Nuova Italia Restaurant — Restaurant in Addison Township

We made a reservation almost a week in advance for 4:30pm early dinner, as we had to catch a 6:45pm showing of a movie that was almost 3 hours long. I even confirmed with the woman who "took" the reservation if they opened that early and she said, oh yeah we open at 3:30 here at Lake St (there's another location??). We were celebrating our anniversary and we picked this restaurant over others in the vicinity (which we weren't familiar with) because of the excellent reviews, and I shared that with her. When we arrived, we were a little dismayed because it was on a strip mall location with an online gambling right by it. Didn't look anything special at all. But we thought, maybe the food is really good and it's nicer inside. When we went it, it was dark and dingy. There seemed to be at least 2 big group events going on, and 2 female employees were just standing in the bar watching the revelry while we stood at the greeter stand for 5 minutes, waiting to be acknowledged/seated. Finally I went up to them and politely excused myself and informed them we have a reservation. Then one of them rudely said, with a tone of incredulity, You made a reservation??! I nicely said, yes and we're a party of 2. The women then just casually gestured around and dismissively said they have 3 first communion parties and if we were okay sitting at the bar, we're welcome to. At this point, my husband was incensed, so he urged me to go somewhere else. As a parting shot, I said ok, we'll go somewhere else since it's our anniversary... to that they said as an excuse, aw the parties here just went over their time and took over the place...I hope you come back some other time! The decent thing for them to do was to have given me a call if that was really the case. But the way we were received, it sounded they weren't even aware of the reservation, (they didn't even check any book to verify mine). We ended up at Lucia Rose, which was right across the movie theater. It was a much nicer restaurant, the kind we were looking for! The hostess and wait staff and even the manager were all so attentive and friendly even though they were so busy (got busy at around 6pm). The food was incredible! Giving 5 well-deserved stars...

This is a gem!

For the people on a quick search, here's a quick summary: Pros: Service, food, price, generous portions Cons: Ambiance Verdict: there's something special about this place; the vibe is soothing, the people very polite, the food generous.

For the people still reading this, here's more on my experience:

Booking: called and they confirmed. Quick and easy.

Service: Very polite, they give you your space and time to decide. The owner was the one taking our order and his demeanor showed he actually respected his customers.

Drinks: a good wine list, something for everyone. There are cocktails if you like and a full bar.

Bruschetta: One of the best Bruschettas I've ever had! The toasts were small and well toasted. The topping took the spotlight - fresh and so flavorful, you'd want to binge on their Bruschetta all day.

Oysters: fresh, delicious, good portion, no judgments (I have my ways and I may get judged at other places)

Seafood medley spaghetti: A combo of generous number of oysters, mussels, calamari, shrimp, and scallops in a generous amount of red sauce with spaghetti cooked in a generous amount of butter and olive oil. The size of the dish might seem greasy and heavy but it surprisingly wasn't!

Endnote: For some reason this place was very quiet and lonely on a Friday night. But the same loneliness makes sure that you are treated a valuable customer throughout your dining experience. I've paid far more for food far less delectable and was simply glad I...

Stepping into this small Italian Nuova restaurant felt like entering a warm embrace. While the decor leans towards a more traditional style rather than a sleek, modern aesthetic, this actually contributed to the wonderfully family-friendly and inviting atmosphere. It felt comfortable and lived-in, in the best possible way. The menu was a delight to explore – truly vivid and full of tempting options. The specials on offer were particularly enticing. We decided to start with two appetizers, and both were fantastic. The burrata with arugula was fresh and creamy, a classic done well. The "meat in eggplant" was a more unique and equally delicious offering. We also shared the farfale with salmon, which was another highlight. Considering the quality of the food, the two appetizers, one main course and a couple of glasses of wine, a bill under $90 with the tip felt very reasonable. Our server was another positive aspect of the experience. They were knowledgeable about the menu and carried themselves with a confident and helpful demeanor. Overall, this Italian Nuova restaurant offers a charming and welcoming environment with delicious food and attentive service at a good value. We thoroughly enjoyed our meal and are definitely considering a...