Party venues...
Make a reservation!
May we suggest a place
for special party space
and/or catering menus ...
At CityGate Grille
located in CityGate Centre
(630) 718-1010
At Meson Sabika
located at 1025 Aurora Ave.
RSVP: (630) 983-3000 x 2
At Catch 35
located at 35 S. Washington St.
(630) 717-3500
At Heaven on Seven
located at 224 S. Main St.
Downtown Naperville
(630) 717-0777
At SugarToad
in the Hotel Arista
located in CityGate Centre
(630) 778-8623
At Cafe Buonaro's
Located in Fifth Avenue Station
(630) 717-0006
Note! Special parties for 40-plus
guests can be arranged on Sunday
when Buonaro's usually is closed.
At Quigley's Irish Pub
Jefferson Hill Shops
Downtown Naperville
Hugo's Frog Pond
Main Street Promenade
Upcoming Wine
Dinners
As we receive news of the events
for 2012, they will be listed here.
Think Dinner
& the Show!
At The Mansion at Meson
Sabika
1025 Aurora Ave.
RSVP: (630) 983-3000 x 2
Catch 35 is within walking
distance of the North Central
College Theater District and
Central Park in downtown
Naperville.
Cafe Buonaro's
Located in Fifth Avenue Station
Take Out Suggestion:
Surprise your sweetheart!
Order dinner from your
favorite restaurant. Even
the best restaurants in town
offer take-out.
Or consider lunch to go.
Meson Sabika offers luncheon
specials in a box!
Need a show?
Plan a private party...
for corporate events, receptions,
club meetings, graduation parties,
communions, baptisms,
showers, birthdays, weddings,
anniversaries, holidays...
The Mansion at Meson Sabika
1025 Aurora Ave.
(If you're looking for a Naperville
connection in a Chicago get-away,
companion, is located at
1530 S. State St.)
The Pavilion at Meson Sabika
1025 Aurora Ave.
Cafe Buonaro's
Located in Fifth Avenue Station
Heaven on Seven
Downtown Naperville
Catch 35 is within walking
distance of the North Central
College Theater District and
Central Park in downtown
Naperville.
SugarToad at the Hotel Arista
located in CityGate Centre
CityGate Grille
located in CityGate Centre
Quigley's Irish Pub
Downtown Naperville
Many Cheers for Irish Coffee!
Quigley's Annual Irish Coffee Contest
Co-sponsored by Jameson Irish Whiskey
6PM, Mon.. March 12, 2012
Though Heaven on Seven was the judges' choice for 2011, Common Grounds coffee served with Quigley's Irish Coffee is the winner 365 days a year!
Recent First-Place Trophy Winners
Quigley's Irish Coffee Contest
2011 - Heaven on Seven
2010 - Jimmy's Grill
2009 - Jimmy's Grill
2008 - Timpano's
"On the high day of Patrick, every fold will have a cow-calf, and every pool a salmon."
—Gaelic Saying
Hugo's Frog Pond
Main Street Promenade
Live entertainment, too
Quigley's Irish Pub features live bands every Thursday thru Saturday at 9PM.
Hugo's Frog Pond
Main Street Promenade
Think dinner & the show!
Visit North Central College's fine and performing arts calendar for theater productions.
Also...
Municipal Band Concerts
Seasonal Sunday Series /
Thursday Evening Summer Series
And...
DuPage Symphony Orchestra
2011-2012 Season at The Wentz
Or..,
For other local theater news and links, visit PN's Theater Beat on this Web site.
Plus...The PN News Blog is a showcase of activities that might go with dinner this week...
Gift Certificates are a terrific way to remember dads, moms, graduates, teachers, coaches, tutors, brithdays, anniversaries, etc. Give one or several to create a tasteful Naperville experience for any special occasion.
Find more to do on PN's monthly calendars and/or Naperville News Blog on this Web site for the many live entertainment offerings in the developing Theater District at North Central College.
Whether culinary, performing or visual, thanks for supporting the arts!
Think restaurant reservations!
In the spirit of good gracious hospitality, please cancel your reservations if you can't keep them!
Going forward
with benefits for local causes
& winemaker dinners...
We thank all restaurants for their generosity and participation in local fundraising. We also appreciate that the Naperville community and beyond supports our local restaurants.
West Suburban Irish Quiz Night at Quigley's Irish Pub / 7PM, First Tuesday of the Month / If you know Chuck Corrigan, Mike Reilly and John Corrigan, you know every day is a time to proclaim Irish heritage. And on the first Tuesday of every month these members of the West Suburban Irish celebrate a true test of blarney and facts by organizing the WSI Pub Quiz at Quigley's Irish Pub. WSI fundraising efforts benefit St. Baldrick's Foundation and more. The public is welcome. Quiz play is free.
