'Check, Please' appearance brings new guests to Port Edward
Port Edward Restaurant is still feeling the buzz from a recent appearance on "Check, Please," a Chicago television show in which the host and its guests review restaurants in Chicago and the suburbs.
The show, which aired in October, gave the Algonquin eatery five forks, the highest rating the show offers.
The eight-minute segment has meant a lot to the nautical-themed eatery's regional popularity, said Bob Sandidge, who handles the restaurant's marketing and publicity.
In the months since the show aired, Port Edward added between 600 and 700 new people to its birthday club, in which the restaurant issues $20 coupons to people celebrating their birthdays - there are roughly 40,000 people in the club.
Moreover, Port Edward doubled its revenue most weeks in November, usually a slow month for the 46-year-old eatery,
"'Check, Please' was part of that," Sandidge said. "We were doing some promotional things too, but it all factors together."
Port Edward has received several numerous awards over the years for its seafood, seafood buffet and wine selection.
AAA Motor Club gave it four stars and called it mid-America's most unusual restaurant.
As well, Wine Spectator, an authority on fine wines and the restaurants that serve them, recognized Port Edward as one of the top sellers in the area.
The "Check, Please" accolades served as even more validation to a job well done, Sandidge said.
"We work really hard to deliver a quality product and a quality experience," Sandidge said. "We're still at the top of our charts, so it really does tell you that some things are working they way we hoped they would - hard work pays off."
If you missed the episode, you can view it by visiting http://video.wttw.com/video/1328259774/
Port Edward is at 20 W. Algonquin Road. To make a reservation, call (847) 658-5441.
Citizen cops in LITH: Starting Monday, Jan. 11, the Lake in the Hills Police Department will offer its 32nd Citizen's Police Academy, meant to help residents understand how the police department works.
The course runs for 10 weeks, with one three-hour class from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. every Monday.
The classes, taught by Lake in the Hills police officers, will cover topics ranging from firearms and gangs, to crime scene investigations and an overview of the law.
The course meets at the Lake in the Hills Police Station, but there will be times it will be moved to field locations.
To sign up, call (847) 658-5676 or download an application at www.lith.org/COPP.html.
Participants must be at least 18 years old, free of felony or misdemeanor convictions that question their moral character and be ready to deal with graphic material.
• Lenore Adkins covers Algonquin, Lake in the Hills, Pingree Grove, McHenry County College, Cary and Fox River Grove. To reach her, send an e-mail to ladkins@dailyherald.com or call (847) 608-2725.