After spending the afternoon at Morton Arboretum,our friends suggested we go to NWB - Next Whiskey…read moreBar in downtown Lisle. It was early on a Friday night and we were seated immediately. By the time we left tho,the place was packed! Our server Haley was great. They have a fantastic bourbon and whiskey menu as well as craft cocktails. I had their NWB Old Fashion which is made with Buffalo Trace..bonus! It was so good I had to have two.....lol. We spilt the NWB Trio appetizer which was a selection of hummus,olive tapenade and corn guacamole,fresh veggies and grilled pita. Definitely big enough for 4 people. Their menu offers Mac n cheese, Gourmet Burgers,Wraps,Sandwiches and Salads. I had the NWB Burger which was an 8 oz burger topped with pork belly,cheese curds,whiskey bbq sauce on a pretzel bun. Absolutely delicious! My wife had The Gobbler (GF) with a Turkey burger,avocado,goat cheese,roasted red pepper sauce on a GF bun. She loved it and they only charged an extra 1.00 for the GF bun. Portions are huge and the food is very good. We will definitely be back!

I was completely caught off guard by how good the burgers and drinks were here! My husband got the…read moresuribachi burger, and the wasabi gave it the perfect kick. I got the NWB burger, and struggled to fit it in my mouth it was so big. The pork belly was unnecessary honestly, and next time, I'd order it and ask for this to not be included. We also enjoyed a couple of cocktails, and they were some of the best old fashioneds I've had outside of Kentucky along the bourbon trail. My only critique: the music was exclusively bro country. I wish they'd play better music.

It's a super low-key bar with an amazing vibe -- perfect for a chill night with friends. The…read moreservice was honestly INCREDIBLE. So attentive, constantly checking in without being overbearing, and giving tons of great drink suggestions. You can tell they actually know their stuff. They have such a huge selection -- so many beers, seltzers, and different drinks to choose from. If you're not sure what to get, they're happy to let you sample and help you find something you'll love. That alone makes the experience feel elevated. I also love that they have board games available, and it's just that kind of place where you can hang out for hours. We even brought our own board games, ordered pizza, and had the best night ever! It's the perfect spot for a laid-back night -- no pressure, no crazy crowds, just good drinks and great company. After going, it totally makes sense why their reviews are so strong. I would 100% go back.

We were visiting the area from out of state and looking to grab a few IPAs to go. Asked the…read morebartender for some "local"IPA recommendations. She pointed out a few and even gave us a sample of something that was on tap and in the case. Awesome. Will definitely stop in again when we are in the area.

THE USUAL SUSPECTS…read more This dive bar in Lisle is a haven for townies, which is certainly a vibe. Maple Ave Pub is, unsurprisingly, on Maple Ave just west of Route 53 in the western suburbs of Chicago. I'd estimate I've stopped here close to a dozen times, although a handful of those instances I neglected to check-in on Yelp for fear of my wife seeing it ("I thought you were coming straight home from work....") An older woman's been behind the counter seemingly every time, taking drink orders and making small talk. She's friendly--​moreso with the locals than with me--​and I'll occasionally get called 'hun', 'sweetie', etc, which is endearing. I got way better service from the hot tattooed barkeeps at Brauer House in Lombard, however. To be perfectly honest, I've never eaten anything here. The wings look like they might pass muster, though there's a few items that raise an eyebrow (clam chowder at a dive bar? thanks, I'll pass). Possum Pub in Melrose Park had surprisingly good food, and it was a major dive, so perhaps I ought to give the grub here a shot sometime. They have several pool tables, a Big Buck Hunter, Golden Tee, dart board, boxing machine, and pair of pinball machines; as of 6/19/24 they've got a Star Trek premium (Stern, 20​13) and JAWS (Stern, 2024). In the past they had Oktoberfest (American Pinball, ​2018), Fish Tales (Williams, 1992), and a stunning Circus Voltaire (Bally, 1997). Last week, the A/C wasn't working so this place was SWELTERING on one of the hottest days of the year. Normally I stick around for a couple pints and 2-3 games of pinball, but it was so toasty inside (worse than outside) I only played 1 game and skipped the beer completely. There were no fans on, either. * TL;DR * Dive bars are all well and good, but maybe it's time I found a new spot to hit up for a cheap domestic pint. Over the years I've gotten a handful of looks that can be described as quizzical at best, and dirty at worst. I've been ignored by the bartender numerous times--with cash in hand, mind you--while she's chatting away with regulars, as I'm standing there absolutely parched. I want to like Maple Ave Pub, but the feeling doesn't seem mutual. If it weren't for the pinball tables, I probably wouldn't return.

