Twin Oaks Country Inn Restaurant

I have been to this restaurant twice; once in this last winter and just recently. Our first experience was a five-​star experience! The staff was well seasoned compared to other upscale places in Lake County. One thing that weighs heavily on rating for me is how the wait staff keeps their distance and «wait» for a queue that you need something. The wine list is very complete with great selections from moderate to more pricey. The pork entrée was excellent and the prime rib likewise. At our last visit, once again excellent staff; however, the entrée was not as good. I ordered the same pork entrée but the pork was grisly. My wife had crab and shrimp pasta entrée which was great. The consistency of quality I experienced surprised me and will return soon because I have optimism that this was an oddity. As far as pricing, I find the prices appropriate for having a good meal and would recommend this as a romantic venue maybe a bit after the older crowd has left (this includes me:)).

Service www friendly and fantastic but the food was less than desirable — one and done

My most recent visit to this charmingly appointed old Victorian converted house was a Friday night dinner with friends a week ago. We were all about the full meal deal — apps, soups/​salads, entrees, desserts, cocktails, wine. And we were all delighted with our orders. The food was all expertly prepared, very tasty versions of continental classics, from roast duck leg to drool-​inducing pork chops to the Czech classic beef dish, svickova. Accompaniments were appropriate and tasty, garnishes, too. Nice selection of wines by the glass, happy cocktails. Even if you haven’t left room, order dessert. I’m always happy when I eat at Twin Oaks. Over the years I have been here dozens of times and deeply appreciate the kitchen’s and Chef Richard’s devotion to preparing wonderful food from ingredients. And the service is attentive and accommodating without being cloying or obsequious. This is my favorite place to bring out-​of-​town visitors, because it’s such a bargain for the quality experience provided, an unexpected delight. Oh, did I mention the freshly-​baked bread? It might even be made in house!

This restaurant is not consistent. I had an excellent 5-​star meal here more than a decade ago, and my meal in 2016 was just ok. Nothing special, and disappointing given the price and knowing my past experience. I think you used to get a salad with your meal, which does have tasty dressing, but no longer! You have to pay extra. I think there’s only two items on the menu that include the salad. Yes, the décor is dated and old-​fashioned, but that’s the character of the place! I think it is nice and original. If you are used to going to Olive Garden, then yes, you will be confused entering into a victorian home for an evening meal.
Upon entering, there is no one hosting, and the staff seemed a bit confused and disorganized. We were seated within a few minutes since we had reservations. Their staff spilled a whole glass of water, but that was no big deal since none of it landed on any diners (it went on the floor). The bread is ok, not a huge fan. It would be better warmed.
I had the pork «Twin Oaks» and it was not like I expected. The description sounded wonderful, but I wouldn’t recommend it now that I have had it. I got 2 big pieces of pork that appeared to be like those frozen chicken cordon bleu things you can get at the grocery store. They were stuffed with cheese and spinach, and not stuffed with enough flavor in my opinion. Plus, since it was dark, I couldn’t tell if the meat was cooked all the way through. It did come with pasta underneath and it was garnished with burnt onion straws (which didn’t look good, but did add some flavor). The flavor and balance of the meal didn’t work for me. It didn’t have much appealing flavor and the texture and appearance of the pork logs looked like they could’ve been fancy processed/​frozen food. This did not seem like a signature dish at all. I definitely did not want to bother with a desert after that.
My brother had the special, a Margerita pasta, which was a seafood pasta. The problem with this dish is that it was practically half tomatoes, and very little pieces of seafood in it. It is better to order something from the menu where you know how much food you’re going to get. Otherwise, the restaurant will cut corners and fill up your entrée with tomatoes!
My mother enjoyed her meal the most, even though her steak was burnt! She said it was just burnt on the outside. Of course, she spent the extra money and got a big meal, which included the salad, and shrimp too. I think she had the best value, though it was the most expensive. My brother also commented that the Filet Mignon was incredible here.
In conclusion, the food here seems overpriced (since a salad/​soup is not included), and not consistent. I would suggest spending the money and going with the steaks. I’m not really interested in coming back, but it’s not terrible by any means.

We have been here several times. Its a place that I really want to like. It’s close by and they try to do things right. But unfortunately they fall short in consistency and taste.
A few things. The place is clean and we love the small town homey feel. Its a bit too dim and the décor is dated but that adds to its charm in my book. The chairs are in dyer need of re-​upholstering and padding. By the time dinner ended our lower backs and back of legs were killing us from the lack of padding.
Things I don’t like:
For a $ 35 steak dinner (each) I shouldn’t have to add on more cash for a simple first course salad — its an up-​charge.
My steak was seasoned well but a bit tough both times (cajun rib eye). Not allot of juice on the plate either.
I order medium temp steaks. Both times they were under done. This date it was more medium rare — rare but I ate it anyways. I’m not opposed to medium rare but I expect it to be the temp as I ordered for the price. I don’t expect this steak to rival the big steakhouse steaks but for the area they are a premium price for their steaks.
No steak sauce. The wife asked but was told «the chef says his steaks have plenty of flavor and therefore he says they don’t need steak sauce». This
has been going on for 12 years she said. Well the wife’s market price filet was only seasoned with salt and I mean a whole lotta salt. Good thing she ordered the bernaise sauce which helped cut the salt. My bernaise sauce helped add juice to the dryness of my rib eye.
The grilled shrimp and onion rings were both excessively salted too. Shrimp was also over cooked.
Desert:
It was okay. Bread pudding with vanilla sauce (not sure where it was but they said it had it) and cinnamon iced cream. Maybe the bread pudding custard was the vanilla sauce? The iced cream was ²⁄₃ melted by the time it made it to the table. The bread pudding was a bit dry and needed more custard but was okay I’d say 6.5÷10.
The waitress was nice but slow as she had a few tables of 5+ in addition to our table. I don’t like that our meal sat on a tray inches away from people entering the dining room in a main walkway. Food runners drop the table’s tray of food on a stand and wait for the wait staff to deliver the food. Again I really want to like this place but for a $ 120 bill for 3 people (kid had a pasta plate with sausage $ 18 I think) I expect the steaks to be the correct temp and seasoned properly. Sadly enough we won’t be back. Too costly to keep giving them a try. Time to continue our search for a good local place. Or it means continuously going to the city.

