A few weeks ago, I had the privilege to attend a fabulous dinner party at a new Indian bistro in La Grange, thanks to my membership on the website Yelp.
And I'm still thinking about the food, so I simply must spread the word about the wonderful Kama Indian Bistro, 8 W. Burlington Ave. in La Grange. It's very easily accessible by Metra line, so those in the city or along the BNSF line have no excuse.
It's a cozy space, not too small but not too big, with great purple walls and interesting artwork - no pictures of the Taj Mahal here! The walls are lined with bench seating with lots of pillows, for an intimate feel. But while it feels slightly communal, the quarters are not too close for comfort.
And the food is simply amazing. I am no expert on Indian food, being a white chick and Indiana native, but I did grow up eating it from a recent immigrant's kitchen, and it is comfort food to me. Everything I tried - even the mushroom pakoras, and I've never been a huge fan of mushroom - was full of wonderful flavors and textures. We were given loads of food and probably tried half the menu, and I thought it was all pretty fantastic.
Especially worth mentioning are the chicken lemon tadka, the chilly crispy potatoes, the chicken tikka, and the lamb biryani. But honestly, I doubt you could go wrong with any of it. The owner and his wife - and the owner's father, a classically trained chef - were delightful and inquisitive and explained their food philosophy to us: authenticity and fresh ingredients. No cans here. They even make their garam masala from scratch, which is pretty amazing.
Prices are reasonable, food is plentiful and the atmosphere is friendly and sophisticated -- great for a dinner with friends or romantic night out. And seeing as I won a gift card from the Yelp drawing to come back, we will be revisiting Kama Bistro in the near future.
I highly recommend this gem of a restaurant - and La Grange is a pretty cute little town, too.
Friday, December 11, 2009
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Holiday fun at the zoo
Christmas is such a great distraction from the fact that the weather sucks, isn't it? We put up sparkly lights and Christmas trees and buy a lot to distract ourselves from the short days and gray skies.
And three area zoos do fun, festive things for the holidays -- because who would ever want to go to the zoo in December otherwise?
But if you bundle up, and bring a few extra dollars for hot chocolate, you can have a lot of fun at these holiday events.
Festival of Lights at Cosley Zoo
1356 N. Gary Ave., Wheaton
630.665.5534, Wheaton Park District
Price: Free
Time: 3 to 9 p.m. daily through Dec. 30
Features: 2,200 trees for sale, plus wreaths, animal-related gifts and ornaments; decorative lights; holiday music; hot chocolate. During the weekends of Dec. 5 and 12, kids can visit with Santa and make a holiday-themed craft project from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for a $2 donation.
Holiday Magic at Brookfield Zoo
3300 Golf Road, Brookfield
708.688.8000, Chicago Zoological Society
Price: $12; $8 for seniors and kids ages 3 to 11
Time: 4 to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday through Dec. 20 and daily Dec. 26 through 31
Features: More than 1 million lights; a light show synced with music; ice-carving demonstrations, a train ride, live music, dance performances, storytellers, magic acts, caroling and visits with Santa, and much more.
ZooLights at Lincoln Park Zoo
2001 N. Clark St., Chicago
312.742.2000 Lincoln Park Zoo
Price: Free
Time: 5 to 9 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday through Dec. 13 and daily Dec. 18 through Jan. 3
Features: Mix of indoor and outdoor attractions; 1.5 million lights outside; hot chocolate and spiced wine; ice carvers; musical light show on the zoo's south lawn; free visits with Santa in the lion house through Dec. 23; more.
And three area zoos do fun, festive things for the holidays -- because who would ever want to go to the zoo in December otherwise?
But if you bundle up, and bring a few extra dollars for hot chocolate, you can have a lot of fun at these holiday events.
Festival of Lights at Cosley Zoo
1356 N. Gary Ave., Wheaton
630.665.5534, Wheaton Park District
Price: Free
Time: 3 to 9 p.m. daily through Dec. 30
Features: 2,200 trees for sale, plus wreaths, animal-related gifts and ornaments; decorative lights; holiday music; hot chocolate. During the weekends of Dec. 5 and 12, kids can visit with Santa and make a holiday-themed craft project from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for a $2 donation.
