Wondering if anyone had been to Figo and what they thought of the place. My wife and I have been there twice and found the service to be lacking and the food so-so. Any opinions?

There is another thread about Figo you should look at.

We went again recently. The food was a little better, but the service was very poor. Waiter was a little too obnoxious. The timing of the meal was off -- long wait for drinks, entrees came about 3 minutes after the salads, bus staff too eager to take away your plate.

We'd go back, but it certainly won't be a regular place for us.

If you haven't already, try the 'Tin Fish' in Oak Brook Terrace (on Butterfield across from Cost Plus). We've been there three times now and it's our new favorite spot. No, it's not a Glen Ellyn place, but the Tin Fish is one of the few places where the service is fantastic.

Our experience at Figo was much the same: okay food, bad service. I'm convinced that with few exceptions, it's simply not possible to get decent service in a restaurant around here. You sit down, and you're forgotten.

Interesting to hear that others have had similar experiences. Food was not as good as Vittorio's. The fried scallops/calmari looked like it came straight out of a microwave.

Well, as a Medical Doctor, wouldn't you suggest the grilled calamari, anyway? Or perhaps the seared scallops?

I do find this restuarant to be confusing. The chef came from a very good place on Randolph. I mean...it was VERY GOOD. Last I checked all of the techniques and ingredients that were available in Chicago are available in Glen Ellyn. Unfortunately, those that know we will gladly pay $100.00 for dinner for two realize that they need not appeal to the general public. Those of us west of Oak Park truly will buy anything, no matter how dumbed down, so long as it is warm and the portions are huge. It's as simple as that. So long as we get our portions of pasta that are 24 ounces and our burgers that are 12+ ounces...taste and imagination take a back seat along with grandma and the kids.

It is stunning that this young man hasn't stepped up to the plate yet. It's odd that the management hasn't been made aware of the overly laid back service. It's even more stunning that they have the repeat business that they must. I wish the owner could read this stuff and whip that place into shape before it's yet another unoccupied storefront. That's something this town doesn't need any more of.

Some interesting feedback. As a cardiologist, I def recommend (and prefer) grilled calmari, but I dont believe they offer it. They should whip that place into shape. Its a perfect location for a successful restaurant.

The Mrs. and I saw a show at the Glen and wondered over to Figo on Saturday night. We sat at a two-top in the lounge area while the owner chatted with his wife and some friends at the bar. Our service was attentive and helpful. The Tilapia Special was yummy and should pass an MD's discretion. Nice evening in GE...

I love The Glen and the zany atmosphere of Vitorio's. Family owned, better service, much less slick, "yummy" food...half the price.

Give it a try.

For the record, 4MP...I'm glad you enjoyed Figo. Really is a matter of personal taste. Nobody should take it personally when somebody doesn't like a restaurant.

I know this is slightly O/T but I have to echo farber55's review of Tin Fish.

We didn't leave the house with that destination in mind, but after stopping at PF Chang's (we had a craving) and discovering an hour and a half wait (at 5:30, no less - I mean, we figured we would have beat the crowd), we wandered down the road to see what else we could find. I remembered the comments on this board when I saw Tin Fish so we went in. I can't say enough about this place: the service was excellent and the food was fantastic. Beautifully presented and the portion sizes were perfect. Good wine list; we had a wonderful New Zealand Sauv. blanc. The atmosphere was great too. Clamato, I bet you would like it. It's truly a city restaurant in the western burbs. Thanks farber, for mentioning it! We'll be regulars there.

I've been to FIGO 4 times now and I can't go back. It annoys me too much; bus staff hovering, wait staff hovering (until you actually need them for say, the check), mediocre food, portions too big. I agree with you, too, Clamato, about Vitorio's. It's a much better choice than Figo.

McV:

I am very interested in trying Tin Fish. I am 43 and long ago learned that there is no food worth waiting for. Therefore, my wife has spent the past 15 years dining between 5:30 and 6:00 on most weekends. If there isn't a reservation, we're eating with the seniors. For a chain, PF Changs is as good as it gets. I've always liked it...but wait 90 minutes? No freakin' way. By the time I got to the table I'd be so bombed that it wouldn't matter what I ordered because the food would seemingly be wandering around the table eluding my fork. That's why we typically eat early and hit the 7-7:30 movie.

Tin Fish...from all friend reviews...seems right up my alley.

.....and to take this even more OT.....we went to Pacific Blue. It is where Ciao Bella used to be. The decor is still a little too Ciao Bellaish but the food was great. Quite good fish. Nice soup. Not a 5-star place, but we'll definitely be back.

Screw the off topic nonsense...post what you'd like. And please tell us all a little more about Pac Blu...what did you eat, drink, what did you pay...how was the service, etc. Consider this a dining thread, if you will.

