Best Contemporary American Restaurants in South Elgin

Christmas Eve was bustling, so human noise expected. For us, the music was a tad loud. Wonderful way to spend an evening, though. We always enjoy the camaraderie of owners and staff.

The food was delicious. The service was friendly and attentive. The Christmas decor was festive. We had a great meal on Christmas Eve. We each had a sale to start with; my husband had the table side Caesar and I had a house salad. Both were fresh and delicious. For our mai meals, my husband had the cedar plank salmon. It was cooked exactly as he asked and the flavors were great. I had the miso glazed sea bass with black rice. The blend of flavors was tasty and delicious. For dessert, the Sticky toffee pudding is a must and it did not disappoint. Our server was Kevin. He was knowledgeable of the menu and very pleasant and attentive. We have dined at Region before and it was extremely special to be recognized by servers that have waited on us in the past. For a great meal with attentive service and comfortable surroundings, Region is a must.

This has become our new Christmas Eve tradition! From the moment we walked in, the festive atmosphere was absolutely enchanting, with stunning Christmas decorations that added such a warm, cozy touch. The food was nothing short of spectacular—each dish was beautifully prepared, and full of flavor. The service was impeccable as well; our server was friendly, attentive, and went above and beyond to make sure we had everything we needed. It's rare to find a place that excels in every area, but the Colonial Room at the Drake in Oakbrook truly does. Whether you're here for a holiday gathering or just a special meal, this place is a must-visit. Highly recommend!

A friend recommended Hardware since we were going to be in the area. It’s a bit of a drive from us, but I’d definitely go back. We were seated in the heated patio area. The heater was a little loud and without, it was drafty but the fireplace was warm and beautiful. The drink menu is whiskey & bourbon dence but we had a nice red and a couple of really good local beers to start. We ordered 4 dishes and shared . My favorite was the brisket which came with the best potatoes I’ve had in a long time and served with just the right amount of a delicious sauce. Korean pork fried rice was another great pick. The salmon on the salmon salad was the right smokiness. The least favorite was the pork tenderloin which was perfectly prepared but needed a better sauce. The atmosphere and service were great. Their mission is commendable and something worth supporting.

Pleasant and inviting welcome. Seating in front of the picturesquely timeless fireplace. Chefs breakfast are exquisite and the presentation……….Mary Luna lead the team as an outstanding server. Thank you Atwaters