Holiday Magic at Brookfield Zoo
3300 Golf Road, Brookfield
708.688.8000, Chicago Zoological Society
Price: $12; $8 for seniors and kids ages 3 to 11
Time: 4 to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday through Dec. 20 and daily Dec. 26 through 31
Features: More than 1 million lights; a light show synced with music; ice-carving demonstrations, a train ride, live music, dance performances, storytellers, magic acts, caroling and visits with Santa, and much more.
ZooLights at Lincoln Park Zoo
2001 N. Clark St., Chicago
312.742.2000 Lincoln Park Zoo
Price: Free
Time: 5 to 9 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday through Dec. 13 and daily Dec. 18 through Jan. 3
Features: Mix of indoor and outdoor attractions; 1.5 million lights outside; hot chocolate and spiced wine; ice carvers; musical light show on the zoo's south lawn; free visits with Santa in the lion house through Dec. 23; more.
Friday, November 13, 2009
Rockin' Oak Park
I've been a bad blogger. Work has been busy, our trips out haven't been as frequent, and I've often put off or forgotten to talk about the cool places we've been.
But I wanted to highlight a great suburb I'd not previously spent much time in: Oak Park. The surrounding area of River Forest and Forest Park (how confusing is *that*?) is also quite nice.
Bordering the city, Oak Park's downtown runs along Lake St (US 20) and a few blocks north and south, starting at and continuing east from Harlem.
There's a great variety of shopping, restaurants and stuff to do along this stretch. Just on the other side of Harlem is a shopping center with grocery, chain restaurants and more, and free parking (always a bonus in this area). And downtown Oak Park has bookstores, a movie theater, plenty of restaurants, shoe stores, clothing, crafts, food and more.
A few highlights of places to go:
Ten Thousand Villages, 121 N. Marion St.: a fantastic store full of home goods, crafts, accessories and more made by artisans in developing countries and sold at fair trade prices.
Pumpkin Moon, 1028 North Blvd.: A funky store jam-packed with creative gifts and odds and ends from Pez dispensers to political t-shirts.
Barbara's Bookstore, 1100 Lake St., and The Book Table, 1045 Lake St.: Two locally-owned bookstores offering new and used titles -- and a great local alternative to the third bookstore on the block, Borders.
Bleeding Heart Bakery, 1010 North Blvd.: A "punk" bakery started in Chicago, and made famous on Food Network Challeges, this cozy place offers fresh, local, sustainable baked goods including a wide variety of cupcakes.
Wells St. Popcorn, 1119 Lake St.: Serving the quintessential Chicago snack food guaranteed to turn your fingers orange, with cheese corn, caramel corn, kettle corn and buttered.
There's plenty more in Oak Park and the surrounding area to explore, including a very cool-looking forest preserve, but there are a few highlights. Take note, suburbanites: Most parking is metered, except on Sundays. You can park in the Whole Foods shopping center lot on Lake for free for three hours; there is also a Metra and Green Line station on Harlem.
But I wanted to highlight a great suburb I'd not previously spent much time in: Oak Park. The surrounding area of River Forest and Forest Park (how confusing is *that*?) is also quite nice.
Bordering the city, Oak Park's downtown runs along Lake St (US 20) and a few blocks north and south, starting at and continuing east from Harlem.
There's a great variety of shopping, restaurants and stuff to do along this stretch. Just on the other side of Harlem is a shopping center with grocery, chain restaurants and more, and free parking (always a bonus in this area). And downtown Oak Park has bookstores, a movie theater, plenty of restaurants, shoe stores, clothing, crafts, food and more.
A few highlights of places to go:
Ten Thousand Villages, 121 N. Marion St.: a fantastic store full of home goods, crafts, accessories and more made by artisans in developing countries and sold at fair trade prices.
