Hidden in Plain Sight
Towering along I-88 at Route 59 you can’t miss the glistening glass structure of the Calamos Investments building. You may not know, however, that tucked in the corner of this crisp and sparkling building is CityGate Grille – featuring warm wood tones, ambient lighting and a seasonal outdoor patio glowing with Edison lights and a fire pit. And with its Terrace Room banquet space, two semi-private dining rooms and proximity to Hotel Arista, it’s a popular location for weddings, showers, anniversary parties and more.
CityGate Grille is one of the area’s most romantic dining and event venues.
“From the start of the new year – before our culinary team even planned our Valentine’s Day menu – we were getting calls from guests wanting to plan ahead for the occasion,” said General Manager John Fasso. “Some guests who held their weddings in our Terrace Room love that we are a full-service restaurant, too, because they can come back again and again.”
Executive Chef Adam Tanner shared CityGate Grille’s plan for Valentine’s Day, featuring dishes developed by Chef de Cuisine Luis Talavera and Sous Chef Katie Burke. These romantic Valentine’s dining options will be offered Friday, Feb. 11, through Thursday, February 17, at CityGate Grille:
- Valentine’s Week three-course dinner for two featuring soup or salad, a surf & turf entrée, dessert of hand-dipped chocolate strawberries and a bottle of Slytbar Prosecco for just $150 per couple.
- Special, limited-time dishes for the week include a Lobster Stack appetizer, Chilean Sea Bass entrée, and a dessert combination of red velvet cake and red velvet cheesecake, finished with white chocolate buttercream and fresh raspberries.
The full daily dinner menu featuring USDA Prime meat and seafood, a selection of Mediterranean dishes, flavorful salads and more, and a wide selection of wines and spirits also will be available. And while CityGate Grille regularly presents live music on Fridays, additional performances are added, 6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.:
- Friday, Feb. 11 – Simply Yacht Rock featuring soft rock classics of the ‘70s and ‘80s
- Saturday, Feb. 12 – Blues, jazz, R&B and Soul Performer Regina Karma
- Monday, Feb. 14 – Classical and Jazz Harpist Skylar Oblon
Year-Round Romance = Relationships with Longevity
Year-round, Chef Adam and his team offer weekly – and sometimes monthly – specials: Limited-time dishes for both lunch and dinner, beyond the regular menu. Dinners for two will occasional show up on the Specials Menu.
“This past December we offered a month-long Tomahawk for Two special that was very popular,” said Chef Adam. “And throughout that month we still offered weekly appetizer, seafood and dessert options beyond our regular menu, and guests really seemed to enjoy it.”
Because a good portion of CityGate Grille guests are known “regulars” – repeat diners who come again and again – it’s important of have the core menu for those who have a favorite, but also to offer variety for those who like to explore new items, according to Chef Adam who started with the company in 2008 at Hotel Arista and stepped into his current role in 2016.
“I’m really proud of the team we’ve built in the kitchen, and the longevity of the team,” said Chef Adam. “Longevity really is unique in this industry, particularly in the last couple of years, but it is something unique that contributes to our ability to consistently present great food which, in turn, has made CityGate Grille a favorite not just for events like Valentine’s Day, but all year for both lunch and dinner.”
CityGate Grille Weddings
The Terrace Room at CityGate Grille is downstairs from the main restaurant. With floor-to-ceiling windows looking out to the adjacent patio seating for up to 200 with a dance floor, and a nearby, scenic pond and clearing that frequently is used for outdoor ceremonies, CityGate Grille is a favorite mid-range wedding venue that has been named to theknot.com “Best of Weddings” annually since 2018.
“Couples often are surprised by and excited about the options offered at CityGate Grille and across the entire CityGate Centre campus when it comes to their weddings,” said VP of Sales & Marketing Cynthia Bock. “We may see a ceremony outside by CityGate Grille’s pond and a reception in the Terrace Room and on the Patio, with guest room blocks a short stroll away at Hotel Arista; or we may have a couple choose Hotel Arista for their reception and guest lodging who are thrilled that CityGate Grille can host their rehearsal dinner or post-event brunch nearby.”
With the Calamos Investments building and Hotel Arista serving as anchors to CityGate Centre, CityGate Grille is among a number of dining options, perfect for romance, a casual get-together or a business lunch, that you’ll find at Rte. 59 between Ferry Rd. and I-88 with free, convenient parking.
Visit www.citygategrille.com for daily and private event menus, restaurant reservations, and private party information.
CityGate Grille
2020 Calamos Ct.Naperville IL 60563
1-630-718-1010
www.citygategrille.com
