Peoria, Illinois

[Rholsing96]

We will be spending a night in Peoria, Illinois, this weekend and would like suggestions for a nice dinner restaurant.

[cjla]

I'm not the original poster, but here are my thoughts on my visit this fall:

I went to Peoria in the beginning of the fall. I was visiting family and here's some of what we ate:

Emack & Bolio's
4534 North Prospect Road
Peoria Heights, IL 61616
[url]http://www.emackandbolios.com/[/url]
Despite a lifetime of worshipping the dairy arts, this is the first time I've come across this particular chain. My ice cream was good, but too rich. (Completely eater error, I ordered chocolate mousse ice cream, but my brain was convinced it was going to be moose track ice cream.)

Paparazzi
4315 Voss Street
Peoria Heights, IL 61616
[url]http://www.paparazzipeoriaheights.com/[/url]
I've been to Paparazzi's several times over the years. This was the first visit where, while I had a nice meal, I was aware of my desire for a freshened menu. We shared the app of tomato and onion antipasto with gorgonzola cheese, for my main I had the veal piccata, and dessert was the cannoli. We drank the wine on the table--a red with a black labrador on it. I enjoyed it. Almost two months after the meal, and I think the only thing I would re-order was the appetizer. I know that sounds like faint praise; I will absolutely return to this restaurant.

Sky Harbor Steakhouse
1321 North Park Road
West Peoria, IL 61604
[url]http://www.skyharborsteakhouse.com/[/url]
This is the place that really made me think I was back in Peoria. To start, the restaurant's name is "Sky Harbor", and yet is at the bottom of a gentle hill, with a view of exactly: nothing. It's a big place, half (or more?) devoted to the restaurant. (Advisory--my relatives refuse to eat there.) The other half is a bar, with a piano, dim lights, and clientele of a certain gentle age. I was there on a Saturday night, so I got to listen to the jazz pianist Jimmy Binkley, and sip on an extremely affordable gin and tonic. If you find yourself in the area on a Wednesday or Saturday night, I highly recommend popping over after dinner elsewhere for the nightcap of your favorite drink, and some lovely music. The lighting is dim, the booths are forgiving, and I wish my notes were better, because I was completely and utterly enchanted.

Seven on Prospect
4609 North Prospect
Peoria Heights, IL 61616
[url]http://www.7onprospect.com/index.htm[...
This is one of the nicer restaurants in Peoria Heights. I've been a few times, and I find myself looking forward to returning. For our party of three we shared an appetizer order of mussels, sweet potato fries, lamb lollipops, and sauteed mushrooms, bread, and then two mains of rainbow trout with quinoa and spinach. Everything was quite good, with the lamb and sweet potatos standing out in my memory. Dessert was a trio of creme brulees--classic, smores, and something chocolate and boozy.

I hope if you find yourself in Peoria, you're able to seek out some good food. I grew up in Peoria, and then lived in Chicago for years before moving to Los Angeles. This is a wind up of saying--yes--the places I've listed might not be the closest to where you're staying and working, but the traffic is light, parking is abundant and cheap, and getting off the beaten path is always worthwhile.

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Emack & Bolio's
4534 N Prospect Rd, Peoria Heights, IL 61616

[amphiblvr]

I would also suggest June. Great food, nice wine list. Plan on 3 hours if trying the tasting menu with wine. Far and away my favorite place in Peoria.
What kind of food are you looking for?

[rjka]

Not sure what price range you're looking for, but June has gotten good reviews.

http://www.junerestaurant.com/