Restaurants

• What to Expect

  This semester will be fluid and we will follow the guidelines set forth by the Governor, state public health officials and our institution. As restaurant restrictions change, we will be sure to let you know.

  Thank you for trusting us throughout this very challenging time, supporting our program and students as they pursue their culinary education, and being part of our JJC extended family. Stay safe and we look forward to providing your culinary created take-out meals in the near future.

Restaurant Menus

• Lavu Culinary Kiosk - Carryout Menu

  Lavu, our culinary kiosk on the ground floor of the City Center Campus, is open for carryout orders Monday through Thursday 9a.m. to 1:30 p.m., serving items such as:

  • Paninis
  • Salads 
  • Soups
  • Bakery goods 
  • And more!

• Saveur Menu

  To Order Carryout or Make a Reservation During The Fall or Spring

  • Please call (815) 280-1200.
  • Open Tuesdays and Thursdays, 11a.m. to 12:45 p.m.
     

  Menu

  Please note: Saveur also offers specials not listed on the menu. 

  Only the Beginning

  • Korean "Summer" BBQ Gochujang Style Ribs: Sweet and spicy sticky wings, crispy tots with honey mustard chili sauce - $4
  • Ravioli Fritte: Crispy hazelnut fried pasta filled with roasted butternut squash, whipped, house made ricotta, amaretto-hazelnut sage brown butter, amaretto cookie crumb, red currant gel - $6

  
  Soup and Salad

  • Spiced Applie-Pumpkin Soup: Creamy pumpkin and apple puree, pickled apples and cranberries, spiced "pie crust" crumble toasted marshmallow - $4
  • Creamy Mushroom-Leek "Latte": Brie cheese gratin, pickled beech mushrooms, leek oil, frothed milk - $4
  • Winter Solstice Salad: Mixed baby greens, spiced butternut squash terrine, goat cheese mousse with cranberries, hazelnuts and apricots, orange vanilla-pink peppercorn vinaigrette, poached pear Parisienne, cinnamon crisp - $5
  • Le Petit Salad: Baby spinach, shiitake mushroom, shaved apple, candied walnut, pickled onion, hard cooked egg, warm house bacon-sherry vinaigrette, shaved parmesan -$4

  
  Burgers and Sandwiches

  • A Little Smashed: Two mini smash burger sliders, fresh smashed chuck, roasted pineapple jam, Kona coffee BBQ sauce, whole milk mozzarella, fresh baked Hawaiian roll, parmesan dusted fries - $9
  • Loaded Chicken Shawarma: Slow cooked Rotisserie chicken, yoghurt-mint Tzatziki sauce, pickled cucumber, tomato, fluffy pita, saffron rice - $10 
  • One Fish: Blue Moon beer battered cod, tomato jam, citrus mayo, white cheddar, Bibb lettuce, parmesan-herb brioche, parmesan dusted fries -$9

  
  Entrees

  • Duck! Duck! Mac & Cheese: Cresto di Gallo Pasta, pulled duck confit, butternut squash, sweet corn, creamy mac sauce, sharp cheddar foam, sriracha-panko crunch - $10
  • Autumn Spiced Duck Breast: Creamy barley with mushrooms, butternut squash pave, apple-cranberry chutney, lemon-herb brussels, walnut-oat crumble, duck jus - $13
  • Herb & Butter Roasted Chicken Breast: Crispy chicken sausage fritter with pistachio an dried cherry roasted herb potato, brussel sprout "cream", chicken cherry demi - $11
  • Five Spiced Pan Seared Artic Char: Winter mushrooms, soy and miso broth, wasabi mashed potato, grilled scallion, crispy mushroom and leek - $11

  
  Pastry & Desserts

  • Carrot-Banana Cake: Cream cheese glaze, blueberry sauce, red currant ice cream, caramel, walnut crunch - $4
  • "Jack & Coke" Bread Pudding: Vanilla bean and Jack Daniels ice cream, cola syrup, seasonal fruits, fresh whipped cream - $4

• Thrive Menu

  To Order Carryout or Make a Reservation During the Fall or Spring

  • Please call (815) 280-1201.
  • Open Wednesdays, 11 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.
  • Open Thursdays, 6 to 7:30 p.m. 
     

  Wednesday Menu

  Please note: Thrive also offers specials not listed on the menu. 

