eatshubNaperville, IL: Vasili's — Where the Hearth Still Matters
Downtown Naperville draws people toward the Riverwalk, where the water winds past walking paths, bridges, and busy sidewalks. On Water Street, Vasili's brings a Mediterranean approach built around an open hearth. The restaurant takes its name from Papou Vasili, Grandfather Bill, and family recipes with white oak fueling the grill shape its identity.
The Paidakia features wood-fired lamb chops accompanied by sauce verde, olive oil, and mint. It is a straightforward combination that puts the lamb and the hearth at the center of the plate.
For happy hour, the Saganaki brings a little theater to the table. Fried kasseri cheese is served with lemon and oregano, then flambéed tableside. It is the sort of appetizer that turns a few minutes before the main course into part of the occasion.
Dessert brings the Banana Cream Napoleon, with roasted banana pastry cream, whipped cream, phyllo wafers, and salted caramel. It rounds out a menu that moves from open-hearth cooking to a bit of tableside spectacle and finally to a sweet finish.
With the Naperville Riverwalk nearby and hearth-fired cooking at the heart of its approach, Vasili's offers a distinctive stop along Water Street for those exploring downtown.
Menu Highlights
- Paidakia (Wood-Fired Lamb Chops): With sauce verde, olive oil, and mint.
- Saganaki: Fried kasseri cheese, flambéed tableside with lemon and oregano.
- Banana Cream Napoleon: Roasted banana cream, whipped cream, phyllo wafers, salted caramel.