Fin Inn - Grafton, Illinois

While in Grafton Amanda and I decided to try out the Fin Inn. After asking for eating suggestions, this one was recommended a few times so we decided to check it out. The inside of the restaurant is a big aquarium. You can sit at your booth and watch the river fish or the giant turtle swimming around behind the glass. Makes great entertainment for the kiddos! Fin Inn has a full menu so there is something for all. They are open 7 days a week year round. Summer Hours: 11 am - 9 pm
Winter Hours: 11 am - 8 pm. They are located right off the Great River Road.

 

Check out the menu here!


 

 

 

 

 Onion Petals

 

 

 Chicken Strips with fries and honey mustard

 

 

 Catfish n Fries

Guido's on "The Hill"





While spending the summer in St. Louis at the Hope Lodge during my chemo/radiation I got a craving for pizza and wanted to try one of the famous restaurants on "The Hill". After doing some research (Googling pictures of pizzas!) the one that caught my eye was at Guido's Pizzeria and Tappas. It is actually a Spanish AND Italian restaurant. The pizza was once again ham and pineapple and now is one of my favorites! Amanda and I went to Guido's a few times and I managed to get a few pics of the deliciousness!

 

Guido's has dine in, carry-out, and delivery!

 

Guido's Pizzeria and Tappas

5046 Shaw Ave

314-771-4900

Website

 

This is actually takeout. We got hungry for Guido's and since it was kind of

late we just grabbed it to go! This is my spaghetti. It was soo good. The sauce was very garlicky

so be sure to have some mints handy!





 

The ham and pineapple perfection

 

House Salad

Cheesy Garlic Bread Appetizer

 

Another Salad!

Toasted Ravioli with Marinara...mmmmmm

 

Lorenzo's - Vandalia, IL

My parents introduced me to this little gem. They had stumbled across it, tried it, liked it, and recommended it! It was a little while before Amanda and I ventured over there to try it out, but we were sure happy we did! Lorenzo's has a full Italian menu with salads, pizzas, appetizers, and entrees. My favorite is the pizza! When Amanda and I share a pizza the one that we can agree on completely is ham and pineapple. We both love the thin and crispy St. Louis style crust and well done for extra crunchy sides! Lorenzo's pizza sauce is sweet and pairs well with the sweetness of the pineapple! Whatever toppings you choose, however, I have no doubt will be just as delicious!
Lorenzo's recently moved to a new location and I highly recommend giving it a whirl! Not only are do they have great tasting food, but very reasonably priced!

Visit the website for complete menu and address:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Llwelyn's Pub - St.Charles

If you're in the mood for some Celtic grub head over to Llwelyn's Pub. Llwelyn's has 7 different locations to choose from in the St. Louis area. My favorite is the St. Charles location. I will admit I have only been to one other location in West County, however of the two I prefer St. Charles. Having been multiple times the photos posted will be from multiple visits! I really enjoy this pub when I'm in the mood for something different!

Visit the website for their full menu and locations!

Appetizer - Welsh Rarebit - Although this sounded really good, it wasn't really my favorite appetizer but the housemade chips were very good!

 

I always have to get a salad when I am there. I absolutely love the garlic ranch dressing. It makes a great dip for their chips as well!

 

Fish n Chips! You gotta try this at least once!

 

Another view of the salad

 

Remember those chips I was telling you about? Here they are!

 

Cabbage Rolls

 

More fish n chips - but with waffle fries

 

Dessert! Sticky Toffee Pudding

 

Take your glass home! So far we have collected three different colors!

Mississippi Half Step - Grafton, IL

Grafton, IL is located on the Mississippi river and just a short drive from Alton down the Great River road. Amanda and I love to visit for our girls out weekends. Grafton is probably best notable for the local wineries, however there are plenty of places to grab a bite to eat!

If you have something to celebrate or just would like to enjoy a nice dinner, the Mississippi Half Step is just the place.

Steak with Gorgonzola Butter, Fettuccini Alfredo Noodles, and French Fries

Amanda and I both ordered this and loved it! Steaks were perfectly cooked to order

and the fettuccini alfredo was creamy and garlicky! 

 

Strawberry Salad

 

Best Pork Tenderloin

Amanda, Mom, my sister and I took a little trip to Indiana before I had my cancer surgery. We stayed at the Clarion in Columbus, a few miles from Nashville. We were hungry so after checking out we went to the closest restaurant...the one right inside the hotel! Three of us ordered the pork tenderloin and each of us was very satisfied! It was large enough to make two sandwiches and very tasty! I think we all agreed it was the best pork Tenderloin we had tried!  The second best tenderloin in the area is at the Artist Colony restaurant in Nashville!

Nashville Bakery & General Store

Nestled in the quaint little artisan town of Nashville, in Brown County Indiana, is the best little place to grab a really yummy chicken salad sandwich! The Nashville Bakery and General Store not only makes their own chicken salad, but they have great bbq sandwiches, deli sandwiches and soups. For dessert they have plenty to tempt your tastebuds! In my opinion, it is worth the three hour drive from where I live!