Northfield Restaurant

391 Central Ave. Northfield, IL

Northfield Restaurant is small, family friendly and about as lively as it gets in  a deli. You can choose from a wide array of lunch or breakfast options, but we went with the staple of any breakfast place: chocolate chip pancakes. We were surprised by how good they actually were, probably the best pancakes in the Northbrook area. From our little sample of the menu, we can presume that if you’re in need of a cheap, sit-down lunch or breakfast, this is the place to go.

Siunik

1701 Chestnut Ave. Glenview, IL

Our adventure to Siunik started when we pulled into an industrial parking lot in Glenview containing big trucks, and an array of minivans. We would be lying if we said we were not skeptical at first. We walked into the small brick building and saw the owner sitting around talking at the tables with what seemed like his family. The owner greeted us warmly and offered us some food. It was like eating at home. We talked about his restaurant for a while, and he told us of his plans to provide a Sarkis-like breakfast in the mornings. Siunik is a cheap and delicious place to go to if you want some authentic Armenian food and warm service.

Homer’s Ice Cream

1237 Green Bay Road Wilmette, IL

Homer’s is that typical ice cream shop you find in places like Lake Geneva or the Wisconsin Dells. The first thing that hits you when you enter is its personality and flare. Homer’s emphasizes its novelty with big vintage-looking posters of children eating ice cream and crazy ice cream flavors you’ve never heard of.  Homer’s also has a full-out dining option, so if you want a burger with your kid’s scoop, you’re in luck. In all, I found my ice cream (raspberry-chocolate) a little flavorless; however, I’m willing to try Homer’s again as the place has a fun atmosphere and reasonable prices.

Tapas Gitana

310 Happ Road Northfield, IL

Tortillas españolas, stuffed mushrooms and paella all allow Tapas Gitana to transform an average Saturday night into a Spanish fiesta. The dishes were all unique and flavorful. Some of them are spicy and foreign and others were comforting and familiar. While a few of the tapas are not exactly fit to our palettes, the warm and friendly atmosphere makes up for it. Tapas Gitana is a great place to go when seeking a fun Friday or Saturday night with friends or  family. Each dish is around seven to eight dollars and are ordered for the table. The restaurant is hidden in the back of a strip mall in Northfield, but it is worth the search.