New Geneva restaurant serves up healthy options

Paul Chaudury knows what kind of a reputation health food can have.

“Typically health food tastes like cardboard,” he said.

So, when he opened his new restaurant, Fresh D’Lite, along Randall Road in Geneva, he didn’t focus on typical health foods.

Instead, he focused on making popular and delicious foods healthy.

“That was the reason for doing the restaurant, because healthy restaurant food does exist here and there, but there is no taste,” he said. “We wanted to do regular food, with regular taste, but healthier.

“The concept is very simple, but unique,” Chaudury said. “It’s fresh meals cooked from scratch. Because of that, the entire menu is 50 to 75 percent less calories, fat and sodium than you’d normally find.”

Chaudury said the restaurant, which is in Geneva Commons, across from Starbucks and California Pizza Kitchen, is a combination of what you’d find at Panera, Chipotle and Noodles and Company.

Fresh D’Lite has several specialties; he said, including paninis, burritos, wraps, pizzas, noodle bowls and salads.

“It’s very healthy and very tasty,” he said. “We did not compromise taste at all.”

This is the first restaurant for Chaudury, who runs Fresh D’Lite with his wife Janet, and other members of his family.

Chaudury worked at Sara Lee for many years, including as the global head of nutrition, working on low-sodium products and brands like Healthy Choice, he said.

So while he doesn’t have a restaurant background, he said, he knows how to make a good, healthy meal.

The restaurant, which opened in August, has about 100 seats inside, and 50 more outside when it’s warmer.

They also offer carryout and delivery. And they cater for many large functions.

“There are many businesses and organizations around here that are health-minded and want to provide healthy meals for their employees and we help them,” he said. “We cater to them.”

For information about Fresh D’Lite, which is at 1402 Commons Drive, call (630) 208-0104.

Designer knockoffs: Algonquin Commons has a new store for the fashion-conscious who are a little light on the budget.

Knock It Off, located at 1722 S. Randall, next to Claire’s Boutique, has designer-inspired purses, sunglasses, wallets, scarves and more for men, women and children.

The store is open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday.

For information call (847) 471-6747.

Silverlicious: To celebrate the new book “Silverlicious,” fans of the popular “Pinkalicious” book are invited to the Borders Books along Randall Road in both Algonquin and Geneva, Saturday.

The celebration, which begins at 2 p.m. at both stores, will features games, crafts, giveaways and a “Pinkalicious” parade.

The event is geared toward “Pinkalicious” fans ages 4 to 8, and of course their parents, too.

• Amy Williams’ column covers all the news of business along the Randall Road corridor from Batavia to Crystal Lake. Contact her at randallbiz@comcast.net or (847) 894-5036.