Monday, November 12, 2012

Condell Fundraiser in Vernon Hills

This week - head out to the grand opening of the Silk Asian Tavern in Vernon Hills and help out the Radiation Oncology unit at Libertyville's Condell Hospital!!



I had a chance to check out the food at the Silk Asian Tavern about a week ago - it was really good!  To be honest, the last time I had dinner there, was back when it was a place called the Wheel Works!  (Like 25 years ago).  These are new owners - and I can't say enough good things about them!

One of the things I really liked - Silk has a large selection of really well prepared Asian food!  (Sushi, Mongolian beef, etc.)   If you want something fun, try the appetizer that comes out on a hot stone! 

The Fundraiser for the Condell Radiation Oncology unit is this Thursday, November 15th from 3-8pm.  It's $20 to get in (with a cash bar).



Here is the full press release for the opening of the Silk Asian Tavern.  I'd love to hear your feedback!


VERNON HILLS – Silk Asian Tavern, 4 E. Phillip Rd., Vernon Hills (on Townline Road), a new, unique, hip, urban suburban Global Asian restaurant and sushi bar serving up a contemporary Asian dining experience in an upscale casual setting, is hosting a grand opening celebration November 12-15. Events culminate with a fund raiser on Thursday, November 15 on behalf of Advocate Condell Medical Center’s Radiation Oncology Services
From Monday through Wednesday, guests at Silk Asian Tavern www.silkasiantavern.com, located in the building formerly occupied by Silk Mandarin Restaurant, will enjoy free samples of appetizers as well as drink specials. Diners will get a 10 per cent discount on all food items.
On Thursday, November 15, the community is invited from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., to enjoy appetizers, desserts, signature food items and cocktails, and select wines. Lake County radio station WXLC’s (102.3 FM) Haynes Johns broadcasts live from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. $20 per person with a cash bar. A portion of the proceeds goes to Advocate Condell Medical Center’s Radiation Oncology Services.

Silk Asian Tavern’s co-executive chefs and owners, Cliff Ostrowski and Bo Wungwattana, honor the traditions of authentic Chinese, Japanese, Thai, Korean, and Vietnamese dishes while continuing to serve favorite selections of regular patrons coming to Silk Mandarin the last 25 years.

Silk Asian Tavern, which seats 160 people, features Dim Sum, small bites, and starters; salads and soups; main entrees; noodles and rice; desserts; and chef’s specialties as well as an extensive selection of liquor and wine. It’s sushi bar rivals any found in an urban location. Signature dishes (some one-of-a-kind in the north and northwest suburbs) include:

• Hot stone – A 500-degree stone is used to cook thinly sliced marinated beef

• Chen Du Chicken – Szechuan style preparation of crispy diced chicken, dried red chilis, and Szechuan peppercorn oil

• Honey Peach Shrimp – Crispy fried shrimp tossed in a honey poppy seed like sauce

• Pork Belly Robatayaki – Sweet chili glazed and served with an avocado watermelon salsa

• Soft Shell Crab Roll – Thai basil, avocado, red and black tabiko caviars and a sweet chili sauce

“We have a contemporary menu usually found in a Chicago urban Asian restaurant,” said Ostrowski. “We honor the tradition of foods from a variety of countries, so if you visited China or Japan and enjoyed a specific dish, we can prepare it for you. And we offer many dishes that meet the needs of our health conscious customers.
“We also challenge the pallet enabling our customers to experience new tastes. From our main entrees, diners choose chicken, beef, shrimp, pork, lobster, or tofu, then add their own style, such as Kung Pao, cashew, basil, ginger, and more. If you like Mongolian Beef you might like Mongolian Lobster. Variety is the spice of life,” he said.

Among its unique specialties is Robatayaki – marinated meats and vegetables skewered and cooked over a Japanese grill. The method of cooking is similar to barbecue where the food on skewers are slow-grilled over hot charcoal.