No need to take up additional bandwidth by starting a new topic at the drop of a hat...whether it be about food or five corners.

Hijack away. I don't believe anyone is truly offended. Share your info, HIGE.

I'm truly offended by your suggestion that no one is truly offended...

Speaking of fine dining opportunities, the "For Rent" sign has gone up at the mart on Park Blvd... I NEED a slushy and a microwave burrito!

All right. So this is a catch-all dining thread. I like that.

My question, then, is this: what's up with Michael's in Glen Ellyn? I see the health notice on the door. I understand that's bad, bad news. But I've also noticed that they're keeping their neon sign ablaze most nights. Leading one -- or me, I guess -- to think that, yes, they had a probably egregiously yucky health violation but nonetheless they'll be back up and running.

Will they? And if not, why leave the sign blazing? (And does one ever go back to a place that's been branded? I mean, it'd make more sense to dispense with all things Michael's and open up with another name altogether, thus dispensing with the neon sign.)

Anyway, I noticed the neon sign still blazing several weeks ago. So this may have changed in the past few weeks -- but Michael's has been closed for many, many months. So I'm confused. Please explain.

(And finally one more recommendation: Uncle Julio's by PF Chang's. The most amazing on-the-rocks margaritas and surprisingly interesting food for a midwestern Mexican joint.)

Phew! Glad we can post without apology over here. I almost commented in that 5 corners thread that whoever had their undies in a bunch must want Ted's job as "moderator" of this board. But, I chickened out. This is a much friendlier thread, thankfully!

Clam, I'm right there with you in both age (well, I turn 40 this year) and intolerance of waiting for food. There are too many choices out there to wait 90 minutes for a table, even when one is having a craving. If we dine out on weekend nights, it's with a reservation or at 5:30-6.

So, Uncle Julio's - did that change names recently? The Mexican place I am familiar with over by PF Chang's is called "Hacienda."

But back to Glen Ellyn, if you haven't tried Mykha's, you are missing out on a real gem. It's is one of my all-time favorite restaurants. Every dish I've had there comes out on a beautiful platter with lots of fresh color (vegetables, edible flowers) and is seasoned perfectly. The menu is varied, but she features at least 4 specials a night. It's delicious Vietnamese food, and the service is good. Don't miss the homemade ice cream and sorbet.

I think it's Uncle Julio's Hacienda or something like that. But it's good. It *seems* good, at least -- but it's a chain restaurant, I guess. Like PF Chang's -- a chain.

The point, I guess, is that it's frightning when you're able to get better service from a franchised place than from your local place.

But Mykha's -- yes, awesome, amazing food. Food and service have always been fantastic at Myka's. Hibiscus tea -- yummy.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by McVitski:
Phew! Glad we can post without apology over here. I almost commented in that 5 corners thread that whoever had their undies in a bunch must want Ted's job as "moderator" of this board. But, I chickened out. This is a much friendlier thread, thankfully!

I'm flattered to be compared to Ted. Ted is someone who is considerate enough to take his own time to create this web site. Thanks!

The restaurant is "Uncle Julio's Hacienda" It is a chain owned by the parent company of Uncle Julio's. There is only 2 in the Chicago area one in Lombard, the other on North and Clyborne in Bucktown. The others are in Texas, Atlanta, and he DC area. Its really good, really clean and fun. Try the Shrimp Brochette if you like seafood and I don't think I have ever had better guac. I like all those restaurants up there in Fountain Square, yummy yummy!

OK, OK, OK...consider this thread to be your home away from home. All things culinary are welcome...even subjects that are not. But I have consulted with Dr. SchmidtyMD, and he agrees...no using the word "YUMMY"!!!

Farber55...that yellow sticker that you saw on the door of Michael's has nothing to do with their food preparation. That is not why they closed. When a food establishment closes or changes hands, at least true in the past, they must again meet county requirements prior to serving food. I believe they slap that sticker on there in order to protect the public and warn new/existing owners that they must be re-evaluated....if that makes sense.

And rumor had it that business had finally been bought and that something new was going into that space. I thought Ted had mentioned that.

The rumor around my house is that a Mexican place was going in where Michael's used to be.

I'll do a more complete review of Pacific Blue in a day or two -- too busy with my income earning job right now.

P.S. I had to laugh when D was "truly offended" by C's "belief." (I'm not trying to pour gasoline on anything, but in today's world, my BELIEF is that there are a lot more things to get one's panties in a knot over instead of someone's generalized point of view on how others feel). HEHEHEHE....I'm offended that someone belittled microwaved mexican food by cynically calling it a fine dining opportunity. The producers of those products are committed to excellence and your uppity attitude shows disrespect.