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.
Jim recently retired and closed the doors of his business. One of his long time clients gave him a $100 gift certificate to Bold American Fare in Algonquin as his retirement present. Since we review 25 restaurants a year, we rarely get to go back to the same restaurant twice. Another reason for not going back is that after reading our reviews, they won’t let us back in!!! As a result, we were determined to use up the $100 in one sitting, no matter what it took.
If at first you don’t succeed, try, try, again. We tried three times to get in to this restaurant. The first time was for lunch. There was a lot of road construction right in front of the restaurant, and it didn’t look like any customers were there. The second time we tried, was at 6 p.m. on a Friday night, and we didn’t have a reservation so the only seats available were at the bar. Finally, Nancy made a reservation for Sunday night, and as luck would have it, we didn’t need one. We just can’t win. We never said we were smart, just hungry for good food.
Bold American Fare
8 S. Main Street
Algonquin 60102
(224) 678-7589
boldamericanfare.com
Directions: Take Rte. 47 North to Algonquin East to Main Street and South to restaurant.
Estimated Travel Time: 21 minutes
The restaurant is a very small neighborhood bar type venue. There are about a dozen assorted tables and booths. It’s an old building with tin ceilings and warm wooden accents.
To start off our spending spree, we ordered two iced teas ($2.79 each). Total so far: $5.58.
Next, we chose the Lobster Pop Tart ($15) for an appetizer. This was lobster, boursin cheese, chives, and cream cheese in a piecrust resembling a flat potpie, and topped with sweet chili sauce. This was TO DIE FOR!!! It was enough for two people, but we were fighting over it. There were large chunks of lobster, and the combination of the cheeses and sweet chili sauce brought it home. DO NOT PASS THIS UP!!! Total so far: $20.58.
We continued our spending spree by each ordering a bowl of French Onion Soup ($7 each). This was French onion soup made with bourbon and topped with aged Gruyere cheese. Nancy loves bourbon, but not in soup. The combination was not for our taste buds. Total so far: $34.58.
Jim chose for his entree this evening the Beef Smokinoff ($25). This was smoked brisket with wild mushrooms in a pappardelle pasta nest. The homemade pasta was delicious, as was the sauce. He knows that brisket is not the best cut of meat, but although it was tasty, he felt it could have been a lot leaner. Those mushrooms were truly wild; they must have escaped from his plate. Total so far: $59.58.
Believe it or not, Nancy went for the eight ounce Filet ($32). Being the gourmet that she is, she ordered it well done, much to the chef’s chagrin. She also added the compound butter with black pepper and Parmesan cheese ($2 upcharge). Then she had a choice of two sides, and she went with the small wedge salad and the loaded baked potato ($2 upcharge). The wedge salad was presented beautifully and was delicious. The loaded baked potato, although huge, was a disappointment. It wasn’t baked all the way through and according to the menu, it was to be served with bacon, instead it was topped with pork belly. The Parmesan topping on her steak must have escaped with my wild mushrooms. Total so far: $95.58, close but no cigar!
What could we do? We had to get to $100, so Jim ordered the Cronuts ($8) for dessert. These were croissant/donuts coated with sugar and cinnamon and served with three dipping sauces; caramel, chocolate, and whip cream. These six little delicacies were served warm and crunchy. They were awesome, and no matter how hard Jim tried, he had to take three of them home. Total so far: $103.58.
In our opinion, some items at this restaurant are incredible, others could use some work.
We left the restaurant with a doggie “shopping” bag. Total with tax: $112.08. SUCCESS!!!
FYI: This restaurant is handicap accessible, but park in the rear. That is where they have a ramp going up to the entrance door.
Jim’s take: I definitely would go back for the Lobster Pop Tart and the Cronuts and call it a day.
Nancy’s take: What Jim said…
Have comments or restaurant suggestions for the Dining Duo? Send them an email at thediningduo@gmail.com.
