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.
As you drive down Northwest Highway in Crystal Lake you see what seems to be an impregnable castle. Visions of damsels in distress, and the age of chivalry with jousting knights comes to mind. What could this be? Is it the āPorcelain Palaceā that serves those little aromatic sliders? Is it a mini āMedieval Timesā? No, it is The Village Squire Restaurant.
The Village Squire
4818 Northwest Highway
Crystal Lake 60014
(815)455-4130
www.thevillagesquire.com
Directions: Take 47 North to Algonquin Road East to Pyott (turn left) to Northwest Highway East to restaurant.
Estimated Travel Time: 25 minutes
The castle theme doesn’t stop on the outside. When you pry open the massive wooden doors you are taken back to the 12th century. The dĆ©cor has leaded glass windows, wrought iron gates and sconces, beamed ceilings, patina chandeliers, and various eclectic trinkets. This place could host King Arthur’s Round Table with a touch of Monty Python and Harry Potter thrown in.
We amble our way through the catacombs past the freestanding stone fireplace to our āSquare Tableā for dinner this evening. Our serving wench brings over a warm loaf of bread and some butter plus a bowl of popcorn to appease our hunger while we look over the menu.
After much deliberation, we decided on the Cajun Shrimp Appetizer ($9.49). This consisted of shrimp on a bed of mixed greens with a balsamic reduction and olive oil, roasted red pepper sauce, and pita chips. This was a very tasty appetizer. Don’t be shy with the red pepper sauce; it really adds a lot of flavor to this dish.
Tonight, Jim ate like a peasant, ordering the BBQ Back Ribs ($21.99). This was a full slab (1-1/2 pounds) of tender baby back ribs baked until the meat falls off the bone. This came with soup or salad and he chose the Baked French Onion Soup (75Ā¢ upcharge). For his choice of potato, he went with the steak fries. The ribs were lean and tender and topped with a mild BBQ sauce. Everything Jim touched was also topped with the mild BBQ sauce, so our serving wench brought over extra napkins and wet naps for his sticky little fingers.
Her Highness Nancy wanted to eat like the royalty she is, so she ordered the Royal Burger ($10.49). This is an Angus half-pound Burger served with crisp bacon, American cheese, and a fried egg. For her side she added the onion rings for $1.39 upcharge. The burger was so large her Highness could not finish it.
Jim was in the mood for dessert, and I, being the Royal Highness said, āLet him eat cake.ā Okay, we quoted Marie Antoinette who was French and this is an English theme, so work with me, people. Being the obedient peasant that he is, he ordered the Key Lime Cheesecake with ice cream ($5.99). This refreshing cheesecake was creamy and large enough for two people.
To sum it up, they have a large and varied menu with many Greek items. Much to Nancy’s chagrin, almost every table in our room ordered the flaming Saganaki. Nancy cannot tolerate the smell of that flaming cheese, OOPA!!!
FYI: Handicap accessible.
The price for our feast was $59.55.
Jim’s take: I really enjoyed the Cajun Shrimp Appetizer. It was something different. Nancy doesn’t like cheesecake so I was forced to eat the whole thing.
Nancy’s take: I never had pita chips and they were good. I agree with Jim, the appetizer was different and my onion rings were huge and tasty.
Have comments or restaurant suggestions for the Dining Duo? Send them an email at thediningduo@gmail.com.
