Naperville magazine | July 2019

COVERING CHICAGO’S WEST SUBURBS

JULY 2019

EPI C S TREE T EATS!

Summer’s hottest food trucks roll through suburbia NAPERVILLEMAGAZINE.COM / JANUARY 2019 1

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FEATURES JULY 2019

68

MOBILE MENUS

The diversity of local food truck cuisine reflects the distinct backgrounds of these four owners, who have fallen in love with their roaming kitchens

74

BEER SCIENCE

Tracing the journey from tank to tap at Alter Brewing Company

4 JULY MONTH 2019 2019 / NAPERVILLEMAGAZINE.COM / NAPERVILLEMAGAZINE.COM

PHOTOGRAPHY BY OLIVIA KOHLER

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DEPARTMENTS

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Editor’s Letter

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From the Archives

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THE 630 Community

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Books

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Better Together

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Expert Advice Mark Townsend

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Move

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GIVING BACK Humanitarian Café Liberty

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NaperScene Play Soiree, Ronald McDonald House Charities

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Kudos

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Home

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DINE Table for Two Moveable Feast & Co.

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Recipe Brisaggo Salmon

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Local Flavor

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ETC. To-Do List

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Naperville magazine (Vol. 15, No. 7, July 2019) is published monthly by Chicago magazine, 160 North Stetson Ave., 4th Floor, Chicago, Illinois 60601, a division of Tribune Publishing. Unless otherwise requested, submitted materials become the property of Naperville.

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Weather, sickness, traffic, prop failure—it can all fall apart at the last minute, despite the best-laid plans set weeks ahead of the issue release.

Despite myriad challenges, we got lucky shooting this month’s cover story (p. 68): Dozens of food trucks were all coming to one place, thanks to the Food Truck Festival in Aurora in early May. AD Haleigh Castino’s carefully crafted plan to coordinate writing and photography worked beautifully (and deliciously).

PHOTOGRAPH BY OLIVIA KOHLER

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EDITOR’S LETTER

OFF THE WALL

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Enjoy the best of Chicago, your concierge for life.

Visit chicagomag.com/subscribe and order your subscription today!

Only

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efore each issue goes to the printer, we create a “wall” of pages as a mockup of each spread in the magazine. We make final placement decisions based on the aesthetics of adjoining pages.

Right now I have a huge burger and salmon fillet staring at me—taunting me, really—after my recent decision to try an entirely plant-based diet. Which means I will forgo eating a majority of the scrumptious food on these pages. Sigh.

About nine years ago my body was telling me that something wasn’t right.

After having unproductive visits to several specialists, a nutritionist suggested that I try eliminating gluten and sugar from my diet, and it was immediately life-changing. After six months of strict avoidance, I was able to sparingly introduce both back. But the funny thing is, I didn’t want to. When my sugar cravings subsided I had more energy. I will occasionally have a piece of birthday cake, but I don’t really miss bread or cookies or pasta—because of how they make me feel.

Now, almost a decade later, the concern is more about avoiding disease. I know my gluten-free and vegan diet is something that most wouldn’t dream of following, but I’m confident that I can pull this off no matter where I’m eating.

My office wall confirms the abundance of amazing fast-casual and upscale restaurants (and food trucks) in our area, which offer every menu—and cater to every diet—from around the globe.

We truly have the world’s cuisine at our fingertips. Let’s eat!

per year!

*When you purchase a 2-year subscription—includes digital edition.

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Michelle Dellinger

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riters at Naperville have been commenting on the suburban dining scene since the magazine’s inception in 2005, and each July we’ve focused editorial coverage on everything from grilling tips (July 2007, above) to the best spots for romantic dates. We’ve covered it all for 15 years, so for this issue we were looking for a spin that was really unique.

In February there were national headlines coming out of an Illinois Supreme Court case challenging Chicago’s mobile vending rules. The city’s food truck restrictions are some of the toughest in the nation, but in May the court ruled in favor of the city’s 200-foot rule (restricting proximity to restaurants) and GPS tracking requirements. The lawsuit was filed by Laura Pekarik, who runs Cupcakes for Courage. In a Chicago Tribune article she said she was disheartened by the ruling.

“The food truck situation in Chicago could be so much better.”

The Cupcakes for Courage truck is now used only for catering or special events, and that most of Pekarik’s business comes from her storefronts in Elmhurst and Oak Park. So, wait …

Chicago’s loss is the suburbs’ gain, right? Food trucks that once fought ferociously for real estate near downtown high rises have all but abandoned those hopes and set their sights on summer festivals, special events, and corporate enclaves outside the Loop.

The steady rise in popularity of these authentic and casual meals is perhaps a side hustle boosted by partnerships with the growing number of craft breweries in the ’burbs. Whatever the reason, we’re loving the diversity and creativity of these epic street eats.

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INFLUENCERS, EVENTS AND ISSUES ON OUR WEST SUBURBAN RADAR Ribfest will move out of Naperville in 2020.

SWAN SONG Ribfest celebrates ‘Last Nights at Knoch’ this month

By Christie Willhite

16 JULY 2019 / NAPERVILLEMAGAZINE.COM

including the club’s own Project HELP mentoring program for parents.

“We want to be there for them,” Grimes says. “They do such wonderful work, and the need is so pervasive.”

And that, Grimes says, is at the heart of the club’s decision to move Ribfest out of Naperville beginning in 2020.

The Naperville Park District is making changes to Knoch Park, and it and other sites in Naperville won’t afford Ribfest the time (four days) or space

IF YOU GO What Naperville Exchange Club’s 32nd annual Ribfest Why Proceeds support local organizations working to eliminate child abuse and domestic violence When Noon to 10 p.m. Wednesday to Saturday, July 3 to 6 Where Knoch Park, 723 S. West St., Naperville Cost $5 for South Park access to ribbers, family area, carnival and business expo; general admission tickets including full-park admission and Main Stage access are $35 for Billy Idol and Living Colour on July 3; $20 for Flo Rida and KC & the Sunshine Band on July 4; $35 for Brantley Gilbert, Randy Houser, and Joe Hanson on July 5; and $25 for Bad Company on July 6. Ticket options also include front of stage, VIP, and skybox (various prices). Info ribfest.net and eventbrite.com

PHOTO BY JAMES HOCH

B

ack in 1988 when the Naperville Exchange Club launched Ribfest, its goals were modest: entertain the city for a weekend and raise a little money for a local organization fighting domestic violence.

To that end, the club recruited a touring group of ribbers to barbecue around Rotary Hill over Father’s Day weekend.

And though rain turned the grassy hillside into a muddy mess, the club raised enough money to buy a new set of tires for the charity’s van, says Rick Grimes, a charter club member who now serves as the executive director of Ribfest.

In its three decades, Ribfest has grown into a four-day festival that fills Knoch Park with food, music, a carnival, family entertainment, and more— an extravaganza that has raised more than $1 million some years for agencies that work to protect children from abuse and prevent domestic violence.

To date, the Exchange Club has raised more than $17.5 million for the cause,

(20 acres) the festival needs. Running a smaller or shorter festival just wouldn’t raise enough money.

“We need to be able to do what we do on an annual basis,” he adds. “We feel as a group that this is our responsibility.”

The move, likely to Romeoville, will be the biggest adjustment yet for a festival that has changed every year.

The layout has changed, the number of ribbers has gone up and down, some years have featured two music stages, and the dates shift to connect July 4 with a weekend.

In 2008, Ribfest was set to end on a Sunday, which can be a slow night when people need to go to work the next morning, Grimes said. Organizers decided to spend a little extra money on a high-profile performer to help draw a crowd and booked Trace Adkins.

“For whatever reason, we hadn’t realized we needed to be bringing in country stars,” he says. “He just packed the place, and that opened the door to booking country artists.”

Grimes’s personal favorites have included Peter Frampton, Pat Benatar, Styx, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and Heart. But one booking always will hold a special place in Ribfest history, he says.

A band with a Naperville connection—the drummer had grown up in town—contacted organizers one fall and asked to play at the following Ribfest. Between signing the contract and taking the stage, Hootie & the Blowfish, featuring drummer Jim Sonefeld, released an album.

“Suddenly,” Grimes says, “we had the hottest band in the nation.”

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POLO PARTY WITH PURPOSE Local outdoor event supports international need

By Karen Wojcik Berner

T

he folks at Arranmore Farm + Polo Club in Oswego are combining a polo match and an alfresco evening of music to orchestrate an unforgettable event next month to benefit One Feeds Two, an organization that helps impoverished school children around the world get nutritious meals.

“It’s an incredible deal—polo, a meal, two drinks, and a concert,” says the venue’s president and founder-owner, Shannon Greene Robb. “People can expect a unique night with some great people and great energy.”

Several high-end Chicago brands are providing food for the event, including

Shannon Greene Robb and Lara Filip

Invicto, Blackwood BBQ, two-time James Beard nominee Baker Miller, and Pretty Cool ice cream shop. Drinks will be provided by Naperville’s Solemn

Oath Brewery and Frolijo Artisanal Mezcal. The event will expand support of One Feeds Two by Invicto, Baker Miller, and Blackwood BBQ, as the restaurants are part of the nonprofit’s program to provide free meals to a child in the developing world for every meal sold locally.

Likewise, Arranmore is combining a couple of things they already do for the special event.

“The cool thing is we put together polo plus our Cab Cab concert into one event,” says Arranmore’s venue director Jenin Paradise, referring to the venue’s Cabernet Cabaret concerts, which don’t feature specific bands but are more like “mixtapes” with the best area vocalists singing various styles of music from country to pop to grunge, for example.

The One Feeds Two event, including a silent auction of Chicago sports memorabilia, will take place Saturday, August 3. Gates open at 5 p.m.; the polo match starts at 6 p.m., followed by the concert at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $75–$100; for more information visit arranmorefarmandpoloclub.com.

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By Abbi Waxman (Berkley) Nina, the only child of a single mother, is a hardcore introvert. When her estranged father dies, leaving behind previously unknown sisters and brothers—who all live close by and are excited to meet her—Nina is horrified.

It’s going to take a brand-new family, and a persistent suitor, to make her turn her own fresh page.

See the “To Do” Literary events for upcoming book signings in the area.

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By Matthew Kepnes (St. Martin’s Press) After a trip to Thailand in 2005, Kepnes realized that living life meant more than moving up the career ladder. He set off for a one-year trip around the world, but came home after a decade of traveling over 500,000 miles in 90 countries. His favorite stories, experiences, and insights create this travel manifesto.

By Michael Straczynski (Harper Voyager) Straczynski reveals how the power of creativity and imagination enabled him to overcome the horrors of his youth and a dysfunctional family haunted by madness, murder, and a terrible secret. This memoir of hope and success features a larger-than-life villain and a little boy who became the hero of his own life.

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BETTER TOGETHER

HAND IN HAND A Riverwalk proposal led to a joyous wedding celebration for these Naperville natives

By Lisa Arnett

S

urprising your longtime girlfriend with a proposal is a tough proposition when she clearly sees it coming.

That was certainly the case back in 2017 for Naperville natives Kyler Juckins, 26, and Michaela Powers, 27, who had been seriously dating since they were undergrads at North Central College and Illinois State University, respectively.

“I knew that it was probably going to happen that summer, so the whole beginning of the summer, I was on edge,” says Powers, who works as a speech language pathologist at Indian Knoll Elementary School in West Chicago. “Every time we were going to go do something, I would think: This

22 JULY 2019 / NAPERVILLEMAGAZINE.COM

could be it! … By mid-July, I was like, I’m going to stop being so crazy about it and when it happens, it happens.”

And so, just when Powers’s guard was down, Juckins popped the question during a picnic on the Naperville Riverwalk. “It was a beautiful summer day … and I had one of our close friends who loves to shoot photography … hide and spring out just as I was asking the question,” says Juckins, an attorney at Block, Klukas, Manzella & Shell in Joliet. “He was able to catch me surprised and it was really special,” Powers says.

Their wedding day began at Oakhurst Forest Preserve, with Juckins waiting at the top of a hill for Powers to walk up and meet him, allowing their photographer to catch their first

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look at one another with a stunning wooded backdrop.

Pastor Jon Kalvig of Compass Church in Naperville, which the couple has attended while dating, performed their ceremony at Company 251 in Aurora.

After the couple said their vows, they washed each other’s feet. “In the Bible, that was an act of humility,” Powers says. “We just wanted that to symbolize our marriage, of just being sacrificial and humble and always giving to each other.” Afterward, they shoelessly recessed up the aisle and headed to the venue’s vacant third floor to steal a quiet moment together before the reception began. “Being able to get away for a couple minutes is something we hold close to our hearts,” Juckins says.

The celebration was a family effort: The groom’s sister-in-law designed the invitations, his stepfather made a wooden frame by hand to hold the escort cards, and the bride’s mother arranged flowers for centerpieces. The night ended with family members and friends circling around Juckins as he belted out his all-time favorite karaoke tune, “Piano Man” by Billy Joel.

Powers and Juckins honeymooned in Montego Bay, Jamaica. They live at 5th Avenue Station Apartments near downtown Naperville and enjoy checking out new restaurants and breweries in their spare time.

WEDDING DETAILS Venue Company 251, Aurora Bride’s attire Watters gown, BHLDN; jewelry, Charming Charlie; heels, Target Bridesmaids’ attire BHLDN Hair and makeup Sophia Bella Bridal Groom’s and groomsmen’s attire The Black Tux Music Pete and Rachael Farnum (ceremony); Gavin Coyle (cocktail hour); DJ John Herrera, Profound Entertainment, Chicago (reception) Catering, cake, and sweets table Moveable Feast & Co., Geneva Invitations Alexandra Juckins (sister-in-law of the groom) Florist Wanda Clausen (family friend) Rings jamesallen.com Photo booth BellaBooth Videographer The Vic Media Transportation Spare Wheels Transportation, West Chicago

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EXPERT ADVICE

HIGH WATER MARKS A club coach offers tips on selecting the best learn-to-swim program

By Mark Loehrke

A

lthough Naperville’s Maverick Swim Club (mavswim.org) doesn’t offer swimming lessons, the club does stage tryouts for its competitive teams beginning with kids as young as 6 (and up to 18). Head coach and club founder Mark Townsend has seen just about every do and don’t when it comes to swimming preparedness over the past 25 years, and he has a few words of advice for parents.

