We have been frequent visitors at a little hideaway in Des Plaines for many years.  It’s a small restaurant with big Italian flavors, and worth the wait on busy weekend nights.

Entrances are on both busy Lee Street (one-way north) and off the municipal parking lot at the rear of the restaurant. Image Credit

Chef Alessandro Forti (formerly of La Strada and La Donna) and his wife Lisa Leslie offer simple, uncomplicated Italian food in this BYOB gem.

Image Credit

Via Roma is open for lunch Monday through Saturday, with its 10:30 opening time perfect for an early lunch after a morning of coffee — to make room for the good food that awaits you. My friend and I arrived at 10:30 and were the first ones there. We benefited from fresh bread, wonderful aromas, and a welcoming staff. Chef Forti was very present — writing the specials on the board and greeting customers.

There is full menu available at lunch, and specials are posted on a chalkboard in Italian — very Roman!!

We chose to share an appetizer and an entree, along with the crisp Italian bread that we had been smelling when we arrived.

Fiori di Zucca — zucchini flowers stuffed with mozzarella cheese and deep friend in a light batter

The pasta dish — fettuccine with three meats was perfectly al dente with a light marinara. One portion served us each a lunch plate with some to take home.

Fettucine 3 carne

Via Roma serves dinner from 4:00 to 10:00 pm on Wednesday through Saturday. They are closed on Sunday. In our experience, they will take a reservation if you can arrive either before or after the busy rush hour — we usually go at 5:00 to ensure that a table is available for our large group of friends.

• Address: 686 Lee St, Des Plaines, IL 60016-4584
• Phone Number: 847-768-7461