Nonna Silvia's Trattoria & Pizzeria — Restaurant in Norwood Park Township

I’m not sure I ate at the same restaurant. Friends must be writing reviews! People who are saying this is “the best” “the greatest” have not eaten good Italian food!

We decided after a few years to try this place out again. I want to let you know we had a mediocre meal a few years ago. Hence why we opted to not really go back. However tonight we were like meh it's local, let's give it a shot! I wish I would've given my $150.00 to another establishment. Let's talk Pro's: Drinks were good we had Italian margaritas! The waitress was good but confused and all over the place. She was what seemed a bit overwhelmed. It was not busy but she seemed frazzled very hospitable, very apologetic.

Cons- this was absolutely the WORST Italian(ish) food we've ever eaten. I'd compare this to the equivalent of olive gardens ugly twin sister. As an Italian I was embarrassed. We started off with the carpaccio this was the best part of everything we ordered, flavorless, old dried capers and what seemed like tomatoes that were also used for bruschetta. Then we also ordered the creamy polenta. It was NOT creamy it was a block of what was worse than store bought pre made polenta. It said creamy and goat cheese - it was not creamy nor did it have any taste of goat cheese. It was covered in a what looked like a jarred vodka sauce.

Then onto the actual meals! One of had the Bronzino - it was served over saffron rice? Weird choice of side but OK, the fish was bland over cooked and under seasoned, it's had a very fishy taste. The fish sat on the rice, that sat in a pool of liquid - was it fish juice? Was it broth? It tasted like water. I still can't get the taste out of my mouth. The other dish we ordered was the lasagna. It came to the table a decent portion I will say. It sat over a thick red tomato sauce that you could taste the acid from the tomato paste in it. I said jokingly wow that has heartburn written all over it. It was so acidic. Then the lasagna itself they (what looked like) used a thick piece of mozzarella over the lasagna threw it in a salamander to melt and serve. I need to call it what it was ... cheap cheese covering up bad pasta. When we cut through the hunk of cheep cheese the lasagna tasted sour - a sign of béchamel made wrong or gone sour, and it was COLD - it was so bad we returned it. The waitress lovely lady still confused asked what else she could get in place. We opted for the Caprese ravioli. I don't know if this is what they hoped it would look like, again a total miss. The pasta edges were uncooked, the filling was 1/2 of cherry tomato, a piece of basil and I'm assuming again a very cheap watery Barada cheese. In a very watered down pesto. So watered down it looked like greens floating in water. At this point we were completely over this place and just wanted to leave the bill came $123.00. Honestly Olive Garden woulda been better! At least they have breadsticks!!! At one point during dinner I looked around the restaurant and said "This is what people who don't know what Italian food is" it's very sad! Never Never Never again ... save your money and go...

Nestled in the nook of a neighborhood there awaits a true experience. Escorted to our table within minutes of our arrival we we're given warm bread and parmesean. This was a subtle jab to the knockout flavor kneaded into each dish to follow. Our server Bridget was beyond attentive answering questions and offering suggestions concerning the menu.The roasted octopus was devilishly Devine charred with herbs and potatoes with a sneaky citrus finish not to mention the smokey sweet and salty pieces of bacon laced throughout the dish.The main dish for me was the lasagna which built in flavor with each bite, round tomato flavor which achieved the ever elusive taming of acidity without adding undo sweetness. My friend ordered the seafood paella which had a depth of flavor the likes I have not experienced anywhere else. Somehow still bright to the taste buds as if they simmered light into it with a slight spice, that seemed to be almost teasing on the pallet. To finish this perfect game they pitched what I would call a warm apple strussle slider topped with a vanilla gelato, carmel ,and cinnamon (or maybe it was pixie dust😅). Just an absolutely complete meal from start to finish. We walked out of the door astonished at the level of satisfaction we felt after our meal. Listen not full(though we were definitely that) not feed( though we were definitely that) but absolutely satisfied. In a world of expensive food destinations over hyped suggestions and much to be desired service. Nonna Silvia's is not selling plates of food they are serving symphonies. Do yourself a favor and pull a seat up in the orchestra pit of flavor and allow the reverberating resonance of a true food experience to rest squarely over every inch of your taste buds. Truly movingly...

We came to Nonna Silva’s to celebrate our anniversary, unfortunately and contrary to what the majority of reviews say about this place, we had a completely different experience.

Food: Average. We order two plates out of their dinner specials: prime rib rigatoni and sea food risotto. The latter was decent, the first one had very little prime rib and the sauce was not house made. The burrata salad we had as appetizer was pretty good although it had no olive oil or balsamic vinaigrette.

Service: Poor. Since the moment we arrived, the first person (who appeared to be the owner) didn’t even welcome us inside. He focused on a group of people who appeared to be regulars. We have made a reservation, however we got seated at a corner table, next to leaking ductwork, and next to the loudest group of people at the place. The waitress seemed to be in a hurry to get the order, took forever to bring our plates and forgot our appetizer. She kept bring us bread to compensate for the delay.

Atmosphere: Loud! the place is loud as a downtown bar. It was impossible to have a conversation, to the point that the waitress had to talk on our ears so we can hear their specials. A waiter (who appeared to be a friend of the loud table next to us) kept bringing people from other tables to introduce them and making the place even louder. He and the rest never realized how uncomfortable we were with their conversation.

In my opinion, this place is an average overpriced Italian place. There are definitely other options...