Chessie's Restaurant — Restaurant in Barrington

If I could give this place multiple zero stars, I would but I do not have that option. What was supposed to be a beautiful event for my second daughter celebrating an upcoming birth of a baby turned into a nightmare!

Despite previous assurances from the owner and the manager about an uneventful and perfect event it turned out to be quite the opposite.

The tables were not arranged as requested. I’d intentionally grouped people by table (ahead of time) to make the event more comfortable for my guests. When I asked for the manager to correct it, he wouldn’t. Instead he argued that the total number of chairs was right. Not the point. I was busy with other tasks and my daughter mentioned that the entrees didn’t seem right. By the time I could look, several guests had already served themselves food.

What we ordered: Chicken Genovese (light lemon sauce and artichokes), london broil, strawberry salmon salad, penne with marinara, sliced chicken, and chopped salad. What we actually got: Pesto chicken, Beef with peppers and onions, salmon salad drowning in dressing with no strawberries, buttered noodles, more sliced pesto chicken, and a garden salad with no dressing at all.

All food was supposed to be served to the guests from the buffet by servers due to COVID-19. No buffet servers showed up. The owner claimed that on the day of our party, the chef and buffet servers didn’t come in to work.

In order not to create a scene, I let things play out as they may but needless to say I was extremely disappointed. And more disappointed when I got the bill which was almost TWICE the cost between our share and our in-laws to what was initially agreed upon.

When I asked to speak to the owner, Eleanor Nelson, I was told she was out of town. There was no reach out by this owner despite the fact that she allegedly received 5 phone calls from her manager, on the Saturday event when there was a problem.

When I tried to speak to her about the bill on the phone she became dismissive, aggressive, rude, confrontational & extremely unprofessional and non-customer oriented and said there was nothing they could do for me. I have never ever left a negative review on anything however I feel like this is warranted and not only with the venue but the disrespectful behavior displayed by the owner of this restaurant. This was our third event at Chessies and It will definitely be our last! I would recommend caution with hosting your events with this restaurant. I only wish I was forewarned.

Sent...

If you're looking for a dining experience that transcends the ordinary, then look no further than Chessie’s—a culinary paradise that redefines what it means to dine out. From the moment you step inside, you’re greeted not just by a hostess, but by an atmosphere so warm and inviting, it feels like being wrapped in a luxurious culinary embrace.

The interior itself is nothing short of awe-inspiring—think elegant chandeliers that seem to shimmer with promise, and a real train over a hundred years old. But, of course, it’s the food that truly steals the show.

Every dish at Chessie’s is a masterpiece, an immaculate fusion of flavors that takes your taste buds on an unforgettable journey. The appetizers are not mere starters—they are the prelude to a symphony of tastes. Imagine crispy crab cakes with a delicate, yet bold, remoulade sauce that dances on your tongue. Or a caprese salad that’s as vibrant as it is indulgent, with every bite a perfect harmony of tangy and earthy notes.

The main courses? Oh, where do I even begin! The prime rib, cooked to a flawless medium-rare, arrives on your plate with the precision of a fine-tuned orchestra—tender, juicy, and complemented by a decadent truffle butter sauce that you’ll want to bathe in. And don’t get me started on the sweet potato salmon its buttery sweetness and melt-in-your-mouth texture elevating the entire dining experience to something bordering on divine.

But, wait—Chessie’s isn’t just about the food; it’s the whole sensory experience. The service is unparalleled—attentive without being intrusive, knowledgeable without sounding rehearsed. The staff here seems to possess a near-telepathic understanding of what you need before you even know it yourself. Molly was the most impecable server.

And, for those lucky enough to indulge in dessert, the chocolate moose tower is nothing short of a religious experience.

The cherry on top of this unforgettable evening? The cocktail list. Each drink is a bespoke creation, artfully crafted with the finest ingredients, and presented with the kind of flair that makes you feel like you’ve stepped into a world where everything is just a little bit more magical.

In short, Chessie’s is not just a restaurant—it’s a celebration of everything food should be: bold, beautiful, and utterly unforgettable. Don’t just go here; immerse yourself in an experience that will leave you counting the days until you can return. A 10 out of 10, with no hesitation. Simply put: Chessie’s is...

Considering HOSTING AN EVENT here? SERIOUSLY DON’T! I hate writing negative reviews (I know everyone says that, but I really mean it). However, the owner earned this one.

I had both my wedding and baby shower at Chessie’s in 2012 & 2014. It was beautiful.

However, we hosted my sister’s baby shower in April of 2022 and it was a DISASTER.

Eleanor (the owner) started off pleasant and helpful with fair prices and great food selections. However, she never offered a signed contract other than a menu with prices.

Things started to go downhill once the shower started. The tables were set up incorrectly. Christmas decor was still up everywhere which looked horrible considering it was April 22. Not a single food item was correct No people to serve the food (as agreed upon). So we had a buffet during COVID-19. And then we were charged almost DOUBLE the verbally agreed upon and written down price. Agreed to $23.00 a person. Charged $40 each person in the end.

My mother tried to problem solve with the manager Luis (owner wasn’t present or reachable that day) who tried his best to fix the situation (poor guy) as problems occurred, but it was too far gone. My mom paid just to get out of there, because it was clear he didn’t have the authority to do anything about the situation.

My mom reached out to Eleanor after the event was over to try to fix the overcharges. Eleanor REFUSED to offer ANY FORM of reasonable solution. (Refused to offer a partial refund, refused to honor the agreed upon price and refused to meet in person).

In fact, the owner became AGGRESSIVE, CONFRONTATIONAL, and VERBALLY ABUSIVE. Trust me, I saw the texts. It was like dealing with two completely different people.

Honestly, the whole situation is just sad. Chessie’s never used to be run this way. And it ruined what should have been a beautiful experience.

Eventually, my mom needed to involve the credit card company and file a chargeback.

It’s my hope in posting this that I can save someone else the aggravation and prevent another person’s special day from...