Naperville magazine | December 2019

COVERING CHICAGO’S WEST SUBURBS

DECEMBER 2019

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NAPERVILLEMAGAZINE.COM | DECEMBER 2019

YEAR IN REVIEW 2019 in the ’burbs DISCOVER Glen Ellyn

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CARPET • HARDWOOD • AR E A RU GS • LU X U RY V I NY L PL ANK

FEATURES DECEMBER 2019

62

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE

From home bakers to world travelers, lavish the ones you love with curated delights for every pursuit

70

DEAR SANTA

PHOTO BY OLIVIA KOHLER

These charming letters from the area’s smallest residents are sure to ignite a holiday spirit

4 DECEMBER MONTH 2019 2019 / NAPERVILLEMAGAZINE.COM / NAPERVILLEMAGAZINE.COM

COVER PHOTO BY OLIVIA KOHLER

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Editor’s Letter

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Peer Preview

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THE 630 Community

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Books

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Discover Glen Ellyn

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Expert Advice David Hillis

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Move

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GIVING BACK Humanitarian PATH

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NaperScene Good Sam Gala

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Kudos

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TRENDS Shop A La Folie

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Home

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DINE Table for Two Osteria

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Recipe Salmon with garlic sauce and quinoa

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Local Flavor

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ETC. To-Do List

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6 DECEMBER MONTH 2019 2019 / NAPERVILLEMAGAZINE.COM / NAPERVILLEMAGAZINE.COM

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BEHIND THE STORY Our photo essay of adorable letters to Santa (p. 70) was a year in the making. A painted Santa mailbox in downtown Naperville (above) is filled with requests from area children, and we asked to borrow a select few last December after volunteer elves—coordinated by the Downtown Naperville Alliance—read and responded to all the letters. We only wish adult dreams could come true this easily!

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Michelle Dellinger

PHOTO BY JOSHUA TRUJILLO/ASSOCIATED PRESS

N

aperville’s stellar reputation has taken quite a hit recently—and rightfully so. The news stories about racially-biased incidents just keep coming, and I’m always confused (and frightened) by bigotry in any form.

The late Octavia Butler (above), a science-fiction author who battled racism in her works, had an explanation for this behavior that makes sense to me: “Simple peck-order bullying is only the beginning of the kind of hierarchical behavior that can lead to racism, sexism, ethnocentrism, classism, and all the other ‘isms’ that cause so much suffering in the world. Our hierarchical tendencies drive us to use our intelligence to try to dominate one another.”

She goes on to implore people to resist these nasty hierarchical tendencies, and to teach our children to do the same, but it’s clear that there is so much more work to be done—then, and now.

I was introduced to Butler’s writing as a teen, after falling in love with the science fiction genre. Her dystopian settings were perfect platforms for social commentary. And although attitudes have come a long way since her novels from the ’70s and ’80s, the progress of equality continues to be stymied by unjustified and ancient attitudes. But we must keep trying to spread the truth of human equality, as Butler reminds us: “Tolerance, like any aspect of peace, is forever a work in progress, never completed, and, if we’re as intelligent as we like to think we are, never abandoned.”

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HOT POTATO An excerpt from Rachel Bertsche’s story “The Queen of Games” in the December 2019 issue of our sister pub, Chicago magazine

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laying Peeing Pup, at least as an adult, is an exercise in staying calm. It’s essentially a game of hot potato, except instead of tossing around a vegetable, you’re frantically petting a plastic puppy, willing it to bark three times so you can pass it off before it pees in your face. Adding to the tension: I’m playing with the game’s inventor, Kim Vandenbroucke.

As the 40-year-old from Logan Square and I engage in a couple of rounds on a recent afternoon, I find myself hopping up and down and yelling at the incontinent dog, squealing every time it makes another noise (“It farted!”) and squeezing my eyes shut in fear of getting sprayed.

You can see why kids love it.

Peeing Pup, a Hasbro release initially sold on in Walmart, was a smash hit last holiday season—the biggest success of Vandenbroucke’s 17-year career as a game creator. It also landed her a Hasbro Emerging Inventor Award, as well as a nomination for game innovator of the year at 2019’s Toy & Game Innovation Awards. …

How does one come up with such a strange notion for a game? The idea came to Vandenbroucke in a flash one day, the kind of fully formed concept that she knew immediately would be a winner. “I was sitting at my kitchen counter, staring at my dog, Otis, who was looking a little shaggy, and I was like, ‘Man, you used to be so cute.’ Everyone wanted to hold him back then, but no one wanted to hold him for too long, because he’d pee,” she says. “And then it just hit me—this is a game!”

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INFLUENCERS, EVENTS AND ISSUES ON OUR WEST SUBURBAN RADAR

LOOKING BACK (AND FORTH) A recap of the top stories of the year as 2019 comes to a close

By Christie Willhite

W

hen we look back at 2019, what will we remember? Our own ups and downs, for sure.

Certainly our family’s challenges and successes. Perhaps some of the national news that dominates the airwaves and our Twitter feeds.

The year brought changes for our community, too—some we may have cheered on or fought against, some we may not have noticed at the time.

Here’s a look at the stories of 2019 that made Naperville part of the national conversation and shaped the way both residents and visitors will experience our city in the future.

POLITICAL DIVIDE Issues connected to the national discord over race and diversity hit home. In January, Democratic state Rep. Anne 16 DECEMBER 2019 / NAPERVILLEMAGAZINE.COM

Stava-Murray commented on social media that the city has a “history of white supremacist policies.” The statement touched off local discussions about policing, housing, and school conditions, and became part of a series of community conversations about inclusion.

Then in July, a clerk at Bucky’s Convenience Store on south Washington Street was fired after a video went viral showing him threatening two Hispanic customers. The video sparked protests and drew national attention.

But a third incident in October underscored how much work is still to be done: A group of mutiracial customers were asked by staff to move tables at Buffalo Wild Wings because a white customer didn’t want to sit near black people. The matter is still being investigated and rightfully drew widespread ire.

SUICIDE SETTLEMENT The city of Naperville and Naperville Unit School District 203 reached a settlement in August with the family of a 16-year-old student who committed suicide after being confronted by a dean and a school resource officer. Each entity agreed to pay the family $125,000 to resolve the wrongful death lawsuit.

The student’s death also spurred the state this year to enact a law requiring a parent, guardian, lawyer, or family advocate to be present before police may question a minor suspected of a crime, unless the individual poses an imminent threat.

GOODBYE, HELLO Naperville bid adieu this year to two mainstays on the community calendar: Ribfest and Civil War Days. After 32 years in Naperville, Ribfest celebrated its “Last Nights in Knoch” in July as organizers prepared to move the barbecue-and-music festival to Romeoville beginning in 2020. A synthetic turffield stadium in the works at Knoch Park will cut into the space the festival has used for decades, and organizers from the Naperville Exchange Club opted to relocate to a larger venue rather than scale back Ribfest—and the revenues it generates for local organizations fighting domestic violence.

May brought the 37th and final Civil War Days to Naper Settlement. Citing a steep drop in attendance (and revenue), museum officials are replacing the annual reenactments of the North-South battles with a new event exploring a different aspect of history each year. Up in 2020: Homefront 1940s Weekend, an event which will focus on the World War II era in conjunction with a visit from The National WWII Museum’s touring exhibit, Manufacturing Victory: The Arsenal of Democracy.

Likewise, Naper Settlement is debuting Yuletide Fest on Thursdays through Sundays this month through Christmas.

The holiday market, food trucks, ice sculptures, and more replace the Christkindlmarket, which opted not to return to Naperville after a three-year run.

UNDERWOOD PHOTO BY BRIAN CASSELLA/CHICAGO TRIBUNE

Lauren Underwood

‘TIS THE SEASON TO REFRESH YOUR BATHROOM

TO REFRESH YOUR BATHROOM BLUE WAVE Congressmen Lauren Underwood and Sean Casten were sworn in Jan. 3, joining Bill Foster in representing Naperville and marking the first time all of the city’s representatives in the U.S. House have been Democrats.

Underwood, a Naperville nurse who graduated from Neuqua Valley High School, has pressed on health care issues, while Casten, a scientist from Downers Grove, has been vocal about the climate and green energy.

Sworn in at 32, Underwood became the youngest black woman to serve in Congress.

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PROGRESS AND PRESERVATION This year brought the city several projects and proposals that could change the look and feel of downtown Naperville. On Washington Street, work continues to preserve the old Nichols Library and to incorporate the structure into a four-story development with street-level shops and upper-floor condos. Plans call for the landmark limestone building to house a restaurant with an outdoor seating plaza fronting Washington and an L-shaped addition for the shops and condos.

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NAPERVILLEMAGAZINE.COM / DECEMBER 2019 17

THE 630

James Holzhauer

TALK OF THE TOWN At Naperville North, James Holzhauer was a gifted math student—skills the professional sports bettor parlayed into a 32-game streak on the game show Jeopardy. His nearly $2.5 million in winnings placed him second on the show’s all-time list and within a victory or two of the top spot before his defeat in June. Fans loved his aggressive betting style and celebrated his win of the show’s Tournament of Champions in November.

18 DECEMBER 2019 / NAPERVILLEMAGAZINE.COM

FRUITY FABLES Wheaton resident Phil Vischer revives VeggieTales for a new generation

By Mark Loehrke

W

hile most vegetables don’t have a terribly long shelf life, for many kids who grew up in the ’90s—and their parents—the biblically inspired songs and stories from the popular computer-animated series VeggieTales are likely as fresh in the mind today as they were almost two decades ago.

Now, after a long period of shifting ownership and sporadic production, Bob the Tomato and Larry the Cucumber are back out of the crisper with new adventures and a renewed spirit, compliments of original creator Phil Vischer. As part of a partnership between Trinity Broadcast Network and Universal, Vischer is once again overseeing his whimsical characters in 18 new episodes of the beloved show (including the holiday-themed “The Best Christmas Gift”) streaming on various platforms, airing on TBN and available on DVD. “We’re going back to the classic format of VeggieTales, which was shorter stories that teach biblical values through retellings of Bible

stories,” says the 53-year-old Wheaton resident. “There are also short little segments that are just goofy fun, which is something that VeggieTales has always been known for.

Kids love stories, and parents love it when those stories bring faith to life.”

And Vischer loves the idea of being back in the writers’ room finding new ways to tell those stories with the characters that have been such a huge part of his life. Bringing spiritual lessons to kids through animated vegetables may have seemed like a crazy notion when he was first starting out, but more than 25 years later, it would seem that his faith in VeggieTales has been confirmed.

“I’m kind of a silly person,” Vischer explains.

“Once I figure out what I want to teach, I just play around until I come up with a weird, unexpected way to teach it. So if the obvious choice might be to set a story about kids in a school or at home, I’ll put them on the moon instead, or maybe replace the kids with robots.

It makes it more fun to write, and more fun to watch.”

PHOTOS COURTESY JEOPARDY PRODUCTIONS/TNS AND VEGGIETALES

and school for people with disabilities wants to demolish the building (and others on its campus) in the historic district east of downtown so it can sell the property to finance a move to a new facility in Warrenville. The city’s Historic Preservation Commission has denied Little Friends’ request, citing the 1907 building’s significance as the home of two-time city mayor Peter Kroehler, who grew the Kroehler Manufacturing into an international furniture company. Little Friends is appealing the denial to the city council.

Meanwhile, in October the city council put the brakes on plans to redevelop about 13 acres of city-owned property around the downtown Metra station.

Naperville long has sought a comprehensive plan to unify the chain of properties stretching along Fifth Avenue and the Burlington Northern tracks, from Loomis Street west to the DuPage Children’s Museum. The city had been working with Ryan Companies for two years, but the council in October voted against moving forward with a baseline proposal to add commuter parking along with office and retail space, row houses, affordable housing, and public areas. Critics objected to the concept’s density and building heights, among other concerns.

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NOVEL IDEAS From photography and movies to sports and science, gift books are a fit for any occasion

By Kathy Aabram | Styled by Kate Loscalzo

1. Ballpark by Paul Goldberger (Knopf) The history of baseball, told through the stories of the national ballparks.

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2. Last Call by Brad Thomas Parsons (Ten Speed Press) Bartenders answer the question, “What’s the last thing you’d want to drink before you die?”

