Dinner with Friends (Southern IL)
Ranked #5,624 in Food & Cooking, #106,083 overall
Why don't you join us for dinner?
Who doesn't love food? We've found that sitting at the table with interesting people, sharing a great meal, makes for an entertaining and enjoyable evening, lays the groundwork for on-going friendships, and leaves us with plenty of memories. Why don't you join us for dinner? We set our table for 12 friends each month and welcome newcomers.
Click any item in the What's Coming Up list to view it (or just scroll through the site). You'll find information on dinner events and reviews of the good times we've had on previous occasions as well as information about Dinner with Friends and a list of sites that offer coupons and rebates for local and nationwide restaurants.
Learn About Dinner with Friends
Click an option or scroll through our site
- How Dinner With Friends Works
- Inquiries and RSVPs to Dinner with Friends
- Where would you like to go?
- What makes a great dining experience?
- Our Next Adventure
- June 30th: Sao Asian Bistro in Marion
- Just Our Opinion
- On the Calendar
- July 21st: Cheer for the Miners, Eat a Dog
- How to Get to Rent One Field
- Just Our Opinion
- Local Restaurant Reviews
- Deals and Discounts
- Hope you liked what we dished up!
- Past Adventures
- Past Event: Dinner at Mase's Place
- Just Our Opinion
How Dinner With Friends Works
Inquiries and RSVPs to Dinner with Friends
For inquiries or to save your place at the table email us at dinnerwithfriendssoil@gmail.com. There are just 12 spots for each dinner so RSVP early. We'll confirm your RSVP or let you know that all spots are filled. Be courteous if you must cancel and let us know ASAP so someone else can join us. Where would you like to go?
We have dinners scheduled, but new ideas are always welcomed
Vote for places you'd like to share with us. If a restaurant is not on the list, email your suggestion to dinnerwithfriendssoil@gmail.com and we'll add it to the list. Don't forget to place your vote!
What makes a great dining experience?
What makes a great restaurant: delicious food, great ambiance, casual atmosphere, exceptional service, perfect for romance, or just plain fun? Share your opinion and some juicy details.
A comfortable and casual environment, friendly service, and home cooking with fresh-brewed sweet tea
miaponzo says:
Really both.. but I think comfortable is good :)
quester says:
food, yes, ambiance, yes but most of all, the company and conversation!
Your neighbor at the table :-D says:
I love fine dining, but there's nothing quite as good as wonderful home cooking and friendly "welcome neighbor" service.
Trendy decor, impeccable service, and haute cuisine with a remarkable wine list
exotickitten731 says:
lovely lens! and i'd love to visit the restaurants but i no longer live in illinois = [ keep up the good work!
davespeed says:
Great lens! All elements of the dining experience (service, decor, food, etc.) have to come together to make a great dining experience. Your dinner club sounds wonderful!
livinglargeandhappy says:
In our area I think we are more likely to find excellent options in the comfortable and casual category--although we do have the occasional gem. I hear Tom's is awesome and I am looking forward to visiting sometime this year; I hear the "Morel Fest" is incredible. I just checked it out. The Morel Fest is on April 25th (Wednesday) this year--my birthday!!! I think it is a sign. Especially since we leave the next day Thursday to go out of town and would not have been able to make it over the weekend.
Our Next Adventure
June 30th: Sao Asian Bistro in Marion
We reserved 12 seats available for dinner June 30th at 7:00 pm
We have 10 seats left at the table...RSVP now to join us!
Voted one of the Nation's top 100 Chinese Restaurants in 2006, the Bistro's menu features a variety of traditional Asian cuisine and a great selection of Asian-Western infused dishes. Sao Asian Bistro also serve an assortment of Sushi rolls, Nigiris, and Sashimis prepared fresh to order. The restaurant has an extensive wine list, a full bar with a large assortment of top-shelf spirits, beers from all over the world, and a wide variety of sake.We strive to create an atmosphere where our guests can relax and enjoy their favorite wine or feel comfortable trying something new.
Just Our Opinion
Would you recommend Sao Asian Bistro?
Put in your vote after we visit.
On the Calendar
July 21st: Cheer for the Miners, Eat a Dog
We have 20 seats available in the Grandstands July 21st at 4:05 pm
We have 20 seats left in the stands...RSVP now to join us!
By popular request, we are trying to arrange a group outing to Rent One Park in Marion to see the Southern Illinois Miners play the Washington Wild Things.If you've never been to a Miner's game you are in for a fun afternoon. It is a relatively small ballpark - typical of minor league play. You can see the play and the players well from every seat in the house. Box seats are covered and offer protection from all-day sun and rain. The stadium is impeccably clean, including snack bars and restrooms. Best of all, the park caters to fans and engages them with fan participation activities like racing eyeballs and the suitcase packing race. The finale usually includes a strategic ball toss for prizes.
For this event we would like to get a group of 20, as groups receive special perks. These perks include seeing our group name in lights on the video scoreboard along with a special public address welcome. The group leader is given a special Miners Group Outing t-shirt. When you reserve your tickets, submit a great group name. The person who submits the winning group name will win the prestigious title of Group Outing Leader and as such, take home the coveted the Group Outing Leader t-shirt.
