We went in search of some lighter dishes that would be ideal for lunch or dinner on the patio this summer

By Trent Modglin

Lake Superior whitefish at Zia’s Social

Keeping it light: The chicken parm, 8-finger cavatelli or carbonara in a jar usually prove too difficult to ignore here, but when we’re looking for something on the lighter side, especially in summer, we’re all about the Pesce Bianco. Translation: Lake Superior whitefish with white wine, capers, butter, fresh herbs and angel hair pasta. It’s a delectable blend of flavors, and the fresh fish just melts in your mouth. And if you can catch it as a daily or weekly special, try the baked or grilled walleye and thank us later. 

Don’t miss: This is one of our favorite patios in greater Chicagoland, in large part because of its versatility between the sun-soaked yard, covered space ideal for semi-private parties or large groups, and the wrap-around bar that’s perfect for a cocktail while you’re waiting for a table or keeping an eye on the game. Joe Calabrese’s talented team in the kitchen offers up some creative weekly specials, and the Monday-Wednesday-Friday happy hour includes 25% off pizzas and select appetizers along with $6 Absolut vodka drinks and $16 domestic buckets.

6158 N. Northwest Hwy in Norwood Park. ZiasSocial.com

Tostadas de tinga poblana at Don Juan’s Cantina

Keeping it light: Admittedly, it can be so very difficult to steer us away from one of Don Juan’s scrumptious giant burritos, but in the interest of keeping things lighter, we recently went with this tostada plate, which consisted of a pair of crispy corn tortillas topped with chorizo black beans, your choice of tender pulled pork or chicken in a chile chipotle adobo, caramelized onions, queso fresco, avocado and sour cream. It was perfect — all of the fresh Mexican flavors, just with less of the guilt for summertime.

Don’t miss: The flower-filled patio has several sidewalk tables, a weather-protected tent, heat lamps and even blankets for patrons for those chillier evenings. Plenty of live music, creative weekly specials (try the pan-seared Alaskan halibut if you see it) and half-price wine on Wednesdays and half-price margarita pitchers on Thursdays.

650 N. Northwest Hwy in Park Ridge. DJsCantina.com

Blackened grouper sandwich at Tavern on the Point

Keeping it light: This is a loaded menu of elevated comfort food for sure, so quick decisions never come easy. Seven creative salads, including one with shaved Brussel sprouts, fruit, sunflower seeds and shaved parmesan, are a nice approach to a summer lunch, but a sandwich that caught our eye recently was the blackened grouper topped with a bit of Cajun seasoning and spicy mayo. If you’re not feeling fries as a side (it is beach season, after all), you can sub in homemade chips, salad or fruit.

Don’t miss: A unique rooftop experience with tables of all sizes, couches and flowers, along with a great lunch special and weekday happy hour with half-priced appetizers and drink deals like $5 house wine and well drinks, $15 domestic buckets and more. Plus regular events like karaoke, trivia, live music, World Cup parties, etc.

6724 N. Northwest Hwy in Edison Park. TavernOnThePoint.com

Southwest chicken salad at Howard Street Inn

Keeping it light: This is not your normal sports bar menu. Far from it, actually, and it’s easy to fall in love with a new dish each time you stop by. The menu is that robust. Perfect for summer, in our mind, is the southwest chicken salad that has grilled chicken breast topped with fresh pico de gallo, corn and grated cheddar served over a bed of chopped romaine lettuce — all packed in a crispy baked tortilla shell. Throw on a little spicy ranch dressing and pair with a cold draft beer and you’re set. And pretty guilt free.

Don’t miss: To say this lively sports-themed bar and restaurant has a patio that’s highly coveted after a round of golf at Tam O’Shanter, or for catching a Cubs or Sox game, would be an understatement of epic proportions. It wraps around the building, overlooks the course, seats 100, has its own bar and boasts 17 TVs. And did we mention Howard Street has arguably the best daily specials in the area?

