Downtown Skokie Restaurant Week changes up the usual way of doing things, in that it offers a progressive dinner. Diners start with an appetizer at one restaurant, visit a second restaurant for the main course, then proceed to a third restaurant for dessert.
This year, the second year the Downtown Skokie Merchants Collaborative has put on a restaurant week, the three restaurants, and a bar/tasting room that will offer an optional drink tasting add-on to participating diners, are all within walking distance of each other in downtown Skokie.
Diners can choose either a 5:30 p.m. or 6:30 p.m. time slot on most days between Jan. 23 and Feb. 7, and they’ll start at the appointed hour at Sweet Reserve Cafe and Bakery at 4845 Oakton Street for an appetizer, proceed to Libertad, 7931 Lincoln Ave., across from the Skokie Theater, for the main course, and then finish at Kneads and Wants cafe, 8042 Lincoln Ave., for dessert, according to the downtown merchants’ website.
The progressive dinner costs $50, plus tax and gratuities, and an optional drinks add-on costs $30 and entitles the diner to a cocktail or drink at Take Flight Spirits cocktail bar, 8038 Lincoln Ave., a cocktail, wine or drink at dinner at Libertad and a coffee or tea beverage, including espresso drinks, matcha and chai, at Kneads and Wants.
Patrons may enjoy the cocktail at Take Flight Spirits prior to or after the progressive dinner, according to the merchants’ collaborative website.
Amina Saleem, director of events and communications for the downtown Skokie merchants, said diners will get a choice of appetizers, entrees and desserts, and there would be vegetarian options.
“We’re trying to encourage members of the community to get together,” with the progressive dinner, said Saleem. To that end, diners will sit at communal tables.
The merchants’ collaborative aims to foster a spirit of community with this event, Saleem said, as well as to showcase downtown merchants and promote them to the public.
Free parking is available to diners either on the street or in a public parking lot on Lincoln Avenue near Kneads and Wants Bakery, Saleem said.
