dining

Whether you’re in the mood for an outdoor cafe setting on another continent or a romantic dining room, you can experience both inside the newly opened Sansaveria.

“The whole theme is a little piece of Europe in our own backyard,” says co-owner Sarina Chopra, whose joyful design celebrates a multi-story Parisian streetscape at the front of the restaurant. An attractive bar and the enclosed dining room complete the culinary getaway, offering foods from France, the Mediterranean and beyond, ranging from seafood to rack of lamb.
 
“All the recipes are coming from the chefs — both from Cordon Bleu schools from Chicago,” she says. “We’re empowering them to experiment and have a little fun.”

Chef Dan Ayello prepares European favorites at the new Sansaveria restaurant in Bartlett. STAFF PHOTO BY ERICA BENSON

After just celebrating The Cellar Bistro’s second anniversary, chef Kathleen Lewis takes pride in having created a fun, neighborhood place where the regulars know each other.

She and husband Nick, co-owners, call the cuisine “New American,” but she adds, “Usually, we try to do a little something different with aioli or a twist of some flavor to make it kind of unique.”
A common denominator of the eclectic menu is the couple’s devotion to using fresh foods from family-run operations.

Chef-owner Kathleen Lewis prepares a wild caught salmon salad at The Cellar Bistro. STAFF PHOTOS BY STEVE BITTINGER

During summer’s all too brief reign in our neck of the woods, nothing beats dining al fresco. We’ve rounded up a few of the spots where guests can satisfy their appetite for the pleasures of summer.

ARROWHEAD RESTAURANT & BAR
ADDRESS 26W151 Butterfield Road, Wheaton
PHONE (630) 653-5800
WEB www.arrowheadgolfclub.org
A balcony-level stone patio lit by distinctive lanterns perches above a pond with fountain, and offers views of the rolling golf course terrain. High-top tables sport umbrellas for shade. Live music is featured Thursday through Saturday, and the space is home to a series of wine tasting and mixology events. Indoors, a hip new comedy series continues Aug. 6 and 20.

Dining al fresco at Arrowhead Golf Club in Wheaton affords lush views. The patio of Arrowhead Restaurant & Bar offers live music, wine tastings and other special events. A new comedy series has debuted indoors. STAFF PHOTO BY STEVE BITTINGER

It’s easy to blame the economy and money woes for opting to spend the weekend at home watching television, instead of going out.

But the Single Gourmet Dining and Travel Club of Chicago is trying to make food, fun and friendship more affordable to singles in the area with their Social Stimulus Plan.