Gabriel's: Our Highest Rating Yet (Chicago-Area Restaurant Review Five)

This restaurant has a great reputation, which is well deserved. The room is elegant and the tables are spaced far enough apart so that it's not overly loud. Gariel's service, beginning with the maitre d', was friendly without being unctuous. The staff was extremely helpful in choosing a wine we enjoyed, which was at the lower end of our price range. It was a California Syrah, and we drank almost the whole bottle.

For dinner, we started with beef carpaccio and lobster bisque, both of which were excellent (though the beef carpaccio had a little too much pepper for Lisa). The appetizers were accompanied by ample bread and very fresh, flavorful olive oil, which made Steve happy. The mixed green salads were interesting, but perhaps a little too adventurous (dressing was grainy mustard vinaigrette) for us. Lisa had Maine lobster, which was sweet and tender. Steve's veal Osso Bucco was not as tender as he'd hoped, but still good. For dessert, Steve ordered pecan cake with pecan ice cream, which he really liked. Lisa ate flourless chocolate cake, with a warm center, and raspberry sorbet, which was top notch. The dinner, with a $95 bottle of wine, was about $300, and worth every penny.

The Women's Room at Gabriel's was the cleanest and most pleasant Lisa has visited so far. The bathroom fixtures were vintage style and clean, the door had two locks. which gave a feeling of security, and the hand towels were near the door, so they could be used to open it. As usual, Steve was less impressed with the restaurant's Men's Room. He prefers larger bathrooms, not singles, and automatic faucets (so long as water is warm). But otherwise, this one was clean and nice-enough looking.

Gabriel's was definitely the best Chicago-area restaurant we've been to thus far, even down to the end, when the maitre d' stopped by to ask how we liked the dinner. The whole experience was very close to perfect, and we highly recommend it.

Our rating for Gabriel's, 310 Green Bay Road, Highwood, Illinois:

9 of 10 Steak Knives; 2.5 of 3 Bathroom Brushes