$$$ The Global Gourmet, Carbondale, Illinois

Visited October 24, 2010

102 E Jackson St Carbondale, IL

(618) 549-0771

Big city restaurant feel, in a good way.  Yes, it is small. Yes, the tables are somewhat close together. Yes, it is the best fine-dining value of the restaurants we’ve reviewed. A limited wine list with a creative flair offers a range of options at fixed price levels, none of which will break the bank. A fully stocked bar with a wide range of scotches, aperitifs’ and spirits. Appetizers were artistically presented and generous, main courses were perfectly prepared, the only flaw may have been the plating could be improved to make the entrees as visually appetizing as they were to the palate. Desserts were good, but unspectacular.

π π π π ½   Pi’s for the food and value

π π π ½      Pi’s for the service and setting

$$$ Legends Restaurant at Walker's Bluff, Carterville, Illinois

 Visited Spring and Summer 2010

14400 Meridian Rd Carterville, IL 62918

(618) 985-8463

There seems to be few middle-of-the-road opinions among those who have dined at Walker’s Bluff's Legends restaurant. There are those who rave about the eclectic menu and ambiance.  Perhaps the more predominant opinions are from those who feel somewhat cheated, feeling the hit-and-miss offerings of the menu and the equally hit-and-miss service do not live up to the premium charged for the experience. There are few competitors in Southern Illinois in the high-end gourmet-dining experience, and in this reviewers opinion Legend’s still has some growing up to do. While they may someday blossom into the beautiful debutant they inspire to be, for now they seem to be in that awkward and uninspiring age that predates the blossom. I will reserve my high-end dining experiences to the few competitors in the field that seem to have the value/experience equation pegged.

π π π   Pi’s for the food

π π ½  Pi’s for the service

$ The Bottoms Up Family Bar and Grill, Jacob, Illinois

Visited October 9th, 2010
3683 Neunert Rd · 
Jacob
(618) 763-4615
Hard to find, well worth the effort seems to be the consensus among those who have made the journey to Jacob to Bottoms Up. If you're looking for simple yet good food at a reasonable price the Bottom's Up will "fill" that need.  Finding Jacob can be somewhat of an adventure in itself. But those who make the journey are rewarded. The corn fritters are a particularly tasty appetizer, the daily specials are legendary among their almost cult-like following.
If extensive beer or wine selection and a doting staff are key components of your dining experiance, try somewhere else.

Rating…..(5 Pi max)

π π π π  (4) pi’s for the food / value

π π 1/2  (2.5) pi’s for the atmosphere/service