It's hard to know where to begin at Pinstripes

You've come a long way since those weekends spent with your parents at the neighborhood bowling alley.

Luckily, if you still want to show off your skills, Pinstripes lets you bring back childhood memories in a more grown-up setting. The 45,000-square-foot restaurant and entertainment center features a full dinner menu, multiple bars, 10 bocce courts and 20 bowling lanes, making it a perfect place to spend a whole night or day hanging out with friends.

Motif: A mix of posh and rustic, the interior features both wooden benches and padded leather chairs. The bowling lanes are neon lit, matching the brightly colored balls. Between turns, bowlers can chill on couches. Just in case you hadn't realized this wasn't your typical alley, check out the pro shop, which sells olive oil and wine bottles and accessories along with bowling gear.

The bar area features lots of small tables and padded stools, with two small flat screen TVs if you really want to keep track of the game. Metal vines separate the bar from the dining area, giving you a peek at the white-clothed tables and candlelit booths. Diners also have a view of the kitchen and chefs making pizza in the brick oven.

If the weather is nice, make sure you check out the wooden pagoda-covered outdoor patio, which features four bocce courts and a brick-lined bar. The outdoor area is mostly dominated by tables for four, but there are a few longer ones for big groups. If it gets chilly, walk across the grass and take a seat in one of the high-backed wooden chairs around the fire pit, where fleece blankets are handed out to keep you warm. With a wooden picket fence cutting off the view of the surrounding storefronts and parking lot, the patio offers a serious escape.

Service: Staff members in lilac shirts are nearly omnipresent, quick to see if you need a drink or point you in the right direction if you're lost in the massive structure.

Liquid consumption: Wine is king at Pinstripes, with more than 74 bottles on their list and 35 by the glass from Italy and the United States. You'll see the collection prominently displayed along the walls and in hanging metal cages around the bar. But that doesn't mean that liquor is neglected. An amaretto sour we tried was mixed seriously strong and there's also a selection of specialty cocktails, including house-made limoncello.

Food: Far from your typical bar food, Pinstripes' Italian-influenced menu features seafood loaded shrimp, spinach and tomato flatbread, bruschetta with very fresh tomatoes and a crisp Caesar salad. Heartier fare includes carved tenderloin of beef, lamb chops and baked lasagna. Just try to save some room for dessert with decadent options like the super-sweet caramelized cheesecake or homemade s'mores. A Sunday brunch is served from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Sounds: Until it gets too cold, Pinstripes hosts live music on the outdoor patio Friday and Saturday nights. The performances range from pop to folk to blues with acoustic guitar and a singer.

Parking: Ample free parking in the mall lot.

Overall: Whether you're interested in playing games, eating dinner, listening to music or just relaxing and catching up with friends over a few drinks, you can do it at Pinstripes. The place is big enough that you'll have plenty of room even on a busy night and packed with options to please any group looking for a night out.

<p class="factboxheadblack">Pinstripes</p> <p class="News">100 W. Higgins Road, South Barrington.</p> <p class="News">(847) 844-9300, <a href="http://www.pinstripes.com" target="new">pinstripes.com</a></p> <p class="News"><b>Hours: </b>11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 11:30 a.m. to midnight Friday; 10 a.m. to midnight Saturday; 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday</p>