Naperville - coming & going

As expected, with all the openings, some places must close. Two places have closed:

Capri Pizza - a NY slice joint with truly massive slices from the family that owns all the Capri variations, is closed, though all the equipment is there, a big neon sign says OPEN, and the lights are on. A sign by the door says "Pizza by the slice coming soon," so something is going on, but I do not think it is going to be Capri again. This place could not have been open for more than a couple of months, so there must be some back story.

Clara's by the Square, which was N'ville's original fine Continental dining spot, Washington Square until the owner sold it to Clara's of Woodridge is shuttered and for lease. I will shed no tears. It tried to be a sort of an Italian steak house, and did not do it so well.

There is a new place on Jefferson just east of Washington (right next to Noodles & Co) - Rizzo's. Just scanned the menu and it seems like a char joint, mostly steaks, chops, though the interior is centered around a bar and looks a little like an upscale sports bar. Good luck, I say.

Tried Moshi Moshi Sushi on Main Street 1/2 block north of Jefferson. It has been there for over a year, but I did not get there before (and only made it today because Capri Pizza was closed). Tried a tuna/salmon maki, and Kitsune Udon. Both were acceptable, but will not pull me away from Yamado any time soon. It was lunch and I was alone, else I would have sampled more.

I had the pleasure of dining at Savannah's Southern Bistro (formerly Savannah's Tea Room andCafe) with LAZ and the bride early this week. Their web site is http://www.savannahsrestaurantcafe.com/. In addition to pretty good tea service, and the availability of formal tea in the afternoon, they also offer low country southern food. Sort of. We sampled a number of things, and they were pretty okay. Fried green tomatoes with a dollop of sour cream were good, but not special. Savannah crab cakes were meaty, a tad greasy (as were the tomatoes) and underseasoned. The soups were generally very, very creamy and underseasoned, which pretty much described the chicken pot pie. The Bride's Chicken Chardonnay was a bit more interesting, seared, glazed, but also in a cream sauce on a bed of angel hair pasta and could have used more flavor. My shrimp and grits were actually pretty good, particularly with a touch of Tabasco to liven them up. Not a great version, but a good one and where else can I find shrimp and grits?

I would go back for the shrimp and grits, and if I really have a fried tomato jones. Might go for a high tea sometime, too. I wish the place was better than it is, but I can't say that. It definitely is a "try it if you are in the neighborhood, but don't go out of your way" kind of place. Oh, and avoid cream sauces and soups, and use salt and Tabasco.

The place has been around for a while, but they still seem to be "refining the concept." I think restaurants need a new cliche. In this case, the manager indicated they are trying to figure out a way to attract guys. Guess the tea room/southern bistro clientele is primarily female. Not all bad.

dicksond wrote:Not a great version, but a good one and where else can I find shrimp and grits?

Heaven on Seven serves shrimp with cheese grits, which I have had and enjoyed; they have a Naperville outlet, don't they?

Long time lurker and while I had always hoped that my first post would be on some theretofore unknown gem, I am instead inspired to reply to Dicksond's post (since I grew up in Naperville and make it back quite a bit, I am a reluctant somewhat-expert).

While I have been consistently underwhelmed by Moshi Moshi, Yamado and suburban sushi restaurants in general, a couple of weeks ago a friend invited me to dinner at Kiku in Naperville. I was prepared to be underwhelmed since not only is this a suburban sushi restaurant but it is also a "steakhouse" with hibachi grills. Yakitory and Teppan combined with sushi - could be promising, hibachi - not so much (I blame Benihana, Domo 77, etc). I was instead very pleasantly surprised by the quality of everything served. We had a great meal with really fresh sashimi, interesting and very delicious maki (I am not a mayo fan but the seared tuna with spicy tuna combination roll is pure genius) and decent though not great service. In the interest of full disclosure, service was pretty bad (20 minute wait to get water or menus) but mostly forgivable since (i) it was the Monday after New Years, (ii) they warned us that they were understaffed since they were not expecting a crowd and (iii) they made a gesture (10% off the check IIRC). In summary, a great, unexpected and relatively inexpensive meal. I had Katsu the night before and while it blew me away by the freshness (as well as the size, as has been well documented) of the sushi as well as the flavor of the yellowtail jaw, Kiku came close in overall enjoyment. I know that's high praise and it is based on one review but there, I am putting it out.