MASTER THE BASICS Advanced strokes can come in time. The first priority of any swimming program should be making sure kids feel comfortable and safe in the water, which means knowing the basics of learning to float, learning to hold a breath with his or her face in the water, and learning to make forward progress with the use of the arms and legs—both independently and cooperatively.

MIND OVER BODY While they love fast swimmers, of course, Townsend and his staff love fast learners even more, which is why the most important characteristic they’re looking for in new swimmers is the ability to receive and implement instruction.

STEPPING STONES In addition to friendly, knowledgeable instructors and a warm-water teaching pool, Townsend believes young swimmers really need a lesson program with multiple levels and specific guidelines for advancement so they can clearly see and build upon their progress.

24 JULY MONTH 2019 2019 / NAPERVILLEMAGAZINE.COM / NAPERVILLEMAGAZINE.COM

PHOTOGRAPH BY JOHN JENNINGS

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CROSS-COUNTRY SKI

With right foot out and left foot back, reach left arm forward and right arm back, just beneath the surface. Hop to switch arms/legs in opposite positioning, alternating sides.

By Diana Pacheco This summer, don’t just wade in the water—make a splash and get after those fitness goals in your neighborhood or community pool.

GOAL Water workouts will improve your body’s composition and strengthen muscles, plus increase aerobic and muscular endurance and overall flexibility, with minimal stress and impact to your joints.

PLAN This workout consists of eight movements and can be done in less than 45 minutes. Each move is performed once—30 seconds for beginners, or 60 seconds for advanced levels—and the next move will follow until all eight are complete. Repeat this sequence of exercises during three 15-minute adult swim sessions to turn a glorious afternoon at the pool into a full workout.

MOUNTAIN CLIMBING

Holding the edge of a pool wall with both hands, raise foot and place on wall, keeping other foot on floor, alternating sides.

EQUIPMENT All of the exercises can be performed with just body weight and a pool or any body of water deep enough to stand and move around in. For increased resistance, water weights can be added.

WATER WALK WARM-UP

Stand upright with abdominal muscles firm, and spine in neutral position.

Walk forward for 10 strides, then backward for 10 strides, until time is up. Speed up to a jog to increase heart rate even more.

HYDRO JACK

Standing with feet shoulder width apart, hands down at sides, jump up while raising arms above head, landing in a wide stance. Hop back in, dropping hands at sides.

ABDOMINAL TUCK KNEE-LIFT KICK

Lift left knee toward chest, then extend leg fully and kick out, then bring leg down. Alternate sides while engaging core to keep balance.

26 JULY MONTH 2019 2019 / NAPERVILLEMAGAZINE.COM / NAPERVILLEMAGAZINE.COM

Jump up, lifting both knees while pressing your palms backwards to launch you forward. Then jump backward, tucking knees again while swinging arms forward.

FORWARD JAB

With elbows bent and palms open, pivot and punch straight out under the water, alternating sides.

CROSS JAB

With elbows bent and palms open, pivot and punch across center line of your body under the water, alternating sides.

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There’s a new addition to our family... A NEW Independent Living Option is being offered by Alden Gardens of Waterford!

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PEOPLE AND PARTIES WITH PURPOSE

GIVING BACK

CAFÉ LIBERTY Page 30

PLAY SOIREE Page 32

RONALD McDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES Page 34

KUDOS Page 36

Chef Billy Gordon PHOTOGRAPH BY OLIVIA KOHLER

NAPERVILLEMAGAZINE.COM NAPERVILLEMAGAZINE.COM / MONTH / JULY 2019 29

HUMANITARIAN Chef Billy Gordon instructs Café Liberty student Valerie Charlton.

DIGNITY D SERVED DAILY This local culinary training program empowers veteran families

By Julie Duffin

30 JULY 2019 / NAPERVILLEMAGAZINE.COM

an Gibbons has always been good at finding innovative ways to help people. When he wanted to donate to a food drive back in 1984, instead of simply collecting food or writing a check, Gibbons organized one of the area’s first 5K Turkey Trots. What he initially planned as a one-time event has now grown into a Thanksgiving Day tradition in Elmhurst that raises more than $165,000 annually for the six major food banks in DuPage County.

As executive director and founder of the Dan Gibbons Turkey Trot Foundation, he decided a couple of years ago to take the foundation to the next level.

“We didn’t want to be an organization that just gives someone a fish so he can eat for the day. We wanted to teach people to fish so they could eat for a lifetime,” he explains. As a veteran, Gibbons wanted to focus his efforts on providing job training for other veterans and their families. When the opportunity arose

in 2017 to purchase a space—complete with kitchen equipment—in Wheaton, Café Liberty was born.

Now in its second year, Café Liberty (cafeliberty.org) professionally trains participants for a lifetime career in the food service industry. The 11-week program meets three times per week, and utilizes a curriculum developed by Cheryl Corrado, the former executive chef at Chicago’s Le Cordon Bleu.

In addition to its patriotic connotation, Café Liberty is named for its proximity to the Union Pacific train line in downtown Wheaton. Location is key to ensure the program is accessible for veterans. Without access to a car, one student has relied on public transportation to get to the facility—an especially impressive feat considering he’s a 79-year-old navy veteran who lives four miles north of Wrigley Field. “He’s unbelievable. He was never late. In fact, he was always the first one here.” Gibbons PHOTOGRAPH BY OLIVIA KOHLER

was so impressed by his tenacity and culinary skills that he hired him upon graduation. “Eleven weeks seems like a short time, and it is, but when you are around these students three times a week, you understand what’s going on in their lives. They become part of your family and you want to make sure they’re OK. They are here because they are resourceful,” Gibbons says.

“What makes our program unique is that it’s not only open to veterans, but also to their immediate adult family members, under the premise that when

What makes our program unique is that it’s not only open to veterans, but also to their immediate adult family members.”—Dan Gibbons one serves, they all serve. So spouses or adult children of veterans can take the course, too,” Gibbons points out. “We believe that helping any one person in the family improves the entire family’s quality of life.”

Café Liberty’s culinary program is offered at no cost to veterans and their families. “There are a lot of hurdles we need to overcome, but we work closely with the counselors at Hines VA Hospital and other veteran organizations to make this work,” Gibbons explains.

Several veterans, for example, are interested in the program but are awaiting surgery. Others receive state-funded childcare at the local YWCA. Gibbons is now looking to expand the program into more cities. “We want to help anyone who wants to be a part of this. If it were up to me I’d have one in every town,” he says.

The foundation’s next fundraiser will be a country music concert, the inaugural Freedom & Dignity Festival (freedomanddignityfestival.org), featuring Toby Keith, Clay Walker, Coltford, and Craig Campbell on August 10 at Schaumburg Boomers Stadium.

“We just want to help veterans and their families,” Gibbons reiterates. “It’s not a handout, but a hand up.”

With traffic-free trips to fun destinations like festivals, unlimited rides Saturday and Sunday for just $10, and free rides for up to three kids 11 and under with each adult through Labor Day, Metra is

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NAPERVILLEMAGAZINE.COM / JULY 2019 31

NAPERSCENE 1 DCM board chairman Mark Trembacki and ABC7 emcee Judy Hsu. 2 Alan Krashesky, Kaylin Risvold and Colleen Merritt. 3 2019 Great Friend to Kids Award recipient Ronald McDaniel with DCM president Sarah Orleans and 2018 award recipient Robert A. Livingston. 4 Four friends pose at Play Soiree, which supports early learning experiences.

Lisa McClowry as Cher with “I Got You Babe” duet partner, Naperville Mayor Steve Chirico.

1

THE POWER OF PLAY

2 3

DCM hosts record-breaking fundraiser

By Julie Duffin

32 JULY 2019 / NAPERVILLEMAGAZINE.COM

4

PHOTOS BY RON HUME

D

uPage Children’s Museum raised a record-breaking $656,000 at its annual Benefit Ball on Saturday, April 6, at Esplanade Lakes in Downers Grove. Over 350 people attended Play Soiree to celebrate the “power of play” and the child-adult learning partnership that is the core of the museum’s mission.

ABC7 news anchor Judy Hsu emceed the evening, which featured a cocktail reception, dinner, live and silent auctions, paddle raise, and a variety of entertainment. Retiring DCM president and CEO Sarah Orleans was honored for her leadership contributions, and longtime donor Ronald McDaniel, president of Western-Cullen-Hayes, received the museum’s Great Friend to Kids award.

The evening included a special appearance by Cher (performed by singer-songwriter Lisa McClowry), who recruited Mayor Steve Chirico to play the role of Sonny during her rendition of “I Got You Babe.” The high point of the evening came when McDaniel offered a challenge match to the room and raised more than $100,000 in cash donations in honor of Orleans’s retirement.

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NAPERVILLEMAGAZINE.COM / JULY 2019 33

NAPERSCENE 1 Ken Shearer and Susan Leigh with Mark and Michelle Flood. 2 Ram and Rasika Reddy.

3 Jim Moran and Elizabeth Bennett. 4 John and Beth Shultz. 5 CJ Cohen, Clarisse Bower, and Joe Endress with Erin and Ryan Smith.

Mark and Sarah McGee

1

COMFORT AND CARE

2 3

4

More than $1 million was raised to support critically ill children and their families

O

34 JULY 2019 / NAPERVILLEMAGAZINE.COM

5

PHOTOS BY NICEE MARTIN PHOTOGRAPHY & DESIGN

n Saturday, April 27, more than 700 guests came together in support of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Chicagoland & Northwest Indiana’s (RMHC-CNI) annual gala, this year titled “One Step Closer.” Rob Stafford of Chicago’s NBC5 served as the emcee of the event to benefit local Ronald McDonald houses, family rooms, and care mobile programs.

“For the second year in a row, we raised over $1 million,” said CEO Holly Buckendahl. “Every dollar will go towards programs and services that enable families to get better together, ensuring that RMHC-CNI continues to be a beacon of hope and support for families with sick children.”

Attendees were encouraged to revel in red and sport their favorite red-shaded footwear, anything from stilettos to sneakers. Auction items included VIP encounters with Chicago sports teams, vacation packages to Cabo San Lucas and Key West, plus family-friendly outings to Chicagoland attractions. Guests captured memories at the photo station, danced to live music, and enjoyed late-night cheeseburgers.—MD

COLIN MOCHRIE AND BRAD SHERWOOD NOVEMBER 23

THE GREATEST LOVE OF ALL: A TRIBUTE TO WHITNEY HOUSTON FEBRUARY 16

THE TEXAS TENORS DECEMBER 8 ARTSPOWER’S “CHICKEN DANCE” FEBRUARY 29 RUSSIAN NATIONAL BALLET’S “CINDERELLA” FEBRUARY 8 MERCURY: A STORY CELEBRATING FREDDIE MERCURY’S LIFE AND MUSIC SEPTEMBER 14

NEW SEASON LINEUP ON SALE NOW!

FOR A FULL SEASON LINEUP AND TO PURCHASE TICKETS VISIT

northcentralcollege.edu/tickets BOX OFFICE: TUESDAY - FRIDAY, 10 A.M. - 6 P.M. • 630-637-SHOW (7469)

These programs are partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency.

NAPERVILLEMAGAZINE.COM / JULY 2019 35

KUDOS

RACE RESULTS A local woman’s trek through lymphoma treatment

By Karen Wojcik Berner Supported by her husband and family, in 2018 she endured six separate rounds of chemotherapy for five days straight in the hospital, and two rounds of preventative chemotherapy. In between hospital stays, she ran.

“I believed I had more to do, so I bundled up, covered my bald head, and went running,” Lhotka says. “I had faith that if I kept moving, I’d be OK.” Even in the hospital, she didn’t want to stay in bed, instead opting to walk around the halls.

“She motivated herself to get better and stronger,” Eisner says. “The best way to fight cancer fatigue is to exercise.

Terri’s cancer-free. She’s in remission.”

Since completing treatment, she has run numerous races, including the

VEGGIE FEST CHICAGO 2019 INTERNATIONAL FOOD COURT, LIVE MUSIC, VEGETARIAN FOOD DEMOS, AND MORE!

Terri Lhotka

Healthy Driven Naperville Half-Marathon and 5K, and the Naperville St. Paddy’s Day 5K. She attributes her recovery to a sense of humor, faith, determination to keep moving forward, and assistance from her husband and family. Reflecting on those days in the hospital, Lhotka says somehow, she knew she would be OK. “It wasn’t the end of my story,” she says.

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ONE OF THE MOST ANTICIPATED FESTIVALS OF THE SUMMER! New Location Danada South Park, Navistar Circle, Lisle, IL 60532 www.VeggieFestChicago.com/festival Host Sponsor of Veggie Fest Science of Spirituality International Meditation Center

36 JULY 2019 / NAPERVILLEMAGAZINE.COM

Don’t Miss Out Talks by health experts Celebrity food demos Children’s activities Meditation & yoga classes Family fun

Family fun Over 100 vendor booths Live music And much more...

Easy access to festival with unlimited parking!

Phone: 630-955-1200

PHOTO COURTESY TERRI LHOTKA

W

hen Naperville resident Terri Lhotka was admitted to Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital in Winfield, her body scan “literally looked like a Christmas tree,” there was so much cancer throughout her body.

Her doctor, Robert Eisner, a hematologist and medical oncologist at the Northwestern Medicine Cancer Center in Warrenville, gave her family his diagnosis of an aggressive form of double expressive non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and they started leaving the room one by one.

“I had a 40 percent chance to live. It was a lot for them to hear,” says Lhotka, 56. “I told the doctor to go take care of my family. I wasn’t going anywhere. I didn’t have time for cancer.”

50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE MOON LANDING

July 19

8-10PM THE BELFAST COWBOYS

(Van Morrison Tribute)

6-7:30PM

7:45-10PM 6-7:15PM

SIMPLY BILLY

(Billy Joel Tribute)

July 20 THINK FLOYD

(Pink Floyd Tribute)

SPACEFACE

(David Bowie Tribute)

50TH ANNIVERSARY OF WOODSTOCK 6-10PM

August 16 SOUNDTRACKS OF A GENERATION

(Woodstock Tribute)

$15 Adult $10 Youth (4-12)

8-10PM 6-7:30PM

NaperNights.org

August 17 THE THE BAND BAND

(The Band Tribute)

RICO

(Santana Tribute)

ACCESS

IS EVERYTHING

To enjoy unlimited digital access to 2019 magazine stories, visit napervillemagazine.com and click on the current cover.

