Since 1927 the Capitanini family has served delicious, affordable and generously portioned Italian cuisine at The Village. The restaurant's location in the heart of the Loop has made it vulnerable to covetous real estate developers, but all three generations of Capitaninis have refused to sell. As a result, the charming stucco building with its unmistakable neon sign and cupola stands out proudly amidst a sea of steel and glass skyscrapers and fast-food chains.

Venture inside and you'll almost forget you're across the street from the Chase Plaza. The interior decoration recreates a rustic Italian village, with faux tile rooflines, romantic frescoes depicting the Italian countryside, and booths set in cozy alcoves with names like La Taverna and La Banca. The arias of Italy's most enchanting operas and authentic northern dishes like agnolotti al pomodoro e basilico (cheese-spinach filled pasta in a tomato-basil sauce) and scaloppine alla toscanini (sliced beef tenderloin sauteed with mushrooms and Marsala wine) bring the scene to life, and a selection from the 45,000-bottle wine list (The Village boasts the largest cellar in the Midwest) completes the transformation. If you're looking for a more contemporary Italian scene, stop in for Frank Sinatra-style live jazz on Cabaret Wednesdays.

As compared to its more upscale sister restaurant Vivere, The Village's casual setting and reasonable prices make it a great stop for tourists and theatregoers. You'll also see a solid crowd of business professionals making deals around the bar – rest assured, one thing they won't be negotiating is how to buy out The Village.

Centerstage Reviewer: Amanda Nyren