The Guide’s Inn
Ever heard of the Guide’s Inn? How about Boulder Junction? Both are in Wisconsin… The parents of a very good friend of mine decided that they wanted to escape the noise and hustle of a big city, so they packed up their belongings and moved to Boulder Junction, a small town in northern Wisconsin. That […]
Shochu
When I first spoke the name aloud, it sounded a bit reminiscent of the command necessary to beam a Klingon back aboard his spaceship. But although the name may have sounded strange, dinner at Shochu (Pronounced Show-chew) turned out to be one of the most gastronomically rewarding evenings I have experienced in quite some time. […]
Bistro Thai
The restaurant had previously been located in St. Charles, but it closed a couple of years ago. Owner Jon With and his wife however, must have found it difficult to resist the temptation to get back in the business when a opportunity arose to take over the digs occupied by recently shuttered Geneva Family Restaurant […]
Maijean
My mother had a phrase that she used when referring to something that she really liked and thought was really classy: “Simple Elegance”. And I would hope that she wouldn’t mind that I not only borrow it, but apply it to the restaurant at which Lauren and I had dinner just the other night. The […]
Nosh
When I get several e-mails regarding a particular restaurant – especially when inquiring as to whether or not I have tried it – I always try to push that particular venue towards the top of my places-to-try list. Such was the case after receiving a number of e-mails asking me what I thought about Nosh […]
Montarra Grill
Including the one at Route 38 and Randall Road — where our journey began — we counted 35 traffic control signals (at least as of this writing), in a distance of approximately 25 miles — along with much windshield time — between there and Montarra Grill in Algonquin. That city is yet another gleaming example […]
Venice Tavern
It was the least likely night for us to go out for dinner — Sunday being a night when Lauren and I would rather just stay home and relax. But alas, the refrigerator was bare and we decided to venture out instead. I had visited Venice Tavern on several occasions during the summer months. What […]
Apple Villa Pancake House
I discovered that two things were missing from my website: a recent review from a Batavia restaurant and a review of a breakfast place. I realize that I have been absent a lot from the Fox Valley area, unable to do reviews of local restaurants, but I was a bit amazed at how dated some […]
Flagstone Pub and Grill
For many years I have been a big fan of the Little Owl… No, not the bird, the restaurant and bar. Well, Flagstone Pub & Grill is right next door… Anyway, many years ago — when draught beers were still less than a dollar — I would visit often and order the Italian Beef and […]
Gordon Biersch Brewery
Good fortune seems to have smiled upon me once again… recently I received an invitation to the opening of a new restaurant — well, actually a new building but not really a new restaurant. You see, Gordon Biersch had its start back in my old stomping grounds: the very first one is in Palo Alto, […]