SUBURBAN BLISS

TRENDS

MES AMIES BOUTIQUE Page 40

HOME Page 42

ALFRESCO FEASTS Page 44

OPENINGS Page 46

PHOTOGRAPH BY BARI BASKIN

This master bath was part of a major renovation project in Naperville’s Winding Creek neighborhood.

NAPERVILLEMAGAZINE.COM NAPERVILLEMAGAZINE.COM / MONTH / JULY 2019 39

SHOP

BEST DRESSED Local retailer offers women unique attire for special occasions

By Annemarie Mannion

N

eed a dress for a special occasion or for any day of the week?

Look no further than Mes Amies Boutique in Naperville (120 Water St., mesamiesboutique.com), where owner Casey Plasch is determined to make every woman feel dynamite when donning a dress for a wedding, a work party, a summer festival, or any other event.

Plasch’s business started about 10 years ago with a boutique in Chicago’s Lincoln Park. While the store offered all sorts of apparel from jeans to skirts to blouses, she noticed many of her customers were looking for dresses rather than separates.

40 JULY 2019 / NAPERVILLEMAGAZINE.COM

“We were getting an exorbitant number of women who were looking for dresses for special occasions—work, weddings, corporate parties, job interviews, vacations—you name it,” she says.

The demand led Plasch, who operates another Mes Amies Boutique in Middleton, Wisconsin, to decide to focus solely on dresses. She also recently added long gowns to her offerings. Many of her customers are looking for a dress that’s not cookie-cutter and that they won’t see others wearing to the same event or walking down the street.

“They’re looking for more unique dresses and quality,” she says. “Our mission is to stick to offering better quality.”

Her sales staff provides a high level of service and helps customers find the ideal dress for them.

“We talk people through their event,” she says. “We ask questions.

Is it indoors or outdoors? What is the temperature going to be? What is their role at the event? How do they want to feel that day?”

The store carries dresses from about 50 different designers who mostly create the garments under the Mes Amies private label.

“Each designer has a different size offering and style,” she says. “Our staff are able to explain the features of the different designers and why they’re so great.”

On a recent day, a bridal party was sorting through the selection, looking for dresses for the mothers of the bride and groom, while another customer was choosing a dress to wear to the swearing-in of Naperville’s new mayor.

Susmita Kavthekar of Naperville was looking for a dress similar to one she purchased last year, but in a

PHOTOS COURTESY MES AIMES BOUTIQUE

Casey Plasch helps a customer at Mes Amies Boutique.

different color. She says she’s become a regular at the store.

“I love the variety,” she says. “I think there’s something for everyone.

Every time I come in here the selection is different.”

The store carries sizes from 00 to 18, and can order up to size 26 for formal wear. The prices range from about $90 for a casual dress to about $500 for a long gown. The average price is $130 to $180.

Plasch says some customers visit her store after being unhappy with the quality of a dress they ordered online, or with the selection and quality of dresses at a discount or department store.

“We’ve had people in tears over trying to find a dress for a wedding,” she says.

“So many women come here and say, ‘Oh my gosh, I wish I’d found this earlier.’ ” She says part of her goal is to teach people about how to recognize dresses that are well made.

“We have a good customer base and we build trust,” she says. “We teach people to be educated shoppers.”

Plasch says she wants customers to find dresses that are timeless in terms of style and that they will wear for years to come.

“If a color is very much on trend we’ll pick up on that and do it in a classic shape so that it will be worn over many seasons,” she says.

Besides emphasizing quality, Mes Amies—which translates to “my friends” from French—features a supportive atmosphere where Plasch hopes any woman will feel at ease as they sort through the ever-changing assortment of dresses.

“This is about women being supportive and offering positive things, rather than being negative,” she says.

The store’s decor features soothing tones of cream and gray and is marked by a crystal chandelier and large windows to showcase the dresses and let sunlight stream across the light wood floors. And while the focus is on dresses, the store also carries ancillary items like shoes, hats, fascinators, and shapewear.

Mes Amies has become a destination for Kavthekar, who frequently finds dresses she feels great wearing.

“Every time I’ve worn something from this store, I’ve gotten compliments,” she says. “I haven’t had a miss yet.”

2 019 S E A S O N arranmorefarmandpoloclub.com

WINE DOWN WEDNESDAY

WOMEN’S INVITATIONAL

JUNE 19TH | JUNE 26TH NO JULY 3RD JULY 10TH | JULY 17TH JULY 24TH | JULY 31ST AUG 7TH | AUG 14TH AUG 21ST

ARRANMORE POLO CLASSIC

SATURDAY, AUG 17TH

SUNDAY, JUNE 30TH This match will bring in the best of the best from across the country. Join us and cheer on these amazing women as they battle it out for the championship.

We will host 11 public games for the 2019 polo season; 2 Weekend matches and 9 Wine Down Wednesdays.

Bring blankets, folding tables and chairs.

ONE FEEDS TWO

SUNSET YOGA JUNE 20TH | JULY 25TH AUG 22ND | SEPT 19TH In partnership with 360 Studios Naperville, Arranmore hosted our first Sunset Yoga in 2017. Over 500 yogis centered their mats on our polo fields by a setting sun.

In 2019 Arranmore will host 4 Sunset Yoga sessions.

Arranmore Farm + Polo Club’s signature tournament event.

Join us for an unforgettable polo event and come watch teams ARRANMORE + SOLMEN OATH battle for the championship.

SATURDAY, AUG 3RD

CABCAB

When the right people come together, they can become a real force for good. So, we’re combining forces with ONE FEEDS TWO. They are an amazing organization that brings together food brands, nonprofits, and customers to provide nutritious school meals to children living in poverty around the globe. Join us for an evening of Polo, followed by a Concert to benefit ONE FEEDS TWO. All the stars from your favorite CabCab concerts will be performing “All Night Long”.

Cabernet Cabaret, affectionately known as “CabCab”, is the event that started it all and continues to be our highly anticipated signature event. This open-air concert is held on the pristine and expansive lawn of Arranmore Farm + Polo Club.

You’ll be treated to an eclectic mix of music performed by our favorite hand-selected local stars, who have come together to form the one-of-a-kind cover band of your dreams.

SATURDAY, SEPT 7TH

PL E LOV E MAGAZIN ES. PEO PL E LOV E MAGAZIPEO N ES.

L A I D B A C K L U X U R Y.

PEO PL E LOV E MAGAZIN ES. PEO PL E LOV E MAGAZI N ES. PEO PL E LOV E MAGAZIN ES. PEO PL E LOV E MAGAZI N ES.

NAPERVILLEMAGAZINE.COM / JULY 2019 41

HOME

A striking backsplash features 8-inch concrete Bayona Deco tiles from Floor & Decor.

Light fixtures that were repurposed from the hallway and study highlight a tiled ceiling treatment over the kitchen island.

Custom cabinets from Chicago Wood Works Design Inc. were designed to include a baking station—with a lower counter for kneading dough—and a shelf that lifts a KitchenAid mixer to counter height.

FRESH START A Naperville home gets a long-awaited facelift

M

ike and Lisa O’Connell have lived on a quiet cul-desac in Winding Creek for the last 26 years. After raising a daughter and four sons in the house, the couple considered moving, but instead they chose to renovate for the next life phase of life: grandkids.

“I wanted to make it more modern for them,” says designer Philip W Venticinque of Design 25 in Chicago. “It was really worn from the five kids, and the closet/pantry configuration in the kitchen was really tight.”

The result is a fresh, modern look with clean lines. “The kids are getting older now,” says Lisa, “and now we can do things that are a little less practical.”—MD

42 JULY 2019 / NAPERVILLEMAGAZINE.COM

By borrowing space from the front living room, Venticinque moved the pantry out of the center of the kitchen, which opened up the dining room to the kitchen using sliding glass barn doors (open above). “The barn doors really started the whole project,” says Lisa. “They give us privacy without feeling closed in.” Below a Crystorama chandelier sits a Curata round dining table

by Hooker, which features a plated black nickel base. “Lisa hated the table at first,” admits Venticinque. “She thought it was too modern, but I was able to convince her to do most of the things I suggested.”

PHOTOGRAPHY BY BARI BASKIN

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A touch of personality was added to the family room that reflects Mike’s job—the wood beams and mantle were sourced from the lumber division of his construction services company.

The limestone was quarried by Oakfield Stone Company in Fond Du Lac, Wisconsin. Extra stone was added to corner accents on the exterior of the house by contractor IG Interiors in Lockport.

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NAPERVILLEMAGAZINE.COM / JULY 2019 43

MARKET

UNDER THE SUN Fresh takes on alfresco feasts Styling by Elizabeth Kennedy

Cookout Peterboro picnic basket (left, $50), table in a bag ($59.95), and dishes/ napkins ($99.95) from Crate & Barrel.

Threshold multistripe outdoor throw blanket ($35), Bormioli Rocco glass carafe ($10), OpalHouse plastic floral embossed tall tumbler ($2), and Threshold natural Acacia wood bowls (set of 4, $12) from Target.

Paper Party Straws ($8) and rattan napkin rings ($6) from Sur la Table.

Brighton Beach Rancher Hat ($58) and Mackenna Oversized Square Sunglasses ($38) from Anthropologie.

Olivewood and white marble oval board ($70) and cheese knife (set of 3, $30) from William Sonoma.

44 JULY MONTH 2019 2019 / NAPERVILLEMAGAZINE.COM / NAPERVILLEMAGAZINE.COM

PHOTOGRAPH BY OLIVIA KOHLER

August 30 – September 2, 2019 www.LastFling.org Live Bands - Friday 5pm - 10pm Saturday & Sunday 12pm - 10pm

Better Than Ezra • Friday

Vertical Horizon • Saturday

Big Head Todd And the Monsters•

Sunday

Live Bands - Friday 5pm - 10pm Saturday & Sunday 12pm - 10pm Plus Monday 12pm -8pm

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

MONDAY

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THE BOY BAND NIGHT THE HAIR BAND NIGHT ALT 101 OMT DOUBLE IDENTITY

WEDDING BANNED HELLO WEEKEND GREGORY HYDE BAND BILLY MARTIN BAND AD3 ACOUSTIC TRIO

KASHMIR

LIBIDO FUNK CIRCUS INDIGO

THE HAT GUYS STRUNG OUT THE RUN AROUND

Special Events All Weekend Long!

Labor Day Parade

Spaghetti Eating contest

LF Naperville Magazine Full Page Ad - 7 x 9.875.indd 1

AND SO MUCH MORE! 6/13/19 4:11 PM

OPENINGS DuPage Pistol Shrimp

Players from all over the country—and native players—are staying with host families in the Midwest to compete in Prospect League (think Cape Cod league) collegiate wood bat games at Benedictine University and North Central College. Free parking and $5–$11 tickets make watching this new DuPage-area team an affordable summer evening for the whole family.

BenU Baseball Field, 5700 College Rd., Lisle, dupagepistolshrimp.com

This new market and boutique offers handmade decor from local artisans.

310 Campbell Street, #80, Geneva 331.454.4091

Greenstar Paperie

This Downers Grove stationery boutique and graphic design studio—for custom wedding and marketing paper goods— has moved to a new street-level location just a few doors down.

5226 Main St., Downers Grove 630.216.9830, greenstarpaperie.com

Paradiso

clothing and accessories, plus home decor signs, candles, and gifts.

Owner Angela Pinto has expanded her women’s boutique to a second retail location. Look for chic and affordable

ecome B

5131 Main St., Downers Grove 773.412.6032, shopparadisoboutique.com

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46 JULY 2019 / NAPERVILLEMAGAZINE.COM

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PHOTO BY ANGELIQUE HUMCKE/CHRISGUILLEN.COM

Gia Bella Designs

2019 S P E C I A L A D V E R T I S I N G F E AT U R E

RESTAURANT GUIDE

NAPERVILLEMAGAZINE.COM / JULY 2019 47

2019 RESTAURANT GUIDE

Celebrating C l b ti 25 Y Years of Jet Fresh Fish and our World Famous Mai Tai

OPEN O PEN FOR RL LUNCH & DINNER R

For a quarter of a century Chinn’s 34th Street Fishery has been supplying the western suburbs with the freshest seafood available.

Our “Jet Fresh Fish” - flown in daily from all over the world - ensures the highest quality food at the most affordable price.

Try our World Famous Mai Tai, a refreshing tropical blend of pineapple, orange, lemon, lime and cherry juices, topped with Meyers Dark Rum. You’ll be back for seconds!

Chinn’s 34th Street Fishery | 3011 W. Ogden Ave. | Lisle, IL 60532 | (630) 637-1777 | www.chinnsfishery.com

48 JULY 2019 / NAPERVILLEMAGAZINE.COM

PRIME

in every sense of the word.

2019 RESTAURANT GUIDE

LEGENDS GRILL AND BAR @ SEVEN BRIDGES Locally owned brewpub featuring handcrafted beers & artisan pizzas.

We pride ourselves on bringing together friends, families and neighbors to share our passion for crafting the highest quality beer and food to create a stronger community.

6315 Main St., Woodridge • 331-998-2907 www.ikeandoakbrewing.com Follow us at @ikeandoakbrewing ikeandoakbrewing

6320 ROUTE 53 WOODRIDGE, IL 60517 SEVEN BRIDGES

legendsgrillbar.com 630-541-3221

Have you been lately?

Re-visit Thirty O Three, formerly Allgauer’s, and experience Chef Nick Landeweer’s newly reinvigorated menu as well as nightly specials including Steak Night, Seafood & Prime Rib Buffet plus Chicagoland’s Largest Sunday Champagne Brunch. Join us to experience why we are a local favorite.

First Friday of every month - Seafood prime rib buffet • Tuesday steak night • Daily bar specials Extensive, award winning Sunday brunch • Daily breakfast, lunch buffet Catering, weddings, themed events.

3003 Corporate West Drive, Lisle IL 60532 630.245.7650 | LisleNaperville.Doubletreebyhilton.com 50 JULY 2019 / NAPERVILLEMAGAZINE.COM

2019 RESTAURANT GUIDE

THE PATIO IS OPEN!

Join uss for a true ue authentic tic can Mexican ence. experience.

Our Moles Moles, Carnes Asadas, Enchiladas and Tres Leches Borracho are just the beginning.

Pair that with freshly squeezed margaritas and you’ll feel like you’re in Mexico!

EAT DRINK

Ask about our Private Events & Catering!

