Had a lovely Saturday brunch here with my two aunts. Note: Saturday appears to be breakfast/brunch only--the lunch menu I was expecting wasn't an option today. That was a surprise and slightly disappointing, since I was hoping to try some of the Bill Kurtis Tallgrass beef I know they serve here.
That said, it was not a big problem; there were fine choices available: lemon ricotta pancakes, eggs benedict, Â lots of omelettes. I chose the local farmer eggs/mushroom/goat cheese, which came with dressed field greens. It was just fine. Good coffee, very nice ambience.
Prairie Grass is our "go to" restaurant for many birthdays, anniversaries and just meeting family or friends. You can always count on a delicious meal. We ate there on 4/28 for a birthday and the meal was terrific.
One thing I always look forward to for dessert is "Mom's Seasonal Pie". My favorite is cherry but all the fruit pies are good. I must say I was left scratching my head on this last visit. The "seasonal" pie: French Silk. While I am sure it was delicious, I was not aware this was French Silk season :)
Prairie Grass is one of those rare places you can eat great food and feel good about eating it! All locally sourced and delicious...what more could you want!
We have celebrated many family birthdays at Prairie Grass, including our daughter's 12th on 4/12. A special place for a special occasion!
This rating would be 5 stars if not for the price. They are very proud of their food, and charge you for it!
We eat out way too often and with the lack of GOOD restaurants in the suburbs (yes, we were spoiled in the city), we keep ending up at Prairie Grass. We have never had a bad meal there. In fact, every meal has been exceptional (aside from the spring rolls).
I'm not a very good "reviewer," but the reason I am logging on is to give a shout out to the busboy/barback that was working in the bar last night, 3/16. I hope a manager sees this review and promotes him. My husband worked in the restaurant business for over 10 years, and again, with the amount of restaurants we frequent, we have NEVER had someone so delightful and hardworking.
This review is based on two separate visits for brunch only. Gave it a couple of tries for brunch because Walker brothers and Once upon a bagel are absolute zoos on the weekends. I guess this place is fine nothing wrong, but I was just plain. Nothing to put it over the top, or make it worthy of being a destination.
Review Source:We've been to Prairie Grass for dinner many times since it opened. We ate there last night with friends and this is the first time I feel compelled to write a review. The choices for dinner were very limited. When my husband ordered the duck medium, the waiter replied that it was pre-perpared and they could not do it. The sign of a very limited kitchen. It was an uncomfortable social experience because the level of noise was high and we found it almost impossible to have a conversation with our dinner companions. The wait staff was attentive. Our friends go to Prairie Grass for Sunday brunch and love it. Even though it is a convenient choice for all of us, we decided that this is no longer on our list of restaurants for dinner. There is a way to improve a diner's experience: don't put tables so close together; don't put a large table next to a table of four - the conversation from the large table overwhelms the smaller table.
Review Source:Headed to Prairie Grass Cafe yesterday for a work lunch, and it was just A-Ok. Â The atmosphere was a bit lacking - very bright almost like a diner. Â The food was fine - I had the pasta dish, and it was just so-so. Â Service was fine. Â There just isn't much memorable about this place.
Review Source:Headed to the botanical gardens? Â Try this place on the way. Â Fresh, organic ingredients, made to order with great service. Try the crab cake with an avocado, cucumber, and grapefruit salad in a light lime cream sauce. Freakn good. Also shout out to the burger that apparently made the list of one of chicago magazines best burger (it was good but not the best for me). We also tried the tuna melt and Cobb salad and everyone enjoyed overall.
If you're in the area, it's worth coming by.
I work close to this cafe and I had a few of their lunch menu options and I like them all! A personal reason why I like to come here is that they serve sweet potato fries!
If you in the mood for a filling salad I recommend the Skirt Steak Salad with Avocado, Roasted Peppers, Red Onion, Tortilla Strips; Avocado-Lime Dressing. I've tried this once and I'm a fan. Also, many of my colleagues that I go with order this every time.
If you're feeling a sandwich and you love turkey burgers I recommend you try the PGC Homemade Turkey Burger on a Toasted Bun, Sweet Potato Fries, Cranberry Sauce. (I also pick this option because it comes with Sweet Potato Fries :) )
The only reason that I can't give Prairie Grass 5 stars is because of the final bill. The food was wonderful if not fantastic, the service was first rate, but the portion size and price was the issue.