Ostrowski said Silk Asian Tavern enjoys the carry-over loyalty of customers of the previous, highly regarded Silk Mandarin by preparing and serving many of that restaurant’s popular dishes. “We appreciate their support and make sure we provide them what they have come to enjoy for so many years,” he said.

Silk Asian Tavern also features a lunch buffet Monday through Friday. A Sushi happy hour Mondays to Fridays from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. begins November 19. Soon to come is Dim Sum football…patrons will enjoy Dim Sum while watching NFL football on four televisions.

Award winning co-executive chef Ostrowski and his brother-in-law, Wungwattana, each of whom brings many years of well known Chicago restaurant and banquet experience to Silk Asian Tavern, have remodeled the restaurant to give it an urban feel in a suburban setting. The new look Sushi bar is complemented by a food and beverage bar overlooking an open kitchen.
Buoyed by 26 years of combined experience and accomplishments – Ostrowski, among other restaurants, was Sous Chef at the upscale bistro-style French/Asian fusion Red Light Restaurant in Chicago and Executive Chef/Food and Beverage Director for the Hard Rock CafĂ© and China Grill Chicago; Wungwattana was Executive Chef at Japonais in Chicago.

Including Ostrowski’s wife, Dear, with her exceptional restaurant and banquet facility credentials, the family-owned Silk Asian Tavern is filling a void in Lake County by serving diners Asian fare unique to a suburban setting.
Silk Asian Tavern, open for both lunch and dinner, provides catering services, and hosts private parties and business meetings. Plans call for delivery services.
Silk Asian Tavern, accessible from both Phillip Road and Townline Road, is open for lunch and dinner Monday through Thursday from 11:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 10:30 p.m,, and Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. For more information call (847) 680-1760, or visit www.silkasiantavern.com.

Saturday, October 20, 2012

DC Cupcakes - Cook Library Author Series

This past week, my wife and I had a chance to attend one of Cook Memorial Library's ongoing author series events - one Elizabeth (my wife) was very excited to attend - the two sisters from TLC's DC Cupcakes TV show came to the Libertyville Civic Center to talk about their new cookbook. Needless to say, it was a great event and very well attended! The Libertyville Review recently ran a story highlighting some of the great programing the Cook Library has been presenting - read more here: Story from the Libertyville Review

For more information on Library programs - visit the Cook Library website - www.cooklib.org



Saturday, September 29, 2012

Oktoberfest - TONIGHT

Libertyville MainStreet's Okoberfest Street Dance is TONIGHT!

I hope to see you there!

P.S. - More blogs, more often - coming soon!  I promise!



Monday, April 9, 2012

Best of the Fest Event! April

This sounds like fun!  Not only with this help a great cause - it's going to be a fun evening to spend with friends and neighbors!  If you need tickets, let me know.  I'd be more than happy to deliver some to you!

The Besley's Home Brew "Best of the Fest" Lap Dog Robust Porter will be featured at Mickey Finn's on Weds., April 25th from 5-8 pm in the Amber Room. Come enjoy a glass of David Reuter's winning porter, some hors d'oeurvres and live music during a fundraiser for the Brainerd Community Center. Tickets are $25 at the door or in advance at the Libertyville Civic Center, Wisma, MainStreet Libertyville, and S&S Wine and Spirit Warehouse.


 

More Information:  www.SaveBrainerd.org

Thursday, March 29, 2012

Here come the Hawks!

For the second year in a row, the Libertyville Sports Complex will be hosting a Chicago Blackhawks Roadwatch Party!  We will see You Thursday April, 5th!

Visit the official Village of Libertyville webpage for more information - www.libertyville.com 
 


Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Early Voting Has Begun!

Early voting for the March 20th Primary Election is underway in Libertyville Township!

Libertyville Township residents who are currently registered to vote can head over to the Lake County Central Permit Facility (500 W. Winchester Rd. / 847-377-2600) and cast a ballot. Early voting runs until March 15th (more details below) Generally, I love to take advantage of early voting - for some reason, trying to get to the polls on election day seems to always be a difficult task for me.

