Restaurants

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.

  ---

  Saveur Menu 

  Tuesdays and Thursdays 11am-12:45pm - Spring 2025

  Petite Plates 

  Roasted Spring Carrots 

  Maple Glaze, Whipped Ricotta, Spiced Pistachios, Hot Honey. $5

  Hibachi Surf & Turf

  Charcoal Grilled Steak & Shrimp Skewer, Crispy California Roll Tempura, Kewpie Wasabi Aioli, Sweet Chili Glaze. $7

  Ginger Shrimp

  Crisp Lotus Root, Sweet Dark Soy Glaze, Chili Oil, Gochujang Mayo, Chives. $6

  Lobster Arancini

  Crispy Lemon-Saffron Risotto, Lobster & Petite Greens Salad, Herb and Pate a Choux Donut, Lobster Emulsion. $6

   

  Soup

  Sweet Potato Puree

  Coconut Cream, Golden Raisin & Pineapple Chutney, Turmeric Croutons, Chive-Almond Pesto.

  Soup of the Day

  Created Fresh Daily

   

  Salad

  Fresh Spring Lettuce’s, Goat Cheese Cream, Pickled Beets, Oranges, Greek Yoghurt-Orange Vinaigrette, Candied Pistachio. $8

  Bang Bang Chicken

  Crispy Sesame Chicken Tender, Spring Lettuce, Toasted Almonds, Pickled Carrot & Daikon, House Fermented Kim Chi, Radishes, Orange Supremes, Crispy Wonton, Sweet Chili Garlic Vinaigrette. $10

   

  Sandwiches

  Saveur Smash Burger

  Two Smashed Patties, Cajun Spices, House Smoked Thick cut Bacon, Roasted Pepper Pimento Cheese, Pickles, Lettuce, Red Onion & Tomato, Freshly Baked Ciabatta. $10

  Porchetta

  Crispy, Rosemary Scented Pork Belly, Mozzarella Cheese, Charred Broccolini, Italian Salsa Verde, Rosemary Aioli, Arugula Salad, Freshly Baked Ciabatta. $11

   

  Pasta

  Chicken Carbonara

  Spinach Ravioli, Truffle Chicken Mousseline, Soft Cooked Egg, Crispy Pig Belly, Spinach Carbonara, Wilted Spinach, Shaved Parmesan. $12

  Pasta du Jour (changes weekly)

   

  Entrée

  Vernal Salmon (of the Spring)

  Sauteed Salmon, New Potato-Pea Puree, Potato Fondant, Roasted Cipollini, Marinated Tomato, Champagne & Lime & Vanilla Beurre Monte, Orange “Caviar”. $13

  Entrée Du Jour (changes weekly)

   

  Asian Noodle Bowl

  Cellophane Noodles, Braised Pork, Crisp Tofu, Carrot, Shaved Radishes, Fried Shallot, Fish Sauce, Lime, Peanuts. $12

   

  Desserts

  Lemon Genoise

  Limoncello-Espresso Ice Cream, Honey Marinated Strawberries, Cinnamon Aquafaba Cream, Hazelnut Crumble, Chocolate Sauce.

  Carrot Cake

  Cheesecake Mousse, Pineapple Flambe, Mango Sorbet, Walnut Crumble, Carrot Crisp.

  Prix Fixe 

  1 Entrée and any two other courses for $20

• 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. 

  ---

  Thrive Lunch Menu

  Wednesdays 11 am - 12:45 pm - Spring 2025

  Small Plates 

  Roasted Zucchini and Ricotta Mezzelune

  Brown butter parmesan emulsion/creamy farro and Hazelnuts/tomato compote/basil

  7          V

   

  Coconut Fried Scallops

  Sweet and sour chili glaze/pickled pineapple/cilantro

  Coconut green curry rice/coconut cashew crumble

  8          GF

   

  Braised Beef and Ricotta Topped Naan

  Shredded mozzarella/garlic yogurt/arugula

  Smoked tomato coulis

  7

   

  Stuffed Buffalo Wing

  Chicken sausage/buttered hot sauce glaze

  Pickled shallots/creamy celery root noodles

  Blue cheese/celery root crumble

  7          GF

   

  Italian Kale and Quinoa Salad

  Dried cranberries/toasted hazelnuts/parmesan Reggiano

  Crispy spiced kale/whipped honey ricotta

  Balsamic vinaigrette

  7          GF/V

   

  Tomato Basil Soup

  Grilled cheese foam/basil oil

  Cheese lavosh

  5          V

   

  Baby Romaine Salad

  Roasted strawberry and yogurt terrine/granola

  Creamy herb vinaigrette/pickled strawberries

  5          GF/V

   

   Entrees

  Italian Beef Smash Burger

  Sweet and spicy pepper relish/pesto spread

  Shredded romaine/shredded mozzarella

  House-cut fries/homemade ketchup

  13

   

  Shrimp Roll

  Crispy lemon peppered shrimp/shredded romaine

  Lemon caper mayonnaise/tomato onion salad

  Soft split-top bun/house-cut fries/homemade ketchup

  13

   

  Braised Chicken Marsala and Ricotta Pizza

  Ricotta spread/mozzarella/shiitake mushrooms

  Basil/bacon/arugula

  12

   

  Mediterranean Calzone

  Marinated red peppers/Kalamata olives/artichokes

  San Marzano tomato sauce/basil/feta/ricotta

  Oregano and garlic olive oil

  12 V

              

  Sauteed Salmon

  Cannelloni of salmon and crème fraiche/red pepper Coulis/potato puree/herb butter spring vegetables

  Basil and caper vin blanc

  13

   

  Sauteed Chicken Francaise

  Chicken in a light egg batter/fried parmesan potato

  Fricassee of chicken and spring vegetables

  Lemon herb jus

  12

  Prix Fixe Lunch Options

  2 small plates, 1 entrée

  1 small plate, 1 entrée, 1 dessert

  $20.00

   

  Thrive Dinner Menu

  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 chickpea 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

  Sauteed asparagus and roasted cauliflower 

  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        GF

  Prix Fixe Dinner Options

  2 small plates, 1 entrée, 1 dessert

  Pizza or Calzone $25

  Chicken $28, Walleyed Pike $32

  Ribeye $38
   

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.