Country Inn & Suites By Carlson, Bloomington-Normal Airport, IL

BLOOMINGTON. Huge crystal chandeliers light the way in this large, clubby restaurant. Diners are separated in rooms on...

BLOOMINGTON. Huge crystal chandeliers light the way in this large, clubby restaurant. Diners are separated in rooms on different levels, each featuring a working fireplace and oil paintings. Start off with a generous salad topped with homemade blue cheese dressing, and work your way to a great slab of steak, grilled to perfection. Entrees come with salad, baked potato or rice, and hot bread and butter. Great selection of seafood and chicken specialties. Live pianist performs Tue-Sat evenings.

Hours: Mon 11am-2pm, 4pm-10pm; Tue-Thu 11am-2pm, 4pm-Midnight; Fri 11am-2pm, 4pm-1am; Sat 4pm-1am; Sun 4pm-9pm

Payment Methods: Visa , Master Card , Discover , American Express , Diner's Club

BLOOMINGTON. Garden of Paradise has the look and feel of a real diner. Breakfast can be anything from eggs and meat,...

BLOOMINGTON. Garden of Paradise has the look and feel of a real diner. Breakfast can be anything from eggs and meat, omelets or crepes, to a belgian waffle. Daily breakfast specials for about $3.00 might include an egg cooked your way along with bacon or sausage and an order of toast.

Hours: Mon-Sat 6am-10pm, Sun 6am-9pm

Payment Methods: Visa , Master Card , Discover , Diner's Club

NORMAL. Monical's menu includes a variety of choices, however, pizza is their specialty. With thick or thin crust, you...

NORMAL. Monical's menu includes a variety of choices, however, pizza is their specialty. With thick or thin crust, you can design your own from a variety of toppings, or choose one of their specialty combinations, such as "Happy Heart," a pizza topped with mozzarella, spinach, minced garlic, red bell peppers, and red onion. Other toppings include pepperoni, ham, sausage, steak and barbecue chicken. You will also find tasty appetizers, such as cheese fries or hot wings, hot sandwiches and pasta. Free delivery.

Hours: Sun-Thu 11am-10pm; Fri-Sat 11am-11pm

Payment Methods: Visa , Master Card , Discover , American Express

NORMAL. Boasting the largest steaks in town, Alexander's offers a variety of cuts such as filet, rib eye, t-bone and top...

NORMAL. Boasting the largest steaks in town, Alexander's offers a variety of cuts such as filet, rib eye, t-bone and top sirloin. Other choices offered are chicken, pork and seafood, such as the succulent lobster tails that are featured at market price. For beef with a twist, try a steak kabob or teriyaki and for those that are finicky about their steaks, you can be the chef if you choose to be. Cook your own steak on the large pits right inside the restaurant. A decadent dessert, such as the skillet chocolate chip cookie topped with ice cream, hot fudge, whip cream and toasted almonds, could be a great finishing touch!

Hours: Mon-Thu 5pm-9pm; Fri-Sat 4pm-10pm; Sun 4pm-9pm

Payment Methods: Visa , Master Card , Discover , American Express , Diner's Club

NORMAL. Don't be fooled by the sparse decorations in this local coffee house ­ the exotic coffee selection is...

NORMAL. Don't be fooled by the sparse decorations in this local coffee house ­ the exotic coffee selection is impressive. Supplied with great equipment for making lattes and espressos, the restaurant also houses a bakery, where pastries, cookies, cakes and other delights are prepared. For a "real" breakfast, one might order two scrambled eggs, hashbrowns and two slices of toast ; or opt for a vegetarian sausage patty along with oatmeal-buttermilk buckwheat pancakes. Make no mistake ­ the Coffeehouse provides delicious gourmet breakfast meals.

Hours: Mon-Sat 7am-8pm; Sun 8am-8pm

Payment Methods: Visa , Master Card , Discover , Diner's Club

BLOOMINGTON. Before entering Lucca Grill, you might describe it as an old corner pub. After a visit, you might be more...

BLOOMINGTON. Before entering Lucca Grill, you might describe it as an old corner pub. After a visit, you might be more inclined to call it a pub with "cozy atmosphere and great food." Locals have been steady here since 1907, not only for the great pizza and inexpensive beer, but also for the friendly crowd that hangs out at the bar. Pizzas come out hot with standard toppings such as pepperoni and mushroom, or gourmet toppings such as vegetarian with pepperoncinis; but the crust is what you will remember. Paper thin and crispy, the crust is one of the things that has made Lucca so popular.

Hours: Mon-Thu 11am-11pm; Fri-Sat 11am-Midnight; Sun 3pm-9pm

Payment Methods: Visa , Master Card , Discover , American Express , Diner's Club

BLOOMINGTON. You easily will find Elroy's in its huge downtown corner location, flanked with green awnings. Large booths...

BLOOMINGTON. You easily will find Elroy's in its huge downtown corner location, flanked with green awnings. Large booths are scattered throughout, surrounding a circular bar with stools. The pub serves a quick and tasty lunch to a packed house most days, featuring pork tenderloin, grilled pork chop, omelets, pizza and other choices.

Hours: Mon-Thu 11am-1am, Fri-Sat 11am-2am

Payment Methods: Visa , Master Card

BLOOMINGTON. This Bloomington mainstay specializes in ales. Visit this downtown establishment for your choice of Blue...

BLOOMINGTON. This Bloomington mainstay specializes in ales. Visit this downtown establishment for your choice of Blue Plate specials, which might include soup and sandwich, or roast beef and mashed potatoes. Wings, nachos, chili, salad, burgers and pizza are also on the menu.

Hours: Mon-Thu 11am-1am; Fri 11am-2am; Sat Noon-2am; Sun Noon-1am

Payment Methods: Visa , Master Card , Discover , American Express , Diner's Club

A short 30 minute drive from Bloomington, The Barn II Dinner Theatre presents comedies and musicals along with buffet...

A short 30 minute drive from Bloomington, The Barn II Dinner Theatre presents comedies and musicals along with buffet dinner including four entrees, such as prime rib and fried chicken. A full selection of side dishes including soup, salad and bread accompany the entrees, and, of course, there are also tasty desserts. When dinner is over, it's showtime featuring one of many new plays and comedies, such as "A Party To Murder," or "Wife Begins at 40." Whatever production you have an opportunity to attend, you will no doubt have an enjoyable experience at the Barn II. Past seasons included the hilarious comedies "Look No Hans," "Tiptoe through the Tombstones," "The Sunshine Boys" and "Playing Doctor." Smart casual dress is appropriate, and reservations are required. This is a family-friendly venue but in consideration of other patrons, they do require that children in attendance be over the age of 4.

Hours: Box Office Tue-Sat 9am-10pm, Sun-Mon 9am-5pm; Dinner / Show Thu-Sat 6pm-11pm, Sun noon-4pm

Payment Methods: Visa , Master Card , Discover , American Express

The 20-minute drive is well worth your while for a visit to the Blue Dog Inn in Lincoln. Highly acclaimed for its great...

The 20-minute drive is well worth your while for a visit to the Blue Dog Inn in Lincoln. Highly acclaimed for its great food and fun atmosphere, the Blue Dog even sells a selection of clothing, such as sweatshirts and T-shirts, on which its name is emblazoned. Thriving since 1979, the restaurant features burgers (their specialty), nachos, onion loaf and much more.

Hours: Mon 11am-2pm; Tue-Thu 11am-9pm; Fri-Sat 11am-10pm

Payment Methods: Visa , Master Card , Discover , American Express , Diner's Club