Primo Italian American Cuisine — Restaurant in Gurnee

It was our first time visit to Primo's, and the Hubby and I were looking forward to it! We had read the reviews and had a few friends recommend Primo's. I made an online reservation for a Friday night at 5:30PM and requested a booth. Thank goodness we made the reservation! Upon our arrival at 5:30PM, the place was fully packed! The good news, they honored our request for a booth. After we were seated, that is when everything came to a halt! It took 15 minutes for water and what they serve as "bread sticks" to be delivered to us. I call them "bread sticks" as I think they tasted like cut up Gonnella buns. They were all uneven, not even straight sticks: flavorless, doughy, a hint of possibly being toasted, a small dribble of flavorless olive oil, a tablespoon of parmesan cheese and a dollop of butter. We tried the "sticks" and decided they were not worth the calories. Our Waiter appeared at 5:45 and asked if we were ready to order. No recommendations or evening specials were provided to us. Since it was our first time at Primo's and the menu is 6 pages, we were not ready to order. Our Waiter returned at 6PM and we put in our drink order, One (1) Cosmopolitan and our dinner order. 15 minutes later the Cosmo finally arrived! We had pushed the bread sticks and it's condiments to the end of the table for the busboy to remove, he did not until after we left. Not sure why?

We finally received our appetizer and entrees a full 1 hour after being seated! BTW, the Italian Saganaki tasted just like marinara sauce, could not really taste the cheese because it was drenched in the sauce. Finished at 6:50 and then sat in the booth while the dishes were being cleared, YEP, the bread sticks remained at the corner of the table...still. Tried to catch our Waiter's eye as he zoomed past our table multiple times. When he ignored us, we tried to grab the Hostess' attention, she ignored us and ran back to Hostess station. Finally received our bill without being offered any dessert menu. 1 hour and 45 minutes later we could finally leave. Being in the elevated booth, we witnessed other diners being promptly waited on a served. For the price $$$, quality and professionalism of the Staff, I would recommend another local Italian restaurant which will CARE that you spend time enjoying your...

January 2025 Addendum to review. I thought I’d try Primo again after a couple of years absence. I sat at the bar and ordered Agnololatti pasta and a glass of Classico Chianti. The bar tender brought out a tin cup with three little pieces of stale bread points. The presentation was nice, but the bread sticks were not. My pasta arrived with an other piece of bread, this time it was fresh but unremarkable. Garlic bread would have been nice. The pasta was tender and filled with ricotta cheese and sprinkled on top with a goat cheese. There wasn’t much seasoning and became dull after a few bites. When I told the bartender that there was a lot of sediment in my wine glass, he asked, “what was that” he had no idea what sediment was. I asked if he emptied to bottle into my glass and yes he did. When I got the bill, the charge was$18.00. I knew that the Classico Chianti was not that high. After questioning the price, he brings over the bottle he poured. It was not Italian, not a Chianti, but a French Bordeaux. Not even close. Apparently he wasn’t listening, nor had the sense to ask which wine I want, so he decided to pour what he wanted. I’m sorry, but after being a waiter, Resturant manager, bar manager, and studied to become a chef and did, I just don’t put up with this crap and usually don’t return. I actually came in the see if this place has improved for my organization to come back too. I am disappointed to say the least. It was a Wednesday night and the place was pretty empty. Everything below this was written four years ago. The average cost per person will be $50 to $80 , and that is if you don’t order appetizers and salads or dessert. Before you go, look below and tap the thumbs up please. Previous review! Attended the Sunday brunch with 19 other people and everyone enjoyed the food. There is a wide variety from seafood to prime rib, from fruit to vegetables and don't forget the deserts. Primo is an elegant restaurant on the upscale side, especially for this area. It is between Waukegan and Gurnee on Grand ave. This place was badly needed and it is appreciated. Weddings, showers, birthdays, anniversaries or any special event would be well served here. The Lake Michigan Sailing Club has used Primo restaurant many times and it’s...

Lake County has many upscale restaurants, but for me, the dining experience at Primo is the absolute best. The restaurant itself is beautifully decorated with sparkling light fixtures and rich wood, mixing a vibrant downtown Chicago vibe with a comfortable, relaxed atmosphere. Service is warm, knowledgeable, and attentive. The food at Primo is delicious. The owners’ love of great food shows in the menu, going way beyond standard Italian fare, including outstanding steaks and seafood. One of the ways I tend to judge the skill of a restaurant’s kitchen is how they cook steak, and there is none better than Primo. I like my steak cooked rare/med rare, and while most restaurants overcook, Primo nails it perfectly every time. Primo’s menu stays true to their customers’ favorites while always introducing new specials and surprising twists that elevate the food, such as hen-of-the-wood mushrooms (to die for) or a fresh, herbaceous chimichurri. Cocktails are expertly mixed, tasty, and beautiful, with special touches like Luxardo cherries, dehydrated citrus, fresh herbs, and fresh flower garnishes. Primo has an incredible selection of wines. As a wine novice, ordering wine can sometimes be intimidating, but Primo’s extraordinary sommelier, Marko, makes the wine experience approachable and accessible to everyone from beginners to connoisseurs. Above all, what really makes Primo stand out from other restaurants is the people. From the first time my husband and I stepped into Primo, everyone treated us like family. While some restaurants make you feel like an outsider if you are not one of their regulars, Primo understands that if you treat people right, new customers soon become loyal regulars. They have assembled an amazing staff of professionals who genuinely care. Whether you have a special occasion or "just because", make a reservation to sit at one of Marko’s tables or enjoy a fantastic cocktail with Jancy at the bar, and you will become a loyal regular in...