Old school, no frills--yes fun, un-corporate, low key place to hang with a friendly crowd and…read moretender--better than Cheers!. Old school, dark wood, good ole' bar with plenty of ways to entertain you. Decent selection on tap and in bottles as well as cocktails. Good bar food. Reasonable prices! Come as you are, no one cares. Bottom line: Very low key, decent bang for the buck on refreshments and food, low key crowd, lots of stuff to do.

I took V to Entourage to celebrate his birthday, and it turned out to be a fantastic evening from…read morestart to finish. We arrived on a Friday night just before 9:00 PM and had no trouble finding street parking--always a win. We were greeted by our waitress, Jennifer, who was absolutely amazing. She let us know about their late-night perk: half-price small plates and select drinks on Fridays and Saturdays from 9 PM until close, which is such a great incentive for heading out later in the evening. Jennifer was attentive without being intrusive--our water glasses were always full, she checked in after every course, and her recommendations for both food and drinks were spot-on. We started with a Mad Rose for V and a Chameleon for me. Both cocktails were delicious, and after finishing his Mad Rose, V definitely felt the celebratory spirit kicking in. For appetizers, we shared the Vietnamese Summer Rolls and Sweet Chili Calamari. The summer rolls were light, fresh, and nicely accented with mint. The calamari was sweet with a surprisingly spicy finish--delicious, though the heat was just a bit much for V. I'd happily order both again. For my main course, I had the Wagyu Beef Stroganoff, and wow--hands down the best stroganoff I've ever had. The beef was incredibly tender, and the sauce was perfectly balanced with the noodles. It even paired beautifully with my Chameleon, with subtle lemon notes that complemented each other surprisingly well. V ordered the Tomahawk Pork Chop, cooked medium well and absolutely perfect. He loved every bite. It came with a risotto that he enjoyed, even if it wasn't the standout of the dish. Dessert sealed the deal. We finished with Sandy's White Wine Cake--which reminded me of a carrot cake in the best way--and the Banana Cream Pie, which was easily the best banana cream pie I've ever had. Truly a WOW moment. Between the excellent food, thoughtful service, and great late-night specials, Entourage made V's birthday celebration one to remember. We'll definitely be back. Sorry, I wish I had pics but I left my phone behind today.

After a long final day of a conference in the Chicago suburbs, I really did not feel like dealing…read morewith traffic or going out to dine solo, so tonight called for delivery. I ordered from Entourage Downers Grove and was honestly impressed with how well everything held up for delivery. The standout for me was the lobster bisque. It arrived at the perfect temperature, which is pretty impressive for delivery. The bisque was rich and luscious without feeling overly heavy, and the basil oil added a nice brightness that balanced the creaminess beautifully. It also had a generous amount of lobster, including several large chunks, and was a very solid portion overall. The filet mignon sliders were another highlight. Each slider had a substantial piece of filet mignon topped with pickled onions, microgreens, and horseradish cream on brioche buns. The onions and horseradish added enough acidity and bite to balance the richness of the beef without overpowering it. I also tried the Vietnamese summer rolls, filled with roasted shiitake mushrooms, fresh vegetables, and rice noodles, served with both peanut sauce and sweet chili sauce. Everything tasted very fresh, and the sauces complemented the generously stuffed rolls nicely. My only small critique is that cutting them in half made for a prettier presentation, but made them a little awkward to dip and eat. Overall, this was a surprisingly strong delivery experience, and I would absolutely order from them again, or better yet, make it over to the restaurant itself next time I'm in the area.

