Oh, my. After my updated review from a couple of days ago, the owner of Connected tracked me down through facebook, found a mutual friend, and asked her to put us in contact. I told her she could give him my number, so he called. I kind of expected that he'd say sorry for the bad experience, we hope you'll give us another chance, etc. Instead he accused me of slander for the poor review. The conversation revealed that he knew stuff about me and my husband that leads me to believe he did some facebook stalking of both of us before the call. On the issue of the sea bass that I don't think was sea bass: In the phone call, he spent about 10 uninterrupted minutes on the phone inviting me to look through his kitchen and invoices, and offered to pay for a lie detector test to prove he served me sea bass (It was a bit "thou doth protest too much"). As I said in my previous review, I ordered sea bass and received something that was unlike any sea bass I, or either of my dining companions, have ever had before. It wasn't even remotely similar to the sea bass I was served in this same restaurant four days before. If it was sea bass (which I don't believe), it was an exceptionally inferior cut that he shouldn't have let out of his kitchen. I told him this, and he got upset and said that it was unprofessional of me to say that it wasn't sea bass. I'm not a professional food reviewer, so I don't know how it was unprofessional, but to be fair I will say that I have no proof that it wasn't sea bass. I wrote that it was NOT sea bass, rather than saying I didn't think it was sea bass. I will edit my review to reflect that. What I do know is that it was extremely unprofessional of a chef to track down a patron and accuse her of slander for writing a yelp review. The man kept me on the phone for fifteen minutes trying to get me to take down the review, and implied that he had been in contact with his lawyers about it. It's totally unprofessional to make legal threats against a patron for writing about a bad experience at your restaurant. Prior to this phone call, I would have gone back to give Connected another try. Now I will tell everyone I know to steer far clear of this place. read more

Has anyone mentioned the awkward formalities in their experience at Connected? Ill fitted tuxes, roses, waiter placing napkin in my lap, etc. Save the flair for the food. The decor is nice, while it doesn't make me think I am under the stars in Italy, it does make you feel like you are dining al fresco in suburbia. The menu was limited to pretty simple Italian staples. Unfortunately, instead of making basic dishes great, they kept them basic. There was nothing notable about the meal. It tasted like NYC pizzeria food, but twice as expensive. Oh well, still trying to find the best Italian food in Peoria. read more

Went into Connected with no expectations (rare to not get to read up on a place on yelp prior to visiting) but this lead to an unbiased view of the place. First off, you will never find it unless you have an amazing GPS or realize it's connected next to a massive pink BINGO building. Second, when walking in, try not to laugh at their failed attempts at a Disney-like recreation of an Italian street scene inside (complete with fake balconies). Third, do not harshly judge the waiters and waitresses dressed in full tuxedos. It is not their fault that management hasn't realized that this is not an opera house or anything close to requiring this kind of attire. After initial impressions of the cheesy atmosphere, I was sure the food would be awful - wrong! To start they bring out a baba ghanoush-like bread dip that is RIDICULOUSLY delicious, I could have ate it all night long. For appetizers we had calamari and caprese (not bad, not amazing). For dinner, I ordered the shrimp in a full flavored (perfectly spicy) marinara sauce. They cooked them perfectly which is rare of any restaurant to keep them that succulent. Others raved about their lemon chicken, fettuccine, and sea bass dishes. For desert? A flaming creme brule (too much grain alcohol was poured so the dish burned on for awhile and was warm inside) and chocolate dipped ice cream (so-so) and a cappuccino (too much foam but nice hint of cinnamon. All in all, I'd easily go back (great food!!!) but must warn that a sense of humor is required as the owners of this establishment take themselves waaaay too seriously. They ensure you don't forget this fact when they leave all the female guests a rose at the completion of dinner (even chasing a coworker out the door when she slipped out before the check. read more

