Best Casual Restaurants in Lake Villa

Great service by Aaron. We were seated immediately and enjoyed the enclosed patio

This is the third visit to 15 Lakes and just like the first two times, it was fabulous. We ordered steaks for four that ranged from blue-rare to medium well, and they all arrived at the table perfectly cooked. (It is very difficult to get a true blue rare steak in most “steakhouses”, but 5 Lakes nailed it.) The menu changes which means it never gets stale. The service was excellent as usual, with great knowledge depth of the menu and so pleasant and cheerful. Just love this place. It’s unpretentious, pays attention to vegetables, small but mighty.

Service was fantastic this trip. Huge improvement over last time. We had the Grilled Vegetables appetizer, Lobster/shrimp Ravioli and the Almond Sea Bass for the entree and lava cake for dessert. We asked our server Jeni for recommendations and went with her suggestions for the Ravioli and desert.

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!