Va Pensiero

This restaurant is permanently closed. The cost of upgrading to meet ADA standards was prohibitive, according to the owners; they did retain the kitchen, for catering use and for the needs of the co-​owned B&B (Margarita Inn).
Damn shame. It was a wonderful place back in the day.

After spending days trying to make a reservation, I learned that the Pensiero restaurant has been closed for renovation since April of 2013 and has not been re-​opened as of this writing, April 17, 2014. The proprietor of the adjoining bed and breakfast, the Margarita Inn, can provide further information at (847) 869‑2273.

Did this place change owners?
My daughter just graduated from Northwestern and we decided to celebrate with dinner here.
I have dined here a few times in the last couple of years and been very happy — it was a go to place for us. No more. We booked a table for graduation weekend. When confirmed, we were told it was a prix fixe menu (not the usual). We had to take a 6:45 pm spot because they were so busy. Well okay I can see that for this weekend. But when we got there, we discovered that the restaurant was empty. When presented with the menu (and pricing) we could see why. The prix fixe was 75 dollars pp! OK — we were stuck because there was no way we were going to get into anyplace else in Evanston, and we didn’t feel like getting a cab back to Chicago, where we were staying. So we stayed. BIG MISTAKE. We ordered each of the 5 courses from the menu. Each was a disappointment. As an example, two of us ordered the kale and bean soup. It was pleasant enough though with not really enough flavor and fairly tough and undercooked kale. However, some of us also ordered the salmon. And guess what? It was served on a bean «broth» — of kale… you got it. The salmon was served on what was basically recycled soup. My other daughter had the chicken. Also tasteless. And so on. The pasta dishes were tasteless, SO unlike the tagliatelle with ragu that I had enjoyed in the past from their regular menu. The only one with any redeeming quality was the spaghetti with the pesto cream. No amount of grated parmesan could help the others.
And service. The server, trying though he was, seemed clearly inexperienced. Or maybe his last job was at Olive Garden or something. We ordered two bottles of wine, and yes he poured first for a tasting. But he then went on to pour essentially the entire first bottle out into the three glasses of the wine drinkers. I’m sorry but I expect a fine wine to be poured out in ~ 3 ounce servings — not 8 ounce. There was no room in the glass for any vapor. The same went for the second bottle.
The desserts were passable, though the cannoli shell was soggy. I assume the desserts are baked elsewhere.
What a disappointment, as we had really enjoyed our dinners here in the past. Needless to say, the restaurant continued to be meagerly patronized that night — no doubt others had already learned about the pricing and menu before they showed up.
We did complain to our server, and though flustered he informed his management, who came over and comped us one bottle of wine and offered us a «special» on any return visit. That was nice, but it didn’t change the fact that this dinner was not one we will want to repeat. My daughter is no longer in Evanston, but if she were, we would never go back to Pensiero.

It is truly sad to see a restaurant that was once extraordinary become average at best. As many here have pointed out the service has gone from attentive to slow as honey and uncaring. We spent more time waiting then eating. Even for something as simple as some sparking water there was an uncalled for wait. We spilled some wine and had to flag down a bus boy to help us. He simply handed us a napkin. Speaking of bus boys there must have been dozens just milling around not really doing anything but only one or two waiters who kept disappearing for long stretches of time. They also no longer appear to have a wine expert here and when asked what kinds of cabernet they have I was given a strange look and told I don’t understand the question. Okay… The bus boy served us more then the waiter and neither ever asked us how everything was. For service they really should only get one star.
The food quality has gone down hill as well. Just the descriptions on the menu alone used to make my mouth water and put me at a loss for which one I should order. The menu is now very limited and nothing sounds overly great.
I ordered the scallops and was presented with seven baby scallops and was presented with seven baby scallops the size of my finger nail that tasted over salted and rubbery. The amazing garnishes were gone it is now served with some sort of mustard and fried potato strings. What is this bar food? Of which there were more of then the scallops them selves.
The pasta with wild boar was underwhelming as well. Very much something I could have made at home though I would have used way less salt. Sadly that was about the only seasoning it had on it.
As for dessert they’ve changed that to. Now instead of their unique creations they have sorbet or chocolate lave cake. The lave cake is pretty standard nothing special.
I don’t know what is going on with this place. I know their is a new manager maybe he brought in his own cook. If he did he needs to replace him, and he also needs to retrain his staff and hire more waiters and a wine expert. This place has really gone way down hill. If you want good Italian in Evanston with great service try Gio. It’s more casual but the service is outstanding and the food is really good.

