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Old Nov 21st, 2003, 05:27 AM
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Springfield Illinois restaurants

I will be in Springfield next weekend. Any suggestions for a nice restaurant to visit with friends on Saturday night?

Keith
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Old Nov 21st, 2003, 06:27 AM
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Not exactly nice, but you could ask at the hotel where you can get a good horseshoe. The horseshoe sandwich is a Springfield specialty, but it's more of a bar/restaurant food than fine dining.
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Old Nov 21st, 2003, 06:58 AM
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So sorry to hear you have to go to Springfield...the land of the chain restaurants. I'm not sure if they have one but if they have a Biaggis, it's a good Italian small chain restaurant. On the fancy side and they seem to be concentrated in central Illinois, I know there is one in Bloomington and Champaign.
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Old Nov 21st, 2003, 08:56 AM
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If you want the smaller version of the horseshoe you can ask for a ponyshoe.
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Old Nov 21st, 2003, 09:00 AM
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OK the horsehshoe got me thinking about my times spent in central Illinois. By the way both Decatur and Peoria claim the horseshoe.

The last time I was in Springfield was spring of '99. I visited the state capitol and had dinner with a friend at Arturo's. It was upscale and very nice considering where I was. It's close to the Capitol building and supposedly frequented by a lot of legislators though I wouldn't even recognize the governor.
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Old Nov 21st, 2003, 11:17 AM
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The horseshoe wasn't what I had in mind, but now I wish to try one.

http://www.recipegoldmine.com/sandwich/sandwich161.html says that two local chefs created the Springfield Horseshoe Sandwich in 1928 at the Leland Hotel in Springfield, Illinois. It provides a recipe.

Walter, don't feel sorry for me. I will be at a convention, but it is more of an extended party.

Keith

PS: Will be staying at the Hilton. I am surprised that a hotel in a a town that size charges $6/night for parking.
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Old Nov 21st, 2003, 12:11 PM
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Keith - Since you're staying at the Hilton why not try their restaurant Gumbo Ya Ya's, on the top floor of the hotel. It's a wonderful place. If you've never been to the Hilton in Springfield before you'll be amazed at the view from the top floor, the capitol building looks absolutely beautiful.
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Old Nov 21st, 2003, 02:36 PM
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Ah, yes... the "giant prick on the prairie" hotel... (Hilton). Been there a number of times for conventions. PLEASE be careful when you park so you don't get bird doo all over your car. I managed to park under a roosing place once and was soooooo embarassed to drive my car on the street to the car wash. I had bird feathers stuck on it!! YIKES! Doesn't look good on a black Lincoln.

As far as restaurants go, I'm afraid I can't be much help as I usually go the fast food route in between convention meetings. Although, maybe someone knows the name of the Italian place that is about a block from the convention center. It's casual, but good food.
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Old Dec 5th, 2003, 06:06 AM
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Thanks again for the tips.

Friday night we went to supper at Gumbo Ya-Ya's on the 30th floor of the hotel. We had a tiny table but enjoyed the view. The calamari appetizer was poor, but I did enjoy my New York Strip topped with melted gorgonzola cheese and caramelized onions.

We had horseshoes at Norb Andy's Tabarin, a small basement pub near the hotel. Nice atmosphere and a friendly server. I don't regret having the horseshoe at all, but wouldn't make a point of seaking it out again.

I tried to do a bit of sightseeing away from the convention, but the places i most wanted to visit, Lincoln's Presidential Library and the Air Combat Museum are both closed on weekends.

Keith
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Old Dec 9th, 2003, 06:19 PM
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Keith, I laughed out loud with your horseshoe description. I had the ponyshoe only once with the same thought.
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