Dining Around Town - by Gregg Pill
DECEMBER, 2017
It seems Westmont is in the midst of a restaurant renaissance as we may see the addition of 10 or more new restaurants in our Village over the next 2-3 years. With over 100 dining options, we have one of the highest per capita ratios in the suburbs. The first three are featured below in Up & Running!
Last year’s Inaugural Westmont Restaurant Week will be back for the 2nd year running from March 2 thru 11. Last year, ABC7 and Judy Hsu picked up the story and featured several of our 23 local choices on television. Our goal includes even more participating restaurants and expanded coverage for this year’s event. A full list will be posted along with menus on the Westmont Chamber’s website.
We will also bring back for the 3rd year in a row, the Westmont People’s Choice Awards. With 28 dining categories and over 200 voting choices, we have seen nearly 15,000 online votes in the past two years. This year’s voting will be open from March 15th thru April 4th. The link will be posted on the Westmont Chamber website and winners announced at the Community Awards Banquet in April.
Stepping Out:
The Hilton at Oak Brook Hills is setting the standard for New Year’s Eve. Once again, the Las Vegas Rat Pack is Back Show will return Hilton Oak Brook Hills Grand Ballroom. Comprised of the world’s best impersonators backed by a 15-piece big band, “The Rat Pack is Back” will bring Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr. and Dean Martin back to earth to ring in 2018. The backdrop to this unforgettable New Year’s Eve experience is the resort's mid-century, luxurious 13,000 square-foot Grand Ballroom where the TIMELESS theme comes to life.
The ballroom will be filled with elegant 4-seat cocktail tables as well as a large central dance floor. The night will include an open premium bar, classic era cocktails, and opulent food stations with items like caviar, oysters, shrimp cocktail, crab cakes, a decadent chocolate fountain and much more. Additional event accouterments will include New Year’s Eve party favors, a midnight balloon drop and a celebratory Champagne toast. New this year, guests can select the location of their seats or reserved tables, with VIP premier seating next to the stage and dance floor in an exclusive velvet rope and stanchion section. VIP’s will receive a bottle of Champagne at their table, private VIP Lounge access from 8 PM to midnight with open bar and food stations, and the opportunity to meet and greet with “The Rat Pack is Back.”
For the full TIMELESS experience, guests can add overnight accommodations in one of the hotel’s guestrooms and hangover brunch on Monday, January 1st. Visit the TIMELESS Eventbrite page for a full breakdown of ticket options that are now on sale. Wake-up the next morning to the Hilton’s famous brunch. Rumor has it ABC Channel 7 will be back to do their live broadcast from here! Here’s the full info…https://timelessnyeobh.eventbrite.com
The Hilton at Oak Brook Hills will host Breakfast with Santa on Sunday, December 10th and Sunday, December 17th. Each breakfast will run from 11am to 2pm and includes a lavish buffet, photos with Santa, Christmas cookie decorating for the kids and a DIY Hot Chocolate Bar. Priced at $43.95 for adults and $18.95 for kids with under 5 free. Here’s all the info… https://santabrunchobh.eventbrite.com.
Standard Market, Uncle Bub’s, Vincitori and J. Fleming’s Absolutely Delicious will all have their holiday catering menus ready to go. Contact them directly to place your orders and coordinate pick-up times.
Enjoy a bit of entertainment with your dinner, Vincitori Italian Restaurant features live entertainment on most Fridays and Saturdays and J. Flemings Absolutely Delicious does the same on most Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays in December.
Dolce will host a wine tasting event at their location at 15 W. Quincy on December 6th. Call or go to the website for details. http://www.dolceswestmont.com/
Neat kitchen + bar will host a private invitation only whiskey tasting on December 10th. Call for details or to score an invite.
Chef Bob Airdo of Vincitori brings back the Dueling Pianos New Year’s Eve. Cover charge is $10 and most of the menu plus some great specials will be available. http://www.vincitori.com/entertainment.html This one always sells out so reservations are a must!