We did not drink, and for 2 adults and 2 toddlers the bill was $100, so $120 with tip. Here is what we had-
Shrimp spring rolls- very delicious, but 2 tiny rolls were $10. For $5 or $6, would be great.
Salad- $8 for a small arugula salad  with a tablespoon or Quinoa and some avocado.
Skirt steak- Most places on the north shore have great skirt steaks- the quality of this steak was the same (as great) as most other places. The rub and marinade was delicious, and one of the best tasting skirt steaks around. BUT- it was very small- maybe 6" long, and we were expecting something twice that size, especially for the $24 tab.
Tuna was wonderful as well, but at $32, WAY overpriced.
Throw in 2 kids meals at $6 each and a kids fruit plate at $4, and here we are.
Any other place on the north shore and this check is $65 TOPS.
Again, it was a first rate meal, and a place that I would love to make one of our "several times a week" go to place, but at these prices, it will have to be a "special occasion" place, which is a shame. Hopefully management will read this, as well as many of the other posts ($15 for a hamburger??) and do something about it.
Be a bit more generous with the size of the skirt steak (we all know how much top quality skirt steak costs), or throw in a small side salad. I promise you that with a few small changes that won't cost the restaurant much, you will have many returning customers.....
And for all of the complaints about the decor- that's ridiculous. The place was perfect.
Updating my review for one reason. The burger. Listed as Chicago magazine's best. burger, it's been on my to do list for some time.
We came for lunch during the weekend and were seated with no wait. We went with the ham and cheddar panini and the burger. The panini was prepared well. It was nice and crisp without being greasy.
I had the burger with a bun because it's not a burger without bread. It was prepared perfectly. Really good. I'm not sure if it's the city's best, but it's probably Northbrook's best. Thick patty, seasoned well with just the right amount of blue cheese. I'd definitely have that again, even with the $15 price tag and creepy waiter.
I had never heard of this place before and I only came here because a neighbor is the Sous Chef here, but wow, I wish I had come here earlier. Â Since we knew the sous chef, he sent out 4 appetizers for us, which were shrimp spring rolls, corn fritters (which were absolutely awesome with the honey butter), an italian sausge and feta cheese pizza, and a tomato salad (which we weren't a fan of just because we don't really like tomatoes). Â the flat bread pizza and the corn fritters were awesome and I'd highly recommend those.
for dinner, I asked the chef which steak to get and he said the skirt steak, without hesitation. Â so I went with his suggestion and it came out with potatoes and mushrooms and a sliced grilled onion on top. Â absolutely delicious and very tender and cooked perfectly medium rare. Â my wife had the crispy duck and that was great also. Â crispy skin on the outside and juicy meat on the inside. Â there were also a couple of greek dishes on the menu like moussaka which peaked my interest so I'll have to try that next time.
for dessert we got a blueberry pie a la mode and a cookie a la mode. Â I'm usually not too into blueberry pies, but this was delicious! Â not tart at all as I was expecting. Â the cookie looked like it was overdone, but it was actually really soft and gooey and tasted very good. Â unfortunately, since we had so much to eat already, we had tons of trouble finishing dessert, but we definitely tried!
I must admit that I don't usually eat at restaurants in the 'burbs since I live in the city. Prairie Grass is an exception because it's right near the Botanic Garden--a place I go pretty frequently. I've been to Prairie Grass three times--twice for brunch and once for dinner.
My two brunch experiences here have been great. We got seated immediately (practically unheard of at a lot of brunch spots in the city). The first time, I believe I ordered an egg dish, but it was so long ago that I don't remember for sure. The second time was more recent, and I ordered what was essentially banana bread French toast. The bread was battered like French toast, but tasted like banana bread and had that consistency. It was all stuffed with cream cheese, which I'm sure is terrible for you, but boy, was it delicious.
I also came here for dinner pretty recently. Again, we were seated immediately. The dinner prices are a bit more than brunch--perhaps too much in some cases. 15 bucks for a burger (without a bun) seems a bit steep. I had the phyllo strudel filled with greens, feta, and pine nuts along with a side of creamed spinach. All of it was extremely good. The portion size for my dish seemed just right, but my friends ordered other dishes and they seemed to have a massive quantity of food, so I guess it varies.
One other thing to note about this restaurant is how spacious it is. There are quite a few tables but none of them are too close together, which is really nice.
This is a great pick if you're in this area. I'm sure I'll be back in the near future.
