JJC Alert: Due to extreme cold, JJC will operate virtually on Tuesday, Jan. 21.
Classes will take place virtually. Students must check iCampus for course specific instructions from faculty members.
For more information on JJC’s decision-making process regarding winter weather conditions, visit jjc.edu/closures
January 20, 2025 08:41:55
JJC culinary students run two restaurants at the City Center Campus: Saveur and Thrive. They each offer their own creative and imaginative cuisines. In addition, JJC also offers a quick service kiosk, Lavu. Stop by and enjoy the amazing culinary delights made by our students!
Did you enjoy your experience dining at one of our restaurants? Share a review and photos of your meal on TripAdvisor.
Thrive on TripAdvisor Saveur on TripAdvisor
Lavu, our culinary kiosk on the ground floor of the City Center Campus, is open for carryout orders Monday through Thursday 9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., serving items such as:
Tuesdays and Thursdays 11am-12:45pm - Spring 2025
Petite Plates
Planted al Pastor
Grilled Cauliflower Adobe + Caramelized Pineapple + Pineapple Curd + House Queso Fresco + Shaved Radish + Cilantro + Spinach Corn Tortilla $6
Crustacean Ravioli
Butter Poached Lobster + Herb Lemon Ricotta + Spring Pea Puree + Lobster Bisque Sauce au Poivre $6
Spring Hen Piccata
Cornish Hen Meatball + Braised, Mushroom Stuffed Shallot + Parmesan-Semolina Donut + White Wine, Lemon Caper Sauce $6
Soups
Spring Solstice
Creamy White & Green Asparagus + Pickled Shallots + Spring Mushrooms + Toasted Hazelnuts + Hazelnut Oil $5
Tuscan Chowder
Yukon Potato + House Italian Sausage + Kale + Shaved Parmesan + Calabrian Chili Foam $5
Salads
Blackberry Fields
Mixed Spring Greens + Blackberry Goat Cheese Terrine+ Pickled Blackberries + Brûléed Orange + Marinated Tomatoes + Blackberry Vinaigrette + Thyme & Lemon Cracker $7
“In the Manner of Capri”
Frisee + Compressed Tomato Terrine + Lemon Mascarpone Cream + Pinenut & Basil Pesto + Charred Lemon Vinaigrette $7
Entrees
Pastrami Rueben Burger
Fresh Ground Beef + House made Pastrami + Gruyere Cheese + Pickles + House Kraut + Russian Dressing + Toasted Sourdough English Muffin + House Fries $12
Chicken Focaccia ala Vodka
Crispy Chicken Scallopini + Whole Milk Mozzarella + Baby Arugula +Tomato Vodka Sauce + Roasted Garlic and Rosemary Focaccia + House Fries $12
“Nero”
Black Squid Ink Linguine + Charred Octopus + Broccolini + Mushrooms + Parmesan Cream + Crispy Pig Belly + Truffle Oil + Parmesan Crisp $12
Pork “Vichyssoise”
Bacon Wrapped, Citrus & Herb Pork Loin + Potato, Leek, Spring Onion Cream + Crispy Potato + Parsley Chive Oil $13
Branzino
Charcoal Grilled English Sea Bass + Spring Carrot Puree + Pistachio Chimichurri + Citrus Butter Sauce + Chive Emulsion $13
Desserts
Honey Cake
Ginger Buttercream + Blueberry Compote + Lemon Sage Ice Cream + Hazelnut Crumble + Ginger Garnish $5
Strawberry Rhubarb Tart
Vanilla Bean Ice Cream + Walnut Poppy Seed Crumble + Vanilla Bean Anglaise + Tuile Garnish $5
Prix Fixe
1 Entrée and any two other courses for $20
Wednesdays 11 am - 12:45 pm - Spring 2025
Small Plates
Ancient Grain and Vegetable Salad
Roasted sweet potatoes/cauliflower/curry/feta
Farro/quinoa/chickpeas/golden raisin puree/pistachio
Middle eastern green goddess dressing
Spiced lentil crisps
7 V/GF
Crispy Fried Pickled Chicken
Honey chili syrup/tomato chutney/peanut hummus/house Pickle/shaved celery
7
Chicken Fried Rice
Soft poached egg/jasmine rice/shiitake/cabbage
Five spice sesame seeds/pickled ginger mayo
7
Three Cheese Garlic Parmesan Stuffed Brioche
Ricotta filling/brioche/arugula salad/dried olives
Smoked tomato sauce/parmesan
7 V
Petite Braised Short Rib
Truffle parmesan heirloom polenta
Tomato chutney/basil crisp
White truffle emulsion
7 GF
Asparagus Soup
Brown butter nuts and seeds/herb grissini
Lemon crème fraiche
5 V/GF
Romaine Salad
Goat cheese and poached pear terrine/crisp phyllo
Candied hazelnuts/orange pink peppercorn dressing
5 V
Entrees
Beef Bourguignon Smash Burger
Red wine braised onions and mushrooms
