At most golf courses, dining options encompass a hot dog at the turn, a frozen Snickers bar from the cart girl and maybe a burger at the 19th Hole Grill.
Mistwood, however, is not most golf courses. Named in 2013 as Golf Magazine’s best U.S. public course renovation, the Romeoville track features stacked sod bunkers typically found in Europe, not to mention a learning center that in 2014 earned it a spot on Golf Range Magazine’s Top 50 Public Ranges list.
And, if you really want, the halfway house in the learning center can get you that dog at the turn — but then you’d be missing out on the capstone to Mistwood’s years-long, eight-figure reimagining: McWethy’s Tavern.
“We wanted to be a food experience that’s comparable to the golf experience you’re getting on the course,” said Jim Koklas, McWethy’s director of food and beverage.
Based on the reaction McWethy’s has gotten since a soft opening in November and a grand opening in April, Koklas said, that mission seems to have been accomplished.
“The bulk of our business is public diners who aren’t golfers,” he said.
The tavern, named for Mistwood owner Jim McWethy, makes quite a first impression. Looming above the corner of Renwick and Gaylord Roads, its stone work and leaded glass evoke a contemporary take on a Scottish castle.
In fact, it may have been a bit too impressive.
“When we first opened, we saw people looking in, not knowing if they could come in — if it was too fancy,” Koklas said. “But once they get inside, they realize it’s a casual setting with elegant service. We’re definitely not pretentious — we’re very comfortable.”
The main entrance leads patrons to a round bar that dominates the front of the dining room, its copper top adding to a rich feel. Red leather banquettes flank the bar area, which gives way to a dining room framed with massive windows affording panoramic views of the golf course — in particular the lakeside green of the par 5 third hole.
While there are enough TVs in the bar to satisfy the post-golf crowd, the dining room offers chandeliers and a fireplace — the latter topped by the McWethy family crest — more than capable of providing a more intimate backdrop.
“We’ve created a restaurant where you can have a burger with your buddies after golf, or you can meet your wife here after work for a steak and a bottle of wine,” Koklas said.
Such disparate aims prompted the creation of a menu of suitable breadth.
At the top end, steaks range from $28 (the 14-ounce New York strip) to $44 (the 28-ounce porterhouse), with the 20-ounce, bone-in ribeye ($38) ranking as the most popular option.
The steak sandwich, an eight-ounce ribeye with caramelized onion, garlic aioli, arugula, cheddar cheese, roasted red pepper and a sunnyside up egg ($14) has been the house’s best seller overall, Koklas said.
The unusual toppings find their way to several sides, as well. Crispy Brussels sprouts ($7) come with goat cheese, toasted walnuts, bacon and lemon; while the asparagus ($7) is topped with bits of smoked salmon.
Thus far, Koklas said, patrons are ordering a lot of the house-made pappardelle ($20), a dish of wide, flat pasta topped with a braised short rib, wild mushrooms, cipollini onions and crispy leeks in a buttery reduction. Shepherd’s Pie ($12) and fish & chips ($14) nod to the Scottish roots of McWethy’s design, and the London training of chef and Shorewood native Mark Angeles.
There are also shareable starters, from a meat and cheese board ($18) to wings ($10) and the Scotch egg ($7).
Speaking of Scotch…
“We have a very extensive Scotch list — 54 Scotches in all,” Koklas said. “It’s incomparable to anything in the area. You’d have to go into the city to find anything close.”
Similarly, McWethy’s stocks more than 50 craft beers, keeping 18 on tap.
On May 28, a monthly summer concert series, featuring local bands and no cover charge, kicks off. There’s a Jazz Brunch every Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
All of it is in service to the name on the sign. Jim McWethy was an investor in Mistwood when it opened in 1998 and became the sole owner six years later.
“It has been a lifelong dream of his to build something like this,” Koklas said. “He wanted to supply a social experience that goes along with dining.”
Phil Arvia is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
McWethy’s Tavern
Where: 1700 W. Renwick Road, Romeoville
Menu: “Scottish inspired, American made,” casual fine dining.
Hours: 11 a.m. — 10 p.m., Sun-Thurs; 11 a.m. — 11 p.m., Fri-Sat.
Contact: 815-254-7001; mcwethystavern.com
Etc.: Monthly summer concert series starts May 28; Jazz Brunch 10 a.m. — 2 p.m. Sundays.
