It's always hard to know for sure whether the experieces at restaurants are really about the restaurant or the patron! I've been to Honey twice now and came away really pleased both times. Attentive service, good (in some cases even inventive) food. I like it.

On the flip side, I see many commenting favorably on Glen Oak and I intend never to set foot in there again. I guess that is why it is good we have options!

I certainly think that Glen Ellyn needs Honey to succeed. It is different (which is welcome) and currently is brightening up a corner of town that definitely needs some life. I expect most new endeavors experience some growing pains. My observations -- that Honey is trying really hard to get it right -- are really encouraging to me and so far I'm continuing to look forward to my next visit.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: CAGEYM,

CAGEYM-I see positive reviews from folks like yourself and it peaks my interest in having a meal at HONEY. I've tried some of the baked goods and found them tasty. As a customer who has many dining options, I see no reason to be "flexible" with a business that has unusual/ever changing hours. As some have noted, HONEY seems to have premium prices and thus that raises the expectation on the dining experience. Maybe I'm the exception, but I rarely sleep past 6:30 a.m. and when I wake, I'm hungry. While starting work may be great for employee morale, I can't help but wonder how much business HONEY is missing by keeping Banker's hours? Like you I want them to succeed, but the business model has me scratching my head.

quote:

Originally posted by Clamato:
There are hidden costs of driving to Westmont that make the higher prices at Honey seem VERY attractive. Gas, depreciation, TIME lost...all add up to paying for one or two extra people that aren't dining with you.

Well, it's not like I go there more than twice a year, anyway...although if they were closer by, I definitely would! I'm sure I'll pop into Honey for breakfast one of these days, just because it's close by. But proximity doesn't always make up for quality and price.

I totally agree with whoever said that the decor/atmostphere just seems off for dinner, but it might work for breakfast/lunch. That's exactly the conversation Mr. Scribbler and I had during dinner there. Again - especially when're your paying premium prices; you want it to be a good experience, even if the food might not be worth the price. But instead, we sat shivering from the cold and looking around going, "Well, if I were them, this is what I'd do..." regarding the layout of the room. (But we were in the front of the restaurant; maybe the back room is different? Could be.)

quote:

Originally posted by Yossarian:
I see no reason to be "flexible" with a business that has unusual/ever changing hours.

I'm definitely not commenting on the hours, Yossarian. I suspect you are right; they likely could benefit from being open earlier, at least to some degree. That isn't likely to affect me so I wasn't really worrying about the opening time. Perhaps when you are finally able to visit during their current hours you can inquire about the possibility of an earlier opening? If they get a sense that customers want that, I'll bet they'll change. As near as I can tell they are trying to be an accommodating restaurant.

Was going to make my maiden voyage to Honey yesterday morning. Was heading over to a friend's house to collect some firewood and wanted to bring him, his wife and his precocious daughter some of them fancy pastries. Place didn't open until 9 A.M. Not sure about you, but at 9 A.M. on any given weekend, my day is nearly half over. Imagine, if you will, the absolute luxury of being able to sit around and dine on a Saturday morning around 10 A.M.

I may be wrong, and I am not trying to be snide, but this place could very well be a hobby for the owner. There used to be a lot of places like that up and down Main Street. That trend ended a few years back and now it seems people are trying to make money.

I had a similiar scenario yesterday afternoon. My sweet tooth was acting up so I stopped by to get some "comfort food". Well, around 3:00 p.m the picking were slim, I settled for a chocolate chip cookie which was good, but I was really looking to try something different. I concur with Clam's assesment, the place seems to be a "hobby", which is too bad because it seems to have potential.

Hobby businesses can be successful, they just don't depend on revenues for survival. I know absolutely nothing about the owner's finances. Just that she is a nice woman, a very nice woman, that doesn't keep hours that are convenient to my lifestyle. Which, if one really thinks about it, is the most important aspect of any business.

add to the fact that when ever I drive by the place looks closed. The back room chairs are up and no one is in the window. I see no one manning the counter and the display looks empty. I'd keep driving by for another restaurant if I wasn't sure.

The empty display counter is a real turn off, both at Honey and at Flour Barrel. Especially since you can see the one at Honey when you're driving by. I can assure you, if it was full of tempting yummies I'd be stopping by often but every time I drive by, it's pretty empty. (And when we were there for dinner one Friday night, around 6:00 ish, they were out of all cupcakes except for the special. We ended up having one of the other desserts and they were pretty good, but if you're all about the cupcakes, I'd think you'd not run out of them. But then again, I know it's hard to balance that with making too many and throwing them out, which isn't cost effective either. Which is why I'm not in the restaurant/bakery business.)

The empty display case is bizarre. The ongoing cupcake shortage is annoying.

Either they're rationing ingredients for an atomic event or they are indeed a "hobby" restaurant.

Regardless: my this-establishment-is-pathetic-and-gnaws-at-me-like-gnats-on-a-golf-course meter is in the red zone.

Farber55 spins the "Glen Ellyn Wheel of Doom" and ... clickclickclick, click, click, click. Thwap: "Closed by Summer"

I don't know why, but when I think about Honey -- or drive by -- I hear the "Match Game '77" theme in my head. Where's Charles Nelson Reilly, Richard Dawson, Brett Summer, and Gene Rayburn when you need them?

Gene Rayburn: "Dumb Donald is so dumb ..."

Audience: "How dumb is he?!"