My good friend Jon Hopkins and I decide to check out this place on a random Saturday. We pull up to a bowling alley/ bingo hall in the middle of the 61604. Immediately I think turn around and go to Jim'. We walk in anyway, and boy am I glad we did. Lavish outdoor dining section available, but since it was just us we went inside. It felt like I was back in Amalfi with little store fronts and huge waterfalls. Jon being a little feminine, decided on the lemon basil martini. Did they grow the basil themselves? One will never know, but this is rumored. I got a Blantons Old fashioned and it's hands downtown best in Peoria John the bartender is awesome btw. We get shrimp cocktail to start annnd st elmos you have a challenger on the best! When dinner got there I had the delmonico and John the sea bass. Now this is not just any steak, but this is hands down the best steak in Peoria. Dry aged for the perfect meaty flavor explosion. Jon's sea bass was fantastic, but I knew that because that's usually what my wife gets. I'm not sure if you have had creme brûlée, but what ever your doing at the moment stop. Drive to connected and you're welcome for the suggestion. At the end they gave Jon a really lovely rose which really complimented everything really well. Will be back. The best. read more

I am very impressed with Connected, a new restaurant in the old Po'Boys restaurant. Excellent food, great service and surprisingly cool atmosphere. Very cool bar and nicely priced/selection on the wine list. Best calamari in Peoria, excellence carpaccio, generous salads and amazing entrees. I had veal and tried a ribeye and chicken parm...both fantastic. Ingredients are fresh and atmosphere is like you are sitting outside, listenting to Sinatra...even in the dead of winter in Peoria. Give it a try, you'll go back. read more

Atmosphere is awe inspiring, staff are impeccable, yet the food is okay. It may have been I ordered wrong as other in my party enjoyed their meals. I ordered veal parmigiana. Way too much cheese and breaded veal was very mushy and the meat was tough. read more

As another reviewer had noted, it seemed as if the people at Connected were trying a bit too hard to be a fine dining restaurant. That's not necessarily a bad thing, but it was clearly obvious that the waiters were far more casual than their attire demanded of them. That being said, they were nice and attentive, but still they just seemed out of place. Despite that, the experience was pretty nice and the food wasn't half bad. Once inside, you realize that it sort of looks like you've stepped outside. It has this Italian street side feel to it, complete with a nice water-wall in the background. It's just very nicely done. The tables were well decorated, complete with the unnecessary amount of plates, glasses and utensils you would expect from a high end dining experience. The food was also very delicious. You start off with a bread and a delicious eggplant spread. I would've loved to take some of the spread home. I also got a basic salad, and it was also pretty good. The portion for the salad was smaller than I was expecting for the price, but I think that it was the appropriate size for a starter (not too much, not too little). As for the main course, I wasn't feeling too adventurous so I simply got the Alfredo with Shrimp, and the Alfredo sauce was just so thick and creamy. It was perfect, and I enjoyed every bite of it. I ended with a crème brûlée and while I've had better ones, it was an acceptable way to end the meal. Overall, it was much better than I was expecting. I was pleased with the experience overall. It may be a place that I might revisit on a future trip to Illinois, even more so if they drop their prices a bit. Oh, also, it was a bit difficult to find, and certainly not in a neighborhood that I would expect to find such a restaurant. The road was full of potholes and the surrounding buildings (a Walmart and whatever the huge BINGO sign was for) seemed to attract a shady crowd. So just keep your eye open for it and be careful. Also while Yelp (as of this writing) says the attire is casual, when I was there, there was not one person in any type of casual attire. Everyone at the very least had a collared shirt, so you may want to dress up a little more than just casual for this trip. read more

Details of visit: 4 individuals, Thursday, September @7pm Atmosphere: 9/10 Food: 8/10 Experience: 8/10 Price: 7/10 This place aims to prove that fine dining is not only classified by the hefty check at the end, but also by quality food. Detailed interior space with ambient lighting, great attention paid to atmosphere. As you get seated by an extra from Happy Feet, you either feel underdressed or you are underdressed. Shortly after you are seated, expect exceptional puffy, warm bread with what seems to be an exact dupe of spin dip, but actually made with eggplant, dill, garlic-sans spinach. If you're here to impress your guest, consider a Level 1 trial run of Rosetta Stone: Italiano before attempting to pronounce any items on the oversized, laminated menu. Food arrived with minimal waiting and everything tasted great. Translated items tried, ranked in order: 1. Seared Bass with fried Parsnips on a bed of Risotto Bass is perfectly seared and the parsnips provide a nice sweet crunch paired with the beefy sauce and creamy risotto 2. Veal Marsala -Very tender meat in a zesty marsala sauce 3. Calamari -Yum! Highly recommend if you're into fried seafood 4. Spicy Seafood Spaghetti with Shrimp -They're not playing around when they include Spicy in the description 5. Salmon in salty glaze doused with sweet sauce on top of a bed of Potatoes -Great dish if you enjoy cooked salmon 6. Salad in sweet Vinaigrette -Assorted greens with nuts in a sweet dressing. A (very) sweet surprise awaits you at the end of your meal: a single, long-stemmed rose for the ladies and a complimentary shot of limoncello for the entire table. read more

