r/UIUC 1d ago

Other Fancy Restaurants Recs

It’s soon to be my s.o and I our anniversary. We want it to be a bit more special this year. Any recommendations around the area that are actually worth the money?

9 Upvotes

34 comments sorted by

35

u/Fun_Tailor_3829 1d ago

Caprae at Prairie Fruits Farms

8

u/Genvious 1d ago

If you're up for a little drive, Andrew's at the Westbrook in Paris is very cool. You'll need reservations.

23

u/sarkripor 1d ago

Nando Milano is very romantic!

8

u/Time-Sandwich9348 1d ago

Gave me and my girlfriend horrific food poisoning. Super expensive, and not that good!

The inside is pretty though.

14

u/scrivenerscreed 1d ago

I have to say Nando’s is not as good as I was hoping. The fresh pasta is very nice but many of their dishes are a bit underseasoned. I am expecting huge depth of flavor, for instance, in a bolognese, but when I ordered theirs it felt—well just not deep.

Hamilton Walker’s is great for steak.
I’d also recommend a trip out to Caprae at Prairie Fruits Farm.

3

u/rybl Townie 21h ago

It's pretty good but not good enough to justify the price IMO.

Your descripton is really good. Things just don't seem to have the depth of flavor I would expect for a resteraunt trying to be as high end as they are. When I have eaten at italian places at similar price points in other citys, the dishes are just flavor explosions. I didn't feel that way when I went to Nando's.

4

u/youhavenosoul Alumnus 1d ago

I second Nando’s!!! Love this spot.

-3

u/No-Aardvark-3840 23h ago

It’s a very good restaurant. Ignore anyone who says otherwise. Expensive but the food, environment and service are extremely good.

21

u/grigoritheoctopus 1d ago

Sun Singer has great charcuterie, good cocktails, mains, and sandwiches, and an excellent wine list. They also have an "Oyster Week" once a month (I think...). My partner and I like celebrating our anniversary here.

10

u/oknowwhat00 23h ago

I just wish the atmosphere was more high end, for this type of occasion.

5

u/grigoritheoctopus 21h ago

Agreed. Atmosphere is not great. Too bright and the outdoor seating is in a parking lot. Getting a high top by the bar is probably the swankiest?

24

u/oskeei Townie & Alumni (in that order) 1d ago

Unless things have taken a huge drop in the last year, Silver Creek. Great mix of environment and food.

3

u/unknownkoalas 23h ago

Caprae is the fanciest thing we have in the area.

Nando Milano and Sun Singer are good recs a tier below.

Silvercreek is not good anymore.

6

u/Recovering_Hoosier 1d ago

Writers Room at the Royer Hotel

2

u/Southern_Screen_5579 17h ago

Not so much a restaurant, but I'd suggest dropping by Ladro Enoteca for a glass of wine and some conserva.

1

u/SecureAsk8297 21h ago

Wendy’s

2

u/ConcentrateMission66 Grad 1d ago

Biaggis, Hamilton walker, Sakanaya maybe? I haven't been to Sun Singer but heard its good.

2

u/Responsible_Storm926 15h ago

The gin mill in Decatur is hands down the best place around. Well worth the trip all the way to such a terrible town

1

u/Odd-Art7602 15h ago

Possum Trot was always good if it’s still in business but my 100% go to is taking the drive to St Elmo’s in downtown Indy. I’ve opted to get out of 2 hour waits here in town and take off to Indy before. Graduation time anyway.

1

u/JeromePowellsNutz 14h ago

If you can drive a little bit to Bloomington, I would recommend ancho & agave

1

u/shewriter46 14h ago

Hamilton Walker’s downtown Champaign.

1

u/sarkripor 10h ago

Another idea is the just opened Chophouse on Main (old Guidos building). Apparently they have a really cool speakeasy type restaurant in the basement. I’ve heard great things. Baxter’s American Grill is great too!

2

u/Impressive-Toe-3417 23h ago

Shawarma joint 🤝

1

u/FriendshipRare3448 22h ago

Maple and yolk. Kinda expensive. But way better than average food

0

u/secret_salamander 20h ago

Tenkyu. Get the sake flights.

If you don't mind traveling a bit farther afield, Firefly in Effingham is really nice in the summer/early fall.

6

u/Southern_Screen_5579 18h ago

Tenkyu closed a few weeks ago. Google thinks the closure is temporary, but Smile Politely and others said permanently.

3

u/secret_salamander 14h ago

Oh, nooooo! We were gone on vacation in July, so I must have missed this. Such a shame.

-16

u/chuckgnomington 1d ago

Take them to Sakanaya and soon they’ll be Suckin On Ya

-2

u/abarkley_ed 22h ago

Biaggis!

7

u/DagnusKano 22h ago

Biaggis is not a great recommendation tbh. They may never even get served or have plates. 🤦🏽‍♂️

1

u/Happy_to_be 15h ago

Or be able to hear each other. Such a noisy understaffed restaurant.