Northbrook Star

Festive brunches for celebrating Easter

Thu, 21 Mar 2013 07:50:01 -0500

The eggs are all hunted down, the family is gathered. It’s Easter, and it’s time to eat. A sumptuous brunch at a favorite restaurant is in order. We’ve collected a number of festive Easter Sunday brunches that would make fitting meal to crown the holiday.

LA-style sushi comes to La Grange

Tue, 05 Feb 2013 13:00:00 -0500

LA GRANGE —Michael Wu and Kristy Tran moved to the suburbs from southern California eight years ago and quickly made their mark as business owners, launching two nail spas and three popular sushi restaurants located throughout the area.

Edzo’s declared Best Burger in Chicago by Zagat

Tue, 19 Feb 2013 12:48:08 -0500

It wasn’t a burger found in Chicago that was named one of the Best Burgers in 25 Cities according to Zagat. The best burger can actually be found in the suburbs.

Oak Brook restaurant boasts 128 ravioli combinations

Tue, 20 Nov 2012 11:56:01 -0500

OAK BROOK — Grandma would be proud. Jeff Barry took his grandmother’s recipe for ravioli and turned it into an Oak Brook business — Ravioli Oli.

Westchester restaurant owner raised in the business

Sun, 02 Dec 2012 06:02:07 -0500

WESTCHESTER — Paul’s Pizza and Hot Dog recently celebrated its 30th anniversary. And customers are not surprised the Westchester restaurant is successful. “Excellent food, always tastes good, always plenty of it, service is fast,” said Western Springs resident Rich Ricar.

New wine buyer brings Bistro to French Market in Western Springs

Sun, 28 Oct 2012 06:18:49 -0500

WESTERN SPRINGS — Wandering through the French Market, one might happen upon a familiar local merchant. Greg Hayes, the new wine buyer for Mecenat Bistro and Gathering Place, sets up a booth each week to sell bottles and offer tastes, as well as to get the word out about this restaurant at 821 W. Burlington Ave., Western Springs.

Corgan’s Madame ZuZu’s makes long-awaited debut

Sun, 10 Feb 2013 09:35:49 -0500

HIGHLAND PARK — Ordinarily, the opening of a new teahouse wouldn’t generate much buzz beyond the proprietor’s friends, family and the local chamber. But as alt-rock fans across Chicagoland know by now, Madame ZuZu’s in Highland Park’s Ravinia business district is not a typical teahouse.

Billy Corgan wants his tea house steeped in the aura of salons past

Wed, 12 Sep 2012 07:56:00 -0500

THOMAS CONNER: Smashing Pumpkins frontman Billy Corgan opens his Highland Park Madame Zuzu’s Tea House Thursday. It’s an idea he said he’s had for a decade, one that’s finally budding with the venture housed in a former post office storefront at 582 Roger Williams Ave. “I’ve never had coffee,” the rocker says. “I’ve always hated the smell,”

Jennycakes bakery to close in Clarendon Hills

Sun, 14 Oct 2012 12:37:41 -0500

CLARENDON HILLS — Oct. 13 will be the final day of operation for Jennycakes Cakes & Sweets, which opened three years ago at 102 S. Prospect Ave. “It’s hard to say goodbye, but it’s really about me wanting to have more time with my three kids,” said owners Jennifer Surowiec, who is a Clarendon Hills resident. “Things with the shop have gone very well, but it opened my eyes to the amount of work involved.” While a variety of cakes and cookies are available at Jennycakes, Surowiec said about 80 percent of her business has been making custom cakes. “That’s …

Meez Meals: Some assembly required

Wed, 05 Sep 2012 15:26:01 -0500

It’s always better to cook for yourself, said Jen Moore, a Chicago mom, wife and businesswoman. “When people cook for themselves at home, they know exactly how much oil or cheese they’re putting in, etc., and they can make adjustments and customize on the fly,” she said. That’s exactly what Moore sought to do with her Meez Meals, launched two years ago. A play on the French phrase “mise en place,” meaning “everything in place” (i.e., pre-cut and ready to use), Meez meals are reviewed by a recipe consultant, who is also a registered dietitian. Meals are all meatless, but …

Off the vine and into the fry pan — fried green tomatoes

Wed, 15 Aug 2012 14:19:50 -0500

We all know a few green-thumbed folks —overall-clad bearers of hyper-local produce. These urban farmers will call you up begging to unload an overabundance of green beans flourishing in their vegetable patch. Or, they sheepishly deliver an armload of pristine baby beets they’ve grown themselves on their postage-stamp-sized lots. I relish in these personal produce deliveries. They can change a dinner menu in an instant. And what meal isn’t improved by a little decidedly local flavor? Last week my neighbor and reluctant, but undeniably successful, vegetable gardener gifted me several green tomatoes. I always try to bring out the best …

Gotham City nosh

Thu, 16 Aug 2012 12:27:31 -0500

Everest Burger owner Margarita Challenger will debut the Batman Burger at her Glencoe restaurant beginning July 20, the day the newest Batman movie, “The Dark Knight Rises” is released.