Capitol Fax.com - Your Illinois News Radar » Question of the day: Golden Horseshoe Awards
SUBSCRIBE to Capitol Fax      Advertise Here      About     Exclusive Subscriber Content     Updated Posts    Contact Rich Miller
CapitolFax.com
To subscribe to Capitol Fax, click here.
Question of the day: Golden Horseshoe Awards

Wednesday, Dec 4, 2024 - Posted by Rich Miller

* We mark the passage of time in several ways on this ol’ blog: Session starts, budget addresses, session endings, the Illinois State Fair, elections, veto sessions, Alice’s Restaurant, fundraising to buy Christmas presents for foster kids and the Golden Horseshoe Awards.

Our first categories…

    * Best place to gather for dinner during session weeks

    * Best place to gather for drinks, etc. during session weeks

Please nominate in both categories, and make sure to explain your nominations or your votes will not count. This ain’t a poll. It’s all about intensity. Single, well-written nominations have often beaten out organized spam. So, get in there and fight for your preferred winner.

* Also, just another reminder that we’re still raising money to buy Christmas presents for foster kids who are in the Lutheran Social Services of Illinois system.

Unlike the last couple of years, we haven’t yet had any anonymous matching donations, so I suggest we proceed on the assumption that past unknown wealthy benefactors might not come through this year. But that means your contribution is far more important in 2024, so, please, click here and dig deep. Thanks!

       

25 Comments »
  1. - Just A Thought - Wednesday, Dec 4, 24 @ 9:10 am:

    Best place for dinner - I’ve noticed a lot more lobbyists taking legislators to dinner at Illini Country Club the past couple of years. The food is decent and its close but not downtown, which I see as a plus.

    Drinks - JP Kelly’s of course.


  2. - PLR - Wednesday, Dec 4, 24 @ 9:23 am:

    Toss-up between Illini and Luminary. Illini is a sure place to run into others outside the sandbox, and Luminary has one of the best changing menus in town.

    For drinks, Trish and Mary’s is becoming a top spot. They have a drinkable wine selection - something all other bars downtown are lacking, are super close to the Capitol and located in a pretty awesome space.


  3. - JR - Wednesday, Dec 4, 24 @ 9:33 am:

    Boones for drinks because they have Manda, the nicest bartender and the same, stable wait staff for years. They’re nice, familiar faces after a long day of session. Very welcoming.


  4. - Give Me A Break - Wednesday, Dec 4, 24 @ 9:39 am:

    Dinner, it depends on what the goal is. If you want to be in the middle of the Springfield session scene, Saputos is still the place to be. If you want somewhere less “session centered”, Bella Milano is a great choice.

    For drinks, JPs.


  5. - Dude - Wednesday, Dec 4, 24 @ 9:41 am:

    Dinner- Saputos is a proven establishment with the old school feel and ambiance. The food is always decent, most employees have been there for some time and understand the importance of customer service. Just a great place to sit at the bar by yourself and have a bite, or reserve a table for a group of 10. One of the last places still open that people from the 1980’s under the dome would still recognize it.

    Drinks- Probably JP Kellys. The bartenders remember your drink if you go in there regularly. A number of Capitol people find their way there regardless of party,regardless of position or title. Good place to talk shop or just have a good time at happy hour.


  6. - Dan Johnson - Wednesday, Dec 4, 24 @ 9:42 am:

    I still like Maldaner’s for dinner. It’s nice to be downtown and I enjoy the history and the food.


  7. - Jefferson T Duncan - Wednesday, Dec 4, 24 @ 9:47 am:

    Dinner - I will always stan for a much more casual environment a bit off the beaten path like Roots.

    Drinks - The new Nut Hut has room to spread your wings out now and the indoor/outdoor area is a welcomed improvement.


  8. - SweetLou86 - Wednesday, Dec 4, 24 @ 9:50 am:

    Boone’s for drinks because proximity matters and they have a great staff. Also I’m a fan of the patio.

