Restaurants


City Center Campus Restaurants

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! 

 

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Thrive on TripAdvisor   Saveur on TripAdvisor

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 9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., serving items such as:

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

  • Saveur Menu

    To Order Carryout or Make a Reservation: 

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

    Menu

    Commence:

    Yakitori Style Chicken: Skewers of Chicken & Scallion, Grilled Hibachi Style over Natural Hardwood Charcoal, Dipped in Tare Sauce (Soy Sauce, Brown Sugar, Sake, Mirin) & Yuzu Mayonnaise, Served with Enoki Mushroom-Scallion Pancake $7

    Hibachi Charcoal Grilled Feature of the Day: $7

    Sweet & Savory: Sweet Potato Fritter with Strawberry Gel, Asparagus Panna Cotta Tartelette & Orange Gel, Pickled Mango & Lobster Cornet with Honey-Goat Cheese, Pistachio & Hazelnut Crunch. $8 

    Fall Comfort: 

    Highlighting Corn: Sweet Corn Chowder, Charred Corn, Yukon Gold Potatoes, Buttered Corn Mousse, Chive Oil, Bacon Fat-Popcorn. 

     

    Fresh! 

    Tomatoes & Feta: Mixed Greens, Herb Marinated Tomatoes, Feta Cheese Mousse, Compressed Watermelon, Balsamic Vinaigrette, Black Olive Crisp. $8 

    Salade Rouge: Salt Roasted Ruby Beets, Pink Lady Apple, Honey Poached Cranberries, Pickled Beet Puree, Whipped Goat Cheese, Sweet & Sour Shallots, Purple Micro Greens, Roasted Hazelnuts. $8 

     

    Sandwiches: House Cut Fries. 

    Pastrami: Tender, House Cured & Smoked Pastrami, Spicy Brown Mustard, Bread & Butter Pickles, Soft Rye Bread. $10 

    90 Miles Panini Melt: House cured shaved Ham, Citrus Braised Pulled Pork, Caramelized Sweet Plantains, Gruyere Cheese, Pickles & Dijon pressed on French Bread. $11 

     

    Pasta 

    Potato Gnocchi Pasta: Duck Confit, Peas, Zucchini & Yellow Squash, Castelvetrano Olives, Parmesan, Herbs, Toasted Pinenuts, Parmesan Foam, Olive Oil Crisp. $13 

     

    Flour + Water + Yeast + Salt 

    Saveur Stromboli: Fermented Pizza Dough, Slow Cooked Italian Beef, Pepperoncini, Ricotta, Roasted Peppers & Onions, Whole Milk Mozzarella, San Marzano Tomato Sauce, Roasted Garlic Basil-Parmesan Olive Oil. $11 

     

    Entrees 

    Paupiette of Dover Sole: Shrimp & Scallop Mousseline, Truffle & Chive Whipped Potatoes, Buttered Crawfish, Bisque Sauce| Crispy Leeks. $14 

    Mole Negro: Pan Seared Duck Breast, Potato Pave, Duck Sausage, Confit Thumbelina Carrot, Pea Puree, Charred Onion Petals. 

     

    Sweet Dreams are made of This 

    The Dome: Vanilla Bean & Lemon Cheesecake, Fennel Cream, Fruit Gel, Mango, Hazelnut Crunch, Salted Caramel Ice Cream. 

    Lemon Tart: Coconut “3 leches” Sponge Cake, Pineapple & Passion Fruit Curd, Hazelnut Crunch, Chocolate Mousse, Pineapple Gel, Coconut Sorbet. 

  • Thrive Menu

    To Order Carryout or Make a Reservation: 

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

    Wednesday Lunch Menu

    Small Plates 

    Charcoal Grilled Japanese Eggplant teriyaki glaze/miso plum puree/cilantro and buttermilk pesto/puffed nori rice 7  

    Smothered Potatoes flash-fried baby potatoes/dehydrated broccoli french cheese sauce pickled shallot/green onion pesto/buttermilk 7  

    Chilled Pork Neck Terrine peach mostarda/caper salsa verde/smoked buttermilk/crispy sea salt pork rinds smoked paprika tuile 8  

