Alex's Washington Gardens Menu

Steeped in history, many of our dishes are family recipes; our menu ranges from classic Italian dishes to other favorites including fresh seafood, homemade pastas and desserts, hand-carved chicken and more. We also offer some of the best Chicago style thin crust pizza! Expect excellent service and quality entrees every time you dine with us.

Pizza & homestyle Italian comfort food served out of a longtime family-owned trattoria. Based on 196 reviews, the restaurant has received a rating of 4.5 stars. Price $$

✔️ Dine-in ✔️ Takeout ✔️ Delivery

Alex's Washington Gardens 60040

Address:
256 Green Bay Rd, Highwood, IL 60040

Phone: (847) 432-0309

Website:

Social Profile:

Hours

Sunday	5–9 PM
Monday (Labor Day)	5–9 PM Hours might differ
Tuesday	5–9 PM
Wednesday	5–9 PM
Thursday	5–9 PM
Friday	5–10 PM
Saturday	5–10 PM

Menu
Scornavacco Chicago Style Thin Crust Pizza (Small 10) Cut in squares. Since 1944, the first pizza to grace the tables of Chicago’s north shore	$15.00
Scornavacco Chicago Style Thin Crust Pizza (Medium 12) Cut in squares. Since 1944, the first pizza to grace the tables of Chicago’s north shore	$17.00
Scornavacco Chicago Style Thin Crust Pizza (Large 14) Cut in squares. Since 1944, the first pizza to grace the tables of Chicago’s north shore	$19.00
Bruschetta Tomatoes, basil, and balsamic, piled high on garlic and EVOO glazed toast	$16.00
Tortellini Alfredo Alfredo sauce and fresh mushrooms served over asiago and veal filled pasta	$17.00
Sausage And Peppers Sausage sauteed with red, green, and yellow peppers, onions, garlic, rosemary	$17.00
Steamed Mussels Steamed in our famous wine, tomato, herb and garlic broth	$17.00
Calamari Fritti Sliced calamari breaded with housemade Italian bread crumbs and served with marinara and lemon wedges	$16.00
Grilled Calamari Sliced calamari served with garlic, olive oil, lemon, basil, salt and pepper	$16.00
Italian Sausage Seasoned and grilled sausage patty served with dollops of goat cheese and tuscan white beans	$17.00
Shrimp DeJonghe Baked in garlic sauce, breadcrumbs, lemon juice, butter and parsley	$17.00
Lobster Fritters Lightly dusted in flour and fried. Served with secret sauce. Shhh	$22.00
Minestrone	$7.00
Soup Of The Day	$7.00
House Salad Romaine and iceberg lettuce with tomato, cucumber, egg and a choice of dressings	$7.00
Garden Chopped Salad Chopped salad with romaine and iceberg lettuce, tomato, scallions, cucumber, roasted red peppers, hearts of palm, blue cheese crumbles and Italian vinaigrette	$16.00
Roasted Red Beet Roasted red beets with pear slices, glazed walnuts, balsamic vinaigrette and blue or goat cheese over mixed greens	$15.00
Insalate Caprese Slices of mozzarella, tomato, avocado and fresh basil with a drizzle of pesto sauce	$13.00
Caesar Cold crisp romaine lettuce with our house made crunchy croutons and zesty family recipe caesar dressing	$11.00
Spinach With Garlic & Olive Oil	$8.00
Braised Veggies	$7.00
Roasted Potatoes	$6.00
Grandma Angelina’s Meatballs
Pizza Bread	$11.00
Fusilli Portabello Fresh portobello slices, garlic, sage, spinach, tomato strips, tuscan white beans and EVOO	$22.00
Penne Piselli Fresh chopped garlic, basil and scallions, tomato strips, green peas and EVOO	$21.00
Spinach And Cheese Ravioli (Half) Housemade tortellacci. Served with marinara or tomato cream sauce	$16.00
Spinach And Cheese Ravioli (Whole) Housemade tortellacci. Served with marinara or tomato cream sauce	$22.00
Baked Ravioli Spinach and cheese tortellacci, tomato cream sauce, and topped with mild cheddar cheese	$22.00
Spaghetti (Half) Choice of marinara, tomato cream, or bolognese	$13.00
Spaghetti (Whole) Choice of marinara, tomato cream, or bolognese	$16.00
Gnocchi Housemade gnocchi pasta in vodka sauce	$24.00
Linguini With Clams Fresh steamed clams tossed with fresh pasta in your choice of red or white sauce, or garlic and extra virgin olive oil	$28.00
Shrimp Disparagia Shrimp sauteed in a cream and tomato wine sauce, served with fresh dill, tomatoes and asparagus over penne. **Substitute lobster, add $6	$30.00
Lasagna Bolognese Homemade pasta sheets with tomato cream sauce, marinara, or bolognese meat sauce	$23.00
Hay & Straw Spinach and egg pastas tossed with prosciutto and mushrooms in alfredo sauce	$24.00