During the pandemic shutdown, they are selling frozen dinners. We had the chicken and mushroom risotto tonight. It was wonderful!!

We sat in the atrium, which was admittedly a little corny with the big screen tv showing a sunset and fake stream flowing behind us. However, we had a fantastic experience. The service was attentive but respectful, the food was excellent and the environment ultimately proved relaxing and perfect for an evening catching up with friends. We started with cocktails, and my Old Fashioned was nicely balanced and delicious. For dinner I had the Delmonico ribeye with au gratin potatoes, preceded by a caesar salad. Every bite was on point, although the whole event was a pretty big splurge from an economic and caloric perspective. The steak and potatoes were doused in butter and frankly decadent. The portion sizes were generous and more than filling. I'd come back, but it feels more appropriate for special occasions than regular nights out. read more

Agreed with the other reviews that the ambiance/decor/tuxed up waiters make the restaurant interesting...but i REALLLLLLY like the food. I've been there twice now and both times the food has been excellent: -warm bread + this eggplant sauce they make is amazeballs! pretty sure -Sea Bass--cooked perfectly! buttery melt in your mouth! -special/secret boar--its not on the menu, but its a ongoing special they have. boar + soy polynesian sauce and au gratin potatoes. i was VERY SKEPTICAL of this asian sauce in an italian establishment...but it was the perfect amount of sweet/savory sauce/glaze thing. SO GOOOOD. and the au gratin potatoes are amazing too!! not so excellent/fyi: -anchovies on the ceasar is extra $1.5 -the romaine hasnt been very fresh both times i've been -ceasar is dressed pretty heavily--asked for light dressing -the parking lot/strip mall is super randomos--next to the walmart and THE BIGGEST BINGO FACILITY I'VE EVER SEEN i just might head there now..... ps. the chef used to work in hotlanta with the buckhead life restaurant group! read more

I was in Peoria visiting my mom for her birthday and we came to Connected as a family after my parents had been here a few weeks ago. Living in Chicago, I frequent alot of nice restaurants and I definitely think that Connected stacks up to what I can get at home (save for any Chef Achatz fare). The decor is nice and the service was really good: I really cannot understand the reviews that complain that the service has "flare" or is presumptuous. The wait staff is attentive and professional and its clear they take alot of pride in their jobs. My parents both had the sea bass and I had the boar: I NEVER finish a meal and I was essentially licking my plate at the end of the meal. My water was consistently refreshed, my mom's coffee consistently refilled without us having to ask, the both servers were friendly and knowledgable about the menu. At the end of our meal, the chef/owner came out to greet us and thank my parents for returning for mom's birthday. The ONLY thing that is even the slightest bit negative is that my parents do not drink alcohol, and both times they've been to Connected, the server has attempted to serve a small glass of Limoncello at the end of the meal. I would suggest they ASK patrons if they would like this instead of just serving it up. It's a very nice and authentic gesture, just not appropriate for everyone. Overall, VERY nicely done! I'll be back next time we have a family event, and I'll be looking forward to my rose! read more

4 star food 2 start service. I got bore which was quite good, and would definitely get it again. The potatoes that came with it were also great. However, the service could not have been more underwhelming. read more

