Cafe Amore in Palatine is romancing its customers with an all-you-can-eat, heart-shaped pizza; a cozy back-room setting; and budget meals.
Called ”the Heart of Gusto Italiano,” Cafe Amore is directly inside Gusto Italiano II (No. 1 is in Glenview).
The decors are similar: red and white accents, white tablecloths and red carnations on the tables.
On a recent evening visit, Cafe Amore was empty; the hostess seated us in the bar area so we wouldn`t ”have to sit by ourselves.” But as a result, we got an inexperienced server who knew little about the Cafe Amore menu-a problem that undoubtedly will be worked out over time.
The heart-shaped pizza special is all-you-can-eat for $1.99 per person. Imagine our disappointment when the pizza arrived in the traditional round shape! The thin-crust pizza`s good flavor, with a mild tomato sauce and loads of cheese, soon assuaged those feelings.
Pizza also can be ordered stuffed or pan, 10- or 14-inch, for $5.50 to $8.50 (though not all-you-can-eat).
The rest of the cafe`s fare is sandwiches, all-you-can-eat specials and calzones. The calzones` stuffing choices are white (escarole, capers and black olives) or red (tomato sauce, salami, ricotta and mozzarella); the folded-over pastry (each $3) fills a large pasta plate. The red version tastes like sophisticated pizza, with very mild salami stuffed inside and the sauce served on top.
The Italian beef and sausage sandwich ($3.75) is served on a garlic roll
(a nice touch of seasoning) or french bread. The sausage is spicy and not too dry and the beef has a mild flavor.
Italian sausage or beef can be had separately ($2.50-$3.50). Other sandwich selections include chicken breast ($3.95), meatball ($2.75) and hamburger ($3.50).
The all-you-can-eat dinners change nightly. Sunday and Monday it`s fried chicken ($4.95), Wednesday it`s barbecued ribs ($7.95) and Friday it`s fried fish ($5.95). Garlic rolls and pasta are included.
CAFE AMORE
Located in Gusto Italiano II, 345 W. Northwest Hwy., Palatine. Phone:
705-0191. Hours: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Mon.-Thurs., 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Fri., 4-11 p.m. Sat. and 4-9 p.m. Sun.