  First Sight

  • Northern Italy - Butternut Squash Ricotta Ravioli: Creamy parmesan broth, dried cherry, shaved squash, watercress, gingerbread cookie crumble - $6
  • Flavors of Autumn - Seared Chicken and Dried Cranberry Roulade: Maple chili glaze, pecan crumble, roasted brown butter pear puree, pickled pear, shaved squash - $6
     

  Hot and Cold

  • Wintertime - Roasted Winter Squash Soup: Apple aigre doux, brandy cream, candied pumpkin seeds - $4
  • Fields - Greens with White Balsamic Pear Dressing: Red wine poached pear, pistachios, cheese, fruit and nut terrine - $4
     

  Between Wheat

  • Our Take on a Burger - Special Blended Burger: Choice of our house melts: parmesan and pepper, cheddar pimento, smoked gouda, roasted garlic spread, pretzel brioche, onion bacon jam, shredded romaine, fries - $10
  • Pepper and Spice - Breaded Pork Cutlet: Pumpkin brioche, peppered bacon, apple slaw, smoked gouda spread, fries, house made ketchup - $9
     

  Brick and Fire

  • Comfort - Pot Roast and Caramelized Onion Pizza: San Marzano tomato sauce, basil, fresh mozzarella, parmesan cream, crisp onions - $10
  • Acquolina in Bocca - Ricotta, Pancetta and Apple Calzone: Caramelized apple, fresh mozzarella, brie, basil, cherry port wine syrup, hazelnuts - $11
     

  Culmination

  • Synergy: Grilled Spiced Salmon: Wild mushroom, hazelnut and apple barley, parsnip, maple horseradish cream, pomegranate, fried kale, apple cider jus - $11
  • Flavors of Thanksgiving - Sage Butter Basted Chicken Breast: Smoked petite chicken sausage, roasted brussels sprouts with dried cranberries, butternut squash, burnt marshmallow, cranberry chicken reduction - $10
     

  Dream

  • Sweet delicacy prepared by our culinary students
     

  Thursday Menu

  Please note: Thrive also offers specials not listed on the menu. 

  First Sight

  • Northern Italy - Butternut Squash Ricotta Ravioli: Creamy parmesan broth, dried cherry, shaved squash, watercress, gingerbread cookie crumble - $6
  • Flavors of Autumn - Seared Chicken and Dried Cranberry Roulade: Maple chili glaze, pecan crumble, roasted brown butter pear puree, pickled pear, shaved squash - $6
     

  Hot and Cold

  • Wintertime - Roasted Winter Squash Soup: Apple aigre doux, brandy cream, candied pumpkin seeds - $4
  • Fields - Greens with White Balsamic Pear Dressing: Red wine poached pear, pistachios, cheese, fruit and nut terrine - $4
    
     

  Brick and Fire

  • Comfort - Pot Roast and Caramelized Onion Pizza: San Marzano tomato sauce, basil, fresh mozzarella, parmesan cream, crisp onions - $12
  • Acquolina in Bocca - Ricotta, Pancetta and Apple Calzone: Caramelized apple, fresh mozzarella, brie, basil, cherry port wine syrup, hazelnuts - $13
     

  Culmination

  • Synergy: Grilled Spiced Salmon: Wild mushroom, hazelnut and apple barley, parsnip, maple horseradish cream, pomegranate, fried kale, apple cider jus - $18
  • Flavors of Thanksgiving - Sage Butter Basted Chicken Breast: Smoked petite chicken sausage, roasted brussels sprouts with dried cranberries, butternut squash, burnt marshmallow, cranberry chicken reduction - $16
     

  Pasture & Fields
  $30 - 4 Course Prix Fixe

  • Grilled New York Strip with Winter Spiced Braised Short Rib: Crispy potato dumpling, red cabbage, apple mustard yogurt, shaved apple - $25
     

  Dream

  • Sweet delicacy prepared by our culinary students

About our Restaurants

Please note that the information provided below relates to JJC's restaurants during a typical semester.

• Saveur

  Summer Hours

  Closed

  Fall & Spring Hours

  Tuesdays and Thursdays
  11a.m. to 12:45p.m.

  Reservations are suggested and encouraged. Please call (815) 280-1200.

  More About Saveur

  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. 

• Thrive

  Fall & Spring Hours

  Wednesdays 
  11a.m. to 12:45p.m.
  
  Thursdays
  6 to 7:45p.m.

  Reservations are suggested and encouraged. Please call (815) 280-1201.

  Summer Hours

  Tuesdays
  11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

  Reservations are suggested and encouraged. Please call (815) 280-1201.

  More About Thrive

  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. 

• Lavu Culinary Cafe (kiosk)

  Monday through Thursday
  9a.m. to 1:30p.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.