papagoph's Profile
Sunday Brunch in Springfield IL
The Crowne Plaza Hotel has a restaurant inside that serves a reasonable Sunday brunch, but it is very pricey.
For just breakfast you might consider Charlie Parker's (700 North St. Springfield, IL 62704 Tel: (217) 241-2104) This resaurant was featured on the show Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives.
Jungle Jim's on North 9th is also a great breakfast place.
Hope this reply isn't too late.
Hemingway's Blue Water Cafe - Springfield, MO
Over the upcoming 2009 Christmas season, my family will be traveling past Springfield, MO twice. Once around dinner time and another during Sunday Brunch hours. Does anyone have any thoughts about Hemingway's Blue Water Cafe that is located inside the Pro Bass Shop in Springfield, MO?
We are a family of four including a 14 year old and an 11 year old. We like a fairly wide range of foods, but like a place with some variety of choices. Any other recommendations for places not to far off I-44 between Joplin and Sullivan, MO would also be appreciated. Thanks.
Who has the most inventive desserts in St. Louis?
Harvest - the bread pudding is superb! It is discussed in other posts. Just search for "Harvest". Good luck.
Reporting Back on St. Louis
Had a chance to try Harvest and want to post my thoughts. First, let’s be clear... I'm a big fan of larger portions. We packed a cooler for this trip to St. Louis and had room for any leftovers. This was our first visit and we were very happy with our choice. We went on a Thursday night and they were offering a $30 meal special which included soup or salad, an entree, and desert.
For starters my wife had the Caesar salad and I had the beet salad - both very good. I order the special of the night, a 12 oz. Ribeye steak served with morel mushrooms, potatoes, onion and asparagus. (There was a $5 premium for the steak - but still a great bargain.) My wife ordered pork tenderloins. Both were perfectly cooked and very tasty. The portions were large and we did take a doggy bag home. For desert we both tried the bread pudding which was excellent.
We both just drank water and with tip our bill was $80. (The leftovers will be going into a stir fry meal this weekend.) We really enjoyed this dining experience and found the food very flavorful, the ambience very peaceful, and the service wonderful. We get to St. Louis about 3 or 4 times a year and Moxy is next on the list. Thanks for the clue-in to Harvest, I highly recommend it.
Looking for out of the way dining in Central IL
Schooner’s at 810 E. Grove Street in Bloomington would be worth the drive from Decatur.
Off the beaten path, this is a geat neighborhood bar and grill. They have a nice beer garden area when the weather is good. Some of our favorite things to order are the spicy buffalo wings, the GIANT tenderloin sandwich (so big you have to share it!), the wonderful onion rings and the fabulous burgers. The menu is a bit more extensive than many bars, but this is basically "bar food" done really well. Schooners is worth finding if you like this type of food. The relaxed atmosphere of this friendly place is a plus. Schooner's is tucked into a mixed residential/small businesses area, but is easily accessed from Rt 51 (Main Street).
Another nice ride would be to a place called Green Gables for a great burger-- a bit North of Bloomington, IL. Taking I-39 North out of Bloomington for about 10 miles take the Lake Bloomington exit and go East about 3 miles, Green Gales is on the south side of the road when you reach the stop sign. This place serves as a convience store/bar/restaurant, but makes a great burger. A peaceful ride around the Lake Bloomington area would just be a bonus. Good luck.
Good Seafood in the LOOP?
Within a recent two week period both my wife and I individually visited Chicago for work. We both happened to stayed at the Marriott Renaissance on Wacker. My wife had dinner at Catch 35; I found my way to McCormick and Schmicks. Each is about a half block from the hotel.
My dinner at McCormick and Schmick was disappointing and the service was wanting. I ordered Mahi-Mahi and it was served overcooked with an overly salty sauce. For the price I paid I left very disappointed. My wife on the other hand raved about her meal at Catch 35. Good luck.
Can you get any good food in Springfield, IL?
For a nice casual lunch you must consider a place called Incredibly Delicious. Located in a large Victorian era house the setting would be perfect for a shower gathering lunch. Details: 925 S. 7th St | Springfield, IL 62703 | Phone: (217) 528-8548.
http://www.incrediblydelicious.com/
Another great place to consider for the lunch shower gathering is a place called the Bluestem Bake Shop. They are located in a rustic brick building in a town about 15 miles north of Springfield. Details: 107 Governor Oglesby St, Elkhart, IL 62634, 217-947-2222
For a “New American” dinner recommendation I wholeheartedly suggest a newer restaurant called Ross Isaac’s. They are located at 1710 S. MacArthur Blvd in Springfield. http://www.rossisaac.com/
Good luck
Bloomington IL - "quick" but not fast!
Too late for the original question, but I'm shocked that no one mentioned Schooner’s at 810 E. Grove Street in Bloomington.
Off the beaten path, this is a geat neighborhood bar and grill. They have a nice beer garden area when the weather is good. Some of our favorite things to order are the spicy buffalo wings, the GIANT tenderloin sandwich (so big you have to share it!), the wonderful onion rings and the fabulous burgers. The menu is a bit more extensive than many bars, but this is basically "bar food" done really well. Schooners is worth finding if you like this type of food. The relaxed atmosphere of this friendly place is a plus. This is a kid friendly place, but can get a bit loud after 9 pm or so. If you make that Chicago to St. Louis trip again, give Schooners a try - it is tucked into a mixed residential/small businesses area, but is easily accessed from I-55.