3. The Art of Curiosity by Exploratorium (Weldon Owen) Well-known creatives share their thoughts on science and education.

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4. Coincidences at Museums

by Angela Stief and Stefan Draschan (Hatje Cantz) Art and viewer merge in this fun, gift-worthy volume.

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5. Star Wars: The Ultimate Pop-Up Galaxy by Matthew Reinhart and Kevin Wilson (Insight Editions) Blast into hyperspace for a journey through the Star Wars saga.

20 DECEMBER SEPTEMBER2019 2019 / / NAPERVILLEMAGAZINE.COM NAPERVILLEMAGAZINE.COM

PHOTOGRAPH BY OLIVIA KOHLER

DISCOVER

GLEN ELLYN A former pro athlete waxes nostalgic about the village where he grew up

By Lisa Arnett

Nice ice The labor-intensive process of removing snow from Lake Ellyn for community ice skating takes six to eight hours, according to the Glen Ellyn Park District.

Awarding excellence The Glen Ellyn Community Awards are held annually in February to recognize educators, public servants, business owners, and more.

Roll call Before being called Glen Ellyn in 1894, alternate names included Babcock’s Grove, Fish’s Corners, Stacy’s Corners, and Danby, according to the Glen Ellyn Historical Society.

Castle on the hill Glenbard West High School, near downtown Glen Ellyn, is the setting for O.T. Nelson’s 1975 young adult novel The Girl Who Owned a City.

MEET MATT BOWEN

W

22 DECEMBER 2019 / NAPERVILLEMAGAZINE.COM

PHOTOS COURTESY ESPN AND COMMON GOOD COCKTAIL HOUSE

hen retired NFL player Matt Bowen, 43, talks about growing up in Glen Ellyn, he recalls summers days spent splashing at Sunset Pool and Saturday afternoon football games at Glenbard West High School, just steps from the village’s bustling downtown district.

Now an NFL writer and analyst for ESPN, Bowen lives in nearby Elmhurst with his wife, Shawn, and their four sons. Bowen’s parents met at Northern Illinois University and settled in Glen Ellyn to raise him and his two siblings.

“Glen Ellyn is a great place to grow up and a great place to raise a family,” Bowen says.

He studied journalism and played football at the University of Iowa, then was drafted by the St. Louis Rams in 2000 and went on to play for the Green Bay Packers, Washington Redskins, and Buffalo Bills. After retiring from the NFL, Bowen earned a master’s degree and worked as a sports columnist for the Chicago Tribune (part of the same parent company as Naperville magazine). He appears on ESPN’s NFL Matchup during football season and is also an assistant football coach at IC Catholic Prep in Elmhurst.

Bowen appreciates how Glen Ellyn has become a mix of old and new establishments. Read on for a few of his hometown favorites.

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1. Lake Ellyn Park

This 28-acre park with its namesake lake and boathouse was one of many Glen Ellyn locations filmed for the 1986 movie Lucas, starring Charlie Sheen, Corey Haim, and Winona Ryder. “Right after Lucas the movie came out, we thought we were stars because we lived in Glen Ellyn,” Bowen says. “The boathouse is kind of like an iconic thing, in my opinion. They’ve redone it and you can rent it for smaller weddings and events.” The boathouse also serves as a warming house for ice skating on Lake Ellyn from mid-December through February 25, weather permitting.

645 Lenox Road, gepark.org

2. Glen Art Theatre

“That’s your high school date night here,” Bowen says of this historic theater, built in the 1920s. “I’ve seen probably 100 movies there—good movies, horrible movies.”

540 Crescent Blvd., 630.469.1976, glenarttheatre.com

3. Santa Fe Restaurant

“This place is, in my opinion, a Glen Ellyn institution,” Bowen says of this Mexican restaurant. Regulars rave about the massive margaritas, enchiladas, and Longy-style tacos—a crispy fried creation named for the long-closed Lombard bar Longy’s.

426 N. Main St., 630.790.3311

4. Busy Bee Barber Shop

This classic barbershop has been in business since 1922. “I shave my head now, but I used to go there for haircuts and I still drive my four boys from Elmhurst,” Bowen says.

“It’s the same barbers: Joe, Norm, and Jim. They’ve been there since I was [in middle school] at St. Pet’s. They talk high school sports year-round and they know all the people that walk in the door.”

417 N. Main St., 630.469.1805

5. Alfie’s Inn

Just south of downtown Glen Ellyn, this family restaurant will catch your eye from the street with its Tudor-style paneling and red awnings emblazoned with the letter “A.” “It’s a classic for a burger and fries,” Bowen says. “I’ve been there a lot growing up.”

Other popular menu items include the fish and chips and barbecued baby back ribs.

425 Roosevelt Rd., 630.858.2506, alfiesinn.com

ON THE HOUSE

F

or a unique drink, plan a visit to Common Good Cocktail House (9560 Crescent Blvd., 630.474.0932, commongoodcocktailhouse.com), which opened in September across from the Glen Ellyn Metra station.

The collective credits of the co-owners—Chad and Alicia Hauge and Mike Melazzo—include popular Chicago spots like Longman & Eagle, Mott St, and Bang Bang Pie & Biscuits. Common Good’s opening in Glen Ellyn is a homecoming of sorts, as Melazzo grew up in the area and Hauge attended Wheaton College nearby.

Their guiding principles are craft and community. “On the craft side, we want to make the best cocktails

you’ve ever tasted in your life,” Hauge says. “And we want you to have that drink with us, or friends you’ve come in with, or the strangers you’re sitting next to at the bar. …

That’s the reason we called it a cocktail house and not a cocktail bar.”

An arsenal of cool tools fuels the drink-making, including a cotton candy machine to create fluffy garnishes and a centrifuge used to create apple-infused bourbon.

That bourbon is used in a cocktail called the Orchard Tailgate along with mesquite-smoked rancio sec, a sherry-like fortified wine with a dry, raisiny flavor. “It feels like you’re brought your pickup truck and your grill to an apple orchard,” Hauge says.

Glen Ellyn is gorgeous. It’s a mix of old and new.”

—Matt Bowen NAPERVILLEMAGAZINE.COM / DECEMBER 2019 23

EXPERT ADVICE

BURN NOTICE Rekindle your seasonal safety smarts with 9 non-negotiables from Naperville firefighter David Hillis

By Cara Sullivan 1. Turn your Christmas lights off before bed and when you’re not home.

Does it look as pretty?

Nope—but according to the National Fire Protection Association, lights cause 40 percent of Christmas tree fires.

2. Practice wood-burning fire safety. Have your chimney cleaned and inspected annually; make sure the damper is open before you light it; put all fires out before bed; use a safety gate to protect little kids; and keep the hearth clear of anything that could catch fire.

3. Read the fine print on your decorations. Manufacturers recommend a maximum of 400 lights per circuit. So if there are 100 lights on a strand, don’t connect more than three or four.

4. Use space heaters with caution. Place these devices at least three feet away from anything that could catch fire (curtains, tinsel, a blanket thrown from a crib), keep children and pets away from them, and never, ever leave them on when you’re not home.

5. Close your kids’ bedroom doors at night. I’ve seen smoke staining and smoke penetration through a sealed door, and I’ve seen it through an open door. Let’s just say my children sleep with their doors closed.

6. And install a smoke detector in every bedroom.

This is standard practice in new homes, but older ones are typically in the hallways. Your kids are way more likely to wake up if it’s in their room— especially if the door is closed. They have models now that allow parents to record their own voices, which is more effective than conventional alarms.

7. Use high-quality extension cords. They’re safe to use temporarily as long as they’re appropriate for the setting (outdoor lights require outdoor extension cords, for example) and grounded for fire safety.

8. Keep your Christmas tree green. Water it every single day and dispose of it responsibly once it’s dry (see box). A dry tree is the single biggest holiday fire hazard.

9. Be proactive. Come January, replace your fire extinguisher and swap out the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.

SPRUCE UP In Naperville, Christmas trees are collected during the first two weeks of January; simply place your decoration-free tree at the curb on your normal garbage collection day.

24 DECEMBER NOVEMBER2019 2019 // NAPERVILLEMAGAZINE.COM NAPERVILLEMAGAZINE.COM

PHOTOGRAPH BY OLIVIA KOHLER

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MOVE

SEEKING BALANCE A Fyzical occupational therapist stresses that avoiding falls takes work

By Dina Kartsonas Falls are the leading cause of fatal injuries for older Americans over 65. One in four fall each year; older adults are treated in the emergency room for a fall every 11 seconds, and an older adult dies from a fall every 19 minutes.

And the average cost to treat a fall is $30,000, according to the National Council for Aging Care.

Decreased balance and falls may be a dangerous part of getting older, but these six exercises are activities you can do now in order to set yourself up for a better chance of avoiding costly—or even deadly—falls later on in life.

As always, consult your physician and seek their approval before attempting any of these movements.

SIT-TO-STAND

Sit in chair and move forward until buttocks are near front of seat, with feet on ground, with toes directly under knees. Shift body weight forward as you stand, trying not to use hands. To sit down again, bend knees and lean torso forward slightly as you reach buttocks towards the back of the chair. Lower yourself into seat without using hands. If you need to, grab chair and lower yourself down.

Start with 1 set of 10 reps once per day; increase to 3 times per day.

GOAL These exercises will help you maintain long-term balance and prevent falls as you get older.

EQUIPMENT A firm, standard chair that has armrests

VISION TRACKING

Bend elbow so thumb rests a few inches from your face, covering one eye. Move thumb to the right and then to the left as far as you comfortably can. Only follow thumb with your open eye. Then, move thumb up and down. Repeat exercise while holding thumb out at arm’s length. Repeat using left hand. Do 3 sets for 20 seconds each.

CHAIR RAISES

Hold chair seat with both hands.

Extend 1 leg straight and bring knee towards chest without moving your body. Extend leg back out and lower foot to the ground. Repeat with opposite leg. Do 5 sets.

FORWARD LUNGES

SINGLE-LEG STANCE

Stand on right foot without letting it touch left leg. Look forward and balance. Start standing for 5 seconds on each side, 10 times each; increase to 10 seconds.

5 sec

TOE TOUCHES

Stand with feet together. Roll upper body downward and reach for your toes. Keep legs straight and slowly roll back up to a standing position.

Repeat 10 times.

Stand up and take a large step forward with right leg. Bring most of your weight forward onto right leg and bend right knee. Keep torso upright and do not let right knee bend past right toes. Left knee should be slightly bent. Push back into a standing position while also contracting right buttocks and thigh muscles. Hold and repeat on left side. Start with 5 lunges on each side; increase to 10.

5 sec

26 DECEMBER MONTH 2019 2019 / NAPERVILLEMAGAZINE.COM / NAPERVILLEMAGAZINE.COM

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HUMANITARIAN PHOTOS BY WARREN BROWNE

Page 30

NAPERSCENE Page 32

Andy and Terri Brown enjoying Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital’s Festival.

KUDOS

Page 34

NAPERVILLEMAGAZINE.COM NAPERVILLEMAGAZINE.COM / DECEMBER / MONTH 2019 29

HUMANITARIAN

NAVIGATING A DIFFICULT PATH Parents of the drug addicted have a place to turn

By Julie Duffin

S

ometimes life takes you down an unexpected path, and for Deb Lewin that pivot happened when her son became addicted to drugs.

While she was able to find treatment options for him, Lewin struggled to find adequate support for herself and the rest of her family of seven. A year

30 DECEMBER 2019 / NAPERVILLEMAGAZINE.COM

into this journey, she took everything she learned and established a support network for families. “I just wanted to give back and make a difference. To help people not feel so alone, not feel so judged. I wanted to help guide and educate them,” she explains. Through her efforts as executive director, the PATH

to Recovery Foundation has become a tremendous resource for those touched by substance abuse.

PATH (Positive Acceptance Towards Healing) helps families navigate their unique journey of recovery. Its mission is to support, educate, and promote treatment for individuals and families struggling with substance use disorders.

What started as a support group at Linden Oaks Plainfield in 2014 has now grown into a nonprofit organization that reaches out to the larger community, with meetings in Plainfield, Naperville, Frankfort, Wheaton’s DuPage County Health Department, and Rush Copley Medical Center in Aurora.

