Celebrate the shortest month of the year during the 2015 Naperville Restaurant Week, a two-week long showcase of the city’s hospitality industry that comes with style and grace.
The tables are set, the special menus are planned and service staffers at participating restaurants are eager for culinary enthusiasts to dine out, sampling some of the best tastes in town.
Food lovers can choose from Naperville’s finest eateries. While some participating restaurants will offer a prix-fixed menu with three or four courses, other establishments will discount selected signature dishes and desserts.
Simply walk into participating restaurants between Feb. 16 and March 1 to enjoy the special menus. Advance reservations are strongly recommended.
For the best experience and the latest offers, check out the Dine Naperville website.
Why a special restaurant week?
“Many cities put on restaurant weeks as a way for people to dine in restaurants they’ve yet to try at a time when restaurants experience fewer diners,” said Anthony Losurdo, General Manager of Hugo’s Frog Bar and Fish House, who is also the Chairman of the Naperville Restaurant Association. “It’s good for everybody.”
With more than 260 restaurants in Naperville, all have been encouraged to participate. Their special “Restaurant Week Offers” are featured at www.dinenaperville.com.
Naperville’s dining scene is rich with variety and price points from Freedom Commons to CityGate Centre and Naperville Crossing to downtown Naperville. Each destination comes with its own characteristics and dining options—and all with free parking.
From Catch 35 and Hugo’s Frog Bar & Fish house, to Pizzeria NEO and Schmaltz Deli to Potter’s Place and Paris Bistro, Naperville Restaurant Week offers many dining options and ethnic flavors throughout the city.
For example, with delectable Spanish tapas, delicious sangria and Flamenco performances, Meson Sabika has developed a tradition of great food and service within the walls of an historic mansion.
SECA
In July 2004, the Naperville City Council passed an ordinance establishing a one (1) percent food and beverage tax for food and beverages consumed on premise city-wide. Since the first grants in 2005, the tax has funded Special Events and Cultural Amenities, known as the SECA Fund.
In October 2008, the Council passed an additional 1.5 percent food and beverage tax for downtown area establishments. Which, in addition to the one percent tax, is a total of 2.5 percent. The City allows establishments to keep two percent of the tax revenue for administrative costs.
Today, the Advisory Cultural Commission assists, informs and advises the City Council regarding applications for SECA grants.
By dining out in local restaurants, the community also is supporting many cultural and special events. Ribfest, Last Fling, the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, NCTV17, Naper Settlement’s Naper Nights, Kidz Kabaret, Riverwalk maintenance, Spring
Ahead 5K, the Lantern Festival and the Naperville Municipal Band are among some 75 initiatives likely to be funded this year.
By eating and drinking out, patrons support the 1 percent SECA tax. By encouraging SECA grant recipients to shop locally in Naperville, the city keeps dollars recycling in this community for the benefit all local residents.
A meeting of the Advisory Cultural Commission was held on Jan. 24 to make recommendations for $2,040,000 available to fund 89 requests for SECA grants.
Going forward, a Public Hearing will be held beginning at 9AM on Sat., Feb. 14, in the City Council Chambers of the Municipal Center, 400 S. Eagle St. During the Public Hearing, applicants will have the opportunity to address the Commission. After the final speaker, the Commission will determine final recommendations for the 2015-2016 SECA Grant Fund allocations and forward their decisions to City Council for a workshop in March and final approval in April.
Restaurant sound bites
Dine locally whenever possible. But whenever and wherever you dine out, be mindful that margins are particularly slim in the competitive restaurant business.
“Shopping and dining locally is critically important to the local economy,” said Ray Kinney, chairman of Dine Naperville and the voice of their commercials. (And one of the partners in Blooming Color and volunteer extraordinaire.) “From the hostess who seats you to the server, bartender and bus boy, each one relies on your support (and your tips!) at their business so they can earn a living as well.”
Employees in the hospitality industry also shop in stores, and spend money in the local economy.
Plus, locally-owned businesses tend to spend more of their dollars locally. Additionally, the sales tax and real estate taxes businesses pay help local units of government. All considered, the local restaurant industry contributes greatly to the quality of life in this community.
Thanks for dining locally. Celebrate safely.
