Clara’s, Woodridge

When Clara Lizio opened her italian restaurant in the western suburbs of Chicago in 1987, she was the second generation of her family to embark on such a venture. Her mother, Celeste—yes, the Mama Celeste—helmed a wildly successful eatery on Chicago's West Side for several decades. In her mother's tradition, Clara and her children prepare homemade pastas, fresh seafood entrées, and hand-tossed, stone-fired pizzas. Guests can actually customize their own pasta dishes from dozens of noodles, sauces, and toppings. House specialties include baked chicken with portobello mushrooms and grilled veal chop florentine served over bechamel, marinara, and a plate.