“We basically have DuPage, Kane, and Will Counties covered,” explains board president Donald Kalish, another parent who became involved because of a tragic family loss.

PATHS CONVERGE Kalish’s life changed abruptly in May 2016 when his wife called him at work to tell him his youngest son was found dead of an unexpected drug overdose.

“We had no idea he ever used heroine.

We knew he had some issues with Xanax, and had been prescribed them for a long time,” he explains. “What we now know is that Xanax is part of a class of drugs called benzodiazepine, which is very difficult to get off of. We later found out that when he had problems getting his prescription filled, he would get what he could.”

After some time had passed, Kalish, like Lewin, also looked for a way to help others. “Knowing all the collateral damage that happens in families, my goal was to help those who didn’t know what to do, and who they could reach out to,” he explains. Kalish discovered PATH and found it to be a good fit.

He joined the nonprofit in July 2018 and has since used his background in finance and corporate leadership to help expand and provide structure to the foundation. “Our mission is to help families dealing with substance abuse navigate through all the different components of detox, rehab, and recovery.

We provide a safe space for them in our family support meetings, which are led by people with coaching credentials who have also been through this. There is absolutely no stigma

PHOTO COURTESY DONALD KALISH

Deb Lewin and Donald Kalish at a health department meeting in November.

attached,” he adds. “It’s a safe space for people to communicate.”

The PATH Facebook page and website (pathtorecoveryfoundation.org) provide a wealth of resource guides, including a listing of Chicagoland intensive outpatient/inpatient rehab sites.

The organization also supplies families with physical items, such as drug-testing kits and fentanyl-testing strips, as well as Narcan nasal spray, which can help reverse an opioid overdose.

We provide a safe space for them in our family support meetings, which are led by people with coaching credentials who have also been through this. —Donald Kalish NEW BEGINNINGS This March, Lewin’s son will have been clean for seven years. Her advice to other parents: Get educated and find a support system.

“There is help out there for families.

There are resources and there are people who care. Don’t do this alone,” she stresses. “People are so afraid to walk into a support group because then they fear everybody will know. But the reality is, everybody already knows. Parents often sense something is wrong but live in denial. We can always come up with reasons to not face our reality.

Realize this isn’t a moral failing, it is a disease,” she advises. “Even if your loved one is just starting smoking pot or dabbling little bit, get educated. Try to stop it before it goes all the way. We are here to help.”

GET HELP If you or a loved one is struggling with opioid, alcohol, or other drug use, specialists at the Illinois Helpline offer help 24/7/365. Call 833-2FINDHELP or visit helplineil.org. Click “Get help” to fill out a confidential form.

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NAPERSCENE

1

GATSBY GALA A night in support of Good Sam’s cancer center

By Julie Duffin

Steve and Jennifer Albery

2 3

N

32 DECEMBER 2019 / NAPERVILLEMAGAZINE.COM

4 5

1 Drs. Glen Gardner, Kanchan Patel, and John Martucci.

2 (Back row) Laurie and Dr. Ed Berg, Lisa and Dr. Dave Bergquist, Lisa and Dr. Zach Bastian. (Front row) Sam Razi, Dr. Julie Zhu, Dr. Surya and Usha Menta. 3 Brigid Siebert and Dr. Melissa Millewich. 4 A performance by the Center for Dance.

5 Hospital president Nancy Tinsley, Nurse of the Year Courney Rufer, and VP Susan Okuno-Jones.

PHOTOS BY WARREN BROWNE

early 300 guests attended the Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital Festival 2019 at the Chicago Hilton/Oak Brook Hills Resort on October 12. Inspired by the Gatsby theme, attendees donned 1920s attire and relived the decade of Prohibition, flappers, speakeasies, and jazz.

The evening kicked off with cocktails and included dinner, dancing, and an auction. During the live auction, attendees used glow sticks to show solidarity with oncology patients, survivors, and caretakers. Guests enjoyed entertainment by the Center for Dance and the Ron Bedal Orchestra, plus fantasy casino gaming after the program. Over $300,000 was raised to support the oncology programs and services at Good Samaritan Hospital’s Bhorade Cancer Center.

“We are grateful to all of the donors and sponsors who made the gala a tremendous success. These funds will provide critical support to cancer survivorship programming and personalized precision medicine,” says hospital president Nancy Tinsley. “Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital has a long-standing reputation for providing excellent patient care and charitable contributions are vital to that success.”

KUDOS

GREEN GALA

PHOTO COURTESY FRIENDS OF PRENTICE

F

our hundred fifty of Chicago’s business leaders—including suburban philanthropists—gathered in late October to raise funds for women’s health care. Friends of Prentice (friendsofprentice.org), a nonprofit arm of Northwestern Medicine Prentice Women’s Hospital, raised more than $750,000 at its Wizard of Oz–themed event.

The black-tie gala featured one-of-a-kind live and silent auction items, dancing to the sounds of the band Dr. Bombay, and a video presentation and paddle raise to support the work of Prentice. Dr. Michael Socol was honored for his 40 years of obstetrics work at the hospital, including training residents and fellows and delivering 6,000 babies.

“For decades, Friends of Prentice has provided crucial seed money to brilliant clinicians and researchers who are shaping the future of women’s health care,” said board president Mike Borders. “Our mission is propelled forward each year by people of all ages and backgrounds coming together to support the innovation and groundbreaking research happening at Prentice.”

Friends of Prentice has raised over $20 million and awarded grants to more than 80 researchers in the areas of gynecologic oncology, mental health, heart disease, diabetes, HIV, uterine and pelvic medicine, genetic biomarker research, home health care outreach, and more.—MD

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

HolidayWISH LIST 2019

1 1

UNWRAP THE WONDERS OF PLAY Let family, friends, clients, and yourself unwrap the wonders of curiosity, exploration, discovery, and more with the gift of DuPage Children’s Museum Membership.

One year of membership adds up to unlimited opportunities for kids and adults to laugh, learn, and love spending time together. Add MORE PLAY to your day! Plan a visit. Help young learners aspire to become future leaders. Give now at dupagechildrens.org.

DuPage Children’s Museum 301 N. Washington St., Naperville, IL 630.637.8000 | dupagechildrens.org

2 2

NAPERVILLE’S NEW HIDDEN GEM Find that special gift tucked in our boutique on Jackson offering unique necklaces, bracelets, earrings, rings, scarves and hats, candles, and more! On trend are our personalized stackable bracelets with custom messages for a one-of-a-kind fave gift!

Lauren Rae 14 Jackson Ave., Naperville, IL 630.717.1111 | shoplaurenrae.com

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NEW THOMAS KINKADE FESTIVE FIRE STATION BOUQUET Share the joy of the season with this radiant holiday centerpiece featuring a new hand-painted Kinkade collectible that lights up from within. Two gifts in one!

Item #9X200. Chicagowide and nationwide delivery

by Phillip's Flowers in Elmhurst, Hinsdale, LaGrange, Lombard, Naperville, Westmont, and Wheaton. Call 630-719-5200 or visit PhillipsFlowers.com.

Phillip’s Flowers & Gifts 1007 E. Ogden Ave., Naperville, IL 630.719.5200 | PhillipsFlowers.com

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LUXURY WATCH FROM LOCAL BRAND Assembled by hand in the US and powered by a Swiss movement, the Seaplane Automatic from Elmhurst based Farr + Swit is meticulously designed and made with the highest quality materials. Use code NAPERVILLE100 to save $100 at checkout.

Farr + Swit Watch Company Elmhurst, IL | farrandswit.com

36 DECEMBER 2019 / NAPERVILLEMAGAZINE.COM

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

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DOWNTOWN NAPERVILLE GIFT CARDS Give the gift that allows them to choose with a Downtown Naperville gift card! For use at over 165 shops, restaurants and spas in Downtown Naperville. Two designs to choose from—the any-occasion card or the holiday card. No fees to purchase. May be purchased in person or online and mailed to you or a lucky recipient.

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Downtown Naperville Alliance Main Street Promenade 55 S. Main St., Suite 351, Naperville, IL 630.544.3372 | downtownnaperville.com

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SIMON G COMMITTED RING This exquisite, vintage-inspired 18k white gold ring features a stunning 4.18ct tanzanite flanked by .78ctw of round white diamonds and 1.06ctw of blue sapphires.

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Costello Jewelry 33 West Jefferson Ave., Naperville, IL 630.355.1311 474 N. Main St., Glen Ellyn, IL 630.790.3272 | costello.net

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GIVE THE GIFT OF TRAVEL Create a family memory that will last forever with one of our experienced vacation advisors! Ask us how you can get a FREE suitcase. Let us help you plan your next adventure, that everyone will want to talk about for a lifetime, all at no cost to you!

Expedia Cruises 2775 Showplace Dr., Suite 111 Naperville, IL 331.702.9200 | napervilletravels.com

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DISCOVER VOMFASS-EVERYTHING THAT GIVES LIFE FLAVOR What do you give the person who has everything? At VomFass we have the best flavors from around the world – oils vinegars, wine, spirits liqueurs & spices. Let us personalize and engrave your gift bottle and give a most memorable and unforgettable gift that will be long remembered and treasured!

Vom Fass 121 S. Washington St., Naperville, IL 4755 N. Lincoln, Chicago, IL vomfassusa.com

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PAINT AND SIP CLASS Give the gift of fun this holiday season! Pinot’s Palette is a fun way to unwind and reconnect with friends, family or co-workers. No art experience necessary.

Talented local artists guide you step-by-step through the painting. Gift certificates are available online.

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Pinot’s Palette-Naperville 175 W. Jackson Ave., Suite 123, Naperville, IL 331.457.5440 | pinotspalette.com

NAPERVILLEMAGAZINE.COM / DECEMBER 2019 37

Beautiful B autifull

Basements

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1154 E. Ogden in Naperville || 7840 W. 159th St. in Orland Park

SUBURBAN BLISS

TRENDS SHOP Page 40

HOME Page 42

MARKET Page 44

OPENINGS

PHOTO COURTESY CHAD ESSLINGER DESIGN

Page 46

Watercolors painted by the homeowner’s late father adorn this dining room wall.

NAPERVILLEMAGAZINE.COM NAPERVILLEMAGAZINE.COM / DECMEBER / MONTH 2019 39

MASTERING THE MACARON A French pastry chef brings his culinary art to the western suburbs—and beyond

By Annemarie Mannion

W

ith an elegant, sun-lit retail space fronting an immaculate production facility in Naperville, A La Folie is making its sweet mark in the area. The confection business is operated by Jerome Landrieu and his wife, Alexis Karter, who are turning out French maca40 DECEMBER 2019 / NAPERVILLEMAGAZINE.COM

rons (pronounced “mac-a-rohn”), a delicious sandwich-style cookie in 12 flavors—including cassis, salted caramel, chocolate, pistachio, hazelnut, and mango.

Why macarons? The answer lies in Landrieu’s European roots in France, where the delicate, meringue-based

confections are as popular as cupcakes are here in the U.S. “Macarons became a big trend 10 years ago in France,” Landrieu says.

“Chefs said it wouldn’t last, but it has become a staple.”

Landrieu knows his way around making macarons. He hails from the southwest of France and trained there as a pastry chef. About the same time that the macaron craze was hitting France, he decided that he wanted to see the world.

“I was a teacher for other pastry chefs,” he says. “I met these French chefs living everywhere in the world, and I decided that was something I wanted to experience.”

His craving for an adventure led him to Chicago, where he worked for a gourmet chocolate wholesale company—that’s where he met Karter.

Eventually the two married, moved to Naperville, had two children, and decided to launch their own manufacturing facility. The company’s name stems from their relationship. “[A la folie] is what you say when you love someone,” he says. “But it’s not enough. It’s that you’re crazy about someone. That’s what I used to say to my wife.”

While Landrieu oversees the kitchen, Karter is in charge of the retail and wholesale arm of the business. “I really like the retail part,” she says. “I like to meet customers and talk about our products.”

The company’s main focus is selling macarons to wholesalers that supply them to hotels, restaurants, retail shops, and other high-end entities. “A lot of people were asking for macarons,” Karter says. “They couldn’t find the quality they wanted.”

Making a good macaron isn’t easy; it takes two days. “You can’t rush it,” says Landrieu. “If you rush it, then you have a bad macaron that’s very dry. We source the very best ingredients and we don’t take short cuts.”