Myths and Legends will be open throughout December from Tuesday through Sunday. Wednesday night features live entertainment and a food truck or two. Visit the only brewery in Westmont and try the sampler! And on Friday, December 8th, join M&L for a special release of the Medal of Honor Ale Beer (MOHA). Live band from 7-11pm along with a food truck, this event raises money for a memorial Sgt. James William Robinson Jr, a Medal of Honor recipient.
Grill 89 will be open Christmas Eve til 9pm and host their full menu on New Year’s Eve beginning with brunch at 10am and ending with a champagne toast at midnight. They will also be open all day on New Year’s beginning with brunch at 10am!
Want something a bit quieter, try Amber Café. A special Chef’s menu will be unveiled in early December and reservations will be available for this fine dining, classic option.
On New Year’s Day, Citrus Diner will open at 8am for those beginning their day, or finishing their night. Breakfast and lunch til 1:30pm.
The State of the Westmont Chamber annual meeting and luncheon will take place in late January. Open to the public, this event has sold out the previous three years. Past luncheons have been at Yu’s Mandarin on Pasquinelli Drive. Look for an announcement after the New Year on the Chamber website. This is a great networking event with heads of most Westmont organizations present.
The Federal Reserve will make their annual presentation and luncheon in February. Drawing a sellout of 400 attendees for the last ten years, this year’s event will be announced in late January on the Chamber website.
Up and Coming:
Fremont Grill – Another sports themed restaurant and bar has completed liquor license background checks and plans to open in the site formerly occupied by The Neutral Zone in the NE corner strip mall at Fairview and 63rd Street. Construction has begun but to date, no release of an opening date. A peek in the open door shows a much smaller bar footprint and a much larger dining footprint.
Zazzo’s Pizza – An after the first of the New Year opening is planned for Zazzo’s Pizza which will be relocating from Darien. Located in the former Pompei site on west Ogden Ave., Zazzo’s will feature a full Italian menu. http://www.zazzospizza.com/
Up and Running (last six months):
DelCarmen Mexican Restaurant – A family owned Mexican restaurant at 214 E Chicago Ave. With 3 additional locations, DeCarmen brings experience to the food game. Seven days and a full menu. Now Open #3! http://www.delcarmenrestaurant.com/
ItaliAmo – A new Italian fast food restaurant has opened at 6232 S Cass Ave. The site was formerly occupied by Stax. The menu is large with pizza along with many appetizers, pasta, panini and other Italian specials. Service is pick-up, drive through or limited standing. Now Open #2! http://www.italiamo.com/
Johnny’s Blitz – A new sports themed restaurant has opened downtown Westmont in the space formerly occupied by LaLaLi Patisserie. The menu is simple and straightforward with burgers in the forefront. The gourmet burgers feature a 505 sirloin, 25% brisket and 25% short rib mix. On a fresh brioche bun along with nine different cheese selections including the rarely seen ghost pepper cheese, these burgers are delicious. The interior has an urban feel and I love the city-style front windows which will open to allow the streetscape in. Now Open #1! https://www.facebook.com/JohnnysBlitz/
Gone But Not Forgotten:
Cucinova – The pizza, pasta and salad side of the Grill 89 / Cucinova combo has closed it’s doors for lack of business. No word on a replacement.
Maxwell’s Red Hots – Landlord issues closed this restaurant as a main water line broke and repairs will not be made. It’s never good when outside and beyond your control issues force your business to close.
Recently Reviewed (last six months):
Grill 89 – release December 6th in Suburban Life
Bakersfield Wood Fired Grill
Katy’s Dumpling House
Dolce’s
Ultimate Guide to Westmont Pizza:
(Part 1 of 4)
(Part 2 of 4)
(Part 3 of 4)
(Part 4 of 4)
Harvest Pancake House
Mai Thai
Looking for more restaurant ideas, follow the #chitowndiner on Instagram.
