December 25, 2024
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The Scene

A look back at restaurants that opened in 2024

By Aimee Barrows
Reflections on the window sign on Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024, at Squire on the Square in Woodstock. The restaurant, which has similar decor as other Village Squire restaurants, is a joint venture between the Linardos family and Bob Karas of Karas Restaurant Group. Squire on the Square is located in the basement of the Old Courthouse in Woodstock, and its menu will features items similar to the Linardos family’s restaurants and the Village Squire. The eatery replaces the Public House that closed at the end of March.

Reflections on the window sign on Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024, at Squire on the Square in Woodstock. The restaurant, which has similar decor as other Village Squire restaurants, is a joint venture between the Linardos family and Bob Karas of Karas Restaurant Group. Squire on the Square is located in the basement of the Old Courthouse in Woodstock, and its menu will feature items similar to the Linardos family’s restaurants and the Village Squire. The eatery replaces the Public House that closed at the end of March. (Gregory Shaver/Gregory Shaver Shaw Media )

Northern Illinois’ culinary scene saw some great additions in 2024.

The past year has seen several exciting new restaurants open their doors, offering a diverse range of flavors and experiences. From cozy cafes to upscale dining establishments, there’s something to tantalize every taste bud.

Squire on the Square

This highly-anticipated new restaurant opened on Nov. 12 in the basement of Woodstock’s Old Courthouse. The restaurant is part of the Village Squire family of restaurants, and features a similar menu of small plate appetizers, salads, soups, burgers, tacos, prime rib, pasta, seafood and more. Squire on the Square is a full-service, casual dining experience, private event space, patio and full bar. The Karas Restaurant Group is expected to open a similar restaurant, Squire Ale House in Campton Hills, in early 2025. For more information, visit squireonthesquare.com.

Primo’s Bar & Grill

Primo’s Bar & Grill opened in early December in the former Wagon Wheel restaurant at 1711 W. Fourth St. in Sterling. The restaurant serves old-fashioned American cuisine, including omelets, pancakes, breakfast skillets, as well as dinner platters and sandwiches.

Market Street Pizza

It’s been almost one year since Market Street Pizza opened in Mount Carroll. The restaurant specializes in unique, specialty pizzas, with both Italian and Mexican influence. Some varieties include chicken enchilada pizza with green chili sauce, cheese, pickled jalapeños; antipasto pizza with tomato sauce, fontina, Parmesan, olives, artichokes, cherry tomatoes and pickled cauliflower; and Thai peanut pizza which has peanut sauce, fontina, mozzarella, green onions, pickled carrots, cilantro and a choice of chicken or tofu. For more information, visit mollysmountcarroll.com/market-street-pizza.

The Clifton

This upscale restaurant opened in July in downtown Plainfield. The vast and varied menu features wood-fired pizza, Asian-inspired dishes, comfort food, steaks, seafood, a kids menu and much more. Check out the specialty curated cocktail menu. For more information, visit thecliftonrestaurant.com.

Casa Tequilas

Casa Tequilas has taken over the space most recently occupied by Denny’s at 1120 S. Randall Road.

Casa Tequilas has taken over the space most recently occupied by Denny’s at 1120 S. Randall Road in Elgin. (Rick West)

This authentic Mexican restaurant opened in August in Elgin, taking over the space formerly occupied by Denny’s on Randall Road. The restaurant’s bright atmosphere features painted murals and vibrant art. Menu items include a variety of tacos, burritos, enchiladas, quesadillas and house specialties like a seafood molcajete. The cocktail menus features a variety of margaritas and more than 20 tequilas. For more information, visit Casa Tequilas' Facebook page.

Giardino Trattoria & Pizzeria

Giardino’s opened in downtown Aurora in late November, offering a family-friendly environment. One of the highlights on the menu is wood-fired pizza, using traditional Italian cooking methods. Plenty of additional Italian dishes are also on the menu, including homemade pasta. For more information, visit giardinoaurora.com.

