Dining Around Town - by Gregg Pill
JUNE 2016
This month, Dining Around Town recaps the 2016 People’s Choice Restaurant Awards winners! In our first ever Reader’s Choice Awards in Westmont, 27 categories were represented with nearly 300 voting choices and write-in selections available. Open to all Westmont residents and surrounding community members, the three week on-line voting sponsored by Shaw Media (publisher of the Westmont Suburban Life newspaper) received 6,391 votes.
I had the pleasure of presenting the awards to each restaurant at the Westmont Annual Awards Banquet on Monday, April 25th at the Hilton Oak Brook Hills. And the Award goes to…
This month, Dining Around Town recaps the 2016 People’s Choice Restaurant Awards winners! In our first ever Reader’s Choice Awards in Westmont, 27 categories were represented with nearly 300 voting choices and write-in selections available. Open to all Westmont residents and surrounding community members, the three week on-line voting sponsored by Shaw Media (publisher of the Westmont Suburban Life newspaper) received 6,391 votes.
I had the pleasure of presenting the awards to each restaurant at the Westmont Annual Awards Banquet on Monday, April 25th at the Hilton Oak Brook Hills. And the Award goes to…
Best Bakery – La Petite Sweet
Best Fast Food – Chipotle
Best Holiday Brunch – Hilton
Best Catering – Uncle Bub’s BBQ
Best Pizza – L & F Pizza
Best Burger – DJ’s Sports Bar & Grill
Best Coffee Shop – Brewed Awakening
Best Family Friendly – Neat kitchen + bar
Best for Live Entertainment – Neat kitchen + bar
Best Sushi – Sushi House
Best for Outdoor Dining – J. Flemings Absolutely Delicious
Best Fine Dining (tie) – Bakersfield & Vincitori
Best Lunch – Standard Grill
Best Indian – Saffron
Best Fast Food – Chipotle
Best Holiday Brunch – Hilton
Best Catering – Uncle Bub’s BBQ
Best Pizza – L & F Pizza
Best Burger – DJ’s Sports Bar & Grill
Best Coffee Shop – Brewed Awakening
Best Family Friendly – Neat kitchen + bar
Best for Live Entertainment – Neat kitchen + bar
Best Sushi – Sushi House
Best for Outdoor Dining – J. Flemings Absolutely Delicious
Best Fine Dining (tie) – Bakersfield & Vincitori
Best Lunch – Standard Grill
Best Indian – Saffron
Congratulations to all of our winners and please remember to support our local restaurants and pass on your congratulations. Look for the 2017 voting next March!
Stepping Out:
Father’s Day is Sunday, June 19th and the Hilton at Oak Brook Hills will be hosting a Bentley, Bourbon and Bow Ties Event for all dads. For dads playing a bit of golf before the festivities, there will be cigar rolling stations on the golf course. After playing host to 1,100 guests at the Hilton’s Easter and Mother’s Day brunches, they are well equipped to create a memorable day for your favorite dad, father or grandfather. Refer to their site for further details (Click here).
Unlock The Legend at Urban Legend Brewing Company as they celebrate their 3rd Annual Summer Party! Live music, food trucks and great Westmont brewed craft beer from 4pm to midnight on Saturday, June 25th. Tickets are $8.00 and available on-line (Click here).
The expanded Westmont Street Fair & Car Show will open the season on Cass Avenue on Thursday, June 2nd at 6:00pm. With 3 blocks of activities to check out, it’s a great way to get in a little walking, listen to the live music, patronize our downtown restaurants or just enjoy a beer or soft drink as you view more than 200 vintage autos. Held every Thursday through August, a full schedule of exhibit themes is available at www.westmontevents.com.
The Taste of Westmont will take place in downtown Westmont on July 7, 8, 9 and 10th with updated information available at www.westmontevents.com .
Up and Coming:
The Bee – the formal restaurant in the Hilton at Oak Brook Hills is currently under full renovation. Opening in June, The Bee will relocate to an area presenting great views of the golf course. The restaurant will feature hyper-local farming, which means grown on premises or backyard, their local honey and a new Neapolitan style pizza oven.
Anna’s Place has received the necessary approvals to begin build out for a new restaurant and video gaming establishment on Ogden Ave, in the Pizza Hut strip mall just west of Cass Ave. While most video gaming places have no real kitchen and minimal menus, Anna’s with an established location in Westchester will have a full kitchen build out. Plans call for opening prior to receiving the video license which will clearly emphasize the food.