Dinner with friends last Saturday night, March 4. Service was VERY SLOW. It took 1 hour and some begging to even get bread. Fairly expensive wine was served much quicker.
Main course was serived in just under 2 hours of our being seated and they were not nearly full.
My food was salty and not good but others in our party were happy with the food once it finaly arraived. I would have to be dragged by the hair to get me back.

I visited Pensiero on the way home from work on a Thursday evening. At around 6:00 pm there were only a few people there. Throughout our visit there it started to become very busy. The place was very dimly lit and had somewhat of an odd layout. Seats and tables surrounded a middle section where a larger group could sit.
The staff was very attentive, kind, and welcoming. Although I did not understand everything on the menu, they were more than happy to assist in translating everything for me and giving me recommendations.
I got the Cannoli di Melanzana for an appetizer. Which was eggplant cannolis. They were very well prepared and delicious! The staff made sure to check in on us with every serving to make sure our meals were to our satisfaction. For the main entrée I got the Costola al Vino Rosso. It was a little fatty, but still good. The meat was tender but not too chewy.
My favorite part, dessert! I got the Chocolate Budino. It was a fluffy chocolate cake with a warm milk chocolate filling. Also included, vanilla ice cream!
All in all. The presentation was fantastic, the food was good, and the staff was lovely. I’d recommend going to those who enjoy a sophisticated and savory meal. Pensiero would be great for date or a small family gathering. Enjoy!

It is no secret that I adore Evanston. So when Pensiero announced their «Embracing Evanston» special, this Wildcat-​turned-​townie was all over it.
Here’s the deal. On certain days of the week, they run this special where you get a salad/​soup, pasta, AND a glass of wine for $ 22… at a restaurant where their pasta dishes alone are priced around $ 20. 5 pastas to choose from. 4 wines to choose from. Best.Deal.Ever!
I had such a calm and relaxing Sunday night dinner here. Pensiero is tucked away inside the quaint Margarita European Inn on quiet Oak Street. I sank into my seat, sipped on some Primitivo, enjoyed the company of my human BFF, and ate a delicious dinner.
The soup was a sunchoke purée. The salad was a perfectly dressed combination of greens. The pappardelle with wild boar ragu? My favorite pasta dish of the year. Those noodles! So soft! The gnocchi with oxtail, smoked onions, and celery root was meaty and tasty. Add a side of brussel sprouts with bacon, and end the meal with a nice cup of green tea and a smoked buttermilk panna cotta (so strange, but I liked it!) and you have yourself a pretty great Sunday meal.
Service was friendly and well-​paced and we were brought out some peanut butter macarons to end our meal!
I’ll be back many times to «embrace» Evanston! At $ 22 a pop? Who wouldn’t?

This restaurant has two strikes against them, (a) bad food, and (b) bad service.
I have been here 3 or 4 times over the years, usually when taking people out to eat, when I don’t get to choose the restaurant. I have never once had food here that was good. Their appetizers are bland. Their entrees are over salted. Salt is not a spice that you add to bland food to make it seem more interesting!
The last time I had the misfortune to dine at this establishment, it was before a show. When things started to seem slow (after being there for half an hour and our order had yet to be taken), we told the waitstaff that we needed to be leaving for a show in 50 minutes. It took them exactly 50 minutes to bring us our entrees! So we were just starting to eat when we needed to be walking out the door.
I truly hope I never have to go here again.

Expect to find an older crowd at Pensiero. I have come here with family twice because it is one of my grandma’s favorite places. The service is wonderful– very attentive! A sommelier came out to answer questions about the wine selection. The waitress was welcoming and cheerful.
Our table shared the Antipasti Assorti (yum!)
I ordered Tagliatelle al Tartufo (yum!)
For dessert. Chocolate Budino (yum!)
Yum.enough said! I am a fan. The atmosphere is quiet which is enjoyable. I believe the experience is worth the price. A great place for a nice family gathering.

