driving from champaign mother's day-where 2 go in ssw burbs?

We're coming back from UI graduation-- we could travel on I-55 or I-57 and would like a nicer place to go-- around 12-2pm-ish-- could be upscale, or only sort of upscale, we will have everything from grandmothers to toddlers in the group (8 people).

Any suggestions? I have found Public Landing in Lockport and Flossmoor Brewery (in Flossmoor, of course) so far-- any opinions on these?

thanks!

Flossmoor Brewery has perfectly good bar food, nothing to go out of your way for but everyone will find something to keep them happy; very good beer (they've won many awards); and train stuff for the toddlers. I think it's just about perfect under the circumstances.

I have been to Flossmoor Station a couple of time, and as a previous poster said the food is just ok. I had a decent cup of French Onion soup, and a decent sandwich.

The beer is what drew me here, and had me come back for another visit.

I concur. Flossmoor Station is great. Food is solid, if not exactly something to drive out of your way for, but the beer is nothing short of spectacular. Highly recommended.

Unfortunately, Fresh Starts across the street from the Brewing Station is closed on Sundays. I would recommend them for a more upscale experience.

You may like Bamboo Blue in Homewood. You can check out their website here:

www.bambooblue.biz

I adore their korean beef wraps and the garlic ginger chicken. My husband likes the kobe beef burgers. I have yet to have anything here I do not like. Also, the blue buddah rice curry is very tasty. They have a nice bar, good appetizers (try the calamari or the very feng chewy ribs), good soups and good entrees. It is not, by any means, simply an asian restaurant.

It's probably my favorite place in the area.

Burgundy Bistro in Olympia Fields is very nice, but they don't open on Sundays until 5:00

Another thought is Flavor in Flossmoor Commons. We haven't been there in a couple of years, but I work with someone who eats there regularly and adores it.

www.flavorrestaurant.com

Suzy

I highly recc. Public Landing. It used to be the sister restaurant to Tallgrass. http://www.tallgrassrestaurant.com/flashsite/tallgrass.htm
I don't know if it still is associated with TG, but the food at Public Landing is exceptional. I have dined there at least ten times. I haven't been there in the past two years, as we have moved back into the city, so, maybe someone has a recent opinion. It is housed in an old carriage house, it has a lot of history so I think your family will be interested and impressed with the location. If it's a nice day, you can walk around the lovely grounds and see the river and read about the town and the routes the barges, and boats used to take.
It is a white table cloth type restaurant, so don't expect bar food, and the prices that go with that. [/url]

nicinchic wrote:I highly recc. Public Landing. It used to be the sister restaurant to Tallgrass. http://www.tallgrassrestaurant.com/flashsite/tallgrass.htm
I don't know if it still is associated with TG, but the food at Public Landing is exceptional. I have dined there at least ten times. I haven't been there in the past two years, as we have moved back into the city, so, maybe someone has a recent opinion. It is housed in an old carriage house, it has a lot of history so I think your family will be interested and impressed with the location. If it's a nice day, you can walk around the lovely grounds and see the river and read about the town and the routes the barges, and boats used to take.
It is a white table cloth type restaurant, so don't expect bar food, and the prices that go with that. [/url]

nicinchic, Public Landing changed hands fairly recently and apparently has become rather raucous with not so good food. Here is a post by Mugs on Chowhound:
http://www.chowhound.com/topics/118206#645346

And an even more vehement report by sarahjane:
http://www.chowhound.com/topics/112009#610058

It's really a shame. Antonius and I had admired the place when we went to the Lockport canal about three years ago (followed by lunch at Amanecer Tapatio), and had wanted to return there for a dinner. Now it sounds much less enticing, unfortunately.

Looks like it could go either way, those were old reviews too. The OP will not be going on a weekend night. May work out for them.

zgbethie wrote:we could travel on I-55 or I-57 and would like a nicer place to go-- around 12-2pm-ish-- could be upscale, or only sort of upscale, we will have everything from grandmothers to toddlers in the group (8 people).

...I don't know where your final destination is, but if you're taking i57 and continuing to the dan ryan... you could fork over towards indiana instead of the dan ryan and go to 111th street and go to the restaurant at the Harborside International golf course. It's right off of the 111th street exit--it's at most a 5 minute diversion off of i57. Pier 37 is the name of the place, it's a Phil Stefani restaurant.

Anyway, they're having a special mother's day brunch. I think it's going to be buffet style served by the chefs @ carving stations. And mimosas of course. And they're going to have a harp player. I think you have to make reservations for it, but I suspect it won't be overbooked if you didn't want. I don't know the exact cost, but IIRC it's $25-30 for adults including the drinks.

If you've never been to Pier 37 or the golf course, it's in a BEAUTIFUL setting in an unexpected spot. It's open to the public, and you can go there just to eat (breakfast/lunch/early dinner only-they close around 6pm)... It has an interesting history, too. It used to be a landfill... now it's a Scottish-style golf course with prarie grass and it butts up to the lake. They have a big indoor seating area, or if the weather is nice you can sit outdoors and have a nice view of the golf course and lake.

Pier 37 at Harborside International
10959 S Doty Ave, Chicago 60628
At E 111th St

(if you get off the exit, go left.. It's on Doty Ave, which is the frontage road east of the highway. to get to it, you actually have to go back towards the highway on ramp but then cut to the right, then another right.. it's easy to spot, it's the only thing there and there's a big gate).

http://www.harborsidegolf.com/Pages/restaurant.html has more info on the place.

While not upscale, whenever anyone says mothers and multigenerational, I think White Fence Farm in Lemont.
Toddlers will be more welcome there than at Tallgrass or Public Landing.