Yummy yummy pasta night! My bf surprised me by bringing me to this nice and cozy Italian restaurant in Arlington heights on Saturday night. It wasn't too busy so we were lucky to get a table. They only have a few tables so making a reservation would be a good idea. Soon after we were seated people started showing up and the tables were starting to fill up. We were served complimentary bread and olive oil which was very good while we decided on our dish. They had a few specials that were not on the menu and sounded delicious but we decided to try their shrimp pasta and their chicken cacciatore. We also ordered the house Nina salad which had delicious pears and a light and tangy vinaigrette dressing. The waiter was very nice and I also think he was the cook since you could see into the kitchen and there were only two people behind the counter.Our pasta dishes came out nice and hot and we quickly devoured them. The pasta was cooked perfectly and the shrimp were nice and juicy and fully peeled. The shrimp pasta had a nice lemony and tangy flavor and there was plenty of sauce. The chicken cacciatore was also very good. The chicken was nice and tender and the pasta was super flavorful. They were even kind enough to bring us more bread so we could finish our sauces! We will definitely be back!
JoAnn Mulready-Shick
Vegetarian options: I often get the delicious eggplant dish. Excellent salads and superb pasta and seafood always.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Tiramisu', Penne Alla Puttanesca, Caprese, Burrata, Pollo Piccata
Roblyn Brigham
Perfect, perfect, perfect.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Appy C
Nice vibe and very helpful and understanding owner.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
A P.
Superlative experience last night at this tiny neighborhood gem. Unusually, we both ordered the same entree. The seafood special was terrific - homemade pappardelle pasta, fresh scallops and shrimp in a very light white wine, lemon, saffron sauce. Just splendid. Solicitous but not cloying service. Easy, family atmosphere. Quiet enough to actually have a conversation - imagine THAT! Glad we made reservations. So pleased to find a new favorite place; we'll be back and we're looking forward to bringing out of town guests.
Diane D.
What a treat! A small, quiet, intimate, and authentic Italian restaurant with delicious food. The special, braised lamb over home-made pasta in a red sauce, was just delicious.
Colorful Electronics
Best food and service ever. We were a party of 12. Discussed and pre-ordered menu selection in advance. The chef was happy to offer choices not on the menu. Best lamb chops and pasta dishes. Perfect apetiser salads and special dessert. Good not expensive wine. So happy we celebrated big birthday here with friends. Very special, cozy atmosphere.Parking: Plenty on street parking
Inna Khazan
Our new favorite restaurant! Angelo is a fabulous chef - every dish he makes is amazing. Everyone who works at Nina's is attentive and kind. Atmosphere is cozy. Highest recommendation!
Francisco M.
Good food, but a limited menu. Very small place with only 2 people operating it. The Italian owner is always in a hurry and he is not driven to service, he is rude sometimes. Net benefits vs cost and service is not a good equation.
I had the Penne Alla Norma -- a tomato and eggplant sauce -- it was absolutely delicious. They were playing great jazz music, and we had a wonderful time.
Luiz Freitas
Really enjoyed the fresh burrata and the cod and shrimp special. Will definitely be back for more!
Kevin Saunders
Have always wanted to try, and it didn't disappoint. Quite the opposite! Fresh, carefully made dishes and amazing ambiance.
andrew collins
Outstanding Italian food! Small menu and they don’t miss
Mary H.
Tiny place, maybe 7 tables. The food is reliably tasty. I recommend giving it a try.
Best Italian food around here.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Yummy yummy pasta night! My bf surprised me by bringing me to this nice and cozy Italian restaurant in Arlington heights on Saturday night. It wasn't too busy so we were lucky to get a table. They only have a few tables so making a reservation would be a good idea. Soon after we were seated people started showing up and the tables were starting to fill up. We were served complimentary bread and olive oil which was very good while we decided on our dish. They had a few specials that were not on the menu and sounded delicious but we decided to try their shrimp pasta and their chicken cacciatore. We also ordered the house Nina salad which had delicious pears and a light and tangy vinaigrette dressing. The waiter was very nice and I also think he was the cook since you could see into the kitchen and there were only two people behind the counter.Our pasta dishes came out nice and hot and we quickly devoured them. The pasta was cooked perfectly and the shrimp were nice and juicy and fully peeled. The shrimp pasta had a nice lemony and tangy flavor and there was plenty of sauce. The chicken cacciatore was also very good. The chicken was nice and tender and the pasta was super flavorful. They were even kind enough to bring us more bread so we could finish our sauces! We will definitely be back!
Vegetarian options: I often get the delicious eggplant dish. Excellent salads and superb pasta and seafood always.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Tiramisu', Penne Alla Puttanesca, Caprese, Burrata, Pollo Piccata
Perfect, perfect, perfect.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Nice vibe and very helpful and understanding owner.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Superlative experience last night at this tiny neighborhood gem. Unusually, we both ordered the same entree. The seafood special was terrific - homemade pappardelle pasta, fresh scallops and shrimp in a very light white wine, lemon, saffron sauce. Just splendid. Solicitous but not cloying service. Easy, family atmosphere. Quiet enough to actually have a conversation - imagine THAT! Glad we made reservations. So pleased to find a new favorite place; we'll be back and we're looking forward to bringing out of town guests.
What a treat! A small, quiet, intimate, and authentic Italian restaurant with delicious food. The special, braised lamb over home-made pasta in a red sauce, was just delicious.
Best food and service ever. We were a party of 12. Discussed and pre-ordered menu selection in advance. The chef was happy to offer choices not on the menu. Best lamb chops and pasta dishes. Perfect apetiser salads and special dessert. Good not expensive wine. So happy we celebrated big birthday here with friends. Very special, cozy atmosphere.Parking: Plenty on street parking
Our new favorite restaurant! Angelo is a fabulous chef - every dish he makes is amazing. Everyone who works at Nina's is attentive and kind. Atmosphere is cozy. Highest recommendation!
Good food, but a limited menu. Very small place with only 2 people operating it. The Italian owner is always in a hurry and he is not driven to service, he is rude sometimes. Net benefits vs cost and service is not a good equation.
Restaurantji Recommends
I had the Penne Alla Norma -- a tomato and eggplant sauce -- it was absolutely delicious. They were playing great jazz music, and we had a wonderful time.
Really enjoyed the fresh burrata and the cod and shrimp special. Will definitely be back for more!
Have always wanted to try, and it didn't disappoint. Quite the opposite! Fresh, carefully made dishes and amazing ambiance.
Outstanding Italian food! Small menu and they don’t miss
Tiny place, maybe 7 tables. The food is reliably tasty. I recommend giving it a try.