Galena Restaurants

Excellent setting. High on a ridge, looking southwest over rolling vallies. Deep warm wood throughout. The interior appears to have been brought over from Ireland. Wonderfull setting.

Favorite Dish: Actually, only one of us eat. The rest had drinks. The menu had many wonderful dishes. Shepard's pie was one. It was the deserts that looked wonderful at the next table. The two dishes they orders, laid over with chocolate fudge on the one and fresh strawberries on the other, were eaten by two each. Everybody was satisfied.

It was Valentine's day. A wedding was ending in the atrium, just outside the doors (interior atrium), and the place was comfortably full, without being packed at every table.

Favorite Dish: Let's see: Cornish Pasty, Salmon, broiled chicken

4 more images

BE SURE TO SEE ALL PHOTOGRAPHS

While in Galena, Illinois, my friends Jill, Mickey, Marcia and I ate at Vinny Vanucchi's "Little Italy" on Main Street. We were told by the locals that this was the place to eat. It's always good to listen to the locals, as we found out.

This restaurant is an old world Italian neighborhood kind of place that is located up the cobblestones where Washington Street meets Main Street. There's an old fashioned deli and import store, which you walk through to get to the restaurant. The restaurant has lots of beautiful wood, a fireplace, imported artifacts and signs, and the tables are covered with checkered tablecloths. There is an outdoor Cappuccino Garden for warm summer days and evenings.

There are many house specialties and supposedly the Meat Lasagna is the best because it is an old recipe from Vinny's Nana Lu who is about 88 and lives on the northwest side of Chicago. A picture of her on Taylor street at age 16 hangs on the wall. Also Auntie Nancy's manicotti recipe is still used as well as Uncle Paulie's baked mostaccioli and Tortellini Carbonara.

The restaurant is open daily from 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Favorite Dish: I made the reservations on-line for Saturday at 7:15 pm. We were seated immediately, and escorted to the top floor. I have to state up front that the food was out-of-this-world; however, our waitress was slow, rude, and not very efficient.

Mickey and I shared the famous Baked Mostaccioli, [5.50 to share], and Jill and Marcia shared a baked dish with seafood and pasta [5.50 to share]. The House Salad is served "family style" and is delicious. [See photo].

The garlic bread was quite a hit with the four of us. It was decadent. Jill and Marcia order wine, and I had a diet Coke, while Jill was satisfied with the Ice Water. [However, she had to keep asking for more water; the waitress never offered it].

At the end of this delicious meal, the waitress asked if we wanted coffee and dessert. Three of us wanted Cappuccino, if they had decaffinated. This waitress assured us that they did.
I can't believe that we thought she was truthful. [That night, I did not sleep at all!]

So, I have to give just a "Satisfied" rating, even though the food was top-notch

1 more image

Return trip to Galena, and I returned to Procento's to meet Tammy and Jack, owners. I had received an e-mail from Tammy thanking me for my review and asking to meet me. They are such hard working, wonderful individuals, and it was wonderful meeting them.

My friends and I all agree that the pizza is really good at Procerto's. We all four gave it a "thumbs Up" and we also thought our waiter, Jack, was excellent. He suggested the Cannoli, which we shared. It was truly outstanding.

The first night in Galena, Jill and I were looking for a good place to eat after a full day of touring. We were told that the pizza at Procento's was very good and that the locals ate there. That made up our mind; we proceeded to venture to Franklin Street.

You have to walk down a bit to be in the main dining room. It was pretty crowded; fortunately, we were able to be seated. The menu includes such appetizers as Calamari, Onion Rings, Deep Fried Mushrooms, Mozzarella Cheese Sticks, Garlic Bread, and Chicken Fingers. In addition, you can order Sicilian Grilled Tomatoes [Thick tomato slices w/melted gorgonzola cheese], Brushetta, and Chicken Drummetts. Whew!

They offer Minestrone and Chicken Tortellini soups as well as several choices for salads.

Sandwiches and Pasta are also available:
Italian Beef, Italian Sausage, Meatball Sandwiches, Italian Submarine, and a Grilled Chicken Sandwich.

Spaghetti with Marinara, Fettuccine with Alfredo Sauce, Mostaccoli or Baked Mostaccoli, and Ravioli with cheese or meat.

The Pizza is the star, however. They offer several types.

Favorite Dish: Procento's Pizzeria is famous for their Double Decker Pizza [a thin pizza with toppings and then another thin pizza with toppings. They also have what they call Gourmet Pizza such as Broccoli and Grilled Chicken, Chicken-Alfredo Pizza, Taco Pizza, Texas-Best, and The Great-Hawaiian.

Jill and I shared a Thin Crust Pizza [12 inch] with Onion, Mushroom, and Green Olives. The crust was fantastic, and we really enjoyed it, although we could not eat the whole thing. We also had side salads, which filled us.

