Food

Whimsical ice sculptures and live carving will be winter attractions at the weekend Downers Grove Ice Festival from Jan. 31-Feb. 2.

Indoor and outdoor winter pleasures await in DuPage and Cook counties, from multiple theater productions to the Downers Grove Ice Festival and a Chocolate Weekend at The Morton Arboretum.

Make reservations to treat your special someone to a romantic dinner on Friday, Feb. 14.

Burger City, which makes uses fresh ingredients to make healthy, tasty meals, opened its Crest Hill location on Jan. 21 .

A 40-plus Joliet restaurant tradition is no more. A new restaurant has moved into the former Sub Dock at 923 W. Jefferson St., Joliet.

Sarah Oprzedek, president and chief executive officer of United Way of Will County, said "news of the federal funding freeze caught many organizations by surprise."

The city of Lockport is working on finding a new tenant for the now-empty Sonic drive through location, hopes to meet with property owner.

Looking for some good sushi, Thai or Chinese food? Here's a list of award-winning Asian restaurants in the Illinois Valley, Kane, DeKalb, McHenry counties.

This is the fifth restaurant in the Tangled Roots chain, which launched in Ottawa in 2016.

Here's a list of award-winning brunches in the Illinois Valley.

Treat your special someone to a truly unforgettable dining experience at one of these award-winning restaurants, where romance is always on the menu.

More than 40 restaurants are participating in the event, which is Feb. 3-7.

Find the perfect sports bar in Kane, Kendall, McHenry and DeKalb counties to watch the big games, as well as the best wings in the Illinois Valley for that game day party.

Visit one of these award-winning bakeries in the Illinois Valley to enjoy a freshly-baked pie for National Pie Day.

Villa Nova Pizza in Lockport opened Saturday for carryout and delivery at its new location on State Street in Lockport. The dining room and bar is scheduled to open next week.

The special Valentine's Day giveaway gives one couple a second chance at enjoying the dinner they picked out for their wedding.

Oats can be a great energy source for humans. They are a good source of starchy carbohydrates, and they contain a decent amount of protein and B vitamins.

Plainfield is slated to see several new businesses begin construction or officially open this year while one IL Route 59 mainstay will be closing its doors.

Geneva Restaurant Week features special menus or discounted dining at many of the city's restaurants.

The St. Charles Business Alliance has selected four local bakeries and cafes for the 2024 Made in St. Charles Program.

The family-owned cheesecake business in Ashton serves a variety of handmade, custom desserts.

The Chef Selects menu is available at Old Town Pour House locations in Naperville and Oak Brook through Feb. 25.

No advance notice was posted about the shutdown of Sonic Drive-In in Lockport, which occurred suddenly in late December.

Every dollar donated to Herald Angels supports the initiatives of United Way of Will County community partners.The total donations for the 2024 holiday season exceeded $20,000.

Cities across northern Illinois offer restaurant weeks during the winter to entice diners to try new food or enjoy old favorites at discounted prices.

Try one of these hot locations if you're planning to reconnect with friends and family in the Chicago suburbs.

Ramsay's Kitchen, located in downtown Naperville, is highlighting a special winter menu featuring roasted bone marrow, Beef Wellington and more.

The Sonic Drive-In previously located at 16031 Farrell Road in Lockport has closed. No information was available on what might be next for that location.

Warehouse on Park is looking forward to offering more events as Slow Smoke BBQ moves into their Genoa location.

Mexican restaurant Torro's in Lockport has announced that it will be opening on Mondays starting in January. Torro prides its menu on its fresh, homemade specialties.

Enjoy an elegant meal at the 128-year-old house in downtown Geneva that is now The James restaurant.

Joliet Township High School Central campus held a ribbon cutting ceremony Monday for its new culinary arts rooms ready just in time for when school resumes Wednesday.

Lockport restaurant Villa Nova Pizza announced Wednesday it had closed its longtime location at 876 N. State St. to move just a block down into its new site.

Gluten-free menu items include a variety pastas like spaghetti, ravioli, mac and cheese, lasagna, Kluski dumplings and gnocchi, as well as chicken, meatball, Italian, burrata sandwiches and more.

Enjoy a sophisticated nonalcoholic drink at many suburban restaurants this January.

Two Hands Fresh Corn Dog opened its 70th location, the first in Illinois, in late November.

Coffee Crush's owner has made more than coffee since opening the shop in 2019. She has brewed up lasting friendships with her customers and a space where she feels everyone is welcome.

Preservation is hosting Fondue Night, 90s Trivia Night, Vinyl Nights and more in January, as well as live music three nights each week.

Jitterhead in Crest Hill offers in-person dining, carryout and delivery.

The Dixon Rotary Club is doing its part to fight food insecurity in the Sauk Valley area.

Chef Kaleena Bliss is bringing her bold flavors to the suburbs for the first time with the exclusive burger collaboration with Chef Chris Curren.

Joliet Central High School invites the community to a ribbon cutting and tours of its new 8,000-square-foot culinary arts addition on Monday.

Maple Butter Café in Plainfield has an extensive breakfast and lunch menu.

The menu will include steak, pasta, salads, grilled fish and desserts.

Here are a few new restaurants expected to open in the western suburbs in 2025.

The new restaurant is from the owners of The GOAT Burger + Cocktail Bar in downtown Batavia.

Home for the Holidays – the Morris celebration on Thanksgiving weekend – was a wish come true for one grateful family with a soldier overseas.

Owner Tom Grotovsky is closing The Curator’s Cafe on Essington Road in Joliet and reopening his business in the local American Legion sometime this month.

A new bakery, Nicola's Heavenly Cucina, has opened in the Lockport Metra station specializing in sourdough bread and classic Italian recipes made with all-natural ingredients.

Communities across northern Illinois saw a wide variety of new dining options open for business this past year.