Italian Dining and Charm at Sam Buca's: Bites Nearby

Sam Buca's opened in 2003. Known for first-rate service, reasonable prices and an excellent menu of traditional southern Italian cuisine, it's a great place for dinner.

Decor: There is a small bar situated between the dining room and the larger bar. There are a handful of tables and a couple of TVs in the small bar area. The dining room could be described as casually elegant.

Drinks: Sam Buca's touts a standard beer and cocktail list, though the bartender says he makes more Manhattan’s than martinis at his bar. Wine list ranges from a $30 bottle of big-name California red to $150 Barolos and Amarones. On tap are Bud Light, Bass Ale and Peroni.

Appetizers: An extensive menu of appetizers is offered, with an emphasis on seafood. Try 15 mussels in a garlic tomato wine sauce ($11). Or a dozen fresh clams ($12), or baked clams in seasoned breadcrumbs and homemade garlic butter ($13). Grilled calamari is served on a bed of sautéed spinach and garlic ($9), and calamari Sambuca ($9) features a garlic tomato wine sauce. Other dishes include an artichoke stuffed with cheese and Italian spices ($8); sweet peppers stuffed with fresh Italian sausage topped with marinara sauce ($8); fried calamari ($8); stuffed mushrooms ($7); bruschetta ($6). A choice of soup or salad comes with the meals (try the creamy garlic dressing), as well as fresh bread and olive oil.

Entrees: Sam Buca's chicken marsala ($14) is irresistible — two good-sized boneless chicken breasts covered in a sweet marsala sauce and a generous helping of mushrooms. So is the chicken tetrazzini ($14) — strips of chicken sauteed with olive oil, mushrooms, onions and garlic in a light Parmesan cream sauce. Homemade cavatelli is a standout pasta dish, featuring a ricotta cheese dumpling in vodka cream sauce for $12. For the meat-lover, there's filet mignon ($24), New York strip steak ($18), steak vesuvio ($18) and blackened pork chops ($17). The restaurant also offers weekly specials.

Desserts: Simple and traditional, but after that fine meal, that's what you want. Choose the cannoli ($4), tiramisu ($5) or spumoni ($4).

Service: Friendly and attentive.

Address: 12231 South Harlem Ave., Palos Heights, IL
Parking: Strip mall parking in front and in rear of the restaurant.
Phone: (708) 361-1226
Owners: Cousins Charles Marfoe and Dominick Buscemi; Sam Buca's is named for the Sicilian town of their parents, Sambuca di Sicilia.
Cost: $$

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