This award-winning restaurant opened in 2013 and is the offspring of a small, Chicago-based chain.
“Where Do You Suggest We Go for Lunch?”
St. Charles is a bit off the beaten path for me. Even so, last week I made the 18-mile journey to the adjoining county. I was with a couple of friends, who were looking at floor samples in one of the many wholesale outlets in the area.
As we were about to leave the showroom, I turned to our salesman and said, “I’m a food blogger, so I always ask people about their favorite place to eat. Where would you suggest we go for lunch?”
A big smile came over his face and without a moment’s hesitation, he said: “Prasino.” Then he added “Be sure to order a side of Potato Truffles.”
Whatever Happened to Noah’s Ark?
With the assistance of Yelp we made it to what you might call “an ancient and historic site.” Old-timers will recall this being the area, where Noah’s Ark restaurant was located years ago. Today the place is a trendy, business corridor know as The Streets of St. Charles.
The Streets of St. Charles
In an era of small, intimate restaurants, Prasino is king-size with seating for 280 inside and 100 outside.
On the backside of the lunch menu is an array of breakfast items available until 3 p.m. each day. A number of dishes are labeled vegan, gluten-free and vegetarian.
Contemporary American Menu
The Prasino website refers to their cuisine as Contemporary American. But the farm-to-table menu is actually world embracing. Look for such delicacies as Thai tempeh cakes, kefte (lamb meatballs), achiote chicken tacos, flat breads, Greek salad, harissa chicken, mingled with more traditional American fare: burgers, soup, wood-fired wings, and steak.
Prasino, the Greek name for “green,” more nearly reflect their respect for a sustainable environment rather than any one cuisine. As to those highly recommended Truffled Potatoes, they’ve definitely earned a place in my food pyramid.
Truffled Potatoes with aioli, chives, cotija cheese.
The soup of the day, Butternut Squash with Kale, brimmed with healthy ingredients and flavor.
The Prasino Burger features a large, juicy beef patty, smoked Gouda cheese, tomato jam, arugula, and pickled onions. Best paired with a restorative bowl of soup.
One of the many egg dishes offered both at breakfast and lunch.
The large bar at the front of the restaurant offers an array of craft beers, vintage wines, and chic cocktails.
Preserving the Planet
Besides their global, environment-sensitive menu, Prasino is helping to preserve the planet with an emphasis on hormone/antibiotic free meats and eggs. In keeping with their goal, the restaurant uses natural cleaning products, re-claimed wood floors, filtered water, and glasses created from wine bottles. They call it “respect for a sustainability environment.”
Happily, our floor salesman gave us good advice.
Prasino. 1520 S. Fifth Street, St. Charles. At Interstate 70 and Fifth Street, (Formerly Noah’s Ark, now The Streets of St. Charles). Open: Mon-Thu 11a-10p; Fri 11a-12a; Sat 8a-12a; Sunday 8a-9p.
