No controversy, just fine dining at community college student-run restaurants
Controversy over college spending at the professionally operated Waterleaf restaurant on the College of DuPage campus is in the headlines these days, but that uproar may mask what community colleges are doing at student-run restaurants.
While COD administrators and board members have come under fire from a government watchdog group for using taxpayers' money on meals and drinks, budding student chefs on campuses are busy turning out big-league food creations such as vegetable strata with red curry sauce, white-bean ravioli and a bulgogi burger.
Elgin Community College's Spartan Terrace Restaurant, College of Lake County's Prairie, The Dining Room at Harper College, Sláinte at McHenry County College and College of DuPage's Wheat Cafe allow students to gain real-life experience in the kitchen and elsewhere in what essentially are classrooms open to the public.
Jim Mulyk, hospitality assistant professor and manager of Wheat Café, said the eatery is an affordable “hidden gem” - a view similar to those at the other community colleges.
“Every week, a new student manages Wheat Café with guidance for (the) student through me,” Mulyk said of the restaurant that just won an OpenTable Diners' Choice Award for the fourth consecutive year.
Because the restaurants are operated by college students as part of an academic curriculum - not a commercial venture - they will run only until the end of spring semester and reopen in the fall.
If you're intrigued about what the young foodies are dishing, the colleges' culinary experts have provided what serves as a guide to would-be diners or even return customers.
Spartan Terrace Restaurant, Elgin Community College
Expert: Shannon Lasota-Quinn, director of culinary arts center events
Why should someone eat at Spartan Terrace? Spartan Terrace offers a wonderful variety of food and beverage items. Diners can enjoy one of our signature nonalcoholic cocktails as they peruse the menu. We feature two soups and two salads, a selection of small plates, entrees and, of course, desserts. In addition to great food, our guests enjoy live music in Spartan Terrace.
What's the entree a diner should try? The noisettes of pork are wonderful. The dish is three noisettes of pork, which have a Gorgonzola crust. The pork is served with an apple brandy sauce, crisp Anna potatoes, carrots and asparagus.
What's the dessert a diner needs to try? We change our desserts throughout the semester. The chocolate tres leches cake is moist and delicious. We also do a deconstructed s'mores, which is a graham cracker waffle, topped with a house-made marshmallow that we toast at the table, and drizzled with smoked chocolate ganache.
Typical entrees are $11 to $13. For hours and information, check elgin.edu or call (847) 214-7382.
Wheat Café, College of DuPage, Glen Ellyn
Expert: Jim Mulyk, hospitality assistant professor and manager of Wheat Cafe
Why should someone eat at Wheat Café? Besides being a fantastic value, our students use the freshest seasonal ingredients in our menus. Not only do our patrons get to enjoy a three-course lunch, they're also helping our students gain valuable real-world experience that will help prepare them for the job force.
What's the entree a diner should try? Our menus change every two weeks and feature three entree choices that reflect seasonal, regional American cuisines. All of the student-prepared meals are received phenomenally well, but the wine-braised beef short ribs are a customer favorite, as is the Southwestern-style pulled pork sandwich with chipotle aioli and pickled red onions.
What's the dessert a diner needs to try? We're really fortunate to have some gifted pastry instructors, and their classes turning out all of our breads and the beautiful desserts you see in Wheat Café. Our cheesecake with house-made fruit compote and complementary sorbet is amazing. If you're not a big cheesecake fan, our crème brûlée with fresh berries is always a hit.
It's $17 for a three-course lunch and $25 for a four-course dinner, including tax. For hours and information, visit cod.edu/w/wheat.htm or call (630) 942-2284.
Sláinte at McHenry County College, Crystal Lake
Expert: Tina Drzal, chef and department chair of culinary management
Why should someone eat at Sláinte? Sláinte is a great option for dining, as we are easy to access and the entire menu was created by students.
What's the entree a diner should try? For entrees, my personal favorites are the filet and portabella Napoleon and the red curry cobia fish. The fish is served on gluten-free rice noodles, and it's a beautiful plate of food.
What's the dessert a diner needs to try? For dessert, the RumChata cannoli are very popular. They were created by the Sweet Scots Bakery students in the fall and are now on the Slaine spring menu.
Regular entrees are $8 to $15. For hours and information, check mchenry.edu/slainte or call (815) 479-7800.
Prairie, College of Lake County, Grayslake
Expert: William Vena, front-of-house manager and chef instructor
Why should someone eat at Prairie? The ambience of Prairie is upscale and comfortable. It's a pretty hip place, with nice colors, artwork and music. We have seating for 55 people and can do small parties up to 15 people during lunch. We average 45 diners per day but have served as many as 90 people during our lunch hours.
What's the entree a diner should try? Students develop new items every week, and everything they serve is very good and reasonably priced from $3 to $7. There are always burger and vegetarian items on the entree menu. The burgers can range from bacon-cheddar cheese to a Greek burger with feta cheese, olives and tomatoes on it. Our menus use as many locally grown ingredients as possible, including herbs and greens grown in CLC's sustainable agriculture program, right here on the Grayslake campus.
What's the dessert a diner needs to try? A lot of our students are achieving both an associate degree in culinary arts and in baking and pastry, so we have students who major in pastry contributing our desserts. Desserts change weekly and include specialties such as dark chocolate and espresso tiramisu or warm pear tart with cinnamon crème anglaise for $3.
Standard entrees are $7 or $8. For hours and information, check clcillinois.edu or call (847) 543-2000.
The Dining Room at Harper College, Palatine
Expert: Patrick Beach, professor who oversees The Dining Room
Why should someone eat at The Dining Room? The Dining Room at Harper College serves our community and provides a real experience for students to serve guests, plan menus and organize personnel. This experience is critical to students having a realistic educational experience.
What's the entree a diner should try? Our entrees change weekly and follow the student calendar. Typically menus in September and February are straightforward meals many will see in casual dining rooms throughout the Northwest suburbs. As we approach March and October, the chefs are more adventuresome and might include ethnic meals for Octoberfest and St. Patrick's Day and fine-dining components.
What's the dessert a diner needs to try? We usually have a signature dessert with small (tastes) every day. Chocolate mousse, baklava, pies, ice cream and cakes are regularly featured.
Regular entrees are $7. For hours and information, check goforward.harper.edu or call (847) 925-6580.