Rizzi’s is a locally owned traditional Italian restaurant with two locations in Peoria. Their main location is on State Street in downtown Peoria. They also have a smaller location close to the intersection of Glen and Sheridan.

The Rizzi’s on Sheridan is rather small and simply decorated, but it still manages to exhibit a superb and refined atmosphere. Each table is set with a single red carnation and a small candle. The walls are adorned with lamps that give off just enough light to create a romantic mood.

Rizzi’s diverse menu has something for everyone with steaks, pizza, seafood and pasta (their specialty). They also have a very select wine list specializing in red wines. Their list of red wines ranges from very bold, fruity pinot noir to more subtle and dry cabernet sauvignon.

Every entrée includes a choice of salad or soup and a loaf of homemade bread. The salad is crisp with a zesty smack thanks to the house salad dressing, a balsamic vinaigrette. The bread is served with a dipping sauce made by mixing olive oil, parmesan cheese and fresh ground black pepper. This dipping sauce is not spicy like marinara, but rather is subtle and lingering with a nutty flavor.

Being that pasta is the chef’s specialty, I went with “fettuccine con pollo in cream sauce,” a dish of long, flat noodles tossed with bits of chicken breast and sautéed in a heavy cream sauce. It was seasoned with a healthy portion of garlic and a few scallions, which gave it a little extra kick. This dish blends rich parmesan cheese and savory, delicately seasoned chicken together to create a bold taste experience.

Overall, the meal was one of the best I have had in a long time. Rizzi’s is certainly one of the finest Italian restaurants in Peoria. It is similarly priced to the Olive Garden with entrées ranging form $11 to $20. Rizzi’s, with its fashionable atmosphere and traditional Italian cooking, is a great place to have a relaxing meal or to take someone special on a date.

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