BarTucci Homemade Italian Food

This was our first visit to Bartucci restaurant. We traveled from the far western suburbs and it was well worth the trip. This place has the most amazing Italian food with fresh herbs from their garden out back, gluten-free pasta options and friendly service. We sat on the outdoor patio and enjoyed the Saturday evening. Our table of 5 started off with fried mozzarella and fried calamari. I've eaten a lot of calamari in my life but this was the bomb. It didn't even need sauce. The light and fluffy coating was perfect. The fried mozzarella was yummy too. For dinner, I ordered gluten-free pasta with vodka sauce, peas, and Italian sausage. It was excellent! The gluten-free pasta was perfectly done and the sauce was a wonderful blend of multiple levels of flavor. Other dishes we ordered included the gnocchi, and gluten free carbonara. Servings were plentiful and all were beyond excellent. For dessert, we all split the mama/papa tiramisu and cannolis. My fav was the mama tiramisu in a jar. Smooth, creamy and delicious. What I love most about this place is what Gino is doing here. Traveling to Rome to get recipe ideas, the fresh herbs and veggies out back, the fresh homemade pasta, the authenticity, and his vision. One Sunday every month he brings in a guest cook - an Italian grandmother or nona - to bring her cooking experience to the kitchen. What a wonderful way to pass on those secrets that might otherwise be lost. We will be coming back to experience one of these special cooks! Thank you for a wonderful evening Gino and Jerry!