took his suggestion and added chicken, while I selected the fettucini alfredo with shrimp and scallops.  We each ordered a house wine; I sampled a glass of white and he tried the Chianti.

We enjoyed warm bread with olive oil and tasty salads before starting on the main course, which was as delicious as promised.  (OK, se he didn't actually lick the bowl, but... )  Under the watchful eyes of the wait staff, dishes disappeared from our table as soon as they were emptied.  Finally too full for dessert but wanting to linger a few moments more, we finished off the meal with steaming cups of coffee.

All in all, Capri provided a very enjoyable dining experience.  It offered a pleasant atmosphere, reasonable prices, friendly and efficient service, and excellent food from beginning to end.  We recommend that all our Brookdale friends and neighbors check it out soon- no need to wait for Valentine's Day 2004!