The recipes for the shells and fillings also need to be adjusted to changes in weather. “If its summer and it’s humid, it’s very challenging to get them smooth on top,” Landrieu says.

A La Folie’s macarons are packaged in elegant boxes and come in boxes of eight for $20, or a box of 16 for $38.

PHOTOS COURTESY A LA FOLIE

SHOP

Don’t Be Left Out In The Cold This Season…

The company also is venturing into display-style products, including one that looks like a tree festooned with macarons (shown at left) that would be a focal point at a wedding reception or other party. The cookies can even be sprayed with gold leaf or silver for a festive event, or printed with the Chicago Bears logo, or other images.

“I’m from Wisconsin,” says Karter with a laugh. “It was really hard for me to print that Chicago Bears logo.”

While macarons are their focus now, the couple wants to expand into other areas, including chocolate confections by the middle of 2020. They also have plans to make pastries, including Buche de Noel for Christmas, and to eventually offer cooking classes.

For now, the couple are excited to produce high-quality macarons that many Americans may not have had the chance to enjoy previously. Alyssa Haskins, head chocolatier of Infusion Chocolates, which has been handcrafting chocolates in the Madison, Wisconsin, area since 2008, is pleased to be selling A La Folie’s macarons.

Alexis Karter and Jerome Landrieu

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“While all of our chocolates are made onsite, our large retail area has allowed us to bring in some fantastic specialty food items,” says Haskins. “We know our client base will fall in love with A La Folie’s macaron, just as we have.”

She says A La Folie’s macarons are special because of the care and expertise with which they are made. “Chef Jerome is an expert in his craft, and his team’s attention to detail shines,” says Haskins. “From the perfect shells to the elegant, balanced flavors, each one is an edible work of art.”

NAPERVILLEMAGAZINE.COM / DECEMBER 2019 41

HOME

The leather upholstery on Crate & Barrel’s Declan recliner ($2,300) is a durable option for the couple’s active family: two dogs, two cats, and two daughters, Anna, 15, and Maya, 10.

“I like having round coffee tables in seating areas,” says Chad, “so you don’t bump your shins on the corners of the table.” The brass bases on the Elke round marble coffee table ($1,000) and end table ($600) from Crate & Barrel conform to the main metal finish in the kitchen, offering design continuity.

DIVIDE AND CONQUER

W

hen Downers Grove native Ed and his wife, Shannon, thought their 15-year-old home could use an update, they consulted designer Chad Esslinger. “It felt dated,” admitted Esslinger, “and they couldn’t figure out where to put the furniture.”

The great room challenge? There are multiple focal points.

“It’s such a big room,” explains Shannon, “but with a few different uses it’s hard to construct a layout that feels just right.” Esslinger suggested multiple configurations for the family room, and then chose furniture from there. And with a few cosmetic touches to the kitchen, the entire main level was completely transformed.—MD 42 DECEMBER 2019 / NAPERVILLEMAGAZINE.COM

The couple didn’t want to gut their kitchen, since the layout was fine. “It was really about upgrading the fixtures,” says Chad. “Everything was dark wood trim and cherry cabinets. Nice quality stuff, but just dated looking.”

The cabinets were painted, and the hardware, backsplash, trim, and lighting were all replaced by Platinum Builders. “Changing the colors completely changed the feel of the room … even though everything was still original. It felt like a completely different space, almost exactly what we wanted, from every aspect,” says Shannon.

PHOTOS BY PICTURE PERFECT HOUSE

A no-gut refresh for an open first floor

The chaise on the Barrett reversible sectional ($2,000) from Crate & Barrel can easily be modified. “You can move the base and move the cushion to the left or the right,” says Shannon. “It’s a really comfortable, handy piece.”

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The kitchen planning space gets used more than she anticipated, says Shannon. “The computer is in the common area, so I can keep an eye on what the kids are doing online.” It’s used for everything from paying bills and coloring to playing online games and doing homework. “It’s kind of a catchall,” says Shannon, “but in a very organized way.”

This was Colonel Robert R. McCormick’s gift to the community and all 500 acres are yours to enjoy.

Plan your visit today at Cantigny.org • Spectacular Gardens • McCormick House • First Division Museum • Banquets/Weddings/Golf Outings • Special Events • Championship Golf

CANTIGNY PARK 1s151 Winfield Rd Wheaton, IL 60189 630.668.5161 Cantigny.org CANTIGNY GOLF 27w270 Mack Rd Wheaton, IL 60189 630.668.8463 CantignyGolf.com

NAPERVILLEMAGAZINE.COM / DECEMBER 2019 43

MARKET

PANTRY PRESENTS Replenish the kitchens of your holiday hosts with these savvy and savory gifts

Sutter Buttes infused olive oil and balsamic vinegar from World Market ($3 each)

Styled by Kate Loscalzo

Jacobsen Salt Co. vial set of 8 from Williams Sonoma ($35)

Marble salt and pepper shakers from Pottery Barn ($30)

Slate cheese board from Anthropologie ($22)

Patterned paper napkins from H&M Home ($3) 44 DECEMBER SEPTEMBER2019 2019 / / NAPERVILLEMAGAZINE.COM NAPERVILLEMAGAZINE.COM

Rumbled gold cheese knives from World Market ($15)

Glass honey jar with wood dipper from Crate & Barrel ($10)

PHOTOGRAPH BY OLIVIA KOHLER

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Free weights are part of the Elliptihit workout.

that often causes injuries,” says Burgos.

“It’s a great option for people that want an intense workout without worrying about getting set back for weeks or months because they hurt themselves running. You can get the benefits of a treadmill without the risk of injury.”

Burgos is offering a $99 “21 Day Jumpstart” program this month to help ensure that clients stay on track with fitness goals during the holiday season.

Start at anytime in December for three weeks of unlimited access. Also in the works: a Naperville location.—MD

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PHOTO COURTESY ELLIPTIHIT

C

elebrity trainer Jennifer “Zen” Burgos wants you to not only melt fat, but save your knees in the process (hallelujah). The former star of Bravo TV’s Work Out moved from L.A. back to her hometown of LaGrange and just rebranded her fitness facility as Elliptihit (71 S. La Grange Rd., elliptihit.com). Burgos (not shown) created a workout combination that includes elliptical cardio plus high-intensity interval training (HITT) designed specifically to prevent injuries.

Every workout is full body—elliptical hills at a 40-degree incline, fat-melting sprints, and free weight muscle-building exercises—and clients receive corrections and modifications throughout the workout to further customize.

“You can mimic running on an elliptical machine without the impact

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NAPERVILLE MAGAZINE’S CULINARY GUIDE

DINE TABLE FOR TWO Page 50

RECIPE Page 52

LOCAL FLAVOR

PHOTO COURTESY OAK BROOK HILLS RESORT

Page 55

Salmon with garlic sauce and quinoa from Oak Brook Hills Resort NAPERVILLEMAGAZINE.COM NAPERVILLEMAGAZINE.COM / DECEMBER / MONTH 2019 49

TABLE FOR TWO

ITALIAN ASCENT Celeb chef grows his restaurant empire at Osteria in Downers Grove

By Lisa Arnett

F

lorence-born chef Fabio Viviani first graced TV screens on Top Chef season 5 and became a fast fan favorite. Viewers adored him for his charming accent, entertaining one-liners, and all-out dedication to the competition; he famously broke his finger during a cooking challenge and still completed the required dish.

After the show, Viviani steadily rose to celebrity chef status. He is now currently involved with more than 30 restaurants in seven states, including Siena Tavern, Bar Siena, Mercato, and Prime & Provisions in Chicago.

Now the west suburbs can get a taste of Viviani’s Italian fare with his latest restaurant, Osteria by Fabio Viviani (2111 Butterfield Rd., Downers Grove,

50 DECEMBER 2019 / NAPERVILLEMAGAZINE.COM

630.971.2000, osteriadownersgrove .com) in the DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Hotel & Conference Center.

Viviani opened a restaurant of the same name in Tampa, Florida, last fall; though not identical, the menu here does feature some similar dishes. With sumptuous sapphire blue velvet booths and massive wooden barn doors leading to a second spacious dining room, Osteria is the finishing touch on the DoubleTree’s recent $3.5 million renovation, including the lobby in which the restaurant sits. As the hotel’s primary restaurant, so you can expect to see standards such as a chopped salad, fillet mignon or New York strip steak, but I was instead intent on tasting Italian preparations that Viviani is known for.

Ricotta and truffle purse pasta

PHOTOS COURTESY OSTERIA

Caprese salad

WELCOME TO ITALY Dinner began with the caprese salad, our server’s recommendation. Made with Burrata—a.k.a. cream-filled orbs of fresh mozzarella, one of my favorite things on earth—and tomatoes both fresh and sun-dried, it was an admirable attempt to remix the classic but not an especially memorable one.

Instead, I’m still thinking about the four cheese purses, delicate little pasta bundles laden with truffle cream sauce and Grana Padano, a cheese cousin to Parmigiano-Reggiano from northern Italy. When that grew too rich, I alternated bites of Asiago-stuffed gnocchi with crumbled sausage, blistered tomatoes, and roasted mushrooms.

Since I dined at Osteria during a preview event, I had the advantage of Viviani stopping by the table to highlight a few of his favorites. I hadn’t paid the pork Milanese much attention, but when he described the entrée as “Grandma’s recipe,” it became a must-order in my eyes. This massive slab of pork—pounded thin, breaded, and fried—was both tender and crispy, managing to remain so even when dressed with a salad of lemony arugula, capers, pickled onions, and pepperoncini. I could almost picture Viviani’s family gathered around the table with Grandma urging everyone to take seconds.

The pizzas here are true Neapolitan style with crispy edges and a wet center, which wins points for authenticity, but doesn’t hold up under heavier toppings—such as the roasted ham and Italian sausage in the namesake Osteria pizza. Admittedly, that didn’t make it any less delicious.

Grilled rack of lamb

& EAT, DRINK and be HARRY THIS HOLIDAY SEASON! Enjoy the holidays without any of the prep or clean up at Harry Caray’s Italian Steakhouse. Pull up a chair in our fully decorated dining room or wow your guests by booking one of our private dining rooms.

RECEIVE A FREE $25 GIFT CARD FOR EVERY $100 YOU SPEND IN GIFT CARDS THROUGH DECEMBER 31ST!

Raspberry mule

SWEET ENDINGS There’s a decent beer lineup, and the wine list is appropriately heavy on Italian reds, but Osteria’s staff was especially pushing its craft cocktails. The walnut old-fashioned, with its toasty flavor and candied nut garnish, is right on for winter weather and approachable enough for those who don’t typically dabble in bourbon. Fans of Moscow mules, on the other hand, should try Osteria’s fruity, herbal rendition made with thyme, limoncello, and raspberries.

With the abundance of pasta and pizza, it’s hard to save room for dessert. But it was well worth it to try the simple, perfectly executed panna cotta (Italian custard) served with strawberries and balsamic caviar, tiny spheres of encapsulated vinegar providing a tiny burst of acidity in each bite. As far as the chocolate torte—a dense slice of fudgy decadence—only die-hard chocolate lovers need apply.

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

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NAPERVILLEMAGAZINE.COM / DECEMBER 2019 51

RECIPE

Yield: 2 servings olive oil head cauliflower, trimmed and cut into small florets salt and fresh ground pepper, to taste whole milk 1 bulb fennel, cut into thin julienne strips 6 sun-dried tomatoes, cut into julienne strips 1–3 cloves garlic, peeled and chopped, divided ¼ cup (plus 1 tablespoon) white wine, divided ¼ cup vegetable stock 1 cup quinoa, cooked 2 8-ounce salmon fillets, cut in half (two squares) 1 lemon 2 tablespoons butter fresh herbs or micro greens 1

52 DECEMBER 2019 / NAPERVILLEMAGAZINE.COM

CAULIFLOWER PURÉE 1 In a hot cast-iron skillet, add a thin layer of olive oil, then cauliflower.

Toss, seasoning with salt and pepper, and lower heat to prevent burning. Cook until cauliflower turns a deep, dark color.

2

Add enough milk to slightly cover the florets and simmer on stovetop until liquid is reduced by half.

