MontarraFather'sDay delightWe went to the Monterra in Algonquin for the first time on Father's Day. A nice decor, not overly noisy, nice wine list, and really good food. Their Lobster Mac n Cheese is to die for. The side dish of brussel sprouts is prepared exceptionally well. As an appetizer we had the stuffed mushrooms with artichoke, cheese, etc. They were delicious and light tasting. The prices are not cheap, but great for a special occasion. Only drawback was that service was pretty slow.6/16/2013 12:00:00 AMAlways greatAs always food service and drinks/wine were great. Monterra is one of those rare, go-to places you can always rely on to deliver a great experience.6/8/2013 12:00:00 AMThe best!Montarra's is our favorite restaurant, this past Saturday we brought friends who were visiting and they loved it! The food was excellent and our friend commented that the ribeye steak he had was the Best he's ever had. Our server was excellent (my bad, I forgot her name) she was fun and helpful with our dinner selections. Great time, outstanding food and excellent service!6/8/2013 12:00:00 AMAlways Great for Special OccasionWent to the restaurant to celebrate family birthday and graduation. Food and service were excellent. It is pricing but well worth it for special occasions.6/7/2013 12:00:00 AMAnniversary dinnerWe have been to Montarra a few times before for my work Christmas party. We recently went there to celebrate our 30 yr anniversary. Our waitress Patty, was wonderful! The food was fabulous! They wrote Happy 30 Yr Anniversary in chocolate on our dessert plate. We will come back again.6/4/2013 12:00:00 AMchef David rocksAs usual...perfection. food is creative, tasty and beyond delicious. ..I'll be back yet again!5/31/2013 12:00:00 AMPretty goodAppetizers were outstanding, the signature tacos and stuffed mushrooms were very good. All meals were perfect although my steak was a tad overcooked and a bit dry. One really cant go wrong visiting Montarra though.5/29/2013 12:00:00 AMAmazing Dining ExperienceAbsolutely wonderful experience - food and service were great, and the interior of the restaurant was stunning.5/25/2013 12:00:00 AMSurprising FindThe menu changes seasonally as features small plates for more of a diverse experience. So, until the Summer Menu arrives, the Petite Filet Mignon Crisps were the reason I went. And, while they were good, I paired them with the Bacon Wrapped Jumbo Sea Scallops. Perfect.5/23/2013 12:00:00 AMIt's better under the red tornadoThis was our third time eating here. The food's always been excellent, but the lighting was bad. That doesn't go well with elderly companions; however, this time we were seated in the room with the big, red, tornadic-looking light fixture. The higher ceiling let more light in for the entire evening. When the lights were lowered around 8:30, it wasn't as alarming as in the other room.
Our waitress was delightful. We'll go again, most definitely.5/23/2013 12:00:00 AMA Diamond of a RestaurantWe had the most delicious dinner. It was a going away dinner for a couple of friends. Would you believe that the chef went out of his way to prepare a dessert for them that had the message "Good-Bye, Good luck in Florida" written in chocolate. They were so impressed and so were we. The meal was outstanding and best of all, the waitress (Andrea) made the evening ever so special with her most pleasant manner and efficient service.....5/21/2013 12:00:00 AMAwesome experienceThe service was impeccable! Our server (Patty) was awesome and both of the bartenders were extremely friendly. On top of that experience, the food was delicious, all 4 of us were very happy with our selections.
We will definitely be going back in the near future.5/18/2013 12:00:00 AMExcellent chef. So tasty TheExcellent chef. So tasty The chehuly glass chandlers are an extra plus5/17/2013 12:00:00 AMVery nice Mothers' Day BrunchAll in all, we had a very nice experience at Montarra for Mother's Day. The vast assortment of buffet items were well-prepared and the staff kept it fresh. Our server was very friendly and very attentive. I would certainly recommend trying this place.