Emerson’s

Emerson’s opened in Rock Falls just before Thanksgiving. The restaurant specializes in serving Detroit-style pizza, burgers, wings and Nashville hot chicken sandwiches. The location is the former Triple P BBQ location at 1332 W. Rock Falls Road, and will continue to host outdoor sand volleyball leagues in the warmer months.

Tortazo by Rick Bayless

In lieu of a ribbon cutting, chef Rick Bayless cuts a tortas for the opening of Tortazo restaurant inside Harrah’s Casino Joliet on Friday, Oct. 4, 20234 in Joliet.

In lieu of a ribbon cutting, chef Rick Bayless cuts a tortas for the opening of Tortazo restaurant inside Harrah’s Casino Joliet on Friday, Oct. 4, 20234 in Joliet. (Gary Middendorf)

Michelin-starred celebrity chef Rick Bayless opened the highly-anticipated restaurant this fall in the Harrah’s Joliet casino. The “fast casual Mexican restaurant” serves classic Mexican food like freshly-made guacamole, quesadillas and tacos, but the menu highlight is the torta, a Mexican sandwich that has telera roll instead of sliced bread. For more information, visit caesars.com/harrahs-joliet/restaurants/tortazo.

Urban Eats

Urban Eats, located in downtown Morrison in northwest Illinois, opened in September. The lunchtime restaurant serves healthy, light menu items like soups, salads and sandwiches. They also have cookies, brownies, pastries, pies and cheesecakes. For more information, visit urbaneatsmorrison.org.

Eddie V’s

Eddie V’s, known for prime seafood, hand-carved steaks and theatrical cocktails, opened in Oak Brook in November. Guests can enjoy a fine-dining environment in a vibrant, lounge atmosphere with live music. The restaurant’s style is described as “American with a touch of modern Asian.” Menu items include fresh seafood, hand-carved prime steaks and more. Sip on a beverage from their signature cocktail menu. For more information, visit eddiev.com.

BIBIBOP Asian Grill

This fast-casual Asian food chain opened its Oswego location (as well as a location in Bloomingdale) over the summer. Guests can build their own bowls, choosing from a variety of fresh bases, proteins, vegetables and sauces. The menu aims to promote healthy eating through delicious, real and unprocessed food. For more information, visit bibibop.com.

LUXX The Restaurant

LUXX The Restaurant opened in Sterling in April. The fine-dining experience is located at 4001 E. Lincolnway. The menu features seafood, specially sourced steaks and Italian classics. Entertainment is planned on various dates in The Piano Room, a space off the dining room with a baby grand piano. For more information, visit facebook.com/Luxxrestaurant.

Bluegill Boathouse & Marina Bar

Bluegill Boathouse & Marina Bar, 411 Great Loop East, Ottawa, opened its doors Memorial Day weekend at Heritage Harbor.

Bluegill Boathouse & Marina Bar, 411 Great Loop East, Ottawa, opened its doors during Memorial Day weekend at Heritage Harbor. (Derek Barichello)

Bluegill Boathouse & Marina Bar opened in May in the former Red Dog Grill space at Heritage Harbor in Ottawa. Menu items include wraps, burgers, tacos and a variety of appetizers. Enjoy the gorgeous view of the Illinois River as you relax with a beverage on the patio. Bluegill Boathouse is an Illinois Crafted establishment, which is the hospitality group behind Obscurity Brewing in Elburn, Lodi Tap House in Maple Park and Utica, and Beer.Pizza.Whiskey in Sycamore. For more information, visit bluegillboathouse.com.

To Steki

To Steki, a Greek and American restaurant, opened in the former Main Street Cafe location in downtown McHenry in May. The historic building was completely remodeled and now includes an outdoor dining patio. The menu highlights Greek cuisine including stuffed grape leaves, Greek sausage, gyros, souvlaki, humus and feta cheese served four ways. The menu also includes American basics: burgers and fries, Chicago-style hot dogs, Italian beef and more. For more information, visit the restaurant’s Facebook page.