On our recent dinner visit, the service is good and if somewhat impersonal, at least friendly, the menu is good, dinner Caesar salad nothing special, entrée was okay+. However, if you are looking for a «romantic» dinner for two, the old house motif is interesting but the promise of a «Olé Country Inn/B&B» style intimate dining experience isn’t happening. Lots of customers, lots of tables, décor needs updating, room lighting stark and too bright (IMHO); I felt we were lost in the shuffle, and I had no better impression of the overall experience than had we «dined» at a Cracker Barrel, sorry to say. We concluded dinner satisfied overall but unimpressed.

Great romantic place for dinner. Mother’s Day brunch is always a hit too!

The perfect restaurant for a superb meal at a relaxed pace. Both the menu selection and wine list are top shelf. Want a unique, off the menu meal prepared to your taste, call ahead and let them know. I asked if they could do a rack of lamb for a special occasion. Delivered on my request. Over delivered on that request. With a great bottle of wine, the dinner was truly outstanding. Can’t recommend this place enough. If you’re looking for an outstanding dining experience where you’re not rushed out so the table can be turned, this is the place. Highly recommend.

This place is a gem. Great food in a wonderful setting. It’s an old house with charm and more charm. The chef is amazing and creative. The menu has classic steaks, pasta etc but each dish is made with care and family love. Start with the goat cheese appetizer and move to your favorite entrée. I love their steaks. Pasta is great too. Homemade of course. Staff is very friendly and approachable. Really nice wine menu as well. Their specials for the night are where creativity appears so you can be tempted by that.
If you get there early for a reservation check out the bar!

Excellent 5 star restaurant we go every year. Excellent for celebrating special moments with the ones you love.

Great meal! Service was outstanding! Will be back soon.

Wow!
We started with homemade bread, the excellent crab cake an the very tasty warm spinach salad. The salmon was very fresh tasting and perfectly prepared. The seafood margherita was chock full of shrimp, lobster, etc.
Although we had no room for desert, but we went for the crêpe anyway. It was light, creamy, and flavorful. Not to be missed!
The server was friendly, very knowledgeable, and had the right amount of attentiveness.
Great period décor. Chicago prices, but better value! About 15 minutes from the Bannon Lodge.

By far my favorite place to eat in the area. Delicious food and love the old house! Have yet to have a bad meal and have ordered many different items.

Ok. Seriously. I would have passed this place up in a second. Friends of ours asked us to join them for dinner at this place and we were like, «sure.» So glad we did!
Their food is quite delicious. They have quite a decent menu — pork, chicken, duck, seafood and steak. Their apps and salads are awesome!
Beverage selection is decent too!!! Make sure to leave room for dessert. You will not be disappointed.
Enjoy!

Our favorite «go to» place for wonderful food and great service. We dined here most recently in Mid-​June and as always the meal was a delight. We were lucky enough to enjoy Richards amazing preparation of sea bass over a bed of home made spinach fettuccine. OMG it was so good and cooked to perfection. We have never had a bad meal or service when visiting this delightful old Victorian turned restaurant.
Matt the bartender knows how we like our martinis, Gina is always warm and welcoming and very visible in the business of running a fine restaurant. And the wait staff? They are like close friends to us — Michelle and Kathy are just the best!
Looking forward to popping in for another fabulous meal in the near future. Oh YUM!

Nice restaurant in an old house. GREAT service and the food was terrific.

Excellent food, excellent service! The crab cakes are to die for… And I HATE seafood! I immediately fell in love with this place when I first walked in due to the old Victorian house. Then the food and wine selection, outstanding. Great Filet Minion cooked to perfection. Ended up having my wedding reception in the Banquet Hall. Gina was hands on, no pressure, very easy going. Never felt stressed and the wedding was a hit, the guests raved over the food and the atsmophere was perfect as we were going for a «vintage» feel. Great, great place!

Excellent food, my first time to come here but all was good. The Sunday special prime rib dinner, soup or salad, homemade bread, ice cream and I had a really good glass of wine. The prime rib was done to perfection, my husband is a excellent cook and his prime rib couldn’t had been any better.
Comes with potatoes and veggies too. Great service and a lovely peaceful environment, hate to sound like a old lady. I hate having dinner in a place that I can’t hear so this was great. We will be back to try something else.

Really nice place, if you’re in the area it’s a must go
Great food, friendly service, fresh bread, good with kids

Service is done right. Kathy does a great job with the Wine list as well.
The Menu is original, taste great, and is done with good quality produce and proteins.
Dining rooms could be updated a bit but, service, wine, and food are all five stars.
Strongly suggest for any occasion.