    For food I don’t want to give away my favorite spots… so I’ll just say Obed & Isaacs. Good beer, quick service and solid food on a budget.


  9. - Livco - Wednesday, Dec 4, 24 @ 9:56 am:

    Dinner - Curate has good food, good service, and good atmosphere (despite the drive west).

    Drinks - Gin Mill is good on beer and booze and is often pretty empty, which from my perspective is a positive.

    Honorable mention to Brown’s for their bottle of Stagg Jr.


  10. - Lurker - Wednesday, Dec 4, 24 @ 10:10 am:

    The best place for dinner is Anvil & Forge. If you have a small group, you can order great sandwiches for yourselves or you can go with some appetizers and flatbreads to share. If a larger group, they have great pizza and some unique ones that are fire. Or, since the portions are huge, we like to order a lot of different things and treat it as shareables. Also, the seating and high ceilings make talking easy while sipping a beer or other drinks.

    For drinks, Terra Ferment. Good wine and beer selection and if you need a more private conversation or you have a larger group, they allow you to go to their basement, which I think looks cool.

    The atmosphere, service, owners, and prices are great at both places.


  11. - Mighty - Wednesday, Dec 4, 24 @ 10:18 am:

    Dinner - Curate. Fantastic food and ambiance.

    Drinks - I have to go with the Associated Beer Distributors. Bob and Chris have done a fantastic job with the space, and you can’t beat the variety of beer they have available for their guests.


  12. - New Day - Wednesday, Dec 4, 24 @ 10:30 am:

    Since they keep closing my favorite dinner spots…

    Best Dinner: Vele. Solid food. Nice space.

    Drinks: Celtic Mist. Very reasonably priced drinks (Globe charges $10 MORE for scotch). Good crowd.


  13. - The Dude Abides - Wednesday, Dec 4, 24 @ 10:50 am:

    Dinner - if you mention pizza and aren’t talking about Sapori, then you’re just wrong.


  14. - 0.0 - Wednesday, Dec 4, 24 @ 11:21 am:

    Muldaner’s is classic. Love the outdoor area at Obed’s for drinks.


  15. - Rich Miller - Wednesday, Dec 4, 24 @ 12:12 pm:

    Again, this is not a poll. If you just post place names, you will be deleted - and I’ve done it twice already today.

    Thanks.


  16. - Who else - Wednesday, Dec 4, 24 @ 12:23 pm:

    I’ve mostly skipped out on the dinner portion of the evening in recent times, but will get over to Mary Flor when I don’t care how long things will take. Depending on who is in town, it can be a quick in and out or an extended-stay dinner experience. But the food is good and the (very, very few) staff hustle to get folks what they need.

    And I’ll never quit on JPs. The number of relationships and issues that have been mended and solved at that bar as a result of people just being nice to each other and saying hello regardless of what they’re fighting about under the dome is reason enough to be faithful. But I also really love the folks who work there.


  17. - Wilson - Wednesday, Dec 4, 24 @ 12:38 pm:

    Pasqually’s Pizza is close to downtown but still out of the sandbox. Great location, great atmosphere. I’d nominate it for both. Perfect spot for dinner with legislators, but also a great place to grab a drinks with lobbyists. It offers a lot of exciting entertainment options, usually has a house band, and is never boring. Play things right and you can walk out of there with a lot of prizes.


  18. - (not so) new kid on the block - Wednesday, Dec 4, 24 @ 12:45 pm:

    Feels like a cliche but even as I’ve pulled away from being as social as I once was during session evenings, I’ll never not walk out of Saputo’s with a new hilarious anecdote after running into someone there. It’s a reminder of the camaraderie that keeps us coming back to Springfield year after year even when things get tough. And the food is fine - it’s reliable (and it’s really not the point). Am I just making this nomination so my drinks noms won’t get deleted? Maybe.

    Honorable mention: I’ve really like the addition of the Ad Astra wine bar on Adams. Nice cozy place to enjoy some cool wine and a snack, and in warmer months drink on the sidewalk. Give it time and hopefully if it survives the downtown Springfield business curse, it’ll hopefully become a go-to.

