Vesuvio Café in Westchester is Worth Discovering It’s worth discovering; Yvette’s and Toulouse alums head culinary team

Recently opened, this classic Italian eatery offers delicious, authentic food. Don’t let the reasonably priced menu fool you into thinking this a run-of-the-mill restaurant. Vesuvio Café is a very special restaurant—everything is first class and the food is perfectly prepared by two talented chefs who hail from two of Chicago’s most esteemed restaurants, Yvette’s and Toulouse.

Westchester, IL (PRWEB) July 9, 2006 - Within the sleek towers of Westbrook Corporate Center in suburban Westchester lies a warm and inviting oasis called Vesuvio Café (2 Westbrook Corporate Center, Westchester, 708-409-1111). Recently opened, this classic Italian eatery offers delicious, authentic food. Don’t let the reasonably priced menu fool you into thinking this a run-of-the-mill restaurant. Vesuvio Café is a very special restaurant—everything is first class and the food is perfectly prepared by two talented chefs who hail from two of Chicago’s most esteemed restaurants, Yvette’s and Toulouse.

The combination of fresh ingredients and traditional Italian fare executed by skilled executive chef Fernando Jaimes and pastry chef Roberto Araujo helps to make this spot a real find in the western suburbs.

The comfortable surroundings make Vesuvio Cafe a perfect place for business lunches and meetings. At night, the restaurant transforms itself into a dinner club, offering great food accompanied by entertainment and live music. Bring your dancing shoes because customers regularly join in, whether for a sing along (on Tuesdays) or for concert quality entertainment, it’s always fun here, with music from jazz to rock classics to R&B regularly performed.

The comfortable surroundings are accented by an immense mirror which lends dramatic dimension to the bar area, while separating the bar from the main dining room. Behind this mirror are plenty of private and cozy booths and tables for those who seek to dine in quieter surroundings.

Vesuvio Café’s chef is Fernando Jaimes, who spent many years in the kitchens of two of Chicago’s renowned restaurants, Yvette’s and Toulouse. Jaimes has worked on the savory and pastry sides of the kitchen and, over the years, has prepared food for many of Chicago’s truly influential people and celebrities. He is not one to gossip and thus he remains modest. Like a true craftsman, he prefers to concentrate on his cooking and baking, and let the food do the talking. His approach is straightforward—it’s about authenticity, technique, quality and flavor. All are readily apparent in his delicious and satisfying foods and desserts.

About the menu
The pricing of the lunch and dinner menus helps make Vesuvio Café a destination worth traveling to. The average lunch menu item is less than $10; dinner items are less than $20. Most items are available both day and night with only a slight increase in price for dinner. There’s also a special menu every evening; the specials change daily.

On the regular menu, appetizers begin the journey with terrific Artichoke and Spinach Dip ($6), Calamari Fritti ($6.50) served with a Remoulade and a zesty marinara sauce for dipping, Caprese ($6.50), Shrimp Martini ($8.50) or an Antipasta Misti ($7) which features Proscuitto di Parma, salami, cheese and olives.

The Calamari dish is worth noting. Vesuvio uses fresh calamari and breads the dish in-house. The difference between freshly prepared squid and previously prepared product is as different as night and day and definitely worth seeking out.

Soup selections include a homemade soup of the day and classic minestrone. The Minestrone is an inspired house favorite, served with an abundance of fresh zucchini, carrots, celery, onions, pieces of fresh tomato, and red kidney beans in a tomato-based broth and topped with fresh basil. It is served in a large mug-style bowl providing a generous and filling portion for only $3.

The core menu features a fine selection of traditional Italian dishes. Pastas, veal, chicken and fish are prepared in all the classic ways. The Pasta section offers ample portions of Ravioli, cheese filled in a tomato sauce ($8.50), Baked Rigatoni, with sausage and cheese in a tomato cream sauce ($12), Penne served with sun-dried tomato, extra virgin olive oil, fresh herbs and eggplant ($9.50), Gnocchi, homemade potato dumpling served in a Bolognese sauce ($10.50), and Fettuccini Alfredo with chicken ($9.50) or shrimp ($11.50).

Pizze selections include Margarita, 12-inch for $9.25, 14-inch for $11.25; Sausage $10.75 for 12-inch; $13.25 for 14-inch; Mushroom, 12-inch for $10.75, 14-inch for $13.25; Pepperoni, 12-inch for $11.25, 14-inch for $13.75; or combination (2 items), 12-inch for $12.25 or 14-inch for $15.25.