I came here with the head chef's sister for a work get-together and the food and service were FANTASTIC! I had never ventured this far into the suburbs for fine dining  but the drive was work every second.
The atmosphere is very welcoming and interesting to look at. I found myself just staring at the decorations in awe.
Now to the food - I came here with two extremely loyal customers, so I definitely took their suggestion. For appetizers, we shared the "Pizza with Smoked Salmon, Sour Cream and Traditional Toppings," "Lentils with Tomato Jam, Goat Cheese, and Crispy Shallots," "Marinated Beet Salad with Fresh Goat Cheese, Ripe Pear and Crushed Hazelnuts," and a pea shoot salad compliments of the chef. They were all really delicious and I would recommend them all. My favorite was definitely the Beet Salad- different from any other beet preparation I have had in the past.
For the entrees, our table got:
-Moussaka with Layers of Tender Braised Lamb and Tomato, Potato, Eggplant and Golden Crusted Bechamel (ME)
-Homemade Spicy Italian Sausage with Crispy Polenta, and Black Bean & Vegetable Slaw
-Parmesan Crusted Tilapia with Creamed Spinach
-Phyllo Strudel of Assorted Greens, Feta Cheese and Pine Nuts; Grilled Vegetables (Vegetarian)
All of the entrees looked absolutely delectable from my side of the table and I'm sure they tasted just as great. I had never had Moussaka before and even as someone who doesn't love lamb, I went out on a limb and ended up loving it! Leftovers were great as well. The sausage looked super good from across the table and the portion looked very generous. My bf had the tilapia and said that the creamed spinach was great. And both of our vegetarians said that the Phyllo Strudel was great -- it kind of looked like a fancy spring roll!
We didn't save room for dessert, but the MukMuk cake and the Coconut pie were both suggested.
We will definitely be back on our own time! Compliments to the chef! :)
This place is awesome for brunch. Â It has a cozy classy feel and the staff is great. Â They remember you after a few visits and they treat you like VIPs. Â It's not hard to feel like one with the outstanding mimosas and delicious food. Â Everything is choice, such as Intelligentsia coffee and farm-to-table cuisine. Â The breakfast sausage is always better than I remembered it. Â YUM. Â Try it. Â You won't regret it.
Costs a bit more than the diner but worth every penny!!
With my first visit to this restaurant I was surprisingly pleased with the 5 star cuisine, comfortable ambiance, and accommodating service. I particularly enjoyed the lamb sausage dish that I ordered and the side salad that came with it.
I talked to one of the other dinner guests and he had said on a previous visit that he had tried the kobe beef and it was very good. Next time..
From what I've heard everything on the menu is well prepared by chefs that know what they are doing.
I highly rec commend this restaurant and plan on returning soon.
I'm surprised that I haven't written a review yet for Prairie Grass.
I like this place. Sometimes we'll go for work lunches, but other than that, I don't make it over very much, even though it's right across the street from my office.
Two favorite dishes:
1) Traditional tuna melt, which comes on an English muffin (this is the way I make them at home now too), along with a wedge of iceberg and 1000 island. Simple, but really satisfying
2) Grilled Ham & Parmesan Swiss sandwich with salad. A little on the greasy side, but it's the delicious kind of greasiness, so I think it's justified.
They offer some decent specials there too.I think the last time we went, they were actually doing a buy one get one free burger special. I think like 8 of the 12 people at the table ordered that.
If you wanna toss your money away at bland and uninspiring plates while experiencing service that rivals a 24 hour truck stop, you could be Prairie Grass' best patron. Fortunately that will not be me.
On a weekend evening dinner out with my networking crew, we all gave them a decent shot at placing a good impression on us by plucking down a $200 tab on various dishes for three people. Here's how they fared...
Appetizers:
Spring rolls - tiny and served cold... Were they originally frozen and then microwaved?? Probably not as I've gotten better tasting ones in a box from Costco.
Baked Feta Cheese - Actually decent, but nothing that I can't put together in my own kitchen in 5 simple minutes.
Entrees:
Penne Meat Sauce Pasta - Tasteless. Could definitely use some more spice but the breadcrumb texture was nice touch at least.
Sirloin Burger - Apparently Chicago Magazine believes that this is the best burger in the city. I guess it's because they go overboard with the blue cheese crust in the preparation. But in comparison to a simple everyday place like Portillo's that doesn't cost $15 a pop, I beg the differ.
