Location
256 Green Bay Road, Highwood, IL 60040
847-432-0309
washingtongardens256@gmail.com
Hours
Monday – Thursday: 5 pm – 9 pm
Friday – Saturday: 5 pm – 10 pm
Sunday: 5 pm – 9 pm
MENU
PIZZA
Scornavacco Chicago-Style Thin Crust Pizza (Cut in Squares)
Since 1944, the first pizza to grace the tables of Chicago’s North Shore.
Small (10”)
Medium (12”)
Large (14”)
Crust Options:
Original Scornavacco Recipe
Gluten-Free (medium only)
Sauce Options:
Original Tomato Sauce
Smokey BBQ Sauce
Meat Toppings:
Italian Sausage, Pepperoni, Bacon, Ground Beef, Italian Beef, Canadian Bacon,
Grilled Chicken, Blackened Chicken, Anchovy, Meatballs
Veggie Toppings:
Fresh Mushrooms, Green Peppers, Yellow Onions, Red Onions, Fresh Spinach,
Artichokes, Sliced Tomatoes, Broccoli, Black Olives, Green Olives, Pineapple
Seasonings:
Fresh Garlic, Garlic Powder, Fresh Basil, Mild Giardiniera, Hot Giardiniera,
Dried Oregano, Red Pepper Flakes
APPETIZERS
Bruschetta
Tomatoes, basil, and balsamic piled high on garlic and EVOO-glazed toast.
Tortellini Alfredo
Alfredo sauce and fresh mushrooms served over Asiago and veal-filled pasta.
Sausage & Peppers
Sausage sautéed with red, green, and yellow peppers, onions, garlic, and rosemary.
Steamed Mussels
Steamed in our signature wine, tomato, herb, and garlic broth.
Calamari Fritti
House-breaded calamari served with marinara and lemon wedges.
Grilled Calamari
Sliced calamari with garlic, olive oil, lemon, basil, salt, and pepper.
Shrimp De Jonghe
Baked in garlic butter with breadcrumbs, lemon juice, and parsley.
Lobster Fritters
Lightly dusted in flour and fried, served with our secret sauce.
SOUPS & SALADS
Minestrone
Soup of the Day
House Salad
Romaine and iceberg lettuce with tomato, cucumber, egg, and choice of dressing.
The Garden’s Chopped Salad
Romaine and iceberg lettuce, tomato, scallions, cucumber, roasted red peppers,
hearts of palm, blue cheese crumbles, Italian vinaigrette.
Roasted Red Beet Salad
Roasted red beets with pear slices, glazed walnuts, blue or goat cheese over mixed greens.
Insalate Caprese
Slices of mozzarella, tomato, avocado, fresh basil, and pesto drizzle.
Caesar Salad
Cold crisp romaine with housemade croutons and classic Caesar dressing.
Add Protein:
Chicken | Shrimp | Salmon | Calamari
SIDES
Spinach with Garlic & Olive Oil
Italian Sausage
Braised Vegetables
Roasted Potatoes
Grandma Angelina’s Meatballs (2 / 3)
Pizza Bread
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PASTA
Full orders include choice of soup or salad.
Gluten-free penne available.
Spaghetti
Choice of marinara, tomato cream, or Bolognese.
Penne Piselli
Fresh garlic, basil, scallions, tomato strips, green peas, and EVOO.
Spinach & Cheese Ravioli
Housemade tortellacci served with marinara or tomato cream sauce.
Baked Ravioli
Spinach and cheese tortellacci baked in tomato cream sauce, topped with mild cheddar.
Gnocchi
Housemade gnocchi in vodka sauce.
Baked Eggplant
Eggplant, Parmesan, mozzarella, and tomato sauce baked lasagna-style.
Lasagna Bolognese
Homemade pasta sheets layered with tomato cream, marinara, or Bolognese meat sauce.
Tortellini Alfredo
Alfredo sauce and fresh mushrooms over Asiago and veal-filled pasta.
Hay & Straw
Spinach and egg pastas tossed with prosciutto and mushrooms in Alfredo sauce.
Rigatoni al Amatriciana
Pancetta sautéed in EVOO with garlic, tomato strips, marinara, cannellini beans,
fresh spinach, red pepper flakes, and Asiago cheese.
Chicken Basilico
Chicken breast and dried cranberries in a basil cream reduction, tossed with linguine.
The Garden’s Carbonara
Spaghetti with pancetta, black pepper, Pecorino Romano, peas, onion, and egg.
