Pensiero Ristorante is not a new restaurant but rather the latest incarnation of the highly reviewed Va Pensiero, started in 1989, and brought to fame by Chef-Owner Peggy Ryan. This Evanston institution has been a Chicagoland mainstay for innovative Italian cuisine. Reaping praise from critics and diners alike, this renowned eatery has stood the test of time as the best on the North Shore.

No longer frozen in amber, under its sentimental proprietor Michael W. Pure, owner of the Margarita European Inn, where Pensiero resides, Pensiero Ristorante strives to continue its reputation for food made from the finest ingredients from around the globe paired with locally sourced products prepared thoughtfully and innovatively, yet simply and honestly coupled with warm, hospitable service. While Foodies are interested in our unique offerings, this charming gem continues to be a sought after local destination for those seeking a memorable dining experience.

We have maintained the same cooks who have cooked the cuisine for twenty years.

So why the slight change in names? Interestingly enough, Va Pensiero means "goodbye to care or thought." I wanted to focus on care and thought. But the practical reason is the amount of calls we receive from customers having difficulty pronouncing the name. Pensiero Ristorante literally translates to a "restorative thought". Who in these busy times doesn't need a place to come, sit and restore?