January 14, 2008
This rating is from April 2007. I stopped in here in the late afternoon for a drink and an appetizer. This was a fancy steakhouse with lesser focus on brewing, yet they still tried a couple ambitious beers. Service was friendly and attentive at the bar, but it was very quiet at the time. The food was solid, but pricy (even for an appetizer). Not bad, but the place apparently didn’t work in the area.

March 3, 2007
This is a very nice place and pretty upscale. I really liked this place when it was an Emmett’s and pretty much its exactally the same as it was then. The bar area is very nice. No one was smoking (we were the only ones in the bar) but it still had a hint of cigar smoke to it. Reviewing the menu its pretty pricy here. Nice joint though. Opens at 4pm on the weekends... dont show up early.

November 18, 2006
There are some strong pros and some strong cons about this place. The pros are that this is a nice upscale restaurant. The cons are that the bar is small, not well lit, allows smoking, faces away from the 3 flat screen TVs and is not adequately equipped to handle even average busyness. Oh, and the beer may not be that good. The Pale Ale I had was below average; the Winter Marzen was pretty decent. I’ll give the beer another chance; perhaps over some steaks.

October 27, 2006 [ Updated October 31, 2006 ]
An impressive facade greets the casual diner with an air of pretention, as does the well-coiffed wait staff that meets you in the foyer. I quickly relegated myself to the bar area which seemed more grounded yet still gave the impression of a yuppie’s playground. Rich wood-tones, deep walnuts and mahogany frame a soothing vermillion paint-scheme. A buffalo-head above the cozy fireplace stares blankly at multiple LCDs while smooth Euro-Jazz lingers below the ceiling like the dulcid smoke of so many cigars.

The two bartenders I encountered were both skilled and entertaining. Diverse patronage focused on the divorcé. Brockway beer selection was a standard flight (Lager, Amber, Hefe, Pale Ale, Porter, token fruit beer) and two specials (Saison, Märzen). Quality of all was "on" whereas the specials were the standouts.

I will quote my review of the former Emmett’s to say that the location is "terribly convenient to Arlington Park Race Track and the Rolling Meadows Court House, so stop by to celebrate after you pick a pony or bribe a judge." All things considered, I will return with a date (and a tie) or I will enter through the side door.

290 becomes 53N; continue on 53 to E. Palatine Rd.; just past the tracks is Brockway St.; right 2 blocks to 110 N.

September 25, 2006
Turns out to be fairly decent, from what I could tell on a lazy Monday afternoon. Kind of fancy, but I was heading for the tavern area, anyway. I met brewmaster Jay Wozniak and, despite what I’ve heard from other sources, he seems to have a lot of plans for future beers. Right now what they have on tap is good and fairly solid, nothing exceptional yet. Four guest taps - Two Hearted Ale, Stella Artois, Blue Moon, and, of course, Miller Lite. Decent food - I had the Bavarian Beef Stew... almost like my Bavarian mother used to make. Prices are too high, like the $9.00 bomber of F(l)at Tire that was noted in the Chicago Forum. I’d go back.