3

Cool slightly then puree in a blender. Purée can be made the day before; reheat before plating.

QUINOA 1 In a hot, 8-to-10-inch sauté pan add a splash of oil, fennel, sun-dried tomatoes, and garlic (to taste), then season with salt and pepper.

2

Cook until fennel is slightly tender, then add ¼ cup white wine and vegetable stock to the pan. Fold in quinoa, then keep warm until ready to plate.

SALMON AND SAUCE 1 Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a hot nonstick sauté pan, add a thin layer of oil and seasoned salmon fillets. Shake slightly to prevent sticking; when golden brown, carefully flip salmon with a spatula, then place in the oven for 6 to 8 minutes (for medium-rare).

Remove and keep warm.

2

Using the same pan, add 1 tablespoon chopped garlic and stir to avoid burning. Add ¼ cup white wine, juice from ½ lemon, and simmer until reduced by half.

Add 2 tablespoons of butter, stirring constantly.

3

Place two small mounds of cauliflower puree on a warm plate, topping with quinoa and fennel mixture, then salmon, then sauce.

Garnish with your choice of herbs or micro greens.

Recipe courtesy B Restaurant executive chef Mark P. Maassen

PHOTO COURTESY OAK BROOK HILLS RESORT

SALMON WITH GARLIC SAUCE AND QUINOA

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Butternut squash pizza from True Food Kitchen

LOCAL FLAVOR PHOTO COURTESY TRUE FOOD KITCHEN

NEWLY OPENED TRUE FOOD KITCHEN People who really know food and health know Dr. Andrew Weil. Now open in Oakbrook Center, True Food Kitchen offers seasonal dishes and drinks rooted in Weil’s anti-inflammatory food pyramid. Think you can’t eat healthy and indulge yourself at the same time? Think again with butternut squash pizza (above), Thai coconut sea bass, and the Unbeetable Burger.

105 Oakbrook Center, Oak Brook | 630.716.3056, truefoodkitchen.com/oakbrook

POLLYANA BREWING COMPANY With its third Chicago-area taproom, in St. Charles, Pollyana brings its brewing expertise to the far west suburbs. Experiment with the seasonal lagers or brews made with local fruits and spices, or raise a glass of a Pollyana flagship like the Full Lemonty Golden Ale or Lexical Gap IPA. 106 S. Riverside Ave., St. Charles | 630.549.7372, pollyannabrewing.com

AMERICAN 1910 BAR $$ 30 West State Street, Suite 200, Geneva 630.845.9100, 1910geneva.com ADELLE’S FINE AMERICAN FARE, $$$ 535 West Liberty Drive, Wheaton 630.784.8015, adelles.com ALLEGORY $$$ 224 South Main Street, Naperville 630.536.8862, allegorynaperville.com ARROWHEAD RESTAURANT AND BAR $$$ 26W151 Butterfield Road, Wheaton 630.653.5800, arrowheadgolfclub.org NAPERVILLEMAGAZINE.COM / DECEMBER 2019 55

THE CAPITAL GRILLE $$$$ 87 Yorktown Center, Lombard 630.627.9800, thecapitalgrille.com CARNIVORE & THE QUEEN $$$ 2241 Maple Avenue, Downers Grove 630.541.9951, carnivoreandthequeen.com 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

W

hen it comes to piano bars, one is a lonely number: One piano. One singer. One microphone. One sorry sot at the bar, barely listening while he drinks one martini.

Contrast that with a new bar concept, now open in Rosemont. Pete’s Dueling Piano Bar (5540 Park Place, peteduelingpianobar.com) built its reputation with four locations in Texas featuring an explosion of sound and a menu full of specialty cocktails. Think two baby grand pianos, two teams of dueling pianists rotating sets throughout the night, and schooners of 52-ounce drinks with five straws for sharing.

It’s a boisterous, high-energy musical experience in a 6,000-square-

foot venue—plenty of room for the wait staff to sing and dance along with the audience. Did someone say bachelorette party?

As you sing along, soothe your vocal chords with the signature Lucky Duck schooner made with tropical punch vodka, blue curaçao, muddled lemon, and lemonade. Or try the Pineapple Express, a blend of black cherry vodka, coconut rum, and tropical juices and liqueurs.

Pete’s Dueling Piano Bar is open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 7 p.m. to 2 a.m., with shows starting at 8 p.m. Admission is $10/person on Fridays and Saturdays. Visitors must be 21 or over to enter; those between the ages of 18 to 20 may enter with a parent and a valid photo ID.—KA

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

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

BLACKBERRY MARKET $ 401 North Main Street, Glen Ellyn 36 South LaGrange Road, La Grange

EGG HARBOR CAFÉ $ 175 West Jackson Avenue, Naperville 630.548.1196, eggharborcafe.com

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

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

EGGS INC. CAFÉ $ 220 South Washington Street, Naperville 630.171.5555, eggsincorporated.com

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

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

ELMHURST BREWING COMPANY $$ 171 North Addison Street, Elmhurst 630.834.2739, elmhurstbrewing.com

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

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

EMMETT’S BREWING CO. $$ 5200 Main Street, Downers Grove 630.434.8500, emmettsbrewingco.com

56 DECEMBER 2019 / NAPERVILLEMAGAZINE.COM

PHOTO COURTESY PETE’S DUELING PIANO BAR

DUELING PIANO BAR DEBUTS

CITYGATE GRILLE $$$ 2020 Calamos Court, Naperville 630.718.1010, citygategrille.com

EMPIRE BURGERS & BREW $$ 48 West Chicago Avenue, Naperville 630.355.9000, empireburgerbar.com FLAGSHIP ON THE FOX $$ 100 South Riverside Avenue, St. Charles 630.549.7672, flagshiponthefox.com

2019

FOXFIRE $$$ 17 West State Street, Geneva 630.232.1369, foxfiregeneva.com GRAND DUKE’S RESTAURANT $$ 980 West 75th Street, 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 JACKSON AVENUE PUB $$ 7 West Jackson Avenue, Naperville 630.904.9400, jacksonavepub.com J. FLEMING’S ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS $$$ 18 North Cass Avenue, Westmont 630.434.0224, willbeyourchef.com JIMMY’S GRILL $$ 245 South Washington Street, Naperville 630.548.2500, jimmysgrillnaperville.com

DINE E-NEWSLETTER

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

PLANK BAR & KITCHEN $$ 120 Water Street, Naperville 331.401.5500, hotelindigo.com/napervilleil

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

PRIMO $$ 29 South Third Street, Geneva 630.232.2280, allchocolatekitechenprimo.com

LE PAIN QUOTIDIEN $$ 204 South Washington Street, Naperville 331.215.5789, lepainquotidien.com MAIZE + MASH $$ 430 North Main Street, Glen Ellyn 630.547.2540, maizeplusmash.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

R. URBAN WINE BAR & CAFE $$ 4738 Main Street, Lisle 414.909.1583, urbanwinelisle.com RBK AMERICAN GRILL $$ 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

TWO BROTHERS ROUNDHOUSE $$ 205 North Broadway, Aurora 630.264.2739, twobrothersroundhouse.com TWO BROTHERS TAP HOUSE $$ 30W315 Calumet Avenue West, Warrenville 630.393.2337, twobrothersbrewing.com UP NORTH ALE HOUSE $$ 1595 North Aurora Road, Naperville 630.946.6494 VICTORY MEAT & SEAFOOD $$$ 116 North York Street, Elmhurst 630.359.5599, victorymeatandseafood.com WALKER'S CHARHOUSE $$$ 8 West Gartner Drive, Naperville 630.637.6988, walkerscharhouse.net WHEATSTACK $$$ 5900 South Route 53, Lisle 630.968.1920, wheatstacklisle.com WHITE CHOCOLATE GRILL $$ 1803 Freedom Drive, Naperville 630.505.8300, whitechocolategrill.com

MOVEABLE FEAST + COMPANY $$ 112 North Hale Street, Wheaton 630.868.3777, moveablefeastandco.com

SEASONS 52 $$$ 3 Oakbrook Center, Oak Brook 630.571.4752, seasons52.com

THE NEST BAR & GRILL $$$ 2001 Rodeo Drive, Bolingbrook 630.771.9400, bolingbrookgolfclub.com

SIXTYFOUR–A WINE BAR $$ 123 Water Street, Naperville 630.780.6464, sixtyfourwinebar.com

OLD TOWN POUR HOUSE $$ 1703 Freedom Drive, Naperville 630.448.6020, oldtownpourhouse.com

SOVEREIGN $$$ 24205 West Lockport Street, Plainfield 815.556.8577, sovereigntap.com

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

PAISANS PIZZERIA $$ 2901 Ogden Avenue, Lisle 630.922.4100, paisanspizza.com

SULLIVAN’S STEAKHOUSE $$$ 244 South Main Street, Naperville 630.305.0230, sullivanssteakhouse.com

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

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

TAP IN PUB & CARVERY $$ 2155 CityGate Lane, Naperville 331.457.5798, tapinpub.com

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

TED’S MONTANA GRILL $$$ 39 West Jefferson Avenue, Naperville 630.848.2255, tedsmontanagrill.com

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

THE TURF ROOM $$ 1033 Kilbery Lane, North Aurora 630.906.9300, theturfroomrestaurant.com

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

PEANUTS BAR AND GRILL $ 22 West Chicago Avenue, Naperville 630.369.5200, peanutsbarandgrill.com PERRY’S STEAKHOUSE & GRILLE $$$ 5 Oakbrook Center, Oak Brook 630.571.1808, perryssteakhouse.com

WILDWOOD $$$ 477 South Third Street, Geneva 630.377.8325, wildwoodsteak.com

ITALIAN

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

THIRTY O THREE $$ 3003 Corporate West Drive, Lisle, 630.245.7650, hiltonlislenaperville.com/allgauers-restaurant

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

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

TWO BROTHERS BARREL HOUSE $$$ 16 West Jefferson Avenue, Naperville 630.615.7100, thecraftsmannaperville.com

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

58 DECEMBER 2019 / NAPERVILLEMAGAZINE.COM

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

HEY THERE, 2020

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

Out with the old, in with the new. Say farewell to 2019 at these suburban celebrations.

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

ELMHURST 151 Kitchen|Bar The second annual New Year’s Eve masquerade includes passed hors d'oervres, an open bar, grazing stations, desserts, a Champagne toast, a DJ, and party favors. $125/person. 151 North York Street. 151elmhurst.com

FONTINA'S ITALIAN KITCHEN $$ 1767 West Ogden Avenue, Naperville 630.717.7821, thefontinas.com GIA MIA PIZZA BAR $$ 106 North Hale Street, Wheaton 13 North Third Street, Geneva giamiapizzabar.com 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 $$$ 70 Yorktown Shopping Center, Lombard 630.953.3400, harrycarays.com IL SOGNO $$ 100 North Hale Street, Wheaton 630.682.5900, ilsognoristorante.com LA SORELLA DI FRANCESCA $$$ 18 West Jefferson Avenue, Naperville 630.961.2706, miafrancesca.com LIVIA ITALIAN EATERY $$$ 207 South Third Street, Geneva 116 East Schiller Street, Elmhurst liviaitalianeatery.com LOU MALNATI’S PIZZERIA $ 131 West Jefferson Street, Naperville 630.717.0700, loumalnatis.com MAGGIANO’S LITTLE ITALY $$ 1847 Freedom Drive, Naperville 630.536.2270, maggianos.com MIDICI THE NEAPOLITAN PIZZA COMPANY $$ 135 Water Street, Naperville 630.445.8054, mymidici.com ROSEBUD ITALIAN SPECIALTIES $$$ 22 East Chicago Avenue, Naperville 630.548.9800, rosebudrestaurants.com

GLEN ELLYN Abbington Distinctive Banquets Welcome 2020 with hot and cold hors d’oeuvres—including a seafood bar— followed by a four- course dinner and open bar. Tickets include party favors, a balloon drop, and Champagne toast, plus a late-night buffet and sweet table. $140–$165. 3S002 IL Rte. 53. abbingtonbanquets.com LISLE Doubletree by Hilton Lisle/Naperville Gala packages include an opening reception with passed hors d’oeuvres, five-hour open bar featuring “Shaken . . . Not Stirred” martinis, five-course dinner with wine, and a Champagne toast at midnight. $289–$499. 7 p.m. 3003 Corporate West Drive. eventbrite.com NAPERVILLE Mesón Sabika Ring in the New Year Spanish style with tapas, filet, lobster, and dessert.

