Time for that favorite foodie celebration: North Shore Restaurant Month! Give your tastebuds a workout sampling dining gems new to this popular tour, as well as delicious joints that have been staples on the scene. Freebies, discounts, prix fixe menus, and other yummy deals will lure you to everything from cafes to steakhouses, tapas to sushi. Text your friends and schedule family outings now using the complete list of participating restaurants at www.NorthShoreDiningDeals.com. Get an extra day of deals this leap year from Feb. 1-29. (Most NOT available Valentine’s Day/Feb. 14; other restrictions may apply). Please share your dining photos and tag #NSRM24!
Boston Fish Market, Wheeling
First Timers Adding a Dessert Bonus
The sweet sandwich shop with a mission, Will’s Place (Skokie) serves up breakfast and lunch yummies. Order the Meatball Sub, Rueben, Italian Combo, or any sandwich and receive a free homemade cookie. Seafood lovers must visit Boston Fish Market (Wheeling) where they boast THE freshest seafood available. This Greek-centric location offers a free home-made dessert like Baklava or Key Lime Pie with entrée. Craft cocktail experts at Ward Eight (Evanston) provide a small, but delish menu of nibbles and heartier eats. Your entrée purchase of standouts like Smoked Brisket Tacos or Steak Togarashi get you a free dessert (think Apple Pie).
Mas Salud Kitchen, Evanston
New Restaurants with International Pizzazz
An upbeat diner with elevated fare, Alexander’s Breakfast and Lunch (Skokie) will grant you a free dessert with entrées like their Lunch Burrito, Skokie Burger, or Chipotle Steak Tacos. The tapas-style place for brunch, lunch, or dinner, Mas Salud Kitchen and Bar (Evanston), offers 15% off for tacos — Jalisco, Tinga, Baja, and more — or shared plates like Empanadas de Yuca. Sassy hot spot Renga-Tei (Lincolnwood) brings fresh Japanese Noodle and Donburi bowls, sushi, and more for their February Prix Fixe menu. And for their Prix Fixe take, Taverna Naxos (Wilmette) celebrates unique flavors from the Greek Isles, including starters like Saganaki, a half-dozen main courses, and mouth-watering desserts. Have you tried Baklava Cheesecake yet?
Hangar Two by Tangled Roots Brewing Co., Glenview
Savory and Sweet Temptations
At Hangar Two by Tangled Roots Brewing Company (Glenview) take flight with your choice for each course on their special Prix Fixe menus for lunch AND dinner, such as Pulled Pork Grilled Cheese (lunch) or Harvest Risotto (dinner). Each includes beer pairing suggestions. Vegetarian/Vegan mainstay Blind Faith Cafe (Evanston) continues to offer a stellar, innovative menu you must taste to believe like Vegan Chocolate Cake or Fruit Cobblers (vegan, gluten-free, or no refined sugar options). A free dessert from their legendary bakery comes with purchase of two entrées (not valid Feb. 14–17). Guildhall Restaurant (Glencoe) brings Euro flair to American Bistro fare and promises a free dessert with entrée. Consider the Chocolate Cremeux, a dreamy dark chocolate mousse with chocolate grenache and biscuit crunch.
Napolita Pizzeria & Wine Bar, Wilmette & Northbrook
Tried-and-True Favorites Shine
Lively, casual Taco Diablo (Evanston) hand-crafts their elevated traditional Mexican dishes from fresh-made salsas and Queso Fundido to Beef Barbacoa or Enchilada Tomatillo Verde (15% off). Napolita Pizzeria & Wine Bar (Wilmette; Northbrook) fires up authentic wood-burning pizzas so you can add a free dessert to an entrée purchase (“take the cannoli!”). Di Pescara (Northbrook Court, Northbrook), a contemporary favorite for fresh fish, sushi, and Italian cuisine, serves up a tasty Prix Fixe menu this month.