Allgauers Grill: Lisle/Naperville Hilton Hotel

Tonight we decided we should try Allgauer grill in Lisle, IL. It was in the Entertainment guide with a BOGO offer and the reviews looked good. It ended up being more ($50 incl Tip) than we usually like to spend, but (what the hey) it was a good meal, great service and in a lovely setting. The restaurant is set inside the Lisle/Naperville Hilton. It is upscale but not uncomfortable.
DH ordered a soft drink; in this heat I just wanted water as did Miss 4. We enjoyed a lake view while eating Parmesan pesto bread and pretzel rolls. For the appetiser included, DH ordered chicken tortilla soup and I had the house salad with raspberry vinaigrette (with real raspberries –yum!). Our entrees took abit of time but were worth the wait. I had the pork tenderloin with sweet potato and bacon hash. It was perfectly cooked and the sweet potatoes went well with the saltiness of the gravy. DH ordered the potato crusted Halibut which was a huge fillet. He loved it and the piece I tried was very tasty. Miss 4 is still raving about her chicken tenders. Chefs had taken the time to prepare these in house and serve them with homemade honey mustard. I also appreciated the option to have fruit or veggies as a side with the children’s meal.

3003 Corporate West Drive, Lisle

Sweet Tomatoes

One place we like to eat at is Sweet Tomatoes. This place is so much more than a salad bar. It has something for all us and better still we can usually eat there for around $20 if we use one of the regular coupons from the Sunday inserts. DH loves the different soups and trying the obscure veggies (Jamica?), Miss 4 actually tries different veggies here too but is a fan off the Mac and cheese and foccaia breads. My favorites depend on my mood but the broccoli salad and Wonton chicken happiness are always on my plate.

On the move...Roadtrip!

We just heard that DH is needed in another state. So it looks like we will be making a road trip in the near future. So for now we are doing a lot of packing and trying to get to a few places we wanted to check out in the entertainment guide before we leave.

Lafitte's Restaurant, Schaumburg, IL

This New Orleans’s style restaurant is featured in this year’s West Chicago Entertainment book. Looking at the original Lafitte’s website we were expecting a very festive Mardi gras style theme with a lively, exciting atmosphere. This particular restaurant is located in the Embassy Suites, Schaumburg and is more like a regular hotel restaurant setting. While it wasn’t a great setting for children, Miss 4 and baby were made very welcome. In fact the manager asked after dinner if Miss 4 would like an ice cream because she had been so quiet and well behaved!
The bread was freshly baked and so nice I had to position the basket at the other end of the table from me. The entrees came with a basic house salad with a great ramoulade dressing.

I ordered the ‘chicken stacker’. Jerk Chicken layered with Garlic Mashed potatoes (to form a mini tower) topped with onion frits. DH ordered BBQ shrimp, with a side of sweet potato soufflé. Both entrees also came with stir-fry veggies. We both enjoyed our entrees (as did Miss 4 who didn’t want anything off the kids menu!?) the chicken had a great flavor and I love mash potatoes. The shrimp was something new and DH loved both their size and flavor. The sweet potato side was not very popular as it was very sweet. However adding sugar and cinnamon to sweet potato is still a bit weird to this kiwi –give me a few more years…

Using the buy one entree get one free deal this very nice dining experience cost us $29 including a 20% tip (on the price before our discount was taken).

Embassy Suites Schaumburg 1939 M.Meacham Rd
lafittesneworleans.com

Snikiddy 'Baked fries' review

I had signed up for Snikiddy emails a while ago and was sent a coupon to try these free. We finally used the coupon at Jewel Osco. Miss 4 and DH really liked them. Up until now the only cheese snack in the house for special occasions have been baked Cheetos. The baked fries aren't as salty (or as orange) as Cheetos. DH pointed this out but Miss 4 didn't notice and was just as happy to eat these. I liked them also (still more of a potato chip person myself though) and appreciated the fact they are not made with any artificial nasties. We will definitely purchase these in the future for a family treat.

Want to try them? You just need to register your email with them here and they should email a coupon. While you are there fill out a survey and go in the draw to win a gift basket and a variety pack of their other product 'Peeled snacks'.

I was not in anyway compenstated for this review.

Herb Coated Fish Fillets

Thanks to my Mum for this recipe which will come in handy with the Market Pantry frozen Swahi I intend to pick up super cheap this week from Target. It is $2.99 this week after the $1.00 off MP Frozen seafood coupon.

1/2 lb frozen Fish fillets, thawed
Juice & zest of a lemon
3/4 cup plain breadcrumbs
1/4 teaspoon lemon pepper
3 tablespoons pesto
1/4 cup walnuts, finely chopped
3 tablespoons fresh or dry parsley
8 cloves garlic
olive oil spray

Preheat oven to 190ºC. Place fish on a foil-covered tray. Squeeze lemon juice over each piece of fish. Mix crumbs together with seasoning, pesto, walnuts, lemon zest and parsley. Press down lightly into fish pieces.


Spray each fillet with a little oil. Cook in oven for 20-25 minutes until fish is tender and golden.

Noodles Pho U: healthy and cheap

After a hectic couple of hours at the Doctors office the last thing I wanted to think about was cooking. We felt like something with plenty of veges and the kids just wanted to go home. So we grabbed takeout at 'Noodles pho u' on Main St and Roosevelt (Lombard).web site
For $18.43 we got a large Broccoli Chicken  & Marinated grilled Pork & Shrimp \\ over vermicelli noodles.
Pretty good price considering the servings are big enough for DH to have leftovers for lunch tomorrow.

The Grilled Pork and Shrimp Vermicelli is one of my favourites. It is served with shredded lettuce, a sweet and tangy sauce and bean sprouts and you just kind of mix it all up. DH is not a fan of this as he considers it a salad. Miss 4 However loves the noodles and pork. DH liked his Broccoli chicken although (as he reminded me as he opened his order) he is not a fan of the way they steam rather than grill the chicken.

Over all the food we have tried at Noodles pho u is fresh and tasty without all the fat and saltiness usually associated with Asian food takeout.