I am often asked my view of local candidates who are running for office - so I thought I would share with you. Here are the local candidates on the Republican ballot I endorse: (There are other positions on the ballot - these are the ones I feel most strongly to support)

10th District Congressman - Robert Dold 
State Representative / 51st District - Ed Sullivan, Jr.
Lake County Board - Dist. 15 - Dan Donahue 
Lake County Coroner - Steve Newton
Libertyville Electric Aggregation Question - Yes/Si

As a former news reporter for Chicago media - I have dealt with County Clerk offices across the Chicagoland area - Lake County Clerk Willard Helander has always had the easiest to use and best looking website. If you have a chance, visit her LakeVoterPower.info website - on the site, you can see a list of all of the candidates who are on your ballot. It's a great resource!

Here is the text of Libertyville resident and Lake County Clerk, Willard Helander announcing early voting:

Early Voting for March General Primary Election

WAUKEGAN, Illinois - Lake County Clerk Willard Helander reminds registered Lake County voters that early voting for the March 20, 2012 General Primary begins Monday, February 27 and ends Thursday, March 15. Early voting is available Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at designated places throughout Lake County. Early voters are required to present a valid Illinois driver’s license, an Illinois identification card issued by the Secretary of State, or another valid government-issued identification document containing their photograph. “Early voting continues to be a popular choice for Lake County voters. Because March 20th may be a cold and snowy day, select the day and time most convenient for you and vote early,” said Helander. Voters can visit LakeVoterPower.info and enter information to confirm their registration at their current address, see a sample ballot, and find their early voting or Election Day voting site. For more information on County Clerk services and election news, visit LakeCountyClerk.info, follow us at twitter.com/ClerkWillard, join our page at facebook.com/CountyClerk, or subscribe to our e-newsletter at LakeCountyClerk.info by clicking on the envelope icon or call 847.377.2400.

(http://countyclerk.lakecountyil.gov/Resources/Documents/News-Releases/EarlyVotingStarts.pdf)

Thursday, January 12, 2012

West Side Parking Lot – Construction Update

This email went out today from the Libertyville Public Works Department. If you would like to recieve construction update emails (or other updates from the village, visit  www.libertyville.com)

Village of Libertyville - West Side Parking Lot – Construction Update

We would like to thank everyone for their continued patience, cooperation and support during this last phase of the parking lot improvements. We appreciate your input and have tried to address all needs that have been brought to our attention. AT&T has finally completed their service transfers and removed the five utility poles and remaining wires. What a difference; it looks fantastic!!! There is some additional work needed to complete the project. This work will be done in the spring/early summer and is weather dependent. We will provide notices when we recommence construction so you are aware of how it may impact you. With the new lot configuration, we are asking business owners to advise their customers and employees to exercise caution when driving and walking in the parking lot. Safety is important to all of us. Thank you again for your understanding as we worked through the challenges of construction; we are almost done and hope you are pleased with the (semi) finished product.

Sincerely,

Village of Libertyville Public Works Department

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Paint the Town!

Cook House Paint Restoration and You -



Of the many things that make living, working and/or playing in Libertyville so wonderful - it is the residents who are involved in our community, that are truly the most remarkable and inspiring characteristic.

We see examples of kindness and philanthropy throughout the Village..... one of the latest examples comes in the form of Libertyville Residents Roch Tranel and Mike Foley. Within the past few months, the two have started an undertaking of raising money to repaint and make structural repairs to the centerpiece of Downtown Libertyville - the Cook Mansion. According to newspaper reports - the total undertaking is roughly a $50,000 project.... with a donation of paint by Benjamin Moore, along with other donations - the project needs to raise about $22,000 to cover the remaining costs.

The Cook Mansion has been such an important landmark in Downtown Libertyville for over 125 years - this undertaking is vital for the home's future.

I ask that you join me in contributing to such a worthwile cause. I have sent in a check for $100 - if you can, please match my donation. If possible, contribute more - with an effort such as this, every dollar makes a difference.

The Paint the Town website: http://paintthetownfoundation.com