dicksond wrote:looks a little like an upscale sports bar

Rizzo's is very much a bar. They do a decent lunch dinner business but like Jimmy's, Features, etc. I think it's a bar that serves food not a restaurant with a bar or a gastro pub.

dicksond wrote:Not a great version, but a good one and where else can I find shrimp and grits?

Jim just beat me to it but I want to second the shrimp and grits at Heaven on Seven. It is what my parents get pretty much every time they go.


Kiku Japanese Steakhouse
2764 Aurora Ave.
Naperville
(630) 305-3355
11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 4:30 to 9:30 p.m. weekdays; noon to 2:30 p.m. and 5 to 10 p.m. Saturdays; and 3 to 9 p.m. Sundays

There used to be a place called Savanna's on Grand Avenue between May and Ogden, I am not exctly sure which space it was but I do recall a low country style menu, shrimp and grits, hoppin john etc. I wonder if there is any connection to this place?

dicksond wrote:I would go back for the shrimp and grits, and if I really have a fried tomato jones. Might go for a high tea sometime, too. I wish the place was better than it is, but I can't say that. It definitely is a "try it if you are in the neighborhood, but don't go out of your way" kind of place. Oh, and avoid cream sauces and soups, and use salt and Tabasco.

I concur. We didn't try any desserts, though, and since they're known for afternoon tea, that may be the way to go.

The shrimp and grits was the only definitively Low Country item we saw; I had a taste and enjoyed it, and would go back for that if I were in the area. I liked the tomatoes, too.

The soups were too sweet. The pot pie was quite disappointing -- a small square of puff pastry floating in a sea of thick, bland cream of chicken.

The company was most pleasant, however.

Also they have a retail area with some out-of-the-ordinary teas for sale.

JimInLoganSquare wrote:

dicksond wrote:Not a great version, but a good one and where else can I find shrimp and grits?

Heaven on Seven serves shrimp with cheese grits, which I have had and enjoyed; they have a Naperville outlet, don't they?

I admit to a problem with HoS, and this only applies to N'ville, since that is the only one I have tried. On 2 or 3 visits, I have found much of the food to be mediocre with service and the kitchen appearing a bit out of control. I qualify that two ways, though - the closer I have stayed to classic NO food, the better it has been - oyster po' boy good, orzolaya awful, gumbo good, etc. So Shrimp 'n Grits being a classic stands a good chance of being enjoyable. The other small detail is that I have not been in over a year - too many choices and I have gotten my southern food itch scratched elsewhere, I suppose.

Is the HoS menu in Chicago also cluttered with someone's awful idea of fusion food like orzolaya, which are generally ill-conceived and executed even worse, or is this purely to cater to us suburban mopes? As far as I can tell, you add overcooked pasta, replace tomatoes and roux with tomato sauce, add sugar and remove all the heat, and voila - gag.

In my experience, the service at the Naperville HoS almost always is poor and/or unorganized. However, there are several items on the menu that have been consistently good, in addition to the basics like gumbo and oyster po' boys. Two of my personal favorites appear on the one-page specials menu -- the beef tenderloin tips and the scallops. Their brunch menu also features some very good items, including poached eggs with andouille (sp?) and grits. If you enjoy shrimp and grits, you will enjoy this dish.

Rizzo's definitely is a bar/nightclub, although I think they are trying to be more. The two meals that I've had there were mediocre, and the service is really confused. I probably wouldn't go back there for dinner again, but it's not a bad place to have a drink and they have a nice bar. The upstairs is a dance club catering to a younger (20 something) crowd.

