North Shore Foodie Finds

Organic Beers, Organic Wines, Organic Good Times

Sweet Dreams Organic Bakery has added libations to their already diverse menu of health-conscious foods.

Sweet Dreams Organic Bakery at 1107 Waukegan Rd. in Glenview has been offering North Shore foodies with some of the most diverse and reliable organic meals for the last eight years. Whether patrons want a cup of coffee and pastry to start the day, or a quiche for lunch, the place has something for just about every craving.  And now, at long last, the cafe has rounded out their menu even more, offering organic beer and wine for the first time.  "This is a big deal for us, we just feel like we're expanding," said executive chef, Martha Sutton. "You can actually come in here and know everything you order is organic." Owner Mary Sopcic said customers were asking for it, but Sweet Dreams had to be certain any additions to the menu met the cafe'…

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North Shore's New BYO Bistro Starts Drawing Crowds

Second Street Bistro owner considers expanding space.

Though Second Street Bistro has only been open for a few weeks, it hasn't taken long for the North Shore's first BYOB restaurant to build a following. "We had to turn people away last Friday and Saturday," Bobby Dubin, the owner of the Highland Park restaurant said last week. And on a Tuesday, typically a slow night for any restaurant, Dubin said all but two tables were taken. "They're going nuts over the food." The food is certainly novel. The menu emphasizes locally grown, organic meat and produce and chef Michael Gottlieb stresses a philosophy of simple foods with creative preparation. What's available in the restaurant varies depending on the food that's available to the restaurant, but current hot commodities include cauliflower soup…

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Stashs Owner Opens BYOB Bistro

A new restaurant in a familiar spot opens Friday in downtown Highland Park.

Stashs owner Bobby Dubin has jumped on two foodie trends with his new restaurant, Second Street Bistro: organic, locally produced food and BYOB (Bring Your Own Booze). He's hoping both will make the bistro, which opens Friday, a big hit in Highland Park and along the North Shore. "I want to keep the place packed," Dubin said Wednesday about his new place, located in the same building as Stashs at 1825 Second Street. The food, described as "upscale American with a twist," includes dishes like shaved organic brussels sprouts, slow cooked beef short rib, herb marinated amish chicken and gluten-free quinoa spaghetti. The food is made with local and organic ingredients, whenever possible, according to the restaurant's website. In short, it's …

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