I live in the Fairmount area yet had never tried Illuminare and had been dying to try. Unfortunately, maybe I should have waited til I died. For a Saturday night, the place was dead, yet my girlfriend and I were treated as if the place was full. The mussels as an appetizer was tasty and plentiful enough but unfortunately I cannot say the same for our main course. I ordered the veal and she a pasta dish. Both were ok, mine being the veal, was a tad too salty, but the portions were extremely small for the price they were charging. I understand we are currently in tough times, but the bread portions were weak to say the least. One of my favorite parts of ordering mussels is dipping my bread in the sauce. Two pieces total is fairly weak. Just the same, the restaurant itself is inviting and comfortable, but outside of that the experience itself leaves you kind of empty. Other patrons had pizza which looked fairly good, perhaps I'll try that as take out next time, but thats about it.
Pros: Comfortable atmosphere. Pizza looks good.
Cons: Portions are extremely small for the price. Service.
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