1650 Maple Avenue (55th Street), Lisle, IL (630) 541-8959 Near Four Lakes Village

ElGranAgaveRestaurant.com

PLAY

Discover Aurora’s Downtown

Aurora Downtown is where you can eat, drink, and play all year long. Distinctive dining, award-winning theater, charming views of the Fox River, and family-friendly museums are at the heart of it all in Aurora’s downtown. auroradowntown.org

SIGN UP TODAY!

DINE E-NEWSLETTER

Meet Me on the Rooftop!

Local Favorite! • Daily Drink Specials • 2 Outdoor Patios 4734 Main Street, Downtown Lisle 630-852-8040 • Yerbabuenacuisine.com

52 JULY 2019 / NAPERVILLEMAGAZINE.COM

Our DINE e-newsletter is a foodie’s delight—full of restaurant reviews, recipes and a comprehensive guide to dining in the western suburbs, delivered to your inbox twice per month.

SUBSCRIBE AT NAPERVILLEMAGAZINE.COM

NAPERVILLE MAGAZINE’S CULINARY GUIDE

DINE MOVEABLE FEAST Page 56

BRISAGGO SALMON Page 58

LOCAL FLAVOR

PHOTO COURTESY MOVEABLE FEAST

Page 61

Fresh-baked pastries at Wheaton’s Moveable Feast + Company NAPERVILLEMAGAZINE.COM NAPERVILLEMAGAZINE.COM / MONTH / JULY 2019 55

TABLE FOR TWO

LIGHT AND BRIGHT Moveable Feast & Co. does a delightful dinner in Wheaton

By Lisa Arnett

W

HIT THE SAUCE I realized one of Moveable Feast & Co.’s strong suits—their especially addictive sauces—upon the arrival of our appetizer, the fried dough balls. Though the name evokes a heavy, pizzeria-style gut-buster, these bread bites were light 56 JULY 2019 / NAPERVILLEMAGAZINE.COM

Artisan cheese board

as air. Though it required more precision than some might be willing to invest, I achieved the most taste-budtingling result by balancing each of the garnishes—wisps of purple pickled onion, cherry tomato slivers and grated Parmesan—atop each tiny dough bite before dunking it in the accompanying sauce: a terrifically tangy lemon aioli.

Putting a burger on the menu when you’re steps away from a burger joint may be a bit gutsy, but the treatment here isn’t like anything you’ll find next door. A patty made from beef ground in-house arrives stacked with a slab of salty Halloumi, thin slices of cucumber, tender roasted tomato, and pickled fennel dressed with preserved lemon.

Savory black garlic aioli slathers the burger, while an awesome artichoke aioli accompanies the fries.

Speaking of saucy, the cocktails here are also worth your attention. There’s

a bit of sticker shock (many are $15), but boutique spirits, freshly squeezed juices, and funky ingredients justify the price. For example, the Zanahorita is the restaurant’s take on a margarita made with freshly juiced carrot (zanahoria in Spanish) and smoky Banhez Espadin mezcal; the Hammersmith features Basil Hayden’s bourbon, absinthe, and tobacco bitters, all poured over an ice sphere and garnished with smoldering rosemary. “It’s the fresh version of a campfire,” Matt says.

FREE AND CLEAR For those with dietary restrictions, dining out can often feel like a game of 20 Questions. The menu here removes the guesswork with plentiful vegetarian, gluten-free, and dairy-free options.

One such item is a fresher, lighter take on a Friday fish fry: thick cuts of wild-caught walleye with a crispy pan-

PHOTOS COURTESY MOVEABLE FEAST

hen husband-and-wife team Matt and Ashley Marquez bought the café and catering business Moveable Feast in 2012, they decided to tweak the name ever so slightly. As Moveable Feast & Company, they envisioned growing beyond the original location, a downtown Geneva fixture since 1999.

And grow it has. In 2017, they opened industrial-chic event venue Company 251 in Aurora, which has since set the scene for dozens of local weddings (see “Better Together” on p. 22). Their newest venture is a full-service restaurant in downtown Wheaton (112 N. Hale St., moveablefeastandco.com) that embodies the same fresh, farm-to-table approach to food.

“We like to be healthy, wholesome, handmade,” Matt says. While the back half of the space is a European-style deli set-up with casual seating, the front half is a bar and dining room decorated elegantly in black and white.

They opened the Wheaton restaurant in October of last year with the intention to serve brunch and lunch and close up shop by 7 p.m.; however, they soon had to switch gears. “We underestimated the demand for dinner,” Matt says. And so, in late December, they launched limited dinner service Thursday through Saturday to satisfy diners’ evening cravings.

Stumptown coffee bar

HARRY’S DOG DAYS

of summer

Kick off your summer weekends on Harry’s Patio in Lombard! Bring the whole family (including your four-legged friends!) for food and drink specials and live music every Friday from June through August. Visit harrycarays.com for more information on live music and specials!

Hemp seed waffles

ko-almond crust, served with grilled zucchini and green beans, along with golden beet tartar sauce and fries dusted with malt vinegar powder. The dish debuted during Lent, but thanks to popular demand, it will stick around all summer. Other options include grilled chicken lettuce wraps with sesame aioli and daikon radish slaw (dairy-free and available vegetarian) and salmon seasoned with urfa, a Turkish chile pepper (gluten- and dairy-free).

The only disappointment during my visit was that the ice cream machine promising vegan soft-serve was on the fritz (my server compared their level of frustration to the printer scene in Office Space).

Perhaps that’s just enough reason to return, along with the promise of doughnuts—including vegan and gluten-free options—making their debut as of press time.

BRING YOUR POOCH! HARRY’S PATIO IS DOG FRIENDLY!

70 Yorktown Center, Westin Lombard | 630.953.3400 | harrycarays.com |

@HarryCarays | #holycow

Your next staycation is waiting at The Hidden Gem of the Suburbs!

Enjoy all of the activities our resort has to offer all summer long including: Poolside activities Movies on the green Pizza making classes Fireside s'mores ...and more!

Visit our site or call to make your reservattion. www.oakbrookhillsresort.com 630-850-5555

NAPERVILLEMAGAZINE.COM / JULY 2019 57

RECIPE

Yield: 4 servings

2

Stack and roll herbs, then cut crosswise into narrow slivers.

3

Grind herbs to a paste with a mortar and pestle; remove from mortar and set aside. Grind garlic, capers, and mussels into a paste.

4

Combine caper mixture, herbs, and lemon zest in a small bowl.

Add drained shallots and mix.

POLENTA 2 ¼ 1 ½ ¼ ½

cups water cup heavy cream teaspoon salt cup polenta cup butter cup grated Parmesan cheese

1

Bring water, heavy cream, and salt to boil in a heavy large saucepan.

Gradually add polenta; whisk constantly until mixture is smooth and begins to thicken.

2

Reduce heat to medium-low and cook until tender creamy, stirring often, about 30 minutes.

3

Stir in butter and Parmesan cheese. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

ROASTED MUSHROOMS

Vegetable or olive oil ½ pound mushrooms, trimmed, halved or quartered 3 cloves garlic, peeled and crushed

Salt and ground black pepper 1

Preheat oven to 450 degrees.

Lightly oil a shallow baking pan.

2

Add mushrooms in a single layer and toss with 2 to 3 tablespoons oil. Add garlic; season with salt.

3

Roast for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until mushrooms are browned. Season with pepper.

SMOKED MUSSELS SALSA VERDE 1 tablespoon shallots, minced 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar 4 tablespoons each chives, tarragon, mint, and chervil, destemed, washed, and dried ½ cup parsley 3 ounces extra-virgin olive oil 2 cloves garlic 2 tablespoons capers ¼ ounce smoked mussels ¼ teaspoon lemon zest 1

Combine shallots, ¼ teaspoon salt, and vinegar; marinate for 1 hour.

58 JULY 2019 / NAPERVILLEMAGAZINE.COM

SEARED SALMON 4 salmon fillets, skin on, about 5 ounces each 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon vegetable oil 1 tablespoon salted butter, room temperature ½ cup asparagus tips 1 teaspoon kosher salt

cracked black pepper, to taste 1

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a medium sauté pan, heat 1 teaspoon of oil and the butter. Sauté asparagus until crisp tender, about 5 to 7 minutes. Remove from heat.

2

Pat fish completely dry and score the skin about 4 times across the width of the fish. Season with salt and cracked black pepper.

3

Heat a sauté pan on high heat; add remaining oil. Place fish in skillet, skin side down, and press down gently to prevent curling and create a beautiful crispy sear. Do not move the fish in the pan until a crust has formed. The fish is ready to flip when shaking the pan and the fish slides across.

4

Flip the fillet and sear the top side for about 1 minute, then transfer to the oven and cook for 5 minutes (for medium to medium well).

5

Add roasted mushrooms to sauté pan with asparagus, and cook until warm, about 2 to 3 minutes.

6

To plate, spoon polenta into a wide bowl, top with asparagus-mushroom mix around the sides and place a salmon fillet in the center. Finish with 1 tablespoon of salsa verde and serve.

Recipe courtesy Ristorante Brissago executive chef Nelly Buleje.

PHOTO COURTESY RISTORANTE BRISSAGO

BRISAGGO SALMON

NAPERVILLEMAGAZINE.COM / JULY 2019 59

FAMILY OWNED

MEDITERRANEAN GRILL Fresh and Healthy made Delicious!

A FRESH TAKE ON FAST! 1835 ABRITER COURT NAPERVILLE, IL 60563 (630)799-0085

WWW.PITAINN.COM SUNDAY - THURSDAY 11 AM - 1O PM FRIDAY - SATURDAY 11 AM - 11 PM COME VISIT OUR OTHER 4 LOCATIONS SKOKIE • GLENVIEW • WHEELING • MUNDELEIN

LOCAL FLAVOR

PHOTO COURTESY BLACKBERRY MARKET

AMERICAN 1910 BAR, $$ 30 West State Street, Suite 200, Geneva 630.845.9100, 1910geneva.com

BEATRIX $$ 272 Oakbrook Center, Oak Brook 630.491.1415, beatrixrestaurants.com

ADELLE’S FINE AMERICAN FARE, $$$ 535 West Liberty Drive, Wheaton 630.784.8015, adelles.com

BLACK ROCK BAR & GRILL $$$ 2740 West 75th Street, Naperville 630.445.8648, blackrockrestaurants.com

ALLEGORY $$$ 224 South Main Street, Naperville 630.536.8862, allegorynaperville.com

BOARD & BARREL $$ 218 South Washington Street, Naperville 630.555.1212, restaurantnaperville.com

ARROWHEAD RESTAURANT AND BAR $$$ 26W151 Butterfield Road, Wheaton 630.653.5800, arrowheadgolfclub.org

THE BURGER SOCIAL $$ 108 North Hale Street, Wheaton 630.480.0458, theburgersocial.com

ARTISAN TABLE $$$ 1801 North Naperville Road, Naperville 630.505.4900, chicagomarriottnaperville.com

CADENCE KITCHEN $$$ 5101 Mochel Drive, Downers Grove 630.422.7631, cadencekitchen.co

ATWATER’S AT THE HERRINGTON INN $$$ 15 South River Lane, Geneva 630.208.7433, herringtoninn.com

THE CAPITAL GRILLE $$$$ 87 Yorktown Center, Lombard 630.627.9800, thecapitalgrille.com

BARREL & RYE $$ 477 South Third Street, Suite 184, Geneva 630.402.0647, barrelandrye.com

CARNIVORE & THE QUEEN $$$ 2241 Maple Avenue, Downers Grove 630.541.9951, carnivoreandthequeen.com

NEWLY OPENED BLACKBERRY MARKET Glen Ellyn market owners Bob and Anna Davison have opened a second suburban location in La Grange. Stop in to the fast-casual spot for gourmet sandwiches and salads, as well as baked goods— including its famous cinnamon roll—and craft coffee.

36 South La Grange Road, La Grange 708.571.2221, blackberry.cafe

Cinnamon roll

NAPERVILLEMAGAZINE.COM / JULY 2019 61

CATCH 35 $$$ 35 South Washington Street, Naperville 630.717.3500, catch35.com CHINN’S 34TH STREET FISHERY $$$ 3011 West Ogden Avenue, Lisle 630.637.1777, chinnsfishery.com CITYGATE GRILLE $$$ 2020 Calamos Court, Naperville 630.718.1010, citygategrille.com CLUB ARCADA $$ 105 East Main Street, St. Charles 630.962.7000, clubarcada.com COLONIAL CAFE $ 1101 South Washington Street, Naperville 1961 West Galena Road, Aurora 1625 East Main Street, St. Charles 552 Randall Road, St. Charles colonialcafe.com COOPER’S HAWK WINERY & RESTAURANT $$$ 1740 Freedom Drive, Naperville 630.245.8000, chwinery.com CRAFT URBAN $$$ 211 James Street, Geneva 331.248.8161, crafturban.com DRAFT PICKS $$ 523 Fairway Drive, Naperville 630.904.1111, draftpicksnaperville.com EDDIE MERLOT’S $$$$ 28254 Diehl Road, Warrenville 630.393.1900, eddiemerlots.com EGG HARBOR CAFÉ $ 175 West Jackson Avenue, Naperville 630.548.1196, eggharborcafe.com EGGS INC. CAFÉ $ 220 South Washington Street, Naperville 630.171.5555, eggsincorporated.com ELMHURST BREWING COMPANY $$ 171 North Addison Street, Elmhurst 630.834.2739, elmhurstbrewing.com EMMETT’S BREWING CO. $$ 5200 Main Street, Downers Grove 630.434.8500, emmettsbrewingco.com

GRAND DUKE’S RESTAURANT $$ 980 W. 75th St., Downers Grove, 708.594.5622, granddukesrestaurant.com GRANITE CITY FOOD & BREWERY $$ 1828 Abriter Court, Naperville 630.544.3700, gcfb.net HAMPTON SOCIAL $$$ 705 Village Center Drive, Burr Ridge 630.219.0009, thehamptonsocial.com HARRY & EDDIE’S $$ 29 East First Street, Hinsdale 630.590.9047, harryandeddies.com HOPVINE BREWING COMPANY $$ 4030 Fox Valley Center Drive, Aurora 630.229.6030, hopvinebrewingcompany.com HOLY MACKEREL! $$$ 70 Yorktown Center, Lombard 630.953.3444, harrycarays.com HUGO’S FROG BAR & FISH HOUSE $$$ 55 South Main Street, Naperville 630.548.3764, hugosfrogbar.com IKE AND OAK BREWING CO. $$ 6315 Main Street, Woodridge 331.998.2907, ideandoakbrewing.com IVY OF WHEATON $$ 120 North Hale Street, Wheaton 630.665.2489, ivyofwheaton.com

