Gale Street Inn- “Diamond Lake”

Highly Recommended ***** I grew up in the city. For years and years, when I heard Gale Street Inn, I knew it was that special place on Milwaukee Avenue, just north of Lawrence Avenue in Jefferson park. It was a family favorite. As the years went on, and we moved further away from the city, I heard about a new Gale Street Inn in Mundelein ( they called it “Diamond Lake”). I never tried it, but I did have friends that said it was okay, but not like the city. About a year or so ago, during what history will call “our Covid period”, one of the managers of Lakeside Bowl in Mundelein ( where I bowl each Sunday am) mentioned there were new owners and they had made some marvelous changes to the menu at the Mundelein Gale Street Inn.

I contacted our friends Alan and Vicky, who have joined us for many reviews and said, “let’s try it”. The building stands alone with spacious grounds and a huge dining area. The feeling as we went to our table was that of a “supper Club” and we later learned that when everything is back to normal, they will add entertainment on some evenings.

Our host, GM Bill Skoufis greeted us and showed us the wonderful dining room. Jane was a bit picky on where she wanted to be ( but the Covid period has made us think about how close or far we are from others) and the staff understood completely. The dining room is wonderful allowing parties of different sizes to enjoy their meal in a quiet manner

Tonight was the night! The location is one that makes you feel as if you have left the city and are in “rural America”. There is the lake on the other side of the street and the area seems to be a country road far away from the maddening crowd. You forget your day, get seated and enjoy your cocktail, feeling that all your cares and woes were checked at the door. Yes, you wear a mask to enter and leave, BUT once you start to dig into your meal, you are in what one must call a world far from where you left earlier.

Our server, Mario, was very laid back. There was no rush in our looking at the menu and the specials. He went over the wine list ( quite extensive) and of course, I had my usual Vodka martini ( they have no special cocktail, but lots of wine and I am not a wine drinker).

We started our evening with  three of their appetizers: Steamed Mussels ( meaty and terrific), fried calamari  and Meatballs and polenta ( a delight). Next time, I want to try the Lamb Lollipops ( they looked terrific as they went by to another table. We did the Lobster Bisque as our soup. They do have baked French onion soup daily, BUT since they do a fresh soup of the day with ingredients bought that day, we felt obliged to dig in ( being Friday and all)- it was amazing!

They have a very complete menu with lots of salads. We selected to share the Roasted Beet Salad ( red and gold beets with a glazed house dressing that is tangy and delicious. I am a beet lover and can tell you that I truly did not want to share ( there was enough for all in this dish, but I wanted even more).

We selected for our entrees, the Gale Street Prime Rib ( queen cut) slow roasted prime rib, beef au jus, with a baked potato. We also had a half slab of ribs ( a specialty of the house: They have done it this way since 1963 (and even the new owners get it right) and with this we got their mashed potatoes.

The third entre was the broiled salmon Piccata with spinach  in a special lemon beurre blanc sauce.” To die for”!

The list of specialties is long and each one appears to out-do the prior one. They have lots of meat dishes as well as fish ( brought in daily) and they have a Kids Menu that makes this a family friendly restaurant. You will also find a wide selection of pasta dishes as well as “surf and turf”, Lamb Chops and a marvelous prime New York Strip ( also next visit).

For desert, cheesecake and creme brulee shared by the table and satisfying our desires.

I know that many people are concerned about their diets today, so here is something to be aware of. The entire menu is 90% gluten Free. Everything is fresh and to be very honest, everything was delicious.

The Gale Street Inn is located at 935 Diamond Lake Road in Mundelein.

To make reservations call 847-566-1090

to see the entire menu visit www.eatgalestreet.com

Plenty of parking.

They are open  3 p.m. daily, BUT the hours are changing soon and they will be open for lunch with a luncheon menu.

The Summer may be over, but the warmth and feeling of being “at the lake” continues all year at The Gale Street Inn- Diamond Lake.