Perry’s Steakhouse & Grille adds a new location- Vernon Hills

***** Perry’s Steakhouse  & Grille, a Texas institution, has been working its way into the hearts ( and tummies) of Illinoisans for a few years. Luckily, I have been a part of their growth in the area. I have been to several openings and have enjoyed a number of great meats including their famous” 7 Finger High Pork Chop”!

Tonight was the initial greeting of press at the newest Perry’s in Vernon Hills ( a new building on Milwaukee Avenue /1050 North) on the outskirts of The Hawthorn Mall ( very different than what it looked like in the past). The building is a stand alone and is beautiful inside with private areas for small gatherings and celebrations as well as a patio area with a firepit that is just off the bar area. From the main dining room, one can see the kitchen area, where some of the greatest artwork ( with meat and fish) is completed.

When they do their “soft opening” it is more like a here is what we offer, than a pick your menu items. What they do is a “tasting” where course 1 was Lobster Tempura paired with a cucumber blueberry martini ( divine), steak & Tater Totter bites ( homemade tatter tots topped with shaved filet mignon, garlic ailoi and diced chives/partnered with a Bourbon Bloom ( bourbon liqueur, fresh pressed lemon juice and freshly muddled blackberries and mint) and last, but not least, Perry’s signature fried asparagus ( note: I hate asparagus BUT LOVED this ) topped with jumbo lump crabmeat and for the paired drink, Smoky Rita tequila, orange liqueur, lime juice and agave nectar, sweet and sassy to be sure! Speaking of sweet and sassy ,we were joined by Steve Dale ( WGN)and his wife Robin ,making the evening more special.

We then were brought into the main dining room, looking at some of the smaller , more private spaces for small gatherings, functions and celebrations. Here we did Tasting Course 2, consisting of Pan seared Sea Bass ( divine), Perry’s famous pork chop bites ( just a smidgeon compared to the amazing 7 finger high model) as tender and juicy as one can anticipate and the 3rd item- Chateaubriand with crab meat to die for! Here we had some of Perry’s special vintage wine. I am not a wine drinker, but found this to be a zingy, flavorful wine with no after taste.

For dessert, the Nutty D’Angelo: A signature flaming dessert at Perry’s. Crushed pecans flambeed with brown sugar and a brandy sauce and then served over vanilla ice cream and dipped in white chocolate and toasted almonds. A nice crust with great flavor. The hard crust made it unique and remined me of my youth when we bit into an ice cream bar in order to get to the ice cream. This is an amazing dessert.

For those of you who are unfamiliar with Perry’s Steakhouse & Grille, Friday is a very special day there.

Pork Chop Friday Lunch from 10:30 am- 5 p.m.- a lunch cut of their famous pork chop served with whipped potatoes, homemade apple sauce ( to die for) and homemade bread  $19.00  and you can add creamed spinach or sweet sriracha Brussel sprouts or another featured item ( side) the fried asparagus with jumbo lump crabmeat. You probably will skip dinner!

Sundays! from 4 p.m- 9 p.m. they have a special Pork Chop dinner that is fantastic!

Social Hour! Monday thru Friday from 4 p.m.- 7 p.m.

Make Perry’s you place to unwind in Bar 79 with special prices on their  bar bites, generous pours of wines and some great cocktails that are part of Perry’s tradition. Plenty of parking.

Perry’s hours are:

Sunday-Thursday  4 p.m.- 9 p.m.

Fridays  10:30 am- 10 p.m.

Saturday  4 p.m.- 10 p.m.

1050 N. Milwaukee Avenue ( just north of Route 60)

224-842-4620  www.perryssteakhouse.com