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* Today is December 1st, and that means it’s Golden Horseshoe Awards time. What started out as a tongue in cheek thing has grown to a coveted annual prize in some circles.
For you newbies, I judge these awards based more on intensity of the nominations than actual vote counts. If you just nominate somebody without explanation, I’m likely to ignore it. So explain your votes, please.
We’ll begin with after-hours entertainment. I’m doing three today because we are on a short schedule this year…
* Best Statehouse-area bartender/waiter/waitress
* Best Springfield political restaurant
* Best Springfield political bar
Please do your very best to nominate in all three categories. And, again, explanations matter more than raw vote totals.
posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Dec 1, 15 @ 11:17 am
Sorry, comments are closed at this time.
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No question DH Browns. Both sides of the aisle have events there and the political discussions are lively yet friendly. The great new choices of craft beers has improved the place too.
Comment by Downstate Hack Tuesday, Dec 1, 15 @ 11:30 am
Try to nominate in all three categories, please.
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Dec 1, 15 @ 11:31 am
Best restaurant is Saputos. Still the political king downtown.
Comment by Downstate Hack Tuesday, Dec 1, 15 @ 11:32 am
Bartender: Dennis at Sangamo. He often has my glass ready before I even sit down.
Restaurant: I’ve spent more time at Saputo’s this year than I have in a while. Pre-surgery it was for the pork chop, post-surgery it’s the chicken and peppers. Plus, you can hardly beat the insider crowd and outdoor dining is a major draw in warmer months.
Bar: Boone’s. Lots of staff and members. Love the beer garden. It’s a can’t-miss joint on my nightly rounds.
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Dec 1, 15 @ 11:35 am
Bartender: Kathleen at the Globe. Anyone who can put up with Lou Lang and the Blackhawks crowds during the NHL playoffs with as much aplomb as she does is a lock for this award. YO, Evil!Dennis, who I’ve known for a long time and think is a fantastic guy, is a solid second.
Restaurant: Saputo’s for the inside crowd and ability to connect with the right people (not so much for the food…never have understood the appeal, man).
Bar: The Globe. Always the last stop of the night for me, but if you wait there long enough you ARE going to find whoever it is you’re searching for. Also, see above, epic place during hockey playoffs!
Comment by anon12345 Tuesday, Dec 1, 15 @ 11:47 am
Sorry, I can’t really speak to all three. I know Saputo’s to be one of the spots as I’ve seen Michael Madigan in there, and oooh boy I love their salads. So I’ll go with Saputo’s
But, I will nominate Kate Catalano for best waitress. She used to work at Brewhaus, and now apparently at Obed and Isaacs. My wife and I would go into Brewhaus sometimes only once every couple months, and Kate would always remember our individual tastes and made PERFECT recommendations for what beers we’d like out of the hundred or so they offered.
Comment by Johnny Pyle Driver Tuesday, Dec 1, 15 @ 11:56 am
Bartender: Adam at the no name bar at the state house inn still has the edge with every do-gooder lobbyist. He sees us walk in and knows what we want based on how downtrodden we look…and recently, it’s been pretty downtrodden.
Restaurant: I’ve spent more time at Alexander’s this year than any other year, and there are always heavy hitters dining alongside tables of local families. It’s a nice change of pace to venture off campus and be with real people.
Bar: I want to say Boone’s. The beer garden makes life slightly more appealing in May and the summer months. But they need to remove the references to the glory of the confederacy from the menu to win best bar. I mean, come on.
Comment by Emily Miller Tuesday, Dec 1, 15 @ 11:57 am
yippee none of the good places or peeps picked…prevents the best from gettin’ to get crowded
Keep up the good work
Comment by Anonin' Tuesday, Dec 1, 15 @ 12:11 pm
Best political bar: Hands down it’s DH Brown’s for me. The place is frequented by everyone from both sides of the aisle, and encourages everyone to check their ego at the door. Anywhere that encourages you to chill out the way they do, especially during these times, has my vote. Brown’s certainly has that kind of feel.
Best political restaurant: Obed and Isaac’s won last year I believe, and it should remain so. Their menu is the best in Springfield hands-down, ranging from some darn good pappardelle to their pizzas and delicious sandwiches, and the appetizers (dates stuffed with goat cheese, and wrapped in bacon!). They have won of the better drink selections in town and you can never go wrong with one of their Strawberry Blondes - the beer that is. The beer garden is waaaaay better than Boone’s with a fire pit for good conversation, and a bocce ball court that’s well-suited for us Springfield types (i.e. “athletic” isn’t exactly the word that comes to mind for most of us). O&I 4eva!
Comment by The Muse Tuesday, Dec 1, 15 @ 12:19 pm
- Doug at Charlie Rs. Quick, fun, nonjudgmental service when you’re in the mood for more than a few.
- Charlie Rs, best steak in town, and while you don’t see a ton of politicos, that’s exactly my point. Also, O&I has great beer, but awful food.
- Boones, I love watching the youngsters grossly inflating the importance of their jobs. Beer garden and decent food are pluses as well.
