Stunning Wilson's Restaurant: Where upscale meets comfortable dining
There's a "wow" factor to the hard work and sincerity that have gone into Patti Wilson's newly opened "W" Restaurant and Lounge just up the hill off Rt. 152 two miles west of Du Quoin. Look for the sign.
It's where upscale meets comfort and affordability. It's an off-the-beaten-path respite from a long week or a place for that special occasion dinner.
It's a place where you can hide out for an hour or two with friends or your husband or wife and leave telling yourself "that was worth it."
It's a mini Walker's Bluff without all the extras.
The restaurant was unveiled two weeks ago and is open from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays and from 4 p.m. until about 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
Daughter-in-law Salena Wilson--married to Derek Wilson--is the manager. Her restaurant heritage includes the well-traveled Alongi's Restaurant at the University Mall in Carbondale three or four years ago.
The restaurant is a window seat to Stan and Patti Wilson's riding stable and is surrounded in beautiful riding photography, a hobby of another daughter-in-law, Kristin Wilson. Every photograph was taken on the grounds and shows a rare talent.
The restaurant will seat friendly, intimate dinners for a dozen or two or seat up to 75 for special wedding or organization dinners and banquets. There are two nearby private dining rooms that will seat 10 for a smaller anniversary or birthday celebration, or it's a place where family members or businessmen and women can talk behind closed doors.
Reservations are suggested, but not necessary. The menu has enough, but not too much. Steaks, pasta specialties, salads and fish are all there (there is even a build-your-own pasta night on Tuesdays). If you just don't see what you are looking for, tell Selena or Patti and they're glad to go off the menu to prepare a dinner you'll like. Ask about the "pasta a la vodka sauce" family recipe.
You can go home saying you just had a taste of heaven.
"It's all about three things," says Patti: Good service. Good food. Cleanliness.
The restaurant has taken two months to create and staff. "I am so impressed with everything. I am so impressed by how the staff works together. I am really happy with the cooks and the servers. The restaurant creates jobs for between 10 to 12 staff members."
She adds the restaurant comes to life because of some great "volunteers" and family. She credits brother Clem Campanella and father Carl Campanella with much of the custom woodworking.
On the other side of the restaurant is a full bar and comfortable lounge that benefits from a "huge martini list," after dinner drinks and dessert drinks. Tuesday's Pasta Night" includes $5 martinis.
Wilson's began as a riding stable, partners with Marshall Browning Hospital on a riding therapy program and is in the middle of construction on a regulation-size arena where events like fundraisers for the riding therapy program can be held.
Southern Illinoisans are already adding the "W" restaurant to the "to do" list. Once they've been there it goes on the "to do again" list.