NEW FEATURE! "CAPTAIN'S TABLE" RESTAURANT REVIEWS

11/4/2008 by Capt. Darrick Lorenzen | 3 Comments | 261 Views

So much about the dive travel experience revolves around dining out and responsible partying that I have decided to implement a new feature in my blogs called “The Captain’s Table”. Every so often I will review a restaurant that was visited by my students and myself at a travel destination. Most divers I have met love good food and cocktails as much as I do after a long day of diving. Hopefully this new blog feature will enhance the travel experience for our subscribers. Food and drink seem to be the reward for a long day at sea. I don’t claim to be a professional chef, but I try hard and experiment often. I have a collection of over 100 cookbooks and do consider myself to be a well-informed gourmand or “foody” as some people may call it. Enjoy the new feature and your comments or personal reviews are welcome.
 
I have been training students a Haigh Quarry in Kankakee Illinois since 2000. In 2001 I found Armenise’s 1875 hidden just west behind the Marriott Fairfield Inn on the frontage road that circles the mall in Bourbonnais Illinois. Armenise’s is located at 1560 State Route 50, Bourbonnais, Illinois 60914. Phone 815-929-1875. I have been to other “chain restaurants” in the Kankakee area (there are quite a few) but I prefer the home-style food and hospitality that I have found at Armenise’s. I am a regular. There aren’t many restaurants of this caliber in the Kankakee Illinois area. The restaurant is large and comfortable with a horseshoe shaped bar in the middle room. Joe (the owner) often meets you at the front door or you may find him smoking cigars on the patio when there are no diners outside. Joe’s family has a long history in the Kankakee Illinois area, including fruit stands, stores and restaurants. Because of its size, seating is almost immediate. In summer there is a spacious outdoor patio for dining “el fresco”. The bar is well stocked and the wine list is extensive. A recent wine I have been drinking is Red Rock Merlot 2005, which is very delicious and sold by the glass. Armenise’s also has been running a wine special with Copperridge varieties selling for $2.99 a glass. Most of the wine list may be purchased by the glass. Joe also has extremely high-end wines on the list such as Cake Bread Merlot, which is an expensive, but delicious boutique wine. A popular drink in this restaurant is the handmade Sangria, which I haven’t tested but in my interviews get favorable reviews. The menu is also extensive and daily specials are offered. The restaurant has an Italian flair but is by no means a “spaghetti shop”. Steaks, chops, seafood and pasta afford many choices. All meals come with soup or salad, potato and vegetable. Appetizers are excellent Calamari and Italian Nachos are my favorites. Fresh baked bread is provided with every meal and is delicious dipped in EVOO and Parmesan cheese. My favorite pasta dish is Pomodoro which is simply angel hair pasta dressed with roma tomatoes, olive oil, garlic and basil. It is delicious at $9.99! Pecan crusted Tilapia is my favorite seafood dish $17 and a large portion. I recently had an excellent 14 oz Ribeye charred medium rare on a charcoal grill $25. I have eaten every steak on the menu and they are all good quality and usually served as ordered. Medium rare is medium rare! Another favorite pasta dish is Voodoo Shrimp or Chicken $17 (I get both the shrimp and chicken on one dish) it very unusual with a creamy, cheesy and spicy pink sauce with peppers, cayenne, olives and garlic. I have tried to get the exact recipe from Joe but he won’t share the secrets. I highly recommend this establishment! Treat yourself after a long day at Haigh Quarry! I rate this restaurant 4 squids on a scale of 1 to 5!    

On 11/22/2008 cws1917 said:

The Captain, my wife and I were supposed to go and eat there during our training, but we never left the hotel bar.

On 11/10/2008 Douglas L. Schmidt said:

I too was with captn. Darrick at Armenesi's and had the ribeye. Outstanding from the salad down to the main course. What I enjoyed the most was talking with Joe the owner and also the overall Italian decorations throughout the restaraunt. I give it 4 snorkels out of 5 without a doubt.

On 11/10/2008 twow/atwist said:

I have visited this resturant many times while diving at the Quarry. Joe is terrific, and so is the food!