Gourmet & Healthy in Mokena

Nestled in Little Italy, Conte Di Savoia has dispensed a curated selection of imported Italian foods since 1948. Crisp checkerboard floors lead to wooden racks that proudly cradle vintage Italian wines, and an aisle devoted to olive-oil varietals, fresh pastas, and canned tomatoes inspires last-minute decisions about dinner and sending lippy cans of Chef Boyardee to boarding school. Fresh Italian sausage and house-made mozzarella peers over a cozy deli counter, which slings sandwiches and salads for patrons to consume at a small cluster of tables situated by the shop's front window. Summertime's amiable weather ushers in the arrival of sidewalk tables and seating, freshly potted herbs, and solar-powered cashiers.

Over the past two decades, Chef Frank Imbarlina has honed his culinary acumen throughout the Northeast, helming a Manhattan catering service and creating several restaurants with lauded menus and concepts. At The Epicure's Palate, Imbarlina employs his gastronomic wisdom to expand beyond the offerings of standard restaurants or catering companies. His staff of personal chefs tailor to each individual’s dietary needs, creating unique menus of natural and organic foods. Wine or beer dinners treat intimate crowds of friends to exotic varietals and craft brews over a personally prepared meal, or the chefs can whip up a wine or beer tasting that spreads the joys of imbibing to as many as 200 people. In-home demonstrations include explanations of techniques and ingredients used in the preparation of artisanal cocktails and exotic cuisines, culled from such disparate locales as Syria, Malaysia, and the neighbor’s kitchen.