102 East Jackson Street
618-549-0771
I actually thought ahead enough to make dinner reservations on Valentine’s Day, and chose a previous favorite right in the heart of Carbondale.
When I made reservations there were two available times available but no mention was made of the fact that on Valentine’s Day only the special fixed price menu was available. I don’t have an issue with the menu, it was great (although not inexpensive @$125 per couple or $100 without alcohol) but I don’t think that springing that as a surprise on someone when they show up and at that point have no other options outside a drive through available to them is customer centric.
The menu was Italian based, starting with a glass of Champaign or aperitif. It was followed by a shared assortment of approximately 6 small portion appetizers that were very well presented and prepared. A choice of soup or salad was offered for each diner. Entrees were a choice of 3, a grilled shrimp, or our choices of a veal and stuffed chicken breast. Here I found the entrees not quite up to par with Global Gourmet experiences past. The chicken was ever so slightly overcooked making it a bit tougher than it should be and the veal was very good except for one big portion of hidden gristle that caused me to excuse myself from the table to rid myself of the morsel that wouldn’t die. Dessert was another collection of several, all very well done.
In my opinion, Global Gourmet let their standards down just a bit and took advantage of Valentine’s Day.
π π π Still among the best options for fine dining in the area, just off a tad on this night
π π π Service was good, a bit of a ding for surprising us with the take it or leave it menu.
Centralia House, Centralia, IL
111 N. Oak Street
618-532-9754
Let me say first of all that this review was done as part of a very enjoyable evening with a group of friends and included the adventure of boarding Amtrak to and from Centralia House from Carbondale.
The time together on the train (approximately an hour) allowed the ten of us to converse and covertly share a little Limoncello together before detraining for the one block walk to the restaurant. But you’re probably here to read about the restaurant and no the details of the journey so here’s my thoughts.
Centralia House for very hospitable in helping arrange this dinner so we could dine at a leisurely pace and have to worry about missing the return train. They took our orders in advance and even had the tickets split up by couples when we arrived and ordered drinks and appetizers. They were pleasant and friendly throughout. The building and its associated history are interesting reading and neat to say you and Ulysses Grant ate at the same place.
The food was….and sorry here was less than spectacular but good, but for $100 a couple I want better than good. I think what got me disappointed (besides that little guy on my shoulder who kept whispering “for what you paid for dinner and transportation you could have gone to Tom’s) was the house special Centralia House shrimp. I’ve got a thing that when you stake your reputation on a particular product, that product should be pretty damn good. In fairness, most of the reviews I’ve read rave about it. I found the shrimp to be over cooked. Now that is easy to do, (it makes them tough) – but when you advertise a house special…………..
The escargot is probably not a fast paced item (I know, that’s bad) for good reason. How about a using some spring greens or spinach in the salad.
It was a fun evening and the food was good. I just can’t rate it as a value proposition.
I’m hearing better things about Walker’s Bluff, it might be time to see how they’re doing again.
π π π I might have gone π π ½ I’m sure everyone enjoyed their selves and their dinner.
π π π ½ Service and hospitality really were good. Thank you.
618-532-9754
Let me say first of all that this review was done as part of a very enjoyable evening with a group of friends and included the adventure of boarding Amtrak to and from Centralia House from Carbondale.
The time together on the train (approximately an hour) allowed the ten of us to converse and covertly share a little Limoncello together before detraining for the one block walk to the restaurant. But you’re probably here to read about the restaurant and no the details of the journey so here’s my thoughts.
Centralia House for very hospitable in helping arrange this dinner so we could dine at a leisurely pace and have to worry about missing the return train. They took our orders in advance and even had the tickets split up by couples when we arrived and ordered drinks and appetizers. They were pleasant and friendly throughout. The building and its associated history are interesting reading and neat to say you and Ulysses Grant ate at the same place.
The food was….and sorry here was less than spectacular but good, but for $100 a couple I want better than good. I think what got me disappointed (besides that little guy on my shoulder who kept whispering “for what you paid for dinner and transportation you could have gone to Tom’s) was the house special Centralia House shrimp. I’ve got a thing that when you stake your reputation on a particular product, that product should be pretty damn good. In fairness, most of the reviews I’ve read rave about it. I found the shrimp to be over cooked. Now that is easy to do, (it makes them tough) – but when you advertise a house special…………..
The escargot is probably not a fast paced item (I know, that’s bad) for good reason. How about a using some spring greens or spinach in the salad.
It was a fun evening and the food was good. I just can’t rate it as a value proposition.
I’m hearing better things about Walker’s Bluff, it might be time to see how they’re doing again.
