Suburban Lynfred Winery expands to Wheeling
You are hip. You eat your dinner European style - at eight or nine in the evening. You even like to precede dinner with the standard drink at your favorite establishment. Too bad your favorite establishment is a dive where your date's feet will probably stick to the floor. That is not so hip.
Toss the idea of dive bars and light beer, grab your date and head over to Lynfred Winery's newest shop in Wheeling for a more intimate experience.
Located on Milwaukee Avenue, across the street from Chevy Chase Country Club, the new winery is nestled among several antique shops, a bridal shop and a dollhouse. When you pull into the lot, a feeling of tranquility encompasses you. Originally an old farmhouse, the property has been transformed from its former antique shop to host as Lynfred's second home.
In-house carpenters built the wine bar, and pretty much everything else, by hand. Upon entering for your wine tasting, you and your date will be greeted by smiles and warm welcomes. Sidle up to the bar and order up a tasting for both of you. At $7 per person for a tasting of some exceptional wines, this start to your date is a bargain.
Each wine's origin and fermenting process are revealed as you and your date toss playful glances back and forth over the rims of your respective wine glasses. Take your date's hand and wander into the wine room to eyeball some of Lynfred's wonderful vintages and gifts. Situate yourselves in the front sitting room and watch all the busy people scurry along Milwaukee Avenue just beyond the trees while you and your date share an intimate laugh.
Lynfred's location is the perfect start to dinner since wonderful restaurants surround you on all sides.
Just across the street sits a little strip mall hiding two local gems. Does fresh, consistently tasty sushi ring your bell? Try Wakaba, Japanese for "young leaf." This place offers a garden-like atmosphere with plants abound. Friendly staff and reasonable prices make this sushi bar a favorite for locals.
If sushi is not what you have a hankering for, the place next door offers a different environment and cuisine for you and your date. Cafe Mistiko presents a mixture of Mediterranean and Balkan dishes, several pool tables, a plethora of TVs displaying different European soccer games and a nice smattering of import beers. Mistiko is possibly the European take on the American sports bar.
Just down the street on the other side of Half Day Road sits some of the area's tastiest Asian fusion, Simon Lin's Asian Bistro. Chef Lin brings all of his years of experience in Chinese cooking, fusing Japanese and Thai flavors, creating a truly unique dining experience. Asian Bistro includes a full service bar with complete wine and sake lists. Perfect for intimate dining. Do not pass on dessert! The mousse is a treat.
In the opposite direction down Milwaukee awaits a lounge experience that will be sure to please your mate. Located at the top of the new Westin is the RT Lounge - this place oozes that lounge ambiance with leather couches, heavy drapes and dimmed lighting. Perfect for later night bites, this place rocks with a top-quality drink list, seafood-oriented dishes and raw fare as well as offering the full menu of the steakhouse below. Cozy up to your date and share a single-malt by the fireplace.
Wherever your taste buds take you to on Milwaukee Avenue's restaurant row, start your date at Lynfred Winery. It is the perfect beginning to your rendezvous, and your date will never be the wiser of that local dive.
Lynfred Winery Wheeling
Facts: 971 N. Milwaukee Ave., Wheeling; (847) 229-9463
Hours: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Wine tasting daily: $7 for seven wines/$6 for members
Nearby
• Wakaba, 20506 Milwaukee Ave., Deerfield; (847) 541-7777
• Cafe Mistiko, 20510 Milwaukee Ave., Deerfield; (847) 520-1892
• Simon Lin's Asian Bistro, 410 N. Milwaukee Ave., Lincolnshire, (847) 478-8883; simonlins.com/asianbistro.html
• RT Lounge, 601 N. Milwaukee Ave., Wheeling; (847) 777-6575