CityGate boasts 'altogether better' event experience

When the team at CityGate reviewed guest feedback, a theme was revealed: Having several high-quality establishments in one campus location offering both variety and consistency under the management of a single organization, CityGate Hospitality LLC, was a plus.

On the heels of this, CityGate adopted the tagline: Better together and altogether better.

"It's more than a slogan," said Dennis Igoe, vice president of operations for CityGate Hospitality. "It's really a mantra for how we approach everything here, from providing a great guest experience to how our employees are trained, our ingredients procured and our quality standards set."

Located along I-88 at the intersection of Route 59 and Ferry Road, CityGate offers nearly 20,000 square feet of indoor meeting space composed of a dozen different rooms at four distinct campus venues, and an abundance of outdoor event space, both structured and natural, waterfront terrain.

The independently-owned property hosts intimate gatherings of 10 to large events with hundreds of guests.

It is anchored on the north by the Forbes Four Star, AAA Four Diamond, Hotel Arista. In addition to its luxury standards, it was Illinois first LEED-Certified hotel, and has maintained GreenSeal certification. As the only such highly and consistently rated hotel in Chicagoland's suburbs, this 144 guest-room boutique hotel is a rare find outside of the city limits.

Hotel Arista's 6,000 square-foot Grand Ballroom with state-of-the-art audiovisual technology hosts seminars, fundraisers and galas, awards dinners, large-scale meetings and opulent weddings, earning its place in The Knot's Best of Weddings Hall of Fame.

Four more event rooms comprise more than 5,800 square feet with event capacities ranging from 14 guests to more than 200, including the 12th floor Cyprus Room with its outdoor terrace offering a stunning view from Naperville's tallest building.

Known for its bountiful buffets, Hotel Arista's menu features carving stations and "action stations," such as custom-prepared stir fry. Its plated service is well timed and optimally served.

Adjacent to Hotel Arista is Che Figata which opened in May of last year. The name of this Italy-to-table kitchen, bar & market is Italian for "it's cool!" and the modern Italian décor, a collaboration of owner Mae Calamos and the renown Aria Group, fulfills that promise.

Che Figata features two event rooms - The Tuscany Room for smaller groups of 12 to 14 guests and The Dolce Vita for 25 to 30 - along with "Aria Fresca," two outdoor patio spaces for 45 to 50 guests. Event planners can combine The Tuscany room with its adjacent patio for an indoor-outdoor experience.

Its authentic Italian menu is ingredient based and ranges from brick-oven Roman-style pizza to homemade pastas, from chef-inspired wood-burning oven roasted dishes to grilled fresh Mediterranean seafood.

Che Figata also provides catering for private events of up to 100 guests in the newly remodeled Zorba Cocktail Bar, which bridges Che Figata to the Hotel Arista lobby, and offers off-site catering, bringing its authentic Italian menu selections to your indoor or outdoor venue of choice. Based on availability, it will accommodate whole-house private-parties at the restaurant for up to 150 guests.

Anchoring the south end of the 25-acre CityGate campus is USDA Prime steakhouse CityGate Grille, which celebrates its 10th anniversary this year. "The Grille" as it's frequently called by regular guests, features a wide-ranging menu from cold salmon appetizers to prime rib entrees. It offers private events and semiprivate dining for groups of 10 to 200.

A Best of Weddings venue selected by The Knot, CityGate Grille has three indoor event rooms and an expansive paved outdoor terrace trimmed with Edison lights and a fire pit.

Its Wall Street Room is ideal for business lunches and dinners, and birthday and anniversary celebrations, with a capacity of 24 guests. The Trading Room Floor is a 50-guest space frequently used for client receptions and rehearsal dinners. CityGate Grille's 200-guest Terrace Room, with its floor-to-ceiling windows, opens to the outdoor space for which it is named.

The outdoor terrace itself frequently hosts receptions and cocktail parties under the stars, as well as company barbecues and even grilling classes led by Adam Tanner, CityGate Grille executive chef.

Leading from the terrace is a paved pathway to CityGate Grille's waterfront green space, surrounded by native vegetation and large enough to hold seating for wedding ceremonies, and host outdoor activities such as team-building exercises.

Tap In Pub is CityGate's neighborhood sports bar. Offering a choice among a half-dozen different buffet menus, ranging from its signature taco bar to roast turkey and brisket carving stations, Tap In features two 16-foot HD screens that can be used for presentations, game viewing and simulated HD golfing on some of the world's top-rated courses - yes it provides clubs or bring your own. Ideal for team building and other events that desire a more casual feel, event planners can choose between Tap In's private event space for up to 40 guests, or a whole-house private party for up to 100.

In all, CityGate offers the versatility and resources to host your unique single or multiday event with choice and variety, all together.

To learn more about events at CityGate, email kchinnici@citygatehospitality.com or call 630-579-7874.