π π π I might have gone π π ½ I’m sure everyone enjoyed their selves and their dinner.
π π π ½ Service and hospitality really were good. Thank you.
Bogey's - Stone Creek Golf Club, Makanda
503 Stone Creek Drive
618-351-4653
A single word tip for any venture capitalist that might be considering investing in a golf club restaurant in Southern Illinois – don’t.
Whether it’s a lack of an efficient marketing plan or the ability to successfully execute said plan any investment in regards to unearthing a profitable business opportunity in this sliver of a niche market is an unadvisable journey.
Six in the evening on a Friday night and there is only one additional name in the reservation book. An hour later that table has shown up and one additional table has been filled (they either knew reservations wouldn’t be necessary, or they thought they’d chance it, or they were the parents of the chef).
The food was….unspectacular (for one in our group it got slightly more spectacular within 30 minutes). The prime-rib seemed to be a decent cut – and I couldn’t tell you for sure but I suspect they might be purchased from a food service in individual slices or possibly pre cooked. Why would I have such a suspicion? First with the lack of traffic, how and why would they cook a whole prime rib for an evening? And second, if you ask for it “rare” it shouldn’t be (a) dark or brownish or (b) the same color and consistency of a portion ordered “medium well”.
π ½ 1 person out of four got ill immediately following dinner, but then 75% didn’t. Are you a gambler?
π ½ Server will probably leave when it becomes apparent there’s no future or earnings, expect a steady flow of young servers experiencing their first job. Guess they have to learn somewhere.
618-351-4653
A single word tip for any venture capitalist that might be considering investing in a golf club restaurant in Southern Illinois – don’t.
Whether it’s a lack of an efficient marketing plan or the ability to successfully execute said plan any investment in regards to unearthing a profitable business opportunity in this sliver of a niche market is an unadvisable journey.
Six in the evening on a Friday night and there is only one additional name in the reservation book. An hour later that table has shown up and one additional table has been filled (they either knew reservations wouldn’t be necessary, or they thought they’d chance it, or they were the parents of the chef).
The food was….unspectacular (for one in our group it got slightly more spectacular within 30 minutes). The prime-rib seemed to be a decent cut – and I couldn’t tell you for sure but I suspect they might be purchased from a food service in individual slices or possibly pre cooked. Why would I have such a suspicion? First with the lack of traffic, how and why would they cook a whole prime rib for an evening? And second, if you ask for it “rare” it shouldn’t be (a) dark or brownish or (b) the same color and consistency of a portion ordered “medium well”.
π ½ 1 person out of four got ill immediately following dinner, but then 75% didn’t. Are you a gambler?
π ½ Server will probably leave when it becomes apparent there’s no future or earnings, expect a steady flow of young servers experiencing their first job. Guess they have to learn somewhere.
$ The Blue Boar, Cobden IL (breakfast experience)
970 Kratzinger Hollow Road
618-833-7788
Let me take my mothers advice and say nice things about people. The servers pay attention to detail and are polite, the setting is fabulous, and the decorations pleasantly eccentric (unless you have a thing about dead wild animals being displayed for pleasure). The Bloody Mary is a bargain and a small meal in itself.
Well mom, you didn’t specifically say the adage of saying nice things applies to places. Not that I find The Blue Boar to be a bad place, but I find it inconsistent. The weekends foray for breakfast was less than spectacular. Interesting menu items that tantalize the imagination did little to satisfy in the way of living up to imagined greatness. It’s a problem many restaurants face and I’m not sure its staff turnover or lack of attention and detail. In a group of 8, no one item shined. Nothing was bad, but it just lacked the sizzle that should be there given their menu selections. Another day it might be another story, but Sunday morning June 12th was a disappointing experience.
π π ½ Disappointing product from what is really a good and inventive menu selection
π π π ½ Wait staff was good and the surroundings are spectacular and fun.
618-833-7788
Let me take my mothers advice and say nice things about people. The servers pay attention to detail and are polite, the setting is fabulous, and the decorations pleasantly eccentric (unless you have a thing about dead wild animals being displayed for pleasure). The Bloody Mary is a bargain and a small meal in itself.
Well mom, you didn’t specifically say the adage of saying nice things applies to places. Not that I find The Blue Boar to be a bad place, but I find it inconsistent. The weekends foray for breakfast was less than spectacular. Interesting menu items that tantalize the imagination did little to satisfy in the way of living up to imagined greatness. It’s a problem many restaurants face and I’m not sure its staff turnover or lack of attention and detail. In a group of 8, no one item shined. Nothing was bad, but it just lacked the sizzle that should be there given their menu selections. Another day it might be another story, but Sunday morning June 12th was a disappointing experience.
