Cocktails, Food and Fun In Libertyville

Walking to the Tavern and Firkin restaurants in Libertyville is one of the great perks of living close to downtown.   I love the festive, eclectic-antiquey atmospheres and the delicious food that owners Rick and Linda Jansen have created at these side-to-side spots on Milwaukee Avenue.

Linda handles all the décor, and she does a great job. It looks like she scouted through dozens of flea markets, brought back a truckload of terrific finds and layered them lavishly into both restaurants. The look is funky and warm and you won’t see it anywhere else! Rick handles the food and beverage.

For a lively, laid-back get-together with clients or friends Firkin is my go-to spot. It’s always bustling with people for lunch and dinner, and sometimes I just order take-out. The menu is wide-ranging and reasonably priced. I highly recommend the Southern fried asparagus with chipotle sauce as an appetizer and the goat cheese salad – it’s to die for! The fish tacos are excellent too with the French beluga lentil salad.

Tavern is a dinner-only spot with a romanticized, “Paris during the war” feeling that’s rustic, dimly lit and  cozy.  I go there when I want a quiet cocktail and small bites in the main floor lounge. Don’t miss the Acapulco shrimp cocktail with avocado and chipotle tomato sauce or the prime steak sliders! When I want to splurge on a great filet mignon I head to the dining room upstairs. They call it a steakhouse, but the menu has something for everyone: scallops with lobster mayonnaise, lobster ravioli with shrimp and half a rotisserie duck with fig glaze. This is making me hungry!

The Tavern is as well known for its award-winning wine cellar as Firkin is for its beer selections, and I can vouch for Tavern’s champagne martinis, too! They are wonderful after a tough day or when I’m celebrating with friends, or really for any excuse. We’re lucky to have these gems right in the heart of town.