About 200 persons packed the outside garden area of Rotary International in downtown Evanston Sunday afternoon for the second annual “Taste of Evanston” benefit for charities supported by the Rotary Club of Evanston Lighthouse.
A brisk breeze off the lake presented a minor comfort challenge for the event, but with music by Suite Mollie and up-close magic tricks by A. J. Sacco, and a live auctioneer, Don Crost, most attendees hardly noticed the chill.
Youngsters were astounded by the sleight-of-hand antics of strolling magician A. J. Sacco.
The stars of the afternoon, however, were the 21 restaurants that ticket-holders could sample by strolling from table to table, along the front of the building at 1560 Sherman Ave. that houses the world headquarters of Rotary International.
Participating eateries included Bistro Bordeaux, Bluestone, Creperie Saint German, DB3 Donuts, Farmhouse, Foodstuffs, Hearth, Hecky’s Barbeque, Kabul House, Kingston Grill, Koi, LYFE Kitchen, Mount Everest, Olive Mountain, Peckish Pig, Tapas Barcelona, Temperance Beer Company, Union Pizza, Union Square, Vinic Wine Company, and YoFresh Yogurt Café.
Music was provided by Suite Mollie.
Principal beneficiaries of the event will be Evanston’s Hillside Food Pantry, which feeds some 500 food-insecure families each week, and the Hunger Resource Network, that connects surplus food from farmers markets and grocery stores to local soup kitchens and homeless shelters.
The Rotary Club of Evanston Lighthouse is one of two Rotary clubs in Evanston. Its members meet weekly for breakfast on Tuesdays at the Hilton Garden Inn Evanston.
