Diners secret: Restaurant.com

Okay, so you might be a little tight on cash for dining out! Not to worry... you can save BIG by using a little tool called: restaurant.com

This site allows you to select a restaurant in your area and then print discounted gift certificates to allow you to save $$$. You can purchase a $10 gift certificate for $3 or at times $2... that's a pretty good savings. I'll trade a couple of bucks for a ten spot all day long!

And to help you cover your entire dinner for two or more diners... you can purchase a $25 gift certificate for only $10. Yes... just $10. Restaurant.com is in the business of introducing restaurants to the community. What better way to do that than offer a discount so you can enjoy dinner at one of your local spots.

So, do yourself a favor and visit the site. You can save big on dining out. Nothing to be embarassed about when it comes to saving. Dining out doesn't have to be expensive. Enjoy!

Shopping in Oak Brook... you have to eat at Maggiano's...

Jodi and I were in Oak Brook last Sunday for a photography seminar. We were just across the street from the Oak Brook Mall... so naturally given the dinner hour I suggested Maggiano's. Jodi didn't put up a fight and off we were for some fine Italian food. Service with a smile from Diane and a wonderful dining experience continued.

More to come to this post soon.

Lighthouse Restaurant - New bright spot in Cedar Lake, Indiana

From Bob: After looking at Dean White's new restaurant menu, I was disappointed that there was nothing new or exciting on the menu. The dining experience at the Lighthouse on Cedar Lake (in Indiana) sure was NOT disappointing. Although the menu is basic with steaks, seafood, burgers, salads, and sandwiches, every item we tried was excellent.
The decor is new, crisp, clean and nautical. The servers, mostly seasoned veterans from other restaurants were friendly, prompt, and well informed about the menu offerings and recipes. The prices were reasonable, the portions ample, the taste outstanding, and the location on the lake scenic.
We are looking forward to dining on the outdoor patio when the weather allows. All four of us agreed that a return trip was assured. And even to watch the sun set slowly in the West.
From Rick: This place is brand new... only open for about a week when we went for dinner. What a great location and new building. The design is outstanding and we all had the feeling that we were on vacation, not really in Cedar Lake, Indiana. Dean White and crew did an outstanding job with the design. We sat in the more casual area surrounding the lounge/bar area but there is also plenty of tables inside the dining room that appeared to be a little more quiet with a great fine dining atmosphere. We think the casual are will be popular since windows were wrapped around allowing lake views from many different angles.
The food, although simplistic was flavorful. Our server (Pam) offered that they were keeping the menu simple to start with but offered that additional items may be offered later once kitchen staff were trained inside the state of the art food preparation areas. This seemed like a very smart business approach and we look forward to new menu selections or even "catch of the day" type offerings.
Attention to detail was on display all over right down to the proper sized wine glasses, heavy silverware, and over sided serving dishes. One issue we all noticed was the lack of garnishes anywhere on the plates. Jodi ordered the 8 oz. Filet ($18) and it was served in the center of a huge plate with nothing else on the dish. It was double plated since the meat was finished off inside the oven and arrived "sizzling" making for a great "sound" presentation, but the lack of anything else was a disappointment. It sparked conversations and we all felt that premium prices needed some additional presentation details... fruit, kale, cute sauce spread, etc. could all have added to the plate without much cost increase. Even Jodi and I have those squeeze bottles at home and add drizzles of flair to our plates at home when entertaining.
The lack of flair didn't affect Jodi's steak eating at all though and the steak was prepared perfectly. She ate the entire steak! So garnish or not, the taste was great.
I tried the Single Pork Loin Chop ($14) which arrived atop of the mile high pile of garlic smashed potatoes. The Chop was cooked perfectly and the server informed me that they cook it to 140 degrees meaning that there would be little "pink" inside. I asked for her to make it medium well which didn't dry the meat at all. I just don't care for the pink in my pork. The flavor was wonderful in this bone-in dish. The chop was thick and juicy and perhaps the best Chop I have had at a restaurant in years.
Bob and I ordered the Onion Scoops appetizer to share and it was good and ample quantity. The girls tried some too. It was $6 and we all agreed that we would order it again. It was a familiar take off from the "Bloomin' Onion" found at Outback Steak House and was served with a homemade Chipolte ranch sauce. I little mild, but good.
Overall, we all enjoyed our meals and the wonderful setting. Thank you Dean White for another great Northwest Indiana establishment. We will be back soon and look forward to additional menu items and outdoor seating. Plan on about $25 per person (not including drinks) to cover your entree and salad, perhaps an appetizer.
If you go: casual dress is fine. See the menu by clicking here: Lighthouse Menu
Visit their website for additional data here: Cedar Lake Lighthouse Restaurant

