“Such a memorable night out with outstanding food cooked to perfection, smooth service, attentive and kind staff, and lovely atmosphere. Angie, our server, couldn’t have done any better. It was 10/10 from start to finish. So kind, so attentive with our two birthdays, and so warm and personable. She made sure we had everything we needed and represented the face of the restaurant in an excellent way, letting us know about events coming up. Angie, thank you so much! You made us feel so special!“
Fine Dining • $$
“1st class restaurant with outstanding food and service. Server Nancy we've had many times and she's spectacular. I had Walleye Pike with rice and veggies. 5 stars.Live music was way too loud which made it difficult to chat. 2 stars.“
“For starters, let's get the spelling correct, it's the Freehling Room. Specifically, a private - yes private, dining establishment adjacent to the Bennet Gordon Hall, within Ravinia Park, in the town of Highland Park. This place should be exempt from any Yelp review, including this one, as it is (again) in the private domain, not public. Well, how much you ask, is 'membership' - correction there also, that well publicized on Ravinia's website under 'benefactor levels'. No specifics given here as that is not the purpose of this review. Therefore it is my assumption that any previous trashy reviews, should be given the reader attention they should - that being, less than none. Less than favorable reviews more than likely came from bitchy benefactors guests, not the benefactor(s) themselves, who more than likely picked up the tab for dinner, that made it possible for their ignorant barbarian 'guests' who amazingly learned to spell and dine with a fork and knife without dragging their knuckles, to write this garbage. The elegance of the room is understated, you can feel a warm vibe once you walk inThis is the place for civilized dining, pre or post concert, whether the CSO or Pitbull is playingThe front end is conducted by Debbie, while the staff performs in unison, just like an orchestra. The kitchen art cooked by Chef Carlos, is like Picasso on a PlateThis is a 'must visit' placeTo miss coming here, and sharing that experience with a precious loved one, is tantamount to saying no to happinessEnd of story“
“Through the years, I've observed many upgrades to Ravinia Park's grounds, facilities and services. Just when I think it can't possibly get any better ... it gets better. Visiting the park for an event is always a special treat. To get the most benefit from the experience, especially if you're an occasional or first-time visitor, I can offer some tips. My "hacks" won't work equally well for everyone, but fwiw ... Getting there: The Missus and drive to downtown Highland Park and park for free in one of the lots adjoining the Metra station. From there, a free Pace shuttle bus takes us directly to the park. The only downside is the return trip; following a popular event the wait to board a bus can be long. For anyone with mobility issues or tons of picnic gear to schlep, I suggest arriving early-early and parking in Ravinia's main (pay) lot. Dining: We bring our own food (alcohol is permitted on the lawn) and eat picnic-style, or we dine at one of Highland Park's fine restaurants before or after the event. Ravinia does have restaurants and concession stands, but their menu prices range from absurd to ludicrous (a paper cup of coffee at Ravinia Market will set you back $5.00) and the quality of the food does not justify the stratospheric prices. Lawn or Pavilion? The lawn is a high-falutin party place. Its cachet and people-watching are incomparable; wine goblets, candelabras and foofaraw abound. Those desiring a coveted spot near the Pavilion line up early, before the gates open. Audio from the Pavilion is piped to loudspeakers throughout the park. But for those who abhor chatter and screaming kids, and actually want to see and hear the performance (imagine that!), the lawn is not so great, especially when it's raining. Us? We love the lawn, but we splurge on Pavilion tickets and when showtime nears, we mosey over to our reserved seats. Note: Picnic gear is not permitted inside the Pavilion and it's best to stow this stuff in your car if you're parked close by. Otherwise, the ushers will point out where to stash non-valuable items. If you attend Ravinia events regularly, donating $100 or more to Ravinia's Annual Fund will get you and your family a bunch of perks, including early park entry and discounts.“
“We were celebrating my wife's birthday with a party of 12. They had everything ready and we didn't have to wait to be seated. The wait staff was amazing. The food, the service and the ambiance was great. I have no complaints. We had an excellent experience.“