Stolp Island Social

Stolp Island Social Restaurant Review:

About the restaurant & décor: With this steakhouse from Amy Morton, Aurora gets a pre- and post-Paramount Theater dining spot on the Fox River. It occupies the former Block & Kuhl store building, and the 1928 gem receives a modern facelift without sacrificing its vintage jewels. Enter the wide area to find several intimate spaces: front parlor decked out with settees and salon-style art; 360-degree bar with an ornate carpet running its length; cozy booths purpose-built for cocktails and conversation. Oversized floor-to-ceiling windows peek out to Galena Boulevard.

Likes: Top-shelf service and ambience in spades.
Dislikes: None.

Food & Drinks: Co-chefs Steve O’Neill, formerly of Morton’s Evanston flagship Found Kitchen & Social House, and MJ Avalos, previously of Harry & Eddie’s in Hinsdale, developed the menu, which weaves together the magic of juicy steaks and all the fixins' with fancy cocktails and gut-busting desserts. Lamb meatballs, a starter worth sharing, ooze with flavor from eggplant, mint, yogurt and pistachio pesto. Spend the extra money on one of the reserve steaks, sustainably raised by Linz and served atop marrow-smashed potatoes. In the mood for something else? Mushroom pappardelle is forkful after forkful of creamy, al dente pasta; consider the whole branzino, too. Finish with rich Arnie's velvet chocolate cake or another glass of smooth In Sheep's Clothing Cabernet Sauvignon.