    Allium and Short Rib sweet onion flan/melted onions/brandy onion sauce/baked brioche/gratineed cheese 7  

    Warm Cheese Tartine and Melon grilled baguette/fig jam french cheese sauce/arugula/melon fennel salad 7 

    The Sunflower ricotta and roasted corn ravioli/creamed corn and sunflower seeds/basil oil/parmesan/corn ash sunflower seed crumble 8  

    Summer Zucchini and Spinach Soup roasted petite tomato relish/ricotta espuma/toasted pistachios 5  

    Baby Romaine Salad white balsamic basil dressing/vine ripened tomatoes/miso roasted lemon ricotta salata garlic bread crumble 5  

    Entrees  

    Boursin Bacon Burger boursin/brioche bun/shredded romaine Onion jam/peppered bacon/homemade ketchup/fries 12  

    Marinated Grilled Chicken Paillard Sandwich hawaiian roll/pineapple jam/ginger coconut slaw/smoked chicken cracklings/homemade ketchup/fries 11  

    Brisket and Mozzarella Pizza caramelized onion/barbecue glaze/grilled cabbage/kewpie cole slaw dressing 13 

    Ricotta and Grilled Broccoli Calzone sun-dried cherry tomatoes/basil/parmesan san marzano tomato sauce/fresh mozzarella 12 

    Sauteed Spiced Salmon basil vin blanc/smoked salmon roe/grilled romaine/petite tomatoes/miso parmesan crème fraiche/caesar crumble 13 

    Sauteed Chicken Francaise herb and wine cream sauce/arugula salad/shaved parmesan/provencal crepe gratin 12

    Prix Fixe Lunch Options 1 entrée, and any 2 other courses $19 

     

    Thursday Dinner Menu

    Small Plates  

    Charcoal Grilled Japanese Eggplant teriyaki glaze/miso plum puree/cilantro and buttermilk pesto/puffed nori rice 7  

    Smothered Potatoes flash-fried baby potatoes/dehydrated broccoli french cheese sauce pickled shallot/green onion pesto/buttermilk 7  

    Chilled Pork Neck Terrine peach mostarda/caper salsa verde/smoked buttermilk/crispy sea salt pork rinds smoked paprika tuile 8 

    Allium and Short Rib sweet onion flan/melted onions/brandy onion sauce/baked brioche/gratineed cheese 7  

    Warm Cheese Tartine and Melon grilled baguette/fig jam french cheese sauce/arugula/melon fennel salad 7 

    The Sunflower ricotta and roasted corn ravioli/creamed corn and sunflower seeds/basil oil/parmesan/corn ash sunflower seed crumble 8  

    Summer Zucchini and Spinach Soup roasted petite tomato relish/ricotta espuma/toasted pistachios 5  

    Baby Romaine Salad white balsamic basil dressing/vine ripened tomatoes/miso roasted lemon ricotta salata garlic bread crumble 5 

    Entrees  

    Brisket and Mozzarella Pizza caramelized onion/barbecue glaze/grilled cabbage/kewpie cole slaw dressing 14 

    Ricotta and Grilled Broccoli Calzone sun-dried cherry tomatoes/basil/parmesan san marzano tomato sauce/fresh mozzarella 13 

    Sauteed Spiced Salmon basil vin blanc/smoked salmon roe/grilled romaine/petite tomatoes/miso parmesan crème fraiche/caesar crumble 20 

    Sauteed Chicken Francaise herb and wine cream sauce/arugula salad/shaved parmesan/provencal crepe gratin 17 

    Grilled Beef Fat Poached Bavette Steak herb, garlic, and salsa verde/beef fat bordelaise crispy parmesan potato pave/onion compote smoked dried beef  

    25 Prix Fixe Dinner Options 

     2 small plates, 1 entrée, 1 dessert Prix Fixe Price Chicken $27, Salmon $30, Steak $34 Pizza and Calzone $24 

About our Restaurants

Please note that JJC's student restaurants are only open on select days during the fall and spring semesters.

  • Saveur

    Fall & Spring Hours

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

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

    Summer Hours

    Closed

    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 12:45 p.m.

    Thursdays
    6 to 7:30 p.m.

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

    Summer Hours

    Closed

     

    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
    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. 

 

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