Recently opened in the former Quizno Sub location, just north of Route 176 on Waukegan Road, Grill No.43 is definitely not a fast food restaurant. Lake Bluff has needed a new restaurant that is not your standard fast food or specialty type of restaurant. Grill No.43 is providing American style comfort food, with a slightly updated, twist or two along the way. Although the only opened last month, Grille No.43 seems to be an instant hit with the locals.
This small (2,000 square foot) 80 - seat restaurant seems to be doing a nice lunch and dinner business. This past Friday my wife and I decided to try this new restaurant. Usually I would wait at least until a restaurant has had their “official” grand opening, which happened this past Monday the 2
nd of November. But we have been watching the construction and were eagerly awaiting their opening. This restaurant is so new their website (
www.grilleno43.com) is still under construction.
The dining room and lounge area are done up in a subtle yet classy décor with minimal splashes of Black & White prints. The layout is tight due to the amount of total square footage available. While tight you do not feel like you are too close to the other diners. One drawback of the size and space is the obvious lack of good waiting area if you are waiting to be seated; you are either relegated to the vestibule area or the small cocktail area if all the seats are not already in use. This combined with a small parking lot will be a challenge for the restaurant in the future.
The menu is varied and will definitely accommodate almost anyone’s taste palate and wallet. With a nice variety of appetizers to a wide and diverse sandwich and entrée selection to choose from and prices starting at $8.00 and going up to $23.00, when you consider the average cost of most fast food meals today, I would much rather spend a dollar or two more and enjoy a meal from the new Grill No.43. You can access a copy of their menu at
http://www.grilleno43.com/grille43_menu.pdf.
It is surprising how fast Chef Paul Caravelli, has brought his team around and is producing a wide range of American-fare items from huge Angus burgers to steaks, chicken, pork and seafood. My wife ordered the Grille No. 43 Burger and I ordered the Pork Loin with a Fig reduction on a bed of caramelized apple rice pilaf. My wife’s burger was a cooked almost to perfection (just a little dry) which might have been because she ordered it medium well and came with a nice side of perfect French fries that were crispy, yet tender in the center an ever so lightly seasoned. My Pork Loin was a pleasant surprise and was beautifully prepared. I will say that sitting were we were, we say a wide variety of dishes and their presentation on the plates was superb. A couple that went by even made me wish that I had order them. In speaking with friends that have also dined here, two of them commented on how nice the French Connection was which is a slightly updated version of the classic French Dip sandwich and topped with a herbed mayonnaise. They also commented that is was nice to be able to go someplace local and have a real good meal at 9:00 at night.
So should you try the fare at the new Grille No. 43 in Lake Bluff, definitely yes! Not only because the restaurant is new but because they are only going to get better as they meld as a team. I believe that this restaurant will be here for years to come and will continue to evolve into a local favorite.
Rating:
Out of five possible smart cars
Grille No. 43 is open Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.; and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. More information is available at Grille No. 43 at 847-234-7643
Grille No.43 is located at
28800 N. Waukegan Road
Lake Bluff, Illinois 60044
