[was Twisted ] Distinctive Cork in Naperville

Has anybody tried this place in the mall at Gartner and Washington? I was there the week that it opened and although some of the food was pretty good, the service was truly horrible. I know that allowances have to be made when a place is that new but this was beyond bad. I really want it to do well and think it has potential so I'm hoping that someone else has tried it and they are getting their act together.

Jean Blanchard

We have not tried it, but I looked in there the other day (when picking up my dry cleaning) and checked out the menu. The menu looks okay, but I was a bit surprised by their seemingly limited wine selection, and high prices for flights ($11 for three 2 oz. tastings of cabernet, for example). I like the concept and hope they make it -- I'll reserve judgment for now.

I haven't had a chance to go yet, but I stopped in last night and talked to a server. She told me that the restaurant is changing its name because someone else already had it, but not around here. It's going to be the Twisted something, but I can't remember what. She said on Friday and Saturday you need reservations, and the other nights for big parties.

The menu looks nice. Cheese ranges from $3.50 - $6 for a 1-oz slice, (there are 10 in all); you make your own cheese plate selection. They also have 3 sausages that range from $3.50 - $5. There are 3 salads, and a selection of small plates, including pizza, mini burgers, lobster risotto, meatballs, petite lamp chops, scallops. These range from $6-$12. Finally, 4 different desserts.

There are 25 wines by the glass, and maybe another 25 or 35 available by the bottle. I didn't think the wine prices looked that bad. Whites range from $6-$12 a glass; reds from $7-$12. There are 3 sparklers & 3 dessert wines by the glass; bottle prices look like a typical restaurant mark-up.

I'm hopeful.

I'll be interested to hear how others' experiences here have been.

Admittedly, I have not yet been there (even though I live right near there), but there have been some mixed reviews on the "other" board (the one that begins with a "C" and ends with a "hound"). The gripes mainly have referenced amateurish service and some other hiccups that probably normally would be associated with a new restaurant run by owners who are new to the business. I have looked at their menu and wine list, and found the wine selection to be just okay, and the prices for tasting flights to be rather high.

On a side note, not to be a gossip-monger, but apparently Gina Delamora -- who originally was being held out as the owner and heavily was involved with promoting the place through her Naperville wine club -- no longer is associated with the restaurant (which now actually is known as the Distinctive Cork).

I haven't been back since my first visit but the service was frankly, worse than anything I've ever experienced. With one of the owners standing next to her, our bottle of wine was opened, poured (to the rim) and she walked away. This? At a wine bar?? She came back about 15 minutes later and without saying a word, dropped off two (better) wine glasses at our table. I'm going to try them again next week and report back. I do really want them to do well. I thought that the food had potential.

My friend and I went last night and had an enjoyable evening. The bartender was our server, and he was very knowledgable and friendly. Service was attentive. We had a cheese plate that was served with dried cherries and lovely buttery crisps. Also tried the chicken skewers, which were big and meaty and a tasty cucumber yogurt sauce. I drank a sangoveise which was $6, and my friend had the Justin Orphan blend for $7. For dessert I had a special -- a chocolate empanada with strawberry sauce that was very good, and my friend had the flourless chocolate cake, which was to die for.

At the end, the bartender brought us a taste of Deviation, a dessert wine that is infused with lavender and rose geraniums. Interesting, but not something I'd necessarily order.

The room is beautiful, the tables are nicely spaced. It was pretty full for a Thursday night. All in all, a good experience and I plan to go back.

They seem to be very accomodative, willing to work with parties, etc. They hope to have some interesting wine tastings (i.e., taste of Illinois , taste of France, etc.). I hope it works.

Really glad to hear that you had a nice experience. This place is walking distance from my home and I'd love to have a place that I can frequent whenever the urge strikes. Thanks for the report.

Jean

Last night, I visited Distinctive Cork (new name) for the second time. The place was about two thirds full by 8:00 PM. Wednesdays are ladies night and that meant that we got $10.00 off the price of any wine over $40.00. We took advantage of that and had a very nice Sancerre. There were three specials along with the regular menu. We had the Jumbo lump crab cake with wild mushroom sauce. I was a little surprised by that combination but it worked really well. There was plenty of crab, not just a lot of filler. Also from the specials, we ordered the Grilled portabella mushroom w/asparagus and corn risotto in a red wine sauce. Also a good choice. The rice still had a little bite and the sauce was really lovely. From the menu, we had the three tenderloin burgers. We had this on the first visit and they were just as good then although I think it could use a little more blue cheese to give it a little more flavor. Still, they're a bargain and quite filling. Total bill was about $70.00. With a $35.00 bottle of wine, I think that's a pretty good deal and we were both full. Our server was very attentive and pleasant. I overheard the owner, Scott, describing some of the offerings and I think it would be good if the servers can be trained to describe the food in a little more detail. Having said that, I don't know that many people (other than those on forums such as this) really care to get that kind of detail. The fact that she was accomodating and pleasant was much more important. All in all, my only real quibble, and it's a small one is that I think they ought to invest in a better quality white wine glass. I will definitely frequent this place on a regular basis because it offers a more unique, friendly experience than most places in Naperville....and I can walk home!

I'm glad you had a good experience. I want this place to be around for a while!

I understand they were reviewed on the 10:00 PM news last Friday. I didn't see it. Does anyone know they rated it?

I understand they were reviewed on the 10:00 PM news last Friday. I didn't see it. Does anyone know they rated it?
I understand they were reviewed on the 10:00 PM news last Friday. I didn't see it. Does anyone know they rated it?

Here's a link to the story. It was just informational, really, in a round-up of wine bars in the Chicago area.

I suppose that I should post an update -- given my comments earlier in thread -- or even post a more detailed review at some point. We have been going to the Distinctive Cork pretty regularly (every other week or so) over the past six months. With very few exceptions, the food always is excellent. The service has improved dramatically, also. The wine list is pretty interesting, and it seems as though they constantly are bringing in new stuff. All in all, this place is a real gem away from the hustle and bustle of downtown Naperville. If you have not been there or have not been there lately, I highly recommend that you give it a try.