2009: The Year in Review

Looking back on what I wrote (for an introduction) last year, I notice that I said: "I am hopeful that 2009 will bring with it new hope for a better future."  Unfortunately, it didn't start out that way.  By March of this past year, the entire global economy was mired in a devastating downturn, the likes of which few had experienced previously.  More than 140 banks in our own country had failed (vs. twenty-five the previous year and three in 2007).  Unemployment, bankruptcy and foreclosure skyrocketed, credit shriveled, and businesses -- many of them restaurants -- were shuttered.  Perhaps that is the way things work in a capitalistic economy, but nonetheless it has been difficult to watch; too many are still hurting and we are not yet out of the woods. 

Economists now claim that 2010 promises better tidings...  I hope they are right.  Unemployment, along with the other nasties mentioned above, hurts everyone, and I'm sure I am not alone in wanting things to return to "normal" -- whatever that may be -- as soon as possible.  The restaurant business is challenging enough as it is and margins are tight .with 15 millions Americans unemployed; it certainly does not help when folks who enjoy going out to eat are unable do so because of various financial difficulties.  Let us hope that a new year and a new decade will perhaps bring the peace and prosperity we seek. 

On the review side of things...  It was not an easy year for Lauren and I either, but we did manage to visit fifteen restaurants and I need to take a look back at them to see how they stack up.  It is always interesting to look again at the varied venues at which we dined in any given year; the decisions as to placement are always difficult.  Unfortunately, multiple visits are not usually possible before a review is written.  And, as always, keep in mind that no matter the venue type or location, ratings are always based on four major criteria:

• Food quality

• Plating/plate presentation

• Service

• Distractions (excessive noise level, sloppily attired or non-attentive wait staff, etc)

As has been the case since I first started this annual summary, again keep in mind that this is how I would rate them if they were the only 10 restaurants available... period. And as always, I certainly appreciate your opinions as to why you may or may not agree my choices.

10:  Creekside Tavern - Geneva (at Mill Creek Golf Club)
(original review 7-24-09)

My review states that this is a " 'no-frills' place (no table cloths or placemats; no candles, etc.) and napkin-wrapped silver, along with condiments, were in a bucket at the center of the table.  There are just a few things that I would like to see improved upon, things that would, in all likelihood, rocket Mill Creek Grill to an easy Four-Zin rating..."  The restaurant has, along with the golf course, been closed for the winter.  Let's hope that those few things are improved upon and Creekside Tavern becomes a popular place...  (3.5 Zins)

9:  Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen - Westmont
(original review 9-18-09)

I could eat fish and seafood five days out of seven (at one time I did) as long as it was fresh... and that is one very important caveat. The seafood was definitely fresh -- especially the oysters -- and the relaxed atmosphere, very reasonable pricing and good food combine to make Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen a winner.  "The atmosphere is lively, fun, comfortable -- even somewhat upscale -- and relaxing.  But the key is to be found in the variety of high-quality, fresh seafood that is flown in daily and used to create the many fish and seafood creations on the menu."  (3.5 Zins)

8:  Tusk Thai Restaurant - Batavia
(original review 11-27-09)

You say you want really good, reasonably-priced Thai cuisine that is made from scratch with fresh ingredients, and you don't want to go far from you home in the Fox Valley area to get it?  Then Tusk Thai is the place you want to go.  I have now been there twice and have absolutely no complaints.  While I realize that specialty food venues all have a fan base who will claim that "their" favorite Thai place is the best, of the three I have tried locally, Tusk gets my vote.  (4.0 Zins)

7:  Adelle's - Wheaton
(original review 2-11-09)

Who would have thought that a restaurant immediately adjacent to a train station would be so good?  Well... this one certainly is.  I really enjoyed the intimate and smallish venue, its professionally-attired waitstaff, varied menu, well-plated entrees served on hot plates and the lack of any distractions.  The food was top-notch as well.  Take Metra and enjoy a marvelous evening.  "I highly recommend it and would go back in a heartbeat."  (4.0 zins)

6: Shiraz on the Water - Bloomingdale (at Indian Lakes Resort)
(original review 1-09-09)   (4.0 Zins)

"The degree of silence is always one way of determining the quality of a meal and I was acutely aware that there was a sudden and immense silence as the dinners arrived and we all started to devour our feast."  A 700-bottle wine selection compliments well a very nice menu, the prices -- even for the steaks -- were reasonable and the service was excellent.  Staying at the resort was an added bonus.   (4.0 Zins)

5:  Rox City Grill - St. Charles
(original review 9-16-10)

Although the only place that a review of Rox City Grill exists -- it is rather short -- is on my Blog (likely because we only had appetizers), I nonetheless wanted to include it in my Top Ten list; it was that good!  I was thoroughly impressed by the food design and plating, the imagination in offerings and service that I have usually found only at restaurants in, and closer to, Chicago.  To wit: "the Lobster Martini, with its Tempura-style lobster, that perched, perfectly, atop wasabi mashed potatoes, punctuated by green and tender edamame and surrounded by a glistening tangerine-orange glaze with soy cream was almost eye candy."  (Surely, it would have earned 4.5 Zins had it received a full review on my site)

