Chicago area restaurants offer great Italian restaurants like Italian Village which is one of the oldest Italian restaurants in America and the oldest Italian restaurant in Chicago.
Italy has a rich history in food from the Roman Empire to today. Explorers like Marco Polo traveled the globe and brought back herbs, produce and local game from around the world. Tomatoes were discovered in the Americas and brought back to Italy and pasta from China where the Chinese had been cooking noodles for over a century before Italy discovered the idea. Did you know the Caesar salad is a Mexican creation?
There are 20 regions of Italy and each has its own particular dishes. Many of these regional dishes have gradually become international dishes. Cheese and wine play an important role in Italian cuisine and vary greatly from region to region. Coffee, particularly espresso, is not only a popular drink; it is an important part of the social life and culture of Italy. Friuli-Venezia Giulia is close to the border with Yugoslavia. Hams and bacons are well-renowned from this area. The beers of mainland Europe have crept into sauces along with sausages to make tast dessert y fare. Flour and pastry-based desserts are also from this region, so thank Friuli-Venezia Giulia next time you enjoy a flaky strudel! Veneto is known for risotto. It varies throughout the region. Near the coast, fish and seafood are added, whilst inland vegetables and frogs legs are added to the dish. This area favors hearty, heavy food using beans and pasta with spices and sausages. Lombardy is where many cattle are raised and its cheeses are legendary. Gorgonzola comes from the town of the same name. Rice is popular in this region and is used in soups as well as risotto. Piedmont is a wine-producing area and fine sparkling wines are produced from the Barbera grapes. Nuts, truffles and hunting all contribute to this region’s delicacies. Meats are marinated in wine, and left to age for six months to produce prosciutto. Emilia-Romagna is the pasta capital of northern Italy. Balsamic vinegar can only be made in the Emilia towns of Modena. Reggio Emilia gave its name to Parmigiano Reggiano cheese. Tuscany produces simple foods including the finest olive oil. Beef is raised here to complement the local bread, cheese and vegetables. Sardinia bases its diet upon the rock lobster, scampi, squid, and other seafood which is so prolific in this area.
Naperville Italian food options are many. Rosebud on West Chicago Avenue has a Naperville location and Luigi’s on Route 59 in Aurora is also owned by local favorite Portillo. Maggiano’s Little Italy recently opened in Freedom Commons just off I-88 at the Naperville exit on Freedom Drive. Timpano Italian Chop House and Martini Bar is also on Chicago Avenue and a downtown favorite. Angelia’s does catering as well as an eat-in menu is on East Chicago Avenue. The largest Italian food operator, Olive Garden on State Road has a Naperville restaurant and has recently over-hauled the menu. Salute!
Use our one click search for Naperville Italian Restaurants or enter the name of an Italian Restaurant in the search box below: