Gratto Italian Tapas Glen Ellyn,IL

We had the pleasure of eating here on their opening day! Not bad for a first day. Bert the bartender took very good care of us. We visited a few more times, on a weeknight and found the food and service to be much better since our first visit. We were there again on a Friday night. The place was hopping! We were happy Bert the bartender was still there. Even though the crowd was a bit loud and pushy our experience was good. I hope this place does well, they really seem to be trying! We have yet to venture into the dining room, but for now the bar area is just right for us. I say the food and service (in the bar) gets 3 triangles.

Mon Ami Gabi- 260 Oakbrook Ctr,Oak Brook,IL

Mon Ami Gabi-More to come!
I really love this place. I know, I know so it is part of a "chain". Big deal, it delivers the goods. You have to give Rich Melman snaps, he really does know what he is doing. This fun, cozy place gives you exactly what you want. The raw oysters are fresh and tasty, the bread is crusty and moist on the inside, the cocktails are amazing and good. I've had their mussels, very good, except I would include frites with the small in addition to the large order. I like the casual but attentive attitude of the staff. Now, a few doors down at The Reel Club..can't say so much about the intial feeling we got from the front staff cause their rudeness and don't care attitude was so annoying that we left and went to Mon Ami!

Marigold Kitchen-118 S. Pinckney Madison,WI

Marigold Kitchen is a great place to enjoy fresh, organic food. The urban location and feel really makes this place rock! Madison is a very hip, intellectual, politically informed city, with a lot of like minded people. I think most them eat here. It really is ok if you are not pierced or have cool tats, you can still enjoy this place. They have a system of wait in line, order, take a number and wait for a seat. It really works. Each time I've been there I have not been standing holding my food waiting for a place to sit. I will say that the high-ceiling-ed open room does lend itself to a loud noise level.
The food is amazing good. First of all the Marigold potatoes are some of the best I have ever eaten. One item; French toast brioche drizzled with pastry cream, berry puree, seasonal berries, shaved almonds and pure maple syrup was some of the best French toast I have ever had. The ham, green onion, Gruyere cheese omelet was so good I ate every last bit of it. Very good coffee, not so good ice tea, in my opinion as it was all flavored. This is a great place to head to after the farmer's market in the square. I've been tempted to try their Bloody Mary's..next time. Diner23 gives Marigold Kitchen 3 organic and sustainable triangles for food.

Lux Bar 18 E. Bellevue Pl.

Lux Bar is a fun place to go. The food is good. It is similar to Hugo's (all owned by the Gibson's Restaurant network) menu but has a few extras and differences. We visited on a cold, windy Saturday afternoon. The place was packed. The customers sort of looked like "OK my hangover is almost gone..I think I need some food and a Bloody Mary" type crowd. Now there was college football on the TVs so I am sure that was a draw too. We like to sit in the bar, I have explained this in other reviews, so I will move on. We didn't have to wait long for our menus or our beverages. Lux has a great wine by the glass list. The beer on tap is good. I liked that they had a nice, average priced prosecco or champagne by the glass too. We ordered the Lux burger, some Gold Coasts sliders, a tuna melt on a lobster roll and some fries. All was very good. Upscale bar food. Can't beat that! The only problem is Lux Bar is NOISY! OM Goodness! As nice as the interior is, dark wood bar, big mirror and lots of windows, the huge open warehouse like space ends up being an echo chamber. I hate shouting at my table guests when I go out to eat (even if they irritate me : ) I would so go there again, if I was in the area. Lux is right next door to the Orginal Pancake House. Just an FYI. Oh, and we walked around (in the cold, windy weather) looking in nearby shop windows. All I am going to say is, I started to walk into one to browse..the reaction from the staff there was..I will use this quote "We have nothing here for you..Please leave". I guess cause I didn't pull up in a limo, I wasn't viewed as their kind of customer. : )

North Pond

North Pond was a quite an experience. Let me just get this out of the way Diner23 gives North Pond 4 triangles for food and 4 for service/ambiance. The location in itself is beautiful. Lincoln Park pond and the trees all make it an amazing place to be. The building used to be an ice skating rental shelter. The warm arts and crafts style interior draws you in. The bar is small and not entirely a good place to hang out unless you are waiting for a table. Most of their libations are from local, organic, small distilleries. They have a nice wine by the glass list too. Once seated you are asked if you want to have the seasonal tasting menu, which is an assortment of Chef's selections starting with appetizers all the way to dessert. It is a great way to experience all they have to offer. WE chose to go with the regular menu. I think we felt we would be way to full at the end of the tasting menu. We tried the seared foi gras, it was tasty but, I think this diner was expecting it in a pate form. I had the Pork, Grits Grilled Berkshire Pork Chop, Suckling Pig Pavé, Bing Cherries, English Peas, Creamy Artisanal Grits, Pork Jus. It was very good. My friend (of 30 years : ) had Grassfed Beef, Cauliflower Grilled New York Strip Steak, Warm Purple and Gold Cauliflower Timbale, Almond Bulghur, Shallot Cream. All was expertly prepared and presented. There were times, briefly we half expected to see Agent Cooper stop in for some damn fine coffee.. Just the feel of the building I think. WE really liked it and yes we had room after dinner for some champagne at Pop's.

Lakeside on Lake Tomahawk

Lakeside is a great spot to fuel up your boat and fuel up your body! The only restaurant on Lake Tomahawk, Lakeside is a good one. There are plenty of spots to dock your boat, outside seating with umbrella tables and a gas pump for those who are low on boat fuel. The inside is decorated with pine beadboard paneling. Windows are on 3/4 of the walls, allowing ample sunshine in to make the place bright! The bar is equipped with just about anything you'd want and the people who work there are young and friendly. The food is pretty good. It is your basic bar food menu. Burgers, fish sandwiches, onion rings, wings etc... Their Bloody Mary gets high marks! Not too salty, not too spicy.. plenty of vegetables on a spear soaking in the tomato goodness. Don't worry about a dress code. Most people eating here have just got off their boat. I must say one time, only one time I was here, a lady came in wearing a thong bikini. Lets just say good thing Lakeside has plastic chairs...OOOOH!
Diner23 gives Lakeside 2 1/2 triangles for food; 3 for ambiance and service.

Mama's

Here is a place that to say the least is a tradition in the Northwoods area. It really is quite unique! Initially it looks sort of ..well..like a hole. BUT! If you really look at it, it looks like a quaint little well worn place, on a lake with great views. It is worn because it is well liked. We have been coming here for probably 10 plus years. There are people working here that were here when we started visiting. The cross, funny, sarcastic bartender that has to be at least 70 plus..makes any drink you could possibly want, as it should be made. The food is good. There are sub par selections, but honestly I think it is because the place is so popular quality can sometimes take a detour because of the volume of food that needs to be produced. Pizzas are expertly made with fresh ingrediants. Love the thin crust. Fish fry is very good, Herb chicken is a go to also. Mama's has been in Minocqua for 55 years. That says something! Mama's gets 2 1/2 triangles for food and 3 triangles for drinks and service.