My husband found this restaurant on a whim while searching for a date night location. It is in an interesting location of Peoria and can be hard to find but is worth it! Very romantic atmosphere! The eggplant spread for the bread was delicious! We had a delicious bottle of wine (Hacienda Riesling) and our meals were good as well! The creme brûlée was a fun way to end the night. Our waitress was very attentive and professional. It was a great date night! read more

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We just had the Delmonico steak and as usual Troy delivered us a wonderful cut cooked to perfection! If you haven't been here it's a must!! Delmonico is not on the menu but it is the special. Delicious!!! Our waiter was on point and very nice read more

Connected Restaurant - Italian Near Me - Peoria, Illinois

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Finally a fine dining restaurant in Peoria that utilizes a "crumber" with their linen table cloths for their guests. This place has great ambiance, and the lighting is perfect. The decor is beautiful too, like dining along a shore fare somewhere in Italy. I give this place 3 stars for a few reasons. There are areas they could defiantly improve on which would help mask the price if the experience. When your bill totals $140.00 there are just a few things expected... 1. NEVER SERVE A NICE RED WINE IN A WHIT WHINE GLASS. This just cheapens the experience, especially when the wine per glass is $10 ea. 2. When prices are not listed per glass of wine, the cost is usually 1/4 of the bottle price. We were charged $10 per glass, bottle price was $28. Would have/ should have gotten the bottle. Da Vinci Chianti was superb! The Chilean Sea Bass was good, but did not pair well with the risotto. The risotto was excellent, but when I took a bite of both together, they canceled each other out. In Italy, a cheese based risotto is never served with fish, and parmesan should never be offer with fish. My fiancée order the wild boar, which is listed on the menu, "Cinghiale" and was the most delectable thing he said he had ever put in his mouth. read more

I ordered the veal chop. I'm very picky about the preparation for veal and it was very very tasty with a very excellent sauce.

My favorite restaurant in Peoria! We always come here for any special occasion. My loves are the lemon-basil martini and the cinghiale! The Frank Sinatra playing in the background always gives a romantic feel to the air. It's a beautiful place! read more

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The top Italian restaurant in Peoria is Connected. The atmosphere is dark and romantic with the interior giving you the feeling of sitting in a courtyard under a starry sky. The food and service are both excellent. My wife had the spaghetti and I ordered the Veal with Morel mushrooms. Very delicious. The only downside is that the menu had so many options that looked amazing, it was difficult to choose. The wine selection is very good. And regardless of whether you order a dessert, all the adults at the table are treated with a glass of Limoncello and the ladies are all given a rose at the end of the meal. Love this place and we will be coming back in the near future. read more

Awsome restaurant....I have but one thing to say, go off the menu and try the wild boar!! My wife and I have dined here twice and enjoyed the experience both times... The room is beautiful, feels like an outdoor bistro...Service can be a little slow at times, but loved the tuxedos!! Enjoy Keep up the good work guys!! read more

Wow! First time here so we tried several items. I had the Sangria which was very good. Hubby had a martini and a beer. We loved the calamari with some delicious marinara sauce. We also loved the mozzarella caprese. I have to admit I was worried about tomato quality this time of year but they were great. The balsamic and olive oil topped it off. For dinner I had fettuccine Alfredo which was great. My husband had veal Marsala. We did order a side of Brussel sprouts. Hubby liked them but they were too charred for me. Dessert of course was tiramisu. Yummy! Dinner ended with a complementary shot of lemon cello and a long stem rose. The wait staff, Arielle and Brittany were the best. I hope I have Brittany's name correct. She was super friendly. We couldn't eat all of the entrees and it was boxed up for us. Yes our bill was a lot &136 but we had a lot and leftovers. FYI they do not open the doors until promptly at 5. Call for reservations in advance not the day you're wanting to have dinner here. I forgot to mention the bread and eggplant spread. It is good too. I have to say this was the best service and food we've had in the Peoria area. read more

We went with friends. I ordered a Delmontico (Ribeye) medium rare. It came to the table blackened and WELL, WELL done. I returned it (first time in my adult I returned food, but it was too expensive to not eat), and the rest of the party continued their meal. They brought a replacement steak with a thousand apologies and it was cooked medium at best. The wait staff were fabulous, but the quality of the meal was inexcusable for the price. My wife has veal that was cut thin like bologna and that is exactly what it tasted like....fried bologna. Oh Well!!!!! read more

