There are some big changes going on at <strong>Gravina 801 Italian Cuisine</strong> in Bradley — one being new ownership. Scott Zizic, who owns the historic <strong>Bennett Curtis House</strong> in Grant Park, has taken over the restaurant with the same great staff and menu as we've all come to appreciate, and he's added many new weekly specials.
New events that will be happening at Gravina include live piano music on Wednesday and Saturday nights and monthly "Art 801" night.
All of the staff members are staying including Antonio Cruz, the head server, and Rigo Esparza, the head chef, both with more than 20 years of service at the location. The same great food and menu that you have come to love is being served along with some delicious new specials. Be sure to try one of the favorites: Chicken Sicilian, pasta dishes with homemade sauces or their homemade soups.
Weekday specials, from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m., are only $6.99. Other specials: Monday, kids eat free with an adult entree purchase and martini specials; Tuesday, $6.99 bottomless soup, salad and breadsticks or the bottomless pasta bowl; Wednesday, half-price appetizers; Thursday, German specials; Friday, seafood specials; Saturday, early-bird dinner; Sunday is by reservation only.
Gravina is available for private events and parties with special banquet menu and package options.
Gravina 801 Italian Cuisine is at 801 W. Broadway St., Bradley. Call 815-937-1801. Hours are 11 a.m. until 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 11 a.m. until 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
***
Have you ever had one of those "it's a small world" moments? Those moments where you find yourself in a big city and happen to meet someone that you have a connection?
We recently visited Chicago and stopped in for a light dinner at <strong>Sweetwater Tavern and Grille</strong> on Michigan Avenue before heading home. It's a great place (right in the Loop) for happy hour, lunch or dinner. They have a very large beautiful outdoor patio that seats 186 and is perfect for spring, summer and fall. That particular evening the patio was jammed with folks.
The restaurant has long, dark wood tables for big groups; leather booths for a relaxing drink and the little nooks for small groups. Not to mention the beautiful stone columns in the center of the room.
Sweetwater has 24 televisions lining the walls, a huge beer selection and full bar.
They not only serve lunch and dinner, but late dinners and brunch, as well.
We began with our server Raul Mora's recommendation of baked spinach dip with artichokes, three cheese cream sauce and grilled herb pita. Since it was Blue Moon's 20th anniversary, we were treated to beer samples, a key chain, cozy and T-shirt.
I ordered something different — the turkey burger with mozzarella cheese, fresh avocado and cranberry aioli on a Kaiser roll. I have to say, the cranberry aioli made all the difference. Aioli is a Provencal sauce made of garlic, olive oil, egg yolks and lemon juice and is absolutely delicious. Dave ordered the bacon cheddar burger. Both were served with your choice of fries or tater tots. The sandwiches were large; the prices were between $11 and $13 — very reasonable considering you're in downtown Chicago.
After dinner, we each ordered an after-dinner drink: Dave the whiskey barrel Kentucky beer and an Irish coffee for me. Soon after, the manager came over and said we looked like a fun table. After introductions, it turns out she is Colette Grant, daughter of Glenn Grant, of Bourbonnais. Glenn is the owner of <strong>Chicago Dough Pizza</strong> on Kennedy Drive in Bourbonnais and a reader of Best Bites.
Colette told us that the owners are originally from the Herscher area. Chicago restaurateurs Chris Bisaillon and Nathan Hilding also grew up in Herscher. They met Jason Akemann when they played football together at Illinois Wesleyan University in the early 1990s. The three own Bottleneck Management, Inc. Some of their locations include <strong>Sweetwater Tavern</strong>, three <strong>The Pour House</strong> locations (Chicago, Oak Brook and Gaithersburg, Md.), and <strong>Howells and Hood</strong> in the Tribune building downtown.
If you're similar to us, you've probably passed Sweetwater Tavern and Grille several times. Don't walk by — stop in and say hi to Colette and have a wonderful dinner. It's well worth the trip.
Sweetwater Tavern is at 225 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago. Hours are 11 a.m. until 11 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 11 a.m. until 1 a.m. Friday; 10 a.m. until 1 a.m. Saturday; 10 a.m. until 10 p.m. Sunday. The kitchen closes one hour before closing.
Check out their website for full menus including a gluten-free menu.