Rigatoni Al Amatriciana Hand cut pancetta sauteed in extra virgin olive oil, garlic, tomato strips, marinara, cannellini beans, fresh spinach and red pepper flakes. Topped with asiago cheese	$24.00
Calamari Arrabiata Linguine tossed with calamari, EVOO, fresh basil, tomato strips and red pepper flakes	$26.00
Shrimp Fra Diavolo Fresh shrimp sauteed in a spicy marinara sauce, served over pasta. **Substitute lobster, add $6	$28.00
Chicken Basilico Chicken breast and dried cranberries in a basil cream reduction sauce tossed with linguine	$25.00
Baked Eggplant Eggplant, parmesan, mozzarella, and tomato sauce baked traditional lasagna style	$24.00
Lobster Sergio Fresh chunks of lobster tail, zucchini, plum tomatoes, parsley, and fresh garlic, sauteed in white wine, EVOO and a dash of fresh creme. Served over a bed of pasta	$36.00
Salmon Lorenzana Marinated in garlic, lemon juice and teriyaki, then broiled to perfection with EVOO	$32.00
Mimi’s BBQ Salmon Broiled and seasoned to mimi’s liking with our chef’s own tangy sauce	$32.00
Salmon Oreganato Mediterranean style prep broiled with fresh garlic, tomato, Italian seasonings, and capers	$32.00
Salmon Stimpinada Sauteed with celery, red onion, orange and lemon juices, white wine and red wine vinegar	$32.00
Franny’s Salmon Pan-seared in lemon juice, olive oil and garlic	$32.00
Whitefish De Jonghe Fresh whitefish baked with a family recipe of butter, garlic, and seasoned breadcrumbs	$32.00
Cajun Martini Whitefish Broiled with Cajun spices, then sauteed with dry vermouth, shallots, and lemon topped with fresh spinach and sliced almonds	$32.00
Whitefish Florentine Sauteed with fresh spinach, white wine, fresh tarragon, lemon and a touch of cream	$32.00
Whitefish Estela Served in a white wine sauce with garlic, a touch of cream, and a dash of pesto. With mushrooms, artichokes and sun-dried tomatoes	$34.00
Jessie’s Shrimp Blackened shrimp served over braised rice and veggies	$30.00
New York Strip Steak USDA choice hand cut steak prepared either Willies’ al forno style, or with our chef’s own Estela sauce. Served with veggies and oven roasted potatoes	$38.00
Skirt Steak Premium beef prepared either vesuvio style, or with our chef’s own estela sauce	$40.00
Chicken Marsala Fresh boneless breasts pounded flat, sauteed with mushrooms in butter, spices and marsala wine	$25.00
Chicken Parmigiana Hand carved boneless breasts pounded flat and breaded with housemade Italian breadcrumbs, flash fried, and then baked with a light marinara sauce topped with melted mozzarella	$26.00
Chicken Calabrese Boneless breasts baked in lemon, white wine, and extra virgin olive oil with Italian herbs	$25.00
Chicken Limone Hand carved boneless breasts pounded flat and sauteed in lemon, white wine and butter. (Add capers and for piccata style.)	$25.00
Chicken Vesuvio Marinated in white wine, olive oil, rosemary, fresh garlic, fresh ground black pepper, then broiled and served with roasted vesuvio potatoes	$29.00
Chicken Pomodoro Boneless breasts pounded flat and wrapped around imported cheeses, fresh sweet basil and parsley, lightly sauteed in pomodoro sauce and served over angel hair pasta	$28.00
Veal Marsala Tender veal cutlets pounded flat and sauteed with mushrooms in butter, spices and dry marsala wine	$33.00
Veal Limone Tender veal cutlets pounded flat and sauteed in lemon, white wine, and butter. (Add capers and for piccata style.)	$33.00
Veal Parmigiana Breaded with housemade Italian breadcrumbs, flash fried, then baked with marinara sauce topped with melted mozzarella	$33.00
Veal Fontina Tender veal cutlets sauteed with fresh garlic, EVOO, a variety of sweet peppers, tomato strips, white wine, and finished with a sprinkle of fontina cheese	$33.00
Mionetto Prosecco Brut Split (Glass)	$10.00
Cloud Chaser
Saint M Riesling
Ruffino Pinot Grigio
Terlato Pinot Grigio
Josh Cellars Chardonnay
Rombauer Chardonnay
Simi Chardonnay
Kim Crawford Sauv Blanc
Conundrum By Caymus
Meiomi Pinot Noir
Cecchi Sangiovese
Querceto Chianti Classico
Frescobaldi Nipozzano (Reserve Chianti)
Unshackled By Prisoner Cabernet
Lohr Cabernet
Eruption By Brassfield Red Blend
2021 The Prisoner Red Blend	$80.00
2017 Sanford & Benedict Pinot Noir Santa Rita Hills	$120.00
2021 Far Niente Chardonnay Napa Valley	$170.00
2019 Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Artemis	$200.00
Dinner Menu Ordering