MAIZE + MASH $$ 430 North Main Street, Glen Ellyn 630.547.2540, maizeplusmash.com MEATHEADS SERIOUS BURGERS & FRIES $ 2555 West 75th Street, Naperville 630.355.6066, meatheadsburgers.com MELTING POT $$$$ 4931 Route 59, Naperville 630.717.8301, meltingpot.com MORTON’S THE STEAKHOUSE $$$$ 1751 Freedom Drive, Naperville 630.577.1372, mortons.com MOVEABLE FEAST + COMPANY $$ 112 North Hale Street, Wheaton 630.868.3777, moveablefeastandco.com THE NEST BAR & GRILL $$$ 2001 Rodeo Drive, Bolingbrook 630.771.9400, bolingbrookgolfclub.com OLD TOWN POUR HOUSE $$ 1703 Freedom Drive, Naperville 630.448.6020, oldtownpourhouse.com ORANGE & BREW $$ 1027 Burlington Avenue, Downers Grove 630.541.3880, orangeandbrewbottleshop.com PAISANS PIZZERIA $$ 2901 Ogden Avenue, Lisle 630.922.4100, paisanspizza.com

JACKSON AVENUE PUB $$ 7 West Jackson Avenue, Naperville 630.904.9400, jacksonavepub.com

PARKERS’ RESTAURANT & BAR $$$ 1000 31st Street, Downers Grove 630.960.5700, parkersamerican.com

J. FLEMING’S ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS $$$ 18 North Cass Avenue, Westmont 630.434.0224, willbeyourchef.com

PEANUTS BAR AND GRILL $ 22 West Chicago Avenue, Naperville 630.369.5200, peanutsbarandgrill.com

JIMMY’S GRILL $$ 245 South Washington Street, Naperville 630.548.2500, jimmysgrillnaperville.com

PERRY’S STEAKHOUSE & GRILLE $$$ Five Oakbrook Center, Oak Brook 630.571.1808, perryssteakhouse.com

THE LANTERN $ 8 West Chicago Avenue, Naperville 630.355.7099, lanterntavern.com

PETE MILLER’S $$$ 3032 English Rows, Naperville 630.428.4242, petemillers.com

EMPIRE BURGERS & BREW $$ 48 West Chicago Avenue, Naperville 630.355.9000, empireburgerbar.com

LE CHOCOLAT DU BOUCHARD $$ 127–129 South Washington Street, Naperville 630.355.5720, l echocolatdubouchard.com

PIERCE TAVERN $$$ 5135 Main Street, Downers Grove 630.869.5333, piercetavern.com

FOXFIRE $$$ 17 West State Street, Geneva 630.232.1369, foxfiregeneva.com

LE PAIN QUOTIDIEN $$ 204 South Washington Street, Naperville 331.215.5789, lepainquotidien.com

PIZZERIA NEO $$ 31 South First Street, St. Charles 630.377.8700, pizzerianeo.com

62 JULY 2019 / NAPERVILLEMAGAZINE.COM

PLANK BAR & KITCHEN $$ 120 Water Street, Naperville 331.401.5500, hotelindigo.com/napervilleil PRIMO $$ 29 South Third Street, Geneva 630.232.2280, allchocolatekitechenprimo.com R. URBAN WINE BAR & CAFE $$ 4738 Main St., Lisle 414.909.1583, urbanwinelisle.com RBK AMERICAN GRILL $$ 994 Warren Avenue, Downers Grove 331.251.6780, rbkdg.com RED ARROW TAP ROOM $$ 216 South Washington Street, Naperville 630.536.8739, redarrowtaproom.com SANTO CIELO $$$ 120 Water Street, Suite 509, Naperville 630.323.0700, stcielo.com SEASONS 52 $$$ 3 Oakbrook Center, Oak Brook 630.571.4752, seasons52.com SIXTYFOUR–A WINE BAR $$ 123 Water Street, Naperville 630.780.6464, sixtyfourwinebar.com SOVEREIGN $$$ 24205 West Lockport Street, Plainfield 815.556.8577, sovereigntap.com SULLIVAN’S STEAKHOUSE $$$ 244 South Main Street, Naperville 630.305.0230, sullivanssteakhouse.com TAP IN PUB & CARVERY $$ 2155 CityGate Lane, Naperville 331.457.5798, tapinpub.com TED’S MONTANA GRILL $$$ 39 West Jefferson Avenue, Naperville 630.848.2255, tedsmontanagrill.com THE TURF ROOM $$ 1033 Kilbery Lane, North Aurora 630.906.9300, theturfroomrestaurant.com THIRTY O THREE $$ 3003 Corporate West Drive, Lisle, 630.245.7650, hiltonlislenaperville.com/allgauers-restaurant TWO BROTHERS BARREL HOUSE $$$ 16 West Jefferson Avenue, Naperville 630.615.7100, thecraftsmannaperville.com NAPERVILLEMAGAZINE.COM / JULY 2019 63

TWO BROTHERS ROUNDHOUSE $$ 205 North Broadway, Aurora 630.264.2739, twobrothersroundhouse.com

CLARA’S PASTA $$ 6550 South Route 53, Woodridge 630.968.8899, clarasrestaurant.com

ROSEBUD ITALIAN SPECIALTIES $$$ 22 East Chicago Avenue, Naperville 630.548.9800, rosebudrestaurants.com

TWO BROTHERS TAP HOUSE $$ 30W315 Calumet Avenue West, Warrenville 630.393.2337, twobrothersbrewing.com

FIAMME $$ 19 North Washington Street, Naperville 630.470.9441, fiammepizza.com

TRAVERSO’S RESTAURANT $$ 2523 South Plainfield-Naperville Road, Naperville | 630.305.7747 traversosrestaurant.com

UP NORTH ALE HOUSE $$ 1595 North Aurora Road, Naperville 630.946.6494

FIRE + WINE $$$ 433 North Main Street, Glen Ellyn 630.793.9955, fireandwine.net

VICTORY MEAT & SEAFOOD $$$ 116 North York Street, Elmhurst 630.359.5599, victorymeatandseafood.com

FONTINA'S ITALIAN KITCHEN $$ 1767 West Ogden Avenue, Naperville 630.717.7821, thefontinas.com

WALKER'S CHARHOUSE $$$ 8 West Gartner Drive, Naperville 630.637.6988, walkerscharhouse.net

GIA MIA PIZZA BAR $$ 106 North Hale Street, Wheaton 13 North Third Street, Geneva giamiapizzabar.com

WHEATSTACK $$$ 5900 South Route 53, Lisle 630.968.1920, wheatstacklisle.com WHITE CHOCOLATE GRILL $$ 1803 Freedom Drive, Naperville 630.505.8300, whitechocolategrill.com WILDWOOD $$$ 477 South Third Street, Geneva 630.377.8325, wildwoodsteak.com

ITALIAN

FRANCESCA’S PASSAGGIO $$$ 3124 South Route 59, Naperville 630.946.0600, miafrancesca.com GIORDANO’S $$ 119 South Main Street, Naperville 630.428.2111, giordanos.com HARRY CARAY'S ITALIAN STEAKHOUSE $$$ 70 Yorktown Shopping Center, Lombard 630.953.3400, harrycarays.com

TUSCAN TAVERN $$$ 4571 Route 71, Oswego 630.554.9600, tuscantavernoswego.net VAI'S ITALIAN INSPIRED KITCHEN + BAR $$ 916 South Route 59, Naperville 630.453.5200, vaisnaperville.com

MEXICAN/LATIN A TODA MADRE $$ 499 North Main Street, Glen Ellyn 630.474.0969, atmrestaurant.com CHAMA GAÚCHA $$$$ 3008 Finley Road, Downers Grove 630.324.6002, chamagaucha.com CHUY'S TEX-MEX $$ 28250 Diehl Road, Warrenville 512.473.2783, chuys.com EL GRAN AGAVE $$ 1650 Maple Avenue, Lisle 630.541.8959, elgranagaverestaurant.com

ANGELI’S $$$ 1478 East Chicago Avenue, Naperville 630.420.1370, angeliscatering.com

IL SOGNO $$ 100 North Hale Street, Wheaton 630.682.5900, ilsognoristorante.com

AURELIO’S $$ 1975 Springbrook Square Drive, Naperville 630.922.3600, aureliospizza.com

LA SORELLA DI FRANCESCA $$$ 18 West Jefferson Avenue, Naperville 630.961.2706, miafrancesca.com

BIAGGI’S $$ 2752 Showplace Drive, Naperville 630.428.8500, biaggis.com

LIVIA ITALIAN EATERY $$$ 207 South Third Street, Geneva 116 East Schiller Street, Elmhurst liviaitalianeatery.com

FOGO DE CHÃO $$$ 1824 Abriter Court, Naperville 630.955.0022, fogodechao.com

LOU MALNATI’S PIZZERIA $ 131 West Jefferson Street, Naperville 630.717.0700, loumalnatis.com

FRONT STREET CANTINA $ 15 West Jefferson Avenue, Naperville 630.369.5218, frontstreetcantina.com

BRICKS WOOD FIRED PIZZA & CAFÉ $$ 1763 Freedom Drive, Naperville 630.799.6860, brickswoodfiredpizza.com

MAGGIANO’S LITTLE ITALY $$ 1847 Freedom Drive, Naperville 630.536.2270, maggianos.com

MAGO GRILL & CANTINA $$ 641 East Boughton Road, Suite 152, Bolingbrook, 630.783.2222, magodining.com

CAPRI SOGNO $$ 24102 West Lockport Street, Plainfield 815.733.5815, caprisogno.com

MIDICI THE NEAPOLITAN PIZZA COMPANY $$ 135 Water Street, Naperville 630.445.8054, mymidici.com

NANDO’S PERI-PERI $$ 6 West Jefferson Avenue, Naperville 630.388.0193, nandosperiperi.com

CHE FIGATA $$$ 2155 CityGate Lane, Suite 103, Naperville 630.579.3210, chefigatakitchen.com

MOD PIZZA $$ 103 South Washington Street, Suite 113, Naperville, 630.544.3471, modpizza.com

POTTER’S PLACE $ 29 West Jefferson Avenue, Naperville 630.355.9165, pottersplacenaperville.com

BRACONI’S $ 796 Royal St. George Drive, Naperville 630.717.9530, braconis.com

64 JULY 2019 / NAPERVILLEMAGAZINE.COM

ESTEBAN’S $$$ 1550 North Route 59, Naperville 630.579.3262, estebansdiningdancing.com FAT ROSIE’S TACO & TEQUILA BAR $$ 47 East Chicago Avenue, Naperville 630.328.0060, fatrosies.com

QUIUBO $$ 120 Water Street, Naperville 331.702.2711, quiubomx.com

July 27 – 28, 2019

UNCLE JULIO’S $$ 1831 Abriter Court, Naperville 331.444.1300, unclejulios.com YERBABUENA MEXICAN CUISINE $$ 4732 Main Street, Lisle 630.852.8040, yerbabuenacuisine.com

ASIAN BANGKOK VILLAGE $$ 22 East Chicago Avenue, Naperville 630.369.9757, thebangkokvillage.com BD’S MONGOLIAN GRILL $$ 221 South Washington Street, Naperville 630.428.0300, gomongo.com BLUE SUSHI SAKE GRILL $$$ 123 Water Street, Naperville 630.428.8500, bluesushisakegrill.com DOMO 77 $$$ 4097 Healthway Drive, Aurora 630.692.0032, domo77.com

Geneva ArtsFair drawsa crowd The

Geneva is the perfect backdrop for some of the nation’s most talented artists. The Geneva Arts Fair was voted #6 of the Best 50 Shows in America!

This juried event features the original work of 150+ artists and merchants. All art is available for purchase. Come spend the day with us! www.genevachambe er.com m

GREEN BASIL $$ 45 East Jefferson Avenue, Naperville 630.922.7700, greenbasil-restaurant.com HOUSE OF EMPEROR $$ 1212 South Naper Boulevard, Naperville 630.983.8284, houseofemperorchinese.com JIN 28 $$ 28 West Jefferson Avenue, Naperville 630.848.1828, napervillejin28.com KIKU JAPANESE STEAKHOUSE $$$ 2764 Aurora Avenue, Naperville 630.305.3355, mykiku.com MOSHI MOSHI $ 109 South Main Street, Naperville 630.355.5516, moshimoshisushi.net RAKU SUSHI $$ 850 East Ogden Avenue, Naperville 630.357.7633, rakusushi.com ROCK SUGAR $$$ 2022 Spring Road, Oak Brook 630.320.2641, rocksugarkitchen.com NAPERVILLEMAGAZINE.COM / JULY 2019 65

ROKA AKOR $$$ 166 Oakbrook Center, Oak Brook 630.634.7652, rokaakor.com SHAKOU $$ 22 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville 312 West Main Street, St. Charles shakourestaurants.com SHINTO $$$ 504 North Route 59, Suite 116, Naperville 1739 Freedom Drive, Suite 121, Naperville shintorestaurants.com SUSHI HOUSE $$ 175 West Jackson Avenue, Naperville 630.717.8888, mysushihouse.com THAI MEDALLION $$ 327 North Center Street, Naperville 630.305.0183, thaimedallion.com Amy Morton

Aurora beefs up its city-center dining options

By Karen Wojcik Berner

T

he west suburban “City of Lights” is getting several new restaurants over the next couple of months, including one from the daughter of Chicago restaurant legend Arnie Morton.

Opening in September, veteran restaurateur Amy Morton’s new upscale eatery aims to be the perfect place to grab a bite before catching a play next door at the Paramount Theatre. Located at 5 E. Galena Blvd., the venue promises steaks, pasta, and warm, welcoming ambiance in the 1920s art deco building once home to the old Bloch and Kuhl department store.

“In addition to serving delicious food in a terrific space,” says Tim Rater, president and CEO of the Aurora Civic Center Authority, “Amy and her team are committed to restoring the architectural and economic significance of downtown Aurora by redeveloping one of the most prominent properties in the city into one of the top dining destinations in Chicago’s western suburbs.”

One block down from the Paramount, at the corner of Stolp and Downer Place, a new ice cream shop will be opening this month in the 1869 Silver Plate Manufacturing Building. A throwback to the classic parlor, it will focus on using local ingredients and investive approaches to the summer staple.

