Pesciolino Osteria — Restaurant in Channahon

They claim they take reservations but they don't. We came in with our reservation and we were told to wait. I asked the host who turned out to be the owner if we had a reservation. He told me "yes but that doesn't mean you come in snap your fingers and get seated" as he snapped his fingers in the air. I was a little taken back and would have left but it was my birthday and my family wanted to eat there. A half hour in of waiting as my 5 year old was getting impatient the owner came back again complaining how some table had been there for 2 hours. Well what about all the other tables that came in after them that you didn't hold? The funny thing was there was a big table open (sectioned together) where they apparently were holding a reservation because that would be a much higher paying table then our party of four. Certainly he didn't want to break up that table, seat us, and have to tell them a reservation "doesn't mean snapping your fingers and getting seated." So maybe if you are a big party you might get a reservation. We finally decided to leave because none of the tables were close to finishing. I explained to the owner what a reservation is and he was very rude and argumentative. I'm sorry my time is way too valuable and I don't want to frequent businesses that are indifferent about my patronage. What he should have done was offer us complimentary drinks at the bar while we waited and been apologetic and polite. I don't want to hear your disdain for other customers that stayed too long. His problem table was ordering after dinner drinks and continuing to spend money. Do better owner.

Edit: I would like to follow up to the owners comments. Perhaps your company motto should read something like this: Pesciolino Osteria: "where the customer is always wrong" There was not a table available after 20 minutes. That is a flat out lie. We left at 6:35 exactly. I wasn't pissed until YOU STARTED YELLING AT ME! I asked you a simple question of did we have a reservation? I asked it in a calm non offensive tone. Later I asked what is the point of having a reservation? I think this is a legitimate question after being there 35 minutes. This is when you responded by telling me I can't expect to snap my fingers in the air and get seated. I had never been to your restaurant before. It is very apparent it is simply waaaay to small for reservations. You are letting people make reservations online to get them in and hoping for the best. When my wife looked online that day she said that almost every time was available for a reservation. There is no way you sat 50 tables with reservations in that tiny restaurant that evening yet all the reservations are open online. When we were leaving not because I was "pissed" but because my 5 year old was getting anxious I expressed to you I didn't appreciate your attitude and I said you shouldn't talk to customers the way you do. When you are disparaging other customers for staying too long it makes me feel uncomfortable. It makes me think I better eat my food quickly and get out so I don't upset the owner. That's not part of a premium dining experience as your prices suggest. When I explained this to you in a calm voice you became angry and the excuse factory went into a third shift. At that point I didn't want to hear your excuses and had to get my family somewhere else. You were yelling at me. I was trying to get you to stop talking. At this point as we already decided to leave and having to deal with you on and off for the last 35 minutes you are correct I was upset. I did say I was going to leave you a negative review. You didn't think you deserved it for your performance? Your reply was "GO AHEAD!" Lastly, you are correct, you did politely offer for us to sit at the bar. We did have a 5 year old with us so this was inappropriate. I do see why your other business's failed. You would think the breast feeding incident at the Big Fish would have taught you something. Thanks for continuing to berate me after we left, it's obvious from your response to me and others...

Man am I lucky to have this restaurant open within a mile of my apartment. It's a shame they're in such a low population area, they deserve more customers.

They provide complimentary bread with olive oil and parmesan, which was good to get my stomach going. I ordered the mushroom pizzette appetizer - this was my first indication that I would love the restaurant. The bread was perfectly baked to a crunchy outside while maintaining a soft, warm center. The variety of mushrooms were all fresh and cooked just enough to maintain their texture and flavor without drying out or releasing juices. The cheese was light and very well balanced against the herbs and mushrooms.

Main course, I shared a stuffed trout (comes with broccolini and purple potatoes) and a lobster arriabata. I can't say enough good about these dishes. I'll try to start with the trout...

It was stuffed heavily in the center, but somehow cooked evenly the whole way through. The skin was crispy, meat was cooked just enough, and the sides paired quite nicely. I do think the potatoes were a little drier than I would have liked, but not enough to really be noticed.

The lobster (two halves of a tail) was chargrilled over shell pasta in a spicy red sauce and served with goat cheese. The pasta was right on the money, and the lobster was delicate beyond belief. Absolutely my favorite of the two dishes.

Wait staff is very friendly, my water never emptied without being refilled (despite drinking almost 5 glasses). My compliments to the chef, and congratulations to the owner on a business venture that is sure to succeed. I'm...

Honestly, I was so excited to finally come here.. my husband and I went to celebrate his 40th birthday. The server was so nice and engaging I gave the stars for her!

The food however was so disappointing I wish I could have had the heart to complain… without spoiling the mood of the evening. I got the lamb and beef bolognese. The flavor was good but there were so many noodles I could hardly find the meat in the dish. My husband got the Kentucky steak… the most expensive one there with high hopes for a great experience. I questioned steak at a place that seemed more geared to fish.. but it was a regular menu item so I didn’t think too heavily on it. He ordered medium. They seared the outside so bad on one side that if it had flavor I couldn’t tell you what it was. The inside in the center was rare. While they offered to cook it more it’s seemed self defeating since it was already pretty charred. An low broiler on the bottom shelf could’ve saved it but I doubt that was what would’ve happened. He also ordered the spinach. The roasted garlic would’ve been a really nice flavor but that actually tasted like the cooking surface was too hot for that as well so really his whole meal was pretty tragic. The oysters were on special and actually were the highlight of our meal, the side salad was good, and the wine was good quality also. Would not recommend the calamari either.. and we love calamari… unfortunately it was rubbery. For one of the most expensive meals we’ve had… it was also one of the worst. Such a let down since our expectations were so high. .. it did look...