Peggy Kinnane’s Irish Pub and Restaurant of Arlington Heights tees off its Fifth Annual Golf Outing this Tuesday, Sept. 9. Past outings have raised $56,000 for hospice centers in the U.S. and Ireland. The event begins at the Vail Street pub, then goes to the greens at Old Orchard Country Club in Mount Prospect.

The outing, benefiting Hospice of Northeastern Illinois and Templemore Hospice, Ireland, hits close to home for pub owner Derek Hanley. “My father, Jack Hanley, was diagnosed with cancer while on vacation  in America.”

Tears welled in the Irishman’s eyes as he remembered how hospice gave dignity back to his father and the Hanley family during a difficult time. “My father was at a hospice hospital in Templemore. They made his life comfortable  but more than that, they provided a place where we could all be together during the last days of his life. Derek and wife, Michelle, decided to give back to a hospice center where locally donated dollars would go back into their community.

Northeastern Illinois Hospice, Barrington, is a not-for-profit, independent facility which serves Lake, McHenry, Cook, Dupage, Kane and Boone  counties.

Several years after losing his father, Derek keeps his memory alive with his love for sharing good times with friends and family. The golf event would certainly make Jack proud of his community-minded son.

“We have a day filled with good friends, good food and lots of fun.” A raffle and prizes for a hole-in-one, closest to the pin and longest drive are included and range from a Mercedes, to attendance at the Playmate of the Year Luncheon at the Playboy Mansion in California, to a vacation package in Galena.

Once the game is over, everybody goes to Peggy’s for a buffet dinner and a two-hour open bar.
The deadline to sign up for the golf outing is Monday, Sept. 8. Call Peggy Kinnane’s at 847-577-7733, log onto peggykinnanes.com or stop by the restaurant at 8 N. Vail Avenue in Arlington Heights.

For more information about Northeastern Illinois Hospice, call 847-381-5599 or go to hospiceanswers.org.

The sign truck crew from Comet Neon, Inc. arrived first thing Monday morning
August 25th and had the sign installed and lit by Monday night.

Fuego owner Eddie Nahlawi planned to open Grand Station, an American cafe, on the southwest corner of Campbell Street and Vail Avenue in June … better late than never … the owner and staff hope to open the restaurant soon in September.

There was some controversy over the word “cocktail” being placed on the sign, but the sign was approved at a village board meeting in April and installed this last full week of August.

The menu will include classic American comfort food like roasted chicken, burgers, salads, seafood and steaks at 101 West Campbell Street in Arlington Heights. The restaurant is across from Peggy Kinnane’s and kiddie corner from Harry’s of Arlington.

Grand Station’s music, decor, and entrees will be all American with dark, hardwood floors and murals. Accordion-style windows along Vail Street provide a view of Harmony Park. A two-story staircase connects the dining area to two banquet rooms upstairs.

The Grand Station Restaurant will be open for lunch and dinner seven days a week — staying open until 2 a.m. on weekends.

Website: thegrandstationrestaurant.com
Telephone: 847-255-5050

Comet Neon, Inc. Sign & Service 630-668-6366  — cometneon.com

Are you wondering what restaurants in Arlington Heights have outdoor seating? Click over to Arlingtoncards.com/outdoordining for a list of outdoor dining restaurants — complete with a satellite view of the seating areas for each restaurant.

Other helpful pages …
Arlington Heights Around Town Restaurants
Arlington Heights Pizza — Arlingtoncards.com/pizza
Arlington Heights Steaks — Arlingtoncards.com/steaks

View Larger Map of the John Barleycorn Restaurant site …

An impressive new restaurant and bar  has opened in Schaumburg: John Barleycorn at the corner of National Parkway and American Way.

The spacious restaurant has a big bar at the left and a big dining area on the right. Go straight back and up the stairs or elevator and find a huge dance hall with a stage for live bands and a large DJ control center as well. The dance hall holds upwards of 900 people.

John Barelycorn has existing restaurants/bars at Lincoln Park, Lincoln Park West and Wrigleyville.

John Barleycorn’s largest restaurant/bar is in Schaumburg and features:
Weekend brunch
Creative salads
The Barleycorn Burger
Thin crust pizza
Loaded appetizers
Hearty sandwiches and savory entrees
Sweet & savory desserts
Homemade chilli and soups
Famous fish & chips
Extensive wine list
After work cocktails and daily drink specials
Late afternoon lunch
Dancing
Live music
DJ music with light shows

For more info …
johnbarleycorn.com

John Barleycorn Myspace …
myspace.com/johnbarleycornlp

Max & Erma’s President Rob Lindeman today announced that the Max & Erma’s restaurant (Nasdaq: MAXE) in Arlington Heights, Ill., will close after business hours on March 16.

The Arlington Heights restaurant location opened on Oct. 4, 1993.

Lindeman said the restaurant’s lease reached its expiration date and
Max & Erma’s did not negotiate its extension.

Deer Park and Hoffman Estates Locations Remain Open:
Max & Erma’s, which operates seven other locations in the Chicagoland area, has two restaurants in close proximity to Arlington Heights – 20506 N. Rand Rd., Deer Park, and 2475 W. Higgins Rd., Hoffman Estates.

Related link …
maxandermas.com

Big Shot Piano Lounge & Restaurant has replaced the former night club spot known as The Boiler Room in the Hagenbring building. Perhaps inspired by Big Shot from Billy Joel’s 52nd Street Album (Big Shot by Billy Joel on amazonmp3 …)

Wayne Richards is the resident piano player, who has played at The Ritz Carlton, Murray Hotel at Mackinac Island, The Victoria in Oslo Norway, the Schaumburg Marriot, Pheasant Run in St. Charles, Eagle Ridge resort in Galena and The Barn of Barrington in Barrington, Illinois.

Food Stars …
Caesar salad, spring rolls, buffalo chicken lettuce wraps, tomato basil soup, seared salads, warm seared sea scallops with red raspberry vinaigrette dressing and a nice array of flatbread pizzas, including portabella spinach feta and shrimp avocado.

Drink List …
The beverage list is impressive and includes martinis and The Jolly Rancher.

Big Shot is located at 2 S. Vail, Arlington Heights. For information, telephone (847) 670-6890.

More info …
bigshotpianolounge.com
waynesongs.com