Paisano's Brick Oven - Lakemoor, IL Review

Yesterday, on the advice of a friend, my family and I tried a fairly new restaurant...Paisano's Brick Oven in Lakemoor, IL. Please don't confuse this location with their larger, fancier location in Richmond, IL. This restaurant is small but immaculately clean and nicely decorated. I think they do a huge take-out business but when dining in you do not feel like you are in a take-out joint.

I called before going there to make sure they could accomodate a party of 7 and to ask if it is ok to bring in our own birthday cake. The owner/manager (I'm sorry - I didn't get her name) was so nice. She said they would set up a special reserved table for us AND serve the cake we brought in.

When we arrived a roomy table was reserved for us. They immediately whisked the cake (actually 2 cakes) away to the kitchen so that the birthday celebrants would be surprised. They suggested we use an extra table for the gifts, camera, coats, etc. Our server was very friendly, efficient and accomodating. Our drink orders were taken promptly and we received them in short order. 

My son and daughter in law ordered the authentic Italian pizza with sliced tomatoes and fresh mozzarella. The "large" was huge and we all got a taste. Everyone loved it. My husband really liked his Italian sausage and peppers sandwich. My future son in law enjoyed his huge meatball sandwich. I ordered the cheese ravioli with meat sauce. It came with a crisp salad with homemade dressing and fresh garlic bread. All were fatastic. My daughter ordered the pasta with ricotta cheese and she liked it but felt is was a little bland. The best meal of the day had to be the Italian sub on foccocia bread ordered by my mother in law. It was ginormous! It covered an entire dinner plate and was at least 4 inches high. She could not even eat 1/4 of it. We also ordered the Italian beer, American beer, and lots of soda.

The owner/manager then invited me into the kitchen (so clean!) so I could put candles on the two cakes. We were celebrating my son and my daughter's birthdays as well as my daughter's engagement. The cakes were served with much fanfare and singing.

I was pleasantly surprised when the bill arrived. It was only $84 for 7 dinners, lots of beverages and tax! I checked it to make sure it was correct and noticed they did not include gratuity like so many restaurants do for large parties. Of course, with the great service and excellent food, we were happy to leave a big tip! We will go back frequently!