RECENTLY OPENED RESTAURANTS
The following is a sampling of some of the new restaurants
that have opened in the last few months in the western suburbs.

Hutong Cafe
1113 Lake St., Oak Park
708 383-9888

By T.R. Witom; photo courtesy of Hutong Cafe

The website for the new Hutong Cafe at 1113 Lake St., Oak Park (708) 383-9888 exclaims, “Food just like mom used to make – provided your mom is from Beijing.” That is where Diana Johnson, who co-owns the 78-seat pan-Asian eatery with husband Bob, grew up and developed a love of food.

Veteran restaurateurs, the pair also operate six Sushi House restaurants, including one down the block at 1107 Lake St.

Hutong, which translates as “neighborhood,” offers an affordable menu dominated by stir-fry dishes from pad thai and kung pao to Mongolian beef and orange chicken. “Entrees go for $7 to $9,” says Diana Johnson. At a counter, diners place a food order, which is then brought to their table.

Among the appetizers ($2 to $4) available are egg rolls, potstickers, crab rangoon, tofu rolls and octopus nuggets.

This casual, handsomely decorated spot is open Sunday-Thursday from 11:30 a.m.-
9 p.m. and Friday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Soft drinks, fruit smoothies and juice are among the beverages dispensed.

Buffalo Wings & Rings
1279 Rickert Dr., Naperville
630 548-5021

By T.R. Witom; photo courtesy of Buffalo Wings & Rings

Buffalo Wings & Rings, a Cincinnati-
based restaurant chain, opened its 50th outlet in mid-November, this one at 1279 Rickert Dr. in Naperville (630 548-5021). Chris Todd serves as general manager.

The group, which also has outposts in Crystal Lake and Chicago’s Bridgeport neighborhood, says what makes the new arrival unique is that it’s the first to feature a “next generation” look-and-feel as well as an expanded menu.

While still keeping its core sports-enthusiast clientele in mind, Buffalo Wings & Rings also added some 40 items, from appetizers and burgers to salads and desserts, designed to appeal to family groups and children. Chicken wings, traditional and boneless, remain a popular item.

Salads range in price from $4 to $9.50, while various appetizers such as chips and salsa or roasted pepper hummus dip go for $3 to $8. Burgers, wraps, gyros, quesadillas, a variety of sandwiches and some desserts round out the menu.

Capri Ristorante
6613 W Roosevelt Rd., Berwyn

By T.R. Witom; photo by Ed Ahern

The new Capri Ristorante at 6613 W. Roosevelt Rd., Berwyn, marks a return to its roots for the family-owned operation, says general manager Gigi Rovito, whose parents in 1985 opened the first Capri, which was lost to a fire in the late 1990s.

The 70-seat newcomer joins sister restaurants in Downers Grove, Orland Park, Hoffman Estates and Burr Ridge, where there’s also a pizza venue called Capri Express.

“Our menu goes back to the ‘old days’ when we became famous for our eggplant parmesan, chicken vesuvio on the bone and linguini and clams with white sauce,” says Rovito, an Oak Parker who learned about foodservice from the ground up, starting as a busboy.

Entrées, which come with soup and salad, generally range in price from $10-$32 and include a number of homemade pasta dishes.

Wickets Bar & Grill
601 N Martingale Rd., Schaumburg
847 619-1400

By T.R Witom; photo by Ed Ahern

The mid-November debut of Wickets Bar & Grill at 601 N. Martingale Rd., Schaumburg (847 619-1400), addresses a gap in the Streets of Woodfield, says operator Dennis Antoniello.

“Before we opened, there were high-end and carryout restaurants but nothing in the middle. We fill that gap,” says Antoniello. The 120-seat restaurant caters to sports fans and families, and it draws from the Loews Theater traffic next door.

Its menu offers brick-oven pizzas, char-grilled burgers, sandwiches and salads, all from $7 to $10, plus a handful of entrees ($12-$16) such as flatiron steak and lobster mac-and-cheese.