    I don’t understand why Gin Mill is so chronically empty on certain nights. It’s the perfect place to have a catch-up and in addition to having great bartenders, Gin Mill also has a bunch of Illinois beers on tap. But if I want to be social, JP Kelly’s is still it. Wonderful staff, reasonable drinks, Touchtunes, a door in the back to make a quick exit - what more could you ask for from a watering hole?


  19. - Pinkerton Detective - Wednesday, Dec 4, 24 @ 12:51 pm:

    I second Pasqually’s. A lot of games get played there, but if you play them right you can earn a lot of valuable tickets.


  20. - Impresario Barnum - Wednesday, Dec 4, 24 @ 1:08 pm:

    Vele - It has a great staff and even better food. I have never had a bad experience there, and the space is big enough where it does not feel like everyone is sitting on top of each other.

    Boones - In one word….Staff. No bar in Springfield has as positive and hardworking staff as Boones. Plus their outdoor patio is the best in town


  21. - Les Nessman - Wednesday, Dec 4, 24 @ 1:44 pm:

    In the Sandox the truly reliable Saputos is the best choice as it is the place to see a lot of folks at one time and a good place for a quick introduction. It has become a good place to even have an after dinner drink.

    Outside the Sandbox this might seem like an unusual choice but Westwoods in top notch. It is a bit loud but is a good place to go especially if you’re not wanting to be around the typical session crowd. The food is fantastic and they have some unusual items.

    Best place for drinks - The old Butternut Hut was the best and that place was always rocking. The other joint would be the alamo it is a good place to smoke a cigar in the beer garden or listen to the blues on Monday nights. John Boy is a great bartender and its a great spot to unwind after a long day.


  22. - Osborne Smith III - Wednesday, Dec 4, 24 @ 2:49 pm:

    Big fan of the Cidery at O&I’s for drinks. Give me Boones for food and a number of the reasons given already by others, such as the staff stability and the food itself.

    Suggestion, Rich - So many people tend to go with the old reliable types of places. That’s great, but would it be worth it to add a subcategory for establishments which have been open, say, five years or less?


  23. - IBE - Wednesday, Dec 4, 24 @ 4:30 pm:

    Drinks: Gotta be Boones … and I am hopeful for Trish & Mary’s to be a close hangout as well!
    Food: You can never go wrong with Maldaner’s — BUT — I just got pizza again from Gabatoni’s and I believe the dining room will be open again soon with a refinished bar! The pizza is back to the old recipe — which, all of know, is the best pizza in town hands down.


  24. - Been There - Wednesday, Dec 4, 24 @ 5:36 pm:

    Gather for Drinks: Tough one between Boones and JP Kelly’s. Kind of depends on what day and timing. JP’s seems to be more happening on Tuesdays. Boones is better when the session is going on. And is close enough to be there when committees are going late and you can run back to the Capitol. The staff are great at both but I am going to lean JP’s.
    Now that’s for pre dinner drinking. Saputo’s is hands down the best place for drinks after dinner whether you eat there or not.

    Gather for Food: I have to go with Saputo’s again. Always consistent and their staff and owners are great. I am not a huge fan of all their dishes but their steaks, chops and some of the specialties are fantastic. And they will stay open late for us if they know we are around. There are great places out near the mall but that drive or the wait for a ride share crosses them out for me most nights.


  25. - NI You - Wednesday, Dec 4, 24 @ 10:20 pm:

    Dinner…Westwoods Northwood Lodge best food all around and they’re really good at knocking out the basics top notch. Every time you go there it’s a different intimate handful of Capitol types who like to loosen the tie and have a real chat.

    Drinks…come on The Office!! First time I walked in with a lobster group because “you’ve got to go” urging by peers. Plastic cups, NO overhead lights and a true hometown vibe. Those that know…know. Iconic experience and conversation with no barriers every time!