I visited this restaurant for the second time with friends. The menu was amazing and the wine pairing wonderful! The service was good and the desserts… mmmm.
It was prix fixe menu and I enjoyed the frutti salad, which was seafood and the prawn and scallop with israeli cous cous for the main entrée. The food was absolutely the right portions and so delicious. I highly recommend going there on a Sunday evening.

Fancy atmosphere, good service, great wine list and drinks.
We shared bunch of appetizers among our table of 8 ladies, the most memorable was the Tagliatelle al Tartufo — pasta served in a cheese rhind, great presentation. I had the Fusilli ai Frutti di Mare — pasta dish with seafood. The shrimp were huge and the scallops were well cooked but the pasta itself lacked in flavor.
If you live in Evanston Pensiero Ristorante may be worth a try, though for me its not worth the treck from the city!

Pensiero is Fantastic for special occasions. The chef has made vegetarian accommodations to their Sunday family style supper for me twice.
The food is presented beautifully, tastes amazing, and the staff is knowledgeable. I highly recommend it.

Revisited Pensiero for the first time in many many years. Last time it was Va Pensiero and it was a sport coat-​required kind of place (at least it felt it), and now it’s still a nice restaurant, but folks in jeans/​polo shirts and those more formally dressed in sport coats mixed comfortably among the diners. The setting is in an old, beautiful inn, which adds a lot to the ambiance.
Service here was fantastic. Attentive without being rushed. The award winning mixologist has a menu of classic cocktails, all made with homemade ingredients and fresh herbs where required.
Prices were very reasonable ($ 32 for a 24 oz bone in steak — easily $ 20 more at other steakhouses) and it was delicious. A mixed seafood dish was also great.
Myer Lemon panna cotta for dessert was refreshing with candied lemon peel as a garnish, and more impressive to me was coffee was steeped table side in a french press. Nice touch!
Pensiero is a good place for a nice meal with family and friends, and has moved away from it’s stuffier past towards a more affordable and comfortable place.

Delicious, inventive food. Excellent service.
We arrived a few minutes before our reservation and while they didn’t seat us until about 30 minutes after, they more than made up for it with two delectable deserts and a little caprese app, all on the house.
One criticism I have is that while the pasta dish (served after being mixed in a cheese wheel) may have been home made, it was likely in the fridge for some time till it hit my mouth.
I highly recommend the lamb. However, they don’t have wines from anywhere outside Italy and California (limited selection).

just okay. I had the chicken, salad and gnocchi. one of the fancier places in Evanston, so a lot of corporate events are held here… but i wouldn’t pay for the food myself.
one plus — the molten lava cake is pretty tasty.

Pensiero used to be called Va Pensiero and it used to be a good restaurant. I had eaten there twice before. I really wanted to like this place again.
This was my first time visiting since it re-​opened and the first time I brought my wife: unfortunately she described the food as «terrible.» As for me, I would say that it appeared the crew working in the kitchen on Friday night had no idea how to prepare food correctly. The plates were interesting to look at but the food itself was barely edible. The Pulpo was seriously tough and difficult to chew. My wife’s pasta dish was bland and overcooked. My dinner, a ravioli dish, was unevenly cooked with a tough, hard to chew pasta wrapper. We didn’t order any main course or dessert dishes.
The service was very good. The wine was good. We were seated right away and the room was nice with one major exception: the music. I usually don’t notice the music in a dining room but here it was unavoidable. Loud, bizarre, guitar music dominated the atmosphere of the room. I think that was the worst part of the night.
For less money we could have gotten much better Italian food (and much better music) at a number of other places.
EDIT:
I went to Pensiero again and had a vastly different experience.
My newer visit was part of a private party and we had many menu items including some repeats of my earlier visit. When properly prepared, the food was very nice. I was eager to try whatever new dishes they were bringing out. I would likely give dinner another try.

McGaw YMCA had it’s annual Adventure Guides launch at Pensiero August 26^th. We loved the atmosphere, appetizers, and service. Top notch. Ask for the DeNiros!