Spanish guitar and flamenco dancer performers begin at 7 p.m. Reservations required. Mesón Sabika, 1025 Aurora Ave. mesonsabika.com Santa Cielo The two-hour dining experience includes a four-course tasting menu; party favors and a midnight toast are optional. Reservations required. Seatings at 5, 7, and 9:30 p.m. $70–$90.

123 Water St. stcielo.com Topgolf Enjoy live entertainment, a chef-inspired menu, and unlimited game play from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. for up to six guests, plus party favors to

go along with the glow-in-the-dark theme for the night. Upgrade to the VIP experience for exclusive access to a premium holiday dinner buffet and a bottle of bubbly to share with friends. $240–$420 for up to six guests. 3211 Odyssey Ct. topgolf.com OAK BROOK Maggiano’s Little Italy Enjoy Windy City Dueling Pianos, dancing, a three-course dinner, and a cash bar. $75/person. 8 p.m. 240 Oakbrook Center. maggianos.com Hilton Chicago/Oak Brook Hills Resort & Conference Center The Through the Decades event features five hours of open bar, heavy hors d’oeuvres, party favors, swag bags, and music by DJs The Bad Boy of Radio, Mike Love of 106.3, and DJ Undercover Que. $90–$170. 8 p.m. 3500 Midwest Rd. oakbrookhillsresortchicago.com The Drake Oak Brook Three overnight packages are available which include an open bar, dancing, and party favors. Some packages include dinner, accommodations, and brunch on January 1. Music provided by DJs from X-Fade Entertainment and Remix Entertainment. $90–$550. 6:30 p.m. 2301 York Rd. thedrakeoakbrookhotel.com OAK BROOK TERRACE New Year’s Eve Celebration Ring in 2020 with a multi-course dinner at Lucille, a Champagne toast in a commemorative flute, and dancing with a live band until 1 a.m. $45–$70.

Seatings at 3, 6, and 9 p.m. 100 Drury Lane. lucillerestaurant.com ST. CHARLES Pheasant Run Resort Packages including a three-course dinner, passed appetizers, dancing, drinks, live music, Champagne toast, and an optional overnight stay. $90–$500. 7 p.m. 4051 E. Main St. pheasantrun.com—KA NAPERVILLEMAGAZINE.COM / DECEMBER 2019 59

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

QUIUBO $$ 120 Water Street, Naperville 331.702.2711, quiubomx.com UNCLE JULIO’S $$ 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

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 $$ 175 West Jackson Avenue, Naperville 630.717.8888, mysushihouse.com THAI MEDALLION $$ Caption 327 North Center Street, Naperville 630.305.0183, thaimedallion.com TOKYO BAY SUSHI BAR & GRILL $$ 2775 Showplace Drive, Naperville 630.579.8880, tokyobaysushi.net WOK’N FIRE $$ 120 East Liberty Drive, Wheaton 630.665.1440, woknfire.com YU’S BISTRO $$ 658 Route 59, Naperville 630.848.6998, yubistronaperville.com

EL GRAN AGAVE $$ 1650 Maple Avenue, Lisle 630.541.8959, elgranagaverestaurant.com

GREEN BASIL $$ 45 East Jefferson Avenue, Naperville 630.922.7700, greenbasil-restaurant.com

ESTEBAN’S $$$ 1550 North Route 59, Naperville 630.579.3262, estebansdiningdancing.com

HOUSE OF EMPEROR $$ 1212 South Naper Boulevard, Naperville 630.983.8284, houseofemperorchinese.com

EL TAPEO $$ 2100 Spring Road, Oak Brook 630.828.2044, eltapeorestaurant.com

FAT ROSIE’S TACO & TEQUILA BAR $$ 47 East Chicago Avenue, Naperville 630.328.0060, fatrosies.com

JIN 28 $$ 28 West Jefferson Avenue, Naperville 630.848.1828, napervillejin28.com

MESÓN SABIKA $$$ 1025 Aurora Avenue, Naperville 630.983.3000, mesonsabika.com

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

KIKU JAPANESE STEAKHOUSE $$$ 2764 Aurora Avenue, Naperville 630.305.3355, mykiku.com

GREEK

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

MOSHI MOSHI $ 109 South Main Street, Naperville 630.355.5516, moshimoshisushi.net

SPANISH

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

FRENCH

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

RAKU SUSHI $$ 850 East Ogden Avenue, Naperville 630.357.7633, rakusushi.com

PARIS BISTRO $$ 2835 Showplace Drive, Naperville 630.357.1005, parisbistronaperville.com

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

ROCK SUGAR $$$ 2022 Spring Road, Oak Brook 630.320.2641, rocksugarkitchen.com

SUZETTE’S CREPERIE $$ 211 West Front Street, Wheaton 630.462.0898, suzettescreperie.com

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

ROKA AKOR $$$ 166 Oakbrook Center, Oak Brook 630.634.7652, rokaakor.com

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

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INDIAN BAWARCHI $$ 4250 Fox Valley Center Drive, Aurora 630.375.1600, bawarchinaperville.com BOMBAY JOE’S $$$ 462 North Park Boulevard, Glen Ellyn 888.502.5102, gobombayjoes.com CUISINE OF INDIA $$ 1163 East Ogden Avenue, Naperville 630.548.9440, cuisineofindianaperville.com DECCAN SPICE $$ 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

PHOTO COURTESY MICHAEL JORDAN'S RESTAURANT

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 $$ 5157 Main Street, Downers Grove 630.696.0600, ballydoylepub.com QUIGLEY’S IRISH PUB $$ 43 East Jefferson Avenue, Naperville 630.428.4774, quigleysirishpub.net

SHOWY STEAK

T

he word tomahawk conjures up images of manly tools, but in these parts there is a long-handled item that is much more tasty.

A tomahawk or cowboy-cut steak is a beef rib eye that has five or more inches of extra rib bone. The presentation lends itself to special occasions, like holiday dinner, and we found a couple of places to rustle up this fancy grub.

Michael Jordan’s Restaurant has a weekday special sure to pull you out of the man cave. On tomahawk Tuesdays the Oak Brook steak house serves a 32-ounce prime tomahawk built for two (yes, you have to share). The beef is flavored with a porcini mushroom rub and

served with balsamic ginger jus, two appetizers, two side dishes, and one dessert (if you still have room) for $99 (shown above).

A classic cowboy cut is also found at Eddie Merlot’s in Warrenville, where all steaks are wet-aged for a minimum of 21 days, says manager Ted Elliott. The holiday menu includes a bone-in, 32-ounce prime cut tomahawk—which can be split tableside—for $99.95. The special cut is sourced directly from the Chicago stockyards during the holidays, and is served a la carte with a variety of sides. If the meal doesn’t give you a warm, wintry feel, the ambiance—Eddie’s has over 150 festively decorated Christmas trees—surely will.—MD NAPERVILLEMAGAZINE.COM / DECEMBER 2019 61

2019 HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE From home bakers to world travelers, lavish the ones

you love with curated delights for every pursuit

Styling by Kate Localzo | Photography by Olivia Kohler 62 DECEMBER 2019 / NAPERVILLEMAGAZINE.COM

Scented candle Neiman Marcus, $65

Marble corkscrew Pottery Barn, $50

French whisk Sur la Table, $10

NAPERVILLEMAGAZINE.COM / DECEMBER 2019 63

Multi-tool Neiman Marcus, $30

Sperry duck boots J.Crew, $180

FOR THE

OUTDOOR ADVENTURIST 64 DECEMBER 2019 / NAPERVILLEMAGAZINE.COM

Measuring spoons Anthropologie, $18

FOR THE

CULINARY ARTIST

Vanilla sugar Williams Sonoma, $33

Hand mixer Crate & Barrel, $50

NAPERVILLEMAGAZINE.COM / DECEMBER 2019 65

FOR THE

INVENTIVE MIXOLOGIST Cocktail shaker Francesca’s, $25

Crafthouse jigger Williams Sonoma, $15

Flavored bitters Binny's, $19 66 DECEMBER 2019 / NAPERVILLEMAGAZINE.COM

Wine decanter West Elm, $100

Bottle stopper Nordstrom, $19

NAPERVILLEMAGAZINE.COM / DECEMBER 2019 67

Bath fizzy formulary55.com, $6

Bath salts Anthropologie, $26

Facial roller Free People, $28

FOR THE

AROMA THERAPIST 68 DECEMBER 2019 / NAPERVILLEMAGAZINE.COM

FOR THE

GoPro HERO 7 REI, $200

TRAVEL ENTHUSIAST

Hot toddy kit Urban Outfitters, $24

Antique globe World Market, $30

NAPERVILLEMAGAZINE.COM / DECEMBER 2019 69

Dear Santa THESE CHARMING LETTERS

FROM THE AREA’S SMALLEST RESIDENTS ARE SURE TO IGNITE A HOLIDAY SPIRIT STYLING BY KATE LOCALZO PHOTOGRAPHY BY OLIVIA KOHLER 70 DECEMBER 2019 / NAPERVILLEMAGAZINE.COM

NAPERVILLEMAGAZINE.COM / DECEMBER 2019 71

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MAIL CALL The Downtown Naperville Alliance introduced a Letters to Santa mailbox on Main Street in 2015. Children are encouraged to drop off their holiday wish lists, and each child receives a special follow-up postcard by mail. Each year, an estimated 500 postcards are received; here, we show some of our favorites from 2018.

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Cocoa Crawl

PHOTO COURTESY AURORA DOWNTOWN

TO-DO LIST Through December 15

Through December 21

THEATER

EXHIBIT

A CHRISTMAS CAROL, THE MUSICAL A Christmas Carol, the Musical is a spectacular adaptation of Charles Dickens’s well-known story of Ebenezer Scrooge, the prosperous curmudgeon who believes that personal wealth is far more valuable than the happiness and comfort of others, who greets Christmas cheer with an infuriated, “Bah! Humbug!” However, thanks to the guidance of three ghosts, Scrooge recognizes his faults and greets Christmas morning with a cheerful, “Happy Christmas!” $25–$30. Various times.

Theatre at Meiley-Swallow Hall, 31 S. Ellsworth Ave. brightsidetheatre.com

FESTIVAL OF THE TREES AND CRÈCHES Decorated Christmas trees created by local artists, students, and parishes will be displayed along with 50 crèches from around the world. Free. Various times. Komechak Art Gallery at Kindlon Hall, Benedictine University, 5700 College Rd., Lisle. ben.edu Through December 22 SEASONAL

’TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY EXHIBIT A historic look at a seminal story written in 1823—that continues to endear itself to contemporary audiences—told

through community-provided collections, in partnership with the Golden Glow of Christmas Past. Free for members and Naperville residents. $4 to $5.25 for nonresidents. Various times.

Naper Settlement, 523 S. Webster St. napersettlement.org Through December 22 SEASONAL

CHRISTMAS AT ABBEY FARMS Join in the tradition of hunting for your very own Abbey Farms–grown Christmas tree, or select a fresh precut fir tree from Father Andrews’s family in upper Michigan. Whether it’s Christmas trees, the Pine Tree Cafe, the yummy bakery, or a tractor ride, Abbey Farms grows memories and traditions. Check

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.

