ECC's Spartan Terrace opens for dinner

Economic downturn leaving your wallet a little emptier these days? Fox Valley connoisseurs can still fill up in style.

For the first time since 2005, dinner service will return to Elgin Community College's Spartan Terrace Restaurant Sept 9.

The eatery, run by students at the college's culinary arts and hospitality institute, is open for dinner from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday. Lunch will continue to be served from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Menus, created by students and instructors, are changed once or twice during the semester to give students the opportunity to prepare and serve a variety of dishes. In addition, they learn how to create presentations for the various dishes with an eye to artistry and taste.

This semester, guests can enjoy such lunchtime extravagances as lamb pierogies, open-faced chicken lasagna, duck two ways and Mediterranean lemon chicken. Entree prices range from $8 to $10, with half orders available for most entrees at $5 to $7.

Dinner offerings include lamb satay, supreme chicken breast with goat cheese, grilled plank salmon and grilled stuffed boneless pork chop. Dinner entree prices range from $10 to $15 and include a choice of house soup or salad.

Reservations for lunch and dinner are recommended and available by calling (847) 214-7382 or by visiting www.elgin.edu/spartanterrace. Free parking is available in lots 10 and 11.