Crispy Duck - Oh the kitchen made sure it was definitely crispy, but at the cost of over drying the flesh as well. Tasted as though I was eating the turkey dinner at the Griswold's house in Christmas Vacation.
Dessert:
Chocolate "Muk-Muk" cakes - After all the great reviews by previous yelpers, I really was not impressed at all. The chocolate inside was non existent and the cake was dry. I suspect maybe it was over prepared perhaps?
Service:
This is truly the area where they need to improve on. At their menu prices, at least they should attract some quality talent for waitstaff. We had Pearl assigned to our table and Denny's Diner would likely be hard pressed to hire her. She took our orders and we never saw her again to refill our drinks once. The only time we saw her again was during the delivery of deserts (all other courses were served by kitchen runners). In the delivery of our deserts she simply flung all of our dishes on the table and spilled my co-workers chocolate sauce all over the table. Not much of an apology besides being given extra napkins. It's been a long time that I've tipped only 8% on the bill's total and I believe that was still way too generous
Exactly what we were looking for: good ingredients without having to dress up or make a reservation. There aren't many places like this in the northern burbs and it was exciting to finally find one.
Some of the ingredients are local and the while meats seemed to be sourced responsibly, most were nothing special. It's one of the new breeds of mail-order locavore born of the large number of "sustainably raised" middlemen sprouting up. This restaurant seems to order mostly from Niman Ranch and similar companies rather than sourcing from local farms itself. While I think that building relationships with farmers is the way to true quality, I'm happy to eat a Niman Ranch steak.
What I really liked was the Amish blue cheese sald, which involved a tasty chunk of cheese coated in candied walnuts. Mmmm.
After speaking by phone with a somewhat snooty manager prior to coming here, reading up a little about the locavore menu and ingredients, and viewing the menu online, I was expecting somewhat of a high-end place. I didn't find it that way, however. A little more casual, and kind of a cross between a basic Greek-owned restaurant and a Wildfire. The nice big space with the wood and brick recalls the latter. The menu and the experience at lunch was just OK. The food talks the talk but doesn't walk the talk. But for what it may lack on the food side, it made up for in service. I need to thank our server Teddy for being a real class act, and accommodating us late (when I knew the kitchen was wrapping up lunch), and more so for being patient, kind and thoughtful with my special needs lunch buddy, who takes his time about everything.
Teddy offered recommendations  of their 10 oz. bleu cheese sirloin burger ($15), their gilled skirt steak ($23), and an Ahi Tuna special for $27. We both chose the burger, and ordered up a little guacamole to tide us over. The guacamole was uneventful, almost too creamy or processed, but it was accompanied by raw veggies as well as warm salted chips: a nice touch. But with all this talk of local, green, fresh, we both agreed the carrots, peppers and broccoli all looked as if they'd been sitting around at Jewel for a week. The burger came with a grilled red onion and tomato and some meager leaf lettuce shreds with a dribble of balsamic vinaigrette. And two fat, lonely  oven fries. The burger was delicious, but not 15 bucks delicious. Grilled a perfect medium rare, though, as ordered.
While I usually pass on dessert, my buddy doesn't. We took a slice of chocolate cake ($7.50) to go, but the overall choices were a little diner mundane, except perhaps for the crepe. That was different. So overall, a passable experience and what appears to be quite a few over-priced and overrated items (although keep in mind I only had a burger)-but I know I would not risk the $23 skirt steak, when I can get a superb one at an Athenian Room or a Los Nopales at half the cost. Best thing about the place was Teddy and other laid back but gracious staff like the hostess and busser. Nice job, guys! Thanks for again your patience.
this place gets 5 stars all the way-incredible food, high quality and fresh tasting. Â They use products from local farms and you can taste it in every bite. Â I have to say, the prices are a bit steep but the flavor are wonderful.
We've had breakfast here, brunch, lunch and dinner and I have to say our favorite was brunch (we did the father's day brunch). Â So much variety and they didn't cheap out even though they were serving a large amount of people. Â One of the best brunches we've EVER had and we have tried almost every brunch out there. Â Drake is still our favorite but this comes very close.
I don't have a lot of experience with good restaurants in the suburbs, so this was a pleasant surprise on a visit from the city. Â The food was all very good, with one of the best (fresh) chocolate lava cakes around. Â Many restaurants these days make the cakes in advance and then put in the microwave prior to serving, however Prairie Grass gets it right so the exterior is flaky and the middle oozes.
