Bill P.'s Profile

Pam, the owner, is great with shoe selection.  She has a computer that analizes your food and then watches your running style and can help and not oversell you.  She is also quite involved in the community and hosts a running group on Saturday's with a great group of friendly runners of all skill levels.  My wife is a walker, and she unfortunately loves to go in there and buy stuff.  I am a TriAthlete and I find myself in there buying this and that.

The selection of clothing is specific to Running, and she is equipped to help you with warm or cold attire.  She does not have Triathlon specific gear ( I would recommend Runners High and Tri in Arlington Heights)   If you are in the market for shoes, this is the place to go instead of Sports Authority etc.  You will pay the same amount of money, and then have the correct shoe which makes all the difference.

My group dinner of 12 was disappointing.    The restaurant was 3/4 full, and we made reservations 1 week in advance.  The manager assigned a waiter that announced that he was "new to this."  During the evening, we had to help the waiter with how to not yell across the whole length of the table, serve the wine.  The food was good but warm at the most.  We ordered appetizers and there were not plates on the table, then there was not knives or forks, and the series of errors continued.  I would have expected the manager to note the problems.  As well, during the evening, many new waiters were talking in the back room, and not helping our newbie.  

Finally, my wife and I ordered a Tira Misu to share. The chef had obviously made it on the spot, as the lady fingers in the dessert had not soaked any of the espresso and they were hard.  If this is an Italian place, you would expect otherwise.  When we ordered espresso and coffee for the individuals, each came out 2 at a time and each were warm at best.  

I choose this restaurant because I had an enjoyable dinner with an experienced wait staff in the past.  So much for spending $450 and being disappointed.  I would not go here if you have a group of 5 or more.

Basic decor.  The owner is there running the excellent wait staff.  You can tell she thinks attentive service is crucial to have happy repeat customers.  The sushi is very good and priced fair.  The rice she uses is great and she also uses an interesting rice wine that gives it a subtle sweet flavor.   We had a mix if rolls, gyosas and others.  I would recommend this over some trendy fusion restaurant if you want good sushi at a fair price.

My wife and I make frequent visits to family in Michigan.  We always leave with a case of Wine from International Beverage better know by us as Rashi's place.  

I cant express to you enough how this guy loves wine and can help you.  He is an admitted crappy manager of his business and as well admits that he knows how to please a customer with selection and his selection.  

We walk in the door, tell him that we want some of his new selection at, say for example, $15$ a bottle and he will fill up a case with us.  I have never been disappointed.  I even once told him of a wine (Caymus) and the next time in he complained to me that it was a bad choice.  Why?  He told me it was expensive because he drank himself two of the three bottles and that "is not good for business."  

Last, you walk in the door and see him in his turban and expect to hear some heavy accent.  Its funny to hear him say "whats up?".  Rashi is a Michigan State Grad and is a really good guy that you should get to know.  He has a loyal following and you can meet him at a number of local Grand Rapids wine tasting events.

I have frequent business meetings in the Ohare area and often bring the people to Basilico for a "not too fancy" but always good italian dinner.  People who come to Chicago should be treated to a neighborhood experience and this is the place.  

It is in a windowless old strip mall setting that this resturaunt and some government office shares.  I hope this does not turn you off because the first appetizer that you get the smile will be on your face.  Very nice veal and pasta dishes.  Actually, the seafood including light fish is exceptional made delicious by the nice light sauce.  

Did I mention the bread?  Dont be tempted to fill up on the bread and appetizers because the meal will be sure to impress.

The outside does not indicate the level of quality furnishings that are inside.  Lets say the design is contemporary meets electronic.  The booths are in the back, dark except for one light that highlights the food.

So for the food, I would rate it acceptable but no different than acceptable sushi places in the burbs. The nigri are light on size, the rice well cooked , and the rolls typical.  For example, the spicy tuna is the typical chopped up tuna (why do they do this unless they are covering up poor quality/) and the spicy was globbed on.  Why did I rate it a 4?  Because comparatively it is a 4 star vs Koyoto and below the level of the Wasabi Bistro.  

We will go back, but not drawn to addiction like some other sushi places in my past life.... where you just have to go once a week or you will wither..

My wife and I got lost and just ended up driving to Woodstock to see the town.  We went to the old town section, and saw the La Petite Creperie and I was expected to be disappointed.  We went for dinner, and sat outside and was greeted by a great waitress and the owner.  I did not catch his name, but he is a French national who moved to the area because of a woman (of course, what would you expect from a French guy?)  

I ordered the "wild plate" which was a combination of Kangaroo, Alligator sausage, and a fantastic steak combined with a reduced sauce that was simply fantastic.  My wife had a crepe with chicken and a nice white sauce that was incredible.  We finished off the day with a dessert crepe drenched in chocolate and some spices.  

This restaurant is a jewel to find in such a small out of the way spot.  I was surprised at how every customer knew everyone else in the restaurant except for me and my wife.   We will make this  a regular haunt.  Oh yeah, and the coffee was great as well.  A nice wine list too.

Last, on Sunday mornings they have fresh pastries and chocolate croissants.  I feel bad telling you about this since they only make a limited amount.   Live bands on Fridays....

I have been a member for 1 year.  The place has a running track, 2 indoor racquetball courts, full bball court, spinning room and aerobic room, I think an Olympic size pool, about 30 treadmills, 20 bikes, all kinds of ellipticals, 4 benches and three fly/lat machines and about 40 more machines I cant describe.  They also have an attached rehabilitation center that is tied to the centergra health system so sometimes you see people in there trying to get physically back into life. Additionally, there is a full outside pool, child care, and a number of different clubs from biking, running, diet, yoga, and who knows else.  On the other side, there is a spa that I have to tell you my wife forced me to go to and this one guy, cant remember his name but he is the masseuse to compare all others to, made me not be a scared guy to get a massage.  

Complaints are the music that they pump into this place is from the 60s and I dont know what the deal is?  Also, they need to update the bathrooms, take out the carpet.  The place is clean.  cost I think is 55 per month, and you can get a family plan.  Good parking and it is open up from 5 am until ?  It gets crazy from December 27th until March when all the crazies think that they will get into shape again....

When you are in Crystal Lake, and have that drive to go to sushi, this place comes to mind just because of location.  Bistro Wasabi is much better... but for a quick lunch to get some acceptable sushi, I would say OK... lets go.  However, as I lived in Brazil where there is the second largest population of Japanese outside of Japan, sushi can be much more fresh and good.  But, then again what can you expect living in the middle of the US?  Cheap sushi and a good wait staff and some friendly people.

The food is always good, with an excellent chef creating different dishes on a weekly basis.  What I do want to say is that the owner is a vinophile and has an extensive collection.  As you walk in the door, you will understand that this is a place to go if you want to have a great match with your main course and have a nice meal to go with it.  For a resturaunt that will bring you back because of the wine, 1776 is the place to go (and not just in the exburbs)