Venice Italian Steakhouse in Dyer, Ind., isn't really visible from busy U.S. 30. Its main entrance is behind the building housing it, right off the parking lot so if you're heading east on U.S. 30, you'll turn north (left) after you hit Hart Street. If you're heading west on U.S. 30, you'll make your turn going north (right) before Hart. I'm making it more difficult than it sounds, but finding it reaps great rewards.
I dined at Venice for lunch recently and was pleasantly surprised. Not only is the decor top notch, so are the service and food quality. There are lunch and dinner specials, if you're of a mind, but I like to order off the regular menu.
My party of three had the soup of the day -- Cream of Red Potato -- and it was yummy (minestrone is offered daily). The good-quality Parmesan cheese and excellent extra-virgin olive oil (they use Pegasus) are a good foil for the crusty bread from Two Figs Baking Co. in Franklin Park, Ill., but you might have to ask for the bread. Everyone's cutting corners these days and the complimentary bread people don't eat is thrown away, so it's not automatically brought to the table unless you ask.
I had the lunch portion of Lobster-Cheese Ravioli with sundried tomatoes and asparagus. It was good but not stellar. Another in my party had an appetizer as her entrée -- the Shrimp de Jonghe with spinach. It was definitely appetizer-size and, for me, would not have made a filling lunch. But she was satisfied. The third person in my party had the Rigatoni with Italian Sausage, asparagus and roasted red peppers. The portion was huge and the sauce had that lovely orange hue from-scratch sauces tend to have. It was my favorite.
Aside from pastas, house specialties include Chicken Vesuvio, Chicken Saltimbocca, Veal Medallions, Baby Back Ribs (at an Italian place?), Grilled Salmon and, of course, steak and chops. Filets, bone-in Prime Rib Eye, Prime Porterhouse, Prime New York Strip, Skirt Steak, Pork Chops and Veal Chop all ring up between $19 and $32.
If you have room, dessert is in order. I highly recommend the housemade Tiramisu or the Carrot Cake. The full bar features wine by the glass or bottle, mixed drinks, specialty martinis and domestic and imported beers. There is alfresco dining, weather permitting, or dining in the glass-enclosed greenhouse area with waterfall. Among the amenities are free parking, carry-out and delivery orders, and private party accommodations.
Venice Italian Steakhouse is a white-tablecloth bright spot in Northwest Indiana's dining scene. It's urbane, glittery, and the piped-in light jazz or Sinatra-Martin classics are soothing. Ask about signing up for their free newsletter to receive coupons toward your next meal. I know I'm going back.
Venice Italian Steakhouse
Address: 275 Joliet St. (U.S. 30), Dyer, IN 46311
Phone: 219-322-8565
Hours: Opens at 11:30 a.m. Mondays-Fridays; opens at 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays
Website: http://www.veniceitaliansteakhouse.com
Email: info@veniceitaliansteakhouse.com
Price: $$ to $$$
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