An extensive wine list will keep you happily drinking (with a designated driver of course to get you home).
I'd probably give this place 3.5 stars too. Lots of pluses and minuses - let me share my experiences.
Generally, my food experience has been outstanding. Great appetizers, entrees, salads and desserts. The Ancho Skirt Steak has tremendous flavor and I have not experienced a salty or chewy steak as a previous reviewer had. In fact, as skirt steak goes, I have found PGC's to be fairly tender. The "#1 Burger" is good - but not Chicago's best in my opinion. The prices are reasonable for the quality of the food - though not inexpensive by any means.
Now - for the service. In my opinion, the employees try, but don't seem to be trained quite right, or have a fine dining background. It's hard to put my finger on it - they're somewhat robotic in their service. Their personalities seem to be more of a function of what is expected from service staff in a fine dining restaurant rather than a natural graciousness. There is a woman who occasionally bartends there - Mary - who is a pleasure to chat with while imbibing. She's an exception.
I did have a disappointing experience with a manager there once, about a year ago. One week I dined there twice at lunchtime and ordered the same lunch entree on both occasions. It included a delightful salad that has field greens, bleu cheese, rolled candied walnuts and other items. The first time I ordered the salad, there seemed to be extra bleu cheese on it and it was missing some other ingredients. The second time it came out as expected. Both times the salads were good, but the one I had earlier in the week clearly wasn't to their spec and inconsistent with their normal offering.
Well, I shared this information with the manager - clearly stating that this wasn't a complaint, but something I thought he should know. After telling him this, he looked at me with a blank face and responded "OK". That was it - not "OK thanks for letting me know", or "OK I hope your lunch was still enjoyable and you'll be back" or anything remotely like that. I don't think I've ever experienced such indifference from a restaurant manager before. But then, if he's training the service staff, maybe that's why they seem kind of awkward.
So go here if you're looking for good food - but don't expect anything special service-wise. If you do get it, it will have been on a "good day".
We checked out the Prairie Grass Cafe on a friend's recommendation (who recommended Tapas Gitanas in Northfield - which is great btw).
Prairie Grass failed to live up to all of the "rave" reviews I have seen.
I ordered the skirt steak and my fiance ordered the whitefish.
the skirt steak was salty and chewy. Is this was fine dining is supposed to taste like? did I miss something while sawing my steak into pieces and then gnawing on it like a caveman? Sorry, but a two star review of "Meh, I've experienced better" fits this place to a t.
The white fish was no better. The fish really had no taste, and the sauce was pretty bland. But maybe because my steak was so salty, this was intentional? (my guess is that it was not)
We got the feeling that this was a place people went to be seen, or to say they have been seen at.
Not to mention the service was really lousy. The moment we said we were comfortable with water, our water had a look of "who let these two into the restaurant". Way to make a customer feel welcome. I think he may have said five words to us the entire meal.
Who settles into the Prairie Grass Cafe:
Apparently a lot of north shore elites who find this place to be some sort of mecca and an alternative to getting real good food in the city.
Who strolls by this uncharming beauty?
Those who want genuine flavors in their food, where sometimes less is more, because we definitely experiences less for more.
A group of us went to this cafe because it was listed as one of the Top 30 Burger spots in Chicago by Chicago Magazine.
Several of us ordered this burger : the Top Sirloin Burger with Mild Blue Cheese Topping and Potato Wedges. It comes without a bun but you can request the bun, which we did, just to fill ourselves up.
Let me know tell you, if you've had good burgers in Chitown, this isn't what i call a fantabulously memorable burger. We all agreed this was good... but not great. I can't believe they charge $15 for this burger!
The burger was pretty juicy but the flavoring and texture didn't blow my mind. I've had better juicy memorabl burgers at places like Hot Chocolate.
And the potato wedges that came with the burger were dry and nasty.
Perhaps it was an off day for this restaurant as they've probably had a higher demand for this burger since Chicago Magazine posted them. Who knows.
So for my boss's b-day, the powers that be took us all to Prairie for lunch. Boy, if I had to pay, I would have been so pissed. Apparently, this place is known for their burgers, meh. Wasn't in a burger mood so I decided to try their crabcakes...correction CRABCAKE! :( Yes for 14 bucks, I got a ONE crabcake that had more breading than crab! Now having family from Baltimore / Chesapeake Bay area, I KNOW my crab and this was an insult to my heritage! Top off said crabcake with a bland citrus butter sauce and I was almost ready to cry. Midwesterners know NOTHING about crab/seafood. Steak yes, seafood, NO.