Up and Running (last six months):
Partners in the Ditka Restaurant group opened two restaurants at 800 East Ogden Avenue in the St. James Crossing shopping center on Monday, May 23rd. Splitting the site of the former Jimmy’s Island Grill are two new concepts. Route 89 (Da Coaches old playing number) opened with a downsized Ditka’s themed menu with Da Coach adding his touches. Small plates for sharing, think appetizers, range from dips to deviled eggs to Da Coaches Pot Roast Nachos. Sandwiches, burgers and a Smokehouse section featuring meat products from Linz Heritage Angus. There will even be a few brunch items served from 10am on Saturdays and Sundays. The bar menu reflects the same level of creativity.
Separately, Cucinova features individually constructed pizza, pasta and salads. All are prepared with the freshest of ingredients, adding each as you walk down the line (similar to Chipotle). After finishing off your custom order, it’s brought to your table. Simple, quick and efficient!
Maura’s Mediterranean Restaurant – Filling the void created by the closing of Sweet and Savory Spot in downtown Westmont, Maura’s Mediterranean Restaurant opened May 17th 31 N. Cass Ave. One of the partners is the owner of the Emergency Care and Coco Froyo located in the same building. With a good looking menu featuring hummus, baba ghanouj, shawarma, falafel, kabobs and all kinds of combinations, I will look forward to trying one of our new additions to the Westmont restaurant scene.
Mariano’s – With great fanfare and expectation Mariano’s opened on 63rd Street just west of Cass. Lines of shoppers waited eagerly for the 6am opening on March 15th creating record volume and sales during the first week. This newly constructed 70,000+ sq. ft. grocery store features a dozen food stands – think pizza, candy, bbq, bakery, sushi, crepes, raw bar, gelato, smoothie, coffee, sandwich, etc. – a beautiful glass enclosed dining area, a trail mix bar and extensive areas devoted to produce, fresh fish and meat. An outdoor patio is now open also.
Fish and meat selections can be grilled on the spot at no additional charge making take home dining even easier. There’s even a wine and beer bar to “taste test” various beverages to accompany your store cooked meal. This will be a wonderful addition to our south side redevelopment plan and will provide substantial sales tax for our entire community.
Pompei – 200 W. Ogden Ave. – New ownership and a return to good food and service. Most Taylor Street specialties are available including the Herb Chicken Ravioli. Pompei has been generously supporting local groups with Dine n Share nights and expanded holiday brunch offerings….and the best gelato for miles!
Woodgrain Pizza – 19 W. Ogden Ave. – former Connie’s owners and location offers fast (90 secs) casual pizza and salads in a warm setting. The reviews have been strong!
Potbelly Sandwich Works – 19 W. Ogden Ave. – better than average national chain sandwich shop with subs, shakes, soups and salads…a few more items.
Gone But Not Forgotten:
The Sweet & Savory Spot – Due to a partner split, the last meal was served on Friday, April 29th. Temporary plans call for space for dessert catering in a commercial kitchen and perhaps a downsized location in the future.
Yokohama Sushi - Retirement and illness is the cause for this long-standing 30-year Westmont Japanese restaurant to close. The final meal was served on Saturday, April 30th. The two remaining partners are looking at options after the massive display of emotions from the public during the last few days.
Stax – The drive thru and walk-up fast food restaurant at 63rd and Cass Ave. shut down earlier this year.
The property of the potential Hardees franchise on Ogden Ave. has an offer pending. No word on the potential buyer.
Recently Reviewed (last six months):
Taco Grill
Saffron Restaurant & Banquet
Amber Café
Yu’s Mandarin
Neat kitchen + bar
Looking for more restaurant ideas? Follow the #chitowndiner on Instagram.
Stepping Out:
Father’s Day is Sunday, June 19th and the Hilton at Oak Brook Hills will be hosting a Bentley, Bourbon and Bow Ties Event for all dads. For dads playing a bit of golf before the festivities, there will be cigar rolling stations on the golf course. After playing host to 1,100 guests at the Hilton’s Easter and Mother’s Day brunches, they are well equipped to create a memorable day for your favorite dad, father or grandfather. Refer to their site for further details (Click here).
Unlock The Legend at Urban Legend Brewing Company as they celebrate their 3rd Annual Summer Party! Live music, food trucks and great Westmont brewed craft beer from 4pm to midnight on Saturday, June 25th. Tickets are $8.00 and available on-line (Click here).
The expanded Westmont Street Fair & Car Show will open the season on Cass Avenue on Thursday, June 2nd at 6:00pm. With 3 blocks of activities to check out, it’s a great way to get in a little walking, listen to the live music, patronize our downtown restaurants or just enjoy a beer or soft drink as you view more than 200 vintage autos. Held every Thursday through August, a full schedule of exhibit themes is available at www.westmontevents.com.
