Winner Winner Chicken Dinner
By Jen Banowetz
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Local Flavor
Winner Winner Chicken Dinner
The new Hollywood Casino Aurora is betting on foodies
By Jen Banowetz
Diners in the western suburbs may have hit the jackpot with a wealth of new eateries—all under one massive roof. That roof belongs to the $360 million Hollywood Casino Aurora, built by Penn Entertainment, which opened in June. Located at 2500 N. Farnsworth Ave. (adjacent to the Chicago Premium Outlets near I-88), the 388,500-square-foot complex boasts more than 1,000 slot machines, 50 gaming tables, 226 hotel rooms, an event center, and a spa.
But it also has an abundance of food offerings, thanks to its partnerships with several celebrity and Chicago chefs.
Here’s a quick crib sheet:
On the gaming floor, &Vine (Hollywood, get it?) is a 110-seat bar and entertainment lounge promising swanky booths and live music. Also near the action is The Sportsbook, a high-tech sports bar with quitessential (yet elevated) pub offerings like burgers, wings, steaks, sandwiches—plus craft and domestic beers and cocktails. Adjoining the Baccarat Lounge, the Red Lotus Asian Kitchen offers Southeast Asian specialties, like lemongrass lamb chops, egg rolls, and pot stickers.
While the above spaces arerooted in the casino area (for those 21 and older), there are plenty of places to eat open to all ages. Sorella by Giada is an 170-seat, upscale Italian steakhouse created by Food Network alum and cookbook author Giada De Laurentiis, known for her classic Italian cuisine with a splash of modern California (think lemon spaghetti, one of her signature dishes on the menu). One of the best features is the glassed-in pasta-making station, placed front and center, where guests can marvel at the variety of pasta being skillfully crafted (see page 35).
Then there’s the Boulevard Food & Drink Hall, which could be described as a high-end food court, though that doesn’t really do this hip hub justice. Operated by McClain Camarota Hospitality—founded by James Beard Award–winning chef and restaurateur Shawn McClain—this unique space showcases several spots by notable proprietors, including chef Rick Martinez’s Antique Taco, chef Stephanie Izard’s Lucky Goat, James Beard Award-winning chef Takashi Yagihashi’s Tabo Sushi, Bill Kim’s Urbanbelly, and Five50 Pizza. No need to drive all over Chicago—they are all steps from each other. There’s even a Pretty Cool Ice Cream kiosk and Dailies, a mini cafe and bakery. All share indoor seating and an outdoor patio.
