The Barn of Barrington Awards and Praise

PRINTED IN THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE - APRIL 26th, 2007

Just to be clear, don't wear your overalls here. This cavernous restaurant is elegant and yet approachable, with a terrifically appointed champagne Sunday brunch not to be missed. The centerpiece is "50 feet of sweets," including a large chocolate fountain surrounded by fruit, licorice, pretzels and cookies. But the real attraction is the variety of dishes. The seafood selection of smoked fish, mussels and shrimp is pleasing, as is the lox station with three kinds of caviar. A carving station offers turkey, ham, lamb and beef. The made-to-order omelet station serves up your eggs with a side of humor from the chef, so you can skip the overdone eggs Benedict in the chafing dish. The mashed potato bar was just average, but had a nice mushroomy gravy. Hot items include Belgian waffles, biscuits and gravy, potatoes, breakfast meats, pasta, and sausage with sauerkraut. Veggie fans will love the large selection of prepared salads and fruit slices. And for the hard to please, there is a deli meats tray to make your own sandwich. There's no live entertainment -- just some easy-listening music piped in. But the buffet room was formally set and had romantic lighting illuminating the exposed brick and beamed ceiling. Service was terrific. The champagne glass was kept full, and the offerings on the buffet hardly looked touched, even as the crowd swelled.

-- Kara Sheehan

"More like a castle than a barn, the barn of barrington spreads up, down, and all around. The fireplace roars, the antiques abound."
--Pat bruno, food critic, the Chicago sun times

"The barn of barrington is versatile and visually stunning enough to hold the fanciest of festivities."
--Tom Johnston, Staff Writer, The Northwest Herald

Rated excellent: 2005 "ZAGAT" survey -- America's most prestigious restaurant guide

"Silver platter award" For Best brunch in the Chicago land area Since 1994

Member of the Illinois restaurant association

Member of the national restaurant association

"We're really excited… if we take care of people and do a good job, they'll come back. "
--Brian Jason, Executive Chef/Managing Partner

"The barn is a wonderful restaurant to take that special someone! The dining rooms are quaint and beautifully lit by candle light at each table. The service is even more outstanding than the food, if that's possible. Try the lobster bisque…best I've ever had"
--Highly recommended

"I live out of state and write reviews for different restaurants in the area. I recently visited The Barn of Barrington. We were so taken with the ambiance. The service was friendly and the food was absolutely stunning. I understand that The Barn was recently taken under new management and I imagine the people in the area are grateful for such an exquisite facility nearby."
--Highly recommended

"Wow! I visited The Barn for the first time the other evening for dinner and I was amazed at how much I felt like I was transported into a castle! The fireplace when you walk in takes your breath away. I had heard of the barn but I can't believe I didn't go sooner. I'll be coming back soon."
--Highly recommended

"The barn is a classic institution…I can't think of a good memory of mine that doesn't involve sipping a glass of wine in the lovely carousel room…I eat and drink most of my meals at the barn. It feels more like a family member to me than a restaurant."

"The barn is great. Very intimate atmosphere, slightly medieval…lots of heavy wood. Excellent food, but I have to mention the coffee - so smooth! A great place to go if you want to spend some "quality time".
--Highly recommended

"Just a note to say "thank you" for a perfect reception and wonderful service… We had a small party, but you treated us and our guests like we were the only party there, even though there were much larger wedding parties on either side of us… It was just exquisite!"

"Our family and friends just raved about how beautiful the room was, how great the food was, and just everything! You all made our day very special and we really appreciate the excellent level of service."

"We had our 50th anniversary at the barn. It was a memory to last forever."

"What a great place for a wedding…it's not your typical "adjustable wall" banquet hall."

"We had many out of town guests who were unfamiliar with you. Everyone commented about the extraordinary service and delicious food. Thank you so very much."
--Respectfully submitted