It looks like a new place is set to open in the former Samba Room space at Washington and Chicago. It appears to be a steak/martini type place, and presumably will be mediocre as I believe it's a chain and is affiliated with the folks who own the Samba Room chain.

We were sad, although not surprised, to see the Clara's at the Square close down. I'm a fan of the original Clara's, and we had several good meals at the Square. Unfortunately, Clara's at the Square never found it's niche. It wasn't quite an Italian steakhouse, and I got the impression that they weren't prepared to fully depart from the old Washington Square menu/vibe. If the place would've been promoted as a full-scale Italian steakhouse, I think that it would've been much more successful.

As far as the Naperville dining choices right now, we really seem to enjoy Hugo's (despite the crowds, noise,"scene", and inconsistent service). I find that we have been going there at least a few times a month because the food is consistently excellent to outstanding.

Gee, Ron, I did not even notice Samba Room had closed. Guess that shows where my head is at.

Maybe I should go check out the 20-something dance club at Rizzo's, though. At least it would make me feel old .

I second your comment on Hugo's as my fave in N'ville these days. In fact, the Bride and I will be dining there tonight, and then I am going to explore Ethel's Chocolate Lounge, for the good of LTHForum.

dicksond wrote:Is the HoS menu in Chicago also cluttered with someone's awful idea of fusion food like orzolaya, which are generally ill-conceived and executed even worse, or is this purely to cater to us suburban mopes? As far as I can tell, you add overcooked pasta, replace tomatoes and roux with tomato sauce, add sugar and remove all the heat, and voila - gag.

Yes, they have this dish in Chicago (Clark and Rush), though the execution is better than your description. It's basically the same as the regular Ho7 jambalaya -- with orzo instead of rice and the addition of a little grated parmesan. The orzo hasn't been overcooked when I've eaten it and it had decent heat and flavor, though it's nothing like you'd get in New Orleans.

I haven't yet had any jambalaya in Chicago exactly like what I've eaten in Louisiana. I have stopped making such comparisons and am committed to enjoying the rice-tomato-and-sausage "pilaf" we get here for what it is, counting my blessings that we don't have some of New Orleans' downsides, like massive hurricanes.

Here's Jimmy Bannos' "Orzolaya" recipe. No sugar. No tomato sauce. No roux, either, but that's consistent with Creole (red) jambalaya recipes. It's Cajun (brown) jambalaya that starts with roux.

Heaven on Seven Orzolaya
Chef Jimmy Bannos

12 ounces boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1/2 inch cutes
1/4 teaspoon plus 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1 1/2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
6 ounces andouille, cut into 1/4-inch slices
2 tablespoons finely diced tasso ham
2 tablespoons finely shredded pickled pork or shredded smoked pork shoulder
3/4 cup seeded, finely diced green bell pepper
1/2 cup finely diced celery
1/2 cup thinly sliced green onion
2 tablespoons finely diced yellow onion
2 tablespoons finely diced red onion
1 1/2 teaspoons seeded, minced jalapeno or to taste
1 bay leaf
1 1/2 cups seeded, diced plum tomatoes
1 teaspoon roasted-garlic puree
6 ounces rock shrimp or small shrimp, peeled and deveined
8 ounces dried orzo, cooked according to package directions
1 1/2 cups chicken broth
1/4 teaspoon worcestershire sauce
1/4 teaspoon hot pepper sauce
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/8 teaspoon ground white pepper
1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
Freshly grated parmesan cheese to taste

Sprinkle the chicken with 1/4 teaspoon of the Cajun seasoning. Melt the butter with the oil in a large nonstick saute pan over high heat. Add the andouille and saute for 2 minutes. Add the chicken and cook 4 more minutes, stirring frequently.

Reduce the heat to medium-high; stir in the ham, pork, bell pepper, celery, onions, jalapeno and bay leaf; saute for 3 more minutes. Add the tomatoes, garlic puree, and remaining 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning; cook for 6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are soft.

