Sipping, Swirling and Tasting at Cooper's Hawk in Morton Grove, Illinois

 

Welcoming Cooper's Hawk's Newest Addition to the Chicago Suburbs

**Disclosure: I did receive a complimentary meal in order to bring this review to you. No other compensation was received. All opinions are 100% my own.

We began visiting Cooper's Hawk not too long after an early location of the winery and restaurant blend opened in Wheeling. The growth of this fine eating establishment and wine tasting room has been incredible to watch from the first location in Chicago area Orland Park to the recent opening in Morton Grove, Illinois. While Cooper's Hawk has been expanding to locations throughout the country, we enjoyed take a peek at a more local new location here in Morton Grove!

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Butter + Vine: Rich Levy's Dream Grows To Include Home Delivery of Fantastic, Restaurant Quality Meals

 

Butter + Vine Offers Restaurant Quality Meals for Home Delivery and Helps the Community Through Senior Happy Meals

**Disclosure: I did receive complimentary meals to bring you this review. No other compensation was received. All opinions are 100% my own.

Butter + Vine began as a Chicago area catering and events company however quickly found new roots while adapting to the challenges of the pandemic. While still a catering and events company, Butter + Vine grew to include a fresh prepared meal delivery service. This new vision provides such an incredible treat for all of us busy people out there that would LOVE a beautifully prepared meal but find ourselves short on time. With Butter + Vine, we can enjoy flavorful, well prepared meals that arrive requiring just a simple step or two before serving.

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8 Chicago Suburban Bakeries and Chocolate Shops for Easter and Spring Treats

 


8 Chicago Suburban Bakeries and Chocolate Shops for Easter and Spring Treats

With Easter around the corner, so many of us are thinking treats. I put together a list of some of my favorite spots not just for Easter treats but also something springy for after Easter too! Take a peek:

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Meet WynBurg Cafe Tempting with Unique Meals While Making Dining Fun

Discover Meals with Flare and a Community Heart at WynBurg Cafe in Arlington Heights

**Disclosure: I did receive complimentary tasting sizes of menu items in order to help bring you this profile. No other compensation was received. All opinions are 100% my own.

As I sit writing on a gray fall day, my thoughts drift to a similar day spent discovering local favorite WynBurg Cafe. During my visit, I adventurously explored the cafe's thoughtfully put together menu full of unique flare, options and even international flavors. You can just feel the heart in each dish. Additionally, I had a fantastic conversation with co-owners Patty Wynne and Steve Hamburg  who have truly crafted a restaurant with intriguing and well crafted food choices alongside a community atmosphere. I am thrilled to introduce this WynBurg Cafe to you right in time to enjoy fall comfort at a local spot!

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Sharing Tasty Plates at Meze Mediterraneo in Schaumburg, Illinois

Sharing Tasty Meals and Small Plates at Mezé Mediterráneo in Schaumburg, Illinois

**Disclosure: No compensation was received for this post. All opinions are 100% my own.

Last fall, we had an urge to eat somewhere a little different than our normal repertoire of restaurants for a dinner. We LOVE the concept of small plates and LOVE hummus plates. So, Mezé Mediterráneo immediately appealed. However, we did not expect the large selection Mezé's Greek-influenced Mediterranean menu offered.

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Fusion of Interesting Food and Intriguing Art at Coquelicot Gallery and Cafe in Palatine: An Interview with Owner Nana Takahashi

Fusion of Interesting Food and Intriguing Art at Coquelicot Gallery and Cafe in Palatine: An Interview with Owner Nana Takahashi

From the moment I walked into Coquelicot, I was in love. The balanced blend of art positioned into a magical treasure trove with an adjacent refined cafe welcomes visitors to a truly special adventure. Coquelicot adds a little bit of fancy yet a spot for relaxation here in the Chicago suburbs. Once you meet the co-owners, Nana Takahashi and her mother, you will also realize that while inviting a little fancy into your life Coquelicot also feels like community. Nana and her mother are the sweetest and lovingly create a destination for visitors to get away from it all and even feel pampered. Coquelicot Gallery and Cafe is one of my favorite suburban treats so, I am happy to introduce owner Nana Takahashi to you for a little interview:

**Coquelicot is currently open for curbside and online ordering during stay-in-place. Take a peek at Coquelicot Gallery and Cafe for more information.

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Invicto: Tasty Tacos and More

Invicto: Tasty Tacos and More

After a little adventure in the Vernon Hills area, we stopped in Invicto for a few tacos. Tacos are absolutely one of my favorite things. I especially love places where I can try multiple types of tacos. So, visiting this local chain was a must!

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Brunching It at Grace Coffee and Wine in Yorkville, Illinois

Grace Coffee & Wine Yorkville, IL Tempting Flavors All  Around

Grace Coffee and Wine in Yorkville was recommended to me by a reader as a fantastic local coffee spot to explore. On an adventure in Yorkville, we found ourselves with a couple of hours to spare. So we headed over to Grace Coffee and Wine for a coffee pick me up and a meal. At this point the day was pretty rainy, so a little Grace was just what we needed!