Procentos's Pizzeria also offers Cannoli, Tiramisu, Spumoni [Gelato], and Eli's Cheesecake. Surprisingly, we declined the dessert. That might be a first!!!

3 more images

My second time eating at The Courtyard was during "Ladies Weekend with my friends Mickey, Jill, and Marcia. We had breakfast one day, and Sunday Brunch the next. See photographs

The Courtyard was the first place that we ate in Galena. We were hungry, and since I had eaten here a few years previously with my husband, I suggested it. It was a good choice for the two of us. It is not crowded at lunchtime; the service is stellar, and the food is delicious.
We debated about having The special buffet, but decided against it. Instead, we decided to share a meal.

They have delicious appetizers such as Onion Haystack, a house specialty which is thinly sliced Onions hand dipped in Seasoned Batter and fried to a golden brown. They serve it with a side of Barbecue Sauce and Ranch Dressing for dipping!

They also have several Salad choices that come with fresh Baked Rolls and butter. Besides the usual Caesar, Cobb, and side salads, they also have a Fresh Seasonal Fruit Plate.

Their Specialty Sandwiches are served with a Dill Pickle Spear and a choice of French Fries, Sweet Potato Fries, or Gourmet Potato Salad The Reuben looked very good and was served on Marble Rye Bread and grilled.

They also offer DeSoto House Specialty Luncheons that come with Soup of the Day and Fresh Baked Rolls & Butter. The House Specialty is Tips and Spaetzle [Seared Tenderloin Tips, Mushrooms, and Pearl Onions in a Burgundy Sauce served over sauteed Spaetzle, with a Vegetable Medley.]

Favorite Dish: Jill and I shared anAppetizer as our main entree: Chicken Quesadilla minus the chicken; thus it was Cheese Quesdalla with diced Onions and Tomatoes, Monterey Jack and Cheddar that is sandwiched in Flour Tortillas with sliced Jalapeno. They had Guacamole and Sour Cream on the side. We also tried a cup each of their special Cream of Bleu Cheese Soup, which was tremendous.

The quality of the food at this restaurant is outstanding and a value for the price. It leans toward cajun, but not overly so. This is the only place in Galena serving oysters on the half shell and peel and eat shrimp. The atmosphere is white table cloth, exposed brick and romantic comfortable lighting and seating. All in all it is very elegant in a non stuffy way. I'd go back again and again.

Favorite Dish: My favorite dish was Beef Tenderloin Medallions Montrachet. The Fresh Mushroom Bruchetta was also outstanding.

1 more image

Every time that Jill and I go on our Spring vacation [this is the 4th year], it's a tradition to find a good ice cream place. Then, Jill takes a photograph of me eating the ice cream [and usually holding her ice cream cone also!]

This year was no exception. On the first night of our stay in Galena, after dinner and after walking around the town "window shopping", we discovered Great American Popcorn Company and noticed people coming out with delicious-looking ice cream cones. So, we had to investigate.

Besides ice cream, they sell, of course, all kinds of popcorn, candy, and small gift items.
It's a very large place, and it was quite busy that night.

Favorite Dish: They had many flavors to choose. We both decided to have Black Walnut Ice Cream in Waffle Cones. We asked for one-scoop cones. Thank goodness because the one-dip cones were gigantic.

After the mandatory photo, we resumed eating our delicious treats and were very pleased with our choices.

1 more image

One of the most well known and famous restaurants in Galena is called Fried Green Tomatoes. It is quite romantic and the service is top notch. They have a huge selection of wines to accompany the exquisite dinner.

They have recently moved to downtown Galena on Main Street, and RESERVATIONS are really necessary. This restaurant has won so many awards:
Restaurant Award of Excellent 2003-2006
Wine Enthusiast 2006
Bon Appetit, July 2002
Midwest Living, 2000
Dining Out: Great Eating at Midwest Restaurants, June 1999
Distinctive Restaurants of Illinois from Gourmet Magazine

The building itself dates back to 1833. Before it was Fried Green Tomatoes Restaurant, it was an iron stove shop, a live theater, a tombstone carver, and even the Jo Daviess County Courthouse!

Favorite Dish: You must try the Fried Green Tomatoes, which is their signature dish. They are lightly breaded and sauteed in olive oil and then sprinkled with mozzarella and parmesan on a bed of tomato sauce.

They have appetizers, traditional Italian favorites such as Fettuccine Alfredo, Chicken Primavera, Pasta Linquine, and Meat Lasagna. They specialize in Veal, Chicken, Fish, and what they call, The Great Midwest Cookout [Pork, Beef, and Lobster dishes].

It's a great place to eat; the ambience is just grand, and the eating experience is one you will remember.