Wickets is open Monday-Thursday from 11-1 a.m.; Friday-Saturday, 11-2 a.m., and Sunday 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Carryout and catering also are available.

Aurelio's Pizza

Since its debut in 1959 in Homewood, Aurelio’s Pizza has expanded to include 43 outlets. Participating in that growth is the franchise in Geneva, held for the past nine years by Kevin and Tracy Serra.

In late November, the Serras responded to growing local demand and traded their carry-out and delivery store for a full-service 160-seat restaurant across the street at
330 W. State St., Geneva (630 262-8440). The expanded new space includes a family dining room, bar and seasonal patio, says Tyler Larocca, a foodservice veteran who is helping with the transition.

“This expansion represents Aurelio’s commitment to the community,” says Larocca, noting that in addition to the restaurant’s proprietary Chicago-style pizzas and selection of pasta dishes, customers can enjoy the appetizers, salads and sandwiches typically offered at other Aurielio’s dine-in locations.

Aurelio’s occupies remodeled quarters that once housed Isabella’s Estiatorio and includes space for private-party functions.

Lake Street Kitchen + Bar
1011 Lake St., Oak Park
708 383-5253

By T.R. Witom; photo by Ed Ahern

The dream child of native Oak Parker Rachel Dennis, Lake Street Kitchen + Bar, 1011 Lake St., Oak Park (708 383-5253), made its debut in October, featuring Mediterranean small plate-style fare.

“Our menu is eclectic – a real melting pot,” says Dennis, whose career has included work as a waitress, lawyer and executive for a national restaurant company. Among popular items are flatbreads, paninis, small plates like roasted beets, homemade pickles and country olives and charcuterie.

Diners can custom-order a meal for about $15-$20, excluding tax, tip and alcohol. A handful of large plates such as country ribs, chicken and root vegetables and shrimp and grits go for $16-$21.

The 90-seat downtown restaurant is open Monday-Thursday from 11-midnight, Friday and Saturday until 2 a.m. and Sunday until 10 p.m.

Seven Ocean
122 N Marion St., Oak Park
708 524-7979

By T.R. Witom; photo by Ed Ahern

Asian fusion is on the menu at the new Seven Ocean Restaurant, 122 N. Marion St., Oak Park (708 524-7979), where head chef Tee Vannopas prepares seven-course dinners on a $55 fixed-price menu that undergoes frequent changes.

“Our cuisine represents a collaboration with foods of Thailand, Japan, Vietnam and Korea from which we create new dishes,” says manager Michael Benjawan.

Recent examples of the chef’s artistry include grilled jumbo prawn and shiitake mushroom in a tom yum-inspired soup; lobster-stuffed gyoza accented with a savory ponzu sauce and curry fish timbale topped with coconut milk.

Seven Ocean, which occupies remodeled space that once housed Lido’s Caffe, is open daily from 5-10 p.m.

In addition to his duties at Seven Ocean, Vannopas operates Tatsu Sushi in Chicago’s Little Italy neighborhood.

White Stag Tavern
1307 E Main St., St. Charles
630 444-3570

By T.R. Witom; photo by Ed Ahern

White Stag Tavern, at 1307 E. Main St., St. Charles (630 444-3570), refocused its menu in November on American fare and now offers 18 varieties of Black Angus burgers, chicken wings with a variety 15 different sauces and some 20 appetizers, says owner-operator Chris Yovanovic.

Gone is the concept of a British-inspired menu that the 98-seat establishment was aiming for when it first opened in late August.

“Items on our new menu range from $8 to $10,” says Yovanovic, a 16-year foodservice veteran. A popular sandwich, the Pittsburgher, features a steak-and-egg combination. The bar dispenses a broad selection of imported beers, local craft brews and some seasonal beers.

White Stag Tavern, which is in remodeled space that previously housed Sugo Restaurant, is open daily from 3 p.m. to 1 a.m. There’s free parking both adjoining and behind the building.