Station One Smokehouse

Hot links, pickled onions, house-made spicy pickles, brisket, pulled park, corn bread, pork spare ribs, green beans, tater tot casserole and macaroni and cheese at Station One Smokehouse, which recently opened at 524 E. Kendall Dr. in Yorkville.

Hot links, pickled onions, house-made spicy pickles, brisket, pulled pork, corn bread, pork spare ribs, green beans, tater tot casserole and macaroni and cheese are among the dishes at Station One Smokehouse, recently opened at 524 E. Kendall Drive in Yorkville. (Sandy Bressner)

The owners of Station One Smokehouse opened a second location in Yorkville in the summer of 2024. All their meats are cooked on wood, giving the food a classic smokey flavor. The restaurant features cafeteria-style dining where guests walk up to the meat carver and select meats by the slice or half-pound. Standouts include brisket, pastrami and homemade cornbread with melted honey butter. For more information, visit stationonesmokehouse.com/locations/yorkville.

Wild Ginger Bistro

Wild Ginger Bistro and Wine Bar, a farm-to-table restaurant, opened in June in Princeton’s Art District. Most of their ingredients are locally sourced from Mill Road Farms, bringing a fresh taste to the Illinois Valley area. Menu items include soups and salads, and entrees such as miso-glazed pork, lasagna, half a roasted chicken, meat loaf and more, plus rotating chef specials. For more information, visit Wild Ginger Bistro’s Facebook page.

The Courthouse Tavern

Patrons enjoy drinks and conversation Thursday, April 4, 2024, at The Courthouse Tavern in McHenry. The building was the original McHenry County Courthouse when McHenry was still the county seat.

Patrons enjoy drinks and conversation at The Courthouse Tavern in McHenry. The building was the original McHenry County Courthouse when McHenry was still the county seat. (Gregory Shaver/Gregory Shaver )

The Courthouse McHenry opened in March in the 184-year-old former McHenry County Courthouse building. The two-story tavern has an outdoor patio, and offers live music on select nights. Try one of their specialty crafted cocktails with legal-themed names, like Approach the Bench, Objection, Order in the Court and more. The menu offers small plates such as the Courthouse Shrimp Bowl, crab cakes, Parmesan truffle fries and sliders, as well as artisan flatbreads. Visit thecourthousemchenry.com for more information.

Nash Vegas

Located in the former Oswego Brewing Company location, this brand-new saloon brings a taste of Nashville to Oswego. Menu items include Nashville-style chicken wings, buttermilk chicken tenders, the Nash Vegas hot chicken sandwich, the Nash Vegas Whiskey sandwich and more. The saloon will offer a full bar, live music and line dancing. For more information, visit the Nash Vegas Facebook page.

Leilani Asian Fusion

Leilani Asian Fusion in downtown Aurora will open to the public on Friday, Aug. 9, 2024.

Leilani Asian Fusion in downtown Aurora launched in August. (Photo provided by Leilani Asian Fusion. )

Leilani Asian Fusion, a brand-new restaurant located just a block north of the Paramount Theatre in downtown Aurora, opened in August. The cuisine is a blend of Filipino and Pan-Asian traditions. The menu includes inventive takes on sushi, steak, vegetarian dishes, boba (bubble tea), signature cocktails and much more. Visit the Forbidden City, the restaurant’s 1,200-square-foot, 75-seat underground lounge that conjures images from Southeast Asian nightclubs. The lounge offers rum-inspired craft cocktails, beer and wine. For more information, visit leilaniasianfusion.com.

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Aimee Barrows

Aimee Barrows

Aimee Barrows is the editor of The Scene, Shaw Local News Network's entertainment section. The Scene is your go-to destination for all things fun in Northern Illinois. Prior to The Scene, Aimee was the editor of the Kane County Chronicle for five years, and a freelance reporter for Shaw Media for four years.