Oregano's

Oregano's

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Overview

119 W Gilmer Rd Hawthorn Woods, Illinois 60047

Oregano's Italian Restaurant located at Cherry Hill Plaza in Hawthorn Woods.

t: view phone(847) 566-3003

Description

Shari Castonzo's friends liked her cooking so much they told her she should open a restaurant, or, at the very least, a catering business.

So she did both and launched Oregano's Corner Cafe in Hawthorn Woods two-and-a-half years ago.

Her restaurant blends Old World charm (including a wood-burning oven imported from Italy and the Old Neighborhood sandwich, based on a recipe from her husband's youth) with modern convenience. With a menu that features soups, salads and sandwiches in addition to the old standbys of pizza and pasta, Oregano's can satisfy any appetite at almost any budget.

Although the atmosphere remains more relaxed and casual than some downtown Italian hot spots, the food measures up. Oregano's is an ideal spot for families, folks on a budget, or anyone who happens to be nearby and has a longing for some really good Italian food.

The best way to sample what Oregano's has to offer is ordering the appetizer sampler, a mammoth platter heaped with crisp calamari, stuffed mushrooms and bruschetta. Be forewarned - it is more than enough for four people as a starter. Smaller groups might not find room for dinner after devouring all the dish has to offer.

The calamari, while nothing spectacular, features a light breading and a tasty marinara sauce. It's a respectable variation on the old standby. The stuffed mushrooms and bruschetta are more distinctive: the mushrooms are stuffed with a well-spiced sausage mixture and served with a light cream sauce, and the bruschetta partners slices of chewy grilled bread with a bowl of tomatoes, onion, basil and Parmesan that you spread on yourself.

If this prodigious appetizer leaves you in the mood for something light for dinner, try one of the numerous salads, sandwiches or pizzas listed on the menu. The meatball panini is a solid choice, a substantial grilled sandwich stuffed with slices of meatball, roasted red peppers, roma tomatoes and fontina cheese (plus, it comes with a generous serving of delicious sweet potato chips dusted with cinnamon sugar - yum).

Diners hungry for something more substantial should definitely try the pasta with vodka sauce, a house specialty that features your choice of pasta with a sumptuous light cream sauce laced with tomatoes and vodka. It was superb and would easily rival any pasta.

Everything's made daily from scratch, including signature sandwiches, paninis and pasta specialties. Individual pizzas, quesadillas and rotisserie chicken are cooked in a wood-burning oven.