Dining out: Local pizzaiolo wins big, restaurant anniversaries and more
A local pizza maker will represent the U.S. at the World Pizza Championship next year, and we’ve got a couple of very recognizable names celebrating anniversaries this month. Plus, there’s a new restaurant in Northbrook, and you can get rewarded with pizza for donating blood.
I love it
The pizzaiolo behind Palatine’s Tievoli Pizza Bar (their name is “I love it” backward) will represent the U.S. Pizza Team in Parma, Italy, after being named Grand Champion at the California Pizza Challenge in late August.
Giovanni Labbate, who owns Tievoli with his wife, Adrianna, took first place in two categories — nontraditional pizza and cheese pizza — in the Los Angeles competition before winning the secret basket faceoff to be named Grand Champion.
He’ll participate in the Campionato Mondiale Della Pizza, or World Pizza Championship, next April.
Happy anniversary, part one
Michael Jordan’s restaurant is celebrating seven years in Oak Brook with a $77 per person special menu. Start with a soup or salad, then choose from a gruyere-crusted filet mignon, crab-stuffed tiger shrimp or herb-rubbed rib-eye with giardiniera butter. Finish with cheesecake, Key lime pie or peanut butter pie. The anniversary special is available through Sept. 29.
Happy anniversary, part two
Chicago staple Garrett Popcorn Shops is turning 75 and it’s celebrating its semisesquicentennial with several special deals.
In shops from 1-3 p.m. Monday through Friday, Sept. 9-13, popcorn fans can pick up a small bag of any signature recipe for $1.75. The following week Garrett is offering its classic tin for $19.49.
There will be free surprise Garrett Popcorn giveaways popping up at Chicago-area shops all month. Plus, check out the online savings at the website.
Gladys Otto Garrett opened her first popcorn shop at 10 W. Madison, on the corner of State Street in Chicago, in September 1949. There are now over 50 shops, and the popcorn is sold worldwide online.
New restaurant in Northbrook
Lazy Dog Restaurants opened its fourth suburban location Tuesday in Northbrook at 992 Willow Road.
The 11,216-square-foot restaurant draws inspiration from Jackson Hole, Wyoming, with comfortable lodge-themed decor and a large, dog-friendly patio built around a fire pit. A private room called “The Cabin” can accommodate 30 guests for private gatherings.
The menu features elevated comfort foods like the BBQ Bison Meatloaf, Campfire Pot Roast and Southern Fried Chicken Salad with a side of Nashville hot sauce for dipping.
The Northbrook location joins restaurants in Naperville, Oak Brook and Vernon Hills. They’ve got another location coming soon to Buffalo Grove.
Pies for pints
Jet’s Pizza is providing some incentive for patrons to donate blood by partnering with Vitalant Blood Donation for its Pies for Pints promotion.
Every donor who visits one of the nonprofit donation centers in Illinois Sept. 9-23 will receive a coupon for a free four-corners, one-topping pizza from Jet’s.
Jet’s has suburban locations in Arlington Heights, Aurora, Naperville, Schaumburg and Wheaton.
There’s more than one way to pumpkin spice
You don’t need to drink coffee to enjoy pumpkin spice season. Gong cha, known for its bubble teas, will roll out three fall specials on Monday, Sept. 9. New to the menu are Iced Pumpkin Pie Milk Tea with Milk Foam and Boba, Hot Pumpkin Pie Milk Tea with Milk Foam, and Pumpkin Pie Slush with Milk Foam. Available through Oct. 31, prices vary by location but run about $5.50 to $6.50. Gong cha is at 1295 E. Ogden Ave. in Naperville.
• Email dining news to rwest@dailyherald.com.