1762 N. Milwaukee Ave
Libertyville, Illinois 60048.
Reservations/Info 847-362-cafe

Cafe Pyrenees started out in 1990 in Vernon Hills, Illinois but recently moved to Libertyville. Their location is a bit tough to find right away — they’re on the Southeast corner of Route 137 (Peterson Road) and Route 21 (Milwaukee Ave) in a strip mall south of the Mobil gas station.

Cafe Pyrenees is an international cuisine restaurant without an internationally high price. I visited Cafe Pyrenees for the first time just 2 months ago and was very happy with the ambience at lunch time — a combination of business folk, retired folk and some younger T-shirt and jeans eaters.

This restaurant offers great regular nightly packages for dinner specials that focus on a theme, such as the Taste of New Zealand and the Taste of France. These packages include everything — appetizer, meal, dessert, wine, the whole deal and are very reasonably priced. The food is appetizing and beautiful to display, and the wait staff was attentive and knew the menu well.

There is also a bar at Cafe Pyrenees which I have not visited, yet, and they also sell retail products such as wines and accompaniments.

I can not give Cafe Pyrenees 5-Stars, yet, as I have not tried their dinner menu, but will be visiting them again soon. Their international menu varies, which gives you a great reason to return. I saw crepes, tapas and all sorts of international selections you’d not expect in a restaurant located in a strip mall. Ignore the face, though, as the inside is magnificent and well laid out.

At the time of this review, they have a $1 wine-glass special on Wednesdays (with appetizer I believe), and they also have live music on certain Friday nights — currently of the jazz variety.

1413 Peterson Rd
Libertyville, IL 60048
(847) 549-9900

Jimmy’s Charhouse is primarily a chophouse well known for their excellent steaks and greek chicken. This restaurant is a carnivore’s dream with great atmosphere (dark but sociable), amazing staff and a welcoming environment for all sorts of gatherings — family, friends, girls’ night out or a business dinner.

You’ll catch me at Jimmy’s Charhouse in Libertyville, Illinois at least twice a week. The staff is quick and attentive, and the management makes every customer feel like a VIP, even on your first visit. Their management to staff ratio is high, which shows that they’re willing to pay extra to make sure everyone is watched (customers and staff). I’ve never had a bad experience with a server.

The restaurant is smoke-free, but smokers are welcome to puff up at the bar which is cut off very nicely from the restaurant. I’ve never heard anyone complaining about a smokey atmosphere. Cigars are welcome and encouraged at the bar, and they have a full menu and tables available.

Their menu prices are amazing, but their wine list is a bit short. Ask a manager if they have any off-menu items in the collection; I’ve had some decent (and cheap) greek wines that aren’t always available. One of my favorite items is the greek skirt steak — usually a terrible cut if you cook it yourself. Jimmy’s marinated this tough steak overnight with all sorts of oils and spices, and when they present it it is tender and popping with flavor. It is also cheap, and includes a huge soup or salad and a gigantic serving of steamed veggies and mashed potatoes. Try the garlic mashed to complete any entree.

For the vegetarians, Jimmy’s offers huge fresh salads and a number of reasonable veggie entrees. Their daily specials are great, the fish is always fresh, and the steaks can be ordered rare (as I like it) without fear of getting a low quality cut. Jimmy’s consistently gives me 5-star service with a low price and many reasons to come back again and again.