Jim and Nancy do not disclose the fact that they will review a restaurant before they attend, ensuring their reviews are unbiased and uninfluenced by their position with the Sun Day.
Nancy and I have a few “go-to” restaurants for special occasions or when we just want to splurge a little. Such an occasion was when we recently celebrated our 39th anniversary. By now you should know that I love a good steak. Nancy suggested that we go to our favorite steakhouse ever: Stoney River in Deer Park.
Stoney River looks like a hunting lodge in the middle of a shopping complex. When you walk in past the hostess podium, you see their bar area. On either side of the bar are the main dining areas. The left has a cozy double-sided fireplace and the right is an enclosed dining room. The rustic décor gives it a homey feel.
The waiter came and took our drink order. Jim had a tonic with lime and I had a cosmopolitan with Absolut vodka. After living with him for 39 years, I deserved one. With the drinks, the waiter brought a basket of honey poppy seed fried rolls with honey butter, aka, Sputniks. Believe us when we say these little rolls are unbelievably addicting. No one can eat just one….
For an appetizer, we shared the whiskey shrimp on country toast. It’s four jumbo shrimp sautéed with Tennessee Whiskey and finished with mustard cream sauce ($12). The country toast is a small baguette that is not just a decoration. It’s really yummy, although I haven’t figured out what they do to it.
Jim had the French onion soup ($7) made with caramelized onions, a crouton, and melted Gruyere Cheese baked in a crock. Then I ordered the Stoney River House Salad ($6 with entree), which came with croutons, chopped egg, cucumbers, bacon, Roma tomatoes, and cheddar cheese and had the buttermilk ranch dressing on the side. That’s one tasty salad!
Stop the presses! Nancy actually ordered a steak! She had the seven-ounce cabin filet ($27) but wanted it well-done and butterflied (Rome wasn’t built in a day folks). She ordered steak fries with garlic aioli for her side dish.
As in the past, Jim ordered the 12-ounce Stoney River Legendary Filet ($34), medium and bloody (yuck) with a side of caramelized shallot mashed potatoes. To accompany his steak, he asked for the burgundy button mushrooms ($5).
Our anniversary gala extravaganza set us back $115.61. After 39 years together, we need comfort food. We have been going to this restaurant for approximately 12 years and have never been disappointed. The service is impeccable, with food to match. The dress is more casual than you would expect for such an upscale restaurant.
FYI: Call in advance for a “priority seating” reservation, it cuts your waiting in half.
He said/she said:
Jim’s take: This is the best steak I have ever had; it melts in your mouth, is cooked to perfection, and seasoned just right. The mushrooms are to die for, so don’t pass these up. I only eat mashed potatoes with gravy, but these caramelized shallot mashed potatoes don’t need a thing!
Nancy’s take: What can I say? I had my shrimp that I adore for an appetizer and those rolls that I can’t get enough of. I even ate half my steak, which was delicious. I found this restaurant 12 years ago, when they opened their doors at lunch for a travel agent seminar, and I fell in love and had to bring Jim for the monster steak.
Stoney River
10441 Route 47
20504 N. Rand Road
Deer Park, IL 60010
(847) 719-1596
www.deerpark.stoneyriver.com
Directions: 90 East to 59 North to Dundee East to Quentin Road North to Lake-Cook Road East to the Deer Park Entrance.
Estimated Travel Time: 45 minutes
