Trattoria Oliverii

This is one of three Italian restaurants in downtown Northbrook and I would say it's solid restaurant. The interior is bright and airy. There's a front room and a back room and the tables are jammed in the front room to squeeze every dollar out of every usable space. Our table was big enough to hold our plates and glasses, but if anyone ordered a side dish, they would have needed to give us a tray side table. Many different dishes were ordered and I wish I could remember what everyone ordered...My wife and I got a caesar salad to share. The salad was great, dressing was not overpowering (as is often the case at many Italian restaurants). As this was my first time at Trattoria Oliverii, I ordered the Pollo Limone (aka lemon chicken or chicken piccata). It was a really good dish. The sauce was not too thick nor was it overpowering. It was a great first impression! There was a fish special and my wife and two other people in our party got the special as well. All three said it was a good dish as well. Another in our party ordered the Lasagna Di Spinaci (spinach lasagna) and said it was very good. The restaurant was packed from start to finish and they let us stay and chat long after we finished our meals. This is a really good restaurant to go to with friends, family, dates, or special occasions.

A complete disappointment. Our evening out celebrating my dear friends birthday we decided to try one of the other Italian restaurants within the 3 blocks Northbrook village. Upon entering we were greeted by the hostess, we were advised they were booked and quickly offered a seat at the bar. Which sounded fine until we entry the tiny room located near the rear entrance. We were greeted by the female bartender, who was also on the her cellphone. She gave us one food menu and one wine menu. She then explained their phones were down and she was trying to get help from the phone company. She came back to ask what we'd like, I ask for a second menu, she replied I only have one at the bar and she was on the phone. She gave me a scan code. I so wanted to ask her if her cellphone would allow her to walk to the front and get another, But I didn't. She returned after handing her phone to a man at the end of the bar. We order a bottle of wine and two appetizers. She quick turned around and never acknowledged what I ordered? She retrieve her cellphone from the guy. The hostess noticed us sitting there she ask if we had ordered I replied yes, but I'm not sure if she understood us, as she turned her back on us and never confirmed. The guy at the end of the bar, chimed in, "she didn't turn her back on you". ( I later overheard he was the cousin.) It was that moment I got Open table and found another restaurant in the area. We received our wine and appetizers, never once being asked if everything was okay until we had finished them. She asked we wanted to order entrées, and I replied I'll take our check, she seemed a bit surprised. The entire time she was juggling customers and her cell phone dealing with the phone company making sure everyone knew she was on the phone with the phone company. I get it we've all dealt with the phone company. Your restaurant guests don't need to know your phones are down, take care of it out the public's earshot, we don't need to hear your conversation with them. Our two appetizers were just okay, the calamari was over battered and the tomato slices in the Caprese salad were tough. Honestly it was a waste of $100.00. You can thank the man at the end of the bar for 2 customer to never return.

A little peak of sunshine during this area's winter doldrums and suddenly it's like everyone has awoken from hibernation. We stopped by pizza place #1 and the parking lot was full. I said, let's try Yelp-suggested pizza place #2 and the line was out the door. As we were looking for parking I noticed Trattoria Oliverii (pretty empty - clue #1) so when we left the restaurant across the street I said, "let's try that place it's pretty empty." It's cute looking, from the bold neon name splashed across the window, cozy tables with tablecloths, wall of wine bottles in the front. The hostess asked if we had a reservation and we said no and she said sit anywhere you like (clue #2).The menu had traditional Italian entrees but since we were hankering for pizza, my companion said let's try the pizza. There were four pizza options (clue #3). We ordered the Oliverii Pizza Special which had sausage, pepperoni, bacon, mushrooms, onions, green peppers, black olives.The pizza was a disappointment (wah-wahhhh). The crust was doughy, chewy, tough. There was just a dab of sauce and the slightly cooked veggies were on top of the cheese. There were a lot of toppings stacked high, but they scattered all over the plate and table when trying to take a bite. We took one bite and I whispered, let's get ice cream across the street. We ate another slice to be polite and there was still 3/4 left. We asked to box it up to take away (trying to be nice).The server was polite and the patrons eating their pastas seemed to be enjoying their plates. Moreover some of them were probably regulars. I would not recommend the pizza.

A small neighborhood Italian joint. You can smell the garlic when you are in the vicinity. My friend and I split a pasta and a salad they were delicious. There were many older couples, one table of a girls night out and me and my friend. I'd like to say we are young, but it is all relative.

This place is located just steps away from the downtown Northbrook train tracks. It's small, charming, and has a mom and pop's vibe. I took my mom after spending an afternoon at the Chicago Botanical Gardens in Glencoe. We ordered the chicken marsala which came with capellini - my mom raved that it was the best chicken marsala she's ever had. The chicken (white meat) breast meat was melt-in-your-mouth soft and covered w/ a scrumptious marsala wine reduction. We also shared a penne alla vodka which we took home (portions are huge). This has become a go-to whenever I go shopping in the Northern suburbs.

If you're looking for a delicious meal in a welcoming atmosphere, look no further than this neighborhood Italian restaurant. Not only is the food amazing, but the ambiance is outstanding as well. The cozy interior and friendly staff make it the perfect spot to enjoy a meal with friends or family.But that's not all - during the summer months, you can also enjoy live music at this establishment. It adds an extra layer of charm and entertainment to your dining experience. One of my favorite spots in the North Shore!

I don't know why this place has 3.5 stars when it truly deserves 5! The food is incredible here from the penne Russo, to the chicken parm, to the spaghetti pomodoro. I also love the chicken florentine. For starters, you can't go wrong with the fried calamari. This place will always be a fav for me. I've been coming here for years. The service is great and the ambience is nice. I order extra most of the time, just so I could have leftovers!

A lot of potential deliciousness here, and service is good....but, omg, the tomato sauce on the pastas is overwhelmingly salty. So much so, it ruined the dish. We were party of three and tasted the barrage of salt each on each of our entrees

Great food and fun to watch the commuters come in from the train. Wonderful family owned with a loving atmosphere.

I had the spaghetti bolognese. It was wonderful. Great service as well. Nice atmosphere and great location.