Next WSI Pub Quizes: Feb. 7 & March 6
Note: No Pub Quiz in July & Sept., then runs from October 2011 to June 1012.
Discover ongoing special events and fundraisers at Mesón Sabika's Patio and/or The Pavilion at Meson Sabika
1025 Aurora Ave • Naperville
Reservations: (630) 983-3000, ext. 2 or www.mesonsabika.com
Meson Sabika for Thanksgiving
11AM-1:30PM, Thurs., Nov. 22, 2012
Complimentary to all folks down on their luck or who need a place to go to enjoy turkey and all the trimmings. RSVP between Oct. 15 and Nov. 18: call (630) 983-3000
City Gate Grille Toys for Tots Collection
6-8PM, Mon., Dec. 10, 2012
Bring a toy valued at $20 or a $20 donation.
CityGate Grille is located in CityGate Centre, Route 59 near I-88.
(630) 718-1010
Meson Sabika hosts 5th Annual Spring for a Cure - A Red Tie Event to benefit Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
7PM Sat., March 10, 2012
$100 per person
At the Pavilion of Meson Sabika
RSVP: (630) 355-1029
9th Annual Cuisine for a Cause, featuring 25 local restaurants, is at 7PM, Sat., April 2012, in Tellabs Atrium. All proceeds benefit Naperville CARES. Watch for details. Ticket INFO: (630) 369-0200.
or www.NapervilleCARES.org
Charlie's Second Birthday Bash
on Quigley's Patio
2012 Memorial Day Weekend TBA
Bring a bag of dry dog food to benefit local animal shelters / First 50 to donate will receive a "Quigley's" bandana for your dog
Quigley's Irish Pub
43 E. Jefferson Ave.
The Rotary Club of Naperville will host
2011 Soups On! at Tellabs on Sunday afternoon, Oct. 14, 2012
The fifth annual event featuring many local restaurants will benefit Loaves & Fishes Communty Pantry and other organizations that provide shelter for the homeless.
INFO: www.napervillerotary.com
Thanks for visiting the
for plenty of food for thought about things happening in our community.
Hey, Napervillians!
Too busy to cook?
Naperville has more than 260 eating establishments from casual to fine dining. See the list at left! They're organized here with zip codes to help you determine where you'll find them within our borders.
And most restaurants offer take-out, catering and more! Just ask!
Dine Out / Take Out Suggestion:
Surprise your sweetheart! Make a reservation at your favorite restaurant and dine out on a weekday. Then invite over friends and order take-out on the weekend. Even the best restaurants in town offer take-out.
And remember...
some of the most relaxing and best dining experiences can happen on weekdays...
Unique dining experiences in Naperville are not just for Saturday night any more!
Make a reservation today.
PN's Most Frequented Eateries
(In order of experience since 1993)
Sunday Brunch
Lou Malnati's
Breakfast on Weekends
Quincy's
The Lantern
Egg Harbor
Breakfast / Lunch Daily (Closed for dinner)
Raffi's on Fifth
La Sorella
Sullivan's Steakhouse
Breakfast / Brunch on Weekends
Breakfast / Brunch on Weekends
Biaggi's Ristorante Italiano
Sunday Steak & Seafood Nights
INFO: (630) 778-TOAD
Live Music Fridays & Saturdays
Meeting Spaces Available. Too
Thanks for patronizing Naperville's Restaurant Community & more
Much to our disappointment, for a variety of reasons, many of our favorite independently-owned restaurants have closed.
Remember Sweet Basil or Peck's Smokehouse or Washington Square or The Landmark or Jefferson Hill Tea Room or Rascals or Zaidi's or Key Wester?
More food for thought...
Please note:
If you want your favorite places to remain open, tell your friends about them! Patronize them at their locations, and get a flavor of what they do beyond the times you see them giving generously during fundraising events.
Otherwise, if you keep them a secret or only go there when they're giving a portion of the profits to a charity, they may go out of business.
Thanks for dining, shopping, banking, entertaining and supporting the arts right here in Naperville.
Breakfast is served in downtown Naperville every weekend!
Check out the breakfast and brunch menus at Hugo's Frog Bar, Heaven on Seven, Quigley's Irish Pub, Sullivan's Steak House, Flat Top Grill, Jimmy's Grill, Tasso's and Egg Harbor! Stroll the Riverwalk, come for breakfast, and stay for some great shopping – a great way to spend the day with the family and friends!
For more information visit www.downtownnaperville.com.
A Few Tips on Tipping
Today, it's customary for most Americans to tip between 15 percent and 20 percent.
According to recent online surveys, only one person in twenty tips 25 percent or more, and about one in eight people tip 10 percent or less.
