The Baha’i house of worship was interesting experience for me primarily because I was given information about how this religion came into being. The temple itself is beautiful and very well kept. I can’t comment on the religion because i believe everyone’s religion is personal but overall since there’s only one in the whole North American region, it’s definitely a place someone should visit.

The Bahá’í House of Worship in Wilmette is absolutely beautiful and incredibly peaceful. The gardens are meticulously maintained, and the intricate architecture is stunning from every angle. We went inside to pray, and the quiet, serene atmosphere made it a truly moving experience. This is a place where anyone—regardless of faith—can feel welcome and find a moment of reflection. Highly recommend visiting!

A serene and stunning place of worship. The intricate architecture and peaceful gardens provide a perfect setting for reflection. Open to all, regardless of faith, it’s a must-visit for anyone seeking tranquility and beauty.

This temple is both a Chicago landmark and a Chicago Mecca. What’s sad is that I’m from Chicago and never visited here until a friend from California wanted to go. They were shocked that I wasn’t here till now. What was equally shocking was the jaw-dropping majesty of this place. That’s how it can be in Chicago; so much is there that it gets unfortunately taken for granted. I strongly recommend that whether you’re from Chicago or not, visit here at least once. It took thirty years to build this beautiful temple. Take your time and take it all in, both inside and out. Ponder the sacred inscriptions above the entrances (outside) and above the alcoves (sanctuary interior nooks). The peace here lifts your soul above the ground-level madness and distractions which drain us all. Parking can be tricky, but a visit is more than worth it!

Went here for a class project. Karl was our guide and he took his time to answer all the questions we had. Such a beautiful and peaceful place, very welcoming.

This place is a gem! I’ve been to another Bahá’í temple (in Chile) and i loved them both. Very peaceful, the architecture is great and the gardens are beautiful. And it’s also FREE entrance and parking.

It’s a stunning place with magnificent architecture, and the inside of the temple feels incredibly peaceful. I recommend watching the 12-minute video at the Welcome Center beforehand if you’d like to learn more about the history and background of the Bahá’í Faith and this temple.

Built in 1873, lit in March 1874 as an essential navigation aid after the tragic Lady Elgin sinking prompted demand for a stronger presence north of Chicago. Staffed by three keepers and a laborer in its heyday; automated in 1934, then decommissioned during WWII (1941–46). The City of Evanston reactivated it in 1946 as a private aid to navigation. Grounds are free and open year-round; guided tower tours are available on weekends (June–September) with admission in the ranges of $8–15.

Beautiful Lighthouse! Well kept. On the shore of Lake Michigan. So happy we decided to take the time to drive there on our trip to Chicago. Well worth the stop. Highly recommend! Excellent photo opportunity that you don't want to miss!

Good peacefully place. Beach has no lifeguard on duty so be very careful if swimming

Beautiful grounds. You can tell there is some effort in taking care of the grounds. But, that's going to be a lot of money and time to repair the house it's self. It is a beautiful building nonetheless.

Grosse Pointe lighthouse is the most beautiful place to take sunrise photos of the sun coming up on Lake Michigan. I would highly recommend bringing your kids and family and a blanket and having a picnic breakfast. There is a small parking lot that holds about 30 cars and each place has a meter that will take a credit card. However, sunrises are between 5 AM and 6:30 AM depending on what time of year it is but they do not charge for parking until 8 AM. The lighthouse itself is very beautiful and they have a very nice lighthouse museum. FREE. for sunrise because I think the beach doesn’t open until 8 AM.

Beautiful spot to be with a loved one. The people who hang out in this area truly care and clean up around the Lighthouse, def will be back for this gem! Literally transports you from Illinois

Very pretty buildings and gardens during the summer.

Love the dog beach. It's free and super nice and clean

Nice playground and picnic area in Wilmette suburb. Beaches nearby are either managed and paid($5-$10) or free (w/ swim not allowed) Very clean water of lake michigan. Baha’i Worship area or temple is another nearby attraction

Very well maintained beach! Clean, clear water. Could even rent some boats as well. Kid friendly and I think a dog park area was near by. Loved to see the memorial trees as well.

Very beautiful beach nice clean water and smooth entry in the water

Fantastic park with new and well-maintained Facilities. There are plenty of places to sit and plenty of room for kids to play on. I found the crowd here to be friendly. There are plenty of trash cans located around the park. on the weekends the issue is parking which is rather limited but you can find it in the surrounding neighborhood which is just a short walk away

Love this place. Parking is right by the beach and the sunrise is beautiful. Also kudos to this lady going for a swim this morning at 6:30am. We were in our jackets with our son and she just simply walked passed us into the waves and enjoyed the sunrise.