Stir in the shrimp and cook for 2 more minutes. Stir the orzo into the mixture, pour in the chicken broth, and add the worcestershire and hot pepper sauces, black and white peppers and red pepper flakes. Bring to a simmer and cook for 3 minutes.

Remove the bay leaf. Serve topped with the cheese. 6 servings.

Noticed at the Rt59 Metra station this morning.

Out is Jimmy's Charhouse at 523 Fairway Drive (just west of 59 on Indian Trail) is no more.

In is now Andrew's Barbecue

So it went from Steak, Chops, and Fish to Chicken, Pork Chops, and BBQ Ribs (per the signage)

Don't know if the other Jimmy's in the chain have changed over.

Might have to try it just for curiosity sake. Might draw the recently closed Smokey Bones of Fox Valley crowd.

With Thomas' BBQ on Montgomery Rd just a mile away, I'll probably try Andrews when I'm short on time and in the area.

5pm Edit

A few promising signs. The correct name is Andrew's Open Pit, signage says est. 1992, and a very distinct smell of hickory was in the air.

Thought it might have just been rebranding of Jimmy's. Might actually be worth a trip or three to find out.

Editing on 8/12/08 to update Naperville Info, no need to resurrect death.


Well, it went from Andrew's Open Pit, to Andrew's BBQ (possible trademark issue) then back to Jimmy's Charhouse.

Focus continually shifted from sandwiches to entree's.

You could smell hickory, but could barely taste it.

Menu's never changed, only the names on the cover did.

After 9 months of being Jimmy's again, they are now "Closed for Remodelling, New Concept Coming!!"

So what looked and had the aroma of being something in Naper, its back to Gemato's (sp) on Ogden to where I can find smoke imparted flavor.

Just for the purpose of documenting this - Clara's on Washington Square is definitely gone, with Cosi'a having an outlet in part of the space.

It does create this long strip of empty restaurant space, as it is immediately adjacent to the shuttered Bistro Margot. And I think the east side of Washington is probably now an inferior location with all the parking, nice pedestrian areas and other restaurants off Washington to the west.

Thanks for the Orsolaya info, Leah. look forward to hearing how Andrew's is, Will. Lots of mediocre Q to choose from out here, which makes me hope there will be one good place. I guess I prefer Uncle Bub's in Westmont, but that is just the tallest midget in the group...

From the "Too Late To Matter" file: Did anyone ever actually eat at Carzz? I would drink there all the time - the bar was ridiculously packed on weekends - but I can't remember ever seeing more than a handful of people actually feeding themselves.

As I mentioned in another post, The Twisted Cork is coming to the old La Piazza spot in the strip center at Washington & Gartner. So I called them today, and this is what I learned:

It is indeed a wine bar (in fact, they bought some of the equipment from the sadly-missed ViV in Bloomington). It is not a chain. They plan on having about 20 wines by the glass, including sparklers. They are aiming for bottles priced at between $20 - $70, and will have a full bar as well as the wines.

Food was described as something between tapas and entrees, to be priced between $7-11. They're planning on cheese flights, some charcuterie, etc.

Opening date is mid-June -- the 15th I think. I hope it works for them!

Twisted Cork
630-753-WINE
192 West Gartner
Hours are from 6-11

Twisted Cork sounds like it will be a good addition to the area. Thanks for the info. I can't help but wonder if it's still being run by the same group of owners who took over La Piazza Cafe from the woman who initially opened it. Anyway, seems like a good idea -- hope it works.

Whiskeybent -- I ate at Carzz a number of times over the years. The food actually was good. One of their specials was a lobster-stuffed filet mignon (sounds a little weird but was quite good). I seem to recall that they did a pretty good business in the restaurant, although the bar obviously was livelier, especially later at night. Several of my friends' parents (long time residents) were regulars and were disappointed when it closed (although presumably not as disappointed as the Washington Square regulars who saw that place run into the ground by the Clara's folks).

