DINING WITH PAT BRUNO

5 to try
January 12, 2007

Heading south for more notable restaurants.

RATED #1
FRESH STARTS RESTAURANT & BAKERY
1040 Sterling, Flossmoor, (708) 957-7900

VIBE: Small (seating for about 60), Euro-style atmosphere. Double tablecloths add a touch of class. Cozy setting amidst boutique shops, so you actually get the feeling that you are in a romantic town in Europe (the Metra station across the street adds to the illusion). Gracious service.

FLAVOR: The food selection and creativity set high standards. I have always favored the blackened scallops, but would trade with the lobster ravioli. Nice selection of pasta dishes (penne with Parmesan cream is excellent). Paella, coq au vin, cowboy ribeye, the entree selections are impressive. Finish with the terrific deep-dish apple pie.

KIDS: Yes.

COST: $$

Here's a pot full of restaurants that, to my way of eating pasta, do it right all of the time. I have even included a few places where you might least expect to find a fine plate of pasta. A few of these pasta dishes appear as "regular" daily specials. Call ahead to find out when it is being featured.

Fresh Starts, 1040 Sterling Avenue, Flossmoor, (708) 957-7900. You don't have to be an Italian restaurant to understand good pasta. The "New Orleans" pasta creation here is a scintillating arrangement of radiatore pasta with chunks in an elegantly spicy Cajun cream sauce.

--- Pat Bruno
Friday, March 26, 2004