Bloomington Normal Illinois
I was looking for something else and stumbled across this thread. I use to go to school in Bloomington/Normal and will try to post some thoughts later. Right now, I'm shocked that no one has mentioned Schooner’s at 810 E. Grove Street in Bloomington.
Off the beaten path, this is a geat neighborhood bar and grill. They have a nice beer garden area when the weather is good. Some of our favorite things to order are the spicy buffalo wings, the GIANT tenderloin sandwich (so big you have to share it!), the wonderful onion rings and the fabulous burgers. The menu is a bit more extensive than many bars, but this is basically "bar food" done really well. I know this doesn't really fit the general question about less meat, more veggies, (you can get a great salad) but Schooners is worth finding if you like this type of food. The relaxed atmosphere of this friendly place is a plus. This is a kid friendly place, but can get a bit loud after 9 pm or so.
Meramec Caverns, Missouri
Our family is planning to visit the Meramec Cavern area later this summer (July?). We will be staying at a Cabin in the state park. There will be six in our party, three adults and three children ages 9, 11, and 12. While we will prepare many of our own meals we are wondering if there are any "don't miss" eating places / experiences in this area of Missouri? We enjoy a wide variety of foods and any recommendation would be appreciated -- great burgers and fries; great road side stands; great trucker restaurant; great fish; great mexican; great home cooked places? We clean up pretty decently also - any higher end places to try? No chains please! Thanks.
chinese restaurants in northern burbs
Recently tried Szechuan Kingdom's "secret" menu and was a bit disappointed. Glad we tried it - something different isn't a bad thing. The price has increased to $29.95 - no big deal. However, the beef in the tofu/beef dish was very boney and fatty and the shrimp dish was overcooked. We also order eggrolls as an appetizer and they were no where near the best in the world as others have touted. Good, but not great...not enough filling for my liking and it almost seemed like each was wrapped in two wrappers - very starchy. The sweat and sour sauce served with the egg rolls was great though. This was worth trying once, but once is enough for me.
Homemade Pickles
Just back from trip and Kaufman's was PERFECT. Couldn't have been better located either with a meeting in Northbrook followed by a meeting in Evanston. Kaufman's was literally on my way. The pickles were great, with a choice of more aged softer ones and the newer crispier ones in different barrels. We prefer the crispier ones, so didn't try the aged ones. It was a great trip down memory lane. They also had pickles green tomatoes - didn't try them, but may next trip. Thanks for the great recommendation.
Chicago foodies - help! I've lost the name of this place...
I found these comments in another posting. Perhaps you are thinking of Powerhouse?
"There's a new place right outside the Loop called Powerhouse. The chef used to be at Alinea (the best restaurant in Chicago, if not the US) and Naha (another excellent Chicago restaurant which you should think about going to). I would describe the food as haute steakhouse (even though the focus really isn't on steaks, if you know what I mean) or, more broadly, contemporary American.
Homemade Pickles
Back in the 1960's, as a small child, I spent a few years living in a number of apartments on the north side of Chicago -- around the Roger's Park area. I realize that much has changed since then, but I fondly recall trips to the market (deli?) with my mother. The high point of each of those trips occurred when I got to pick out a large pickle to bring home. The pickles were in large wooden barrells by the Deli counter.
I will be visiting Chicago next week with my young children. Any recommendations on where to stop for a great homemade pickle? Thanks.
Yays and nays from Trader Joe's, lately [OLD]
We do not have a TJ's in my home area, but I travel to Chicago every now and then and have a few must haves to bring home, including: Organic Tomato Soup; Chowder Crackers; Chocolate Covered Blueberries and Ginger Cookies (for the kids); organic honey crunch and oats cereal (TJ brand).
Last visit I brought a small cooler and brought back the following items that we will target to get the next trip: Canned crab meat (better than we can get locally and much, much more reasonably priced); variety chicken sausages - apple and spicy cilantro (cut up for pasta dish.)
Nay's - Squash Soup (probably more of a personal taste thing.)
downtown Springfield IL
I'm adding to this post late, but just discovered Chowhound and wanted to add my thoughts. I live and work in Springfield and I believe this discussion needs to be expanded.
One of the biggest omissions so far is the Holy Land Diner, a middle eastern restaurant. They use to be located downtown but recently relocated to a building just one block south of the State Capital. The restaruant is located in the "Vinegar Hill" Building at 107 W. Cook; the corner Cook and Spring St. They serve buffet style at lunch (one of the best deals in town at $7.00). They also serve dinner and have a great variety of vegetarian options.
The owners, Afaf and Jamal, are from Jeresalem and serve a good great variety of middle eastern eats including standards such hummus, falafel, gyros meat, tsatziki sauce (yogurt/cucumber sauce), various salads, feta cheese, pickled vegetables, olives, and lentil soup, sometimes meatballs, sometimes chicken wings in a middle eastern style. There is always a vegetarian option on the buffet. When in season they shop from the local Farmers Market and prepares special dishes using in-season ingredients such as tomatoes, okra, zucchini, and my favorite, eggplant (parmesan). You can finish off your meal with a variety of bite-size sweats (cakes and cookies).
The Holy Land is a local gem and is a must try for anyone visiting Springfield who likes middle eastern food or has an adventurous palate. It is within easy walking distance of the hotel referenced in the initial posting and is about a 10-15 minute walk from the downtown area. There is free parking and I would venture to say your kids will find something to like if you bring them -- my 9 and 12 year olds love the buffet.
I'll post some additional places another time, but give Holy Land Diner a try. I think you'll be happy you did.