TrackBack URI

Uncivil comments, profanity of any kind, rumors and anonymous commenters will not be tolerated and will likely result in banishment.



* SUBSCRIBERS ONLY - Today's edition of Capitol Fax (use all CAPS in password)
* Live coverage
* Selected press releases (Live updates)
* SUBSCRIBERS ONLY - Weekend update
* Yesterday's stories

Support CapitolFax.com
Visit our advertisers...

...............

...............

...............

...............

...............

...............

...............


Loading


Main Menu
Home
Illinois
YouTube
Pundit rankings
Obama
Subscriber Content
Durbin
Burris
Blagojevich Trial
Advertising
Updated Posts
Polls

Archives
December 2024
November 2024
October 2024
September 2024
August 2024
July 2024
June 2024
May 2024
April 2024
March 2024
February 2024
January 2024
December 2023
November 2023
October 2023
September 2023
August 2023
July 2023
June 2023
May 2023
April 2023
March 2023
February 2023
January 2023
December 2022
November 2022
October 2022
September 2022
August 2022
July 2022
June 2022
May 2022
April 2022
March 2022
February 2022
January 2022
December 2021
November 2021
October 2021
September 2021
August 2021
July 2021
June 2021
May 2021
April 2021
March 2021
February 2021
January 2021
December 2020
November 2020
October 2020
September 2020
August 2020
July 2020
June 2020
May 2020
April 2020
March 2020
February 2020
January 2020
December 2019
November 2019
October 2019
September 2019
August 2019
July 2019
June 2019
May 2019
April 2019
March 2019
February 2019
January 2019
December 2018
November 2018
October 2018
September 2018
August 2018
July 2018
June 2018
May 2018
April 2018
March 2018
February 2018
January 2018
December 2017
November 2017
October 2017
September 2017
August 2017
July 2017
June 2017
May 2017
April 2017
March 2017
February 2017
January 2017
December 2016
November 2016
October 2016
September 2016
August 2016
July 2016
June 2016
May 2016
April 2016
March 2016
February 2016
January 2016
December 2015
November 2015
October 2015
September 2015
August 2015
July 2015
June 2015
May 2015
April 2015
March 2015
February 2015
January 2015
December 2014
November 2014
October 2014
September 2014
August 2014
July 2014
June 2014
May 2014
April 2014
March 2014
February 2014
January 2014
December 2013
November 2013
October 2013
September 2013
August 2013
July 2013
June 2013
May 2013
April 2013
March 2013
February 2013
January 2013
December 2012
November 2012
October 2012
September 2012
August 2012
July 2012
June 2012
May 2012
April 2012
March 2012
February 2012
January 2012
December 2011
November 2011
October 2011
September 2011
August 2011
July 2011
June 2011
May 2011
April 2011
March 2011
February 2011
January 2011
December 2010
November 2010
October 2010
September 2010
August 2010
July 2010
June 2010
May 2010
April 2010
March 2010
February 2010
January 2010
December 2009
November 2009
October 2009
September 2009
August 2009
July 2009
June 2009
May 2009
April 2009
March 2009
February 2009
January 2009
December 2008
November 2008
October 2008
September 2008
August 2008
July 2008
June 2008
May 2008
April 2008
March 2008
February 2008
January 2008
December 2007
November 2007
October 2007
September 2007
August 2007
July 2007
June 2007
May 2007
April 2007
March 2007
February 2007
January 2007
December 2006
November 2006
October 2006
September 2006
August 2006
July 2006
June 2006
May 2006
April 2006
March 2006
February 2006
January 2006
December 2005
April 2005
March 2005
February 2005
January 2005
December 2004
November 2004
October 2004

Blog*Spot Archives
November 2005
October 2005
September 2005
August 2005
July 2005
June 2005
May 2005

Syndication

RSS Feed 2.0
Comments RSS 2.0




Hosted by MCS SUBSCRIBE to Capitol Fax Advertise Here Mobile Version Contact Rich Miller