Ascione Bistro Skokie — Restaurant in Niles Township

This establishment delivers a lunchtime experience that blends warmth, precision, and culinary finesse. I visited with my cousin, his wife, and their children—a group with diverse palates and expectations—and was thoroughly impressed from start to finish.

Service, led by the attentive and knowledgeable Naomi, set the tone. Her guidance and timing were impeccable, and she navigated our table with both grace and efficiency.

The culinary offerings were nothing short of delightful. I selected the braised beef short rib, which arrived meltingly tender, with a rich reduction that spoke to hours of careful preparation. My family enjoyed the stuffed veal chops, Smash burger, and frutti di mare—each dish showcasing bold flavors and generous portions. The veal was expertly cooked and well-seasoned, the smash burger was perfectly crisp-edged and juicy, and the seafood medley in the frutti di mare was fresh and balanced.

To start, we shared the prosciutto antipasto and calamari. The prosciutto was sliced thin with just the right touch of saltiness, while the calamari struck the ideal textural balance—lightly crisp on the outside, tender within.

Despite the impressive spread, the portions ensured we left with leftovers—a testament to both value and hospitality. Even the children, often selective in their choices, eagerly sampled nearly every dish, a rare and telling endorsement.

The cocktail program deserves a nod of its own. Their Old Fashioned was confidently constructed—boozy, aromatic, and balanced. The White Linen offered a bright, herbaceous contrast, refreshing and clean on the palate.

All told, this spot is a welcome reminder that thoughtful cooking and heartfelt service still anchor great dining. Lunch was a triumph. I look forward, with great anticipation, to returning for...

Ascione has arrived, and it was well worth the wait! We arrived on opening night and were treated like family members. We were immediately greeted by the general manager, Danny, as soon as we walked through the door. The inside is absolutely stunning. The lighting is wonderful, and besides regular table seating, there are groupings of comfortable couches and chairs. It was sparkling clean. There is also a very impressive amount of bar seating, which we chose, and were immediately greeted by Brittany, our hostess. The televisions in the bar area were so well positioned, we didn’t notice them for quite some time. Our bartender, Ale, was exceptional. She was beautiful, both inside and out. What a lovely reflection on Ascione. She did not miss a beat. As former restaurant owners, we were impressed by her bartending and serving skills, attentiveness, and awesome personality. We enjoyed her hand crafted cocktails so much, we decided to dine at the bar. Our entrees were simply extraordinary. We enjoyed the lobster risotto, and the short rib and lamb chop dinners. The portions were simply amazing. The accompanying potatoes and vegetables were a favorite. The seasoning and presentation were excellent. We were also greeted by Aaron, our wait staff. He was particularly fun and competent and helped make our evening very enjoyable. There is also a dessert for every craving. We loved the Creme Brûlée! We will be returning next week as there were so many entrees we would like to try. See you then!

~On a side note, free valet parking...

Disappointing Birthday Lunch – All Hype, No Substance

We were the only table there for a Tuesday lunch—already a red flag. The service was average, and the food? Overrated. The owner must be a marketing genius, maybe hosting some tasting events for foodie influencers KOLs to rack up those five-star reviews. The place runs on hype, not quality.

This is not an authentic Italian restaurant. Take their American style "tiramisu"—drowned in thick whipped cream, completely missing the point. Real classic Italian tiramisu is a delicate balance of bitter espresso and cocoa powder, sweet mascarpone and sugar, pasteurized egg yolks and espresso-soaked ladyfingers. No cream, no gelatin, no sponge cake. This was a sad knockoff.

The rest of the meal was just as underwhelming:

pre-meal bread The free bread was rock-hard, and the low-quality olive oil was cheap-tasting.

the soup of the day The cream of mushroom soup was just OK.

Linguine ai Frutti di Mare Overcooked seafood (only 3 shrimp, 6 mussels—one iffy—and a few tiny clams). The creamy tomato pasta sauce was bland and watery.

Smash burger The burger was over-salted.（maybe to push drinks?). Even the fries were too salty to finish.

At best, the food was mediocre. At worst, it felt like a scam. Save your money. ————————————————————— Updated： We both suffered from diarrhoea and nausea after eating there. Not sure if it was not fresh food or the freezing...