NAPERVILLEMAGAZINE.COM / DECEMBER 2019 77

Let It Be Christmas

Through December 27 SEASONAL

NAPER LIGHTS Naperville Sunrise Rotary, in partnership with the Water Street Downtown Naperville, Marquette, and Ryan Hill Group, presents the seventh annual Naper Lights event located along Naperville’s Riverwalk. Water Street will be converted into a winter wonderland, with a combination of holiday displays and music. Free. Donations encouraged. 4 to 9 p.m. Water St. naperlights.com Through December 29 THEATER

the website for times and other special events. Abbey Farms, 2855 Hart Rd., Aurora. abbeyfarms.org Through December 22 THEATER

SECOND CITY’S HOLIDAY REVUE: THE GOOD, THE BAD & THE UGLY Chicago’s famed sketch and improv comedy theater returns to Aurora with another hilarious take on the holidays. Break out the eggnog, throw on your Santa hat, and get ready to laugh through the holidays. The Second City has the perfect present for you, and it’s something you’ll love! If you like the holidays, you’ll love this show. If you hate them, you’ll love it even more. $37. Various times. Copley Theatre, North Island Center, 8 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora. paramountaurora.com Through December 22 SPECIAL EVENT

SANTA HOUSE Visit Santa and have a photo taken at his red house on the Naperville Riverwalk. Special theme nights include Special Needs Nights, Pet Night, and Military and First Responders Night. Various days and times through December 22. See the website for more details. Free admission. $8/ photo, $15/two photos. Naperville Riverwalk at Jackson Ave. and Webster St. napervilleparks.org 78 DECEMBER 2019 / NAPERVILLEMAGAZINE.COM

Through December 24 FAMILY

SANTA HQ Santa will be available for photos and visits at his Santa HQ, located in the food court. Check out the interactive Elf Academy, try on the latest elf looks with Santa’s Magic Mirror, create your very own Elf ID card, or scan yourself on the Naughty or Nice O’Meter.

This modern version of a visit with Santa utilizes digital tools to offer an enhanced social media experience.

Various times, including special pet sessions. Fashion Outlets of Chicago, 5220 Fashion Outlet Way, Rosemont. fashionoutletsofchicago.com Through December 26 SEASONAL

FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS @ PHILLIPS PARK One of the largest free outdoor drive-through holiday lights displays in Northern Illinois, the Aurora Festival of Lights returns for its 13th year, with even more dazzling displays that will delight both adults and children. Delight in the twinkling, shimmering snowflakes high above the trees, and gaze with wonder at the 20-foot singing, dancing Christmas tree. Free. Donations encouraged. 5 to 9 p.m. Phillips Park, 1000 Ray Moses Dr., Aurora. aurorafestivaloflights.com

OLIVER! The streets of Victorian England come to life as Oliver, a malnourished orphan in a workhouse becomes the neglected apprentice of an undertaker.

Oliver escapes to London and finds acceptance amongst a group of petty thieves and pickpockets led by the elderly Fagin. When Oliver is captured for a theft that he did not commit, the benevolent victim, Mr. Brownlow, takes him in. Fearing the safety of his hideout, Fagin employs the sinister Bill Sikes and the sympathetic Nancy to kidnap him back, threatening Oliver’s chances of discovering the true love of a family. $53–$63. Various times.

The Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Dr., Lincolnshire. marriotttheatre.com Through December 30 SEASONAL

FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS & TREE SALE Cosley Zoo has more than 2,400 trees in four varieties, ranging from 3 feet to 12 feet. Wreaths, greens, and garlands

and delighted to see returning favorites and surprising new sights, including Tree Fascination—a brilliant digital projection of immersive color and pattern on a grove of Eastern white and Scots pine trees. Illumination will highlight the many gifts of trees: natural beauty, increased feelings of peace and calm, homes for wildlife, and the air we breathe. This year’s event will debut a new route with a more spacious pathway. $7–$23.Various times. Morton Arboretum, 4100 Rte. 53, Lisle. mortonarb.org Through January 19 THEATER

Santa HQ

PHOTOS COURTESY COMMUNITY CHRISTIAN CHURCH, FASHION OUTLETS OF CHICAGO (OR BY DANIEL BOCZARSKI, ANDERSON’S BOOKSHOP

are also available for purchase. All proceeds from this event benefit Cosley Zoo. Free. 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily; lights come on at 3 p.m. Cosley Zoo, 1356 N. Gary Ave., Wheaton. cosleyzoo.org Through December 31 SEASONAL

HOLIDAY MAGIC Visit Chicagoland’s largest and longest-running lights festival, now in its 38th year, with over one million twinkling LED Lights, a 41-foot talking tree, a skating rink, ice carvers, and more. Saturdays and Sundays in December, plus Thursday through Tuesday, December 26 to 31. Included in admission. $15–$22. Brookfield Zoo, 3300 Golf Rd., Brookfield. czs.org

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST Once upon a time on a bitter winter’s night, a young, selfish, and vain prince finds a beggar woman asking for shelter. Disgusted by her appearance, he sends her away. The old woman transforms into a magical enchantress who places a curse upon the prince to appear as hideous on the outside as he is on the inside. Given a magical rose, he must learn to love and find love in return before the last petal drops, or he is doomed to remain a beast forever.

But who could ever learn to love a beast? $36–$74. Various times. Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora. paramontaurora.com December 4 LITERARY

CHRISTOPHER KIMBALL Time to try some new rules in the kitchen to up your cooking game!

James Beard Award–winning author Christopher Kimball presents his new book, Milk Street: The New Rules. To join the signing line, please purchase the author’s latest book from Anderson’s Bookshop. Free. 7 p.m. Anderson’s Bookshop, 123 W. Jefferson Ave. andersonsbookshop.com December 5–6 SEASONAL

CUP OF CHEER HOUSE WALK, HOLIDAY MARKET, AND TEA The Naperville Garden Club’s 58th annual fundraiser includes a tour of four Naperville homes decorated for the holidays. This year the Martin Mitchell Mansion at Naper Settlement will be featured. Shop the holiday market for artisan gifts and enjoy cookies and tea in a keepsake cup. Tickets can be purchased online or through local vendors; check the website for details. $40–$55. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Judd Kendall VFW Post 3873, 908 W. Jackson Ave. napervillegardenclub.org December 6 FAMILY

HINSDALE CHRISTMAS WALK The 54th annual event will include the Cookie Express Kiddie Train, holiday carolers, the tree lighting, animated characters, Santa’s arrival, and Cookie’s Carousel, a full-size carousel located in the heart of downtown Hinsdale. Merchants will stay open to greet their guests and customers with free giveaways. Free. 5 to 8 p.m. Downtown Hinsdale. hinsdalechamber.com

Through December 31 EXHIBIT

CHICAGO CALLIGRAPHY COLLECTIVE The 32nd annual juried exhibition showcases selected works by the mem members of the Chicago Calligraphy Collec Collective. Some of the finest calligraphy and lettering art in the nation will be dis displayed. Free. Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Oesterle Library Gallery at North Central College, 320 E. School St. finearts.northcentralcollege.edu Through January 5 SPECIAL EVENT

ILLUMINATION: TREE LIGHTS In this unparalleled spectacle of color, light, and sound, guests will be awed

Second City’s Holiday Revue: The Good, The Bad & The Ugly

NAPERVILLEMAGAZINE.COM / DECEMBER 2019 79

December 6–7 SEASONAL

Reindeer Run

December 6 SPECIAL EVENT

LIGHTS & LAGERS Get ready for the only holiday party with real reindeer! Take a walk through the zoo and see the lights of Holiday Magic while sampling adult beverages. This 21-and-over event will feature music, animal ambassadors, the lights of Holiday Magic, as well as samples from participating breweries. $38/member, $49/non-member. 6 to 10 p.m. Brookfield Zoo, 3300 Golf Rd., Brookfield. czs.org December 6 MUSIC

HOLIDAYS A CAPPELLA Chicago a capella’s musical tradition continues with a new collection of songs for the holiday season, including Renaissance and contemporary works, classic carols in new arrangements, and festive music for Hanukkah. $20– $43. 8 p.m. Wentz Concert Hall, 171 E. Chicago Ave. chicagoacappella.org

CHRISTMAS WALK AND HOUSE TOUR Geneva’s annual Holiday House Tour features five architecturally unique homes decorated for the season. A ticket includes descriptions, directions, and a map to the homes. Allow three to four hours for the self-guided driving tour. Also, enjoy a traditional tea served at First Congregational Church and a keepsake booklet with holiday entertaining ideas. $35. See website for tour details. First Congregational Church, 327 Hamilton St., Geneva. genevachamber.com December 6–7 MUSIC

WINTERSONG From the energetic processional to the quiet candlelit conclusion, the Glen Ellyn-Wheaton chorale concert promises to help you begin

the Christmas season with joy. Organist Dan Mattix and a chamber orchestra will join the Chorale. $9–$20.

Friday, 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, 3 p.m.

College Church, 335 E. Seminary Ave. Wheaton. gewchorale.org December 6–21 SEASONAL

LET IT BE CHRISTMAS Returning for its 12th year, Let It Be Christmas (The Gospel According to Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Paul, George, and Ringo) is Epic Theatre Company’s original Beatles rock-opera Nativity story told in two acts. Follow Mary and Joseph down “the long and winding road” to Bethlehem, as a full band and ensemble uses the timeless music of the Beatles to tell the greatest story of all time. Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays in December. $10–$25.

Various times. Community Christian Church, 1635 Emerson Ln. communitychristian.org December 6–22 FESTIVAL

YULETIDE FESTIVAL This family-friendly holiday event features hot cocoa, mulled wine, cookie-decorating activities, live holiday music, caroling, Christmas lights, and local crafters. Weekends in December.

Free admission. Friday, 2 to 10 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Naper Settlement, 523 S. Webster St. napersettlement.org

December 6 SPECIAL EVENT

COCOA CRAWL Celebrate the winter season with toasty hot cocoa, as several participating venues fill up your custom mug. $5/ticket, $5–$10/mug. 6 to 9 p.m. Downtown Aurora. auroradowntown.org December 6 FAMILY

JOLLY OLD ST. NICK CONCERT Celebrate the holiday season with Elmhurst’s annual celebration of the city’s 80 DECEMBER 2019 / NAPERVILLEMAGAZINE.COM

Lights & Lagers

PHOTO COURTESY CHICAGO ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY, PHOTO COURTESY WHEATON PARK DISTRICT, NAPERVILLE RUNNING COMPANY

German roots. Listen to traditional carols performed by the Damenchor and Männerchor authentic German choirs. Jolly Old St. Nick joins the festivities to explain his legendary story and pose for photos with guests. Kids are encouraged to wear their pajamas.

Cash donations for the Yorkfield Food Pantry Giving Tree are gratefully accepted. Free. 6:30 to 8 p.m. Yorkfield Presbyterian Church, 1099 S. York St., Elmhurst. elmhursthistory.org

December 7

December 8

FESTIVAL

MUSIC

CELEBRATE THE SEASON FESTIVAL Families and children of all ages will enjoy the park’s ninth annual holiday festival. Attractions include Mistletoe Market, horse-drawn “sleigh rides,” face painting, a live reindeer display, and—of course—a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Admission is free, but a small fee applies to some activities. Parking is $5, or free for those bringing a new and unwrapped toy for the Marine Toys for Tots drop box inside the Cantigny Visitors Center. 1 to 7 p.m. Cantigny Park, 1S151 Winfield Rd., Wheaton. cantigny.org December 7 FITNESS

SANTA SHUFFLE FUN RUN Come in your Santa suit (or funniest ugly sweater) to this un-timed three-mile fun run or walk. Win prizes and surprises for wearing the best holiday attire, plus enjoy postrun breakfast goodies from DeEtta’s Bakery and Modest Coffee. Registration required. Free. 8 a.m. Naperville Running Company, 34 W. Jefferson Ave. runningcompany.com December 7 SEASONAL

CANDY CANE HUNT Be sure to bring a basket as children hunt for candy canes by age group. Prizes will be given to those who find the special candy canes, and Santa will stop by with other treats. Ages 10 and under; preregistration is suggested. $6/resident, $9/non-resident. $10/day of. 10 a.m. Community Park Bandshell, 1825 Short St., Lisle. lisleparkdistrict.org December 7 FITNESS

REINDEER RUN This CARA-certified 5K features lots of spirit, post-race refreshments, and holiday cheer. A portion of the proceeds will go to Lions Club Charities. The first 1,500 runners receive a long-sleeve commemorative race shirt and antlers. The race is open to all ages; register as a single or with a team. $35/person. 8:30 a.m. DuPage Historical Museum, 102 E. Wesley St., Wheaton. wheatonparkdistrict.com

CAROLFEST Save yourself a trip into the City by enjoying Christ Church’s annual CarolFest, featuring familiar carols and selections from Handel’s renowned Messiah. Enjoy a magnificent family-friendly multimedia concert presented by a 140-voice Festival Choir, 100-voice Chancel Choir, 40-piece professional orchestra, and professional soloists. Child care is provided for children age 4 and under. Free. 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. Christ Church Oak Brook, 501 Oak Brook Rd., Oak Brook. christchurch.us Santa Shuffle Fun Run

December 7–8 MUSIC

PETE ELLMAN’S BIG BAND: ANOTHER SWINGIN’ CHRISTMAS The Naperville Chorus is proud to present holiday classics performed by the choir and accompanied by Pete Ellman’s Big Band. Patrons are encouraged to bring an unwrapped gift to be donated to Toys for Tots. $20–$25.