My only advice for the owners would be to dial up the attention to detail just a notch. To truly separate your restaurant from all of the others, attention to detail will be the differentiator. Always put on your "guest vision goggles" and see things as your guests see them.5/12/2013 12:00:00 AMtoo loud for an expensive dinnerNO linen..ouch..pricey enough and the acoustics were so bad with children screaming that we couldn't wait to leave....Food was great..service great but doesn't have the class for what they are charging...5/11/2013 12:00:00 AMMontarra WOWDinner was wonderful as always. Everyone is attentive and friendly.5/10/2013 12:00:00 AMA real treasureWe haven't driven out there since my son moved away. Decided to take some friends. Food was as delicious as I remembered. Desserts were sublime. Just be forewarned that the bill can run a bit high with app, salad, entree and dessert. We considered it money well spent.4/27/2013 12:00:00 AMWe found Montarra about aWe found Montarra about a year ago, looking for a closer alternative to Wildfire. Well Montarra is not only closer to us but outshines Wildfire on so many levels! We have never once had a bad experience in the last year and we have probably visited 10 times. The food is amazing and the service staff is always smiling and helpful! That is the sign of very good management!4/26/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat food and fantastic service.Great food and fantastic service. Prices were reasonable. Got much more than expected.4/21/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat food, excellent service!Loved the food and love "small plate" sharing idea. Prices are reflective of the upscale restaurant the food represents. It was a littelnoisy for a romantic meal, but I will eat there again for sure.4/19/2013 12:00:00 AMunbelievably perfectThis place is on believable the service is exceptional and the food is unbelievably delicious! The service staff knows exactly when to come to your table and when not to come to your table they were perfect. Worth every single penny spent and we'll go back again and again. the appetizer that we had was so unbelievably good I wanted to order more. They were filet mignon crisps with a blue cheese in Crusted garlicky delicious port wine sauce. My pork carnitas tacos were so flavorful and so delicious I . wanted to lick the plate. I can't wait to go back again.4/19/2013 12:00:00 AMWorth the drive!!! CannotWorth the drive!!! Cannot say enough good things about this place from the staff to the ambiance to the delicious food. Small plates or regular entrees, you will not be disappointed. I had a delicious chorizo crusted swordfish entree theat was done perfectly. He had 2 small plates lobster stuffed mushrooms and bacon wrapped scallops...delish! We split a wedge salad. Our server Andrea was awesome.4/19/2013 12:00:00 AMWONDERFUL!This is an outstanding restaurant. The food is fantastic. I had their 6 oz filet with foie gras and the entire dish was "melt in your mouth" delicious and done to perfection. I would highly recommend this restaurant.4/17/2013 12:00:00 AMThe food,service,AWESOME WeThe food,service,AWESOME We have never experienced such great people,bartender,bus boy,waitress INCREDIBLE4/13/2013 12:00:00 AMWe are never disappointedWe are never disappointed with the Montarra. Good pour at the bar, great food and pleasant service.4/7/2013 12:00:00 AMAwesome small plate restaurant!!Great food. Very loud environment. Service good and friendly.4/6/2013 12:00:00 AMCity style--right down the street.When you live this far away from the city, you tend to "settle". At Montarra, no one has to "settle". Chef David and his staff make every meal memorable. Seasonal items shine in both "Small Plates" and "Large Plates", while the so-called regular menu items never taste stale or tired. If you love steaks, this will become your new favorite steakhouse, while anyone who loves fish could eat here every week for months and not even notice steaks on the menu. Montarra is a truly special gem that I would gladly drive into the city to enjoy...thankfully, I no longer have to do that!4/5/2013 12:00:00 AMA pleasant surpriseWe went to Montarra on a Thursday evening for our anniversary. A lovely welcome and I requested a booth. The waiter was pleasant and polite but the service didn't really stand out. The food was scrummy and the portions was huge. The prices were pretty steep but the food really was excellent and spoke for itself. It was relatively quiet so you could enjoy a good conversation. Just a note, it isn't really a smart casual attire.....a few people rolled in, in baggy jeans and t-shirts. Overall...a wonderful place to go to celebrate something special and its really nice to not have to go to Chicago to find something decent. I would recommend Montarra and I shall be returning ( next time my husbands paying though)4/4/2013 12:00:00 