Editor’s Note: Our columnist is not a trained or paid professional, nor does he get complimentary meals from the restaurants visited. He and his party arrive unannounced and do not reveal that they will be doing a review. Comments or questions may be sent to Sam Geati, greengeezer9@comcast.net
This week, my colleague Sun Day Ad Representative Pat Hatton and Sun Day Owners Chris and Erika La Pelusa accompanied me to do a review of one of the well-known dining establishments in Algonquin, Bonefish Grill. It’s a national chain, so I have dined not only at this site, but at others while traveling around our country. Upfront, I have to say that I can’t afford to eat out too often, and certainly this is a special-occasion type of place for my wife and me. This has been one of our favorites for birthdays or anniversaries. This occasion was a celebration of sorts for the four of us. In general, it is the sort of restaurant that you’d treat yourself to.
Ratings (5 symbols being the highest):
Quality of food, value, service, and ambiance – *****
Price range – $$$$
Comments: This is a very special place to dine, one that may be on the pricey side for some of us. However, the uniqueness and quality of the meals served here are exceptional.
In addition to the restaurant at 1604 Randall Rd. in Algonquin, there are 3 other Chicagoland locations. Reservations are recommended. Call 847-658-9268. www.bonefishgrill.com
We arrived around 5:30 and were seated immediately. By 6:00, the house was packed. Our server, Jen, was very efficient, courteous, and attentive to our needs. Soon after being told about the specials of the day, we had hot, freshly baked bread served with olive oil mixed with herbs for dipping. Our beverages also arrived around that time. For our appetizer, the four of us shared an order of flash-fried Singapore Calamari priced at $7.80. This restaurant puts its own twist and unique touch on this dish by including strips of red and green peppers, served with a sweet, spicy Asian sauce laced with just a little bite to it. Calamari has to be cooked carefully to avoid being tough or rubbery. This was perfection! Chris and I ordered the soup of the day, which was Corn Chowder with lump crab and bits of veggies. It was delicious, but just a bit heavy on the pepper for me. Chris added pepper to his, go figure! A cup was $2.90 when ordered with any entrée. Salads were extra, also.
The menu consists of dishes you won’t find in many other establishments, which separates Bonefish Grill from the pack. There is a great variety of non-seafood items, but we came for the fruits of the sea. Pat chose one of the specials of the day, Swordfish with pumpkin ravioli priced around $18. This is a great example of how Bonefish Grill manages to think out of the box and come up with a seasonal recipe that is surprisingly delicious and unique. Pat loved it, but couldn’t finish her portion, so she took some home. Erika chose the Pecan Parmesan Crusted Rainbow Trout, which is sautéed and baked. It included artichoke hearts, fresh basil and lemon butter sauce, and mashed potatoes, priced at $17.30. She said the quality and freshness was excellent but had thought the pecans and Parmesan would have added more flavor. I tasted it and agreed it lacked that extra punch. She had plenty to share and some to take home. Chris ordered another of the specials, the Longneck Clams with Linguine in a cream sauce. He liked the way it was prepared and noted that the predominate flavoring was garlic-based. The size of his portion allowed him to take some home with him. His dish was priced at around $18. My choice was something you don’t often see on the menu at other establishments, Gulf Grouper. This is my favorite non-shellfish choice, and I will usually order it when it is offered. This dish is offered in both a large ($20.90) and small ($17.90) size portion. I ordered the large, and it was just the right amount of food for me. It was grilled perfectly and then dressed in a lemon butter sauce. For a side dish, I chose the fresh asparagus, which was cooked al dente. All dishes included fresh carrot strips in a light butter sauce, which is very flavorful. Erika and Chris thought the carrots were too al dente for their tastes but that the flavor was fantastic and unique.
Surprisingly, dessert turned out to be one of the highlights of our meal. One of the special desserts was bread pudding with apples, toasted granola, vanilla ice cream, and fresh whipped cream. Erika and Chris ordered one to split and couldn’t finish all of it, but both raved about it. Pat ordered the same thing, and she, too, loved it and had plenty to take home. I went for Jen’s Jamaican Coconut Pie, which was awesome, and I consumed every bit of it! Priced at $5.80, it included a creamy custard, rum sauce, and fresh whipped cream.
