It's casual, it's southern Italian food, it's served in big portions: It's Viaggio, a West Loop Italian spot that serves up fancy fare with a decidedly relaxed attitude.

Executive Chef Victor "Uncle Vic" Perdue came from Carmen's and his own restaurant, Vic's on Main in Crete, and will personalize Viaggio's dishes. In addition to the basic menu, up to 10 specials are offered daily. The food is a bit pricey — but it's fresh. Nothing is ever frozen, and the restaurant doesn't have heat lamps: What you order is what you get. And you get a lot of it.

Appetizers include meatballs with romaine salad, and the fried calamari is served with hot and sweet peppers. Pasta entrees include rigatoni in Sunday pork gravy and spaghetti with lobster and shrimp sauteed in a spicy tomato basil sauce. Other entrees include Lobster Francese and chicken or veal tenderloin cutlets.

Average cost: $21-$30

Centerstage Reviewer: Erin Brereton