Turf Room, Aurora IL

It's really not too often you have the abillity to obtain your gambling fix (horses), drink incredible martinis, and eat decadent food at all at once. Well, today you can.

The Turf Room offers the gambling man his OTB, but remade it to look like an OTB swallowed a fine dining restaurant, horse stable, and a scenic log cabin.

The Crowd
Oddly enough, The Turf Room isn't filled with older people down on their luck. With the eclectic menu they offer, you'll often see the entire family present. And, as always, it depends on the time you arrive. Later in the night the crowd is typically older and the bar and restaurant fill up rather quickly, so make sure you arrive early or make a reservation. 

The Drinks
I'm not even sure where to begin for the drinks. The list is expansive, and I almost feel out of my element trying to explain the lists of red and white wines, and the martinis. If you do happen to be drinking wine, the wine bar has one of the most incredible small tapas menus. The 'flights'  you can choose from are nearly endless. Rather than stumble over my words, or fall far short of describing these wines with the calibur and swagger they deserve- I'll do one better: Red Wines, White Wines.

Martinis
When I think of martini, I typically think of MadMen- a gentleman in a nice suit smoking a cigarette and drinking a gin martini with stuffed olives. My world flipped when I saw the martini list at  Turf Room. The drinks are incredible, and with the names being inventive and funny- it begs to be tried.

The Grub
The food here actually left me speechless. The variety, the flavors, the contrast, the, the, the everything. (Yes, that stutter was intentional). The food is incredible to say the least. It has the ability to assult your taste buds on levels I never knew existed. As the Turf Room has said- they offer and American eclectic menu that changes with the seasons and offers unique gastronomy. I'm pretty sure I'd have to agree with their statement. Below is the dinner menu. The Turf Room also offers Brunch, Lunch, and a Dinner menu that can be found here.

The Venue
Dim lights, oak panels, and lightly colored exposed brick make up the Turf Room's interior. A look that portrays a cross between a horse stable and a country home with modern steel accent pieces. The overlook makes you feel as if you've been transported far in to the countryside, while in reality your still in the heart of the suburbs a few hundred feet off the main road running through town.

One of the main attractions, or at least one that I particularly enjoy is the patio. Given the weather is playing in your favor, the patio is unbeatable area. Especially during the cooler nights when the giant outdoor fireplace is keeping you warm and providing an incredible extra ambiance.

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Location
1033 Kilbery Street
North Aurora, IL 60542

My Opinion
While Turf Room is slightly higher in price than many other reviews I have provided, it is in fact worth it. If you aren't looking to fill your gullet with some astounding food, the wine flights are also a great option- small tapas dishes to accompany and intensify the flavors of your wines. The atmosphere is great, I love its feel and the service is always top-notch. Also, a new integrated favorite of mine is the ability to reserve a table through the website. I'm all about convinience, and to be able to browse the menu and book a table all while you sit at your computer makes for a happy person. Enjoy everyone.