Agio Italian Bistro - Palatine

What a strange owner . . . Or perhaps I should say “son” of the restaurant owner. There’s too much to say so here’s high level: As many have noted, the grilled calamari was inedible. Cold, white rubber splattered with balsamic. No flavor. Chewing shoe leather would be more gratifying. Four pieces. Six table guests. One whole piece left on the serving platter, one whole piece less a slim bite on my appetizer plate, and the rest divvied up on five other plates. We didn’t eat it. The waitress said she would take it off the bill. We noticed it wasn’t taken off and the waitress replied, “He wouldn’t take it off. He said you ate it.” He is Michael, Joe Barrutia’s son. So I asked him about it and he again repeated that we ate it. I asked if he examined our appetizer plates where he could puzzle the whole appetizer back together to make it whole. He said that he did look at our appetizer plates and that we ate it! I started laughing. Felt like candid camera. But it was real! It really wasn’t about the money, but whatever. Lesson learned. Two more points beyond calamari: Many of the guests had walkers and wheel chairs. During dinner we were happy to get up and wait patiently for those guests to move through. I have to wonder if the restaurant is compliant with the American’s with Disabilities Act given the lack of space for these patrons to navigate. Last, my friend who made the reservation via Open Table was mortified at our experience and expressed her feelings to Michael. She was then noted as a “no-show.” I only WISH we were a “no-show.” Wheelchair accessibility: People with walkers and wheelchairs may be uncomfortable dining here because there isn’t much room to move through the restaurant.

Gr8 staff, amazing food... especially the lasagna. Lisa is the best bartender there Service: Dine in Meal type: Dinner Price per person: $50–100 Food: 5 Service: 5 Atmosphere: 5 Recommended dishes: Gnocchi, Carrot Cake, Lasagna, Caesar Salad

Amazing dining experience at Agio Italian Bistro. Perfect atmosphere (including the soft tunes of Sam Cooke, Al Green, and more as background music), excellent wait staff, and delicious food cooked to perfection. It was hard to choose with so many tempting menu options, but the Lobster Angelica did not disappoint. Service: Dine in Meal type: Dinner

WE ARE REGULARS FOR A REASON! My husband and I have been coming to Agio for many years. When family comes in from out of town we bring them here for consistently great food and professional service. When it is just the two of us, we opt for the convivial atmosphere of the beautiful bar. Bartender Patrick has a gift for making all customers, new and old, feel welcome. We also like talking with other staff members, particularly Leo, Lisa and others. Everything we order is good, but the daily fish specials are superb!

Service: Dine in Meal type: Dinner Food: 5 Service: 5 Atmosphere: 5