Box Seat tickets are $7 and are the best seats in the house. Please RSVP and arrange to get us money for tickets by Saturday, June 30th. We are going to buy tickets in a group block.
Additional group member perks include:
- Perfect Game Coupon to purchase a hot dog, soda, and popcorn or chips for just $6 (a $3 savings available only to groups of 20+)
- a coupon for 5% off at the Miners' General Store
- one 'scrip' redeemable for $1 off anything inside Rent One Park (check out the website if you want more information on this perk)
Dress for the weather! Bring sunscreen.
How to Get to Rent One Field
Home of the Southern Illinois Miners
- Southern Illinois Miners
- Click to go to the Southern Illinois Miner's Official website.
- Map to Rent One Park
- Click to see a map to Rent One Park, Home of the Illinois Miners.
Just Our Opinion
Would you recommend a game at Rent One Park?
Put in your vote after we visit.
Local Restaurant Reviews
Southern Illinois Restaurant Reviews
- Midland Hills Restaurant Reviews
- Local reviews of Southern Illinois restaurants.
Deals and Discounts
Amazing Restaurant Deals
Coupons, discounts, and incentive opportunities
- The Southern Top 20 Dining Card (Southern Illinois Restaurants)
- Annual discount card available from publishers of The Southern for more than 20 Southern Illinois restaurants.
- EatDrinkDeals.com
- Site lists current coupons and discounts for over 100 major chains.
- DIneOutCheap.com
- Site lists current coupons for local establishments and major chains.
- Restaurants.com
- Site allows you to purchase deeply discounted certificates and gift cards to restaurants around the country. Deals range from 50-80% off.
- iDine.com
- Register your favorite credit card and then use it to get 15% off your final check at more than 10,000 participating restaurants throughout the country. Once you reach $20 in rebates you receive an American Express Money Card (plastic cash) with your cash back balance.
- OpenTable.com
- Register and make reservations through this site to earn points. For every 2,000 points earned you receive a $20 restaurant gift card.
- HappyHour.com
- Use this site to locate restaurants that offer Happy Hour specials.
- Groupon.com
- Daily restaurant (and other product/service) deals in major cities throughout the country. Groupon Now! offers deals that are available at a specific time today. Groupon Now! is available in major metropolitan areas and a fun way to select unique places to eat when traveling.
Hope you liked what we dished up!
Tell us what tantalized your tastebuds.
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quester
Apr 30, 2012 @ 10:39 pm | delete
- although your location is a little distance for me - I would love to join you for dinner once or twice
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BiminiBahamas
Apr 24, 2012 @ 11:09 am | delete
- Fun lens!
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aj2008
Apr 12, 2012 @ 6:30 am | delete
- What a great idea! Shame I am a bit too far away to join you :)
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Rewards4life Mar 14, 2012 @ 3:50 am | delete
- Yum! I love going out for a meal with my friends as well. Great lens!
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JoshK47
Mar 13, 2012 @ 11:16 am | delete
- Wonderfully informative - and hunger-inducing!
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- Load More
Past Adventures
Places We've Been
Click a link to see where we've been
Past Event: Dinner at the Centralia House
We're taking the train for an interesting evening in Centralia.
This is an interesting event. This is an interesting event. We're traveling by Amtrak train from the Carbondale station to downtown Centralia. Once we depart in Centralia, the Centralia House is just a short stroll across the street. We arrive in time for drinks and a leisurely dinner with choices like Roasted Duckling, Burboun Street Pork Chops. Shrimp Providence, Dusted Portobello Mushrooms, or Prime Filet of Beef. After sampling Centralia House's fabulous desserts we'll head back to Carbondale on the last southbound train of the evening.
Constructed about 1854, as a saloon and a sporting house, the Centralia House was a landmark and a tradition on the original Illinois Central Railroad. It became famous as a restaurant in the days before the dining car; each train that stopped in Centralia was met by a waiter who announced meals with a brass gong. Historical figures who have eaten at the restaurant include Stephen Douglas and generals Grant, McClellan, and Sherman. The restaurant remains much as it was over a century ago, down to the pre-1900 bar and back bar, and the spirits warehouse situated a stone cellar below the bar.
Centralia House has an upscale-casual ambience, and dress-casual is totally appropriate, although absolutely casual will work as well.
Just Our Opinion
Would you recommend The Centrailia House?
the muffinman
Look at the Centralia House Dinner Menu
Most current menu for dinner selections
- Centralia House Menu
- Most current menu for The Centralia House. Please choose your order from this menu.
- Centralia House WebsIte
- For more information about the Centralia House including additional menus and their events calendar.
- Map to the Centralia House
- Map and directions to the Centralia House.
Book Your Amtrak Tickets
Reserve your seat early and enjoy the ride to Centralia
We are traveling by train to Centralia from Carbondale. The hour-long ride winds through the southern Illinois countryside; relax, kick up your feet, enjoy a little wine, and converse with friends--no driving. Once we arrive in Centralia we'll stroll down the tracks and across the street to the Centralia House. After dinner, we board the 8:06 back to Carbondale.