Maybe their burgers were top notch, but I'll never go back to find out. Northshore food is just way too bland for my taste.
2 stars for the fact that the service was pleasant and they Earl Grey tea was good.
I was pretty excited to hit up Prairie Grass Cafe after spending an afternoon at the Botanical Gardens. Â Overall I enjoyed my meal but I wouldn't say I'm in a hurry to go back.
The corn fritters were the highlight for me. Â Excellent breading, super sweet corn, tangy dipping sauce. Â The heirloom tomato salad was fresh and highlighted the ingredients but it was a little pricey for essentially sliced tomatoes. The pate was small and unmemorable. Â For an entree we split the duck between two people and received two entree size portions. Â We were actually so surprised by how much food they brought that we called the waiter over to make sure that they had in fact split the entree into two rather than bringing us two entrees. Â The duck was tender and had crispy skin (make-or-break for any duck) but it was a simple preparation.
Overall we enjoyed our meal but nothing really stuck out about the meal. Â I feel like it gets good reviews more because it's located in the suburbs where chains rule the dining landscape rather than because it's a stand out restaurant. Â The fresh produce and free-range meat options are very nice indeed, but it's not so hard to find those things in the city. Â I'd go back if I'm in the area, but I'd probably try another restaurant first before settlling on PGC as my go-to for Ravinia/Botanical Gardens dining.
Sorry Chicago magazine, but I beg to differ.
To catch up those burger fanatics who've been living under a rock, Chicago magazine rated PGC's burger #1 in their Sept. issue. Â The claim that it beats the likes of Kuma's Corner and Hop Haus was enough to send me to Northbrook to see what this hunk of meat was all about. Â
It's served bunless(!), and since this was the default, I figured I should consume it the way PGC intends it to be eaten. Â This elicited a couple reactions from me:
1. Â I felt like I was being forced onto a low carb diet. Â Shudder.
2. Â For the first time ever, I would be eating a burger with a knife and fork. Â Sounds sophisticated.
Served with two giant potato wedges, grilled onion and tomato, the burger also had a bleu cheese crust. Â And the verdict? Â For $15, it was a filling, satisfying meal. Â But better than Kuma's Corner? Â Never!
PGC looks like a deserted building from Skokie Blvd, but inside, it was lively, even for a Sunday night. Â The interior is sleek and modern, and the bar area's bigger than expected. Â Ordered a tasty crabcake appetizer, but $14 is pricey for one. Â Overall, solid food.
(+100 on Open Table)
Had been wanting to try this since I read about it in the "Good Eating" section of the Trib a few years back. and finally got the chance a few months back.
There was a group of 5 of us and the vote was 2 "liked", 1 "disliked" and 2 "strongly disliked" the food.
The likes were: the whitefish and the smoked salmon pizza
The dislike was: Â The top burger ( OK if you are charging $15 at the very least make your own mustard, plus the presentation was sloppy, food so-so).
Strongly disliked: Â 1) a short rib pot pie special that was inedible, too much fat. Â
2) Citrus beets. Â The menu says "beets" but it is one large beet slice that is pink and when it was brought to the table my first thought was " I dont remember anyone ordering tuna?" Â Once I realized what it was my opinion went down even further as the taste was bland.
A very uneven mix of food quality, presentation, service, and price. Â There are better places to go in the area than this.
First off, I would like to say that I had really high expectations going to this establishment. Â Having read an article on it in Lake magazine--I was more than ready to really like this place. Â My husband & I were also very interested in trying this place since they use grass fed beef & do the local thing--we were very keen.
On first approach, I have to say I was very unimpressed--the location is odd--strip mall surrounded by highway--actualy if you blinked while driving by you would totally miss the sign for the cafe. Â The inside also does not leave much to be desired. Â It was comfortable, with warm tones, but overall not much to write home about. Â The flat screen TV's with the changing photos of nature was a very nice touch, otherwise kind of blah. Â Also, I am stickler for nice bathrooms at restaurants (especially nice places) & it was also pretty blah.