Wife and I tried for first time for our anniversary. Great food: Sea bass; boar. Cantaloupe was off, Ryan the server recognized my wife was struggling and switched it out for honey dew which was just right. Tizzano chianti was perfect with the boar. Less than $30! Recommended by Ryan over a more expensive chianti...provided taste of both to help with choice! Ricotta cheese cake was superb. European style table service... Very attentive. The player grand piano was a nice touch half way thru dinner. One of the best anniversary dining experience we've had. Going back with friends. read more

By all means, it is the best restaurant in the Peoria area. The decor is top notch and very welcoming and makes you feel that you could be in a European setting. I have been there with my wife and friends and some of my favorite dishes are the manzo carpaccio and the fettuccine Alfredo. Lately I had a big steak of Manzo which was awesome, probably one of the best piece of meat I have had for years. Service is also superb and high class. I would definitely go back there as often as I can. So yummy and classy. read more

The food was delicious. However, none of the staff were wearing masks. I thought this was very odd. Not one mask, not the hostess, not the bartender or wait staff. Covid spreads through the air and employee should not be subjected to this. Wear a mask! I won't go back until everyone is wearing a mask or the pandemic is over. read more

This is the new standard in an exceptional dining experience in Peoria! Exceptionally crafted meals, service and atmosphere. The attentive staff was wonderful for our party of ten. When dining here one should know the wait staff is not only knowledgeable an helpful, but also honest. Aided with wine pairings and meal selections. This is how dining is intended. Only negative is location, next to Walmart and Bingo Hall. Luckily, once you enter you quickly forget about location due to a great decor. read more

This was our first time eating here and won't be our last. Our servers were fantastic from the time we were seated until we were leaving. The food is the best we've had since moving here from Chicago suburbs. My husband had the wild boar which he loved and I had the sea bass. Fabulous food, fabulous experience, I can't wait to go back! read more

This place is amazing! I wanted to find a romantic venue fir my husband and I and I found this restaurant. When you first walk in there's people to escort you to your seat, the lights re turned down low. The decor is very different and cool, they even have a two story fountain. The wait staff is amazing, very helpful and courteous. The food is eclectic and very delicious. I had the veal, and my husband had their special, wild boar with rigatoni. They also gave me a rose, and my husband a complimentary drink. It will be awhile before we can go back, but I can't wait until we get back there read more

Just finished dining at this establishment. Not from this area but came here due to the great reviews. Everyone tries REALLY hard here, almost too much. Let the food and the service speak for itself instead of overshooting it with the stuffy vibe. read more

Our waitress was not wearing a mask and though they said they had a three seasons room for outdoor dining, it really was just a room with little ventilation and a few open windows. The food was not very good my salad the lettuce was wilted. My ravioli tasted as if it came from Costco. Expensive for the quality of the food. read more

Outstanding atmosphere, service and food for our party of four, including long time friends from South Carolina. Three in our party opted for the Delmonico RibEye, while I had the wild boar with soy/ginger reduction. The table serving of bread with eggplant spread was a hit for my wife and me. Everyone enjoyed their salads with the Caesar being a pleasant surprise with it's authenticity. Our waiter Jay, was professional and knowledgeable about the food drink and other culinary topics. Can't believe this was our first time here- but it won't be our last. read more

I've been to Connected twice now and each time the service and food have been outstanding. This past weekend when I went the Chef himself seated us at our table and returned to inquire about our meals after they arrived. They were divine. The waitstaff is very friendly and apologetic if things take longer than expected. They are attentive without being overbearing. This is a lovely place for a date night or an evening out with friends. The atmosphere of the French Quarter street, relaxed pace of the meal, and Sinatra crooning make this an enjoyable and relaxing dining experience that is not to be missed. read more

