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.
Bimbo’s Italian Restaurant
1318 N. Riverside Drive
McHenry 60050
(815)385-1444
Directions: Take Rte. 47 North to Rte. 176 East, Left on Walkup Road, Right onto Elm Street, Left On Riverside Drive to restaurant.
Estimated Travel Time: 40 minutes
These are supposedly our “golden years.” We looked forward to sleeping late, not going to work every day, and having plenty of free time to do whatever we want with no responsibilities. Thanks to Del Webb and our inability to “just say no,” we are busier now than we were before retirement. Our monthly calendars on our iPads are so full, we have resorted to putting post-it notes on their covers. We now find ourselves asking Alexa to set an alarm every morning, we have no free time whatsoever, and we have more responsibilities than ever before.
While going through our list of restaurants to review, I saw a restaurant that reminded me of my loving wife of 47 years. The name of this restaurant is Bimbo’s Italian Restaurant located in McHenry. After dodging the physical and verbal assaults from said wife, off we went to check it out.
Pulling up to the restaurant (street parking only), Jim had a feeling of déjà vu and asked if this looked familiar to me. At my age everything looks new to me. We walked in anyway and were escorted to our reserved table. Please Note: Reservations are strongly suggested.
The waitress came over with a bowl of warm Italian bread dusted with Parmesan cheese and pretzel bread also dusted with Parmesan cheese. Never expected pretzel bread at an Italian restaurant, but it was delicious and went well with the provided olive oil for dipping.
While Nancy was looking over the appetizers, her eyes suddenly glazed over, she started speaking in tongues, and pointing to the menu. The object to her excitement was the Roasted Garlic ($10.95). This was roasted garlic, whipped Feta, and imported olives served with crostini. What arrived was about a dozen crostinis and a bowl of roasted garlic cloves in olive oil. We are not lovers of Feta cheese, so we told them to keep it off. The garlic cloves were mild and slightly sweet. This appetizer is definitely a must, even if you aren’t a huge fan of garlic. I even enjoyed it. Nancy was in her own little world of garlic.
Jim spotted the Country Rigatoni ($18.95) which consisted of pancetta and Italian sausage in a light tomato cream sauce. If there is a dish with Italian sausage, he will try it. This turned out to be a huge bowl of deliciousness full of crumbled Italian sausage and pancetta. He loved his choice tonight, and he even took home a doggie bag.
Nancy was actually in a mood to try something wild and crazy tonight. She went with the (2) Braised Beef Crepes ($20.95). This was crepes filled with braised beef and Pecorino and Asiago cheeses, topped with homemade gravy. Crepes in an Italian restaurant? Seriously??? When she tasted this, her eyes again glazed over, she started speaking in tongues, and pointing to her crepes. This somewhat bizarre concoction was probably one of the most delectable entrees she has ever had in an Italian restaurant. The rich gravy put a smile on her face larger than the Cheshire cat. She also took home a doggie bag.
Our dinners came with your choice of soup or salad. Jim and I both chose the salad with creamy garlic dressing. They offered New England Clam Chowder as the soup. Another first for an Italian restaurant.
We felt it our duty to finish off this wonderful evening of good food with a dessert. Of course, we had to try the Tiramisu ($7) which was homemade by the owner herself. It was a healthy portion for us to share, and it was light as a feather with lots of whipped Marscapone.
Remember we had a feeling of déjà vu in the beginning? We checked our archives when we got home and noticed we reviewed this restaurant in January of 2017. To be honest, this restaurant has greatly improved with new menu items that are deliciously executed and making us want to come back. We are seniors now and our memories are the first to go (well actually, the second, but we won’t go there…)
FYI: This restaurant is handicap accessible.
The price for our “senior moment” was $67.20. Having what we thought was a new restaurant review, priceless…
Jim’s take: I am now a fan of roasted garlic. The aroma greets you before the waitress brings it to your table.
Nancy’s take: I had a taste for spaghetti and meatballs but went with the crepes, and I’m glad I did!!!
Have comments or restaurant suggestions for the Dining Duo? Send them an email at: thediningduo@gmail.com
