Taste Of Park Ridge, Sidewalk Sales This Week

Park Ridge residents will find big summer blowout sales during the city's annual four-day sidewalk sale, while partaking in a new attraction and culinary delights at the Taste of Park Ridge.

The annual Park Ridge Sidewalk Sale kicks off Wednesday near downtown, said Sheila Duda whose store, TeaLula tea shop, 11. S. Fairview Ave., is participating. 

Merchants are trying to sell end-of-season products that will be up to 70 percent off, said Duda, who is helping coordinate the sidewalk sale. 

"This is a great time to get a bargain," Duda said. "We are moving out the old to bring in the new to make room on the shelf." 

Tables with sale items to purchase will be placed outside for patrons to peruse. If patrons want to buy an item, they must bring it into the store to purchase, she said. Duda said she'll be selling teapots and a variety of teas at her sidewalk sale.

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The Taste of Park Ridge starts Thursday and runs through Saturday, near the corner of Summit and Prospect avenues.

Restaurants and eateries that are returning this year are: , Baked by Betsy, Café Zalute, Elliott’s Off Broadway, Hay Caramba, , Jason’s Deli, J.D. Kadd’s, Lisa’s Italian Ice, , , , , Siam Thai, Spuntino’s, St. John Chrystastamos, Subway and Wine Styles.

Also, four new food vendors – Chicago Marriott Suites O’Hare, , Mrs. A’s Cupcakes and Rex Italian Food – will be at the Taste this year. 

Cream of the Crepe, 8 S. Northwest Highway, will be serving some of its most poplar crepes, said Ralph Palmisano, owner.

One of those is called the Metropolis made with spinach, feta, tomatoes, walnuts and balsamic reduction, Palmisano said. Another favorite is the Funky Monkey made with bananas and a hazelnut spread, he said. 

Chefs at Chicago Marriott Suites O’Hare will be serving short rib sandwiches with pickled vegetables, pork sandwiches with provolone cheese and pepper relish and meatball sandwiches with parmesan cheese, according to Taste officials. 

Besides new vendors, a new musical act will grace the stage on Friday night, said Mel Thillens, Taste of Park Ridge chairman. 

Harry Reinhart, whose daughter Haley Reinhart sang on American Idol, will perform starting at 4:30 p.m. with folk/rock group called Midnight Trio, Thillens said. 

Reinhart, a guitarist and vocalist, made an appearance on the show with his daughter, who was a Season 10 top five finisher, Thillens said. 

Also appearing at 8:30 p.m. Friday will be Your Villain My Hero, which has performed at the Taste for the last three years. What's new this year is the group will be filmed on stage by the Style Network for its new show Chicagolicious, he said.