Lake in the Hills tavern emphasizes craft beer, hearty fare

Woods Creek Tavern's menu makes clear that this six-month-old Lake in the Hills pub emphasizes craft beer and comfort food. And judging by the crowd on a recent snowy night, the combo is proving popular.

Motif: Woods Creek's look leans toward modern rustic, with stone tile walls and warm woods. A massive rectangular bar sits at the center of the space, with plenty of seating there and at a mix of tables around the room. TVs are everywhere, so you can watch your favorite teams while you eat. Video gaming is offered off the main dining area.

Food: General Manager Patrick Murphy describes the emphasis as “new American comfort food,” and the menu includes such homespun classics as chicken potpie, meatloaf, short ribs and cheese and mac — with the name intentionally flipped.

Our waitress told us off the bat that bacon and cheese were a focus, and we should have heeded her words more closely when we ordered what we assumed was a meat-free fried green tomato appetizer. We were enjoying the crispy coating and flavorful buttermilk sauce before noticing the sprinkling of bacon bits, an ingredient not mentioned on the menu.

We fared better with the fish tacos, featuring generous, well-seasoned pieces of grilled tilapia topped with a crisp slaw and creamy chipotle sauce. Other taco options are steak and chicken.

Burgers are a top-seller, and we gave one a try. It was moist, juicy and cooked the way we liked it. We stayed with the basic, but a selection of toppings — including a variety of cheeses, mushrooms, peppers, fried egg and more — allow a bit of customization. You can go with a turkey burger or bean burger as well.

Liquid consumption: With 32 beers on tap, including some rotating selections, and more available by the bottle, beer lovers have plenty of options. Murphy said the selection favors both craft and regional brews. Those who prefer wine or a cocktail will find a good choice as well.

Crowd: Murphy said Woods Creek draws mostly folks in their 30s through 50s, with a mix of couples, groups and families. With a movie theater nearby, the bar brings in a regular after-movie crowd.

Service: Our waitress was friendly, checking back to make sure we had what we needed. Though the restaurant was full, we didn't have to wait for either our food or drinks.

Parking: There is an ample parking lot.

Overall: Woods Creek Tavern is a nice place to have a beer and a burger with friends.

Woods Creek Tavern

251 N. Randall Road, Lake in the Hills, (224) 256-2063, <a href="http://www.woodscreektavern.com">www.woodscreektavern.com</a>

<b>Hours:</b> 11 a.m. to midnight Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday