LOCAL FLAVOR the casual elegance of a local bistro serving Italian and American cuisine with the entertainment and excitement of bowling and bocce. Enjoy outdoor dining on its expansive patio, listen to live music every Friday and Saturday night, or curl up under a blanket and enjoy s’mores by the fire pit. Chief culinary officer Cesar Gutierrez highly recommends trying the maple-glazed salmon. “Our sustainably sourced salmon is beautifully served with ancient grains, fresh-cut cucumber and grape tomatoes, pesto, and delicious house-made pepper sauce,” he says. “The balance of nourishing ingredients and great flavor makes this dish just perfect for everyone.” pinstripes.com/oak-brook
GAME TIME Devour these fresh-air entertainment options this fall By Julie Duffin
E
ven though the weather is getting cooler, there is still time to take advantage of three great outdoor dining and entertainment venues in the area: The Piazza is a 35,000-square-foot warehouse-style venue (the former Foundry) with a large outdoor patio area. Located in Aurora just outside Fox Valley Mall, the Piazza specializes in sports, live music, and private parties. Outdoor sand volleyball courts are available for competitive and recreational play. The venue also features line dancing under the stars, trivia nights, DJs, live music, and dancing. Inside, the sports bar boasts 22 projection TVs and 140 flat screen TVs, off44 OCTOBER 2020 / NAPERVILLEMAGAZINE.COM
track betting, slots, shuffleboard tables, pool tables, and an indoor tobacco shop and lounge. “People absolutely love the Salerno’s pizza. It’s also available for pickup and delivery,” says assistant manager Brian McManaman. “We also offer a great selection of bar food and apps. Our cheese curds, nachos, and wings are big favorites,” he continues. “People love our chicken wraps and pastas, too.” Be sure to take advantage of the half-price weekday deals: cheese pizzas on Mondays and burgers on Wednesdays. piazzaaurora.com Pinstripes offers year-round sophisticated fun and is a perfect spot for outdoor dining. Located just steps from Oakbrook Center, Pinstripes combines
Brunch at Topgolf
PHOTOS COURTESY PINSTRIPES, TOPGOLF
Bocce ball at Pinstripes
Topgolf is a spacious outdoor golf entertainment complex in Naperville, where the competition of sport meets your favorite local hangout. Players hit golf balls containing computer microchips that track each shot’s accuracy and distance while also awarding points for hitting targets on the outfield. The venue offers an upscale, laid-back experience that features climate-controlled hitting bays, event spaces for groups of all sizes, and an expansive food and drink menu. Topgolf features 102 golf bays over three floors, over 200 HDTVs, free Wi-Fi, a rooftop terrace with fire pit, lively bars, and a full-service restaurant. Be sure to try the cinnamon-sugar dusted doughnut holes, which you can inject with chocolate sauce, raspberry jelly, or Bavarian cream. Customer favorites also include the Buffalo, barbecue, and Asian sesame wings, the fried chicken sandwich, and burgers made with Angus ground chuck, short rib, and brisket. top-golf.com
