- www.walkersbluff.com
Coming into Walker's Bluff is like entering a different world. You drive through twisty country lanes, not particularly known for their scenery, it's just typical Southern Illinois country living; a few broken down cars, a few mobile homes, and most people have chickens in the yard (I don't make fun, I too own chickens.) But then you are greeted by the General Store, a beautiful building lit up against the sunset. The big windows show off all the pretty things held inside, which I have yet to experience but will definitely go back for.
A pretty metal sign will point the way down a long gravel road towards Legends and the other buildings, which you cannot see from the road. Go slow! It's got one heck of a hill and you can't see whats coming from either direction, but then you hit the rolling fields, which I had the pleasure of seeing with a fiery sunset. It is quite charming, despite the road crunching beneath your tires.
The road turns to perfectly lain asphalt and you come to a glorified guard shack, with an expertly manicured lawn and a gorgeous farmhouse behind. An employee will ask you if you've ever been before, and point you in the right direction depending if you are heading to the restaurant or the bar. You drive down a lit path through the grape field, and come upon the restaurant to the left and wine cave to the right, all lit up like beacons. You can pull right up to Legends and they have a complimentary chauffeur service (not that we did this, in fact, my husband was asking me what I was getting us into at this point, we're more down-home type people, and we were a bit out of our element.)
Stepping into the restaurant you immediately leave behind Southern Illinois. There is nothing else to compare it to here. You could easily be in an upscale restaurant in any big city. I'm not saying it's out of place, on the contrary, it's overdue. This is the optimum place for a romantic evening.
You check you car and your coat at the door. If your early for your reservation (like we were) you will be seated at the bar until your table is ready. The restaurant is gorgeous, they have a huge wine list, and you can taste them right there at the bar. If your more into cocktails, they have those too, and the servers are knowledgeable about what they are making, you can ask their opinion on drink selection with confidence. I had a sparkling cocktail that was actually recommended both by my server and the bar tender, and on good reason. It was fantastic, and no more than you would pay anywhere else.
Our hostess came and gathered us from the bar promptly at our reservation time, and seated us at a little table just tot he left of the fireplace. The room is beautifully decorated, the chairs rustic and comfortable, and the tables small enough to be intimate but still will plenty of room to hold your meal, drinks, and candles. The servers are prompt but not obnoxious, their menu small but expertly crafted, from bison and prime rib to scallops and lobster tail. Most entrees are what you would expect to pay in a high-end location, from $35-50 range, but the steak and lobster selections are on the expensive side, most were $75.
Dining is leisurely, and no one rushes you on refills or dessert. The staff is attentive, enough so that they let you enjoy your meal and show up just when you need them. There are intimate two-people tables, but they can also accommodate large parties. They also seemed to have an additional dining room off the main probably for private parties and dining room overflow.
All in all, we spent right at $100, excluding our drinks at the bar, and walked away unable even to order dessert for being so full from the meal. Our dinner was delicious, the ambiance romantic, and while initially feeling a little out of our element, had a wonderful evening. Most people (including ourselves) were in nice attire but still in blue jeans, you don't have to walk in in a suit, and the servers are all relaxed and friendly. I definitely recommend Legends if your looking for a romantic evening.
How to get there:
You can find Legends off interstate 57 at the Johnston City exit, and literally just follow the signs.
Walker's Bluff
326 Vermont rd,
Carterville, IL
from Marion:
Take exit 54B to merge onto W DeYoung St/IL-13 toward Carbondale. Continue to follow IL-13. Turn right at N Reed Station Rd. Turn right at Vaughn Rd. Turn left to stay on Vaughn Rd. Turn left at N County Line Rd and follow to Walker's Bluff.
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