I recently had the pleasure of going out for a business meal at Cooper’s Hawk Winery and Restaurant located at 1740 Freedom Drive in Naperville Illinois. The restaurant is located between the busy east west corridors of interstate 88 and Diehl road. This restaurant is one of many Cooper’s Hawk locations found in the Chicago land area.
Restaurant
The drive into the restaurant lot reveals plenty of parking spaces available which are not as easy to find with rivals Mortons and Maggiano’s on the other side of Freedom Drive. The restaurant is quite large with ample outdoor seating for summer dinning. As you walk towards the entrance you will spy several wine barrels and other décor displaying the wine motif found throughout the establishment. Upon entering the restaurant, our group was approached instantly by a friendly gentleman touting different red and white wine samples. With wine in hand we perused the tasting room which included several table displays of knick knacks akin to a high scale Cracker Barrel gift shop. The perusing of wares was my only defense against the persistent wine taster and counter sales associate that seemed focus on purely soliciting wine club memberships from me as well as members of my dining group.
Food
After tasting a few different wines; we finally were led through the dining room back to our table located in the corner. The tables were quite roomy and the linens, silverware, and plate ware were all clean. The menu surprised me as it was quite extensive as I expected food options to be limited being that this appeared to be a winery first and restaurant second. The menu featured several meat, poultry, pasta, and seafood options.
Our group of five all ordered different items. For appetizers, we all agreed on an order of Mexican drunken shrimp and lobster corn dogs at the urging of our very friendly waitress. The server also provided several wine suggestions with appetizers and the meal. I also found it helpful that the Cooper’s Hawk menu had a wine recommendation guide or correlating “bin” number next to each dinner or appetizer item that pointed out appropriate pairings.
The meals ordered by our group consisted of blackened bacon wrapped scallops, chicken saltimbocca, angel hair pasta with shrimp and a pistachio crusted grouper filet. Everyone raved about the great tasting food and delicious wine. As our crowd appeared quite full from the array of appetizers, deliciously warmed pretzel bread, and filling entrees, there appeared to be very little room for dessert though I had to purchase a snicker cheesecake bite on the way out which was quite the reward hours later.
Service
The service from the hostess and the wait staff was top notch. Our server steered us correctly on appetizer and food suggestions quite nicely. I was also impressed by her knowledge of several wines and the menu. Aside from top notch tableside service, I think the customer can do without the haggling and smothering of the wine taste attendants at the front of the house badgering patrons into wine of the month memberships.
Price
Prices from wine to appetizers to entrees range across the board. Most chicken and pasta items will average about seventeen dollars with the pricier seafood and steak items anywhere between twenty two and thirty bucks. I would not consider this a place to go for dining on a whim but rather the perfect selection for a special date or entertaining a client. You will pay more but will receive quality food and wine in return.