Local diners recommend meat-free dining options for Lent

The Lenten season has started, and for some folks that means giving something up -- at least temporarily -- to show their devotion during these few weeks before Easter.

It's an ancient Christian custom dating back to the fourth century, when the faithful would devote themselves to penitence, prayer, and strict fasting during the 40 days from Ash Wednesday until the day before Easter Sunday.

Today, many observe the practice by vowing to give up meat, alcohol, sweets, or other favorite treats for the duration of Lent.

But in this modern world of fast foods and restaurant dining, that can pose a real problem.

What's a "temporary vegetarian" to do?

A lifelong vegetarian, Huntley village trustee Jay Kadakia says he finds good meatless options at Biaggi's and the India Curry House in Algonquin (The Biaggi's chain also has a location in Naperville).

"(India Curry House) has got almost anything you want, and many people go there," says Kadakia, who was born in India and enjoys the authentic cuisine.

For good, simple food, Cary's Family Restaurant is the choice of Dan Giallombardo.

"They've got a lot of things on their menu, and everything is good," he says.

"Customers like our seafood, fresh fish and salads," agrees assistant manager Cesar Herrera, whose brother, Rudy, has been the restaurant's chef for 11 years.

"We have really good vegetable soup, meatless pastas, and 10 different salads you can have without meat."

Manager Tim Trujillo at Aroma Tapas boasts about his zesty garlic potato salad and tortilla Espanola, a potato-and-onion omelet that is a customer pleaser.

The small, informal "classic Spanish" grill, located next to a strip mall on Square Barn Road, is hard to spot but worth a stop, especially for the grilled tuna or salmon fillets. Other offerings include mushroom, fava bean, spinach, goat cheese, and fig-based entrees. Scallops, shrimp and grilled squid appeal to seafood lovers.

Diners at Aroma Tapas are encouraged to sample and share their "a la carte" entrees, Trujillo says.

"The (slogan) we use is 'caring is sharing.' We make a lot of small dishes with some really good flavor in them."

In Huntley, Del Toro's Tex-Mex Grill also offers cheese quesadillas, giant bean burritos, and a flaming "queso" dish that is guaranteed to please and impress. For sushi lovers, Bistro Wasabi is a popular spot in Lake in the Hills.

The Dundee area boasts several Italian restaurants that serve meatless pasta dishes, says Melissa Hernandez, director of the Northern Kane County Chamber of Commerce.

"There's Francesca's in downtown Dundee, and Regina's on Route 31 at Century Plaza," she says. "We have a lot of wonderful member restaurants, including Olive Garden, and I love them all."

For a special evening out, Crystal Lake's 1776 Restaurant offers an upscale atmosphere and a "vegetarian feast" with grilled veggies, warm quinoa salad, and goat cheese. Mushroom and black-bean soups, smoked trout and coconut shrimp are also popular.

Also famed for its seafood is the venerable Port Edward Restaurant, a fine-dining icon next to the Fox River bridge in downtown Algonquin. Tuesday is "lobster night," Thursday is all-you-can-eat Alaskan snow crab, and the Friday night seafood buffet often packs the place -- so reservations are recommended. The daily bill of fare includes such seafood specialties as tilapia parmesan, Hawaiian mahi-mahi, and steamed shrimp with scallops.

The Walleye Grill, located inside the Prairie Lodge at Del Webb's Sun City, underwent a management change last year and is now run by the same folks who operate The Barn of Barrington. Executive chef Jack Morvay is planning several special entrees for Lent.

"We have a variety of fish specials -- haddock, mahi-mahi, swordfish, orange roughy -- and we'll probably do a veggie stir-fry."

Other specialties include Jamaican rice and peas, quiche Lorraine, and casa blanca couscous, which is "really, really excellent," Morvay says.

In Elgin, Jalapeno's and Al's Cafe & Creamery get rave reviews.

The Montarra Grill near Algonquin Commons has meat-free entrees, and the family-friendly menu at the Village Squire (which has West Dundee, South Elgin, Crystal Lake and McHenry) offers seafood and pasta, plus a few surprises: Grecian salmon, mushroom pitas and a Waldorf spinach salad.

Fish fries

But sometimes all you want is a good fish fry. You can't go wrong at Villa Bleu in Fox River Grove, says Mary Ellen Moerke of Huntley. The big portions and low prices draw customers every Friday.

"They've been there for years, and it's worth the drive. It's not a fancy place, but they have good fish," she recommends.

The Friday fish fries at Cruisin' 72s (11 Galligan Road) in Gilberts and the Riverview Inn (1320 S. Main St.) in Algonquin draw crowds from miles around.

At Our Place (889 N. LaFox St.) in South Elgin, owner Kenny Cornelisson says his fish fry is the best.

"My wife (Diane) and I used to run the Blue Mill, and I brought my chef here with me. If it isn't good, we'll give you your money back."

Other popular fish fry spots include the Village Inn, 49 E. Main St., and, Niko's Grill, Freeman Road near the Prime Outlets mall, in Huntley; Chris' Coach House, Silver Lake Road at Crystal Lake Avenue, and Coleman's, 645 Industrial Drive, in Cary; Paul's Family Restaurant, 1300 Lawrence Ave. in Elgin; and the Red Mill Tavern, 1040 Lake Ave. in Woodstock.