Italian Kitchen Wins Close Contest

The established in Deerfield nosed out the new of Highland Park as the best Italian restaurant in the two communities in .

Voters gave Italian Kitchen 125 votes while Second Street Enoteca received 100. As the week progressed both eateries jumped ahead of the rest of the field of Bella Via, , and as the lead went back and forth.

Most of the readers weighing in with comments did not let Patch forget Highwood just to the north has a number of Italian restaurants which may be the subject of a future Patch story.

“How can you rate Italian eateries on the North Shore and not include Highwood's ‘fresh from Emilio Romano and Tuscany’ eateries,” wrote Lisa Marea. She also mentioned Pastificio, Del Rio, Nite n Gale, Washington Gardens, Gabriel’s, Buffo’s and Tratorioa Giaccomo.

According to Marea, Washington Gardens introduced pizza to the North Shore over 50 years ago. Some of the establishments have been around for more than 70 years.

“These are all family owned businesses that have been in the same family for as many years as they have been open, the recipes, handed down with loving care,” Marea wrote. “All the restaurants you mention in Highland Park and Deerfield are fine restaurants (Italian Kitchen is wonderful)."