An unexpected pleasure

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.

It’s the end of summer which means the end of another bocce ball season. The championship tournament is over, and the winners are to be honored for all eternity on a plaque hanging proudly in a dark corner in Jameson’s Charhouse. The plaque must first be engraved, and since the name plate is as old as we are, there is only one engraver in this area that still has the necessary equipment to do the job. On the way to the engraver, we passed by a restaurant that one of our bocce buddies, Hank, recommended. We must admit we have passed by this restaurant time and time again and never gave it a second thought. We’re talking about the 3 Brothers Restaurant in Woodstock.

When we walked in, we were expecting a typical family type restaurant. To our surprise, we discovered that the décor was an “unexpected pleasure” for the eyes. It was updated a few years ago and is very stylish.

After looking through the menu, we were excited to discover they have an entire section devoted to seniors. Here is where the menu gets interesting. They offer senior’s 11 entrees to choose from. For example, roast turkey, broiled chopped sirloin, fried shrimp, or the ever-popular liver and onions. The senior dinners include a cup of soup or salad and your choice of potato, rice, or pasta. It also comes with vegetables, rolls and butter, coffee or tea, AND dessert. The cost for any of the senior entrees is $13.99.

Nancy was excited to see the Fried Shrimp (12) on the senior’s menu. She chose a salad with honey mustard dressing and crunchy hash browns. The shrimp were on the smaller side but enough for a satisfying meal. She said they were tasty and the salad dressing was delicious. The veggies were not to her liking, but not a deal breaker.

Jim was torn between the Baked Meatloaf or the Broiled Chopped Sirloin. He loves them both but decided on the chopped sirloin with mushrooms and sauteed onions. He went with the soup du jour which was chicken gumbo and American fries. The soup was thick and awesome and the chop steak was cooked perfectly. They poured some au jus over it which sealed the deal. He disagreed with me on the veggies, he loved them and ate them all up.

On to the best part of the day, dessert…I was pleasantly surprised when I found out one of the desserts available was rice pudding. I love rice pudding and haven’t had it in probably 20 years or more. The waitress asked me a stupid question. “Do you want whipping cream and cinnamon on top”? DUH!!! She doesn’t know me very well. What’s rice pudding without it? Nancy chose a scoop of chocolate ice cream. What arrived was not like the miniscule desserts you get at an average banquet, but was actually a large portion. Nancy’s scoop of ice cream was so big, she gave me half her scoop to finish.

FYI: This restaurant is handicap accessible, of course.

This was just a good wholesome meal at an affordable price seniors can afford. Also, check out their daily specials which offer different entrees everyday with the same sides as the senior specials. Prices vary on their daily special’s menu depending on the entrée chosen.

The price for this “unexpected pleasure” was $30.22. Senior’s rule…

Jim’s take: This was a very good meal that checked off all the boxes and didn’t drain my wallet.

Nancy’s take: I’m glad this dinner out didn’t drain his wallet. Our anniversary is coming up and I sure will!!!

Have comments or restaurant suggestions for the Dining Duo? Send them an email at: thediningduo@gmail.com

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