One easy way to calculate a 20 percent tip is to simply look at the total for your drinks and food and add $2 for every ten dollars of the total of our bill. For instance, if your bill is $35, leave a tip of $7.00; if it's $80, leave $16.
Naperville Note #1. If you have a $100 gift Certificate or voucher to a Naperville restaurant, please remember to take $20 cash for the tip. The gift certificate is not redeemable for cash (in other words, you will not receive change if you do not use the entire amount of the gift certificate) and does not include tax and gratuity.
Naperville Note #2. If you have a $50 gift certificate or voucher to a Naperville restaurant, please remember to take $10 cash for the tip. The gift certificate is not redeemable for cash and does not include tax and
gratuity.
Naperville Note #3. It's appropriate to tip 15-20 percent of the total tab before taxes (sales tax and food & beverage taxes are added); however, many patrons are aware that servers rely on tips and that they also "tip out" or share the after tax amount with the bartender, bus boy and food runner.
Since the tip is shared with everyone who provides a service during your dining experience, many patrons tip after taxes and servers appreciate it very much.
Source: Tipping Etiquette All Around Meat Heads
The art of making reservations...
With many fine restaurants trying to plan ahead for your dining pleasure, it's always a good idea to make a reservation in advance. Most restaurants will e-mail or call you back to confirm.
Also, many restaurants only hold a reservation for 15 minutes before they turn the table over to someone waiting. Be on time.
Common courtesy...
If you find you're running behind or have changed your mind about where to dine, call the restaurant as soon as possible (cell phones make this easier in today's world) and update your status.
Also, if you've made three or four reservations at different restaurants to try to accommodate the pleasures of your party to choose, it's always appreciated if you call to cancel the unwanted choices.
In fact, always cancel unwanted reservations whether for a party of two or a large group so walk-ins or patrons on the wait list can be notified. Your cooperation and a little common courtesy will be greatly appreciated by everyone in the hospitality and restaurant industry.
Also, when you have finished your dinner and paid the check, be considerate of your server and other diners. If the restaurant you have selected has lots of folks waiting for a table, it's always appreciated when diners vacate tables in a timely manner so others can dine. If the restaurant is not busy, ask the server if it's OK to linger. Courtesy goes both ways and a long way in the hospitality business.
Variety is the spice of Rice
From family favorites to steak and seafood houses to sushi bars to upscale farm-focused menus paired with fine wines, Naperville's array of dining pleasures is sure to whet every appetite.
Need a restaurant recommendation? Be sure to follow PN's columnists, Laurie Rice and Mark Rice as they make the rounds, focused on good food and service every month.
Since they began writing "Your Table Is Ready," the married couple has featured their pleasures and experiences at SugarToad at the Hotel Arista, Quigley's Irish Pub, Meson Sabika, Catch 35, Tangerine Cafe, Tasso's Greek, Hugo's Frog Bar, Rotary/Sunrise's NaperPalooza, Rosebud's, Hugo's Frog Bar & Fish House, Potter's Place Heaven on Seven and Juicy O, etc.
Our Policy ... It's our policy not to bad mouth a restaurant, so if we have an unfavorable opinion of a restaurant, we simply will not talk or write about it. Laurie and Mark Rice had favorable experiences for a variety of different reasons at every restaurant listed above.
We also respect that everybody's taste is different.
"On the high day of Patrick, every fold will have a cow-calf, and every pool a salmon."
—Gaelic Saying
Again! Thanks for visiting the
for more restaurant news among plenty of food for thought about things happening in the Naperville community.
Bon appetit!
Reminder: When you enjoy an experience at a local restaurant or the services you find at a small, locally-owned-and-operated business, tell your family, friends & neighbors. Or tell us and we'll tell Laurie and Mark Rice so they can pay a visit.
Thank you.
Small businesses are the nation's job creators. Illinois especially cannot afford to lose more jobs.
Again...thanks for reading. It's a pleasure to serve this community.
See Dine Around Naperville profiles of Meson Sabika, Cafe Buonaro's, SugarToad, Hugo's Frog Bar & Fish House, Sullivan's Steakhouse & CityGate Grille...
And here's the latest
Hey, hey, hey!
Watch for return of daily patio weather in 2012
Many local eateries host al fresco dining on their patios, weather permitting, from late spring until late fall. As temperatures dip, patios close.
For an array of culinary experiences, check availability for patio dining at Meson Sabika, Quigley's Irish Pub, Jimmy's Grill, Front Street Cantina, Catch 35, Hugo's Frog Bar, Features, SugarToad at the Hotel Arista and CityGate Grille when days are warm and skies are clear.
Restaurants in Freedoms Commons near the the Corporate Corridor also feature casual dining outside.
