The culinary landscape of downtown Aurora is set for an exciting expansion with the imminent opening of three new eateries situated within the historic confines of the Hobbs Building. The first of these establishments, Leilani Asian Fusion, is slated to welcome patrons starting August 9, with an early preview featuring select refreshments scheduled for this week's First Fridays downtown celebration, as reported by the Chicago Tribune.
Leilani, a name paying homage to the daughter of general manager Abbey Tiu-Kemph and the late Jason Morales, is poised to serve an array of Filipino and Pan-Asian culinary delights and will also house the Forbidden City, an underground lounge destined for late-night entertainment, the said venue, which brings images of Southeast Asian nightclubs to mind, will offer a selection of rum-inspired craft cocktails, beer, and wine in a space that seats up to 50 guests, "We are incredibly excited to introduce Leilani Asian Fusion to this vibrant community," Tiu-Kemph told Daily Herald, acknowledging the restaurant as a "beautiful labor of love" in memory of Morales.
Adjacent to Leilani, two other restaurants are preparing to open their doors to food aficionados later this year – Giardino Pizzeria and Trattoria and Touche French Creole, both of which have already been granted new liquor licenses by the Aurora City Council. These establishments promise to bring a mid-range dining experience complete with sit-down bars, and indoor and outdoor seating, with Giardino offering a full-service Italian menu apt for large gatherings and Touche serving a taste of French Creole cuisine for dinner guests.
In addition to contributing to Aurora's dining scene, the revival of the Hobbs Building also underscores a successful effort to preserve a slice of the city's history; since its construction in 1892, it has transitioned from a furniture and coffin manufacturer to the home of Crosby's Sporting Goods, and now, a mixed-use space combining residential apartments and businesses. The restoration of this edifice was a collaborative enterprise spearheaded by developers Harish Ananthapadmanabhan and Jay Punukollu, who managed the project with a mix of state and federal tax credits, private funding, and a traditional loan now with three bustling restaurants soon opening their doors, they see it as a blooming garden enriching the neighborhood, Ananthapadmanabhan conveyed to the Daily Herald: "There’s nothing quite like the thrill of seeing our neighborhood thrive and grow. I’m all in when it comes to strategically backing local businesses and smart development projects."
