Chef Showcase: Local Flavors

Q&A with Chef Ian Schlegel of Cadence Kitchen & Co. Who influenced you early on? Food has always been a big part of my life. Growing up, I spent a lot of time in the kitchen with my mom, where helping cook was the rule if you were around. Cooking quickly became second nature to…

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What’s Brewing

Local Oktoberfest celebrations have fun for the whole family on tap this fall   When September hits, Oktoberfest isn’t far behind. The famed fall festival originated in Munich, Germany, in 1810 to celebrate the marriage of Ludwig, the Crown Prince of Bavaria, to Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen. The celebration, open to the entire city, included…

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Labriola Restaurant An Elevated Dining Experience

By Hinsdale Magazine Group Staff| Photo by Laura Meyers In an exciting move that promises to elevate the culinary scene, Rich Labriola, the visionary behind Labriola Café and LaBarra, is merging his eateries to create a new, enhanced Labriola experience. Facing an expiring lease on his Labriola Bakery Café, located next to his LaBarra Ristorante…

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The Perfect Taste of Summer

A hot summer day, time by the pool or beach, or an evening at home means you need something to sip on. Try out one of these drink recipes for the summertime. By Mia Jones The Salty Dog Cocktail A zesty and refreshing summer drink Ingredients: 1 ½ ounces of gin or vodka 3 ounces…

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Top Shelf: Pasta Pappone makes for a delicious dinnertime… anytime

By Valerie Hardy  Though neither is Italian, Jon and Mary Beth Mulholland created a lucrative pasta business lauded for its products’ authenticity, efficiency, and – most importantly – taste. The Naperville couple headquartered their gourmet-flavored pasta business in Downers Grove, but over the past few years, the brand has made a name for itself nationwide.…

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Oak Brook: A True Dining Mecca

Oak Brook offers residents and visitors an array of nearly 80 dining destinations, from fine dining to quick-serve restaurants. It has evolved into a dining mecca over several decades. According to former Chicago Tribune Dining Critic Phil Vettel, a major reason is the proximity to downtown Chicago. “I had a ringside seat over 30 years…

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Best of 2023: Readers’ Choice Awards 2023 Winners

We asked, you responded. For the fourth year in a row, we have completed our annual Readers’ Choice Awards survey. With hundreds of responses, we wanted to share with you your favorites as voted on by our readers. From restaurants to boutiques, many in our community frequent these places as first time guests to “regulars.”…

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Snapshot: Davanti Enoteca

47 East Chicago Avenue in downtown Naperville www.davantienoteca.com Be transported to the Italian countryside. From the moment you enter Davanti Enoteca in Naperville, guests enjoy an authentic atmosphere that provides an exceptional dining experience. This lively wine bar and restaurant offers shareable, contemporary twists on rustic Italian cuisine so patrons experience the different regions of…

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Neat Kitchen and Bar

neatkitchenandbar.com 246 North Cass Avenue downtown Westmont Lifelong friends John Taylor and Matt Verde, owners of Neat Kitchen and Bar in Westmont, met in sixth grade at Immaculate Conception Grade School in Elmhurst. After graduating together from high school, their careers took them separate ways, but both pursued careers in the restaurant industry. Between John’s…

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