Beautiful beach that is well kept and plenty of staff and lifeguard on duty. Offers amenities such as food, shower, and clean restrooms. There is a fee of $13 for non Wilmette residents, plus fee for parking. Sand is soft and the water is shallow for a good distance out.

Nice beach, with warm sand & water a bit cold 🥶 color green. With some free street parking but unfortunately, you gotta pay entrance fee per person. It does have a borderline in the water with lifeguards ready. 😉 The daily bracelet they give you comes off, in the water 🌊 & if you have to leave or use the bathroom, you need to show it for re-entry of the beach 🤔😢

It's always a good time when we can take a stroll about and appreciate the whole location! From watching the sunset over the boat harbor with the Baha'i Temple in the background, to watching dogs enjoy the tiny stretch of beach, to simply walking along the road by the sea and listening to the peaceful waves crash. A lovely little hideaway not far from home. Highly recommended, but not too much, as we don't want to overpopulate the paradise.

A stunning beach in Wilmette. $10 entry fee for non-residents. A 1/2 mile walk from the Baha’i Temple.

As if there was not enough wealthy enclaves yet another beach has been stolen by the rich you can no longer go visit lake Michigan anymore without their greedy hands in your pockets they want you to pay them for something that was made by nature. It’s absolutely unacceptable.

This used to be a beautiful, great place. Unfortunately, for the coming summer, the Wilmette Park District has installed ugly fencing that resembles a prison camp and obstructs views. They are also imposing a fee to enter and no one can walk with their dogs along the beach anymore. In essence, they have ruined it for everyone, particularly residents who go there every day, like me. I am so, so sad over this.

It should be illegal to charge people to use the beach ⛱️ after you take subsidies from Illinois state . It's getting more and more racist in the Wilmette park district. For goodness sake the Dog park is bigger than the free beach area !!!!!

Softest sand in the area! The fireworks here on the 3rd of July are awesome! The whole family enjoyed it. Although... on a nice day it is quite busy. Sometimes hard to find a nice spot with many kids running around. Overall, nice beach! ** **Edit to my review, 2 years later: As you can tell, I love Gillson Beach. Wilmette residents and other North Shore residents alike enjoy the local natural beauty and wonderment this beach has to offer. This is why it saddens me deeply that they are now charging $11 for Wilmette residents and $18 for non-resident beach-goers (July 2025). First and foremost, that is too much money. I understand the alleged safety concerns, but I am disheartened that the district has imposed a threat to the public enjoyment of its people. The privatization and the exclusivity of these new rules make what is supposed to be a public place not so public anymore. This does not benefit the people of Wilmette. It does not benefit non-residents. I walk to Gillson in every weather and every season, and I believe that it should be enjoyed freely.

This is a quaint out of the way Plaza. Starbucks has brought a lot of life back into it. I mostly go here to see my dentist and occasionally stop at the jewel. This jewel is on the small side but has a good selection considering limited space. It also has very friendly service.

Security is very rude, I messed up my parking a bit and a black lady who told me she was security started yelling at me. Would not shop here again

Ho, ho, ho (Santa... whattr you doin here?!? 🤣🤣). All jokes. Man, I love Plaza Del Lago! I think Plaza Del Lago (my young son calls it "Plala day lala" 😅) is in a great location, right next to the big ol' lake. It's great for summertime, but the grocery shopping at Jewel is timeless. Plaza Del Lago is great for anyone just needing to pick up something random, whether it be coffee (Starbucks), an Italian meal (Convito), or pharmaceuticals 🤣🤣 (CVS). However, I have noticed that the plaza has been going through some changes these past few years. I've only lived in the area since around 2015 (yeah, yeah, not a Wilmette native 🙃, don't sue me!!), but since then I have seen the taco place, Rosati's, Yellow Bird, the furniture store, and numerous other things close. Some of those places in the back just never got the attention compared to Starbucks and Jewel. To my knowledge, Plaza Del Lago is doing some remodeling in the area and giving it a little upgrade. What's Jospeh's take on this, ya might ask?? I'm all for it! Like I said before, this is in a great location. But heed my advice, and take it strongly (if ya trust a fellow local 🤣🤣): don't mess it up!! Plaza Del Lago has sooo much potential for some nice shops. Maybe a smoothie place! A nice sandwich shop! Bookstall perchance?? What I'm trying to say, is that Plaza Del Lago has a special place in my heart. I really hope this remodel is a good one. You got a lot to live up to! Hah! Just a guy who has a passion for convenient plazas near a lake, -- Joseph 🙂

Historic Shopping at it's best! Nice things to come!