Gene: "Dumb Donald is so dumb that he mistook Honey for a ________ "

This message has been edited. Last edited by: farber55,

hmm, went to honey for the first time today....it was - - - ok?
the food was pretty good, had the tilapia sandwich which was tasty but too much bread for my liking. the 'honey amazing fries' were not too amazing. they probably were good when they first came up but when they arrived on my plate they were room temperature. our service was pretty good, the server was eager to please - - but unfortunately she couldn't turn up the heat. the idea of a wall of windows is always better in theory imho. not good in the winter due to the cold and not good in the summer due to that hot sun. but anyway, it was an ok experience. not going to rush back but not going to shy away either.

Have to disagree with you Fartber55

I'm the one buying all the stuff out of the case. You really should try it! Very good and healthy too! Baked goods!!! Outstanding, not to mention the Coffee Best in Town!

Have eaten at every establishment in CBD I find Honey an excellent alternative to the others. They all have their high points and strengths, in addition all have had challenges over the years.

The baked goods are gone for a reason . . . . .SOLD OUT. . . try a cookie it may help your ulcer!

quote:

Originally posted by GEM:
The baked goods are gone for a reason . . . . .SOLD OUT. . . try a cookie it may help your ulcer!

Good marketing on the cupcakes...limited supply of the signature item keeps people intrigued as to the mystery. Yet, if you go 2-3 times for that specific reason and still can't get one, it will turn you off to the whole place.

Not my experience there yet.

quote:

Originally posted by GEM:


I'm the one buying all the stuff out of the case. You really should try it! Very good and healthy too! Baked goods!!! Outstanding, not to mention the Coffee Best in Town!

Why don't you do the public and your friend at Honey a favor and pre-order "all the stuff out of the case" so other people can try it too? Given the comments on the board, that would seem to go a long way in helping the reviews of this restaurant.

IF what you say is true...and if you care as much as you say you do....you should be able to make this sacrifice for the betterment of the CBD, Honey and the citizens of Glen Ellyn.

Wow. Sure is alot of Bitching on the board. Anyone have anything all positive to say?

The bread is to this, the muffins are to that, they are out of stock etc.

I mean are you serious or are you kidding? Honey is awesome and if they dont have want you want, dont act like a spoiled little brat, get something else. Is it that hard? By the looks of the messages on this board, the obvious answer, is that it is.

Honey rocks,get off it already.

quote:

Originally posted by NATIVEHEAT65:
Wow. Sure is alot of Bitching on the board. Anyone have anything all positive to say?

The bread is to this, the muffins are to that, they are out of stock etc.

I mean are you serious or are you kidding? Honey is awesome and if they dont have want you want, dont act like a spoiled little brat, get something else. Is it that hard? By the looks of the messages on this board, the obvious answer, is that it is.

Honey rocks,get off it already.

Agreed! BTW Just went to Honey. . . .It is packed!!! Go Elizabeth!!!! Plenty of Baked goods too!!!

Nativeheat65, you will have to forgive the whining on this board. They appear to be a very unhappy group and very unhappy with Glen Ellyn. . .

Did anyone tell them that there now exists a Buyers Market and that they could probably get a great deal on another house in another community where they would be very happy?

quote:

Wow. Sure is alot of Bitching on the board. Anyone have anything all positive to say?

The bread is to this, the muffins are to that, they are out of stock etc.

I mean are you serious or are you kidding? Honey is awesome and if they dont have want you want, dont act like a spoiled little brat, get something else. Is it that hard? By the looks of the messages on this board, the obvious answer, is that it is.

Honey rocks,get off it already.

Stop your bitching already!

quote:

Originally posted by GEM:
Did anyone tell them that there now exists a Buyers Market and that they could probably get a great deal on another house in another community where they would be very happy?

True, but we'd have to sell our undesirable homes in GE first.

Look, I think that a place that was heralded as much as Honey was is going to be a target for scrutiny, and yes, it will probably be over scrutinized at that, because the expectations start out so high. But I think it's my right to say, "Look. I'm glad I've heard so much about this place and good for you for trying to bring something new to the area but to be honest, I'm not wowed. So I probably won't go back."

But just to make nice, I'll list places that I do love here in GE:

Roger and the bar at Vittorio's. (Am never satisfied with the food, though.)
Thipi Thai (both bar and food)
Shannon's
The appetizer menu at Tap House Grill
Figo (only went once but really enjoyed it)
Cab's
The Book Store
Good Works
Schmid's, at least the way it used to be; I don't find near as much there as I used to.
That antiques place that's in that barn on Pennsylvania, only I think it moved and I forget its name and it's only open in the summer. I'm sure this is self-explanatory and everyone will immediately understand what I mean.
Glenbard Family Medicine and all its doctors
Einstein's, except I avoid it like the plague during lunch time
Starbucks
The Glen movie theater
Florist on Forrest
PotBelly
Young's Appliances
McChesney & Miller
There are other places I used to like - Pennsylvania Place when it was run by the people who sold it to the people who opened Villa Blanca; I used to love to go there on a Saturday and browse. I also liked Bananas, and occasionally Daffy Down Dilly (only very occasionally since it was so expensive, but it was nice for gifts), and the back room at Ciao Bella. But alas, these are all gone to the great retail boneyard in the sky.

quote:

Honey is awesome and if they dont have want you want, dont act like a spoiled little brat, go somewhere else. Is it that hard? By the looks of the messages on this board, the obvious answer, is that it is.

Fixed that for ya'.

Scribbler,

Great list! Can I add a few?

Glen Oak Restaurant
The chinese place by the Starbucks: best shrimp egg foo yung around!
Village Garage and Tire-up by 5 corners, most trustworthy mechanics around
Larc Jewelers-owner Wes Barrow really knows his stuff, went to high school with him

I liked most all of yours.