Primo Italian American Cuisine: A Premier Dining Experience in Gurnee

Lake County has many upscale restaurants, but for me, the dining experience at Primo is the absolute best. The restaurant itself is beautifully decorated with sparkling light fixtures and rich wood, mixing a vibrant downtown Chicago vibe with a comfortable, relaxed atmosphere. Service is warm, knowledgeable, and attentive. The food at Primo is delicious. The owners’ love of great food shows in the menu, going way beyond standard Italian fare, including outstanding steaks and seafood. One of the ways I tend to judge the skill of a restaurant’s kitchen is how they cook steak, and there is none better than Primo. I like my steak cooked rare/med rare, and while most restaurants overcook, Primo nails it perfectly every time. Primo’s menu stays true to their customers’ favorites while always introducing new specials and surprising twists that elevate the food, such as hen-of-the-wood mushrooms (to die for) or a fresh, herbaceous chimichurri. Cocktails are expertly mixed, tasty, and beautiful, with special touches like Luxardo cherries, dehydrated citrus, fresh herbs, and fresh flower garnishes. Primo has an incredible selection of wines. As a wine novice, ordering wine can sometimes be intimidating, but Primo’s extraordinary sommelier, Marko, makes the wine experience approachable and accessible to everyone from beginners to connoisseurs. Above all, what really makes Primo stand out from other restaurants is the people. From the first time my husband and I stepped into Primo, everyone treated us like family. While some restaurants make you feel like an outsider if you are not one of their regulars, Primo understands that if you treat people right, new customers soon become loyal regulars. They have assembled an amazing staff of professionals who genuinely care. Whether you have a special occasion or "just because", make a reservation to sit at one of Marko’s tables or enjoy a fantastic cocktail with Jancy at the bar, and you will become a loyal regular in no time, too!

Our Valentines Day dinner was excellent from beginning to end. The service was great despite it being very busy and crowded. We had a 6pm reservation and we're seated at a spacious booth. Drinks were on point, steaks were cooked to perfection, sides were delicious. Definitely worth it.

Exceptional food, lovely ambiance, and Marko is welcoming and knowledgeable on high end service. Everything from appetizers, through entrees and dessert were a foodies dream. The attention to dishes thoughtfully prepared with true balance is some of the best I've had.

Primo’s does not disappoint!!! My wife and I have frequented this restaurant a few times and each time are always happy. Last Friday, my wife set up a dinner for her work team. They set us up on the lower level which is fashioned like a speak easy. They had wonderful live music, friendly service and excellent food. The desserts were the perfect ending to the meal. In the past my wife and I have sat at the bar for a glass of wine and ordered their impressive seafood tower.

This place was so pretty inside! My husband and I went here for date night ! Food was fantastic and our server Ryan S. Was a doll

What a wonderful place! Food was amazing service was amazing & the ambience is unmatched. My husband’s filet was incredible so juicy & perfectly cooked how he likes it. The drinks tasted perfect as well. Cant wait to go back & try more!! Keep up the amazing work Primo

Had a great birthday celebration at Primo on Dec 14, 25. The food was hot and delicious, and our server was fantastic—he even brought out the food as it was ready per my request. ​My only suggestion for improvement is the ‘one check’ policy for large groups. It made the end of our meal very confusing since we had a mix of cash and cards. Most importantly, it makes it harder for the server to get their full tip. Please consider changing this so your great staff can be taken care of more easily by your customers!"

We were impressed by their brand new excellent menu. We both had steaks, 1 Dry-Aged New York Strip and 1 Blackwing bison steak, each was outstanding! Done to perfection! The sides, loaded baked potato, and veggies, were also top-notch. Then there was the deserts -- a key lime pie, while no place outside of the keys can do full justice, it was pretty close, we agree an 8 of 10, and finally the peanut butter chocolate cake, a delicious little gem. The service was impeccable as well. All in all, we were highly satisfied.