Best of 2021

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Congratulations to Hinsdale Magazine’s 2021 “BEST of Reader Favorites”!

By Larry Atseff

2021 marks the sixth year we have asked you to vote for the “BEST of Reader Favorites” across more than 40 categories, ranging from all types of eating places, to home remodelers, repair services, cleaners, salons and more. In another most unusual year for all of us, as businesses and customers of businesses, we have had to make many adjustments to cope with the pandemic. In the case of the businesses, they adjusted, but did not compromise. They have explained what they have done to accommodate needs for safety of customers and employees; they have introduced new services; they have kept what people have always expected; they have praised their employees, who are often overlooked. Instead of staying home bound, these people have come in, every day, to stock shelves, make the meals, serve the meals, work the registers, use their knowledge and talent to serve, make the deliveries and, above all, make sure each business is safe for business. On behalf of all the businesses, thank you.

FOOD AND DRINK

ASIAN
Roka Akor, Oak Brook / Nabuki, Hinsdale / Wild Ginger, Hinsdale

FRENCH/INTERNATIONAL
Marco’s Kitchen, La Grange / Mon Ami Gabi / Oak Brook Vie, Western Springs

ITALIAN
Capri Ristorante, Burr Ridge / Antico Posto, Oak Brook / Il Poggiolo Ristorante, Hinsdale

MEXICAN
Cilantro Taco Grill, Oak Brook / Taco Grill, Westmont / Uncle Julio’s, Lombard

SEAFOOD
Devon Seafood & Steak, Oakbrook Terrace / Parker’s, Downers Grove / Roka Akor, Oak Brook

STEAK
Gibsons, Oak Brook / Steak + Vine, La Grange / Vistro Prime, Hinsdale

SUSHI
Nabuki, Hinsdale / Kona Grill, Lombard / Sushi House, Westmont

IRISH PUB
Ballydoyle, Downers Grove / Irish Times, Brookfield / Palmer Pace, LaGrange

SPORTS BAR
Fuller House, Hinsdale / Grill 89, Westmont / York Tavern, Oak Brook

BREWERY
Emmett’s Brewing Co., Downers Grove / Fuller House, Hinsdale / Goldfinger Brewing Co.,Downers Grove

SWEET SPOTS & MORE

BAKERY
Kirschbaum’s, Western Springs / Kirsten’s Danish Bakery, Burr Ridge / Toni Patisserie and Café, Hinsdale

BREAKFAST
Egg Harbor Café, Hinsdale / Page’s Restaurant, Hinsdale / Yia Yia’s Pancake House, Hinsdale

BRUNCH
Grill 89, Westmont / Drury Lane, Oakbrook Terrace / The Drake Hotel, Oak Brook

COFFEE HOUSE
Cafe La Fortuna, Hinsdale / Steam Coffee Co., Oak Brook / Toni Patisserie and Café, Hinsdale

BARBECUE
Chuck’s Southern Comforts Café, Darien / Mission BBQ, Downers Grove / Uncle Bub’s BBQ, Westmont

BURGER
Country House, Clarendon Hills / Fuller House, Hinsdale / Urban Counter, Hinsdale

ICE CREAM
Andy’s Frozen Custard, Countryside / The Daily Scoop, Clarendon Hills / Oberweis, Western Springs

SANDWICHES
Fontano’s Subs, Hinsdale / Labriola Bakery, Lombard / Kramer Foods, Hinsdale

CASUAL
Country House, Clarendon Hills / Fuller House, Hinsdale / Standard Market, Westmont

OUTDOOR DINING
Gibsons, Oak Brook / Palmer Place, La Grange / Topaz Café, Burr Ridge

PIZZA
Giuliano’s Pizza, Hinsdale / LaBarra, Lombard / Lou Malnati’s, Western Springs

LUXURY & STYLE

JEWELERS
Bella Cosa, Willowbrook / Merry Richards, Oakbrook Terrace / Caffray Jewellers, Hinsdale

HAIR SALON/SPA
I Design Salon & Blow Dry Bar, Hinsdale / Zazu Salon, Hinsdale / Mario Tricoci, Oak Brook

MANICURE/PEDICURE
Mario Tricoci, Oak Brook / Elysian Nail Spa, Hinsdale / Mani & Pedi, Hinsdale

