Claudia Fabela, president of TDF Corporation, and I had lunch at Café Buonaro’s in the Fifth Avenue Station in Naperville. The restaurant has the feel of a tratorria in Italy ( I can think of no higher complement).
Ron Buonaro is the founder and owner and his daughter, Michelle Hedl, works the lunch hour, and her kids sometimes help out, also—it is a restaurant where you can see three generations at work. Olive oil is on every table, with Ron’s own special blend of herbs and spices. As soon as you arrive the wait staff has the warm bread on your table. Magnifico! Your family-style salad arrives shortly after the entrees are ordered.
I had the chicken Marley specialty and Claudia had the calamari and pasta. Both were superb, and the portions ample. One mention must be made of Ron’s sauces; they are superb. Between the marinara and the Alfredo, I do not know which I prefer, but they are both ethereal. I often have my personal favorite, the spinach rotolo, served Enrique—half marinara, half Alfredo.
Claudia says, “If you are not a garlic lover, you cannot come to Buonaro’s.” That may be a slight stretch, but you get the idea.
I know a number of people do not eat desert anymore. If you do go to Buonaro’s, do yourself and your lunch partner a favor and split a tiramisu.
If you need a place for a quiet one-on-one lunch, this is the spot. However, if you have a large project team, Buonaro’s can still take care of you. One of the rooms can be set up for larger parties. Michelle says getting in for lunch is not usually a problem, but dinner often requires a reservation. If you have to wait, there is a full service bar.
It will be the Cafe’s 17th year in July. If you have not been there, you have been missing out; call and try it. If you have been going, keep going and help celebrate the 17 years.
Café Buonaro’s
300 E. Fifth Ave., Naperville 60563. Telephone 630-717-0006
•Monday-Thursday—11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
•Friday—11:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
•Saturday—5 to 10:30 p.m.
•Sundays are usually closed. Ron has special seatings on Mother’s Day and Christmas Eve. Private parties of 50 or more may book Sundays.
Lunches range from $6.95 to 14.95; dinners from $8.95 to 21.95.