Baked Eggplant Enough food for 4-6 people. Choose from Baked Eggplant, Lasagna Bolognese, Chicken Limone, or our famous Chicken Parmigiana. Comes with Spaghetti and your choice of Sauce, Veggies and House Salad.	$65.00
Lasagna Bolognese	$65.00
Chicken Parm	$70.00
Chicken Limone	$70.00
Sausage And Peppers Pieces of sausage sauteed with red, green, and yellow peppers, onions, garlic and rosemary.	$17.00
Tortellini Alfredo Appetizer An appetizer portion of our Scornavacco Alfredo sauce and fresh mushrooms served over Asiago and veal filled pasta.	$17.00
Italian Sausage Seasoned and grilled sausage patty served with dollops of goat cheese and flavorful Tuscan white beans.	$17.00
Shrimp De Jonghe Appetizer Baked in a garlic sauce, breadcrumbs, lemon juice, barbeque sauce, butter, and parsley.	$17.00
Fried Calamari Freshly sliced calamari breaded with housemade Italian bread crumbs and served with marinara and lemon wedges.	$16.00
Grilled Calamari Freshly sliced calamari served with garlic, olive oil, lemon, basil, salt, and pepper.	$16.00
Steamed Mussels Sourced from Prince Edward Island, Canada. Steamed in our famous wine, tomato, herb, and garlic broth.	$17.00
Lobster Fritters Lightly dusted in flour and fried. Served with secret sauce. Shhh.	$22.00
Bruschetta Tomatoes, basil, and balsamic, piled high on garlic and evoo glazed toast.	$16.00
Minestrone	$7.00
Soup Of The Day	$7.00
House Salad	$7.00
Caesar Salad Cold crisp Romaine lettuce with our house-made crunchy croutons and zesty family recipe Caesar dressing.	$11.00
Insalate Caprese Salad Slices of fresh mozzarella, tomato, avocado, and fresh basil with a drizzle of pesto sauce.	$13.00
Roasted Red Beet Salad Roasted red beets with fresh crisp pear slices, house-made glazed walnuts, balsamic vinaigrette and your choice of blue or goat cheese over spring mixed greens.	$15.00
Garden Chopped Salad Classic chopped salad with Romaine and iceberg lettuce, tomato, scallions, cucumber, roasted red peppers, hearts of palm, blue cheese crumbles, and Italian house vinaigrette dressing.	$16.00
Small Crust options: original scornavacco recipe, whole wheat, or gluten-free (available on medium pizzas). Sauce options: original recipe tomato sauce or smokey BBQ sauce.	$15.00
Medium Crust options: original scornavacco recipe, whole wheat, or gluten-free (available on medium pizzas). Sauce options: original recipe tomato sauce or smokey BBQ sauce.	$17.00
Large Crust options: original scornavacco recipe, whole wheat, or gluten-free (available on medium pizzas). Sauce options: original recipe tomato sauce or smokey BBQ sauce.	$19.00
Half Pasta Choice of marinara, tomato cream, or bolognese.	$13.00
Half Spinach & Cheese Ravioli Housemade tortellacci. Served with marinara or tomato cream sauce.	$16.00
Half Tortellini Alfredo A half order of our Scornavacco Alfredo sauce and fresh mushrooms served over Asiago and veal filled pasta.	$15.00
Full Pasta Choice of marinara, tomato cream, or bolognese.	$16.00
Penne Piselli Fresh chopped garlic, basil and scallions, tomato strips, green peas, and EVOO.	$21.00
Full Spinach & Cheese Ravioli Housemade tortellacci. Served with marinara or tomato cream sauce.	$22.00
Baked Ravioli Spinach and cheese tortellacci, tomato cream sauce, and topped with mild cheddar cheese.	$22.00
Fusilli Portabello Fresh portobello slices, garlic, sage, spinach, tomato strips, Tuscan white beans, and EVOO.	$22.00
Gnocchi Housemade gnocchi pasta in vodka sauce.	$24.00
Tortellini Alfredo Scornavacco Alfredo sauce and fresh mushrooms served over Asiago and veal filled pasta.	$24.00
Hay & Straw Spinach and egg pasta tossed with prosciutto and mushrooms in alfredo sauce.	$24.00
Rigatoni Al Amatriciana Hand-cut pancetta sauteed in extra virgin olive oil, garlic, tomato strips, marinara, cannellini beans, fresh spinach, and red pepper flakes. Topped with asiago cheese.	$24.00
Calamari Arrabiata Linguine tossed with calamari, EVOO, fresh basil, tomato strips, and red pepper flakes.	$24.00
Chicken Basilico Chicken breast and dried cranberries in a basil cream reduction sauce tossed with linguine.	$25.00
Linguini With Clams Fresh steamed clams tossed with fresh pasta in your choice of red or white sauce, or garlic and extra virgin olive oil.	$28.00
Shrimp Fra Diavolo Fresh shrimp sauteed in a spicy marinara sauce, served over pasta. Substitute lobster for additional $4	$28.00