Pumpkin Moon, 1028 North Blvd.: A funky store jam-packed with creative gifts and odds and ends from Pez dispensers to political t-shirts.
Barbara's Bookstore, 1100 Lake St., and The Book Table, 1045 Lake St.: Two locally-owned bookstores offering new and used titles -- and a great local alternative to the third bookstore on the block, Borders.
Bleeding Heart Bakery, 1010 North Blvd.: A "punk" bakery started in Chicago, and made famous on Food Network Challeges, this cozy place offers fresh, local, sustainable baked goods including a wide variety of cupcakes.
Wells St. Popcorn, 1119 Lake St.: Serving the quintessential Chicago snack food guaranteed to turn your fingers orange, with cheese corn, caramel corn, kettle corn and buttered.
There's plenty more in Oak Park and the surrounding area to explore, including a very cool-looking forest preserve, but there are a few highlights. Take note, suburbanites: Most parking is metered, except on Sundays. You can park in the Whole Foods shopping center lot on Lake for free for three hours; there is also a Metra and Green Line station on Harlem.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Anniversary in the suburbs -- Francesca's Amici
My husband and I recently celebrated our second anniversary, and I left it up to him to decide our activities for the evening. (I wanted him to flex his creative muscle and see what he could come up with!)
I must say, he came through. We started our afternoon by picking up a bottle of wine we'd ordered from Cabernet & Company in Glen Ellyn, a wonderful little wine shop. After perusing the area for a little while, we went on to dinner at the wonderful Francesca's Amici, 174 N. York Road in Elmhurst. I have never had a bad meal at a Francesca's (there are 15 in the suburbs and four in Chicago) and this was no exception.
We love the look of Francesca's, with warm wood, simple white tables and black and white photos on the brick walls. And we really love the food. We shared a sausage pizza with delightful thin, crispy crust and just enough cheese. I drooled over every bite of my gnocchi con ricotta, which combined tender dumplings with fresh ricotta, basil, spinach and a spicy tomato sauce. And my husband enjoyed his linguine with pancetta.
Service was quite good as well. I love Francesca's, have I mentioned that? :)
After dinner, the rest of the evening lay before us. Normally you might think we would go see a movie, or a play, or perhaps go to a nightclub. But no, my husband had a little fun-loving exercise in mind for us. And so it was that we ended up at the Lombard Roller Rink, 201 W. 22nd Street, Lombard, for an evening of flashbacks to middle school, minus the terrible '90s clothing. It was a lot of fun. The rink is well-maintained, with friendly staff. We were among the older people there, but who cares? We had a blast. (Okay, so I wished for more rock and alternative and less rap, but hey. Can't win 'em all.) They even had the place decorated for Halloween.
And so it was that we celebrated our anniversary in quirky style. I would recommend any of these businesses for great wine, wonderful Italian food, or a fun afternoon or evening of exercise!
I must say, he came through. We started our afternoon by picking up a bottle of wine we'd ordered from Cabernet & Company in Glen Ellyn, a wonderful little wine shop. After perusing the area for a little while, we went on to dinner at the wonderful Francesca's Amici, 174 N. York Road in Elmhurst. I have never had a bad meal at a Francesca's (there are 15 in the suburbs and four in Chicago) and this was no exception.
We love the look of Francesca's, with warm wood, simple white tables and black and white photos on the brick walls. And we really love the food. We shared a sausage pizza with delightful thin, crispy crust and just enough cheese. I drooled over every bite of my gnocchi con ricotta, which combined tender dumplings with fresh ricotta, basil, spinach and a spicy tomato sauce. And my husband enjoyed his linguine with pancetta.
Service was quite good as well. I love Francesca's, have I mentioned that? :)
After dinner, the rest of the evening lay before us. Normally you might think we would go see a movie, or a play, or perhaps go to a nightclub. But no, my husband had a little fun-loving exercise in mind for us. And so it was that we ended up at the Lombard Roller Rink, 201 W. 22nd Street, Lombard, for an evening of flashbacks to middle school, minus the terrible '90s clothing. It was a lot of fun. The rink is well-maintained, with friendly staff. We were among the older people there, but who cares? We had a blast. (Okay, so I wished for more rock and alternative and less rap, but hey. Can't win 'em all.) They even had the place decorated for Halloween.
