Passero

A great night at Passero. The 3 of us were sat earlier than anticipated--the hosts and server were fantastic. Personable, attentive, and very helpful.The food was anywhere from a 7 to a 9.5 as follows!Octopus: 8 - Protein itself was good, but the star was the accoutrements! The salad w/ olives was sublime.Whipped Ricotta: 9.5 - Damn that rosemary and honey are such good additions. And the bread was perfectly toasted. This was basically a dessert.Fish: 7 - Flavor was decent, but sadly the fish was far overcooked.Pizza: 9 - Really fantastic crust, and the perpperoni with hot honey is such a great pair.Chicken Parm: 8.5 - Huge portion and tons of flavor. Perhaps a touch too much cheese and breading, and just a bit overcooked as well.The place was calm and relaxed. A bit dark, but perfect for a date!

I brought an out of town friend to Passerò for dinner. It was our first time but seemed promising after reading the review. First of all, the ambient and the service were good. We were going to sit outside but it was right by a commuter train track, so opted in for inside seating. There's a good selection of cocktails and even zero proof ones. The foods were underwhelmed. The garlic bread had a crunchy crust (good!), it's cheesy, but didn't deliver on the garlic flavor. The portion was big, but it's only so-so on the flavor. We might come back for drinks and desserts.

At the hub of a downtown area that thinks too highly of its dining offerings (the town, not this restaurant), Passero is an oasis of masterful competency bordering on excellence.Passero features a small and ever-changing menu that strikes a balance between classics and new favorites. Out of all my visits (which numbers half a dozen), I've never had less than a fantastic meal.Servers are clearly hired for personality on top of experience, and this adds a layer of enjoyment to what is already well-executed cuisine. The venue itself has an unobtrusive but interesting avian theme, which is tastefully decorated.

I visit Arlington Heights a couple of times a year and have never given it much thought. Chain establishments abound in this affluent suburb, and it's rare I have the chance to experience something even remotely local. So it was with great pleasure that I had the chance to enjoy a recent dinner at Passero.My wife and I picked it purely from a quick Yelp search, and I am really glad we trusted the locals. Passero's food is fantastic, unique while familiar, and perfectly framed by a welcoming atmosphere and extremely friendly service.I particularly enjoyed the Mussels Arrabiatta, which offered an epically high pile of mussels, served in a rich tomato broth, complimented by deep-fried peperonis, which added both a depth of flavor, but also just the right amount of textural contrast to the seafood. The oily, almost greasy slices of bread to dip were perfect, and my only complaint is how little came with the dish.I also REALLY enjoyed the 'It Aint Easy Being Green' salad, which was filled with an unexpected mix of green ingredients. Who knew apples went so well with avocado? This salad was eye-opening and delightful. And to be honest, I actually enjoyed everything, including the several bites of my wife's 'Fusilli Vodka' with a Calabrian cream sauce, that I quickly consumed while she was off to the restroom. While I'm sure she would have offered me a bite had I asked, there was something thrilling about sneaking a sample of the richly seasoned dish behind her back. If I lived in Arlington Heights, or if there was a Passero near me in Ohio, I would likely go at least once a week. It's a perfect combination of service and flavor. Highly recommended!

The food was good and so was the service. The music was too loud and suitable only for the younger set.

Enjoyed everything we got from Passero! We did family style and got to enjoy a bit of everything. I loved the mushroom pizza and other apps we got!! Pastas were standard but pretty tasty. Prices were fair especially when splitting everything. Not the type of place you'll have a ton of leftovers after. The drink I got was really good (which was what I would expect at $15 each). Didn't have any of the issues with service that ppl had mentioned before. It was a little loud but quieted down as the night went on.

Passero is a spot where making reservations, whether for a weekend or weekday dinner, is a smart move. The ambiance inside is stunning, beautifully decorated, and inviting.Now, onto the dishes--the Brussels sprouts without bacon unfortunately missed the mark; they weren't cooked thoroughly and had an overload of honey. However, on a brighter note, the fries were a winner! I mean, who can go wrong with delicious fries, right?The fusilli was the real star here--a truly delicious pasta dish! Pro tip: ask for extra Parmesan to elevate the flavors--it's a yummy feast!Overall, Passero offers a beautiful setting and some tasty highlights, like the fantastic fries and mouthwatering fusilli. Just a heads-up, though: the Brussels sprouts might need a bit of improvement. But all in all, a pleasant dining experience is worth a reservation.

Passero has always been a good restaurant in our rotation. I think the combination of foods offered on the menu are really great. There's enough choice for everyone. My wife really loves the penne with vodka sauce and the pizzas (gluten free friendly for her allergy!). The last time I went I got their burger and it was fantastic!

Wow. Another awesome restaurant located in downtown Arlington Heights. Passero was a good find. I love discovering new Italian restaurants and I'm so glad we decided to dine here. The inside holiday decor is absolutely gorgeous! My friend and I thought it made the atmosphere that much better! The service was great! Our waitress was fabulous. Wish I had her name so I could mention here in this review. Food was delicious! We each ordered a pasta dish. My friend had the spaghetti and meatballs, which she really enjoyed. I had the carbonara. They add a lot of pepper and seasoning! I'd say they are more heavy on the seasoning compared to other carbonara dishes I've tried, but I liked that! It had a kick! I really enjoyed it and would for sure order it again. I want to come back here soon and try more of the food. Loved everything about Passero!!

Food & service are outstanding every time. Ambience is great. Very well run restaurant. We love the cheese garlic bread, pastas, and burger. Their burger is amazing