Mystery Diner: Meatballs, gnocchi must-haves at rustic Riganato Old World Grille

GENEVA – “Oh my God!” was all I could say after my first bite.

The velvety Jalapeno Gnocchi warmed my palate like a cashmir blanket. Before long, I began popping each jalapeno-, ricotta- and manchengo-stuffed piece of perfection like popcorn. The generous portion of fresh cilantro- and walnut-laced pesto sauce layered each piece like frosting on a cake, amplifying the richness of flavors and texture. The subtlety of the jalapeno supplies the faintest pinch of spice, while the walnut adds a delicate, almost untraceable, layer of crunch.

While entrenched in a gnocchi-infused, foodie free-for-all, I seemed to have completely disregarded the fact that it was an appetizer – meant for sharing. Luckily, my dining companion was having a similar experience digging into the ricotta-stuffed Meatballs Riganato, two beautifully-seasoned, baseball-sized boulders, lying in a sea of thick and tangy house-made tomato sauce.

I had no idea what to expect when I visited Riganato Old World Grille in Geneva for lunch on a Friday afternoon. What I discovered was a cozy, fireplace-lit room with friendly staff serving fresh, high-quality, rustic Italian and Greek fare at a reasonable price. If you have a bucket list for dining in Kane County, make sure this place is somewhere near the top – it would be a shame to miss.

Open for lunch and dinner, Riganato’s menu has something for everyone. Salads, burgers, sandwiches, paninis, kebobs, steaks, chops, chicken, seafood, extra-thin pizzas and pasta line its menu. It also serves bite-sized mini desserts, and the best Rice Pudding I may have ever tasted; it’s beautifully textured with strong bursts of vanilla shining through a cinnamon topping.

Riganato’s also has various red and white California wines sold by the glass, as well as various varietals “from around the world.” By-the-bottle pricing is very reasonable, ranging from $19 to $38. Specialy drinks, such as Sangria, and a slew of martinis (Cosmos, Midori Sours and Lemon Drops), as well as a smaller beer selection, are available.

When it came to entrees, we had our work cut out for us. So many options, so little room left in our bellies after meatballs and gnocchi.

Despite our near failed attempts at sharing appetizers, we somehow still decided to also share our entrees. I opted for the Beef and Cheddar Panini with carmelized onions and horseradish mayo, while my dining companion ordered the Tortellini Alla Panna, garlic- and cheese-stuffed tortellini with a fresh-grated Parmesan cream sauce and grilled chicken (at an added cost of $3; also can be served with shrimp).

We subbed fries for Lentel Soup, which I was told was made from scratch.

For anyone with an affinity for pesto or foods stuffed with cheese, then Riganato’s will be your own personal slice of dining heaven. It has pesto paninis, pesto burgers, pesto pizzas, pesto pastas ... and in the interest of not sounding like Bubba from “Forest Gump,” I’ll stop there.

My next visit, I must try the Farfalle Al Pesto (Ha! Only kidding). I must try the Butternut Squash Gnocchi with fresh sage in a gorgonzola cream sauce; the Pesto and Artichokes pizza (not kidding); the namesake slow-roasted Chicken Riganato with olive oil, lemon, oregano and garlic; and the Spicy Morroccan Chicken Kebobs, char-broiled with onions, red and green bell peppers and served on a toasted pita with tzatziki.

And with an order like that, I’ll have to have plenty of dining companions to help me finish the job; lets just hope by that time, I’ll be better at sharing.

• The Mystery Diner is a newsroom employee at the Kane County Chronicle. The diner’s identity is not revealed to the restaurant staff before or during the meal. The Mystery Diner visits a different restaurant every other week and then reports on the experience. If the Mystery Diner cannot recommend the establishment, we will not publish a review.