The massive saving grace for this place is the FOOD. Â While their menu is not extensive, they really do well with what they offer. Â Presentation, taste & quality is all suberb. Â We started with the cuccumber & avocado salad--nice & light, not overally dressed or salted--which is greatly appreciated. Â My husband ordered the Sausage & Polenta dish--well proportioned & extremely tasty. Â I had the penne pasta with tall grass beef and I was very pleased with the flavors. Â For the food, the prices are very decent. Â I would be happy to try this place again whenever I am out in suburbia.
I've been a fan of Sarah Stegner's ever since she was at the Ritz Carlton dining room when it was a real dining destination. She did the menu for my sister's wedding. The food was tremendous and she was unbelievably accomodating.
When she opened Prairie Grass up in the northern burbs, it was very exciting to have such a talented chef in the area. In my opinion, she doesn't disappoint. The food is very good--try the individually portioned moussaka and the American standards, like steaks and burgers. Those are the standouts in my mind, I've enjoyed everything I've ordered. The atmosphere is also very attractive and comfortable.
I see a lot of lukewarm reviews here for Prairie Grass. I think one of the drawbacks is the location--it does feel a little strip mall-ish, but hey, it's the suburbs. A lot of nice restaurants are tucked away in strip malls. It has gotten better now that the Fast Signs place that shared their building has gone.
The real drawback to Prairie Grass is their service. Almost every time I've been there there's been something a little weird going on with the waiter, like he's a little TOO laid back. I think maybe that creates a mood at the table--that the restaurant is not as upscale as the food would indicate--which I think would make a lot of people a bit hypercritical of the higher prices. If they'd tighten that up, I think the ratings might improve...
We went here for mother's day brunch, so take this review to heart if you are going for a buffet type meal... I can't really be a fair reviewer to the everyday menu.
The price was $42 per person. Â This didn't include things like coffee, tea, or juice. Â So, I was expecting a pretty good spread. Â They offered roast beef, pork tenderloin, a crepe station, a waffle station, and an omelet station. Â Otherwise there was fresh fruit, pasta, potato salad, and one salmon dish that was overcooked. Â They offered chocolate cupcakes as well. Â
The food was good, but these items aren't really deserving of the $42 price tag. Â I would say $25, maybe $30, but for the price of a Fogo de Chao lunch I expect something similar in quality ... and I was pretty disappointed.
If you didnt know better you would have thought you were pulling into the Bennigans parking lot. Â I normally wouldn't go to a place in the middle of the burbs. in the middle of a strip mall, in the middle of a giant asphalt parking lot, but it was a business lunch and I wanted eat at one of the few local produce/meat restaurants in the city (see my review for north pond below). Â The interior was pretty uninspiring but remember its location which is also quite uninspiring.
I had the beef and penne which I thought was good, could have used a few more red pepper flakes. Â The wine list is nice and everyone else's meal looked pretty good. Â Go here for good grass fed beef which is unfortunately not easy to find.
This place has a nice ambience with all the flat screen televisions. Â I don't think it's really located in the best spot... but it is near the highway and down the street from the mall. Â Unfortunately, I think the food is only okay. Â I had the skirt steak.. it was okay... a tad pricey for what you get. Â I was also persuaded to get the muck muck cake which is basically a chocolate lava cake. Â Since I know how to make that myself.. I really wasn't too impressed. Â Perhaps I ordered the wrong things.. I heard some items are good.
It's a nice place to take somebody.. but don't expect to be wowed by the food.
Very strange location - this restaurant sits back from the street on a unimpressive stretch of Skokie Boulevard. Â There are other restaurants scattered through this area as well, but mixed with a bunch of office-buildings, it is rather odd.
We were the first people to arrive on a Sunday night. Â I was worried that the emptiness was a sign of trouble, but the place filled almost to capacity by the time we left. Â Our server was pleasant, efficient and very sly as he casually asked about add-ons and dessert. Â
The decor is very clean, modern and cool. Â A bank of flat screen TV's show this montage of flowers, landscapes, and other natural scenes. Â That was interesting, as well as the patterns the grass planted outside made on the frosted glass windows once the sun went down.
Had a dish that consisted of sausage, peppers and polenta. Â It was tasty, but nothing unusual. Â My friend had the Shepherd's Pie, which came out so hot it blasted this little puff of steam at her when she broke the crust. Â It took her forever to eat because it was so hot. Â
The portions were good and filling enough that additional things like salad and dessert were not necessary, although the muk muk was tempting!
Prices are a bit on the high side for this type of cuisine, but I definitely recommend you try it at least once.
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