New waterfront restaurant Red Dog Grill to celebrate grand opening
Heritage Harbor Ottawa Resort, a riverside marina resort community in Ottawa, Illinois, announces its newly rebranded on-site restaurant, the Red Dog Grill, will grand open to the public at noon on Thursday, May 21.
The year-round harbor-side restaurant has been completely refurbished and is re-opening with a fully redesigned interior as well as a fresh new menu and full-service bar.
The Red Dog Grill will be operated by Heritage Harbor Hospitality under an entirely new staff, including general manager Israel Juarez, who was previously part of the management team with a popular Chicago-area venue.
"We're extremely excited to introduce the Red Dog Grill as a unique waterfront dining destination that will be a center of activity and gathering point in Starved Rock Country," said Juarez. "Over the last few weeks we soft-opened the restaurant to allow residents and guests of Heritage Harbor Ottawa to sample the new menu and new atmosphere, and the response has been overwhelmingly positive. Now, we're ready to welcome the public, begin serving our full menu, and kick off a great summer at the Red Dog Grill."
According to Juarez, the new menu at the Red Dog Grill features contemporary takes on American grill dishes, including appetizers such as "Island" shrimp cocktail and a signature quesadilla; gourmet salads and sandwiches; premium Angus burgers, including the "Maui" burger featuring Swiss, barbecue sauce and pineapple; "Mini Me" pizzas; and entrees ranging from the "Three Amigos" fish tacos to flat iron steak and a pesto rigatoni pasta dish. The restaurant's full-service bar includes locally sourced craft beers from Ottawa-based Radium City Brewing.
"Our new menu has a variety of choices whether you want to grab a casual meal after a day out boating or bring a business client for lunch," said Juarez. "Of course our waterfront location is a beautiful backdrop for any meal, particularly during warm weather when guests can enjoy outdoor dining on our deck overlooking the harbor. Boaters will also love that we're a location on the river where they can tie up at the dock and stop in for a bite to eat."
Complementing the dining experience at Red Dog Grill is brand-new decor featuring nautical accents and a blend of wood and metal finishes that reference the restaurant's harbor location. An earthy color palette reflects the relaxed flavor and personality of Starved Rock Country, while a new wood-burning stove will be added for enjoyment during cooler weather.
The grand opening of the Red Dog Grill coincides with the start of a series of summer events that will take place at the restaurant between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Friday, May 22 will kick off a free Friday Movie Night program in partnership with the Ottawa YMCA, with outdoor screenings of kid-friendly movies starting at dusk. The first evening will feature The Lego Movie. Additionally, Saturday evenings at the Red Dog Grill will feature the "Dog Days of Summer" music lineup, with live outdoor performances by local artists. Dyer Soens Band will be the first featured performer on May 23. All outdoor events take place under a tent on the grounds of the Red Dog Grill and are held rain or shine.
"We envision the Red Dog Grill as a real fixture in Ottawa and a place where friends and neighbors can meet up and enjoy a great time together," said Juarez. "These events are just one way we're involved in the Starved Rock Country community, and we look forward to seeing plenty of old friends as well as new faces stopping in to spend time here."
In a nod to the restaurant's name and logo and in celebration of its grand opening, the Red Dog Grill is hosting a Facebook contest inviting participants to share photos of their pet to win a $25 gift certificate to the restaurant. The contest is currently underway, and winners will be selected and announced on May 21. Visit the restaurant's Facebook page at www.facebook.com/RedDogGrill for more details.
Located at 1970 N. 2753rd Road in Ottawa, the Red Dog Grill will open daily at 11 a.m. with meals served until 9 p.m. and bar service continuing through extended late-night hours. The restaurant offers delivery service to residents of Heritage Harbor Ottawa Resort, guests in the rental cottages, and to boats docked in the Heritage Harbor Marina.
For information, call (815) 434-4406, visit www.RedDogGrill.com, or follow the restaurant's Facebook page at www.facebook.com/RedDogGrill.