And so it was that we celebrated our anniversary in quirky style. I would recommend any of these businesses for great wine, wonderful Italian food, or a fun afternoon or evening of exercise!
Monday, October 12, 2009
Not just for Christmas...
A quickie: Love Christmas lights? A guy in Forest Park does it up high-tech for Halloween, too. Check out all the info you need at that link.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
More fall fun in the 'burbs
Some of these are repeats, but others are new... big thanks to the Juice Box!
SHADES OF AUTUMN
Every weekend through Nov. 1, Stade’s Farm and Market, McHenry
Experience a day on the farm with corn maze, pumpkin picking, barrel train, crafters, pedal cars and more.
Information: www.shadesofautumn.net or 815-675-6396
CARNIVAL OF CURIOSITIES
Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays in October, Navy Pier, Chicago
Explore as a traveling sideshow overtakes Navy Pier with a spectacle of circus feats and living human wonders.
Information: www.navypier.com or 800-595-PIER
LONG GROVE APPLE FESTIVAL
Oct. 2-4, downtown Long Grove
Festival features “make your own taffy apple” booths, apple martinis, caramel apple lattes and other apple-inspired treats, kids’ activities and live music.
Information: www.longgroveonline.com/apple.html or call 847-634-0888
HARVEST FESTIVAL
Oct. 3-4, Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe
Visitors will find a marketplace of baked goods, roasted nuts, cut flowers, handmade soaps and vegetables. Enjoy activities, such as “guess the weight of the pumpkin,” a straw bale maze and leaf rubbing crafts.
Information: www.chicagobotanic.org or 847-835-5440
FRIGHT FEST AT SIX FLAGS GREAT AMERICA
Oct. 3-31, Gurnee
Great America is transformed into a Halloween playground. Shows, street entertainment and haunted houses featured.
Information: www.sixflags.com
CIDER FESTIVAL
Oct. 4, Union
Musical entertainment by “Charlie B. and Friends” as well as apple head doll crafts, a barn raising, harvest demonstrations, blacksmithing and old-fashioned cider making.
Information: www.mchs online.org or 815-923-2267
SCARECROW FESTIVAL
Oct. 9-11, downtown St. Charles
Three-day fest includes a children’s carnival, craft show, live music and more than 100 hand-crafted scarecrows.
Information: www.scarecrowfest.com or 800-777-4373
SETTLER’S DAYS
Oct. 8-12, Marengo
Parade as well as arts and crafts, petting zoo, carnival rides, antique tractor display, car show food and entertainment.
Information: settlersdays.org or 815-568-6680
OLD TIME COUNTRY HARVEST FESTIVAL
Oct. 10, downtown Algonquin
Event features farmers’ market, children’s games, pumpkin contest, craft fair and more.
Information: www.downtownalgonquin.org or 847-658-4184
FALL DIDDLEY
Oct. 10-11, Boone County Fairgrounds, Belvidere
Juried arts and crafts show will offer hand-crafted items. Event benefits the Mental Health Resource League for McHenry County and includes hundreds of booths, as well as food vendors.
Information: www.mhrl.org or 815-385-5745
HAUNTED HARVEST
Oct. 10-31, Lambs Farm, Libertyville
Event features Train of Terror, transforming the farmyard with frightening activities, including the CreatureWalk, Graveyard Golf, an Enchanted Carousel and the Monster Midway.
Information: www.lambsfarm.org or 847 990-3750
AUTUMN DRIVE
Oct. 16-18, Garden Valley Road between Woodstock and Marengo
Annual event offers the chance to drive a real country road to a dozen rural McHenry County farms. Various stops offer antiques, arts and crafts, pumpkins and other surprises.
Information: www.autumndrive.net
LONG GROVE OKTBERFEST
Oct. 17-18, Long Grove
Celebration of Long Grove’s German heritage with ethnic food, dancing, live entertainment and shopping.