I love this place where you find a gym, a supermarket, restaurants, CVS and Starbucks!

Beautiful area where you can get groceries, pharmaceuticals, clothes shopping, or grab a meal. They usually have well planned and maintained Christmas lights, as well, and the kids always love seeing them here. Always has room for parking, too.

Cuerently under construction makes it quite difficult to find a spot in the parking lot. Few stores, however, have a Jewel and a CVS at yards of each other.

We were really disappointed this last time to Convito. We were in for Sunday brunch and the food was as always good. However, there were a few things that destroyed the outing for us. First, several flies were buzzing around indoors. I fully understand that with our rain the little guys get in the restaurant, but there were about 10. When we brought it to our waiters attention, before we could even ask to be reseated, he said "the doors been open" as he turned and walked away. I eventually asked another staff member if this level of flies was normal for the frankly unaffected manner our waiter dismissed the issue. He assured us that no, this was not normal and he did offer an apology for the disruption. Our waiter spoke with us once to take orders and then when delivering food. Those were the only times he stopped at our table. We had to ask another staff member to please bring our check as our waiter had not come back to check on us and we were fairly done between waving flies away and having our drinks run dry. I hate to think one of our go to restaurants is becoming this. We even decided to forgo their great desserts to go elsewhere because of this.

11/21 - Wonderful store and Italian goodies. Colette and Adrian were warm and friendly! 11/23 - Another visit today to pick up some food items. William was very helpful at the counter and answered a lot of my questions. Brenda was also great taking my order on the phone.

Everything here is dusty from the decor that's jammed into every space including behind the front door to the patrons. You walk in the door and you are greeted by a soup bar that says "do not touch." The food tasted fine but the menu was nonsensical and the prices were a bit weird. $14 Caesar salad? Are you making that a table side? No. Iceberg lettuce? Yes. Warning! Their gluten-free menu isn't gluten-free; It's gluten reduced at best. They will disclose cross contamination if you ask but they will not if you don't. They do not have dedicated friars so at least two of the items on the gluten-free menu aren't even gluten-free. To the staff: If you know there is cross contamination, why would you put it on the menu that says gluten-free? Just because someone doesn't go into anaphylactic shock in your restaurant doesn't mean they aren't going to be sick, possibly for days later on.

Always a delight to eat at this Franco-Italo bistro in the beautiful Plaza del Lago. Atmosphere is cozy and welcoming, Victor is an attentive and conscientious waiter. Cocktails and portions are generous and fairly priced. The market has fresh salads and pastas as well as a nice selection of wine for purchase. A true north shore gem.

We had a party for 25 and everything was excellent. The service was on point and all of our guests commented that the food was also excellent. The menu had a nice assortment for guests to choose from. Great communication from the staff. A lovely, family business.

Excellent food and service. Great selection of dishes. Including vegan dishes. Yum.

We widowed this Italian restaurant for the first but not the last time. It was a wonderful experience as for service and taste of food. It has a style of one of the Italian boutique restaurants that you can meet on the streets of old Europe. We ordered spaghetti and calamari appetizer and it was delicious. Really enjoyed the experience

Staff was very friendly and pizza was outstanding tavern style Chicago thin crust. Great place to go before Northwestern basketball game.

This is such a cute hidden gem with amazing food. We were wandering around different town today bored, and came across this gem. We ordered cheesy bread and a thin crust pizza with mushrooms and artichokes. The ingredients were fresh, reasonable wait, service good, and food delicious. Not many places can pull off thin crust pizza, they 100% can and I can’t wait to go back.

Very good ultra thin crust pizza: crisp crust and the toppings blended together very nicely (bechamel sauce, cheese, artichokes, spinach). Happy and conscientious service. It's more suited to takeout or delivery than dine-in. (Plastic forks and disposables.) But I would return for sure.

What a great experience and excellent service . Stop by with my pregnant wife to grab a quick lunch and we both order the chicken pesto panini. When we handed the bag with our food at that instant I smell the melt of the cheese instant thought this smells good and its going to be so good. First bite me and my wife took we were amaze how good it taste all that flavor and cheese melted in our mouth, we were delighted.Love the crispiness of the bread.

