Stolp Island Social

[rating=5]Stolp Island is a small island in the Fox River in Aurora, Illinois. In 1986 the island and its 41 buildings were added to the National Register of Historic Places as the Stolp Island Historic District. It covers 0.03 square miles of land area This is where the Paramount Arts Center and Paramount Theatre stands. This is an area that has seen great growth in the past decade with even more to come. A bustiling “urban” area with a casino, a college, businesses, a theater and of course great dining spaces.. Wikipedia

This is the “downtown” area of the second largest city in Illinois and home of the Paramount Arts Center where some of Chicago’s finest theatrical productions take place. Now, in the building that houses the arts center and the theater, Ms Amy Morton ( who is the “steak goddess” as far as I am concerned, has opened her third restaurant, Stolp Island Social, celebrating the area where the theater and restaurant ( along with many other buildings of importance) are located. Tonight, a non-theater night for Jane and I we drove out to Aurora to check out what we heard was the perfect choice to be attached to The Paramount. “Fine Arts and Fine Dining”! Who can ask for anything more?

Being a Wednesday, between shows ( after the matinee and as the evening performance was about to begin) we had no problem getting a table. I would think on theater nights, it might be difficult, but I must tell you it is worth changing your schedule for. They are open for dinner with the exception of matinee days and of course week-ends. By the way, on Sundays they have a brunch menu that looks divine ( when bowling season is over, I plan to test that menu as well).

Our server, the incredible Reannah knew the menu inside-out and helped us decide the course to take for our first tie at Stolp. For appetizers we chose ( with her guidance) the “deviled eggs’ ( one of my favorite starters) with pickled shallots and the Burrata & Ratatoulle (eggplant, red pepper and zucchini). I am not a veggie person, but this was delicious and the thin toasted wafers with just a touch of garlic were amazing.

We did have cocktails and as usual, despite being a vodka martini guy, I will try the house specialties when at a new dining spot. Instead of a martini, I had a MORTINI (Hank’s vodka, maraschino liqueur, strega, white vermouth and lime juice. While it was a bit sweet, it was very enjoyable and flavorful, so to Hank, Thanks! Jane enjoyed her Strawberry Basil Mule (strawberry ginger beer, basil, CH key gin/I think Vodka could be used as well).

Since tonight was Jane’s birthday so we opted to leave room for dessert, we chose not to have a salad.

This being a restaurant with Amy Morton at its helm, we knew that steak would be of great importance, but decided to also have a fish dish as well. For the steak ( their selection is amazing), we selected  from the reserve side of the menu, the bone-in Ribeye ( prepared medium) a 16ounce beauty that was as good as it gets, the steak came with demi-glace and marrow-smashed potatoes that were to die for! For the fis dinner, we selected the roasted Branzino ( fileted with brown butter and capers). This is one of the items they offer in their pre fixe menu ( which is a kale salad, crispy chickpeas & hummus, the fish or a mushroom Pappardells /pasta or the Manhattan Center strip along with Arnie’s Chocolate Velvet Cake ( a trip down memory lane for Morton Steak House diners). All this for $35 per person! An amazing offering!

For our dessert, we hared the amazing cheesecake and special carrot cake that they have baked by “Hot Cakes Bakery” in Chicago. I must tell you, they were very special. Yes, we sang Happy Birthday to Jane, or maybe most of the singing was by me. Chef Nick came by to make sure that we were content with our dinner and we told him as I am telling you, the experience was one that makes me wish I lived closer to Aurora, but knowing that the Paramount has mor eplays and they are opening up a second , smaller venue on the “island”, Jane and I will have many opportunities to come early or stay late and know that the menu has great items that we have yet to experience ( but will!).

The Stolp Island Social is located at 5 East Galena ( right next to the theater) and as I said earlier, the restaurant opens up at 5 p.m. on weekdays ( the lounge opens at 4 p.m.) and on week-ends they are open for lunch and on Sunday, brunch. The website, where you can get even more info is  www.stolpislandsocial.com and the phone number is 1-630-340-4980. Unlike downtown anywhere else, Aurora has some easy parking on the street, city garages and if attending the theater as well, valet.

If you live in town or work in town, there are discounts. In fact, if you live or work on the island, 15% off every day. Checkout Aurora at http://wwwauroradowntown.org there is a great variety of things to do in this community, so make a day of it! Whatever your reason to go to Aurora, make it a point to partake of the best of the best at Stolp Island Social. You will ove the experience, and the food! They do have some private space available for private parties. Please note they waiting area is powerful allowing you the feel of sitting in the living room or den. If you are fond of Morton’s “Found” in Evanston, you will get the same feeling here at The Stolp Island Social. You will feel at home!