Lobster Fra Diavolo	$34.00
Lobster Disparagia	$36.00
Shrimp Disparagia	$30.00
Lobster Sergio Fresh chunks of lobster tail with fresh zucchini, plum tomatoes, parsley, and fresh garlic, sauteed with white wine, extra virgin olive oil, and a dash of fresh creme served over pasta.	$36.00
New York Strip Steak USDA choice hand-cut steak prepared with Willie’s recipe served with veggies and oven-roasted potatoes.	$38.00
Skirt Steak Premium Beef prepared either Vesuvio style, or with our chef’s own Estela sauce.	$40.00
Chicken Milanese Hand-carved boneless breasts pounded flat and breaded with housemade Italian breadcrumbs, flash-fried, and then baked.	$24.00
Chicken Calabrese Boneless breasts baked in lemon, white wine, and extra virgin olive oil with Italian herbs.	$25.00
Chicken Piccata Hand Carved boneless breasts pounded flat and sauteed in lemon, white wine, capers and butter.	$25.00
Chicken Marsala Fresh boneless breasts pounded flat, sauteed with mushrooms in butter, spices, and marsala wine.	$25.00
Chicken Parmigiana Hand-carved boneless breasts pounded flat and breaded with housemade Italian breadcrumbs, flash-fried, and then baked with a light marinara sauce topped with melted mozzarella.	$26.00
Grilled Chicken Parmigiana Hand-carved boneless breasts pounded flat and then grilled with a light marinara sauce and topped with melted mozzarella. Gluten Free	$26.00
Chicken Vesuvio Marinated in white wine, olive oil, rosemary, fresh garlic, fresh ground black pepper, then broiled and served with roasted Vesuvio potatoes.	$29.00
Chicken Pomodoro Boneless breasts pounded flat and wrapped around imported cheeses, fresh sweet basil, and parsley, lightly sauteed in Pomodoro sauce and served over angel hair pasta.	$28.00
Veal Milanese Breaded with housemade Italian breadcrumbs, flash-fried and baked.	$32.00
Veal Marsala Tender veal cutlets pounded flat and sauteed with mushrooms in butter, spices, and dry marsala wine.	$33.00
Veal Limone Tender veal cutlets pounded flat and sauteed in lemon, white wine, and butter.	$33.00
Veal Piccata Tender veal cutlets pounded flat and sauteed in lemon, capers, white wine, and butter.	$33.00
Veal Parmigiana Breaded with housemade Italian breadcrumbs, flash-fried, then baked with marinara sauce topped with melted mozzarella.	$33.00
Veal Fontina Tender veal cutlets sauteed with fresh garlic, EVOO, a variety of sweet peppers, tomato strips, white wine, and finished with a sprinkle of fontina cheese.	$33.00
Jessie’s Shrimp Blackened shrimp served over braised rice and veggies.	$30.00
Mimi’s BBQ Salmon Fresh hand-cut filet broiled and seasoned to Mimi’s liking with our chef’s own tangy sauce.	$32.00
Salmon Oreganato Mediterranean style prep broiled with fresh garlic, tomato, Italian seasonings, and capers.	$32.00
Salmon Stimpenada A unique preparation sauteed with celery, red onion, orange and lemon juices, white wine, and red wine vinegar.	$32.00
Salmon Limone	$32.00
Salmon Piccata	$32.00
Salmon Lorenzana Fresh filet of salmon marinated in garlic, lemon juice, and teriyaki, then broiled to perfection with a little extra virgin olive oil.	$32.00
Franny’s Salmon Pan-Seared in lemon juice, olive oil and garlic	$32.00
Whitefish De Jonghe Fresh whitefish baked with a family recipe of butter, garlic, and seasoned breadcrumbs.	$32.00
Cajun Martini Whitefish Broiled with cajun spices then sauteed with dry vermouth, shallots, and lemon topped with fresh spinach and sliced almonds.	$32.00
Whitefish Florentine Sauteed with fresh spinach, white wine, fresh tarragon, lemon, and a touch of cream.	$32.00
Shrimp DeJonghe Baked in a garlic sauce, breadcrumbs, lemon juice, barbeque sauce, butter, and parsley.	$32.00
Mussels	$32.00
Whitefish Estela Served in a white wine sauce with garlic a touch of cream and a dash of pesto. With mushrooms, artichokes and sun-dried tomatoes.	$34.00
Pint Of Ranch	$6.00
Side Of Peas	$5.00
Veggie Of The Day	$5.00
Italian Sausage Side	$11.00
Roasted Potatoes	$6.00
Braised Veggies	$7.00
Spinach With Garlic & Olive Oil	$8.00
Pizza Bread	$11.00
(2) Angelina’s Meatballs	$9.00
(3) Angelina’s Meatballs	$12.00
Cookie	$7.00
Tiramisu	$7.00
Cannoli	$7.00
Cheesecake	$8.00
Special Cheesecake	$8.00
Flourless Chocolate Cake	$8.00
Lemon Cream Cake	$8.00
Hazelnut Crunch Cake	$8.00

