Looking for Italian food, Roman columns and overused images of Botticelli's Venus but don't want to catch a flight across the ocean? We have a solution. Stop by this Italian restaurant, housed in the former Wolfgang Puck Restaurant, before heading next door to see a flick at Evanston's Century Theatre.

Filling in the sprawling space that Wolfgang Puck left isn't easy, however, especially with such high ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows. Perhaps that's why the restaurant's designers inserted faux Roman columns, both horizontally and vertically, throughout the space. Regardless, the atmosphere pairs well with the movie theater bar next door, each offering oversized spaces that invite you to lounge longer. And with the friendly host, dressed to the nines and greeting you with a smile, it's easy to come by and stay. (Plus this place's tagline is "So good, so easy," so it's simple to just go with the flow.)

The menu is packed with commonplace "Italian-American" dishes, with categories including appetizers, salads, pizzas and flatbreads, pasta, house specialties, seafood and desserts. There are too many entrees to list, but a few stood out, like the grilled shrimp with fregola and arugula ($18.99), filet mignon toscano ($25.99) and Sicilian pizza ($10.99). Don't miss the signature pasta bravo! dish ($13.99), a rigatoni tossed with wood-grilled chicken and mushrooms in roasted red pepper cream sauce. Bravo! also has a separate lunch menu chock full of elaborate sandwiches like the margherita panini with zuppa ($8.99).

Average cost: $10-$20

Centerstage Reviewer: Alicia Eler