LUXURY HOTEL
LeMeridien, Oak Brook / The Drake Hotel, Oak Brook / The Peninsula, Chicago

FITNESS CENTER
Life Time Fitness, Burr Ridge / Five Seasons, Burr Ridge / Midtown Athletic Club, Willowbrook

YOGA/PILATES
CorePower Yoga, Hinsdale / Pure Barre, Willowbrook / Energie Pilates, Hinsdale

WOMEN’S BOUTIQUE
Alixandra Collections, Hinsdale / Sweet William, Hinsdale / Vintage Charm, Hinsdale

HOME & LIFESTYLE

FURNITURE/DECOR
Restoration Hardware, Oak Brook / Darvin Furniture, Orland Park / Walter E. Smithe, Oak Brook

HOME IMPROVEMENT/CONTRACTOR
Closets by Design, Downers Grove / Oakley Builders, Downers Grove / Drury Design, Glen Ellyn

FLORIST/LANDSCAPER
Jane’s Blue Iris, Hinsdale / Phillip’s Flowers & Gifts, Hinsdale / Jane Dilworth Landscaping, Downers Grove

GROCERS
Kramer Foods, Hinsdale / Whole Foods, Hinsdale / Standard Market, Westmont

DRY CLEANERS
Hinsdale Cleaners, Hinsdale / Gateway Cleaners, Hinsdale / Silk Road Cleaners, Hinsdale

FINANCIAL INSTITUTION
Evergreen Bank, Hinsdale / Chase Bank, Hinsdale / Hinsdale Bank & Trust, Hinsdale

FINANCIAL PLANNER
Barrett Group of Wells Fargo Advisors, Hinsdale / Northwestern Mutual, Hinsdale / MPI Wealth Management, Hinsdale

HOSPITAL/HEALTH CARE PROVIDER
AMITA Health, Hinsdale / DuPage Medical Group, Hinsdale / Edward-Elmhurst Hospital, Elmhurst / Loyola Medicine, Burr Ridge

GENERAL DENTISTRY/COSMETIC DENTISTRY
Hinsdale Dentistry, Hinsdale / Thomas Orthodontics, Hinsdale / Weller Dental, Hinsdale

MEDICAL SPECIALISTS
Hinsdale Orthopaedics-Dr. Patel, Hinsdale / Hinsdale Orthopaedics-Dr. Daley, Hinsdale / Steil Dermatology, Hinsdale

AUTO SALES & SERVICE
Bettenhausen Auto, Tinley Park / Continental AutoSports, Hinsdale / Napleton Auto, Westmont / Infinity of Clarendon Hills

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Kristina and Matthew Bailey began reading books to their son, Owen when he was six months old— they haven’t stopped.
Owen turned 4 in June and recently received an award from the Clarendon Hills Public Library for having had 1,000 books read to him before starting kindergarten.

The library’s 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten Challenge is one of a few reading challenge programs offered in Clarendon Hills, where the Bailey family has lived for the past 2 1/2 years.
Kristin Bailey said she saw an ad about the 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten Challenge and decided it was a good fit for Owen.

“He’s always been really into books,” Bailey said. “He had a natural interest in books at nine months old. That’s when COVID started, and he didn’t get out much, so reading books to him worked out very well. He’s a naturally curious kid, and imagination-building is important. The reading allows him to learn and explore new things, and he really wants to learn to read now.”

Krista Devlin, the Clarendon Hills library’s youth services librarian, said there’s a specific reason The Friends of the Library-sponsored 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten Challenge was started in 2022.

“Reading aloud to a child is one of the best ways to help develop important early literacy skills, which will prepare them for kindergarten,” Devlin said. “It is also a great way to bond with your child and to encourage a love of reading.”

Devlin said Owen was the second child to reach the challenge of having 1,000 books read to him before starting kindergarten. He was awarded a certificate, a crown, and his picture was taken to recognize his accomplishment.

Bailey, who said she is “a big reader,” said her family usually goes to the library once a week. Reading three books each night to Owen, along with a book before nap time, is the household normal.

“Consistency in our routine has been good and is important,” she said, adding that Owen’s two sisters, ages 2 1/2 and 1

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