If Pasta Is Your Love Language, You'll Be In Heaven At Gaia Ristorante Italiano In Illinois
By Linze Rice|Published June 28, 2023
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Linze Rice
Author
Ope! From the rural cornfields of DeKalb County, Linze is an Illinois native and true Midwestern gal who can make a mean bonfire and whip up a perfect marshmallow salad. Since 2014, her bylines and photography have appeared in the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Magazine, Chicago Sun-Times, and Block Club Chicago/DNAinfo Chicago, Only in Your State, and more. She has interviewed Dolly Parton, written about beloved diners along historic Route 66, visited the last Rainforest Cafe in the Illinois, and reviewed luxurious English manor-inspired hotels. Whether it's writing about a local gem or world-renowned establishment, Linze brings a heartwarming and historical perspective to each story, using facts, wit, and personal experience to impress upon readers the importance of culture, food, travel, and all things local. Her favorite destinations in Illinois include Starved Rock State Park, Chicago's Edgewater neighborhood, the charming small town of Sycamore, and historic Rosehill Cemetery. When she's not writing or photographing, Linze enjoys gardening, spending time with her husband and pets, cooking, baking, and grilling, and relaxing with trashy TV.
For some, love is expressed through acts of service, like picking up your dry cleaning for you or watering the garden when you’re too tired. For others, maybe it’s through physical touch like a hug or holding hands. For me, it’s through food — not only cooking a meal I know you’ll love, but also plating it beautifully and giving you the shinest fork. But when I need a break from cooking myself, I look to my favorite local restaurants to help express that love through heartwarming homemade dishes and a romantic atmosphere. Fortunately, the best Italian restaurant in Berwyn, Illinois is always there to provide just that.
Gaia Ristorante Italiano, located at 6822 Windsor Ave., is an Italian restaurant that specializes in fresh, homemade pastas, seafood, cocktails, and incredible grilled meats. It's ideally located directly in front of a Metra train station that carries commuters between Chicago and Aurora, though many locals prefer to walk or drive there.
Linze Rice
Inside, the dining rooms are decorated with simplicity and class, using rustic gold mirrors, rich wood, curated frames, and an array of chandeliers to create a warm, romantic atmosphere that keeps the focus on your food and your company.
My husband and I tend to celebrate milestones and holidays here like birthdays, anniversaries, and Valentine's Day. Once we make a reservation, we both eagerly await our meal not only for the amazing dishes, but for the entire experience.
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Right away, I suggest ordering a drink from the knowledgeable bar. Generous wine pours and refreshing homemade cocktails kick the meal off in a fun and vibrant way. My favorite is the Sicilian — Amaretto and elderflower with fresh lemon and soda water.
The service here is also top-notch — this delicious non-alcoholic cocktail was crafted on the fly by the bar specifically for my husband who loves a cocktail, sans booze.
Linze Rice
Before diving straight into pasta, order one of the mouthwatering appetizers. My go-to is the Bruschetta al Pomodoro, which features fresh tomatoes, olives, basil, olive oil, and garlic on sliced Italian bread.
Now this is where the pasta lovers will truly start drooling: Gaia's famed gnocchi, which is a must-order for me. I've never tasted anything quite like this pillowy-soft gnocchi, which practically melts in your mouth.
Pro tip: Get a fresh cup of coffee for a warm, sweet way to wind down your dinner.
Of course, I'm always of the mind that an Italian restaurant can be measured by its cannoli competency. No surprises here, but Gaia passes the test with flying colors.
So, would you rate this diner as the best Italian restaurant in Berwyn, Illinois? What’s your favorite thing to order? Have another Illinois-based romantic or Italian restaurant in mind? Tell us in the comments! Start planning your own pasta night out by visiting the Gaia Ristorante Italiano website and the Gaia Ristorante Italiano Facebook page. And if the city of Berwyn sounds familiar, it may be because you’re remembering it from this iconic movie scene!
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