Svago Cafe in Dyer offers good food in a casual atmosphere

It was a nice Friday night and our first day of the year at over 70 degrees. Jodi and I took a short drive around St. John, Schererville and they Dyer. It was dinner time and our sights were set on trying out the Svago Cafe located in Dyer (1103 Joliet Road). When we first entered it was little confusing to us since there was an order counter and a slight resemblance to a fast food restaurant. But we were soon asked if we wanted a table and then could view the nicely decorated dining room. We later concluded that the design was a great idea serving both to go customers and a lighter lunch crowd at the counter but then the restaurant transformed into a full service restaurant for evening dining. What a great idea. Naturally some of the other "look and feel" remained and although there was a trash area for lunchtime self table cleaning, it really was placed in a way as to not be intrusive to diner guests.

Our server, Cathy as she announced and was displayed on her name tag (something we like to see) was pleasant and attentive. Although we did notice that the way that they split tables between different servers was a bit odd since Cathy was waiting on table all over the dining room and was not focused on a specific serving area. It did lead to some small waits at times, but not enough to be that annoying. Perhaps a different way to assign tables is needed.

Jodi opted for the additional charge Signature House Salad (2.95) and I had a cup of the Lobster Bisque soup. Jodi's salad was fresh and included crisp smoked bacon, fresh cucumber, tomato and red onions served atop gourmet field greens with shaved parmesan cheese on top and a dressing of your choice. She enjoyed her salad. My cup of soup, (2.95 with entree) although flavorful, was a bit thick and I found myself using it more as a dip than eating it as a soup. The delicious bread that accompanied my soup was great dipped in the soup (I know, really not proper table etiquette but it sure tasted good).

Service was prompt and fresh cracked pepper was offered by Cathy. We both enjoyed a glass of wine (name) with our meal and found the pricing reasonable on the extensive wine selection.

Our dinners came out together and hot. Jodi ordered the Jumbo Beef Ravioli. As described on the menu: Pillows of fresh pasta stuffed with beef and covered in garlic marinara sauce topped with basil Parmesan cheese and flame roasted peppers and onions. (10.95)

From Jodi:

I ordered the Garlic Butter Parmesan Shrimp described as Jumbo shrimp stuffed with butter, Parmesan cheese and garlic. Served with bow-tie pasta and garlic pesto Alfredo sauce (12.95). My entree sounded better than it was. My shrimp were tasty and well seasoned, but the pasta itself was bland and sure lacked any garlic taste at all. I left almost all of my pasta on the dish (something that I never do). The shrimp were presented well and with the skins pulled down and around the shrimp. A very nice presentation, but a bit lacking on the seasonings. I would not order it again unless assured that the taste profile was corrected.

Overall our experience was positive and we loved the versatility that the restaurant offered. There is even some entertainment most nights and that information is posted on their website. Click here for the MENU. You will find it offer enough variety to please most diners.

If you go: Casual dress is fine but expect nice dishware, wine glasses and good service. There was plenty of manager/owner types being attentive to the needs of the dining room. Nice music complemented our experience and the decor was very relaxing. We loved the big colorful hanging lights and other complements around the walls. We will certainly go back to try different dishes.

Bartlett's on Route 12 - Casual Fine Dining? Still finding itself!

We took a leisurely drive east on U.S. Route 12 to Beverly Shores, named after Fredrick Bartlett’s daughter. Bartlett was a pioneer in the area, just as the owners of Miller Bakery Café and Bistro 157 hope to be. Bartlett’s is an old, converted roadside bar. Décor was sparse, but the foodie fare was near high-end. We were disappointed that with entrees priced between $13 and $22.50, our soup or salad was an additional $5 to $8. Bob felt that this roadside bar, serving macaroni & cheese ($13), corn dogs ($5) and burgers ($9.50), was overpriced.

We felt that the chef felt his dishes were already perfectly cooked because mustard & catsup were the only condiments on the table. No salt or peppershakers! At least we did not notice any.

