Mystery Diner in McHenry: Cucina Rosa chef/owner makes Mama proud

On the menu at Cucina Rosa Italian Restaurant in McHenry, Salvatore, the chef and owner, writes to his Mama Rosa: “Your food brought all of our family and friends together every Sunday. You passed down all your recipes to me, and I honor you by opening this restaurant. I will serve quality food made from my heart as you always did.”

If you come from a family where food is the center of events and holidays, Salvatore’s note to his Mama Rosa will connect with you.

Cucina Rosa has a wide variety of Italian dishes on its menu. And if you don’t find what you want, you can order Pasta Your Way with soup or house salad. The Pasta Your Way dish (starting at $13 to $14) has nine different pastas, 10 types of sauce, and 13 add-ons (from $2 for peas to $7 for shrimp).

During our visit, we started with Fire Roasted Red Peppers ($8). The marinated red peppers, black olives, capers and Romano and Parmesan cheeses arrived warm. The appetizer was a nice mix of flavors, and there was a healthy helping of roasted peppers. While we liked the plate enough to take the remainder home, we agreed that because of the combination of fresh ingredients and our preferences, it might have suited us better as a cold dish.

Next came our soup, which accompanied our entrees. We had Italian Wedding, the soup of the day, and Minestrone, which is a staple on the menu. The quality and authenticity of an Italian restaurant often can be judged early on by the soup, and both varieties were outstanding. The little meatballs in the Italian Wedding were tasty and blended with the broth very well. And each ingredient in the Minestrone stood out, exclaiming freshness and quality.


Our entrees were Chicken Piccata ($16) and Eggplant Parmigiana ($15). The portions were large, and each was presented over a mound of al dente pasta.

The lemon and white wine sauce with capers on the Piccata was light and flavorful. The lemon seasoning was appropriate for the recipe and not overpowering. The two chicken breasts were tender and the bed of capellini pasta was a nice accompaniment to the main dish.

The Eggplant Parmigiana’s penne pasta, marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese on the dish were some of the best we have had in McHenry County. The eggplant was sliced nicely thin and breaded, but missed the vegetable’s unique flavor. Still, its accompaniments were so good.

We were tempted by dessert, choosing Tiramisu ($7) and Pistachio Gelato ($4).

The Tiramisu was not traditional, having more of a pudding consistency, but was fun and flavorful. We enjoyed it all. And the gelato had a pleasing firmness and inviting flavor to end the night.

We savored the entire meal. Salvatore would have made his Mama Rosa proud.

• The Mystery Diner is an employee at the Northwest Herald. The diner’s identity is not revealed to the restaurant staff before or during the meal. If the Mystery Diner cannot recommend the establishment, we will not publish a story.

IF YOU GO

WHAT: Cucina Rosa Italian Restaurant

WHERE: 4113 Shamrock Lane, McHenry

PHONE: 815-322-2153

INFORMATION: www.cucinarosaitalianrestaurant.com