Altavida is a new addition to the downtown Naperville area as they have only been open for 3 weeks…read more It has taken over The Craftsman building which offers three floors. Altavida's concepts for the three levels are Publico, Rumba, and Altura. Publico (1st Flr)- A South American fusion of food and drinks that will be rotating. The cocktails will be more tequila and mezcal based and food will be subtly rotated based on trends happening in South America. The food menu currently offers tapas, empanadas, ceviche, guacamoles, larger format meat/seafood entrees, and more. They will have a front of our bar as well as a back bar that will specialize in more coffees/coffee cocktails. Rumba (2nd Flr)- The entertainment floor! There is a separate bar on this floor that will specialize in more Rum based cocktails. Additionally, they will have a wine bar area with wines in tap. Lastly, they will have an open area for live music as well as dancing. Their hope is to have a mix of jazz, club music, salsa dancing options available. Altura (3rd Flr)- This floor is still under construction but will have a rooftop patio. The hope is that this space will be an event space both for public and private events. Back to my experience! My partner and I stopped in for a cocktail and to see what Altavida was about. Our first bartender was very nice but was still getting used to the drink recipes and was leaning on their cheat sheets. While we waited, another bartender kindly told us all about the restaurant and its focus on hospitality. Unfortunately, each bartender had a slightly different explanation of the restaurant's goal concepts which was confusing. We ended up ordering the El Toro and Vaquero (both mezcal drinks). Both were VERY spirit forward to the point that it may have needed better balance. Both drinks had a nice presentation with garnishes, color, and a skull feature at the bottom of the glass. Lastly, we saw many people walk up and look confused as there was no formal host stand. They didn't know if they should seat themselves or wait for someone. Overall, there still seems to be some kinks needing to be worked out as well as some conceptual editing. I feel they are trying to achieve too much and it ends up being confusing for staff and guests. I hope with time, Altavida is extremely successful in the Naperville area and I hope to circle back after some time passes.

This place is a wonderful addition to DT Naperville! I was able to get a last minute dinner…read morereservation on a Friday night. I arrived at 6:30 and there were plenty of people already in the restaurant, but I was seated promptly. My server Richard came over to greet me right away. He went over the menu options and gave great recommendations. We put our order in pretty quickly because we've been to tapas restaurants before. I loved the modern decor and lively music being played. The place is truly colorful and has a very energetic vibe. The service was excellent. Everyone was extremely kind and happy to help. Edwin, the general manager was so friendly and accommodating by making sure that everything was to our liking. He is a gem. My husband and I ordered a few different tapas to share. We started with the empanadas and they were truly 10/10, highly recommend! We had the beef and chicken with the chimichurri sauce. We also tried the papas bravas and those were delicious as well. They are spicy and have a nice kick. The portion is pretty big and shareable. Last, we had chicken en mole. Omg, so good! They knocked it out of the park with this one. The presentation is very pleasing and the flavor is 10/10! I'm a hot sauce girly and even carry it in my bag just in case. The sauce they had in the dish was so good that I didn't even think about adding hot sauce! The rice and chicken along with the sauce is chef's kiss. I also tried the Brussels sprouts but they were my least favorite of everything. They should go back to the drawing board on that one. The drinks we had were solid. My husband had an espresso martini and dragonfruit margarita, while I had a mango margarita. All were good. Needless to say, I had an amazing evening at Altavida! The dancing on the second floor was also very fun and entertaining. I will definitely be a regular here!