What another reviewer thought was cheesy, my friends & I thought was pretty cool - the atmosphere. It resembles a street scene either out of New Orleans or Italy. Now the waiters in tuxedos? Eh, I could go either way - it didn't bother me any. The best thing I thought about this place was the service. While waiting for our friends my husband & I had a few drinks at the bar. The bartender was great with suggestions and kept us entertained. Later, our servers at the table were some of the best I've ever had. Always prompt when needed, but never hovering. Hot, fresh bread and eggplant dip came with our meal and it was fantastic! Wish I could've taken home a bucket of that dip!! I had the chicken parmesan and loved it. It was large enough that both my husband & I were able to enjoy it the next day. For dessert I had the tiramisu .. .not the best or worst, but well presented. Others nearby had the flaming creme brulee.. don't know how it tasted, but looked cool! When I go next time (and I definitely will be back) I'll get the ricotta cheesecake. read more

First visit even though we dine in Peoria area quite often. The best service in Peoria( 2 servers per table) very good food ...I would compare it to your best Peoria Heights restaurants like Noir, great wines and dessert. I had a rigatoni with boar sausage...excellent even though I typically don't like Sicilian sweet sauce, this was GOOD. Wife had the creamy sauce rigatoni. Also very good . She also like her salad. Caesar salad came out fast and they had anchovies for us rare birds that like them. Good bread with a really good dipping sauce. Too bad atmosphere isn't a bit better in that commercial part of town. Inside is clean and quaint and you can actually hear each other talk. Place is NOT overpriced like people are saying. We were stuffed and after 4 glasses of excellent red wine ( 2 each) bill was 115 bucks. A steal compared to other places in town. Owner came up and asked us how we liked it. 5 stars man! Keep up the great work. We are coming back. Often. read more

Possible the best place to eat in Peoria. We went here for my wife's birthday, they treated us as if we were at the Ritz! the waiters are great and the food was spectacular. my wife and all 3 daughter got a rose one the way out, very classy place read more

Was there last week with a party of three others for a birthday celebration. The service was outstanding, the food very good but expected outstanding given other reviews and the prices (there's a reason that they don't have them published on their website menu). My dinner consisted of the gameroni alla veneziana which was tasty (and small) and the special that evening, a beef rib steak (succulent and overly-seasoned) with broccoli (perfect). The others at the table were generally happy with their meals. Perhaps I'll go back when someone is buying me dinner and check out the carpaccio app and lamb chops. read more

I feel bad for Troy because his vision and menu is outstanding. However, poor customer service skills will make you lose business every time. I find the male staff to be less opinionated and more serving than a majority of the female staff based on the 20 or so occasions our family has dined in there. I called in to confirm an upcoming reservation and Lauri was confusingly short and snooty. It was only about a minute or two conversation but she sighed a lot like I was wasting her time and then while she was looking at my reservation got annoyed that I wanted to confirm the number of guests and said it would take a while for her to tell me that information?? . Respect and courtesy should be mutual between both parties, but if someone is snooty it should be the paying guest rather than the help! That little stunt is not the first time we've had issue with staff. Hearth was more than happy to accommodate and there's too many great locally owned restaurants with better service to settle for poor service here. read more

Love the ambiance, the food, and the service! We'll definitely be back. If you haven't ordered the wild boar from there yet, you need to! The sauce on it was probably the best sauce I've ever tasted on anything. Spicy shrimp pasta was delicious. Creme brulee was delicious. We skipped on the limoncello shot at the end of the meal and our friends say we shouldn't have because they say it's amazing. The shot is complimentary. Great place! read more

Maybe a top 10 in the world food experience here. Never have I tasted anything on the level of the potatoes. The steaks were one word - delightful. The ambiance inside - unbeatable. Truly enjoyed every moment. Why not #1 in Peoria if it's Top 10 in the world (I've travelled to 6 continents, and had a steak or it's equivalent everywhere) - I simply can not understand why this place is located where it is; an area considered rather "unsafe" in general, especially at night. If you have the balls to go there in the evening, you will NOT be disappointed. read more

Is was pleasantly surprised to find this place tucked away by the Landmark Theater. The service and atmosphere are 2nd to none for the area. Top Notch! Keep up the great work! The food was decent I'd give it a 7.5/10. Id recommend it to everyone for a nice intimate evening. read more