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.
The holiday time is now upon us.
It’s a time for awkward family dinners where verbal jabs are passed around like a bad green-bean casserole.
It’s a time for trying to make Aunt Mary’s recipe that mysteriously never turns out quite the same.
It’s a time for trying to find that squirming, huggable, red fuzzy bug-eyed doll that little Brittany or Tyler just has to have.
It’s a time for cousin Eddie’s family to show up and turn your living room into a Motel 6.
In the midst of all of that chaos, Jim and I decided to take a break at Millrose Restaurant in South Barrington. This place screams Christmas. From the decorated grape vines along the windows to the multiple fireplaces, and in general, wall to wall holiday tchotchkes.
The waitress arrived at our table with a basket of delicious rye bread that rivaled The Berghoff’s, warm dinner rolls, and breadsticks with butter and a roasted red pepper cream cheese. Since it was our holiday treat, Nancy ordered a Cosmo ($6 on Saturday) and I ordered a tonic with lime.
Now on to our Christmas fare. For an appetizer, we had three breaded Provolone wedges with a red pepper salsa ($7.95). These were fancy cheese sticks in disguise.
Jim ordered the pot roast ($18.95) which is served over a Christmas mountain of garlic mashed potatoes, smothered in gravy, and encircled with chunks of onions, carrots, celery, and mushrooms. This is not like the roast your mother made that sent little Nancy screaming from the table. It was better than a filet without an iota of fat, but tender and mouth watering. Who would have “thunk it?”
Nancy had the six jumbo shrimp wrapped in bacon and jalapeno ($25.95) that was served with a spicy remoulade and green beans. Wild rice came with this entree which, of course, Nancy switched out for a twice baked potato ($2 extra). The shrimp were huge and the remoulade packed quite a kick. We decided to share our meals this evening and make our version of surf and turf.
Because we were in a festive mood, we had to order dessert. Jim ordered coffee and I ordered hot tea, and we split the Pistachio Gelato ($6.25), which surprisingly was out of this world. The creamy gelato was served in a sweet, light, crunchy shell that was ever so delicious with huge pistachios on top.
Santa’s bill for this evening was $84.08.
FYI: This restaurant is handicapped accessible, closed Mondays, and reservations are a must!
This old rustic restaurant, established in 1991, is made from six 125-year-old barns that were moved to this location. Add the Christmas décor, and you have “the” place for the holidays.
He said/she said:
Jim’s take: I always hated pot roast until tonight. I passed up an assortment of steaks, and I’m glad I did. The dessert was a “Christmas Miracle.”
Nancy’s take: Jim won! I loved the pot roast and, coming from me, that really says something. I’m not one for desserts, but next time, I’m getting my own portion. This place actually got Jim, aka Scrooge, into the holiday spirit!
We would like to wish all of our readers happy holidays and a healthy new year!
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Millrose Restaurant
45 S. Barrington Road
South Barrington
(847)382-ROSE
www.millroserestaurant.com
Directions: 90 East to 59 North to
72 East to Barrington Road North
Travel Time: 28 minutes
