Zingarella: Glenview's Gourmet, Friendly and Very Tasty Cafe

Bonnie Brock got her start in the food world by being exposed to both of her grandmothers' cooking and learned the best way any kid can, in your grandma's kitchen. She was very lucky to have had one grandmother who is Polish and one who is Italian.  She had gone to Europe to sing opera for a while and when she returned she decided to open a great cafe and restaurant and that's how Zingarella was born. In addition to being a wonderful opera singer, entrepreneur, and chef,  she is also a dietician which adds an informative component to the food preperation and planning of the meals and services that are offered to her clientele.

Zingarella (http://www.zingarella.com) has been open for three years and the inspiration for the restaurant was bringing back the foods from Europe. The geographic area of Glenview and its diversity of people is a great inspiration for the restaurant and its menu.   Each week they honor a different country and cuisine. One week could be German, one week could be Italian and the next week could be Austrian.


Bonnie purchases her produce, when in season during the summer, at the Wagner and Northbrook Farmer's Market and during the winter purchases from some of the  top notch vendors in the business. She's also a vendor in both markets and buys produce from other vendors, bakes pies and then returns to sell them in the markets. She's also very attuned and informed about sustainable seafood and only utilizes the fish that is wild and healthy. She uses free range chicken and grass fed beef. She's very conscientious about what type of products she's using in her cooking and how her customers are being fed.

Zingarella has been especially kind and thoughtful to the educators in the community. 1500 coupons have been printed for the teachers at Glenbrook South when the arrive at school for their first of school. They also have done alot of parties and office gatherings for the surrounding businesses and doctors offices in the area.

Some of the future plans for Zingarella's include doing some remodeling which includes expanding the bar and bakery area and build a little cooking school. The Cooking school would feature Bonnie and ten other students that would cook together and learn from one another. There is also a book club that has approximately 60 people that meets once a month. They read the assigned chapters and then have  meal based on the theme of the book whether it's the American South, France, Ireland, or other themes. Bonnie enjoys a small environment with just a few people so everyone can get together and learn from one another.

Their most popular dish is carrot cake and was just featured in the North Shore Magazine. The recipe for the cake came from Tulane University where Bonnie spent some time while doing some of her education. She enjoys scouring markets and cookbooks for new recipes and ideas.


The customer base consists of women for lunch and dinner consists of alot of couples that are both older and younger. The customers are a great mix of the neighborhood community.  The customer base consists of a broad spectrum.  They have take out service daily and every night they have complete meals from bread, salad entree, vegetable and dessert that are available for families that range from two people and up. A mom can come in and pick up an order and be out in ten minutes.

They offer a wonderful kids menu and also have a gingerbread decorating club in addition to a cupcake decorating class. Each child has their own station and can do their decorating. A story that was relayed was that one young gentleman was having so much fun with his frosting that he started squirting it towards the ceiling.

Zingarella is capable of providing alot of different services for parties and functions that also include a great sweet table of treats. They also do appetizers for different functions and parties. They enjoy putting together events for many various and different groups.


Bonnie appreciates and offers a non-corporate environment. They give personal attention and the feeling of  being part of a community in addition to the owner knowing your likes, dislikes, allergies and other preferences.
There are also separate items for diabetic and gluten free guests. Bonnie is in the store all the time and mentioned "It's been a very enjoyable experience being in Glenview".

I had the pleasure and privilege of sampling the vegetable quiche, pasta salad with tomatoes and feta cheese, a chicken salad sandwich with chips, a wonderful couscous, a sampling of cookies and a very delicate pear cake with mousse. All of these items were so very carefully prepared and were cooked with perfection. None missed the mark in terms of perfection and preparation. The flavors and textures were perfectly selected. The Pear Mousse Cake was just absolutely out of this world. This was well done because the pears were very delicate and sweet and the cake and frosting were very delicate.

I highly recommend Zingarella and all of their wonderful food delights and outstanding services.



Zingarella
2300 Lehigh Ave
Glenview, IL 60026 US
(847) 657-0707
http://www.zingarella.com/