Information: www.longgroveonline.com or 847-634-0888
SYCAMORE PUMPKIN FESTIVAL
Oct. 21-25, Sycamore
Fest features a pumpkin display, scary stories, carnival and craft show.
Information: www.sycamore pumpkinfestival.com
HISTORIC HALLOWEEN PROGRAM
Oct. 21, McHenry County Historical Museum, Union
Listen to stories told by interpreters portraying Union veterans who formed the Grand Army of the Republic Associations after the Civil War.
Information: mchsonline.org or 815-923-2267
SHADES OF AUTUMN
Every weekend through Nov. 1, Stade’s Farm and Market, McHenry
Experience a day on the farm with corn maze, pumpkin picking, barrel train, crafters, pedal cars and more.
Information: www.shadesofautumn.net or 815-675-6396
CARNIVAL OF CURIOSITIES
Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays in October, Navy Pier, Chicago
Explore as a traveling sideshow overtakes Navy Pier with a spectacle of circus feats and living human wonders.
Information: www.navypier.com or 800-595-PIER
LONG GROVE APPLE FESTIVAL
Oct. 2-4, downtown Long Grove
Festival features “make your own taffy apple” booths, apple martinis, caramel apple lattes and other apple-inspired treats, kids’ activities and live music.
Information: www.longgroveonline.com/apple.html or call 847-634-0888
HARVEST FESTIVAL
Oct. 3-4, Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe
Visitors will find a marketplace of baked goods, roasted nuts, cut flowers, handmade soaps and vegetables. Enjoy activities, such as “guess the weight of the pumpkin,” a straw bale maze and leaf rubbing crafts.
Information: www.chicagobotanic.org or 847-835-5440
FRIGHT FEST AT SIX FLAGS GREAT AMERICA
Oct. 3-31, Gurnee
Great America is transformed into a Halloween playground. Shows, street entertainment and haunted houses featured.
Information: www.sixflags.com
CIDER FESTIVAL
Oct. 4, Union
Musical entertainment by “Charlie B. and Friends” as well as apple head doll crafts, a barn raising, harvest demonstrations, blacksmithing and old-fashioned cider making.
Information: www.mchs online.org or 815-923-2267
SCARECROW FESTIVAL
Oct. 9-11, downtown St. Charles
Three-day fest includes a children’s carnival, craft show, live music and more than 100 hand-crafted scarecrows.
Information: www.scarecrowfest.com or 800-777-4373
SETTLER’S DAYS
Oct. 8-12, Marengo
Parade as well as arts and crafts, petting zoo, carnival rides, antique tractor display, car show food and entertainment.
Information: settlersdays.org or 815-568-6680
OLD TIME COUNTRY HARVEST FESTIVAL
Oct. 10, downtown Algonquin
Event features farmers’ market, children’s games, pumpkin contest, craft fair and more.
Information: www.downtownalgonquin.org or 847-658-4184
FALL DIDDLEY
Oct. 10-11, Boone County Fairgrounds, Belvidere
Juried arts and crafts show will offer hand-crafted items. Event benefits the Mental Health Resource League for McHenry County and includes hundreds of booths, as well as food vendors.
Information: www.mhrl.org or 815-385-5745
HAUNTED HARVEST
Oct. 10-31, Lambs Farm, Libertyville
Event features Train of Terror, transforming the farmyard with frightening activities, including the CreatureWalk, Graveyard Golf, an Enchanted Carousel and the Monster Midway.
Information: www.lambsfarm.org or 847 990-3750
AUTUMN DRIVE
Oct. 16-18, Garden Valley Road between Woodstock and Marengo
Annual event offers the chance to drive a real country road to a dozen rural McHenry County farms. Various stops offer antiques, arts and crafts, pumpkins and other surprises.
Information: www.autumndrive.net
LONG GROVE OKTBERFEST
Oct. 17-18, Long Grove
Celebration of Long Grove’s German heritage with ethnic food, dancing, live entertainment and shopping.
