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.
$ 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 $15-30 entrees in the area.
π π π ½ Pi’s for the food value equation. Excellent food and nice presentation without breaking the bank.
π π π Brick walls and cement floor can make it a bit noisy, but owners / staff show great concern in making sure you have a great dining experience.$ Louie’s P&R, Herrin IL
120 E. Walnut St
618-942-3394
Louie’s P&K is an interesting and historic Herrin institution. It’s part Italian market, part butcher shop and part delicatessen. Known for making their own Italian sausage and “salameat” they have a loyal following for both retail meats/sausages and their lunch time sandwiches. With the good fortune of being within walking distance of the Herrin hospital that supplies a steady stream of staff for lunch(location, location, location) this downtown establishment thrives providing a limited but unique and authentic menu with a heaping helping of friendliness and service. A recommended “must see” in the area.
π π π Fresh meat sandwiches served from their own butcher shop.
π π π ½ A friendly family atmosphere, Italian specialty items in the small market section.
618-942-3394
Louie’s P&K is an interesting and historic Herrin institution. It’s part Italian market, part butcher shop and part delicatessen. Known for making their own Italian sausage and “salameat” they have a loyal following for both retail meats/sausages and their lunch time sandwiches. With the good fortune of being within walking distance of the Herrin hospital that supplies a steady stream of staff for lunch(location, location, location) this downtown establishment thrives providing a limited but unique and authentic menu with a heaping helping of friendliness and service. A recommended “must see” in the area.
π π π Fresh meat sandwiches served from their own butcher shop.
π π π ½ A friendly family atmosphere, Italian specialty items in the small market section.
$ Chucks BBQ, Herrin IL
1420 South Park Ave
618-986-6566
My trip into Chucks BBQ in Herrin last month started with a brief discussion with the manager on duty, “I’ll have whatever you think is sensational, and something you’re known for”. After the cursory “everything is good here” baby back ribs were selected. To be honest, I was surprised on just how much I did not care for them. The ribs weren’t pre-boiled but had that consistently that required me to ask. The pink firm meat with smoke ring of a fine BBQ was what I hoped to get but not what I received. The meat was dark like mothers over done pot roast and had the fall off the bone consistency that I don’t attribute to good Q. The baked beans and hush puppy sides I had were OK but nothing sensational – a forgotten accompaniment had the ribs been stellar. I’ve heard good things about Chuck’s, my trip didn’t confirm them.
π π Below average ribs, perhaps the pulled pork might be better.
π π π On duty manager was polite and interested in feedback
618-986-6566
My trip into Chucks BBQ in Herrin last month started with a brief discussion with the manager on duty, “I’ll have whatever you think is sensational, and something you’re known for”. After the cursory “everything is good here” baby back ribs were selected. To be honest, I was surprised on just how much I did not care for them. The ribs weren’t pre-boiled but had that consistently that required me to ask. The pink firm meat with smoke ring of a fine BBQ was what I hoped to get but not what I received. The meat was dark like mothers over done pot roast and had the fall off the bone consistency that I don’t attribute to good Q. The baked beans and hush puppy sides I had were OK but nothing sensational – a forgotten accompaniment had the ribs been stellar. I’ve heard good things about Chuck’s, my trip didn’t confirm them.
π π Below average ribs, perhaps the pulled pork might be better.
π π π On duty manager was polite and interested in feedback
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