Sandwiches are available on both the lunch and dinner menus. The Polpetta di Carne is a 12 oz. burger served with lettuce and tomato for $7.50 at dinner. A similar lunchtime 12 oz. burger goes for $7. Add an extra $.50 for cheese or mushrooms. There’s also Blackened Chicken ($9) and Beef Tenderloin ($12.50) sandwiches.

The namesake Vesuvio Chicken (Pollo alla Vesuvio) ($9.50 at lunch/$12.50 at dinner) features sautéed free range chicken and is a delectable treat. The dinner portion is a slow-roasted half chicken with well-seasoned potato wedges. A slightly crisp outside covers the tender potato accompanied with fresh peas in a light brown gravy.

The Salmon Livornese ($11 at lunch/$15 at dinner), served perfectly medium rare, is another signature menu item. A generous piece of fresh salmon is served in a garlic, fresh tomato, white wine sauce with green and black olives and capers.

Other dinner-menu staples include the Maiale ($15), a double center cut pork chop served with apple and a calvados sauce; Filetto alla Griglia, beef tenderloin served with fresh herb, bleu cheese and asparagus ($18.50), Anatare ($15.50), sautéed roast breast of duck served with a currant sauce and rice; Agnello ($17.50), grilled filet of lamb with gratin potatoes and green beans served in a mint lamb sauce, and Veal Vesuvio or Veal Marsala ($17.50) each prepared the traditional way using veal loin.

Side dishes from $2.50 to $4.50 include Garlic Bread, Mushrooms, Broccoli, Asparagus, Garlic Spinach, and Vesuvio Potato.

The Specials menu changes nightly. A recent specials menu included a starter, Beet Salad Tossed with Fennel, Red Onion, Herbed Feat and Goat Cheese, Walnuts and Lemon Yogurt ($5.50); a delicious pasta dish, Cavatapi Pasta Tossed with Chicken Breast, Roma Tomatoes, Green Peppers and Spinach served in a Fresh Oregano Garlic Lemon White Wine Sauce ($13.50), and a succulent fish entrée, Sautéed Rainbow Trout Served with dice Shrimp, Tomatoes, and topped with Lemon Butter Over Rice Pilaf ($17.50).

Another special, the Grilled Veal Chop is something to behold. If it’s on the menu, order it. At $25, the tasty dish perfectly cooked medium rare served with polenta and shitake mushroom in natural jus is outstanding. The value is remarkable, as the same dish in the city would sell for upwards of $35. Other specials vary from a Baked Lake Superior Whitefish crusted with fresh vegetables and baked, topped with lobster bisque sauce and served with Alligot potatoes for $17.50 to a Spaghetti Amatriciana, tossed with tomato sauce, Pancetta, mushrooms, onions, and crushed pepper topped with fresh basil and Pecorino Romano cheese for $13.50, among others.

Save room for dessert—Roberto is a master at sweet treats such as the Crème Brulée, Chocolate mousse cake with raspberry sauce and creme a l’angalise; Red wine poached pear with almond tart served with a delightful whiskey sauce and creme a l’anglaise. Desserts cost $6.

The Italians might ask, "Ci sono spettacoli per bambini?" (Is there anything for children?) Vesuvio’s popular pricing makes it perfect for families. And what youngster has ever turned down pizza? Cheese? Sausage? Pepperoni? It's your choice and the folks at Vesuvio are glad to prepare it…hot and delicious.

The Italians might also ask, "Che cosa c'e da fare durante la sera?” (What is there to do in the evenings?) Nothing complements a night out like live music. High caliber piano/vocal entertainment is offered Wednesdays thru Saturdays featuring world renowned acts such as Bob Solone, Ester Hanna, Eldee Young with Marshall Vente, Perry Jordan for Motown Live and R Gang. Vesuvio also features a sing-a-long every Tuesday evening. The large lounge area seats nearly 20 people and an adjacent room which opens to the lounge, doubles as a banquet room, is often a scene with couples dancing after dinner.

Vesuvio Café, 9022 W. 22nd St. at Wolf Rd. in the Westbrook Corporate Center in Westchester (708) 409-1111, is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Mondays through Thursdays; the bar stays open until 11 p.m. on Mondays and until 1 a.m. on Tuesdays through Saturdays. The restaurant serves dinner until 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 10 p.m. Friday and 11 p.m. Saturday; closed on Sunday.

The Vesuvio Lounge and Piano Bar is open until 11 p.m on Tuesday and features a sing-a-long, and until 1 a.m. Wednesday through Saturday. Live piano music is featured every Wednesday and Thursday night from 7:30 p.m. to midnight. Bands are featured every Friday and Saturday night. It is closed on Sunday.

For more information or to make reservations, please contact Vesuvio Café at (708) 409-1111 or visit the website at www.vesuviocafe.net.

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