Besides bowling, bocce and a stylish patio, Pinstripes also has a delicious menu

Who knew you could find an award-winning menu in a bowling alley? Well, to be fair, Pinstripes is wayyy more than a bowling alley. It's really an entire entertainment complex that also happens to have some of the best food around.

On a recent, fine summer day on Pinstripes' spacious patio, 435 E. Illinois, the restaurant unveiled its new, mouth-watering menu items: A fresh-as-fresh-can-be Burrata Caprese with delicious heirloom tomatoes; a super salad loaded with nine superfoods including kale, spinach, pecans, figs, golden beet chips, avocado, ancient grains, raspberries, olive oil and Humboldt fog goat cheese; Lobster Mac & Cheese, with Maine lobster, shrimp, applewood smoked bason, sharp cheddar, truffle and black sesame crostini; a new Cowboy Burger with applewood smoked bacon, balsamic BBQ, onion rings, jalapeno on a pretzel roll; Pigs in a Blanket, all-beef franks, puff pastry with spicy brown mustard and a Veggie Delight Flatbread with cauliflower, brussel sprouts, spinach, tomato, olives, onions and parmesan. AND, to top it all off, a spring favorite, Strawberry Shortcake on a glazed biscuit with housemade whipped cream, strawberries and mint. (And these are just the new items! Read full menu here)

Pinstripes prides itself on its made-from-scratch menu from wood-fired pizzas to seasonal gelato, with every Italian-American dish made in house. They also provide great kid-friendly menus (there's even a Kids Club where Monday to Thursday, kids can enjoy $5 Kids Meals and/or $5 hour of bowling or bocce, including shoes with each adult meal purchase). (Details here) 

 Born in the Midwest, Pinstripes is a collection of venues (13 nationwide) that has rapidly grown across the United States through a combination of made-from-scratch dining, face-to-face gaming and its signature, stellar service that makes guests feel like family. I love their motto too, "Pinstripes has stayed true to our humble roots by always providing an extraordinary, magical experience, from the first strike, to the first bite, to the first laugh--that brings out the best in everyone." (All details here)