The ticket price when we checked was just $6.50 each way. Book early; at times the train does sell out and ticket prices usually rise as the departure date nears.
Go to Amtrak.com and book your tickets:
- 4:06 Illini out of Carbondale, IL
- 8:06 Illini out of Centralia, IL
Past Event: Dinner at Honeybakers
We have a reservation for 12 for dinner February 25th
We have a full table
...join us next time!
Then there are the Honeybakers' specialties like Homemade Homeybakes and Honeybakers' Bah Ba Q Parfait. Honeybakers bakes fresh pies and other desserts daily including hard-to-find favorites like apple dumplings.
Honeybakers is a casual and comfortable place, so come in your comfy clothes.
Just Our Opinion
Would you recommend Honeybakers?
Look at Honeybakers' Dinner Menu
- Honeybaker's Dine-in Menu
- Offerings available during our dinner visit to Honeybakers.
- Honeybakers' Website
- For more information about Honeybakers including photos of their specialty items and desserts, their events calendar, and catering information.
- Map to Honeybakers
- Map and direction to Honeybakers.
Past Event: Dinner at DiMaggio's Italian Ristorante
We have reservations for 12 for dinner March 24th at 6:30 pm
We have 4 seats left at the table...RSVP now to join us!
The DiMaggio family immigrated from Sicily in 1973 and started the family business in Fairfield, Illinois. The family now operates seven restaurants throughout southern Illinois. DiMaggio's success is based on perseverance...and pizza! With a name like DiMaggio's Italian Ristorante traditional italian fare like Calamari and Mussels; Spaghetti, Ravioli, Penne, Tortellini, and Lasagna; Calazones; and pan or thin crust Pizza is no surprise. Neither is their claim that their food is guaranteed to please. This confidence comes from using nothing but fresh ingredients, the family's original sauce recipe, home-made dough, and lots of care.DiMaggio's Italian Ristorante is a casual family restaurant, so the only thing more appropriate than your most comfortable jeans are pants with an elastic waistband.
Look at DiMaggio's Italian Ristorante Dinner Menu
- DiMaggio's Italian Ristorante Menu
- Dinner menu for DiMaggio's Italian Ristorante.
- DiMaggio's Italian Ristorante Website
- For more information about DiMaggio's Italian Ristorante including additional menus and their events calendar.
- Map to DiMaggio's Italian Ristorante
- Map and directions for DiMaggio's Italian Ristorante.
Just Our Opinion
Would you recommend DiMaggio's Italian Ristorante?
Past Event: Dinner at Jasones Restaurant
We reserved 12 seats available for dinner April 20th at 6:30 pm
We have a full table
...join us next time!
I spoke with her regarding the dinner menu. There isn't one. As chef, Debbie shops for ingredients herself, locally, and on a daily basis. She then develops the Friday night menu based on the availability of ingredients and her own creative flare. She suggested that she will likely create a chicken, seafood, and beef entree from which to choose. She described ideas for each, but these may change, and I cannot do her descriptions justice. Debbie also says they have an array of luscious desserts. And...get this...we are to bring our own wine or liquor. I will call several days in advance to see what is on the menu to help with beverage pairing.
A step up from casual dress is appropriate for this interesting dining treat.
Just Our Opinion
Would you recommend Jasones?
themuffinman
Look at Jasones' Dinner Menu
- Jasones' Standard Menu
- Offerings available during lunch and breakfast at Jasones. If a dinner menu becomes available, it will be posted here.
- Jasones Website
- For more information about Jasones including additional menus, their Bed and Breakfast Inn, and group party information.
- Map to Jasones
- Map and directions to Jasones.
Past Event: Dinner at Mase's Place
We reserved 12 seats at the table for dinner May 19th at 6:30 pm
We have 2 seats left at the table...RSVP now to join us!
Mase's Place seems to be in the middle of nowhere, which makes it such a unique and pleasant find. This quaint bar and grill offers southern, specialty cooking and a large selection of southern Illinois wines, all dished up with a taste of local culture.It is said by those in the know that Mase's BBQ stands up to the best, blue-ribbon BBQ in the country; it is served with what they describe as remarkably delicious sauce made from scratch following the Mason family recipe. Mase's also serves tasty appetizers like "pub-pickles" and "fried green beans" as well as unforgettable entrees.
Don't miss out on this down-home Dinner with Friends experience - we're promised that it is worth the drive.
Dress is undoubtedly casual.
Just Our Opinion
Would you recommend Mase's Place?
Look at the Mase's Place Menu
- Mase's Place Menu
- Click to see what's on the menu at Mase's Place.
- Mase's Place Website
- For more information about Mase's Place including their hours, events calendar, and catering information.
- Map to Mase's Place
- Map and directions to Mase's Place.
by livinglargeandhappy
I love life in Southern Illinois. The area's geographic location makes for many unique, if not spectacular, venues. The climate and topography is perf... more »
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