Awesome local dive bar with history. The owner loves squirrels and the 3 Stooges. He works there…read moreduring the day and his son takes over at night. No food other then snacks however there is a Subway Sandwich store next door plus they allow you to have food delivered there.

My friend was looking everywhere for a "Chicago Handshake" which apparently is not a sex thing. We…read moreended up looking on yelp for the best place to find one and Squirrel Cage was it! Staff was friendly, and it just happened to be Tuesday trivia night! We had a great time at this dive bar and would recommend! Just make sure to bring cash as they do not accept cards!

Beth and Tiffany were expert bartenders who made our casual all-ages Thanksgiving open house super…read morefun. They were flexible and knew how to work the bar and the room. You will not be disappointed in their service!

From the owner: Every drink has a story. Let us help you create and be a part of yours!read more

SO yummy!! We first started with caviar bites - a must try! The flavors blend so well together. I…read moregot one of the flatbreads and again - super delicious! I loved the decor in the restaurant it was clean and elegant! The service was also top tier! Our waiter was very nice and even gave us a complementary twix like bar for desert (we will be reordering this when we come back seriously SO good!) because it was my friend's college grad!

I'm a pretty easy going person and try to be fair but this was a wild experience…read more First of all we walk in the check in for our reservations and have to fight to be acknowledged. The hostess looked right at me and decided not to speak with me. I almost left but didn't feel like trying to find a new spot to eat. Then we get seated at a small WOBBLY UNSTABLE table that we have to put a napkin under ourselves to stop from wobbling. We then get served the food meant for the table next to us! It sat on our table for at least 3-4 minutes while we attempted to wave a waiter down to let them know. Then they had the AUDACITY to give the plates that were in front of us for minutes to the couple next to us whom the dishes we meant for!? INSANE!! Not a sorry or any kind of compensation. That's a health code violation and they are lucky that couple next to us didn't put up a fight. Their meal should have been free or Just remake the dish for the poor folks?? You made a mistake, admit to it and make it right!! Besides the wild health code violation, the vibes are pretentious and elitist. Not worth your money. Plenty of better options in the area. Super disappointed! Getting too big for your britches Fox Tail. We loved this place years ago but they have lost their touch.

Didn't know what to expect for this cocktail bar. The staff from the doorman to the server, Zee was…read morethe name I believe, were all great to deal with. Good place for low chill vibes and to get away from the younger bars Naperville has. Will be back.

It's hard to define The Northcott Liquorette. It's a bar but it's not a traditional American bar…read morewith TVs and comfort snack foods. It's not a bar with bad lighting and music. It's not a restaurant because you wouldn't just come here for the food although the food is good. It's close to a lounge I would say but again not exactly a lounge either. In any case it's a great place to hang out with a friend or friends or a date . The cocktails are made well and well thought out. They are not your traditional cocktails you find everywhere and I love an original place with unique ideas. Make a reservation, be on time, order a dish and a few drinks and enjoy yourself.

Really great night out trying Fonda De Paula! Anytime a Mexican restaurant has warm and crisp chips…read moreon the table as soon as you're seated I'm ALL IN. Along with a yummy red salsa, they also brought a delicious refried bean dip that we all loved! This was super unique and a table favorite. I ordered 3 different tacos, steak, chicken tinga and the Baja fish. The Baja fish was my least favorite, it was cooked well but could use more flavor. The other two were super delicious and I would get both again! The rest of my group enjoyed large burritos and chicken enchiladas. The wait staff let us know that the red sauce is spicier and the green sauce is mild. Our verdict was that the red sauce isn't too spicy unless you're very sensitive to spice. The service was a little slow but it was a busy Saturday night. We also enjoyed a pitcher of margaritas! Light salt on the rims, but overall a good marg! Looking forward to coming back.

Pros: easy to get a table; the vibes inside are nice; drinks are pretty decent…read more Cons: our waiter upsold EVERYTHING to the point it was obnoxious. The food was mid at best, but priced as if it was the best food in town.