West by Northwest (suburbs)

The Daily Herald is out with its list of the 10 best restaurants of the year, selected from those its critics reviewed in 2010.

Blackthorn Grille
10 W. Grand Ave., Lake Villa. (847) 356-4400, http://blackthorngrille.com

The Creperie Normande
1644 S. Randall Road, Algonquin, (847) 458-2621, http://thecreperienormande.com

David's Bistro
883 Main St., Antioch, (847) 603-1196, http://davidsbistro.com

Fantastico
227 W. Wilson St., Batavia. (630) 879-5900, http://fantasticoitalian.com

Isacco Kitchen
210 Cedar St., St. Charles, (630) 444-0202, http://isaccokitchen.com

Naf Naf Grill
Freedom Commons, 1739 Freedom Drive, Suite 109, Naperville, (630) 904-7200, http://nafnafgrill.com

Tajine Casablanca
260 Hawthorn Village Commons (off East Hawthorn Parkway), Vernon Hills, (847) 573-1829

Tom & Eddie's
348 Yorktown Shopping Center, Lombard, (630) 705-9850, http://tomandeddies.com

Toom, Toom Thai
23 S. Grove St., Elgin, (847) 531-8755, http://toomtoomthai.net

Via Roma
686 Lee St., Des Plaines, (847) 768-7461

Tom and Eddies now has a place in Geneva Commons facing Randall Road. Surprised to see Fantastico on this list, it's about 5 blocks from my house and the one time we tried it we were treated so rudely we have never gone back. It happened a few years back but I also don't know anyone who has ever eaten there.

I really was most agreeably surprised by Blackthorn Grille. The chef is Alan Wolf, formerly of Carlos and Banana Moon. The menu is vast and kind of kitschy, but everything we tried was very well made.

Via Roma? I hadn't heard anything about that place, and to call it unassuming would be overselling its appearance.
I'll have to try it.

...but Naperville and Lombard? Not exactly norrthwest, are they?

JoelF wrote:Naperville and Lombard? Not exactly norrthwest, are they?

That's why it's "West by Northwest." The Daily Herald covers everywhere from I-294 to out past the Fox.

Tajine Casablanca was pretty good but not so memorable that I can even remember what I had there.

jlawrence01 wrote:Tajine Casablanca was pretty good but not so memorable that I can even remember what I had there.

The pastillas are what stand out for me. It is a kind of quirky place, though -- I definitely recommend phoning first.