π π ½ Disappointing product from what is really a good and inventive menu selection
π π π ½ Wait staff was good and the surroundings are spectacular and fun.
$$$ The Newell House Bistro Cafe, Carbondale IL
201 E. Main St
618-549-6400
After many previous stops for drinks and desserts after dining experiences elsewhere we finally made it back to The Newell House Bistro Café specifically for their dinner offerings.
Starting with a very good sherry tomato basil soup and fresh herbed bread the experience only ratcheted up a notch when the tower of a 12 ounce “smothered” ribeye appeared. Sautéed mushrooms, onions, green and yellow and red peppers, asparagus with bacon bits and crumbled bleu cheese over mashed potatoes. A lot to write, a lot more to eat. But it was excellent and a “must try” for steak lovers. It was one of, if not the, best steak experiences I’ve had in Southern Illinois.
A second entrée, a spinach and chicken gorgonzola was not quite as spectacular, but certainly acceptable.
Wait staff was friendly and knowledgeable of the menu. While those who tackle the smothered ribeye most likely will not want to partake of dessert soon afterward, the grotto downstairs remains a favorite go to destination for drinks and dessert.
π π π ½ An unexpected great steak experience, very good soup & bread
π π π Comfortable surroundings, and seem to have an excellent staff
618-549-6400
After many previous stops for drinks and desserts after dining experiences elsewhere we finally made it back to The Newell House Bistro Café specifically for their dinner offerings.
Starting with a very good sherry tomato basil soup and fresh herbed bread the experience only ratcheted up a notch when the tower of a 12 ounce “smothered” ribeye appeared. Sautéed mushrooms, onions, green and yellow and red peppers, asparagus with bacon bits and crumbled bleu cheese over mashed potatoes. A lot to write, a lot more to eat. But it was excellent and a “must try” for steak lovers. It was one of, if not the, best steak experiences I’ve had in Southern Illinois.
A second entrée, a spinach and chicken gorgonzola was not quite as spectacular, but certainly acceptable.
Wait staff was friendly and knowledgeable of the menu. While those who tackle the smothered ribeye most likely will not want to partake of dessert soon afterward, the grotto downstairs remains a favorite go to destination for drinks and dessert.
π π π ½ An unexpected great steak experience, very good soup & bread
π π π Comfortable surroundings, and seem to have an excellent staff
$ Von Jakob Winery, Alto Pass IL
230 Hiway 127 North
618-893-4600
Von Jakob's Alto Pass location has an excellent lunch offering at a fantastic value. Offering range from $6 to $8 and are deliciously prepared and well presented. A near fine dining experience for the price of a Big Mac Super Value Meal!! Available are German specialties such as various sausages and schnitzel and pork shank, as well as some outstanding and inventive panini sandwiches. Friday night dinners are supposed to be fantastic but I haven't had a chance to try them yet, but I regard the lunch offerings top notch and one of my favorite value / experience destinations. The are also now a micro brewery!
π π π Well prepared and "different" fare that is vary tasty
π π Scenic view outside on the patio, inside like a hotel banquet room. Service can be spotty
618-893-4600
Von Jakob's Alto Pass location has an excellent lunch offering at a fantastic value. Offering range from $6 to $8 and are deliciously prepared and well presented. A near fine dining experience for the price of a Big Mac Super Value Meal!! Available are German specialties such as various sausages and schnitzel and pork shank, as well as some outstanding and inventive panini sandwiches. Friday night dinners are supposed to be fantastic but I haven't had a chance to try them yet, but I regard the lunch offerings top notch and one of my favorite value / experience destinations. The are also now a micro brewery!
π π π Well prepared and "different" fare that is vary tasty
π π Scenic view outside on the patio, inside like a hotel banquet room. Service can be spotty
$$ Brick House Grill, Anna IL
308 South Main Street
618-833-5367
I'm not sure why my expectations were relatively low when I first considered dining at the Brick House Grill in Anna. They far exceeded those expectations and the meals we had were delicious, well presented and much more complex than what I had assumed. Parmesan encrusted chicken breast with a clever avocado and corn salsa served with asparagus and roasted red potato, tilapia with goat cheese butter and a roasted red pepper soup - all delicious. We were quite impressed with the tastes and presentations and already looking forward to another trip (this time to try the highly touted bread pudding with whiskey sauce). The old saying about assuming bit me again....this place is a delight and probably the nicest $15-30 entrees in the area.
π π π ½ Pi’s for the food value equation. Excellent food and nice presentation without breaking the bank.
π π π Brick walls and cement floor can make it a bit noisy, but owners / staff show great concern in making sure you have a great dining experience.
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