Information: www.longgroveonline.com or 847-634-0888
SYCAMORE PUMPKIN FESTIVAL
Oct. 21-25, Sycamore
Fest features a pumpkin display, scary stories, carnival and craft show.
Information: www.sycamore pumpkinfestival.com
HISTORIC HALLOWEEN PROGRAM
Oct. 21, McHenry County Historical Museum, Union
Listen to stories told by interpreters portraying Union veterans who formed the Grand Army of the Republic Associations after the Civil War.
Information: mchsonline.org or 815-923-2267
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Fall festivals in the suburbs
Yes, this weekend is Labor Day weekend, the unofficial end to summer. But have no fear! That does not mean the outdoor fun is over! Quite the contrary, it just means that the festivals are shifting to more of a fall theme...
Here's a small selection of suburban fests. Got more? Post them in the comments or shoot me an e-mail at suburbanawesome [at] gmail.com
Labor Day Weekend (Sept. 5-7)
Buffalo Grove Days
50 Raupp Blvd., Buffalo Grove
Free
Long Grove Irish Days
Downtown Long Grove
Free
Naperville's Last Fling
Riverwalk, Naperville
Free
Sept. 6-7
Folk Music & Storytelling Festival
Island Park in Geneva
$15 per day for adults, $10 for teens and elders, free for 12 and younger
Sept. 11-13
Festival of the Vine
Downtown Geneva
Free; some samplings cost money
Itasca Oktoberfest
Downtown Itasca
Free
Sept. 13
Scandinavian Day Festival
Vasa Park, Route 31, South Elgin
Traditional food, crafts, games, gifts and entertainment.
$10 adults. Children 12 and younger admitted free. Free parking. Rain or shine.
Sept. 18-19
Naperville Wine Festival
523 S. Webster St., Naperville
$20 in advance, $25 at the door for adults, $10 in advance, $15 at the door Designated Driver; under 21 admitted free when accompanied by an adult
Sept. 25-27
Fall Fest Des Plaines
Lake Park, Des Plaines
Free
Itasca Art & Wine Festival
Downtown Itasca
Free
Oct. 2-4
Long Grove Apple Festival
Downtown Long Grove
Free
Oct. 9-11
St. Charles Scarecrow Festival
Lincoln Park, Main and Fourth streets, St. Charles
Free
Oct. 16-18
Long Grove OktoberFest
Downtown Long Grove
Free
Here's a small selection of suburban fests. Got more? Post them in the comments or shoot me an e-mail at suburbanawesome [at] gmail.com
Labor Day Weekend (Sept. 5-7)
Buffalo Grove Days
50 Raupp Blvd., Buffalo Grove
Free
Long Grove Irish Days
Downtown Long Grove
Free
Naperville's Last Fling
Riverwalk, Naperville
Free
Sept. 6-7
Folk Music & Storytelling Festival
Island Park in Geneva
$15 per day for adults, $10 for teens and elders, free for 12 and younger
Sept. 11-13
Festival of the Vine
Downtown Geneva
Free; some samplings cost money
Itasca Oktoberfest
Downtown Itasca
Free
Sept. 13
Scandinavian Day Festival
Vasa Park, Route 31, South Elgin
Traditional food, crafts, games, gifts and entertainment.
$10 adults. Children 12 and younger admitted free. Free parking. Rain or shine.
Sept. 18-19
Naperville Wine Festival
523 S. Webster St., Naperville
$20 in advance, $25 at the door for adults, $10 in advance, $15 at the door Designated Driver; under 21 admitted free when accompanied by an adult
Sept. 25-27
Fall Fest Des Plaines
Lake Park, Des Plaines
Free
Itasca Art & Wine Festival
Downtown Itasca
Free
Oct. 2-4
Long Grove Apple Festival
Downtown Long Grove
Free
Oct. 9-11
St. Charles Scarecrow Festival
Lincoln Park, Main and Fourth streets, St. Charles
Free
Oct. 16-18
Long Grove OktoberFest
Downtown Long Grove
Free
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