Nirvana Wine & Grillerie

This grill-centric eatery -- named as a nod to a sense of enlightenment, not the '90s band lead by Kurt Cobain -- aims to open July 25. You won't find any fried food on the affordable, eclectic menu here; instead, expect an international flair and plenty of vegetarian and even vegan options. If you're dining in, settle into a table in the dining room, or nosh on appetizers over a bottle of wine in the "living room," a cozy section seating a dozen in extra-large lounge chairs. Color everywhere you look -- an orange entryway, red floors, gold walls and lime green panels -- lend a bright, urban-suburban vibe, and sidewalk seating is bordered with green-fillled planters. And if you're taking your food to-go, grab some wine or beer too -- Nirvana also has its retail liquor license.

Starters range from marsala-marinated portabella mushroom to seafood skewers and cheese plates, while soups come served in a mug and salads arrive sprinkled with toppings such as basmati rice, chickpeas and dried cranberries. Grilled paninis feature ham and apple or citrus-ginger teriyaki tofu and grilled mango chutney, and entrees range from hearty spaghetti and meatballs to curry-laced pasta with eggplant and sweet potatoes. Expect a range of side dishes, including Cuban black beans and rice, pepper and honey-inflected carrots and small-batch coleslaw and pasta salad. 

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Vernon Hills restaurants, American contemporary restaurants, Salad restaurants, Sandwich restaurants, Vegan restaurants, Vegetarian restaurants