If you know what Va Pensiero means, then you know some Italian that I don’t. I like the place. I don’t know that this place is the bomb as far as good food goes, but it’s definitely up there.
Food is a little pricey, but from the start the service is great. Comp coat check along with being able to park for free across the street is a nice touch. Why anyone would pay $ 7 for valet across the same street (to be on the same side as the restaurant) is beyond me.
On the humorous side, it appears that english isn’t necessarily a requirement for the restaurant. I went to celebrate my engagement and they didn’t even catch when we told them that twice. They were seriously polite though. They keep bringing you endless focatia dropped on your plate via tongs which is complemented by some kind of butter-​cheese with pesto in the middle.
First things first, lets get to the cheap part of an expensive restaurant. This would be the olive and zucchini sides, which are amazing.
I would definitely suggest someone to get the tagliatelle. The girlfriend (now fiancée) was quite happy with it. I guess everyone says they toss it in a cheese wheel. I thought it was a giant bread wheel, same thing. Maybe I’m not the food snob I try to act like. I suppose I should bring a monocle or something. I had the roasted garlic potato ravioli with black truffles, and it was seriously good.
So the wine choice was Tocai Furlan, which has the label «Meri Mi» on it, which was quite apt given the evening.
Finished off with some Tira Misu and Crème Brulee for the fiancée. Desserts were small but good, super rich.
shortened summary:: imagine a fancy italian place, and you have va pensiero quite accurately. Definitely going to come back.

Hidden and tucked away in a quiet part of Evanston, Va P was quite entertaining to find. BUT, that was about the extent of fun I had at this restaurant.
I ordered the lamb scallopini, with gorgonzola-​Infused polenta and red wine-​currant reduction. All I could taste was the bitterness of char from the grill. I also had the Amish chicken and mahi dish which were mediocre. I thought Santa was punishing me by putting charcoal in my mouth!

Solid.
Located in an old house in good ol’ Evanston, Va P delivers a satisfying meal. Indulged in a prix fixe meal here on my first visit. The beef carpaccio app did its job and got my stomach fired up for the other dishes to come.
The shaved chestnut, porcini mushroom soup was da bomb. I was worried the chestnuts would just derail the whole dish for me since I’m not such a fan of them, but the combo worked, and I wish I could slurp that stuff every other cold winter night. Holla, Santa!
The beef tenderloin was tender and portioned nicely. I was left craving any variation of potatoes though, as it was served atop a bed of über bland mascarpone polenta. Annnd it’s hard to go wrong with any dessert dubbed Chocolate, Chocolate, and More Chocolate.
Expect an older crowd here. The aged and wise know how to dine!

if you visit Va Pensiero you must try their fresh soups they are just heaven, they are made with seasonal ingredients. Also go for their fresh fish like the bass or swordfish. Their menu never stays the same but changes with seasons. They have large wine selection but best to buy by the bottle.
The service is very nice and will answer any questions you have regarding paring wine with your food or recommending an entrée.

Pure elegance is really the only way to describe Va Pensiero (which means «Thought goes» in Italian). They really do think their way through every dish. Va Pensiero is truly authentic Italian cuisine, each mouthful is as savory as the next. Every dish looks like a work of art, I actually sat back and appreciated the presentation before diving in.
I can’t say that I would’ve found this place on my own. It is located on the bottom floor (almost basement) of the historical Margarita Inn (which is stunning), only a small sign on the outside which gets covered a little from a tree. You walk in and you have your choice of seating in the beautiful patio or inside. The inside is designed very classic clean, minimal wall hangings (all designed by Elisabetta Franchini a local Chicago area artist with strong ties to Italy) and white linens but very warm in colors.
Jeff the owner/​host has this ability to make you feel at home. You can tell that is very passionate about his restaurant by the way he goes into great detail about the food and the history of everything that is Va Pensiero. His staff is attentive and extremely knowledgeable, our waiter knew more about wine then anybody I’ve ever met.
The food is creative and full of surprises. Chef Eric has a strong background Italian culinary which is apparent in the ever changing menu. Each dish was not only picture perfect but fresh in ingredients and strong in flavor. Seriously I was in heaven, try the pasta with mushrooms and truffles… unbelievable!
I recommend making reservations and just an fyi you can wear jeans here.