AMHave eaten at Montarra manyHave eaten at Montarra many times before but never had a brunch there. They did a very good job. Food was delicious, not as fancy as their regular menu but still very good. Would go back again.3/31/2013 12:00:00 AMSpecial Easter BrunchWe attended Montarra's Easter Brunch buffet (one of two they do annually - Mother's Day is the other). Everyone in our party of four was impressed with the quality of the food, particularly because it was a buffet. Unlike many buffets, it was not oversized. The food was served and replenished so that it was consistently fresh. The desserts were wonderful. The service was attentive, but not overwhelming. We agreed that any restaurant that can produce a buffet of this quality is worth a visit for a regular meal.3/31/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat brunch, the food selectionGreat brunch, the food selection was perfect for a brunch.3/31/2013 12:00:00 AMdjcFood was excellent. Some items on the buffet were a miss, but that has always been my experience with buffets. All in all, Montarra has come through once again with an excellent meal.3/31/2013 12:00:00 AMI have dined at Montarra'sI have dined at Montarra's many times, and view the menu like a kid in a candy store. How lucky we are to have such fine dining out in the "country". The service was perfect. Timely but not rushed. The ambiance is lovely. We enjoyed the foie gras special appetizer. My guest had the bouillabasse and raved about it and also the amount of seafood in the dish. I had the horseradish crusted filet and it was perfect. I love showing off our gem of a restaurant to visitors and always choose Montarra's for our special occasions.3/30/2013 12:00:00 AMYou can build your dinnerYou can build your dinner with small plates or more traditional courses. We opted so start with a shared order of ahi tacos that were so yummy that we had a second order of carne asada tacos. By that time we were so satiated that further food was not possible! Next time we'll try to save room for the chocolate mousse cake. Our server was efficient and personable.3/28/2013 12:00:00 AMAndrea was our waitress...Andrea was our waitress... Super nice person and server... Thank You...3/28/2013 12:00:00 AMOutstanding! I had plannedOutstanding! I had planned to try this spot for some time. Glad I did and wished I did it sooner. Food and services were excellent.3/23/2013 12:00:00 AMMy experience was great,foodMy experience was great,food and service was outstanding. Very romantic place, I recommend getting a booth, keep your woman close.3/23/2013 12:00:00 AMAlways great foodI have eaten here before for work functions, but this was my first time eating off of the full menu. The food was great all around. The steaks were perfectly cooked, and flavorfull. The desserts were fantastic. I will return soon!3/23/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat Place! I dine out inGreat Place! I dine out in Chicago often so you get spoiled with great food and wine. This is a terrific gem for those in the far west suburbs. The wine list is very good and reasonably priced..which rarely happens out here! They even have a nice selection of reds by the glass..no one in the burbs ever has a nice red by the glass selection. They will cork your wine for $20 which is another plus for us wine lovers. The menue has a great selection and the food is very good. Dessert was delicious. We went early because we enjoy talking and hate when we have to yell to have a conversation. Even when the restaurant was packed it was easy to talk. We will be back many times.3/22/2013 12:00:00 AMLots of good choices on theLots of good choices on the menu; very good presentation; awesome, friendly staff; nice decor--filled up quickly after 6:30 on a Friday, -get a reservation3/22/2013 12:00:00 AMI really enjoy this place.I really enjoy this place. I think it is the best place to dine in the Greater Elgin, IL area.3/20/2013 12:00:00 AMThe food and service wereThe food and service were absolutely wonderful, we were surprised that there weren't more people dining the same evening. But it made for a relaxed, enjoyable dinner. Thanks to our waitress for her reccommendations; we enjoyed everything from cocktails and appetizers through to the entrees and desserts. Thanks!3/17/2013 12:00:00 AMWe go here as our favoriteWe go here as our favorite local restaurant. Always good food and service.3/10/2013 12:00:00 AMThis was an amazing find.This was an amazing find. Phenomenal service and outstanding food. A tad bit pricey but other than that it was incredible.3/6/2013 12:00:00 AMAwesomeAwesome is the simplest way to describe. Such a hidden gem. Tucked off Randall Rd. in strip mall. You would never know this delight was here without Opentable.com to draw you in. Extensive menu and VERY friendly staff all the way down to bus boy. Would go again and again.12/23/2012 12:00:00 AM