Comment by Daniel Plainview Tuesday, Dec 1, 15 @ 12:38 pm
To be fair we should nominate Alsha Kulek as best bartender….but we won’t reveal where she works so it does not get all clogged up.
To be fair who could say anything nice about Boones’ no tv beer garden
Pickin’ the Obeds must be a SuperStar vote..’nough said.
Comment by Anonin' Tuesday, Dec 1, 15 @ 12:44 pm
Best bartender(s): any of the staff at the Office who only charge me for 2 of 4 drinks.
Best Restaurant: The Taco Bell off of Wabash and veterans.
Best Bar: Juice bar at LA Fitness
Comment by Grounds 'N Maintenance Tuesday, Dec 1, 15 @ 12:51 pm
Bartender: Bernie Flesch at the Gin Mill - he’s so dreamy
Restaurant: Obed & Isaac’s - best food and beer to get out of the downtown circle
Best Bar: Gin Mill - the whiskey selection brings me to tears.
Comment by Waffle Fries Tuesday, Dec 1, 15 @ 12:54 pm
Bartender: Dennis at Sangamo. He makes the best white russians and will even add a little chocolate syrup for a better drink.
Restaurant: When the beer selection is good, Obed & Issac’s is the place to be. If not, Saputo’s is about the only decent place to go downtown, if you want to mingle with political types.
Bar: Boone’s. You never know who you will run into there and what can happen as a result. The beer garden isn’t quite as good as Obeds’ setup, but nonetheless, a great place to haunt.
Comment by Realkewlio Tuesday, Dec 1, 15 @ 1:08 pm
===Bartender: Dennis at Sangamo. He often has my glass ready before I even sit down.===
@Rich - I didn’t know they had Wild Irish Rose there /s
Comment by PublicServant Tuesday, Dec 1, 15 @ 1:25 pm
Best Bartender- the ladies at the office, who always forget something on my tab.
Restaurant- Westwoods because every good red meat eating republican likes looking at dead animals while they eat
Bar- Bob’s Butternuthut because cheap, dark, free pop corn, and sometimes you even see your favorite dem. rep signing some lorde.
Comment by TheFinest Tuesday, Dec 1, 15 @ 1:30 pm
Bartender - Kathleen at the Globe. Has my drink ready when I walk in and handles the shenanigans that occur with the biggest smile on her face.
Restaurant - Alexander’s. Great food and a decent insider crowd for a non-downtown spot.
Bar - Boone’s. Mix of members+lobbyists+staff which always leads to some great info.
Comment by SWF Tuesday, Dec 1, 15 @ 1:39 pm
Best Waiter: Jesse Craig at Maldaners (fun guy, super knowledgeable)
Restaurant: Maldaners (most creative menu downtown)
Bar: Globe (best drunk politicians late-night)
Comment by Senator Clay Davis Tuesday, Dec 1, 15 @ 1:47 pm
Bartender - I echo the nomination for Kate Catalano ot Obed’s
Restaurant - Alexander’s, because what red blooded male doesn’t like the opportunity to grill their own steak. Also a decent politico crowd there during session
Bar - Obed’s, simply the best combination of beer garden and beer
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Dec 1, 15 @ 1:58 pm
Bartender-Hands down to Dennis @ Sangamo
Restaurant-there’s seems to be another place where the Speaker goes-Alexander’s-takes the thrown from Saputos
Bar-have to agree with the DH Brown’s comments
Comment by Sine Die Tuesday, Dec 1, 15 @ 2:15 pm
Best Bartender: Alisha Kulek at Bob’s Butternut Hut. She is very nice, always has a great attitude, and even remembers your drink. She ain’t bad to look at either…
Best Restaurant: Old Lux. Great prices, neighborhood feel, and amazing fried lobster.
Best Bar: Bob’s Butternut Hut. Great atmosphere, cheap drinks, and a friendly crowd. There are also plenty of televisions, and a great beer garden where great local bands come to jam.
Comment by Turnaround Tuesday, Dec 1, 15 @ 2:40 pm
The best bartender is CLEARLY Chris Holmin in Senator McConnaughay’s office!!!!!
Comment by 4 percent Tuesday, Dec 1, 15 @ 4:50 pm
Best Bartender- Kathleen at the Globe
Best Restaurant- Saputo’s- for pure “who’s there”?
Best Bar- Boone’s
Comment by Dupage Bard Tuesday, Dec 1, 15 @ 5:04 pm
Best Restaurant: Nick & Ninos after the COWL capers.
Best Bar: Boone’s. Most of the time you can still get the GA wifi in the beer garden.
Comment by Michelle Flaherty Tuesday, Dec 1, 15 @ 9:34 pm
The best statehouse bartender is Brittany McDermott. She wins crowds over with her jokes and awesome tunes. Whenever you have a bad day, Brittany is there to make you forget your worries and serve you a mean margarita.
Boones is the best Springfield bar. There is always a crowd of characters and you are guaranteed a good night after a long stressful day at the Capitol.
Comment by Anon Wednesday, Dec 2, 15 @ 8:45 am