Ravinia Bistro

Sunday March 6th was the Ravinia Bistro's last day. The closing took place without any advance notice.

There is now a sign on the door that says "Restaurant for sale. Call 847-432-1033 and leave a message."

Since it opened in 1984 the Bistro was a hidden treasure in Highland Park. Perhaps too well hidden as it seemed to operate under the radar of most restaurant reviewers.

We had many fine meals at the Bistro over the last 15+ years, and never had a bad experience there. Even up to the end, the quality of food and service never faltered.

The Bistro will be sorely missed, and we can only hope that a new owner will emerge to carry on.

George,

Thanks for the news.

I live maybe a mile away, I was at Ravinia Bistro only once with you. It was very good, I made a mental note to bring some friends along, then simply forgot.

Just last week, Gary inquired if I ever went to Ravinia BBQ, which I hadn't. I guess it is too close to home and going out often means leaving Highland Park.

You spared us the other bit of news of dining in Ravinia. Shelton's recent closing is yet another place I never visited. In the movie Risky Business they filmed a scene there. It was where Joel and his friends were pledging their career paths: doctors, lawyers and scientists. when Joel announced he was going to save humanity, then everyone threw their fries in his face.

You're right about the Risky Business scene. In fact Bud Shelton appears in the scene briefly. Bud died about 10 years ago and Shelton's was never the same after that.

George R wrote:You're right about the Risky Business scene. In fact Bud Shelton appears in the scene briefly. Bud died about 10 years ago and Shelton's was never the same after that.

‘For sale’ sign at long-shuttered Shelton’s sparks trove of memories

http://highlandpark.chicagotribune.com/ ... land-park/

I don't think I ever set food in Shelton's. I didn't live by Ravinia, so that was another world to me. I grew up across town near Park Ave West and Ridge Rd. My hangouts were Michael's (Nathan's) or Buffo's (Highwood and Deerbrook Mall).

I LOVED Shelton's when I was a kid! I lived in the area and attended Ravinia school in the '80's. It was a big treat to get to go for lunch instead of eating at school or going home for lunch. I remember getting $5 from my mom, which covered a Cheeseburger Special (which included the best fries & a paper cup of cole slaw) and a cherry Coke where they actually added the cherry syrup to regular Coke.

Then we'd go next door to Confection Connection for gummy cokes and mini jaw breakers...

I was a Shelton's regular in the 1970s. I remember the hamburger special very fondly. I agree that the fries were incredible, and I always got a cherry phosphate. At Ravinia School, we had an hour for lunch (back in the old days) and once a month I was given $2 to get lunch and a candy treat at Gsell's Pharmacy. I really hope someone takes the place over and brings it back to its former (in my memories, anyway) glory.

I guess I've never known what I missed at Shelton's. I grew up halfway between Ravinia and downtown Highland Park ("by the old folks' home" and later "by where the old folks' home used to be") and went to Ravinia School, but going to Shelton's for lunch wasn't our routine as it was for kids who lived closer to school. I do remember all the potted plants crowding the front window, the photos of customers on the wall, and the fact that Mrs. Shelton was for many years the crossing guard at that corner. My brother and I and our crowd spent a lot of time in Gsell's drug store on the corner, strategically planning our penny and nickel candy purchases. But for lunch, we ran home at break-neck speed, wolfed down a bowl of Campbell's tomato soup and a cheese sandwich while we watched Bozo's Circus, and ran back to school.