Is there anyone out there who will be sorry to see the year 2020 come to an end? We don’t think so!!! Let us recap some of the Dining Duo’s highlights from the past year. First off, Jim and I are quarantined in a 1,200 square foot home with nothing to do. That alone is a recipe for disaster. Chef Moron came to the Quarantined Queen’s rescue and cooked breakfast. In the process of doing this, he removed the pan from the stove without turning the gas off, and cooked the microwave oven handle to bubbly perfection.
Next, the government gave us a stimulus check. Of course we couldn’t save the money. It was a stimulus check. We did our part to stimulate the economy by blowing the entire amount on a pair of e-bikes. This resulted in Nancy shooting out of the garage like Evel Knieval and breaking her ankle and big toe.
On top of all this, restaurants closed, then opened, then closed again. We are restaurant critics who found ourselves with hardly any restaurants to review. We did manage to review 12 restaurants, but since four of them sucked, we will now present our “Top Eight Places Where We Ate” in 2020, each with a mini-review.
NOTE: All these restaurants are handicap accessible.
#8 ZA ZA’S TAVOLA ITALIANA (Lake Barrington)
The Lobster Ravioli ($17.90) at this high end restaurant was a hit with Nancy. It actually had lobster in it!!! Don’t pass up the Tartufo Lemoncello Gelato ($6.90) for dessert.
#7 THE SOUTHERN CAFE (Roselle)
Their Nasty Biscuit ($12.99) was a monstrous buttermilk biscuit stuffed with a crispy fried chicken breast, topped with cheesy scrambled eggs, smothered in country gravy, all on top of crispy hash browns. Delicious, but have the EMT’s standing by in the parking lot!!!
#6 OUTBACK STEAKHOUSE (Crystal Lake)
It’s a law, you must have the 1,950 calorie Bloomin’ Onion ($7.99) for an appetizer. Try their Braised Beef Bonzer-Wich ($14.99) which was beef, barbecue sauce, and melted cheddar cheese all on a panini bread served with steakhouse cheese sauce for dipping.
#5 MOD PIZZA (Algonquin)
Where else can you get a pizza with every topping you could possibly want on it for only $8.47? They serve a very crispy, thin crust pizza cooked in a brick oven. This is one place where Nancy can have it “her way”.
#4 WAHLBURGERS (St. Charles)
The burgers were good, but do not pass up the Cheese and Bacon Tater Tots ($5.95). They are served with Paul’s signature Wahl sauce, pickled red onions, spicy cheese sauce, and parmesan cheese. Positively addicting!!!
#3 FRANCESCA’S BY THE RIVER (St. Charles)
Check out their “Prix-Fixe” lunch specials for $17.95. You get everything from soup to nuts and you won’t be disappointed. They offer excellent Italian fare.
#2 EL NIAGARA MEXICAN RESTAURANT (Algonquin)
Nancy’s Beef Chimichanga ($11.95) was to die for, as was my skirt steak entree, Bisteca de La Casa ($17.25). This place has some of the best Mexican food around town.
Alright, we won’t keep you in suspense any longer. We will now announce the winner of the most sought after, prestigious, and highly respected dining award in the entire northwest suburban area. We are referring to, of course, the Dining Duo’s B. E. L. C. H. Award (Best Eating Location Close to Huntley). This year’s recipient is:
#1 SYRUP (Algonquin)
Try the Funky Monkey French Toast ($10.50) if you have a taste for banana bread and caramelized bananas, OMG!!! Do not pass up the Billion Dollar Bacon ($6.00) as a side, it is totally awesome. You’ll have to control yourself not to guzzle down their maple buttermilk syrup, it’s tempting though… Bring your insulin, and before you leave, be sure to check your blood sugar levels.
For more details on any of these restaurants, just go to www.mysundaynews.com and rummage through the Dining Duo archives, they are all there.
Let’s all hunker down for now, and hopefully we’ll all be dining out next year. Until then . . . From our table to yours, we wish you happy holidays, virtual visits with friends and family, and always treat yourself to good food.
