Breakfast at Goldy’s Grill

What you do for a living: I get to walk into a lot of big life moments — first homes, last homes, and everything in between. On paper, I am a realtor at Baird and Warner here in Park Ridge, but whether I am listing a home or helping to find a new one, it’s really about helping guide people in the community to understand how they can maximize their goals. It’s part logistics, part listening, and a great feeling when the goal has been reached.

How long you’ve lived here: My wife and I bought our Park Ridge home in 1997, but I have lived in the north suburbs almost all of my life. I grew up in Northbrook and met my wife when she moved to the area during high school. We met at band camp about 13 years before the movie American Pie was released. I’m not holding my breath for any royalty checks.

What you like best about Park Ridge: I love Park Ridge year round, but driving up Northwest Highway toward six corners, or down Prospect Avenue toward the tracks and Main Street during the holidays always makes me take notice. The holiday lights and decorations are stunning. There is such a community feel here.

Best meal you’ve had recently: That’s a hard question because we have so many terrific restaurants in Park Ridge — both in Uptown and South Park. A few that stand out would be the whitefish at Pennyville Station, the calamari and tagliatelle bolognese at Pazzi Di Pizza, and the mahi mahi tacos at Harp & Fiddle. You can’t lose.

Harp & Fiddle

Favorite restaurant in the area: Harp & Fiddle provides so many options. Group dinners, date night, quick lunch at the bar. I find it to be adaptable to whatever you need it to be. Whether you are celebrating an event, grabbing a quick business lunch, date night, or want to grab a drink and watch a game, Harp & Fiddle fits your vibe. And don’t be surprised if the general manager/chef Jerry stops by your table to say hello and check in.

Favorite “hidden gem” restaurant: I am not sure there is a hidden gem in Park Ridge, but I love a good breakfast at Goldy’s Grill. While I lean toward an egg breakfast, their mini-waffles are legendary. And if you’re there later in the day, their wraps are delicious and they serve some of the best fries in town.

I love a good breakfast at Goldy’s Grill, where the mini-waffles are legendary. And if you’re there later in the day, their wraps are delicious, and they serve some of the best fries in town.

Best bar to grab a drink or to catch the game: I’m not a big drinker, so for me it would be about the game. Harp & Fiddle would be the place.

A great night out with friends usually includes… dinner somewhere in Park Ridge where we can enjoy the outdoor seating. Sometimes a movie at the Pickwick Theater is included, or we plan an evening that includes the Cruisin’ Park Ridge car show, Market After Dark or a concert in Hodges Park. Rosemont comes into play quite a bit as well, whether it is a comedy show at Zanies, heading to a Chicago Dogs baseball game or a concert at Joe’s Live. You can plan all of it and still be local.

Tam O’Shanter Golf Course

The best way to spend a Saturday in the spring: I would start by biking to the Park Ridge Farmer’s Market, stop at TeaLula for an iced tea, maybe lunch on Main Street, and if I have enough golf balls, 9 or 18 holes locally. While I tend to favor courses with very wide fairways, Tam O’Shanter in Niles and the Wilmette Golf Club are generally where play. If golf is not a part of the agenda, a ride through area bike trails or over to the Maine Park Leisure Center are always relaxing.

I would start my perfect Saturday by biking to the Park Ridge Farmer’s Market, stopping at TeaLula for an iced tea, maybe lunch on Main Street, and 9 or 18 holes at Tam O’Shanter in Niles or the Wilmette Golf Club.

Favorite local store or best shopping area: I enjoy a good cigar, so one of my favorite local stops is Around the World Cigars. Whether it is my usual smoke, or trying something new, Al Shah knows how to direct me and never disappoints.

Pennyville Station patio

What’s something you look forward to every spring?
I really look forward to Park Ridge’s outdoor dining scene. My wife and I really enjoy the outside space that Pazzi di Pizza provides, as well as the areas on Main Street out in front of Pennyville Station, Beer on the Wall, Harp & Fiddle, Off the Wall and more. And when we grab take-out from Canton Tea Garden in South Park, stopping over at Triple Scoop’d to sit outside and enjoy dessert before dinner is a nice change of pace. Whether it is food or entertainment, I look forward to being out and about.

TeaLula

Secret spot: Anytime between late March and late November, we will head over the Northwestern’s campus and sit on the rocks near Pick-Staiger Concert Hall. It’s an awesome view of the city and a relaxing spot for a break.

Underrated activity in the area: The musicals and plays that Maine South and Maine East High Schools present each year are underrated. If you have not attended one, check them out. The talent and quality of these performances is inspiring, and it is a great way to support the fine arts students.

Favorite weekend getaway spot: Grand Rapids is a short three-hour drive if the traffic behaves. It is a fun city and has a terrific zoo, botanic gardens, breweries and more. But the main reason is that both of my daughters live there. So that is a no-brainer.

What have you heard great things about but have yet to try?
I guess this takes me back to some of the restaurants. I am not necessarily an adventurous eater, but there are too many places I have yet to try here in Park Ridge. I have yet to hit Elia Café in Uptown or Kouklas on Milwaukee Avenue in Niles. I think the next time my wife and I head out to eat, we will have to try someplace new.

Triple Scoop’d