6700 W. Howard Street in Niles. HowardStreetInn.com

Jumbo lump crab cake at fire + wine

Keeping it light: In keeping with a theme here, it’s not easy to dip away from our menu favorites (i.e. lobster diavolo, blackened pork chop, rigatoni bolognese, etc.), but their Chef’s Playground weekly specials and creative seasonal options are worth a visit in their own right. The reason we chose the crab cake is because it feels richly decadent and guilt-free at the same time. The pan-seared crab cake is loaded with chunks of fresh crab and topped with a flavorful remoulade sauce. Served with a side of arugula, it’s perfect for a lighter lunch or perhaps to share with a companion or two at dinner.

Don’t miss: As if this restaurant hasn’t already taken Park Ridge by storm, in mid May it opened its gorgeous, spacious patio that overlooks the library and Pickwick Theater. Let us tell you, on a warm evening with a glass of vino in hand, it’s very difficult to leave here. Besides the popular half-price pasta special on Mondays and half off bottles of wine on Wednesdays, fire + wine also offers a solid weekday happy hour that includes half-off all small plates, $8 select wine pours, $10 signature cocktails and $5 select beers.

608 W. Touhy Ave., Unit C2 in Park Ridge. FireAndWine.net

Koobideh bites at Shemroon Kabab House

Keeping it light: Available in skewers (six pieces) as an appetizer to share with the table or as an entree (12 pieces), you can choose between lamb, beef or chicken wrapped in thin, crispy golden bread like a wrap, all placed facing upward on a bed of creamy yogurt and minced shallots.

“You get a good combination of the seasonings of the grilled meats and creamy tartness of the yogurt, and it’s on the lighter end as far as one of our dishes,” says owner Mehdi Hajiaghazadeh. “It’s the perfect, bite-sized sampling of some of our most popular kababs.”

A loaded Greek salad and a lighter beet salad with feta and walnuts are new menu items for summer as well.

Don’t miss: A very underrated happy hour from 2-5 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday ($3.50 beers, $6 wine and $8 cocktails) in addition to fantastic daily specials like half-price bottles of wine on Wednesdays. Not to be forgotten is a nice sidewalk patio with hanging lights and flower beds that makes you forget you’re a stone’s throw away from the busy six corners in Uptown.

430 W. Touhy Ave. in Park Ridge. ShemroonKababHouse.com

Mixed berry salad at Harp & Fiddle

Keeping it light: In case you missed the big news, Harp & Fiddle launched a revamped menu in late May, complete with a number of tempting new dishes like a Tuscan chicken sandwich, jambalaya risotto, mesquite calamari and lemon dill salmon to name a few. The one that caught our eye and seemed perfect for a warm summer day, though, is the mixed berry salad. It consists of a giant bowl of fresh strawberries, blueberries, red onion, slivered almonds, crumbled bleu cheese and avocado laid over a bed of mixed greens and served with a white balsamic agave vinaigrette. Just delightful. And Instagram-worthy.

Don’t miss: You get the best of both worlds at Harp & Fiddle, with alfresco dining options in front on the large-scale, flower-laden Main Street patio, as well as in the cozy back beer garden. Don’t forget to make plans for the live music sessions out front on Friday and Saturday nights.

110 Main Street in Park Ridge. TheHarpAndFiddle.com

Quiche Florentine at Café Touché

Keeping it light: This charming bistro is a serious hotspot for weekend brunch in Edison Park, and although the indulgent fruit-topped French toast is a family favorite, we’re savoring the quiche Florentine here. This classic vegetarian French tart features a flaky pastry crust filled with a savory egg custard, caramelized onions, spinach and gruyere cheese, and it’s paired with a vibrant frisée salad.

Don’t miss: The sidewalk patio here, with bright flowers and string lights, feels very European and surprisingly secluded from Northwest Highway nearby. Solid specials, too, like half-price bottles of wine on Wednesdays and $8 martinis every Thursday.

6731 N. Northwest Hwy in Edison Park. CafeTouche.com

Watermelon feta salad at Social 18/Mully’s

Keeping it light: Back in May, timed out perfectly with the seasonal opening of their beautiful patio, Social 18 rolled out this light, refreshing new creation that includes fresh watermelon, cucumbers, creamy feta, red onions and pine nuts served with a honey lemon vinaigrette and pita.

Don’t miss: Lots of changes are happening at Social 18 — both in terms of the stylish new interior and menu tweaks — that are worth checking out. Solid happy hour and drink specials as well.

24 Main Street in Park Ridge. Social18.com