It seems Westmont is in the midst of a restaurant renaissance as we may see the addition of 10 or more new restaurants in our Village over the next 2-3 years. With over 100 dining options, we have one of the highest per capita ratios in the suburbs. The first three are featured below in Up & Running!
Last year’s Inaugural Westmont Restaurant Week will be back for the 2nd year running from March 2 thru 11. Last year, ABC7 and Judy Hsu picked up the story and featured several of our 23 local choices on television. Our goal includes even more participating restaurants and expanded coverage for this year’s event. A full list will be posted along with menus on the Westmont Chamber’s website.
We will also bring back for the 3rd year in a row, the Westmont People’s Choice Awards. With 28 dining categories and over 200 voting choices, we have seen nearly 15,000 online votes in the past two years. This year’s voting will be open from March 15th thru April 4th. The link will be posted on the Westmont Chamber website and winners announced at the Community Awards Banquet in April.
Stepping Out:
The Hilton at Oak Brook Hills is setting the standard for New Year’s Eve. Once again, the Las Vegas Rat Pack is Back Show will return Hilton Oak Brook Hills Grand Ballroom. Comprised of the world’s best impersonators backed by a 15-piece big band, “The Rat Pack is Back” will bring Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr. and Dean Martin back to earth to ring in 2018. The backdrop to this unforgettable New Year’s Eve experience is the resort's mid-century, luxurious 13,000 square-foot Grand Ballroom where the TIMELESS theme comes to life.
The ballroom will be filled with elegant 4-seat cocktail tables as well as a large central dance floor. The night will include an open premium bar, classic era cocktails, and opulent food stations with items like caviar, oysters, shrimp cocktail, crab cakes, a decadent chocolate fountain and much more. Additional event accouterments will include New Year’s Eve party favors, a midnight balloon drop and a celebratory Champagne toast. New this year, guests can select the location of their seats or reserved tables, with VIP premier seating next to the stage and dance floor in an exclusive velvet rope and stanchion section. VIP’s will receive a bottle of Champagne at their table, private VIP Lounge access from 8 PM to midnight with open bar and food stations, and the opportunity to meet and greet with “The Rat Pack is Back.”
For the full TIMELESS experience, guests can add overnight accommodations in one of the hotel’s guestrooms and hangover brunch on Monday, January 1st. Visit the TIMELESS Eventbrite page for a full breakdown of ticket options that are now on sale. Wake-up the next morning to the Hilton’s famous brunch. Rumor has it ABC Channel 7 will be back to do their live broadcast from here! Here’s the full info…https://timelessnyeobh.eventbrite.com
The Hilton at Oak Brook Hills will host Breakfast with Santa on Sunday, December 10th and Sunday, December 17th. Each breakfast will run from 11am to 2pm and includes a lavish buffet, photos with Santa, Christmas cookie decorating for the kids and a DIY Hot Chocolate Bar. Priced at $43.95 for adults and $18.95 for kids with under 5 free. Here’s all the info… https://santabrunchobh.eventbrite.com.
Standard Market, Uncle Bub’s, Vincitori and J. Fleming’s Absolutely Delicious will all have their holiday catering menus ready to go. Contact them directly to place your orders and coordinate pick-up times.
Enjoy a bit of entertainment with your dinner, Vincitori Italian Restaurant features live entertainment on most Fridays and Saturdays and J. Flemings Absolutely Delicious does the same on most Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays in December.
Dolce will host a wine tasting event at their location at 15 W. Quincy on December 6th. Call or go to the website for details. http://www.dolceswestmont.com/
Neat kitchen + bar will host a private invitation only whiskey tasting on December 10th. Call for details or to score an invite.
Chef Bob Airdo of Vincitori brings back the Dueling Pianos New Year’s Eve. Cover charge is $10 and most of the menu plus some great specials will be available. http://www.vincitori.com/entertainment.html This one always sells out so reservations are a must!