Saturday, 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, 2 p.m.

Wentz Concert Hall, 171 E. Chicago Ave. finearts.northcentralcollege.edu December 7–February 17 FAMILY

SNOW TUBING Take a thrilling 800-foot snow tube ride down Mount Hoy when three inches of snow or more of snow covers the hill. District tube rental required.

Saturdays and Sundays, and school holidays. $10. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Blackwell Forest Preserve, Warrenville. dupageforest.org December 8 MUSIC

CHRISTMAS CABARET Kick off the Christmas season with the men of Chorus of DuPage and musical guests the Midwest Crossroads Chorus, Illinois District 2019 Seniors Champion quartet Upside Downers, flutist Emily Morrison, Tessera Winds, and others. The show includes holiday songs followed by the Christmas Story narrated by Laura Jarosz. $23/adult, $15/child (under 16). 3 p.m. Trinity Lutheran Church, 2701 Maple Ave., Lisle. chorusofdupage.com

December 8 MUSIC

THE TEXAS TENORS Emmy award–winning artists and America’s Got Talent champions The Texas Tenors present songs from their Christmas album, Deep in the Heart of Christmas. $30–$50. 7 p.m. Pfeiffer Hall, 310 E. Benton Ave. northcentralcollege.edu December 8–15 FAMILY

SANTA EXPRESS Join Kidz Kingdom and the DuPage County Historical Museum for a Santa Express train ride departing from the downtown Wheaton Metra station.

Each paid child receives a small gift from Santa and a goody bag. $20. Saturdays and Sundays only. Various times.

Wheaton Metra Station, 402 W. Front St., Wheaton. dupagemuseum.org December 8–22 SEASONAL

BREAKFAST WITH SANTA Enjoy a special holiday event at a historic hotel nestled along the Fox River on Sundays in December.

Breakfast includes free face painting; a professional photograph with Santa is an additional fee. $25/adult, $20/ child (ages 3–13). 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Hotel Baker, 100 W. Main St., St. Charles. hotelbaker.com December 10 SPECIAL EVENT

REFUEL 2019 Dealer Inspire’s second annual Refuel is a special, one-day event that brings the community together to unplug, gain new perspectives, get healthier, NAPERVILLEMAGAZINE.COM / DECEMBER 2019 81

Merry & Bright: A Victorian Christmas

holiday classics, and a trombone parody of the famous “Hallelujah Chorus.” $25/adult, $13/child (18 and under).

8 p.m. Fermilab Ramsey Auditorium, Pine Street, Batavia. events.fnal.gov December 14 SEASONAL

BRUNCH WITH THE GRINCH Feast on a Grinch-themed buffet along with a viewing of How the Grinch Stole Christmas, where the Grinch himself will make an appearance.

Reservations required. $38/adult (11 and up), $33/child (ages 4 to 10); $5/ child (3 and under). Seatings at 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Red Oak Room at Cantigny Golf, 27W270 Mack Rd., Wheaton. cantigny.org December 14–15 SEASONAL

December 12 SPECIAL EVENT

CHRISTMAS PRAYER BREAKFAST The event is a time of inspiration and fellowship, with good food and good music. As always, this breakfast has no political agenda or motive, no corporate sponsorship, no fundraising, and no selling of anything. Dr. Mark Jobe, the founder of New Life Centers (an organization focused on helping youth in underserved areas of Chicago), will be the guest speaker. $27. 7 a.m. Abbington Distinctive Banquets, 3S002 Ill. Rte. 53, Glen Ellyn. dupageprayer.org December 14 SEASONAL

MERRY & BRIGHT: A VICTORIAN CHRISTMAS Learn about Victorian Christmas traditions, tour the decorated Blodgett house, and listen to carolers at this free family event. Stroll the park while warming up around a campfire and visit with Santa and his reindeer. Hol82 DECEMBER 2019 / NAPERVILLEMAGAZINE.COM

iday snacks, hot cocoa, beer, and wine will be available for sale. 3 to 7 p.m.

Downers Grove Museum, 831 Maple Ave., Downers Grove. dgparks.org December 14 MUSIC

SPIRIT OF THE SEASON SING-ALONG Nationally acclaimed pianist Robin Spielberg plays traditional Christmas carols and winter favorites, and tells tales from the bench that uplift and inspire. Special guests include the Lincoln Junior High Varsity Choir directed

by Ross Berkley. $6–$12. 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Pfeiffer Hall, 310 E. Benton Ave. finearts.northcentralcollege.edu December 14 SPECIAL EVENT

CHRISTMAS AT THE SILENT MOVIES The Peacherine Ragtime Society Orchestra, hailed as “the premier American ragtime ensemble,” will bring tears of laughter to your eyes as you watch holiday-themed silent films of yesteryear: Buster Keaton in The Frozen North (1922), Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy in Big Business (1929), and the first-ever film adaptations of A Christmas Carol and The Night Before Christmas, all accompanied live with their original historic orchestral scores.

Featuring an audience sing-along of

December 15 MUSIC

DUPAGE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA The DSO’s annual holiday concert includes a distinctive constellation of Christmas and seasonal works, both familiar and unusual: Edward German’s “Christmastide” from The Seasons, Rimsky-Korsakov’s “Christmas Eve Polonaise,” Ottorino Respighi’s “Adoration of the Magi,” and much, much more. Be on the lookout for a special holiday visitor again this year. $8–$23. 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. Wentz Concert Hall, 171 E. Chicago Ave. finearts .northcentralcollege.edu December 15 FAMILY

BREAKFAST WITH SANTA This annual event features a brunch buffet, including a special kids’ buffet, Santa’s workshop crafts, the Polar Express model train, and horse-drawn carriage rides. Reserve via email at santa@hotelarista.com or call 630.579.7827. $49.95/adult, $22.95/ child. Seatings at 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m.,

PHOTO COURTESY DOWNERS GROVE PARK DISTRICT, CANTIGNY PARK, DUPAGE CHILDREN’S MUSEUM

and be inspired by incredible speakers and coaches. It’s a can’t-miss day that will set you on your path for 2020.

Proceeds from ticket sales go to Loaves and Fishes to help end hunger and transform the lives of families in the local community. $75–$150. 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Yellow Box, 1635 Emerson Ln. loaves-fishes.org

CHRISTMAS LEGO TRAIN SHOW Northern Illinois LEGO Train Club’s largest and most popular annual exhibit returns to Cantigny this year. A portion of the proceeds will go to Toys for Tots. Free with $5 parking. Bring a new unwrapped toy for the Marines Toys for Tots and receive free parking.

Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Cantigny, 1S151 Winfield Rd., Wheaton. cantigny.org

or 12 noon. Hotel Arista, 2139 City Gate Ln. hotelarista.com December 17 MUSIC

SWINGING ON A STAR: BING CROSBY AND THE ANDREWS SISTERS All aboard for a sentimental journey, as Broadway baritone Jared Bradshaw celebrates the American icon, Bing Crosby. In a nostalgic humdinger of a performance, the dashing Bradshaw is joined by a trio of talented dolls belting out the infectious harmonies of the Andrews Sisters. Traditional hits include “Accentuate the Positive,” “It’s Been a Long, Long Time,” and “White Christmas.” $52. 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.

The Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Dr., Lincolnshire. marriotttheatre.com December 20 MUSIC

MARTINA MCBRIDE: THE JOY OF CHRISTMAS Grammy-nominated artist Martina McBride sings songs from her new album, It’s the Holiday Season. 8 p.m. $77–$272. Rialto Square Theatre, 102 N. Chicago St., Joliet. rialtosquare.com December 20–22 DANCE

THE NUTCRACKER DanceWest Ballet presents its 26th production of The Nutcracker. Presented in its entirety, this version is an accurate depiction of the original

ballet, incorporating exceptional and stunning costumes, lights, scenery, and choreography. Sugar Plum Fairy Teas will be held on Saturday, December 21 and Sunday, December 22 at 11 a.m. in the upper lobby of Pfeiffer Hall. Call 630.778.1303 for reservations. $33–$38.

Various times. Pfeiffer Hall, 310 E. Benton. finearts.northcentralcollege.edu

Bubble Bash

December 20–23 FAMILY

SUPPER WITH ST. NICK Enjoy a decadent buffet dinner and a special visit with Santa in front of the fireplace. Dinner reservations include access to the Illumination exhibit. $95/adult; $75/young adult (ages 12 to 20); $60/child (ages 3 to 11). Discount for members. 5 to 7:30 p.m. Morton Arboretum, 4100 IL Rte 53, Lisle. mortonarb.org December 22 SEASONAL

BRUNCH WITH SANTA Treat your little ones to a holiday brunch they won’t forget, as Santa takes a trip from the North Pole to visit guests at Cantigny. Enjoy a fantastic brunch spread while enjoying a face painter, balloon artists, and—of course—getting a family picture with the big man himself. Reservations required. $38/adult (11 and up); $33/ child (ages 4–10); $5/child (3 and under). Seatings at 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Le Jardin, 1S151 Winfield Rd., Wheaton. cantigny.org

December 28–29 FAMILY

FAMILY FUN FEST Whether you’re a kid or just a kid at heart, this indoor festival will have a wide variety of interactive activities for everyone, including live stage shows, trackless train rides, a petting zoo, a giant Lite-Brite game, miniature golf, and raffles and giveaways. 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. $10–$37. Pheasant Run Resort, Mega Center and Ballroom, 4051 E. Main St., St. Charles. pheasantrun.com December 31 SEASONAL

DANCE INTO THE NEW YEAR Can’t stay awake until midnight? Join the library for a rockin’ New Year’s countdown to noon. Dance to favorite party tunes and make a craft. 11:15 a.m. to 12:05 p.m. Free. All Naperville branch libraries. naperville-lib.org December 31 CHARITABLE

Brunch With Santa

BUBBLE BASH Ring in the New Year with a countdown to noon celebration. Families can spend time together exploring the museum’s hands-on exhibits, taking part in special activities, and listening to live music. $15–$25/person; discounts for members. 9 a.m. to 12 noon.

DuPage Children’s Museum, 301 N. Washington St. dupagechildrens.org December 31 FAMILY

NEW YEAR’S PAJAMA PARTY This special New Year’s Eve party is just for kids. Families with youngsters are welcome to enjoy bouncy houses, a playroom, play tower, giveaways, arts and crafts, and more. Register by December 21 to receive half off admission. $12.

9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Naperville Yard, 1607 Legacy Cir. napervilleyard.com NAPERVILLEMAGAZINE.COM / DECEMBER 2019 83

ENCORE

SANTA CLAUS The jolly ol’ elf gears up for his annual busy season

By Mark Loehrke

SANTA IN THE 21ST CENTURY I rely on my elves quite a bit for keeping up with social media, and, if I’m being honest, I’m probably not completely current. Although I hear from parents that these apps sure make it easier to know who’s naughty and nice, I think in this age of instant communication, there’s still really nothing more magical than a handwritten letter.

AN ENDURING TRADITION I think the excitement you feel as a child receiving presents from Santa evolves into the excitement of giving as an adult. Because of that, Santa is in all of us, allowing us to give freely, be thankful, and share in each other’s happiness every Christmas season.

December 24–25 Appearing in homes across the globe noradsanta.org 84 DECEMBER MAY 2019 / 2019 NAPERVILLEMAGAZINE.COM / NAPERVILLEMAGAZINE.COM

Santa Steve plays a star role in the mini photography sessions at Alicia’s Photography in Naperville.

PHOTO COURTESY ALICIA’S PHOTOGRAPHY

MEMORABLE REQUESTS While the most popular gifts for boys are video games, sports equipment, and remote-controlled cars (and many still ask for electric trains!), and Barbies and American Girl Dolls for the girls, my favorites are the unique requests—like jelly (any flavor for one little boy) and pink unicorns. I always say I’ll make my very best effort to come through!

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