The Old Mill Lounge at Everett Farms — Restaurant in Lake Forest

We truly value supporting local restaurants, and we appreciate the JDR restaurant group’s commitment to farm-to-table quality. The food itself has always been solid, which is why we’ve returned several times and even brought friends and family along. But each visit has unfortunately been disappointing in terms of service and communication.

Most recently, we made a reservation for 4 and were seated at a booth that only fit 3 people. There wasn’t even a 4th chair available—we had to stand awkwardly until someone brought over a plastic outdoor chair for the nicer indoor space.

Ordering was frustrating. We asked about several items listed online (charcuterie, cheese schmear, flatbread), only to be told each one was unavailable. We finally asked for 4 empanadas, but they only had 2 left. None of this was communicated ahead of time, and we were told the kitchen was closing just as we finished putting our initial order in. Because of not knowing the situation with the menu, we didn’t end up getting our food until 8:15 (we were seated at 7:30).

We’ve had similar issues on previous visits, like making a reservation for burger night at Everett Farms and being told there was no seating when we arrived—only getting a table after the manager stepped in. In addition, if you eat at Old Mill Lounge you cannot order anything off of the Everett Farms food and drink menu and vice versa.

On another previous visit, I ordered a drink off the menu and it was made for me with no problem. This time when I asked for the same drink I was told they cannot make something that’s not on the menu. When I insisted, they relented and made the drink. This is so strange to me.

We really want this place to succeed, but the lack of consistency and planning makes it hard to recommend right now. The food is great, but the experience keeps...

We celebrated a birthday party with a group of eight ladies in the bar lounge area. While the food was decent, the service was terrible. We ordered a bottle of wine and specifically asked for one that wasn’t dry. However, we waited about twenty-five to thirty minutes for the wine to arrive, only to find out it was dry and not to our liking.

We then ordered another wine, but it took another twenty minutes to get it. During that time, the bartender/server prioritized making cocktails and drinks for others in the lounge, leaving us waiting despite several reminders.

I understand the bartender was busy, but this was our first time visiting, and it was a special occasion—a birthday party. With such a large bill, we expected much better service. Unfortunately, the experience left us disappointed.

I think the managers of this place should focus on better staff training and ensuring customers are served in a timely and respectful manner, especially during special occasions. This would go a long way in improving the overall...

So in love with this new establishment! I've been counting the days until opening and it did not disappoint. The mid-century vibe is totally on point. Can't wait to check out the monthly cocktail in the new year (the Flannel, December's offering...