I immediately had high expectations walking into Il Mio, located in the center of downtown Clarendon Hills. The inviting, spacious restaurant, with a green and light-brown color palette, left me pleasantly surprised. 

The plants overhead and floor-to-ceiling opened windows were unique compared to a darker, red-themed, Italian style. Although the staff was unmasked, the front windows were open to the outdoors. For a Sunday afternoon, a large family party and a few other tables conversed, creating a middle in between a deserted or crowded environment. 

With the message of “built by family for family,” the menu caters to multiple people with shareable dishes. Il Mio means “mine” in Italian terms, spoken between partners or from a mother to a child. This can also represent the word “darling” in the United States, owner Rich Ciota said. 

After waiting for a short time while the staff tended to the large family party, I was seated in a brown booth under a yellow-toned light and contemplated the one-page menu. Special to this menu were symbols of gluten free-dishes, vegetarian friendly dishes, and Il Mio signature dishes (indicated by an orange vespa). Headings included “flatbreads, salads, handhelds, pasta, entrees, sides,” and with the most options to choose from, “shareable.”

“We wanted to create a restaurant for the residents to come to as a meeting place and as [another] home,” Ciota said. “It’s more about gatherings and enjoying to be with people with shareable dishes as opposed to typical, traditional Italian [dishes].”

After deciding to go with the Bucatini Carbonara ($17) with a side of Roasted Brussels Sprouts ($7), I only had to wait for roughly 15 minutes before being served; although, it was Sunday at 3 p.m., and there were only two people in my party. As I guessed, these sizes were perfect to split and a little on the larger side for one person, though a good portion without a side dish.

When trying the Bucatini Carbonara, indicated as a signature dish, I was a bit disappointed by how much oil was used, as it left a small pool after finishing. Other than that, the dish was delicious, and the amount of pancetta complemented the soft and well-cooked noodles. The pancetta on the brussel sprouts was also a nice addition, as well as the apples that I wouldn’t normally expect, but offered a great balance of a mild sweetness to the dish. I had no success at distinguishing if I liked my father’s home-cooked Brussels sprouts better, or the ones in front of me. 

Reasons I would definitely recommend Il Mio to others include the incredibly fast service, who checked on me twice while I ate, as well as the atmosphere that mimicked nature and a relaxed ambiance. The presentation of the dishes was nothing elaborate or intricate, but the home-cooked style accentuated the taste to shine through. 

However, the combined total of $25.92 that included tax for two people, but not gratuity, did fall on the expensive side. On a final note, I’ve eaten at restaurants where a basket of bread is expected to be stretched during the hour that a table could spend waiting for their food; the absence of this long wait time is arguably the reason to make the extra distance to Clarendon Hills as opposed to another Italian restaurant in La Grange or Western Springs.

Il Mio is located on 30 South Prospect Avenue, Clarendon Hills. It is closed on Monday, open Tuesday through Thursday from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m., and Sunday from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. Reservations can be made through their website eatilmilo.com, on the Resy app, or via phone.

4.5 paws out of 5