Wilfdire’s filet mignon

What you do for a living: I am a licensed clinical social worker who specializes in working with children and families, especially children with special needs. With Successful Families Together, I provide family mental health, parent support, resources, education and parent coaching. I meet families where they are and create an individualized plan to help them, providing therapy around parenting and the various issues that families may be struggling with. It is hard to be a parent these days, soq I am here to help be your guide on this journey.

How long you’ve lived here: I grew up in Park Ridge. I moved away for college, and when I graduated and went to grad school, I lived in Chicago. When my husband and I started our family almost 12 years ago, we moved back to be closer to my parents and for our children to be able to attend Park Ridge schools.

Best meal you’ve had recently: Recently, we went to Wildfire in Glenview. Their filet mignon and au gratin potatoes are always great. We started with the baked goat cheese, which was the perfect blend of warm and gooey. The filet was cooked exactly as ordered, and the au gratin potatoes were perfectly cheesy.

Favorite restaurant in the area: Hay Caramba is great. I love the different options available, and everything we order is tasty. The tacos and enchiladas are my favorite. We often order the nachos to start, which means I have leftovers to enjoy the next day.

Favorite “hidden gem” restaurant: I had been to Shawarma Inn before, but had not been back in a while. Recently, I have been there a few times with my daughter, and the food is great and the portions are big. The hummus and falafel are some of our favorites. We just tried the chicken kabobs, which came with rice and were amazing. The staff is always nice too, whether we’re eating in or carrying out.

Harp & Fiddle’s artichoke dip

Best bar to grab a drink or catch the game: Harp and Fiddle is great for grabbing a drink, a bite and watching the game. The atmosphere is fun and inviting, and there are a variety of drinks, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, for everyone to enjoy. In the colder months, their spinach and artichoke dip is great. I have watched a few Marquette basketball games there, and it is always a good time.

Having some drinks and food at Patina Wine Bar is always enjoyable. They have many items that can be shared like meatballs, crostinis or flatbreads. The atmosphere is light, and the staff is always friendly.

A great night out with friends usually includes… Having some drinks and food at Patina Wine Bar. It’s always enjoyable. They have many items that can be shared like meatballs, crostinis or flatbreads. The atmosphere is light, and the staff is always friendly. I haven’t done this with friends yet, as it just opened, but including Kilwin’s for their variety of ice cream flavors would be a great way to end the evening. The ice cream was perfect the other night, and the fudge looked like something to definitely try soon.

What’s something you look forward to every fall?
I look forward to the cooler weather so that we can have friends over for s’mores in our backyard. We enjoy the cooler air and looking at the stars as we enjoy the gooey marshmallows with chocolate.

PuttShack at the Old Orchard Mall

The best way to spend a Saturday in the fall: In our house, many fall Saturdays are spent watching my son play travel soccer for Park Ridge. When we aren’t doing that, we may play some board or card games at home. When it gets too cold to be outside, we enjoy playing mini golf as a family at PuttShack in the Old Orchard Mall and then finding a restaurant nearby.

Favorite local store or best shopping area: Village Crossing in Niles is a fun place to shop with a variety of stores, and Half Price Books is great to start. There is a large selection of books and games for everyone to enjoy. I have also been able to sell them some books and games we’ve grown out of, which helps make more space for the new items we’re bringing home.

The Grove in Glenview

Secret spot: Between dance and soccer obligations, we are sometimes looking for something to do as a family. Several years ago, we discovered The Grove, which is part of the Glenview Park District. There are some great walking trails, and we have seen deer while hiking. This is a great place to enjoy all that nature has to offer along with some log cabins and covered wagons. There are several different trails, too, so you can have a different experience each time.

The Grove in Glenview is a great place to enjoy all that nature has to offer, along with some log cabins and covered wagons. There are several different trails, too, so you can have a different experience each time.

Underrated activity in the area: Pioneer Park in Niles, which has a nice area with batting cages and a mini golf course. It is great to enjoy as a family and has a concession stand for snacks after mini golfing.

Great Wolf Lodge waterpark

Favorite weekend getaway spot: Our kids are involved in dance and soccer in the area for most of the year, so we don’t often get away very often. The last place we’ve been that the whole family enjoyed was Great Wolf Lodge in Gurnee. The waterpark and all the activities — like bowling, mini golf and Magiquest — are great. The kids always ask when we are going to go back.

What have you head great things about but have yet to try?
Fire + Wine in Park Ridge. I know a few people who highly recommended it. Definitely hoping to get there soon.