Restaurants near Gander Mountain Forest Preserve

It was another amazing experience at Cooper’s Hawk. The food was absolutely delicious! The atmosphere wasFrom the moment we stepped into Cooper's Hawk Winery & Restaurant, we knew we were in for a special evening, but our server Alexandria elevated the experience from excellent to extraordinary. Her infectious enthusiasm for both the menu and wine selection immediately set the tone for what would become a memorable dining experience. Alexandria's expertise with the wine list was particularly impressive. She helped us understand the wine club and we are now wine club members. She listened attentively to our preferences and guided us through Cooper's Hawk's extensive wine selection with the confidence of a seasoned sommelier and made a great recommendation. The restaurant's ambiance strikes that perfect balance between upscale and welcoming, with warm lighting and sophisticated décor that creates an intimate atmosphere without feeling stuffy. The winery's presence is elegantly incorporated throughout the entry space, with beautiful displays of their wines adding to the overall aesthetic. The food itself is a masterful fusion of contemporary American cuisine. We started with their signature pretzel bread, served warm with a honey butter that's simply irresistible. Our main courses were nothing short of spectacular. The Country Rigatoni was cooked to perfection. The shrimp scampi pasta had an exquisite sauce. Let’s not forget Mary’s potatoes. Some of the best restaurant quality tasted! But what truly set this evening apart was Alexandria's attentiveness to detail. She anticipated our needs before we even realized them ourselves, keeping water glasses full, timing each course perfectly, and checking in at just the right moments. Her genuine passion for hospitality shone through in every interaction, making us feel less like customers and more like welcomed guests in someone's home. Thank you to another amazing Christmas Eve, Cooper’s Hawk!

We came here for Christmas Eve and were seated promptly. Our waitress, Lauren, was very good. The food came out at reasonable times until dessert - we waited 45 minutes! Lauren apologized and said it was due to a backup in the kitchen . What I do not understand is that the menu was preset and the desserts should have been plated well in advance. When we left, we heard people complaining that they had reservations and were waiting for over 30 minutes past their reservation time. We enjoyed the atmosphere and food, but the service could have been better. We will definitely come back! I am sure with it being Christmas Eve, the kitchen was backlogged. Hopefully, they get things figured out for next year!

Ema is an OUTSTANDING restaurant!! The venue, food, cocktails, and service are superb!! I am visiting friends and family from out of state for the Christmas holiday and selected Ema because of the foregoing reasons!! We will most definitely return!! Thank you!

All was great! It was very loud but we did sit on the bar side and a musician was performing (we was very good). Rowdy type of vibe - at least that night.

Good and waiter were great. The only problem was that are table was right by the door and it was a cold night. For the money I didn’t want wear my coat while I was enjoying my meal.