Myths and Legends will be open throughout December from Tuesday through Sunday. Wednesday night features live entertainment and a food truck or two. Visit the only brewery in Westmont and try the sampler! And on Friday, December 8th, join M&L for a special release of the Medal of Honor Ale Beer (MOHA). Live band from 7-11pm along with a food truck, this event raises money for a memorial Sgt. James William Robinson Jr, a Medal of Honor recipient.
Grill 89 will be open Christmas Eve til 9pm and host their full menu on New Year’s Eve beginning with brunch at 10am and ending with a champagne toast at midnight. They will also be open all day on New Year’s beginning with brunch at 10am!
Want something a bit quieter, try Amber Café. A special Chef’s menu will be unveiled in early December and reservations will be available for this fine dining, classic option.
On New Year’s Day, Citrus Diner will open at 8am for those beginning their day, or finishing their night. Breakfast and lunch til 1:30pm.
The State of the Westmont Chamber annual meeting and luncheon will take place in late January. Open to the public, this event has sold out the previous three years. Past luncheons have been at Yu’s Mandarin on Pasquinelli Drive. Look for an announcement after the New Year on the Chamber website. This is a great networking event with heads of most Westmont organizations present.
The Federal Reserve will make their annual presentation and luncheon in February. Drawing a sellout of 400 attendees for the last ten years, this year’s event will be announced in late January on the Chamber website.
Up and Coming:
Fremont Grill – Another sports themed restaurant and bar has completed liquor license background checks and plans to open in the site formerly occupied by The Neutral Zone in the NE corner strip mall at Fairview and 63rd Street. Construction has begun but to date, no release of an opening date. A peek in the open door shows a much smaller bar footprint and a much larger dining footprint.
Zazzo’s Pizza – An after the first of the New Year opening is planned for Zazzo’s Pizza which will be relocating from Darien. Located in the former Pompei site on west Ogden Ave., Zazzo’s will feature a full Italian menu. http://www.zazzospizza.com/
Up and Running (last six months):
DelCarmen Mexican Restaurant – A family owned Mexican restaurant at 214 E Chicago Ave. With 3 additional locations, DeCarmen brings experience to the food game. Seven days and a full menu. Now Open #3! http://www.delcarmenrestaurant.com/
ItaliAmo – A new Italian fast food restaurant has opened at 6232 S Cass Ave. The site was formerly occupied by Stax. The menu is large with pizza along with many appetizers, pasta, panini and other Italian specials. Service is pick-up, drive through or limited standing. Now Open #2! http://www.italiamo.com/
Johnny’s Blitz – A new sports themed restaurant has opened downtown Westmont in the space formerly occupied by LaLaLi Patisserie. The menu is simple and straightforward with burgers in the forefront. The gourmet burgers feature a 505 sirloin, 25% brisket and 25% short rib mix. On a fresh brioche bun along with nine different cheese selections including the rarely seen ghost pepper cheese, these burgers are delicious. The interior has an urban feel and I love the city-style front windows which will open to allow the streetscape in. Now Open #1! https://www.facebook.com/JohnnysBlitz/
Gone But Not Forgotten:
Cucinova – The pizza, pasta and salad side of the Grill 89 / Cucinova combo has closed it’s doors for lack of business. No word on a replacement.
Maxwell’s Red Hots – Landlord issues closed this restaurant as a main water line broke and repairs will not be made. It’s never good when outside and beyond your control issues force your business to close.
Recently Reviewed (last six months):
Grill 89 – release December 6th in Suburban Life
Bakersfield Wood Fired Grill
Katy’s Dumpling House
Dolce’s
Ultimate Guide to Westmont Pizza:
(Part 1 of 4)
(Part 2 of 4)
(Part 3 of 4)
(Part 4 of 4)
Harvest Pancake House
Mai Thai
Looking for more restaurant ideas, follow the #chitowndiner on Instagram.