Linguini with Clams
Fresh steamed clams tossed with pasta in red sauce, white sauce, or garlic and EVOO.
Calamari Arrabiata
Linguine tossed with calamari, EVOO, fresh basil, and red pepper flakes.
Shrimp Fra Diavolo
Fresh shrimp sautéed in spicy marinara, served over pasta.
Substitute lobster
Shrimp Dispiraga
Shrimp sautéed in a cream tomato wine sauce with dill, tomatoes, and asparagus over penne.
Substitute lobster
SEAFOOD
Served with rice, vegetable of the day, and choice of soup or salad.
Salmon Lorenzana
Marinated in garlic, lemon juice, and teriyaki, then broiled with EVOO.
Mimi’s BBQ Salmon
Broiled and seasoned with our chef’s tangy barbecue sauce.
Salmon Oreganato
Mediterranean-style preparation with garlic, tomato, Italian seasonings, and capers.
Salmon Stimpianada
Sautéed with celery, red onion, orange and lemon juices, white wine, and red wine vinegar.
Franny’s Salmon
Pan-seared in lemon juice, olive oil, and garlic.
Whitefish De Jonghe
Baked with butter, garlic, and seasoned breadcrumbs.
Cajun Martini Whitefish
Broiled with Cajun spices, sautéed with dry vermouth, shallots, lemon,
topped with spinach and sliced almonds.
Whitefish Florentine
Sautéed with fresh spinach, white wine, tarragon, lemon, and cream.
Whitefish Estela
White wine sauce with garlic, cream, pesto, mushrooms, artichokes, and sun-dried tomatoes.
Jessie’s Shrimp
Blackened shrimp served over braised rice and vegetables.
STEAKS
Served with choice of soup or salad.
New York Strip Steak
USDA Choice hand-cut steak prepared al forno or with Estela sauce,
served with vegetables and oven-roasted potatoes.
Skirt Steak
Premium beef prepared Vesuvio-style or with Estela sauce.
CHICKEN & VEAL
Served with side pasta, vegetable of the day, and choice of soup or salad.
Chicken Marsala
Boneless chicken breasts sautéed with mushrooms, butter, and Marsala wine.
Chicken Parmigiana
Breaded chicken breast flash-fried and baked with marinara and melted mozzarella.
Chicken Calabrese
Baked in lemon, white wine, EVOO, and Italian herbs.
Chicken Limone
Sautéed in lemon, white wine, and butter.
Add capers for piccata style.
Chicken Vesuvio
Marinated in white wine, olive oil, rosemary, garlic, and black pepper,
broiled and served with Vesuvio potatoes.
Chicken Pomodoro
Stuffed with imported cheeses, basil, and parsley, sautéed in Pomodoro sauce,
served over angel hair pasta.
Veal Marsala
Tender veal cutlets sautéed with mushrooms, butter, and Marsala wine.
Veal Limone
Veal cutlets sautéed in lemon, white wine, and butter.
Add capers for piccata style.
Veal Parmigiana
Breaded veal cutlets baked with marinara and melted mozzarella.
Veal Fontina
Veal cutlets sautéed with garlic, EVOO, sweet peppers, tomato strips, white wine, finished with fontina cheese.
About Us
Family recipe Italian cuisine in Highwood since 1932
Established in 1932 by Angelina Scornavacco at the corner of Railway and Washington Avenues, the ‘gardens’ quickly became a convenient and friendly stopping place. Roughly ten years later, Tony and Ellen Scornavacco continued the family tradition of providing fine food and a warm atmosphere. The restaurant was moved to its current location in 1982 by Tony and Ellen’s son Alex, and his friend Bill Bernstein. In 2019, the Glazer and Kaulentis families assumed ownership of the establishment, preserving a piece of local history.
Alex’s Washington Gardens remains a local fixture, serving the original recipes and techniques used by the Scornavacco family for nearly a century. The menu features a selection of fresh seafood delivered daily, homemade pastas, Italian classics, and, of course, homemade desserts. Additionally, Alex’s Washington Gardens is believed to be the first restaurant in Lake County to serve pizza.
It is very important to us that we honor the deep history, traditions, and community that have been created at Alex’s Washington Gardens. We are devoted to ensuring Alex’s Washington Gardens continues to be a delicious, comfortable, favorite spot to gather with your friends and family.
Please come dine with us soon and say hello. Thank you for being part of Washington Gardens history.
—The Glazer Family and Kaulentis Family
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