Dining

Dining Out: New restaurants and a little romance

Posted August 07, 2024 8:42 am

Rick West

Leilani Asian Fusion opens Friday in Aurora, promising the flavors and traditions of Filipino and PanAsian cuisine. Courtesy of Leilani Asian Fusion

We’ve got a couple of new restaurants opening and another reopening around the suburbs this week. Plus, for reasons unknown, August is National Romance Awareness Month, so of course there is an associated dining special.

Leilani Asian Fusion features many sushi and maki dishes on their diverse menu. Courtesy of Leilani Asian Fusion

New restaurants, part one

Downtown Aurora will welcome a new restaurant Friday that explores the flavors and traditions of Filipino and PanAsian cuisine. Leilani Asian Fusion will open Aug. 9 in the historic Hobbs Building at 2 N. River St.

Leilani promises a diverse menu that includes inventive takes on sushi, steak, vegetarian dishes, boba, signature cocktails and more.

The venue features over 3,000 square feet of dining and bar space on the first floor, as well as a large patio. Forbidden City, the restaurant’s 1,200-square-foot, 50-seat underground lounge conjures images from Southeast Asian nightclubs and offers rum-inspired craft cocktails, beer and wine.

Wing It On! has opened their first Midwest location in Lombard. Courtesy of Wing It On!

New restaurants, part two

Lombard has a new, award-winning spot for you to get your wing fix. Wing It On! recently opened their first Midwestern location at 789 Butterfield Road.

Wing It On! offers more than 20 sauces and rubs for every palate, from mild choices like honey mustard and BBQ to the “painfully delicious” Wings of Prey, which you can also get on tenders and chicken sandwiches.

Founded in 2011, the small chain has been a repeat winner of the “Best-Tasting Medium Traditional Buffalo Sauce” at the National Buffalo Wing Festival.

Hot dog!

Bulldogs Red Hots is back in Batavia. The previously closed spot celebrated a reopening last week at 32 N. Island Ave.

New owners have refreshed the interior space of the restaurant, which specializes in hot dogs, gyros, burgers and sandwiches.

Carrabba’s Italian Grill has a special three-course meal for two in August, which is Romance Awareness Month. Courtesy of Carrabba's Italian Grill

August is for romance?

Did you know August is Romance Awareness Month? I for one can’t think of a less romantic month, but I wasn’t consulted. That being said, Carrabba’s Italian Grill is offering a date night combo for those who are in the mood for love. Or pasta.

Dinner & Dolce, a three-course dinner for two for $45, is available Saturdays and Sundays throughout August. The menu includes a choice of soup or salad, an entree including a number of pasta dishes and specialty entrees like Tuscan-grilled chicken or steak, and a dessert to share.

• Send dining events to rwest@dailyherald.com.

Article Comments

Article Categories
Aurora Batavia Communities Dining Entertainment Lombard Mundelein Woodridge

Article Comments

Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.