Fabulous- eat here. If you're wondering if you should eat here, just do it. The modest exterior of this joint hides a gem. Exquisite food with a fair price. Service and food that will carry you away to a far off European Villa. If you've traveled in Europe I'm talking about real, actual small modern businesses, not tourist traps. Buuut seriously, I think this guy is just some guy who moved his business from Italy to North Evanston and I can't recommend it enough. Thouroughly enjoyed eating here- eat here!

My second time here. Thin crust Chicago style pizza, with jalapeño, pepperoni and everything else we like. Took home for my family to enjoy. Extremely good!

Amazing pizza!!! They have toppings and pizza’s you never heard of. We tried the chefs special and 4 other kinds and ALL were incredible. The Thai shrimp and chili pizza was my favorite.

pizza - 3/5, not bad. definitely not deep dish. lasagna - 4/5, no major complaints pesto - 1/5, chunks of basil and walnut floating in a pool of olive oil. service - not bad, forgot pepperoni on pizza. no a/c in restaurant, sweltering hot.

I've been missing Dave's Italian since they moved from their location near Davis. When I found out they reopened, I immediately decided to visit! The place is way smaller, but I enjoyed their food and great service. 😋🍕 #ItalianFood #DavesItalian

We shared the lasagne con amore and a pan pizza. Both were fabulous! Everything tasted fresh and thoughtfully made. Our waitress Olivia was knowledgeable and delightful!

FIVE STAR REVIEW! A pleasant surprise to come upon a small Italian restaurant in the heart of an Evanston neighborhood. The food was superb, especially the lasagna and Caesar salad. Dave’s is the only restaurant I know of who actually makes an authentic Caesar salad. It was delicious. Prices are extremely reasonable and very affordable to any budget. Dave’s is my go to restaurant, now. Their menu is expensive and you never get bored with the food. I take my friends and our-of-town guest to Dave’s frequently. It’s the best Italian food I’ve had in years. Thanks, Dave’s for serving the Evanston. community with great food, atmosphere and service. We will be back, again, soon! Mark & Frances

Delicious and affordable Italian cuisine! Had the Mostaccioli with rose sauce amd baked with mozzerella! So good. Had to stop myself from eating all of it! Service was great and friendly as well!

Dave’s new kitchen is a small cozy place, with delicious food! The server was very likable and helpful. Took his suggestion and ordered the ravioli with Rose sauce: amazing taste! Definitely recommend this sauce with whatever you’d like to eat. The bread was fresh! Nice wine. The food came out very fast! Be careful as this small restaurant so close to the campus may get filled quickly in busy hours.

Great food for a great price! Generous portions, cozy dinning room and nice staff. Have been going here for years. Never disappointed.

Sophia’s Steak – A Flawless Dining Experience From the moment you step into Sophia’s Steak, it’s clear you’re in for something special. The setting is beautiful — perfectly lit, elegantly designed, and with just the right level of ambiance. It’s not overly loud, allowing for easy conversation and a relaxed start to the evening. The service was truly exceptional. Our server was the highlight of the night — gracious, knowledgeable, and genuinely passionate about the menu. He carefully explained each dish, offered insightful recommendations, and added a personal touch that made the experience all the more enjoyable. I ordered the Prime Skirt Steak, while my companion had the Prime Rib, both accompanied by Truffle Parmesan Fries and White Cheddar Gratin. The steaks were absolute perfection — cooked flawlessly, tender, and bursting with flavor. Compliments to the chefs, and a special mention to whoever crafted that chimichurri sauce — simply wow. The sides were equally impressive: the fries were rich and aromatic, while the white cheddar gratin was decadently creamy and satisfying. We ended the meal with a Peanut Butter Cream Pie with an Oreo Cookie Crust, the perfect sweet note to close a truly outstanding dinner. In summary, Sophia’s Steak delivers on every front — atmosphere, service, and cuisine — with an attention to detail that sets it apart. A restaurant that understands the art of hospitality and flavor. Without a doubt, an experience worth repeating.

We recently visited the downtown location and are very glad we did. Everything was exactly what you would expect from a high end restaurant and while the steak was great the appetizers and desserts were equally delicious. Bartenders were extremely professional and personable. The menu has a great variety so not everyone has to order steak. Plan on returning when we get back to Chicago next month.