“We will serve traditional and seasonal ice cream scoops, as well as bring a new, innovative approach to the classics,” says creator Esther Saltijeral.

A couple of blocks the other direction, at the corner of New York and River, Beebee’s Deli will feature freshly prepared deli sandwiches and vegan options, along with grab-and-go foods, snacks, and hand-dipped chocolate treats. It also will stock products from several local companies, including Galena Garlic Gindo’s Hot Sauce and the Aurora Bee Company's honey. The deli will be the second location for chef Dan Emerson from nearby Gillerson’s Grubbery.

“Beebee’s will provide much-needed retail food service to a vastly underserved, highly traveled intersection,” says Joel Frieders, the deli’s spokesperson.

66 JULY 2019 / NAPERVILLEMAGAZINE.COM

WOK’N FIRE $$ 120 East Liberty Drive, Wheaton 630.665.1440, woknfire.com YU’S BISTRO $$ 658 Route 59, Naperville 630.848.6998, yubistronaperville.com

SPANISH EL TAPEO $$ 2100 Spring Road, Oak Brook 630.828.2044, eltapeorestaurant.com MESÓN SABIKA $$$ 1025 Aurora Avenue, Naperville 630.983.3000, mesonsabika.com

GREEK BASILS GREEK DINING $$ 4000 Fox Valley Center Drive, Aurora 630.692.1300, basilsgreekdining.com

FRENCH PARIS BISTRO $$ 2835 Showplace Drive, Naperville 630.357.1005, parisbistronaperville.com SUZETTE’S CREPERIE $$ 211 West Front Street, Wheaton 630.462.0898, suzettescreperie.com

PHOTO COURTESY AMY MORTON

DOWNTOWN EATERIES

TOKYO BAY SUSHI BAR & GRILL $$ 2775 Showplace Drive, Naperville 630.579.8880, tokyobaysushi.net

TALLGRASS $$$$ 1006 South State Street, Lockport 815.838.5566, tallgrassrestaurant.com

INDIAN BAWARCHI $$ 4250 Fox Valley Center Drive, Aurora 630.375.1600, bawarchinaperville.com Pl

Chicago’s 50 Best Dishes fs

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CUISINE OF INDIA $$ 1163 East Ogden Avenue, Naperville 630.548.9440, cuisineofindianaperville.com

FROM THE EDITORS OF CHICAGO MAGAZINE

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BOMBAY JOE’S $$$ 462 North Park Boulevard, Glen Ellyn 888.502.5102, gobombayjoes.com

Must-try eats from our favorite restaurants

DECCAN SPICE $$ 192 West Gartner Road, Naperville 331.701.7105, deccanspicechicago.com HYDERABAD HOUSE BIRYANI PLACE $$ 4448 East New York Street, Aurora 630.236.0600, hhnaperville.com THE INDIAN HARVEST $$ 796 Royal St. George Drive, Naperville 630.579.9500, theindianharvest.com INDIA PALACE RESTAURANT $$ 242 East Geneva Road, Wheaton, 630.681.8002, indiapalacerestaurantwebs.webs.com JK KABAB $ 572 Weston Ridge Drive, Naperville 630.778.5555, jkkabab.com RUCHI INDIAN RESTAURANT $ 4S040 Route 59, Naperville 630.791.9792, ruchinaperville.com SHIKARA RESTAURANT $$ 1620 75th Street, Downers Grove 630.964.1720, shikaradownersgrove.com SHREE RESTAURANT $$ 1550 Route 59, Naperville 630.538.7000, shreerestaurants.com

IRISH BALLYDOYLE IRISH PUB $$ 5157 Main Street, Downers Grove 630.696.0600, ballydoylepub.com

Your guide to the city’s can’t-miss bites.

A keepsake edition curated by the expert dining critics at Chicago magazine.

Find it at your neighborhood grocer, bookstore or by calling 800-999-0879.

QUIGLEY’S IRISH PUB $$ 43 East Jefferson Avenue, Naperville 630.428.4774, quigleysirishpub.net NAPERVILLEMAGAZINE.COM / JULY 2019 67

M O B I L E

M E N U S

Sto ry by AN T H O NY TO DD P hoto s by O L I V I A KO HL E R

Caption

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PHOTO COURTESY TKTKTKTK

The breadth of local food truck cuisine reflects the distinct backgrounds of these four owners, who have fallen in love with their roaming kitchens

A

Whadda Jerk owner Thomas Brewer serves up his take on an egg roll.

few years back, every time you opened a newspaper you’d probably read a story about food trucks. Fights with restaurant owners, debates about parking and health codes, and (occasionally) even discussions of the awesome dishes the trucks were putting out were just about inescapable. These days, food trucks have stopped dominating the culinary news around Chicagoland, now that the various regulatory hurdles and controversies that stopped them from operating are (mostly) solved. Unfortunately, this means that it’s sometimes easy to forget that they remain one of the most exciting and delicious sectors of the food economy, with tons of new trucks starting business every year.

One of the most interesting things about food trucks is their diversity. Because the barriers to entry are relatively low (at least compared with a brick-and-mortar restaurant business), all sorts of people make the leap into owning a truck. When exploring the food trucks that frequent the west suburbs, I came across trucks owned by people who had never set foot in a kitchen before, operating alongside trucks owned by 20-year restaurant veterans: a truck owned by a first-generation immigrant looking to share the cuisine of his homeland, a truck concept that (really) came to its owner in a dream, and a truck started by a couple looking for an exciting second career. Just about the only things these trucks have in common is that they are, well, trucks, and that they have all changed their owners’ lives in ways that they never expected.

The way that food trucks get to customers has also changed in the past several years. While many trucks still stake out high-traffic lunch spots outside downtown or suburban office buildings (one truck even spends thousands of dollars a month constantly paying parking meters in order to save spots) more and more are taking different approaches. Farmers’ markets, weekly or monthly food truck gatherings, private events, and catering encompass more and more of the business flowing into food trucks, and you can never be sure quite where your favorites will pop up. That’s why, whenever you run across one, you should probably try it out—you never know when you’ll get a taste of a favorite again.

WHADDA JERK Thomas Brewer laughs a little when he recounts the story of his business, a super popular food truck focused on (as the name implies) jerk chicken. “I don’t know if you ever fell asleep with so much on your mind, you start dreaming about it,” says Brewer.

“But one night I did, and as I was asleep I thought up this food truck. I woke up, jotted it down, and wrote up a business plan the next day.” It took two years to finally get Whadda Jerk off the ground, but now it’s incredibly busy, serving jerk chicken nachos, tacos, and quesadillas.

Brewer had no professional culinary background, but as an adult became the go-to cook in his family. He started cooking at 30, learned how to barbecue from YouTube, and started getting constant requests for

his grilled treats. “It’s Christmas, it’s 5 degrees outside, and my family is nagging me to put on my winter gear and go out and grill.” Brewer worked in the music industry for years, but eventually decided he was tired of working for other people and wanted to go out on his own, a common theme among food truck owners.

His menu came, simply, from what he liked to eat: “I love Mexican food, I love egg rolls, and I love making jerk chicken.”

His delicious cross-cultural mess combines all of those dishes on one truck. The most popular dish on his menu is a version of a chimichanga, made with his signature jerk chicken, cheese, onions, and cilantro, plus homemade jerk sauce and jerk ranch.

Brewer’s whole concept depends on the sauce; which he describes

as “sweet and tangy, with a hint of heat on the back of it.”

You’ll probably find Whadda Jerk at your local food truck festival (“I do any festival I can get into”), hanging around outside a club, or catering lunch at your office building (follow @WhaddaJerk on Twitter for locations), and he’s always looking for more spots. Brewer spends a couple thousand dollars a month to keep a spot in the Loop on Wacker Drive open for his truck. And if it sounds like he’s hustling, he is—he estimates that he works an average of 17 hours a day on the truck. His dream is to open a brick-and-mortar restaurant with some of the same dishes, and, as of right now, he’s got a lead on a space, so you may be seeing a lot more of that signature jerk sauce in the future.

NAPERVILLEMAGAZINE.COM / JULY 2019 69

CULINARY GANGSTER Culinary Gangster (culinarygangsterchicago.com) owner Rick Raschillo’s career in the restaurant business spans 20 years and 26 restaurants, including a brick-and-mortar spot (Valor, in Glencoe) and employs only professional chefs on his truck. “I’ve developed the menu, and my executive chef at Valor has perfected it,” says Rashillo.

“Everything is gourmet.”

Based on how popular the truck is, the approach seems to be working; Culinary Gangster surpassed all of its projected financial numbers by a factor of 10 and is already profitable.

The menu is an amped-up version of a good burger joint, with a variety of sandwiches, burgers, fries (including Sriracha cheese fries that taste heavenly), and smaller bites like popcorn cauliflower, made with rice flour tempura and aioli. The most popular dish is the signature Gangster Burger (see recipe at right), made with a special blend of brisket, beef shoulder, and ground beef

70 JULY 2019 / NAPERVILLEMAGAZINE.COM

that is made in-house. The burger is topped with a habanero garlic sauce, a sweet chili ketchup, and aged white cheddar.

Why would an established restaurateur get into the food truck business? Simply put: economics. While Raschillo describes the truck as “a lot more work,” he also admits that it’s much easier to make the math work. “In a restaurant, every day you open the door, you have to make a certain amount. If the truck isn’t moving, it doesn’t cost anything.”

That said, there aren’t many days when the truck isn’t moving; he has regular stops on weekdays, and does festivals almost every weekend. Private catering events (weddings, graduations, rehearsal dinners, and parties) are booked through September.

“People are fighting to sit in line and eat at food trucks instead of at a restaurant—we just watch the market grow.”

Catch Culinary Gangster at the Naperville Food Truck Festival (see right for details).

The Gangster Burger The Gangster Burger is one of the Culinary Gangster Truck’s signature dishes.

It requires a few extra steps to make it that popular, but it’s not overly complex for the home cook to take on. (Plus, your guests are sure to be impressed when your burger is this drool-worthy). Make the two sauces ahead, and then pull them out when you’re ready to grill.

BURGER 8 ounces ground beef (Culinary

Gangster uses an 80/20 blend)

Aged white cheddar

Fried onions

Brioche hamburger bun

Sliced sweet pickles

Sliced jalapeños

Habanero sauce (see below)

Sweet chili ketchup (see below) HABANERO SAUCE 2 cups habanero peppers 4 cloves garlic 2 ounces black pepper ½ cup olive oil 1 tablespoon honey

Salt to taste Stem and seed the habanero peppers.

Bring a large pot of water to boil and add the peppers and garlic cloves. Reduce heat and simmer about 20 minutes. Using a sieve, drain the peppers and garlic and add to a blender, with all other ingredients, and blend until smooth. Refrigerate until cool.

SWEET CHILI KETCHUP ½ cup sweet chili sauce ½ cup ketchup

Salt and pepper to taste

TASTE TEST Want to get a taste of some of the great food trucks here? Head to the Naperville Food Truck Festival on August 10, starting at 11 a.m. Tickets ($5–$10) are available online through Eventbrite, and Culinary Gangster and Grumpy Gaucho—along with many others—will be at Naper Settlement (523 S. Webster St.) until 7 p.m.

Whisk all ingredients together in a small bowl and set aside.

To assemble the burger: Cook the ground beef patty to your desired temperature and top with white cheddar cheese.

Butter the brioche bun and toast. Spread the habanero sauce on the top, the sweet chili ketchup on the bottom, then add the burger. Top with sliced pickles, sliced jalapeños, and fried onions.

Recipe courtesy Culinary Gangster NAPERVILLEMAGAZINE.COM / JULY 2019 71

GRUMPY GOUCHO Nestor Fortini (below) has always loved to cook. He learned to cook the classic dishes of Argentina—he immigrated to the U.S. in 2001—from his mother and grandmother, and after years of working in a warehouse, decided he wanted to start his own company.

“One moment I said, ‘I’m 52, my knees are messed up, and I don’t want to do any more lifting,’ ” says Fortini. “Once I started this, people loved it! They keep coming and coming and coming.”

Grumpy Gaucho (grumpygaucho.com) focuses on the empanada (right), which Fortini describes as the signature dish of Argentine cuisine. “You go to any party with friends, any restaurant, any coffee shop, everyone has a version.”

Some of the dishes on the truck are based on traditional Argentine flavors, but others involve foods he’s learned about during his time in the States. “I had no idea what barbecue was before

I came here,” Fortini laughs. But now, a barbecued pork empanada is one of his most popular. Mole isn’t traditional to Argentina, but Fortini fell in love with it after he started eating Mexican food in the States. “I decided to do an empanada with mole, not because it’s Argentinian, but because I just love mole!”

Grumpy Gaucho can be found at many farmers’ markets—which is where his brand got started,

originally selling hot sauces—and food truck festivals, and can regularly be found around Naperville and Oswego. “I always go to the farmers’ markets. It’s the way I say thank you for supporting me.”

Fortini loves introducing people to the food of Argentina, and his success keeps growing and growing. “After three or four years, everyone knows Grumpy Gaucho—the reception has been unbelievable,” says Fortini.

Grumpy Goucho owner Nestor Fortini

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PERK N’ PICKLE

Clockwise from top left Grilled brie with fries and blackberry jam. Alicia McCauley grills shrimp.

McCauley, Camryn Cutinello, and Justin Brooks with the Perk N’ Pickle truck. Poutine with homemade gravy and white Wisconsin cheese curds. Alessandro Vazquez picks up tacos from the window.

Justin Brooks takes immense pride in how fresh every item is on his Perk N’ Pickle (perknpickle .com) truck, though he jokingly blames the freshness obsession for his lack of sleep. “We get up at 3 in the morning to start prep … but if you’re gonna cook fresh, you gotta do it.”

Perk N’ Pickle is a slightly different sort of food truck in that it’s only semimobile—the actual kitchen is a towed 22-foot trailer—so rather than roaming the streets, this truck focuses on events and catering. But this means a bigger kitchen, and also means that guests can see their food. “I wanted a trailer with an open concept,” explains Brooks.

“I never liked it when someone leaned down out of a little window and an arm came out.”

Perk N’ Pickle’s eclectic menu is always changing as they experiment. But some popular items never come off the list, including a grilled brie with hand-cut fries and blackberry jam, and a poutine with homemade gravy and white Wisconsin cheese curds.

The namesake “pickle” is actually a hollowed-out dill, stuffed with jalapeño cream cheese, wrapped in an egg roll wrapper and deep fried—an incredibly crowd-pleasing, decadent treat.

