Destino Ristorante — Restaurant in Gurnee

Today’s review- Everything goes well at Destino. It starts at the door, moves on to the table, throughout your dining experience and as you walk out the door. I’ve said this many times - during several reviews - the staff and their leader Danny Legatos ensure you enter and leave feeling like a family member, not merely a customer. Tonight I had a double down of lasagne and the risotto. Amazing! Don’t just take my word for it - see for yourself. Join the family!

Previous review: We've eaten at Destino twice - within a week, it was that good! I'll try to sum up both, but I don't think I'll have enough room to say it all. You'll notice the ambiance and inviting layout - the Frank Sinatra songs playing in the background. You won't get two feet in the door before you'll be greeted by the hostess but if you're lucky, you'll get to meet the owner, Danny. He's genuine, and his staff is genuine. We had reservations both times (trust me, you'll see why) and were seated shortly after. Our table was clean, set, and had what my wife and I enjoy at fine Italian restaurants - olive oil at the table. After getting settled in, our server approached and introduced themselves - polite, professional - offered water options, beverage options and explained the menu. Warm bread shortly followed with fresh grated cheese to add to that olive oil at the table. Both times, I had the branzino. It came out perfect - hot, flaky amazing flavor. I had a side of sausage / peppers also, it was amazing also. My wife had the rigatoni alla vodka the first time, and the pollo arrosto all destino this time. Hot, elevated dining that was flavorful, great seasoning. Looking around the room, everyone looked like they loved their food also. Our daughters had the fettuccini alfredo and both loved it. Our server checked on us constantly both times, refilled waters, and was super attentive. The deserts were amazing also - carrot cake is what we had last time. We passed on desert yesterday because we were full. One of the things I love about Destino, is the owner Danny who treats you like you're eating in his house as family, not just a customer. He sat with us last time and we got to know one another and yesterday it felt like we were home for the holidays coming over for dinner. He had our teen girls laughing and off their phones. It was a great time. You will not be disappointed if you go there. In fact, you'll probably check your calendar to see when you're going back. Elevated fine dining has finally...

Walking in you can immediately tell they nailed the atmosphere. The music, the lighting down to how the table looks when you sit down. The darkened room with 30’s, 40’s and 50’s music just feels right. It’s a welcome old school feeling.

I’ve never mentioned things like cutlery and drink ware in a review because it’s not something you usually think about. The glasses are gorgeous and are absolutely high quality. The fork and knife also feel sturdy in the hand and absolutely convey no expense was sparred.

The menu was expertly explained by the wait staff(more on them later). The menu is not expansive but it covers all facets of Italian food. Quality is the word my wife and I consistently found ourselves saying. The bread on the table was warm, fresh and had the perfect crunch on the outside and the inside was perfect. The olive oil on the table was a stand out. Often restaurants let it go stale or sour, this was fresh and again obviously of a higher quality than the normal filippo berio. The meat balls melted in your mouth and were cooked to perfection. Again the quality of the meat was obvious. I ordered the vodka rigatoni and the presentation, coloring of the sauce and the freshness of the rigatoni itself was outstanding. The fresh mozzarella that topped it was out of this world. If there was one thing I would change is changing the crumbled sausage to sliced but that is only a personal preference. My wife had the short rib ravioli and was absolutely blown away. The meet was tender and the pasta itself was not only fresh but tasted genuinely homemade. Finally we said yes to the dessert and the olive oil cake tasted just like Nonna used to make. Now if they had a ricotta cake I might have had both.

I’m saving the best for last and that is the staff. Ms Karla was absolutely hands down fantastic. You can tell her passion because it comes through as she is explaining the menu and her suggestions. I wouldn’t call her a waitress more like a dinner companion guiding you through the menu and the proper pairings. The bussing staff was absolutely attentive and fantastic. The wait staff is a clear representation of the ownership. It’s clear there was time and training invested and it paid off.

Amazing meal, amazing staff,...

I don’t typically take photos of my meals or write restaurant reviews—I prefer to live in the moment. However, the experience at Destino’s truly deserves recognition.

The food was outstanding—an easy 10/10. The calamari was some of the freshest I’ve had anywhere in the North Chicago area. The pasta was incredibly creamy, and the meats were perfectly seasoned. Every bite reflected the simplicity and heartiness of authentic Italian cuisine, reminding me of home-cooked meals shared with family.

What elevated the experience even further was the exceptional service. We were fortunate to have Bret as our server, and he exceeded all expectations. He was knowledgeable about the menu and genuinely attentive. My wife tends to enjoy sweeter cocktails and often finds it hard to land on one she loves—but Bret crafted a Midori Sour with a twist that was perfectly balanced, sweet, and refreshing. Though not listed on the menu, they made it happen, it was one of the highlights of the evening. Be sure to ask about the foam topping—it’s a surprising and delightful touch that added depth to the drink.

As for the atmosphere, Google photos simply don’t do it justice. Destino’s is warm and welcoming—perfect for a date night, family gathering, or brunch with friends. The space is adorned with tasteful nods to Italian culture, creating a setting that feels both elegant and familiar.

If you’re planning a special evening, I highly recommend inquiring about availability at the Chef’s Table. It offers a more intimate experience set away from the main dining area, allowing you to witness the cleanliness, skill, and focus of the kitchen team. Best of all, you may get the opportunity to meet Danny and James, the passionate owners behind Destino’s. Their dedication and drive are evident in every detail.

Make your reservation—you won’t be...