Best of 2023: Readers’ Choice Awards 2023 Winners

Cadence Kitchen & Co Photo by Regan Baroni

We asked, you responded. For the fourth year in a row, we have completed our annual Readers’ Choice Awards survey. With hundreds of responses, we wanted to share with you your favorites as voted on by our readers.

From restaurants to boutiques, many in our community frequent these places as first time guests to “regulars.” Join us in congratulating these businesses on a year well done with more to come in 2024.

American Restaurant:

Cadence Kitchen & Co.
Pierce Tavern
Carnivore & The Queen

Barbecue Restaurant:

Chuck’s Southern
Comforts Café
City BBQ
Mission BBQ

Chinese Restaurant:

Wasabi Restaurant & Bar
Lao Sze Chuan
Katy’s Dumplings

Indian Restaurant:

Bowl O Biryani
Shikara Restaurant
Cuisine of India

Italian Restaurant:

Gia Mia
Gatto’s Italian Restaurant & Bar
Antico Posto

Japanese/Sushi Restaurant:

Sushi House
Wasabi Restaurant & Bar
Aodake Sushi and Hibachi

Mediterranean/Middle Eastern Restaurant:

The Foxtail
Cedar Grill
Fill-A-Pita

Mexican/Latin Restaurant:

Los Dos
The Outpost Mexican Eatery
Bar Chido

Thai Restaurant:

Thai First
Mai Thai
Thai Café

Breakfast/Brunch Restaurant:

Egg Harbor Cafe
The Baked Apple
Breakfast Co.
The Foxtail

Date Night Restaurant:

Carnivore & The Queen
Cadence Kitchen & Co.
Parkers’ Restaurant & Bar

Kid-Friendly Restaurant:

Gatto’s Italian Restaurant & Bar
Another Round Bar & Grill
Egg Harbor Cafe

Outdoor Dining:

Cadence Kitchen & Co.
Carnivore & The Queen
Cellar Door

Burgers:

Pierce Tavern
Carnivore & The Queen
Neat Kitchen & Bar

Hot Dogs:

Cozzi Corner
Scooby’s Hot Dogs
Teddy’s Red Hots

Pizza:

Gia Mia
Angelo’s Pizza
Mrs. T’s Pizza

Seafood:

Parkers’ Restaurant and Bar
Carnivore & The Queen
The Foxtail

Steak:

Carnivore & The Queen
Parkers’ Restaurant & Bar
Gibson’s Bar & Steakhouse

Donuts:

Stan’s Donuts
Donut Experiment

Ice Cream:

Every Day’s A Sundae
Eiffel Waffle
Oberweis Ice Cream and Dairy

Coffee:

Mud & Char
Peet’s
Starbucks

Cocktail Bar:

The Foxtail
Cadence Kitchen & Co.
Carnivore & The Queen

Wine Bar:

Cellar Door
Cooper’s Hawk

Microbrewery/Brewpub/Beer Bar:

Alter Brewing Company
Goldfinger Brewing Company
Skeleton Key

Sports Bar:

Pierce Tavern
Orange & Brew
Another Round

Live Music Venue:

Ballydoyle Irish Pub & Restaurant
Wasabi Restaurant & Bar
Shanahan’s Food & Spirits

Great Addition to the Restaurant Scene:

Bonita Bowls
Mrs. T’s

Evelyn Jane

Women’s Boutique:

Evelyn Jane Boutique
ADORN512
Style Studio

Men’s Store:

Louis for Men
Enzo’s Tailor Shop

Michelle Gentile interiors

Home Décor Store:

Maple Home Market
Core Interior Design & Boutique
Style Studio

Unique Gifts:

Evelyn Jane Boutique
Greenstar Paperie
ADORN512

Spenga

Health:

SPENGA
MAR Health & Performance
4500 Fitness

Rybell’s Blow Dry Bar

Favorite Salon:

Rocco & Rocco
Alia Rose Salon
Rybell’s Blow Dry Bar
Favorite Beauty Treatment:
Rybell’s Blow Dry Bar
Sterling Lash & Beauty Bar
Simply Beautiful Day Spa

Favorite Spa:

Simply Beautiful Day Spa
Skin Med Spa
Rocco & Rocco

 

 

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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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