From Bob: “My Low Country Shrimp with Tasso Ham and White Cheddar Grits ($21) was well prepared with bits of red pepper, onions, and a mild cream sauce. It was tasty, but the presentation was bland. The food was served in a large pasta bowl with a bare 3-inch rim. A colorful garnish on the rim would have made the dish more visually appealing and perhaps justified the meal price. The shrimp were very good and the mild white cheddar sauce gave the normally dull grits a nice taste. The Tasso Ham is a Cajun spiced ham with a little “zing.” Not hot, but with medium heat.

Patty’s Shrimp and Linguine ($18) smelled of iodine and the smell permeated the rest of the dish. The food looked tempting but the iodine smell was offensive. I don’t think we would make a dedicated return trip for the over-priced “gourmet grilled grub”.

Jodi enjoyed her Penne Pasta special ($16) with smoked beef and cream sauce, and offered that the plain dish (same dish as Bob’s) offered a “simplistic look” without the entire dish clutter. She offered that those garnishes could be found at 157 or Miller Bakery Café. Her dish was also spicy but not over bearing. We (the other three in our group) gave her hell for the comment and offered that something (even not expensive garnish) should have been added to the dishes. She actually loved her meal and brought home a little for the next day.

From Rick: “I enjoyed the Northwood’s Whitefish encrusted in pecans. The sauce was a homemade tarter but very mild. It complimented the fish nicely and this dish was reasonability priced at $14.50. It was served on a bed of smashed potatoes that lacked something… they were okay, but nothing worth writing about. I would have added a little garlic (always great with fish) or perhaps some butter and salt. The fish was prepared correctly and the taste with the breading was very mild and woodsy.”

Other delights that we tried were the Jam Packed Jar of House Pickles and Olives ($5), the Corndog appetizers (4 of them in the order) $5, and the Breadsticks with three different sauces ($7). All were good, but we were a bit disappointed in the Jelly Jar Packed with Pickles & Olives. I guess we were expecting something different.

We shared a bottle of Santa Alicia Malbec Red Wine ($24) and it was tasty with all of the different dishes. Bob drank a diet cola and was informed that it was not Coke or Pepsi branded product. Bob could tell. Not sure, what that is all about, but we all feel that any restaurant with a bar or offering drinks need to have Coke products. Rum and Coke, Jack and Coke, etc. Nobody wants a generic cola and Jack Daniels. The two shouldn’t even be mixed together, right? Even if Coca Cola products cost a little more, come on, what about taste? All ingredients should be the best for the use intended.

Our dessert was delicious, a fresh berry topped tart. Jodi and Bob enjoyed it much. Patty and Rick were too full and really would have had a Chocolate item, but Jodi tried something different.

What’s hot about this place?
• Our server, named Christy did an excellent job and you should ask for her by name. She was funny, bright, and attentive to our needs. She even put up with our goofy table, so she has to be good! Her sidekick (no name) girl was right on top of the dirty dishes and we joked about how we needed to eat fast before she removed the fork from our mouths. (really she was not that bad, but fast enough for us to notice)
• Come as you are… dress code was casual
• Good food (except for the iodine smelling shrimp that Patty had)
• Nice ride… not much really around there, so most will travel a bit. The ride there is a nice one and will be especially nice this spring, summer, and fall
• Plenty of parking
• Full wide menu sure to please almost anyone

What’s not so hot?
• Just a little pricy. (picture Randy from American Idol “I don’t know dude, it was a little pitchy”. Replace “pitchy with pricy”. It’s not Bistro 157, but had that feel on the price side.
• Sparse décor at this point and bad view of trash bins right outside the east side windows. We are sure this will be enclosed at some point, but looks nasty now.
• Parking area not yet paved. Granted, waiting for weather to do that. Once that is done, parking will be a nice area.
• Limited seating area, although Christy informed us that they are opening a patio area to seat another 50 or so. She said that at times the place really fills up quickly. We could see why.
• Missing something… that little extra attention to detail. Not sure, what it is, but it felt unfinished. Missing some lighting, candles, something.
• Music loud if you are close to the speakers. Additional speakers would assist here, nice music, but a bit loud. (attention to detail again… just not quite there)

On our 5-fork scale (five being the best) we would have to give this a 2 ½ at this point in time. To be fair, we’ll plan another trip in a couple of months. We all noticed a ton of potential and can’t wait to see how they “finish up”. Website link to the right, and the site includes all that you need to know to attend. Bon Appetite.

Click here to see Bartlett's lunch, dinner and take out menus: MENUS