Dine Like a Seasoned Traveler in Lake County

By: Jonathan Jones 03/03/2018

Sometimes you can't make that big trip to Europe, that safari excursion in Africa, or that relaxing beach setting in Southeast Asia, Central America and/or the Caribbean Islands.

However with Lake County Restaurant Week rapidly approaching, you can have the next best thing from the comfort of an Illinois eatery.

Lake County Restaurant Week is March 2-11 and features over 40 restaurants for 10 days to savor highlighted by prix-fixe menus and dinner deals for attendees to devour delicious fare around Lake County.

Who says you can't stay Lake County local to eat traditional, rustic, ethnic and divine bites like a seasoned traveler abroad.

Here is a list of Lake County Restaurant Week participants that provide international fare (plus a few feature dishes to help you make your decision).

Big Bowl

[caption id="attachment_8839" align="aligncenter" width="570"]

General Tso's Chicken[/caption]

Lincolnshire, China/Thailand

Main Dishes

General Tso's Chicken
Classic Sweet & Sour Chicken
Teriyaki Shrimp Fried Rice
Tofu Pad Thai
Beef & Broccoli
Shanghai Beef Asian Tacos

Cafe Pomigliano

[caption id="attachment_8840" align="aligncenter" width="570"]

Tortellini Carbonara at Cafe Pomigliano. Photo Credit: Daily Herald[/caption]

Libertyville, Italy

Appetizer:

Bruschetta (tomato, garlic, basil, fresh mozzarella)

Main Dishes:

House Lasagna (baked with ricotta and beef, topped with marinara and mozzarella).
Tortellini Carbonara (bacon, mushrooms, green peas and cream sauce).
Chicken Vesuvio (chicken breast, oregano white whine sauce, sweet peas and roasted potatoes)

Desserts:

Grandma's Tiramisu (hazelnut espresso dipped lady fingers, whipped mascarpone, chocolate sauce)
Cannoli (chocolate chip cannoli filling, pistachios, raspberry sauce)

El Puerto Mexican Restaurant

[caption id="attachment_8841" align="aligncenter" width="570"]

Bistec Ranchero Suizo at El Puerto Mexican Restaurant[/caption]

Fox Lake, Mexico

Main Dishes:

Steak Tacos (Carne asada and queso)
Bistec Ranchero Suizo
Burrito Pica Pica

La Casa De Samuel

[caption id="attachment_8842" align="aligncenter" width="570"]

Guilotas estilo Guerrero a La Casa de Samuel[/caption]

Waukegan, Mexico

Main Dishes:

Chiles en Nogada
Carne Asada
Guilotas en Salsa Verde
Cabrito Estilo Monterrey

Timothy O'Toole's and O'Toole's of Libertyville

[caption id="attachment_8843" align="aligncenter" width="570"] Fish & Chips at O'Tooles[/caption]

Libertyville and Gurnee, Ireland

Irish eats:

Fish 'N' Chips
Shepherd's Pie
Grilled Polenta
Wild Boar Meatloaf
Quinoa Bowl

The Shanty

[caption id="attachment_8844" align="aligncenter" width="570"]

Tequila orange wild salmon at The Shanty[/caption]

Wadsworth, Greece

Main Dishes:

Tequila orange wild salmon (Fresh wild salmon glazed in tequila, orange juice, garlic & brown sugar served with jasmine rice & sauteed vegetables in organic olive oil).
Apple brandy braised pork shanks (Six hour braised bone-in pork shanks drizzled with our apple cranberry brandy reduction balsamic drizzled Brussels sprouts).

Appetizers:

Whiskey shrimp (Four fresh jumbo shrimp flamed in our signature Jack Daniels tarragon cream sauce served with garlic toast points).

Disotto Italian Restaurant

Highwood, Italy

Main Dishes:

Pappardelle, Sal's bolognese, herbs parmesan.
Fettuccine con Pollo (fettuccine with chicken, pecorino sauce and sun-dried tomatoes
Brazino Della Casa (wild seabass, lemon, brown butter, capers and baby spinach)
Chicken Parmesan (breaded chicken, tomato sauce fontina parmesan and fresh basil