Visit Sparacino's in Oak Park/Galewood and you're in for a culinary adventure, says restaurant-regular Gary. Impeccable down to the white tablecloths, this restaurant with a full-service bar channels the '30s with classic Italian ads carefully spaced throughout the room. Expect the same orderly look and fresh quality here that you'd enjoy when dining at its sister restaurant, Prosecco.
No single attribute of the restaurant's decor shouts louder than any other. Stained glass, a cherry-finished mantel and an attractive bar coexist with persimmon-colored walls. Tear-shaped lamps, hung from the ceiling, delicately illuminate the space with a fine-dining feel.
The handsome setting lures a number of well-to-do guests like middle-aged doctors and lawyers. Families with screaming kids won't be turned away, but they may feel out of place in what is typically a very intimate environment.
During winter, a four-top table at street level invites you over; watching the snow while dining provides a toasty and captivating experience. In summer, grab a seat outside along the sidewalk, although that means missing out on the eye-catching interior. Whichever setting you prefer, restaurant manager Kevin Keane welcomes you and recites some recommendations. He favors the costoletta di agnello: marinated New Zealand rack of lamb with caramelized onion mashed potatoes and grilled vegetables ($29). The restaurant makes its bread and butter off the rigatoni norcina, pancetta and Italian sausage with a light tomato cream sauce ($17). A meal for two including drinks and dessert easily surpasses the $100 benchmark; a chicken salad alone (although hefty) runs you about $14. The quality and one-on-one service is well worth it nonetheless.
Centerstage Reviewer: David-Anthony Gonzalez