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Reservations: opentable.com

Reviews

Joshua Barchard

It’s such great classic Italian food. Be sure to order the meatballs and ask for extra bread to dip in the marinara. They were both made with love, and you can absolutely taste it. We made sure to get a pepperoni and sausage to go. That was the best cold breakfast I’ve had in ages. Your pizza held up to the test. Thanks for being amazing!

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Jen Polatsek

I’ve dined at WG several times. After my experience last night, I will never go back. First, we were seated 25 minutes after our reservation time. Despite rushing home from the city to make our reservation, we were willing to let that slide. Second, when our server “greeted” us she was just rude…as if she was irritated that she had to wait on us. Her affect and attitude created a tense environment. Third, our food (pasta and pizza) took 40 minutes to come out. And to make it worse, my food wasn’t even close to being hot. When I asked our server to please heat it a little more, instead of apologizing and taking it back to heat, she said “well it just came out of the oven I don’t know why you think it isn’t hot enough.” Seriously! Then…when it came back I took one bite and there were several hairs inside of the ravioli. When I called the server over again, she (clearly agitated) said, ” they are so careful in the kitchen I’m not sure how that happened.” Clearly Not!!! We asked for our check to leave since none of us really had an appetite anymore. My daughter brought home leftovers and decided to have it for lunch today. She bit into her ravioli to find a huge egg shell. The size of a quarter. It was so gross.

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Graysen Othman

Amazing Italian food in a hole in the wall in highwood! I am so glad I found this place. I took my family and they all had a wonderful time. The previous table did take a while so it wasn’t right on time but the manager apologized and gave us free drinks to make up for the wait. Amazing manager by the way, he definitely knows how to run a restaurant. The ambiance was the typical Italian joint, but it was exactly what we needed and used the space effectively. The food was delightful and the portions were generous (perfect for having leftovers). Prices were on par with anywhere else. I will definitely be going back!

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Kevin

Alex’s Washington Gardens is a great place to grab some Italian food, despite a few issues.

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Jimmy Persino

Nice neighborhood place with good pizza and great drinks. They need to stock Lozardo cherries for Manhattans, though! And they put chives in their blue cheese dressing, which I hate and have never had another restaurant do before. No onions, including chives, belong in blue cheese dressing!

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jen goldstein

Classic Italian restaurant. Great value and great food. Very consistent and always delicious. Our Friday night go to!

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Kenneth Herzlich

Great old school Italian place. Had the chicken parmigiana it was excellent. Great wait staff.

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Dave Wojtowicz

Second time visiting this restaurant and the food quality continued to impress. If your dining experience requires tremendously flavorful entrees then Washington Gardens is a must visit.

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jeffrey wahlgren

Good fresh ingredients. Some of the sauces are a little bit too sweet for me. The pasta in the ravioli are not as light as they once were. Friendly people.

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Terry S

Excellent everything! They have taken osso bucco off the menu so Google menu needs an update, but the linguini and clams were beyond delicious!

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Hours

Menu

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Reviews

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Alex’s Washington Gardens Menu – Highwood, IL

Hours

Menu

Photo Gallery

Order and Reservations

Reviews

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Stay connected with the Roost!

Ask us any questions