Sorry to say it, but I personally think that Clara's and Bistrot Margot effectively put themselves out of business. Bistrot Margot through a combination of bad service and inconsistent food, and Clara's through misguided/nonexistent marketing and a failure to capitalize on what could have been a huge customer base for a properly marketed Italian steakhouse. Either one of those places should have flourished in its former location...Now we have vacant space and a mediocre sandwich chain.

Willkat98 wrote:
Editing on 8/12/08 to update Naperville Info, no need to resurrect death.


Well, it went from Andrew's Open Pit, to Andrew's BBQ (possible trademark issue) then back to Jimmy's Charhouse.

Focus continually shifted from sandwiches to entree's.

You could smell hickory, but could barely taste it.

Menu's never changed, only the names on the cover did.

After 9 months of being Jimmy's again, they are now "Closed for Remodelling, New Concept Coming!!"

So what looked and had the aroma of being something in Naper, its back to Gemato's (sp) on Ogden to where I can find smoke imparted flavor.

I was in the area today (9/09/08) and the sign on Jimmy's Charhouse still reads the same as Willkat reported. What was nice was a stop at Pickermans Sandwich shop in the small strip behind it near Naperville's Police and City Hall outlet. Not a deli by any means, nice small menu that they can manage. I had a very nice roast beef sandwich and a cup of killer rich lobster bisque. Very friendly family run operation. I was only over there to do the State emissions test but would consider a trip back to try other things.

Pickerman's Soups and Sandwiches
535 Fairway Drive #115
Naperville, Il
630-369-4000

This location is next to the Rte. 59 Metra parking lots off North Aurora Road.
(edited to include address)

I've started a new thread on Pickerman's here.

Hate to revive a thread with little food related info to add,

but the above Jimmy's Charhouse Naperville has finally reopened as Total Sports Bar & Grill.

Site boasts 24 large screens plus Naperville's Largest Projection Screen

They opened last week, and I thought I'd toss in this info in case there was someone's NCAA watching needs in the area.

Total Sports Bar & Grill
523 Fairway Drive Naperville, IL 60563
Phone: 630.983.5400
http://www.totalsportsnaperville.com/

Hmm, that website confuses me. Am I missing something, or does it seem to have very little info? I have exceptionally low expectations for this place, but seeing as I am there twice a day (at the train station that is) I'm sure I'll be able to report.

KSeecs wrote: Am I missing something, or does it seem to have very little info? .

Shoot, I knew I forgot something.

I was going to mention that the Website has been nothing more than a placeholder for a month or two.

Not sure when it opened (recently) and apparently by the new Whole Foods, Pizza Fusion is finally here. They offer excellent gluten-free pizza along with regular pizza, all types of which are made with organic ingredients (there may be more to that, I was mostly concerned with the gluten part). My SIL went last week and her son who eats gluten free was raving about it last night as we ate less stellar (but still wonderful to have for a family event) gluten-free pizza at the original Aurelio's in Homewood. They also have things like soy cheese for the lactose intolerant.

Just happened to be in the area and thought we'd give Pizza Fusion a try after a friend raved about it. Everything in the restaurant is made from recylced materials, the counter is recycled glass bottles, the tables from recycled wood and so on according to their "Green" mission. My vegetarian partner was excited about the veggie and vegan options and had the Farmer's Market individual pizza that came on a wheat crust with artichoke hearts, red onion, roasted zucchini and roasted portabellas, I opted for a cheese with pepperoni (organic pepperoni, no less). She was happy, mine was so so, we make better at home using the pre made naan crusts from Jewel. For those not interested in Pizza, next door is Meat Heads and two doors down is Jersey Mikes both of which were packed with kid sports teams. These are all out in front of the Whole Foods on 75th.

Pizza Fusion
2555 West 75th Street
Naperville
630-355-9898