If you’re feeling limited by life’s choices, visit downtown La Grange when you’re hungry. You’ll get to choose from among more than two dozen restaurants and cafes, all within easy walking distance of one another.
Much of the downtown district’s commercial growth has occurred in the past five years, said Patrick Benjamin, La Grange’s community development director. And, he added, restaurants have been leading the way.
Attention has also been paid to what is often customers’ biggest nemesis: parking. Area lots provide about 600 free spaces. In addition, the village and area business association joined forces last year to offer valet parking on Friday and Saturday nights. There are two valet sites–one on northbound and another on southbound La Grange Road; cost is $3 plus tip. (Also note that Metra’s Burlington-Northern Santa Fe line has a downtown train stop.)
Dining options vary dramatically; cozy breakfast spots, casual beer-and-burger joints, ethnic restaurants and upscale dining establishments comfortably co-exist. Cafe 36 has established itself on the upscale end of the area’s repertoire (Phil Vettel gave it 3 stars) and several coffeehouses cater to leisure sipping. Here are a few more options:
Chequers of La Grange (100 W. Burlington Ave., 708-482-9570). This large British pub and restaurant is inspired by the original Chequers, the official country residence of Great Britain’s prime minister. The dark wood appointments, high ceilings, roaring fireplace and dim lighting create a cozy atmosphere. The sizable menu focuses on British favorites, including flaky Alaskan pollock in the delicately fried beer-battered fish and chips, macaroni and cheese made with Cotswold cheese and shepherd’s pie. Creative salads and desserts fill out the menu. Pilsners, lagers, ales and stouts from England, Ireland and Scotland are among the libations served. During warm weather, a patio offers al fresco dining.
Lucca’s Pizzeria and Ristorante (108 W. Burlington Ave., 708-354-9990). This diminutive but charming spot opened in November. On busy weekends, you may have to settle for takeout or delivery, but diners who get a seat in this eight-table establishment receive all the amenities of a trattoria. The ambitious menu of mostly pasta and pizza is influenced by several regions of Italy, and includes a rustic, Naples-inspired orecchiette with Italian sausage and rapini, and a Sicilian-style pan pizza. The pies come fashioned in many other guises as well, from specialty pizzas such as grilled vegetable, to thin pizzas with a choice of more than 30 toppings.
Marconi’s Ristorante (15 W. Calendar Ave., 708-352-1621). The map of Italy that covers one wall of this restaurant lets you know where it stands: Trendiness will never usurp tradition. It’s the kind of place Nana would approve of, but it’s also pretty enough to please a date. Though the restaurant is celebrating its fifth anniversary in La Grange, it moved here from Chicago’s Heart of Italy area, where owner John Marconi’s father, Vasco, had opened the original–Villa Marconi–in 1959. The menu is filled with the dishes that form the bulwark of Italian and Italian-American cooking: eggplant Parmesan, chicken Vesuvio, linguine con calamari. The Marconis still make the meat raviolis by hand. Try to fit in an order of the mouthwatering bruschetta di pomodoro.
Santiago’s Mexican Restaurant (9 S. La Grange Rd., 708-354-0700): Painted walls mimicking Mexican street scenes create a cheerful backdrop for diners at this casual 7-year-old Mexican eatery. Its large menu stars many familiar dishes–tacos, enchiladas, fajitas and flautas–in meat, fish and poultry adaptations. Several vegetarian entrees are served as well. Also of interest is the cocktail menu, which includes a fresh, fruity sangria and seven variations of margarita–from the standard (which, for non-purists, also comes in flavors such as raspberry, peach and fresh mango in season) to the “top shelf” with Herradura tequila and Grand Marnier.
Thipi Thai (50 S. La Grange Rd., 708-588-1002). This upscale Thai restaurant blends comfort with elegance; even with orange walls, lemon-yellow ceiling and chairs in green, maroon and orange, the effect is surprisingly subtle. Gold-plated bamboo-shaped flatware and Asian-inspired dishware set the stage for the artfully plated entrees, many familiar to Thai food aficionados: vegetable spring rolls, chicken satay, pad siew, pad Thai. The spicy food really is–so keep the water glass filled while you enjoy the fiery basil eggplant or bracing lard nar. A full bar offers wine, beer and cocktails.
