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 My Sun Day News.
As we travel through life, the causes for celebration change through the years. When you are young, you celebrate such occasions as graduating college, getting married, and the birth of a child. When you reach the “golden” years, you celebrate such things as getting a ten-percent senior discount, solving a puzzle on Wheel of Fortune, and being able to tie your own shoes.
Nancy had a reason to celebrate recently when she was cleared for surgery to have her hip replaced. She has waited months due to health reasons. What better way to build up her strength than with a nice juicy steak. She limped into the Mini-Mobile and we sped off to the Stoney River Steakhouse and Grill in Deer Park.
Stoney River Steakhouse and Grill
20504 N. Rand Road
Deer Park 60010
(847)719-1596
stoneyriver.com
Directions: Take Rte. 47 South to I-90, East to Rte. 59, North to Dundee Road, East to Quentin Road, North to Lake Cook Road, East to Deer Park Boulevard to Restaurant.
Estimated Travel Time: 40 minutes
When you pull up to this standalone building it has a mountain lodge vibe. The interior is rustic with a large u-shaped bar in the middle and a few tables by the fireplace all surrounded by booths too numerous to count.
We were relaxing and looking over the menu when our waitress brought over a basket of warm rolls and honey butter. These little morsels are pure evil. They were crunchy on the outside and moist and delicious on the inside with a hint of honey. The honey butter just amped up the goodness.
We decided to have an appetizer to start off our gala celebration. We ordered the Whiskey Shrimp on Country Toast ($18) which was covered in a Dijon beurre blanc sauce. We received four humongous shrimp each on a slice of baguette bread and they were out of this world. On any other day Nancy could have had this for her meal.
Jim went with the ten-ounce Center Cut Filet ($52). For his side he tried the Smoked Gouda Mac and Cheese. He ordered his steak medium and what arrived was a masterpiece. The steak was charred on the outside, pink and juicy on the inside, and drenched with butter on top. His side was corkscrew pasta swimming in an ooey-gooey cheese sauce. This was a real lip smacker. No doggie bag for Jim. He ate it all!!!
Nancy had to have the Filet Medallions (2) and Crab Cake ($46). This was filets cooked her way, well done, and a pan seared crab cake that was the size of a hockey puck. Her steak was also drenched with butter on top and believe it or not, it was tender and juicy. She chose the Au Gratin Potatoes as her side. They were just okay. She said she would go for the Parmesan Fries next time. The crab cake was amazing. No matter how hard she tried to finish it, she took half her meal home in a doggie bag.
On to Jim’s favorite part of the meal, dessert. He spotted the Chef’s Selection ($12) and asked the waitress what it was. She said it was an Oreo Ice Cream Sandwich. This dessert proved to be a monstrosity that covered the whole plate. It was crumbled Oreos packed tightly on the bottom swimming in hot fudge, vanilla ice cream in the middle, and more crumbled Oreos on top with dollops of whip cram drizzled with caramel sauce. OMG!!! We were fighting over it, but in the end, Jim finished the whole thing.
This was the best meal we have had in a very long time. From start to finish, this restaurant will not disappoint. The service was impeccable.
FYI: This restaurant is handicap accessible.
The price for our celebration was $143.76, “hip, hip, hooray.”
Jim’s take: I can’t believe I ate everything. A man’s got to do…
Nancy’s take: Ha, ha Jim, I get to have my meal all over again as a leftover. Eat your heart out.
Have comments or restaurant suggestions for the Dining Duo? Send them an email at thediningduo@gmail.com.