Dogs! Quigley's Irish Pub and Meson Sabika welcome dogs to patio space, too.
Hot dogs and more! Casey's Foods has picnic tables near its covered entrance for patio dining off the grill from 11AM-2PM on Saturdays & Sundays until the end of October.Many local eateries host outdoor dining on their patios during this change of the seasons.
Winemaker Dinners & Tastings with a little history
SugarToad Winemaker Dinners
The restaurant in the Hotel Arista has wrapped up its series of Winemaker Dinners for 2010 & 2011.
Some recent Winemaker history...
On Nov. 10, 2010 55 guests experienced an evening with Master Sommelier Joe Spellman of Justin Vineyards of Paso Robles, California. The 5-course dinner featured Big Reds and Justin's Famous Cabernet "Isosceles."
On Aug. 25, the Winemaker Dinner featured a selection of wines from Foxen Winery in Santa Barbara County. (Note: Foxen Winery was featured in the 2004 movie "Sideways" about California wine country.)
On July 14, SugarToad was host to Barboursville Vineyards of Virginia, vineyards historically designed by Thomas Jefferson. What a delightful way to be educated and entertained.
On April 20, 2011, featured Arizona Stronghold Vineyards. Truly fascinating stories come with every winemaker.
Most recently, on June 2, SugarToad welcomed David Miner of Miner Family Winery of Napa Valley.
INFO: (630) 778-8623
Downtown Dining & Entertainment (♫) Listing
BD’s Mongolian Barbeque, 221 S. Washington (630) 428-0300
Bangkok Village, 22 E. Chicago (630) 369-9756
Bar Louie, 22 E. Chicago (630) 983-1600
BlackFinn American Saloon, 16 W. Jefferson (630) 717-0400 ♫
Catch 35, 35 S. Washington (630) 717-3500
Chipotle Mexican Grill, 22 E. Chicago (630) 718-9420
Club Mamalu, 10 W. Chicago (630) 416-3310 ♫
Egg Harbor Café, 175 W. Jackson (630) 548-1196
Einstein Bros. Bagels, 22 W. Jackson (630) 416-9888
Features Bar & Grill, 10 W. Chicago (630) 416-3310 ♫
Fiamme Pizzeria, 19 N. Washington (Opening Spring 2012!)
Five Guys Burgers & Fries, 22 E. Chicago (630) 355-1850
Flat Top Stir-Fry Grill, 216 S. Washington (630) 428-8400
Frankie’s Blue Room, 10 W. Chicago (630) 416-4898 ♫
Front Street Cantina, 15 W. Jefferson (630) 369-5218
Giordano’s, 119 S. Main (630) 428-2111
Grumpy Bulldog, 7 W. Jackson (630) 922-8040
Heaven on Seven, 224 S. Main (630) 717-0777 ♫
Hugo’s Frog Bar & Fish House, 55 S. Main (630) 548-3764 ♫
Jimmy John’s , 19 W. Jefferson (630) 355-9411
Jimmy’s Grill, 245 S. Washington (630) 548-2500
Jin 28, 28 W. Jefferson (630) 848-1828
Kuma’s Asian Bistro, 216 S. Washington (630) 369-8500
La Sorella Di Francesca, 18 W. Jefferson (630) 961-2706
Lantern, 8 W. Chicago (630) 355-7099
Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria, 131 W. Jefferson (630) 717-0700
Moshi Moshi Japanese Restaurant, 109 S. Main (630) 355-5516
Noodles & Co., 207 S. Washington (630) 369-3332
Peanuts Bar & Grill, 22 W. Chicago (630) 369-5200
Pita Pit, 22 E. Chicago (630) 357-7482
Potbelly Sandwich Works, 236 S. Washington (630) 579-1234
Potter’s Place, 29 W. Jefferson (630) 355-9165 ♫
Quigley’s Irish Pub, 43 E. Jefferson (630) 428-4774 ♫
Rizzo’s, 6 W. Jefferson (630) 305-4396 ♫
Rosebud: Italian Specialties & Pizzeria, 22 E. Chicago (630) 548-9800
Slice 360, 22 E. Chicago (630) 778-9180
Subway, 36 W. Jefferson (630) 369-0550
Sullivan’s Steak House, 244 S. Main (630) 305-0230 ♫
Sushi House , 175 W. Jackson (630) 717-8888
Tango Grill, 5 W. Jackson (630) 848-1818
Tasso’s Greek Cuisine, 220 S. Washington (630) 355-8852
Ted’s Montana Grill, 39 W. Jefferson (630) 848-2255
Two-Nine, 29 W. Jefferson (630) 961-2929 ♫
Updated Post January 20, 2012