The Taste of Westmont will take place in downtown Westmont on July 7, 8, 9 and 10th with updated information available at www.westmontevents.com .
Up and Coming:
The Bee – the formal restaurant in the Hilton at Oak Brook Hills is currently under full renovation. Opening in June, The Bee will relocate to an area presenting great views of the golf course. The restaurant will feature hyper-local farming, which means grown on premises or backyard, their local honey and a new Neapolitan style pizza oven.
Anna’s Place has received the necessary approvals to begin build out for a new restaurant and video gaming establishment on Ogden Ave, in the Pizza Hut strip mall just west of Cass Ave. While most video gaming places have no real kitchen and minimal menus, Anna’s with an established location in Westchester will have a full kitchen build out. Plans call for opening prior to receiving the video license which will clearly emphasize the food.
Up and Running (last six months):
Partners in the Ditka Restaurant group opened two restaurants at 800 East Ogden Avenue in the St. James Crossing shopping center on Monday, May 23rd. Splitting the site of the former Jimmy’s Island Grill are two new concepts. Route 89 (Da Coaches old playing number) opened with a downsized Ditka’s themed menu with Da Coach adding his touches. Small plates for sharing, think appetizers, range from dips to deviled eggs to Da Coaches Pot Roast Nachos. Sandwiches, burgers and a Smokehouse section featuring meat products from Linz Heritage Angus. There will even be a few brunch items served from 10am on Saturdays and Sundays. The bar menu reflects the same level of creativity.
Separately, Cucinova features individually constructed pizza, pasta and salads. All are prepared with the freshest of ingredients, adding each as you walk down the line (similar to Chipotle). After finishing off your custom order, it’s brought to your table. Simple, quick and efficient!
Maura’s Mediterranean Restaurant – Filling the void created by the closing of Sweet and Savory Spot in downtown Westmont, Maura’s Mediterranean Restaurant opened May 17th 31 N. Cass Ave. One of the partners is the owner of the Emergency Care and Coco Froyo located in the same building. With a good looking menu featuring hummus, baba ghanouj, shawarma, falafel, kabobs and all kinds of combinations, I will look forward to trying one of our new additions to the Westmont restaurant scene.
Mariano’s – With great fanfare and expectation Mariano’s opened on 63rd Street just west of Cass. Lines of shoppers waited eagerly for the 6am opening on March 15th creating record volume and sales during the first week. This newly constructed 70,000+ sq. ft. grocery store features a dozen food stands – think pizza, candy, bbq, bakery, sushi, crepes, raw bar, gelato, smoothie, coffee, sandwich, etc. – a beautiful glass enclosed dining area, a trail mix bar and extensive areas devoted to produce, fresh fish and meat. An outdoor patio is now open also.
Fish and meat selections can be grilled on the spot at no additional charge making take home dining even easier. There’s even a wine and beer bar to “taste test” various beverages to accompany your store cooked meal. This will be a wonderful addition to our south side redevelopment plan and will provide substantial sales tax for our entire community.
Pompei – 200 W. Ogden Ave. – New ownership and a return to good food and service. Most Taylor Street specialties are available including the Herb Chicken Ravioli. Pompei has been generously supporting local groups with Dine n Share nights and expanded holiday brunch offerings….and the best gelato for miles!
Woodgrain Pizza – 19 W. Ogden Ave. – former Connie’s owners and location offers fast (90 secs) casual pizza and salads in a warm setting. The reviews have been strong!
Potbelly Sandwich Works – 19 W. Ogden Ave. – better than average national chain sandwich shop with subs, shakes, soups and salads…a few more items.
Gone But Not Forgotten:
The Sweet & Savory Spot – Due to a partner split, the last meal was served on Friday, April 29th. Temporary plans call for space for dessert catering in a commercial kitchen and perhaps a downsized location in the future.
Yokohama Sushi - Retirement and illness is the cause for this long-standing 30-year Westmont Japanese restaurant to close. The final meal was served on Saturday, April 30th. The two remaining partners are looking at options after the massive display of emotions from the public during the last few days.
Stax – The drive thru and walk-up fast food restaurant at 63rd and Cass Ave. shut down earlier this year.
The property of the potential Hardees franchise on Ogden Ave. has an offer pending. No word on the potential buyer.
Recently Reviewed (last six months):
Taco Grill
Saffron Restaurant & Banquet
Amber Café
Yu’s Mandarin
Neat kitchen + bar
Looking for more restaurant ideas? Follow the #chitowndiner on Instagram.
