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dining
Table Hopping: Seafood is fresh today at MH Fish House
“We are sea-to-table,” said Larry Flam, general manager of MH Fish House in Lake Forest making a play on the current trend in the farm-to-table movement.
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Table Hopping: A taste of the tropics in Lincolnwood
“By putting in the hard work and being present you will succeed.” That’s the mantra of Jaime Alvarez, the 29-year-old co-owner of Taste of Cuba.
Tiny Alcove big on comfort
Maneuvering in 400 square feet adds new meaning to knowing your way around the kitchen. With a few tours in the restaurant business under his belt, Evanston resident Scott Bradley envisioned a bistro at 512 Main St.
Table Hopping: Exotic flavors of India in Long Grove
“Our dream was to start a ‘fine-dine,’” said Nidhi Trikha. Trikha, along with her husband Miki opened Urban Tandoor Indian Grill & Bar in Long Grove last April. “We want this to be a destination restaurant,” she added.
Quality, freshness rule at Café Lucci
“It was a big leap of faith,” said chef/owner Augie Arifi of the decision to open Café Lucci with his family 17 years ago. To succeed, creative financing had to include leveraging home and auto titles by all Arifi family members.
Fodrak’s recipe for success is happy customers
LIBERTYVILLE — “It took a couple of years to make the first dollar,” owner Jim Lappas said while sitting at a table inside his restaurant. Today, Fodrak’s is a local favorite and will celebrate its 25th year in business on Dec. 7.
Lincolnshire’s Cubby Bear North offers year-round optimism
LINCOLNSHIRE — While is was tough year for baseball on Chicago’s North Side, there was plenty of good happening at the Cubby Bear North in Lincolnshire.
Sophisticated comfort food at Bobby’s Deerfield
It was like coming home. When they walked into a floundering storefront at Waukegan and Deerfield roads, brothers Augie and Bobby Arifi knew they’d found their place.
Deerfield Italian Kitchen dining is a family affair
“We try to offer a family dining experience,” said Deerfield Italian Kitchen proprietor John Sciarretta, Jr. That goes for both the front and back of the house. The eatery was launched by Sciarretta’s great grandfather in 1962 when he began delivering sandwiches to local construction sites in a bus he called “Smiling Sam’s Rolling Kitchen.’’
Eat In The Raw in Highland Park
“We are an organic, vegan, gluten free, raw food restaurant.” Beth Taussig is speaking proudly of her original concept eatery, In The Raw, launched in Highland Park just three months ago.
A month-long party at Edelweiss
What began as a local wedding celebration for King Ludwig I in Bavaria in 1810, is today one of Germany’s — and the world’s — most famous events. Oktoberfest, which actually starts in September, is one of the world’s largest festivals, with more than 6 million people from around the world attending the 16-day event in Munich.
Farm-to-table dining a Highland Park draw
HIGHLAND PARK — What once was a popular place to grab a hot dog now is a premiere BYOB farm-to-table restaurant in this North Shore city’s booming downtown. As a kid, Bobby Dubin worked in restaurants, slowly developing his love for local and international fare.
Jay’s Italian Beef keeps with tradition
HARWOOD HEIGHTS — Italian beef sandwiches reign supreme at one of Harwood Heights’ well-know haunts. Jay’s Italian Beef and Sausage has served its specialty for nearly 40 years, co-owner Jay Fortuna said.
Corgan’s Madame ZuZu’s makes long-awaited debut
HIGHLAND PARK — Ordinarily, the opening of a new teahouse wouldn’t generate much buzz beyond the proprietor’s friends, family and the local chamber. But as alt-rock fans across Chicagoland know by now, Madame ZuZu’s in Highland Park’s Ravinia business district is not a typical teahouse.
Restaurant aims to bring ‘wow factor’ to Lincolnshire
LINCOLNSHIRE — The eatery may be new to the area, but Eddie Merlot’s prides itself on knowing what it takes to win over the region’s knowledgeable foodies. If the Taste of Lincolnshire was any indication, many community members have already welcomed the idea of the restaurant’s newest location.
Billy Corgan wants his tea house steeped in the aura of salons past
THOMAS CONNER: Smashing Pumpkins frontman Billy Corgan opens his Highland Park Madame Zuzu’s Tea House Thursday. It’s an idea he said he’s had for a decade, one that’s finally budding with the venture housed in a former post office storefront at 582 Roger Williams Ave. “I’ve never had coffee,” the rocker says. “I’ve always hated the smell,”
