It’s time to chow down in La Grange.
The annual La Grange Restaurant Week kicks off Feb. 27 and runs through March 9. There are 22 restaurants participating and each offers special deals over the 11 days.
At fourteensixteen, 14 W. Calendar Ave., Event Director James McGuigan is happy the restaurant is again participating as it has annually since it opened nearly nine years ago.
“Restaurant Week to me is a way to not only foster growth in the restaurant community, but to offer something special — a culinary tour of La Grange — to the people of La Grange and the surrounding communities,” he said.
A four-course menu offered at fourteensixteen for $50 per person or items can be ordered a la carte.
Either way, diners won’t be disappointed, he said.
“Our executive chef, Bret Bohning, is classically French trained. “It’s all about the sauce. … He does all of our menus. We also participate in Chicago Restaurant Week.”
Another incentive for returning to fourteensixteen is how Bohning changes the menu four times a year.
“People ask me what’s going to be on the menu in October. I don’t know. Pumpkin everywhere?” McGuigan said with a laugh.
McGuigan likes how the 22 La Grange restaurants join together.
“Try our Restaurant Week (at fourteensixteen), but try others, too,” he said.
“Another good thing is getting (customers) in here. What’s good for (restaurants) across the street is good for us, too. Just the visibility. We’re all in this together. This is not a competition,” McGuigan said.
La Grange Business Association and the village of La Grange co-sponsor the event. LGBA Director Dan Mulka thinks a good time is in store for all..
Restaurant Week, Mulka said, is something that celebrates the village’s diverse culinary choices and helps local businesses.
“La Grange is a dining destination. There are all sorts of different cultures represented. … It’s the place for any palate,” Mulka said.
Not only does the week promote restaurants, it helps expand dining horizons.
For example, people can visit restaurants they never have before.
“It’s a great time to do that,” Mulka said, noting that downtown’s newest addition, Hangry Joe’s, opened its doors in late 2024.
Or, they can sample new items on menus at restaurants they are familiar with.
“If you always choose the chicken, maybe it’s a good time to try a beef dish. Step outside that comfort zone,” Mulka said.
Kristine “Koz” Kostrewa, operations manager at The Elm, 23 W. Harris Ave., has seen new faces there following Restaurant Week.
“The week is important for us to showcase our specialties and to give back to all the patrons who come here. We want it to be an exciting week for everyone to come into downtown La Grange,” Kostrewa said.
“We have lunch and dinner (offerings) for Restaurant Week. Thirty dollars a person for lunch, $45 per person for dinner. You choose your starter, entrée and dessert,” she said.
The timing is perfect, she said.
“This time tends to be a slower time of year in this business. It reminds everyone that we are here, open during the day. They can come in for lunch, have a great meal and have fun,” she said.
“We want everyone to succeed and do well and bring a ton of business to La Grange,” Kostrewa added.
As an example of the cohesiveness, The Elm offers ice cream from Tate’s on its dessert menu.
Speaking of desserts, Mulka suggested eating dinner at one restaurant then strolling to another for a sweet treat.
A wide range of prices are available.
For example, at Q BBQ $18 buys lunch of one spicy cheddar Texas link, one pork sandwich Q style, a fountain drink and one jumbo fluffed stuffed rice crispy treat.
At Upper’s Land, you can buy one bubble tea and get one free.
Barrel House Social has a two-course brunch/lunch menu for $22 per person and a three-course dinner menu for $38 per person.
“Every restaurant has their own individual spin on it,” Mulka said.
If you visit www.lgba.com and click on restaurant week in the top corner, you’ll find a listing of what is offered by each participant.
Mulka said La Grange has become a restaurant destination “because it’s a beautiful downtown. It’s got that great environment.”
And it’s easy to get to, he noted.
There’s a large parking garage behind the village hall.
The train station at La Grange Road offers access from Aurora, Naperville, Riverside, Chicago and other communities on the Burlington Northern rail line.
“It’s easy to navigate. I brought my family to Barrelhouse Social the other day. You can feel comfortable walking your kids around (downtown),” he said.
Having a Classic Cinema theater downtown is another plus for Restaurant Week. “The traditional date night,” said Mulka of dinner and a show.
And, as McGuigan noted with a smile, we need not worry about straying from our diets.
“There’s no such thing as Weight Watchers during Restaurant Week,” he said.
The 22 restaurants participating
Aodake Ramen
Barrel House Social
Blackberry Market
fourteensixteen
The Elm
GP Italiano
Hangry Joe’s
Kama Indian Bistro
mana
Marco’s Kitchen
Milk Money Brewing
Milkstop Café
Nonna’s Goodlife Pizza
Prasino
Q BBQ
Santiago’s
Shang Noodle
Steak + Vine
Sushi Ukai
Uppers Land
Wonderful Matcha
Woow Sushi