⚠️ Just my honest opinion—something to consider while you try this place and create your own experience. I love Wilmette’s little downtown area and have been looking forward to revisiting Sophia since my last visit a while ago. The ambiance is one of the highlights—the interior at night blends a speakeasy vibe with elegance. The space is roomy, making it great for different occasions: casual hangouts with friends, anniversary celebrations, or even business gatherings. The outdoor patio with heaters is a nice touch for colder evenings. I also appreciate their by-the-glass wine selection and the variety on the menu. Now, to the less positive side. When my sister and I visited, the restaurant was quite busy even at a late hour. Without a reservation, we were pleasantly surprised not to wait long for a table. We ordered cocktails, a 16oz ribeye to share, and the beets & burrata salad. I always order my steak medium rare, but this time it came out rare. I tried a piece, but needed to send it back, unfortunately, it returned with little improvement—still undercooked and this time with more oil on the plate, as if it had just been quickly seared without adjusting the internal temperature. The meat quality itself also felt average. I’m sorry, Sophia, but I expected more from this place when it comes to the food

Such a great place for a nice dinner!! The hostess Annette was so sweet and thoughful as we were celebrating. Our waiter, Jamie, also took great care of us. We enjoyed this moment with our family so much 🥰

A great atmosphere. Great people watching. I’ve been twice for the steak (of course). A New York strip each time. The actually cooking of the steak was very good: well seasoned, very good crust and correct temperature. But something seemed a little bit less than ideal in terms of the choice of the cut/ meat itself. I’m definitely going to return.

Sophia Steak in Willmette greets its guests with a confidence that is immediately reassuring. On arrival, I was welcomed personally by General Manager Erik Roemer, while the host, Patty, set the evening in motion with warmth and efficiency. Service throughout the night was anchored by our server the charismatic José and further supported by Beverage Manager Danny, whose presence ensured that hospitality felt both polished and personable. The restaurant itself is striking. Dark, moody interiors create the air of an intimate bourbon lounge, while the wraparound bar, gleaming with top-shelf spirits, positions itself as both centerpiece and promise. The space exudes refinement without feeling inaccessible, an environment carefully designed to heighten anticipation for what follows. Drinks opened the evening with a statement of precision. The St. Germain Spritz arrived fragrant and floral, its delicate sweetness offset by a touch of lemon that evoked a sense of alpine freshness. The North Shore Spritz provided an elegant counterpoint with notes of hibiscus lending vibrancy and lift. Both cocktails displayed a clear commitment to balance and craft. The first bites of the night, salt and pepper bread served with whipped butter, were deceptively simple yet executed with finesse. More ambitious were the potatoes and caviar, presented beautifully on a wooden board with a slice of lemon. The potatoes themselves were sublime, melting in the mouth and showing comfort at its highest level. The caviar, however, was subdued. Where it should have been the defining note, it faded behind the strength of the potato, leaving the dish missing something. The main courses were where Sophia Steak demonstrated its authority. The house steak, the namesake Sophia, arrived with a perfectly charred crust and a deep, savory profile. Accompanied by quartered mushrooms in a sauce that recalled a soulful beef gravy, it was both technically assured and warmly nostalgic. Yet it was the Ahi Tuna Tataki was what defined the meal. The sesame crust delivered texture and spice, while the papaya and avocado gave the softness and balance. Served cold, the tuna was exceptional, silky, fresh, and free from any suggestion of heaviness. It was a dish that captured restraint and harmony with remarkable clarity. A side of grilled asparagus with truffled béarnaise provided exactly what it needed to: a crisp counterpoint, elevated by the richness of its sauce but retaining the clean snap of the vegetable itself. Dessert was a final flourish of indulgence. The thirteen-layer chocolate cake, with its interplay of hazelnut crunch, milk chocolate buttercream, and dark chocolate ganache, was decadent yet composed. Each forkful offered a luxurious depth without ever overwhelming the palate. Sophia Steak is a destination that captures the essence of fine dining while never losing sight of warmth and approachability. It is an ideal choice for a memorable date night or an elegant evening of hosting. The moody, intimate setting creates a natural sense of romance, while the service strikes the rare balance of attentive without intruding. The wraparound bar invites conversation over cocktails, and the private booths in the back offer just enough seclusion to feel exclusive. Whether sharing a bottle of wine with someone special or entertaining guests over perfectly seared steaks and indulgent desserts, Sophia Steak delivers an atmosphere that makes any occasion feel elevated. It is a restaurant that earns its place among Chicago’s notable dining rooms and one that promises return visits with confidence.

It was my First time visiting the steakhouse....after an long week me and my friends came for an late lunch unplanned amd celebration of engagement it was such an perfect place the we chose,the staff waZ attentive and our Server Marc that was still on training of which he did an amazing job. The food was excellent, every bite was worth my money spend. I will recommend this to anyone and will definitely do word of mouth. GOOD JOB GUYS!!! COMPLIMENTS TO THE GREAT EXPERIENCE