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VAI's Italian Inspired Kitchen + Bar in Naperville: Sharing Life Over Plates

VAI's Naperville: Sharing Life Over Plates 

**Disclosure: Thank you to VAI's Italian Inspired Kitchen + Bar in Naperville for accommodating my visit. We did receive complimentary meals in order to bring you this review. No other compensation was received. All opinions are 100% my own

Last weekend, we enjoyed a relaxing and leisurely lunch at VAI's Italian Inspired Kitchen + Bar in Naperville, IL. VAI's opened about 6 months ago, so we were pretty excited to explore this new foodie destination. Upon entering, we were charmed by the ambiance and felt a visit to VAI's would be a special treat.

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Donut Drop in Schaumburg, Illinois: Fresh Baked Donuts With Intriguing Flavors

Donut Drop: Fresh Baked Donuts With Intriguing Flavors 

Fresh and fun donuts with a mix of familiar, intriguing and curious flavors are baked locally every day at Donut Drop in Schaumburg. We first learned about Donut Drop after devouring a delicious donut we picked up at Brewpoint in Elmhurst. The barista at Brewpoint informed us that the donuts were baked locally. Fluffy and fresh donuts from a local small business are the perfect accompaniment for a locally roasted coffee. Since we live closer to Schaumburg than Elmhurst, we were thrilled to have the source of these magnificent baked creations so near to our home! 

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Nic's Organic Fast Food: Our New Option for Quick Service Food

**Disclosure: I did receive a complimentary meal at Nic's Organic Fast Food in order to bring you this review. No other compensation was received. All opinions are 100% my own.

On a recent rainy day, my husband and I went on a lunch adventure to Nic's Organic Fast Food in Rolling Meadows. The restaurant piqued our interest because we are always looking for quick service food options for those busy days but don't really have what we would consider a decent sized list to choose from. So, new options are always welcome!

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Rock 'n Through Lunch at Rock N Grill in Lake in the Hills

A recent rainy day sent us exploring for a new and unique experience. I had heard good things about a rock 'n roll grill in the area, so our rainy day mission quickly became a visit to Rock N Grill in Lake in the Hills.

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Dolce Italian Caffe and Bakery in Arlington Heights

Dolce Italian Caffe and Bakery is a small tucked away eatery in Arlington Heights that is worthy of venturing off of your normal path for further exploration. On a free afternoon, my husband and I ventured in for lunch and quickly learned that although slightly of the radar Dolce has fabulous food!

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Dinner at the Tap House Grill {Wheeling}

**Disclosure: I did receive a complimentary meal in order to bring you this review. No other compensation was received. All opinions are 100% my own.

Tap House Grill in Wheeling provided us with the perfect dining adventure on a rainy day. While located attached to the Ramada Plaza Wheeling Hotel near Chicago Executive Airport, Tap House Grill has a cozy ambiance.

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Perfect Little Coffee Stop at Perfect Blend in Highland Park

I am always scouting for new coffee shops during our Chicago suburban explorations. After visiting the Openlands Lakeshore Preserve, we stopped at Perfect Blend in Highland Park for a little coffee on the way home. Coffee shops pretty much run the gambit between being strictly place for a coffee concoction to full service restaurants. The Perfect Blend is somewhere in between which gives you a lot of options if you are looking for something to nibble on with your coffee.

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Fresh Family Meals at Grill House in Northbrook

**Disclosure: I did receive a complimentary meal in order to facilitate this review. No other compensation was received. All opinions are 100% my own.

A couple of weeks ago, my husband and I explored what has immediately become a local favorite: the Grill House in Northbrook, Illinois. The setting is comfortable, inviting and very welcoming for families. The menu incorporates family favorites and Greek flavors. With such a diverse menu and relaxed surroundings, the Grill House is a perfect places for families to get together and enjoy a meal.

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Bistro Chen in Arlington Heights

This week, we went out for our traditional Chinese food dinner for our dating anniversary. We had only been to Bistro Chen in Arlington Heights once, so we thought we would try it again. We really found it to be a treat and we were glad we strayed from our normal for one night.

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Fresh Pizza Inspiration at SLYCE Coal Fired Pizza Company

**Disclosure: I received a complimentary meal in order to bring this review to you. No other compensation was received. All opinions are 100% my own.

Pizza is a perennial favorite of many families. However, often we find ourselves in a pizza rut choosing from the same few places time after time. We learned recently of a new pizzeria opening up in Highwood that features a walk-up display kitchen featuring three coal ovens. We were excited to try SLYCE Coal Fired Pizza Company for the first time last weekend. Winter is the perfect time to explore warm comfort food -- a great reason to try SLYCE on a January day!

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All Chocolate Kitchen in Geneva, Illinois: Chocolate Heaven

We have found chocolate heaven at All Chocolate Kitchen! All Chocolate Kitchen located in Geneva, Illinois is the creation of renowned Pastry Chef Alain Roby. Chef Roby developed his culinary art in Paris and has won numerous accolades. He has been featured on numerous Food Network Shows, The Martha Stewart Show and The Learning Channel as well as many publications. Chef Roby even holds several Guinness Book of World Records titles including the longest candy cane.

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1913 Restaurant + Wine Bar in Roselle, IL: Splendid Date Night!

During a recent date night, my husband and I discovered 1913 Restaurant + Wine Bar in Roselle. The restaurant is a happy melange of French, Italian and American cuisine and maintains an intriguingly sizable wine list. Perfect for a date night!

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