Brooks admits that his food costs a bit more because of his obsession with fresh, quality ingredients. “We weren’t sure people would pay for it, but the opposite happened.” They’ve been operating for a year and the business keeps growing—festivals, markets, events, and catering keep the truck busy almost constantly.

Since Brooks doesn’t have any formal culinary training, it’s been quite a ride starting Perk N’ Pickle. “The hours I’m working are far exceeding any other job I’ve ever worked,” says Brooks. “But I love it.”

Catch Perk N’ Pickle at Naperville Ribfest from July 3–6.

NAPERVILLEMAGAZINE.COM / JULY 2019 73

Tracing the journey from tank to tap at Alter Brewing Company

BY MARK LOEHRKE ILLUSTRATION BY MARILENA PERILLI

ven as they’ve overseen a bustling Downers Grove brewing operation that has ramped up production from around 750 barrels to just under 3,000 over the past three and a half years—and as they continue to finalize the build-out of a sprawling new riverfront brewpub set to open in downtown St. Charles by early 2020—cofounder/brewer Mark Hedrick and head brewer Matt McCowan have never let their focus stray from the foundational source of Alter Brewing Company’s impressive growth: the beer.

Combining a little bit of art (creatively tweaking ingredients and brewing variables to come up with new flavor profiles) and plenty of science (Alter has a microbiologist on staff to ensure the consistency and quality of every batch), Hedrick, McCowan, and their team take every beer in the Alter arsenal on a journey—from concept to can—along a clearly defined and highly intricate path.

STEP 1 WATER CONDITIONING Because beer is mostly water, the liquid a brewer uses is critically important to the quality of the finished product. Alter uses carbon filters to turn Lake Michigan water into a good brewing base by removing things like chlorine and fluoride.

STEP 2 MILLING The “grain bill” stage largely determines how the beer in question will taste, feel, and smell. Eighty-five to 90 percent of the bill will involve a base grain (wheat, barley, rye, etc.), with the remaining 10 to 15 percent being the specialty malts used to imbue the brew with specific flavor notes (think chocolate, coffee, etc.) and mouthfeel.

grain bill (n.)

Mash ingredients (mash bill, mashbill, or grain bill) are materials used to produce the wort that ferments into alcohol.

STEP 3 MASHING The grain and water are combined at 148 to 158 degrees for about an hour to extract the sugar from the grain and allow the resulting wort to sluice through a false bottom in the tank. The leftover grain makes for excellent livestock feed or compost.

74 JULY 2019 / NAPERVILLEMAGAZINE.COM

sluice (v.)

To wash or rinse freely with a stream or shower of water.

The longer those hops boil, the more bitterness a beer will have.

A shorter hop boil, on the other hand, will result in more aroma.

wort (n.)

The unfermented or fermenting infusion of malt that becomes beer or mash after fermentation.

STEP 4 BOILING Now it’s cooking. Heating things up to 212 degrees for about 60 to 90 minutes helps sterilize the unfermented liquid and gets out the proteins. This is also the stage when hops are added to the mix, as the boiling helps extract the oils that provide a beer with its flavor, aroma, and bitterness. After the boil, the beer is given a centrifugal whirlpool and “knocked out,” as the beer quickly goes one way (at 212 degrees) and water goes the other way (at 40 degrees) in a heat exchanger to get to a temperature of about 68 degrees.

STEP 5 FERMENTING With the boiled wort at 68 degrees, yeast is added (“pitching”) to turn those sugars into CO2, alcohol, heat, and flavor over a period of about five to seven days (although the yeast in a lager will work for two to three months). This is also the point in the process when “dry-hopping” takes place, as fresh hops are added to the fermenter (one to four pounds per barrel) to give an IPA a jolt of extra aroma.

STEP 6 BEER CONDITIONING A process that started by conditioning the water ends by conditioning the nearly finished product, as carbonation is added and the beer matures in a bright tank for a few days. From there, it is quality-tested, packaged in kegs, bottles, or cans, and sent out to the world. Prost!

“The smallest things in brewing can make a big difference.

That’s why we pay such close attention to every detail.”

MATT MCCOWAN

NAPERVILLEMAGAZINE.COM / JULY 2019 75

Ribfest

TO-DO LIST ART

DAVID GISTA This painter combines his French classical fine arts training with an examination of modernity, creating a running commentary on contemporary life expressed in a variety of media. Monday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Tuesday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. Schoenherr Art Gallery, Wentz Concert Hall, 171 E. Chicago Ave. finearts.northcentralcollege.edu Through July 28 EXHIBIT

SWEET HOME CHICAGO: THE HISTORY OF AMERICA’S CANDY CAPITAL Chicago has been called America’s candy capital since the late 1800s, and for much of its history, one-third of all candies made in the United States were made here. Iconic candy names like Snickers, Butterfingers, Wrigley, Tootsie Rolls, Lemonheads, Cracker Jack, and

many more have all been produced in the Chicago area over the last century.

Free with general admission. Naper Settlement, 523 S. Webster St. napersettlement.org Through August 15

thrill of its 97th polo season. Matches are typically held on Sundays. $12/ adult; free for children under 13. See website for themed events, tailgating, and other details. 1:00 p.m. Oak Brook Polo Grounds, 800 Oak Brook Rd., Oak Brook. oakbrookpoloclub.com

MUSIC

NAPERVILLE MUNICIPAL BAND Every Thursday join friends and neighbors for an outdoor concert performed by the renowned Naperville Municipal Band. Bakery items provided by local organizations are available for purchase. Seating is available, and blankets and lawn chairs are welcome. Free. 7:30 p.m. Central Park, 104 E. Benton Ave. napervilleband.org Through September 22 SPECIAL EVENT

OAK BROOK POLO Known as one of America’s oldest polo clubs in operation, Oak Brook Polo Club welcomes spectators and fans to experience the magic, pageantry, and

July 3 CULINARY

TASTE OF OAK BROOK This outdoor event features cuisine from some of Oak Brook’s finest restaurants, a beverage tent, live bands, and several children’s activities, followed by a fireworks display. Free admission. $10/car for parking. 4 to 9 p.m. Oak Brook Polo Field, 700 Oak Brook Rd., Oak Brook. oak-brook.org/taste July 3–6 FESTIVAL

RIBFEST Hosted by the Exchange Club of Naperville, RibFest is a foodie and music festival that draws tens of thou-

Addresses in event listings are located in Naperville unless otherwise noted. Please verify event details with sponsor organizations; events are subject to change after the press deadline. Email your event for consideration—45 days in advance—to info@napervillemagazine.com, subject line: calendar.

76 JULY 2019 / NAPERVILLEMAGAZINE.COM

PHOTO BY JAMES HOCH AND COURTESY KANE COUNTY COUGARS

Through July 14

sands of visitors with its celebrated musical artists, family activities and carnival, award-winning rib vendors from across the country, and the area’s most-watched fireworks on the Fourth of July. This year’s musical acts include Billy Idol, Flo Rida, Bad Company, Brantley Gilbert, and Randy Houser.

Various prices; check the website for details. Noon to 10 p.m. Knoch Park, 724 S. West St. ribfest.net July 3–7 FESTIVAL

EYES TO THE SKIES Lisle’s annual hot air balloon festival includes a carnival, live music, and children’s area. July 4 through 6 there will be a wide variety of hot air balloons, including sport balloons, specialty shape balloons, and sponsored balloons.

Balloons fly in the mornings (starting at 6 a.m.) and in the evenings (starting at 6 p.m.), and flights are weather dependent. Noon to 11 p.m. $10–$65.

Lisle Park District, 1825 Short St., Lisle. eyestotheskies.org July 4 PARADE

INDEPENDENCE DAY PARADE This long-standing tradition draws thousands of people and more than 90 parade entries each year. This year’s theme, “Home Grown,” pays tribute to hometown Wheaton, those who were born and raised here, and those who continue to call

Wheaton home even after moving.

10:00 a.m. Downtown Wheaton. wheatonparkdistrict.com July 4 SPECIAL EVENT

FAMILY FUN Join the Independence Day festivities at Pottawatomie Park, with entertainment and activities throughout the day and awe-inspiring fireworks display at night. 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Pottawatomie Park, 8 North Ave., St. Charles. stcparks.org July 4 PARADE

4TH OF JULY PARADE Everybody loves a parade—whether it is for the music; floats; or red, white, and blue nostalgia. Watch Glen Ellyn march by with American pride; the parade route starts at Ellyn Avenue and Crescent at noon. Fun and entertainment for the entire family follow the parade, including moonwalks, an inflatable obstacle course, carnival games, live music, dancing, and face painting. Concessions are available for purchase. $3/wristband. 1 to 4 p.m.

Lake Ellyn Park, 645 Lenox Road, Glen Ellyn. glenellyn4thofjuly.org July 4 PARADE

INDEPENDENCE DAY PARADE Aurora’s annual parade steps off at 10:00 a.m. from the intersection of

Benton and River, heading east on Benton, north on Broadway, west on Downer Place and ending at River Street. The reviewing stand will be placed in front of the David L. Pierce Art and History Center, located at 20 East Downer Place. Downtown Aurora. enjoyaurora.com July 4 MUSIC

SOUTHWEST COMMUNITY CONCERT BAND Enjoy patriotic music and more at this spirited Independence Day performance. The Southwest Community Concert Band, established in 1982, is always a popular attraction at Cantigny.

Lawn seating; chairs and blankets welcome. Free with paid parking ($10). 3 p.m. Cantigny Park, 1S151 Winfield Rd., Wheaton. cantigny.org July 4 PARADE

INDEPENDENCE DAY PARADE Hinsdale celebrates Independence Day with a parade and family festival featuring carnival games, kids’ inflatables, and the annual Hinsdale Rotary Club turtle races. The parade steps off at Sixth and Garfield. 10 a.m. Burlington Park, 19 E. Chicago Ave. villageofhinsdale.org July 5–14 THEATER

GODSPELL This timeless tale of friendship, loyalty, and love, based on the Gospel according to St. Matthew, is shared through song and dance, humor and passion, and the brilliant songs of Stephen Schwartz. This masterful retelling of the original sensation includes contemporary references and dazzling new arrangements. $16/adult, $14/senior, military, or student. Thursday through Saturday, 7 p.m.; Sunday, 2 and 7 p.m.

Playhouse Theatre, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. atthemac.org July 6 SPECIAL EVENT

Super Hero Night

SUPER HERO NIGHT The first 1,500 fans at Kane County Cougars’ Super Hero Night will receive an Ozzie and Annie Superhero bobblehead and enjoy appearances by Black Widow and Spider-Man. Stay for fireworks after the game. 6:30 p.m. Northwestern Medicine Field, 34W002 Cherry Ln., Geneva. milb.com/kane-county NAPERVILLEMAGAZINE.COM / JULY 2019 77

LAND OF THE FREE

This Independence Day you don’t have to go far to see an amazing display of fireworks celebrating America’s 243rd birthday. Put down the screens, gather your family, friends, blankets, and bug spray, and head to your nearest park to lay back and enjoy the sky show. Fireworks begin between 9 and 9:30 p.m. and last 20 to 30 minutes. Check websites for best viewing location, rain dates, and other details.

JULY 3

JULY 4

NAPERVILLE

AURORA

OAK BROOK TERRACE

Knoch Park, 724 West St. ribfest.net

RiverEdge Park, 360 N. Broadway St. McCullough Park, 150 W Illinois Avenue aurorau-il.org

Terrace View Park, One Parkview Plaza oakbrookterrace.net

OAK BROOK

Oak Brook Polo Field, 700 Oak Brook Rd. oak-brook.org PLAINFIELD

Plainfield Central High School, 24129 West Fort Beggs Dr. plfdparks.org WHEATON

Graf Park, 1855 Manchester Rd. wheatonparkdistrict.com

DOWNERS GROVE, DARIEN & WOODRIDGE

Zigfield Troy Golf, Lemont Road and 75th St.; events.downers.us

OSWEGO

Prairie Point Community Park , 4120 Plainfield Road; oswegoil.org

Pottawatomie Park, 8 North Avenue stcpark.org

Lake Ellyn Park, 645 Lenox Rd. glenellyn4thofjuly.org LISLE

WARRENVILLE

Cerny Park, 4S150 River Rd. warrenville.il.us

Lisle Community Park, 1825 Short St. eyestotheskies.org

SEASONAL

BACKROADS VINTAGE MARKET Enjoy a drive out to Emerson Creek on the second Wednesday of the month to find vintage, salvaged, repurposed, and handmade goods in its refurbished barn. These one-of-a-kind items preserve history and add style and uniqueness to the home. Vintage wares include furniture, fashion, handmade products, architectural salvage, and more. $5/ car. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Emerson Creek Shop and Tearoom, 5216 Stephens Rd., Oswego. ecreekpotteryandtearoom.com

of the book and admits one or two people. $32–$43. 7:00 p.m. Wentz Concert Hall, 171 E. Chicago Ave. lindaholmesandersons.brownpapertickets.com July 11–13 SPECIAL EVENT

SUMMER SIDEWALK SALES Dozens of downtown Naperville businesses will be “taking it to the streets” with the area’s annual summer sidewalk sales. Enjoy special summer savings—inside and out—during these three special days. 10 a.m. to dusk. downtownnaperville.com

July 11

July 12–20

LITERARY

THEATER

LINDA HOLMES The author from NPR’s Pop Culture Happy Hour podcast celebrates her debut novel, Evvie Drake Starts Over. A friendship between a widow and a struggling big-league baseball player changes everything. Tickets to this presentation and book signing event includes a copy 78 JULY 2019 / NAPERVILLEMAGAZINE.COM

July 12 SPECIAL EVENT

AN UNCONVENTIONAL TOUR OF CONVENTIONAL WARFARE During this unconventional tour, museum guides will fearlessly lead you through some of their favorite stories, artifacts, Instagram-worthy spots. Start the night off right with your choice of craft beer or water, then listen to unbelievable stories, check out tanks, and play games with to win epic prizes.

Registration required. 21+. $15. 7 p.m.

