Located in downtown Elgin, Villa Verone features an interior complete with arched doorways, exposed brick walls, candlelight, cloth-covered tables and black and white checkered tile. The dinner menu features such Italian fare as spaghetti carbonara, manicotti with ricotta cheese and shrimp and scallops in garlic sauce. Wednesday through Saturday evenings the restaurant plays host to karaoke or live musical acts, including jazz and Latin performances. The restaurant features limited street parking out front and a public lot sits just down the street.
Situated amidst a non-descript business park, Cafe Roma offers a decor outfitted with white table cloths, candlelight, dark wood furnishings, a bar with seating and an outdoor dining patio. Chef Frank Redisi, graduate of Le Cordon Bleu, resided in Rome for a year. As a result, the menu includes such authentic fare as Italian meatball sandwiches, spaghetti pomodoro and specialty pizzas, including pizza Margherita, made from high-end "00" flour imported from Italy. Due to its location amongst corporate offices, Cafe Roma does not operate on weekends and only serves dinner on Thursday and Friday nights.
Located half-way between downtown Elgin and South Elgin, the Old Town Pizza Co. sits in a strip mall, providing ample parking for diners. The casual eatery features counter service and offers take-out and delivery services as well. The menu includes a host of pizzas, ranging in size from individual to extra-large, as well as a variety of pastas and hot sandwiches. Situated near Elgin Community College, Old Town's clientele typically consists of college students. As a result, the restaurant features low prices, including a special featuring a slice of pizza and soda for around $4 as of 2011.
