The Cottage On Dixie owners Glenna and Dudley Elvery were kind enough to invite Patch over Monday night to get a sneak preview of the Southland’s newest fine dining experience. It certainly lived up to the hype.
The restaurant is scheduled to open to the public for the first time on Saturday, Jan. 26, but don't expect to get in that easliy. General Manager Robert Burt says they've already secured over 200 reservations. If you're anxious to give it a try, he recommends calling at 708.798.8263 to book a table in advance.
Here's some photos to give you a glimpse of what the interior of the restaurant looks like. We've got even more info on The Cottage on Dixie coming up later, so make sure to check back with Patch!
Wishing you the best for your your brand new enterprise and what it may contribute to enriching Chicagoland's suburban diversity. Brian Zakem, Flossmoor
I tried a few small appetizers, all of which were fantastic, but I don't see any of them on the actual menu.
The "bottle list" is a real credit to the taste of Southland wine lovers. What a masterful job by the sommelier. You want high-end big buck wine? It's here for you. Wine Spectator's number 1 wine of 2012––Shafer's relentless––is here and for only $95,another steal. For me, the best bargain is the Robert Craig 2009 Affinity for a measly $80. You say, how about something lower in price? Keep looking, you'll find it. How about the Bennet Family Reserve (from Napa) for $30. Like Pinot Noir? Oregon's Van Duzer at $45 is impressive. Next visit to the COD, will find me ordering the Rombauer Merlot for $44. So, you want a reasonable Chardonnay? Try the Benzinger (Carneros) at $30. This list is sent from Wine Heaven for Wine Lovers, and it is all available here at the COD.
Ambiance High marks for the renovations, bar area, and open seating behind the hostess stand. The general dining area tables are somewhat unimpressive for an upscale restaurant (no booths). Cleanliness It's brand new and looks it. The ceiling is open with large, wooden beams hence the "cottage" name. Service A very busy night and a few food orders were a bit late. Very attentive service at the bar, very personable. Bar staff know the menu and can provide guidance. Food Seared duck was excellent. The pork pate appetizer (not the real name) from the Brittany, France menu was excellent. We were not impressed with the blue corn crab fritters and I think they should consider crab cakes. We ordered dessert but they forgot to bring it (but they do their own baking onsite). We enjoyed ourselves (the bar area was lively and we met people from all over the south suburbs) and plan to return. This restaurant will not appeal to the masses as the entrees are not meant to be shared (we do this quite a bit these days) and there are no menu bargains. I also wonder why there are no local craft beer offerings (Three Floyds or Flossmoor Brewery).
For what we regretfully spent Saturday I now wish for that full tank of gas I would have had to go to all the lower scaled restaurants in the south suburbs that are not so pretentious. Au Revoir The Cottage In Homewood !!
This was a thumbs down experience with out a doubt. For months during the renovation process we looked forward to coming and discovering a new spot to have date night. What a disappointment !! Ambiance - Very nice décor with looking like a pottery barn catalog. The lighting was beautiful and interesting to gaze at while waiting and waiting for our order. The curtain type dividers reminded me of the same dividers at the YMCA gym I used to go to many years back. Not sure how practical those would be in some of the high traffic areas but uniformity can be good. The floor seemed like cheap remnants pieced together from a carpet outlet. Cheap on padding it seemed. The tables were way to close which lends itself to conversation surfing. The couple sitting next to us had a hard time having their own conversation because they seemed so interested in ours. I was positive the gentlemen could see my uvula in HD. Service - Terrible ... Food took forever to come out. Had to ask for silverware after the food came. The silverware size apparently was made for amazon type individuals because I could not get the fork tines and the food in my mouth without feeling the need to unhinge my lower mandible.