Editor’s Note: Our columnist is not a trained or paid professional, nor does he get complimentary meals from the restaurants visited. He and his party arrive unannounced and do not reveal that they will be doing a review. Comments or questions may be sent to Sam Geati, greengeezer9@comcast.net.
This week, Judy and I were joined by neighbors Stan and Esther for a classic Italian meal at La Trattoria Mariano, a new restaurant in Algonquin Commons that was previously in Lake in the Hills. This new location should be a boon to their business, as it is much more visible and closer to both Del Webb locations in Huntley and Elgin. It’s not a very large facility, as there are only about 12 tables. If you plan to go on a weekend, reservations would be a good idea.
We arrived around 5:30 p.m. and were seated immediately. In a short time, all the tables were filled. Our server was very efficient, courteous, and attentive to our needs. Soon after being told about the specials of the day, we had hot, freshly baked bread served with olive oil and herbs for dipping. An adequate number of wines were available by bottle or glass. For our appetizer, the four of us shared an order of very tasty bruschetta priced at $7. Reading through the menu, we soon discovered that other than the bread on the table, everything else was ala carte.
The menu consists of most standard dishes you will find in Italian venues, plus several originals created by Mariano, the chef. The style of cooking is somewhat unique in that the chef is European-trained. Esther ordered the chicken parmesan, which, priced at $14, came with a side of pasta. It was enough food for her to also take home and enjoy another day. She said it was one of the best chicken parms she’s had. Judy selected the chicken piccata at $16, which also came with a side of pasta. She, too, had plenty to eat and still take some home. She felt it was good, but not great.
Stan went for the pasta puttanesca, a spicy Neapolitan dish that met Stan’s expectations completely. The fresh tomato sauce was flavored with anchovies, garlic, capers, and kalamata olives. His dish was $17. I asked for veal piccata, which was not on the menu. This surprised me in that most Italian restaurants offer it. The chef sent word back that he would make it for me. Although I appreciated his willingness to prepare it for me, it was good, but not as good as I’ve had in other restaurants. Veal piccata is one of my favorite dishes, and I often use it to compare one establishment versus another. The fare was a bit of a shock: $23.
The four of us agreed that on the whole, the food was good, but the prices were steep for just a main course that didn’t include a soup or salad. We decided to skip dessert.
Ratings (5 symbols being the highest):
Quality of food – ****
Value – **
Service – ****
Ambiance – ****
Comments: This is a very nice place to dine, one that may be on the pricey side for some. The dishes are based upon original family recipes, made from scratch with no chemicals or preservatives. The freshness, uniqueness, and quality of the meals are good, and service was very good.
La Trattoria Marianos Restaurant and Bar – located at 1748 S. Randall Rd. at Algonquin Commons. Reservations are recommended. Call 847-658-0748. www.MarianosMenu.com.