Bacon/comte cheese/brioche bun
House-cut fries/homemade ketchup
12
Char Siu Chicken Sandwich
Black sesame seed brioche/spicy mayo
Pickled ginger, onion, and cabbage slaw
House-cut fries/homemade ketchup
11
Sweet Pepper and Spinach Pizza
Sweet peppers/san marzano tomato sauce
Fresh mozzarella/balsamic reduction/fresh basil
12 V
Meatball and Provolone Calzone
San Marzano tomato sauce/parmesan
Ricotta/basil/herb and garlic olive oil
12
Savoy Cabbage Wrapped Walleyed Pike
Lemon herb mousseline/cauliflower puree
Asparagus and roasted cauliflower salad
Green apple brown butter vin blanc
13 GF
Sauteed Chicken and Dumplings
Braised chicken and dumplings/roasted baby carrots
Shaved carrot and arugula salad
Chicken jus
12
Prix Fixe Lunch Options
2 small plates, 1 entrée
1 small plate, 1 entrée, 1 dessert
$20.00
Thursdays 6pm-7:30pm - Spring 2025
Small Plates
Ancient Grain and Vegetable Salad
Roasted sweet potatoes/cauliflower/curry/feta
Farro/quinoa/chickpeas/golden raisin puree/pistachio
Middle eastern green goddess dressing
Spiced lentil crisps
7 V/GF
Crispy Fried Pickled Chicken
Honey chili syrup/tomato chutney/peanut Hummus/house pickle/shaved celery
7 GF
Chicken Fried Rice
Soft poached egg/jasmine rice/shiitake/cabbage
Five spice sesame seeds/pickled ginger mayo
7
Three Cheese Garlic Parmesan Stuffed Brioche
Ricotta filling/brioche/arugula salad/dried olives
Smoked tomato sauce/parmesan
7 V
Petite Braised Short Rib
Truffle parmesan heirloom polenta
Tomato chutney/basil crisp
White truffle emulsion
7 GF
Asparagus Soup
Brown butter nuts and seeds/herb grissini
Lemon crème fraiche
5 V/GF
Romaine Salad
Goat cheese and poached pear terrine/crisp phyllo
Candied hazelnuts/orange pink peppercorn dressing
5 V
Entrees
Sweet Pepper and Spinach Pizza
Sweet peppers/San Marzano tomato sauce
fresh mozzarella/balsamic reduction/fresh basil
13 V
Meatball and Provolone Calzone
San marzano tomato sauce/parmesan
Ricotta/basil/herb and garlic olive oil
13
Savoy Cabbage Wrapped Walleyed Pike
Lemon herb mousseline/cauliflower puree
Asparagus and roasted cauliflower salad
Green apple brown butter vin blanc
20 GF
Sauteed Chicken and Dumplings
Braised chicken and dumplings/roasted baby carrots
Shaved carrot and arugula salad
Chicken jus
16
Grilled Ribeye with Herb Braised Ribeye Cap
Mascarpone and truffle risotto/sweet and sour Tomato/asparagus/wild mushroom/balsamic garlic jus
28
Prix Fixe Dinner Options
2 small plates, 1 entrée, 1 dessert
Pizza or Calzone $25
Chicken $28, Walleyed Pike $32
Ribeye $38
Please note that JJC's student restaurants are only open on select days during the fall and spring semesters.
Tuesdays and Thursdays
11a.m. to 12:45p.m.
Reservations are suggested and encouraged. Please call (815) 280-1200.
Closed
One of two restaurants run by the students in the Culinary Arts Program, Saveur features a journey of tastes and textures through contemporary American and International cuisine all prepared from scratch by our talented culinary students.
Saveur is a full-service restaurant, providing table service with a friendly atmosphere. The restaurant will be open at the City Center Campus located at 235 N. Chicago St., Joliet, IL on the second floor. All proceeds go directly to the Culinary Arts Department.
Wednesdays
11a.m. to 12:45 p.m.
Thursdays
6 to 7:30 p.m.
Reservations are suggested and encouraged. Please call (815) 280-1201.
Closed
The focus of Thrive is to craft elegant and imaginative cuisine, showcasing fresh ingredients. All pastas are produced in house, as well as cheeses, breads and more to create a menu both classic and approachable that is simple yet flavorful. Thrive is also run by the students in the Culinary Arts Department.
Thrive Restaurant is located on the first floor of the City Center Campus, facing Chicago Street.
Monday through Thursday
9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Lavu Culinary Cafe, located on the main floor of the lobby next to Thrive Restaurant, is available for carryout featuring coffee, breakfast items, sandwiches, soups and desserts.