Cantigny Park, 1S151 Winfield Rd., Wheaton. fdmuseum.org July 13

ST. CHARLES

GLEN ELLYN

July 10

or student. Fridays and Saturdays, 7:30 p.m. Pfeiffer Hall, 310 E. Benton Ave. northcentralcollege.edu

THE LITTLE MERMAID See the power of Triton, the dark magic of Ursula, the wily antics of Sebastian, and of course Ariel and Eric in this musical based on the Hans Christian Andersen story of the young mermaid who longs to live in the magical world above the waters. $18/adult, $12/senior

CHARITABLE

DOWNERS GROVE GARDEN WALK Six beautiful gardens will be presented by the First Methodist Church Bridge Board at their 13th annual Downers Grove Garden Walk. Proceeds will help provide transitional housing for three previously homeless families in partnership with Bridge Communities. Tickets are sold at several local businesses; check website for more information. $20/ticket in advance, $25/ticket at door. 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Downtown Downers Grove. dgfumc.org/gardenwalk July 13 FITNESS

SUNRISE COMMUNITY YOGA Join the Naperville Park District at the bottom of Rotary Hill for this outdoor yoga class. Start your weekend off right with a morning of stretching, strengthening, and creative movement for all levels and abilities. Free. 8 to 9 a.m. napervilleparks.org July 13 FESTIVAL

NAPERVILLE ALE FEST The seventh annual Naperville Ale Fest features over 200 unique craft beers, live music, and some of Chicagoland’s favorite food trucks. $50–$100. Noon to 5 p.m. Naper Settlement, 523 S. Webster St. napervillealefest.com July 13–28 THEATER

WALKING PLAYS Hans Christian Andersen and his delightful and unexpected traveling

companions are spirited to the woods to tell his most engaging stories. Through fast-paced action, the audience becomes part of an intimate, hilarious reimagining of some of the world’s most beloved fairy tales. Walk along with the action of your favorite literary tales performed live among 1,700 acres of trees and beautiful landscapes. All plays are approximately 90 minutes in length and will not exceed 2 miles in hiking distance. $15/member, $20/nonmember. Saturdays and Sundays, 6 p.m. Morton Arboretum, 4100 Illinois Rt. 53, Lisle. mortonarb.org July 13 or 14 FITNESS

THE KIDS OBSTACLE CHALLENGE This event for kids ages 5–16 offers a fun and challenging 1.5– to 2-mile course with distinctive obstacles that range in difficulty. Families will enjoy traversing rock walls, army crawling through mud pits, rope swinging over water, scaling up rugged cargo nets, and more. Two parents/legal guardians run free with their children. $50–$65. 8:30 a.m.

Sensory Garden Playground at Danada South Park, 2751 Navistar Dr., Lisle. kidsobstaclechallenge.com/chicago

July 14 FITNESS

Drive for 105

NAPERVILLE PANCREATIC CANCER RESEARCH WALK The Naperville Lustgarten Pancreatic Cancer Research walk raises awareness and research funds for pancreatic cancer. Participants have an option of a 1.5 mile or a 5K walk; the route is handicapped- and stroller-accessible. Petfriendly. $50/adult; $15/child (15 and under). 8:30 a.m. Naperville Pavilion, 500 W. Jackson Ave. lustgarten.org July 14 SPECIAL EVENT

THE CARS TIME FORGOT SHOW This show features over 1,200 custom cars, trucks, motorcycles, and vehicles of special interest from across the country. Free. 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Lake Lawn Resort, 2400 E. Geneva St., Delavan, Wisc. carstimeforgot.com

annual 4-hour karting enduro for charity. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Autobahn Country Club, 3795 Centerpoint Way, Joliet. dupagepads.org

July 14

July 14

SPECIAL EVENT

FITNESS

DRIVE FOR 105 Continental Motors of Naperville, Autobahn Country Club, and DuPagePads have teamed up for their ninth

PAMPERING PARADE Shop at pampering focused vendor booths at Induo’s women’s expo that offers a variety of services and products,

PHOTOS COURTESY VISIT LAKE GENEVA, DUPAGEPADS

The Cars Time Forgot Show

NAPERVILLEMAGAZINE.COM / JULY 2019 79

including hydrating hand treatments, collagen hand treatments with polish, and mini-makeup makeovers. Free admission. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Chicago Marriott Naperville, 1801 N. Naper Blvd. induoevents.com July 14 & 28 FAMILY

SPECIAL NEEDS NIGHTS Families with individuals who have special needs are invited to enjoy a quiet, relaxing evening after regular operating hours of Centennial Beach. The shallow end and slide will be open for use. 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. $3/person (nonmembers).

Centennial Beach, 500 W. Jackson Ave. centennialbeach.org July 16 SPECIAL EVENT

PUTTS FOR PETS GOLF OUTING Enjoy eight holes of golf, breakfast, and a late lunch with on-course beverages, prizes, and auctions. All proceeds directly benefit the Naperville Area Humane Society. $200/golfer; $800/ foursome. 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Cress Creek Country Club, 1215 Royal Saint George Dr. naperhumane.org 80 JULY 2019 / NAPERVILLEMAGAZINE.COM

July 17–21 FESTIVAL

KANE COUNTY FAIR & FESTIVAL Enjoy carnival rides, a magic show, petting zoo, Swifty Swine Racing Pigs, car show, live music, wine tasting and much more. Wednesday and Thursday, 3 to 11 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 12 p.m. to midnight; Sunday, noon to 10 p.m. Free admission on Wednesday. $5–$10. Kane County Fair Grounds, 525 Randall Rd., St. Charles. kanecountyfair.com July 18 SPECIAL EVENT

KANE COUNTY COUGARS PARKS & REC NIGHT The first 1,500 fans at Kane County Cougars Park & Rec night will receive Ron Swanson bobblehead, plus Black Widow and Spider-Man will make an appearance. Northwestern Medicine Field, 34W002 Cherry Ln, Geneva. milb.com/kane-county July 19 MUSIC

THE BELFAST COWBOYS The Belfast Cowboys are a ninepiece band that specializes in the

music of Van Morrison. Powered by a four-piece horn section, the Cowboys have risen to the top of the renowned Minnesota music scene, packing houses and wowing crowds since 2002. Free for members; nonmembers: $15/Adult, $10/Youth (4–12).

8 p.m. Naper Settlement, 523 S. Webster. napersettlement.org July 19 MUSIC

NEW PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA New Philharmonic, the professional orchestra in residence at the McAninch Center, has inspired classical music enthusiasts in Chicago and the suburbs for four decades.

Under the direction of conductor and music director Kirk Muspratt, its musicians strive to make the music accessible to new audiences and youth through a variety of educational efforts. This concert will feature an entertaining mix of classical, Broadway pops, movie scores, and more. Concessions are available.

Free. 7:15 p.m. Lakeside Pavilion, 425 Fawell Blvd, Glen Ellyn. atthemac.org

PHOTOS BY MIKE DANAHEY/THE COURIER-NEWS, BRIAN O’MAHONEY/PIONEER PRESS, AND COURTESY DGPD

Kane County Fair & Festival

July 19–August 3

July 20

THEATER

FITNESS

MAMMA MIA! Summer Place Theatre presents the international megahit, Mamma Mia! The great songs of ABBA weave together a tale of love, marriage, family, and finding where you belong. Sophie wants her dad to walk her down the aisle.

But there’s a problem: Who is he? Her mother, Donna, never said, but a peek in mom’s old diary uncovers three possibilities, and Sophie invites them all to the wedding. Fridays, 7:30 p.m.; Saturdays, 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. $20/adult, $15/ senior or student, $10/child. Black Box Theatre in the Yellow Box Church, 1635 Emerson Ln., summerplacetheatre.org

BBQ BOLT 5M, 5K & 1M Spice things up this summer with the inaugural BBQ Bolt Run/Walk event hosted by the Downers Grove Park District. Post-race picnic in the park includes lemonade, beer, and BBQ and is sponsored by CityBarbeque and Shiner Bock Beer. The BBQ Bolt supports Downers Grove Park District’s inclusion services for people with disabilities who want to participate in a park district program or activity. $15–$40. 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. McCollum Park, 6801 S. Main St., Downers Grove. bbqbolt.org July 20 MUSIC

July 20 SPECIAL EVENT

INTELLIGENTSIA CUP This premiere pro/amateur cycling series of races in and around Chicagoland includes a National Criterium Calendar race. Each day features high-energy cycling action complemented by kids’ activities, entertainment, food, drink, and merchant sales. Free for spectators. 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Lake Ellyn, Glen Ellyn. intelligentsiacup.com

DANCE AROUND THE WORLD Vibrant dance music from Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and the Americas is the inspiration for this year’s DuPage Symphony summer concert in downtown Naperville. With a mix of familiar and unusual orchestral dances—including the Polovtsian Dances from Alexander Borodin’s Prince Igor, the Suite No. 2 from Manuel de Falla’s Three-Cornered Hat, plus excerpts from Leonard Bernstein’s West Side Story, Aaron Copland’s Intelligentsia Cup

BBQ Bolt

Rodeo, Jerry Bock’s Fiddler on the Roof, and more—this effervescent program will surely have you tapping your feet.

Free. 7:30 to 9 p.m. Central Park, 104 E. Benton Ave. dupagesymphony.org July 24–28 FESTIVAL

DUPAGE COUNTY FAIR The 64th annual fair features a carnival, agriculture events, hands-on activities, racing pigs, musical entertainment, a rodeo, demolition derby, and more. $15/adult, $7.50/senior, $8/ child ages 3 to 12 (carnival fees extra).

8 a.m. to 11 p.m. DuPage County Fairgrounds, 2015 Manchester Rd., Wheaton. dupagecountyfair.org July 25 SPECIAL EVENT

COSLEY ZOO UNCORKED Spend an evening wine tasting at Cosley Zoo listening to live entertainment, enjoying appetizers, mingling with the animals, and entering to win fantastic raffle prizes. Famous Liquors will donate 10 percent of all wine orders placed that evening to Cosley Zoo. The first 450 guests will receive a commemorative wine glass. $48. 5:30 to 8 p.m. Cosley Zoo, 1356 N. Gary Ave., Wheaton. cosleyzoo.org July 25 FITNESS

SUNSET YOGA Join other yogis in an outdoor class, followed by a social amidst beautiful surroundings. All levels welcome. $27/person; cash bar. Gates open at 5:30 p.m., yoga starts at 6 p.m. Arranmore Farm + Polo Club, 34 Rance Rd., Oswego. arranmorefarmandpoloclub.com NAPERVILLEMAGAZINE.COM / JULY 2019 81

Concerts in Your Park

July 27

SPECIAL EVENT

SPECIAL EVENT

GROWN UP PLAY DATE Who says kids get to have all the fun?

Gather friends and enjoy a night of childhood fun in the Children’s Garden. Splash in Wonder Pond, climb the playground, and explore a treehouse. A ticket includes games and activities; one complimentary drink; samples of beer, wine, and spirits; plus live music. Additional drinks and dinner are available for purchase. All kids must be 21+ to attend. $30/member, $35/nonmember. 6:30 to 10 p.m. Morton Arboretum, 4100 Illinois Rte. 53, Lisle. mortonarb.org July 26–27 MUSIC

SUMMER NIGHTS CONCERTS Enjoy Brookfield Zoo in a new light, with cooler evening weather, enhanced dining, a beer and wine garden, live music, roaming performers, kids entertainment, and a laser light show, all surrounded by wildlife and nature. $19.95/adult, $14.50/child (ages 3 to 11) and seniors 65+. Parking is $12. Guests who arrive after 4 p.m. will receive $2 off admissions and $6 parking. 4 to 9 p.m. Brookfield Zoo, 8400 W. 31st St., Brookfield. czs.org 82 JULY 2019 / NAPERVILLEMAGAZINE.COM

THE PARTY THAT SHALL NOT BE NAMED Back by popular demand, the Nichols Library will transform into the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Harry Potter fans can enjoy fun events and activities for witches and wizards of all ages. Free. 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Nichols Library, 200 W. Jefferson St. naperville-lib.org July 27 SPECIAL EVENT

TOUCH A TRUCK Explore some cool vehicles outside and some fun activities inside. Free for members. $12/adult, $12/child, $10/ senior. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. DuPage Children’s Museum, 301 N. Washington St. dupagechildrens.org

firsthand how soldiers lived and fought during different eras and see the progression of weapons, clothing, and technology over time. The encampments, in chronological order, will facilitate self-guided walking tours, with living-history actors available to interpret and answer questions. Free with $10 parking. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Cantigny Park, 1S151 Winfield Rd., Wheaton. cantigny.org July 27–28 SPECIAL EVENT

GENEVA ARTS FAIR The Geneva Arts Fair will showcase more than 150 artisans from around the country in a host of mediums. Free. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Downtown Geneva, 100 S. Third St., Geneva. genevachamber.com July 28 MUSIC

July 27–28 SPECIAL EVENT

MILITARY THROUGH THE AGES Witness a timeline reenactment featuring a wide span of military encampments throughout history, ranging from ancient Rome through Operation Desert Storm. Visitors will learn

CONCERTS IN YOUR PARK Bring your lawn chairs and blankets and enjoy an evening of musical entertainment from Off the Charts. They perform hits from the ’60s to today that people know and love! Free. 7 to 8 p.m.

Walnut Ridge Park, 2304 Keim Dr. napervilleparks.org

PHOTO COURTESY NAPERVILLE PARK DISTRICT

July 26

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ENCORE

JOE HANSON The Neuqua Valley grad and budding country star opens for Brantley Gilbert on the Ribfest main stage

By Mark Loehrke AN EARLY CALLING While I grew up listening to all genres of music, I decided to go down the country music path because I fell in love with the way every country song is a relatable story that can either make you want to party or kiss somebody or cry, sometimes all in the same song. The idea of being able to connect and bring people together like that with a simple three-minute song still amazes me.

COMING HOME I’ve been going to Ribfest and watching the bands play ever since I was a kid, but I never thought I’d be up there one day. So this is a real “full circle” moment for me. It’s definitely going to be an awesome show and an unforgettable moment in my musical journey, and I hope to make my hometown proud!

July 5 at Ribfest Knoch Park, 724 S. West St., Naperville Tickets: $35–$60 | ribfest.net 84 JULY MAY 2019 2019 // NAPERVILLEMAGAZINE.COM NAPERVILLEMAGAZINE.COM

PHOTO COURTESY EXCHANGE CLUB OF NAPERVILLE

FROM ONE ’VILLE TO ANOTHER I moved down to Nashville about a year and a half ago because it’s such a special place for songwriters and artists—there’s just so much electricity and inspiration and creativity in the air. Being in rooms with amazing songwriters and artists has helped me grow an incredible amount in just the relatively short time I’ve called this place home.

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