Downtown Algonquin has a little bit of Italy in it. Since 2005, Cucina Bella's owners Tony and Tina Colatori have been making the corner of Main and Washington one of the best places for Italian cuisine in McHenry County.

The restaurant's red-bricked Venetian atmosphere is romantically lit, yet casual enough for a few friends to savor a meal of sauteed meats, pastas and fish. Enjoy a fine spirit from the extended bar that features an extensive wine list and weekly $5 specials on mojitos (Saturday) and martinis (Wednesday), among others.

And once you've ordered an appetizer ($7-$13) such as brushetta or a caprese platter, it's time order the main entree ($15-$30) and watch the flames rise high via the open kitchen along the back wall of the split seating area as the chef creates house specials like the eggplant parmesan, or the Scarpetti that's baked with sherry wine and herbs and served with Italian sausage, peppers, onions and olives.

It's so good the locals wanted to have Bella for breakfast and lunch. So in the winter of 2007, Cucina Bella Due opened in neighboring Downtown Crystal Lake, offering lunch and breakfast. A full menu of catering is available for both restaurants along with weekend nightly entertainment as hired crooners woo patrons with classic Italian ballads during their meals.

Centerstage Reviewer: Chris Catania