4:  Sweet Baby Ray's - Wood Dale
(original review 4-21-09)

For those would not want to bother to take a drive to Wood Dale, you are missing out on some incredible food... period. And, entering the place, you would never have the slightest idea of the quality of food that is generated from the kitchen.  "In the world of barbecue -- at least in the one I know -- Sweet Baby Ray's is that once-in-a-great-while restaurant.  The Magic is just as undeniable; one can almost feel it as one walks through the front door."  You can thank Chef Duce Raymond for that - He loves what he does and is a master at doing it.  (4.0 Zins)

3:  Trattoria Isabella - Chicago
(original review 10-17-09)

"Lauren and I have been on the lookout for dining venues...where we might be able to at least pretend we were in a foreign land because of the food and atmosphere."  "With a gracious host, a smiling and professional waiter, quiet and inviting ambience and excellent cuisine, one couldn't ask for much more in the way of memorable dining."  An extensive menu, excellent service, exquisite cuisine and to-die-for desserts made for some excellent Italian dining and a wonderful evening! (4.0 Zins)

1:  Maxwell's at the Club - Chicago
(original review 4-30-09)

Most people who know me, know that I am a stickler for attention to detail and that I am duly impressed when I see it in a restaurant.  Let's start with service: "As a simple example, Lauren left the table briefly to powder her nose.  No sooner had she departed than our waiter appeared and, without notice or fanfare of any sort, quickly and quietly re-folded her napkin and placed it back on the table."  It would certainly be no surprise then, that Maxwell's should appear on this list.  But it wasn't just the service - it was every aspect of the evening that was impressive: from start to finish.  Exquisite, professional, perfect.  Hats off to GM Charles Reid, Executive Chef, Mike Lodes and all the staff at Maxwell's at the Club!  (5.0 Zins)
 

1:  Tramonto's  - Wheeling
(original review 5-09-09)

Most of the time, you get what you pay for; sometimes, you get more...  at Tramonto's, that is exactly the case.  As I stated in my review: "the quality of food and service at this popular steak and seafood house is way beyond what you will find at most dining destinations, save for those few that are beyond the means of most diners."  Having said that, I will tell you that Tramonto's is not, by any means, an inexpensive place to dine.  However, the exemplary food, marvelous plating, and outstanding service will definitely make the experience worth your while.  Looking back, I find it next to impossible to determine which restaurant stands alone as the best -- and so, for the first time, two outstanding venues will share the top spot.  (5.0 Zins)

~

The remaining five candidates are listed below.  Similar to last year, I have also included a short paragraph about each, but those five are listed only in alphabetical order and not in any order of preference. 
 

Alley 64 - St. Charles
(original visit late August 2009)

I actually never published a review of Alley 64, so technically I shouldn't include it here.  Lauren and I were disappointed to find the place unexpectedly closed the second time we went to Creekside Tavern (at Mill Creek Golf), and we ended up here.  Mostly looked like a biker bar, though that was perhaps the decor that consisted of a lot of Harley signs and memorabilia.  Food was just average, as was the service.  the manager there busied himself straightening silverware on tables but never bothered to stop and chat or ask how things were... disappointing.  (3.0 Zins)

Front Street Cantina - Geneva
(original review 4-19-09)

Nothing like the original iteration in Wheaton...  The Geneva store has a rather bizarre layout -- likely due to its narrow profile.  Dining tables are situated in the back and the bar takes the dominant spot up front.  We've now been there twice and still find the service to be very average.  The food is good but lacking in spice; just an average place to go.  (3.5 Zins)
 

Onesti Dinner Club
(original visit in June 2009)

This was another place at which Lauren and I dined that never got a published review on my site -- only a short blurb on my blog; the reason being that I was so disappointed with the experience. Here is the gist of the evening: "The food was good, but there were several things that bothered me about the place -- like butter served in a plastic cup at a cloth-covered table with silverware and water goblets, as well as the not-very-hot (temperature-wise) and unimaginatively-plated food -- and the high prices didn't quite match the level of food or service we received."  We were very disappointed to say the least...  (3.0 Zins)
 

Pub 222 - St. Charles
(original review 12-26-09)

A great little American-Irish pub located in the heart of downtown St. Charles where, as their website states: "PUB 222's food is delicious our beer is cold and our staff is always friendly!!"  I found all three of those claims to be correct.  I imagine it gets a bit loud when full of people, but that's the kind of place Pub 222 is.  Great ambience and a great place to get together.  (3.5 Zins)
 

Tap House Grill - St. Charles
(original review 3-06-09)

This may have well been the biggest disappointment of 2009...  The food was mediocre to poor, the service was lousy, the music too loud and the prices way too high for what was served.  Don't bother going here.  (2.0 Zins)
 

Ralph Pancetta
reviews@ralphpancetta.com