One of my favorite places to dine, not just in central Illinois, but in many states I have been to, the first place I recommend to business acquaintances and friends. I always go knowing, I am getting apps, salad, entrée, and desert. I usually order the wild boar, the sea bass, or the steak, haven't tried the lamb yet, but I have no doubt it is also amazing. Connected is not just great food, it is an experience. I also recommend what to order for the entrée, if you are going to Connected order something you can't get any place else (and they have many options in that arena). The food is amazing, the atmosphere is relaxing, and the staff is some of the best I have had the privilege to be served by. read more

Amazing place for upscale dining. I did not expect such a nice place for where it is located. The food was delicious and came out in bigger portions than we expected. Great bar menu; I got the Manhattan and it was perfect. Dessert was awesome. We had cremburlee and cheesecake. They were both really tasty. The service was prompt, attentive, and courteous, probably the best service I have had. It was pricey but expected for an upscale place. Atmosphere was cool with feeling like your outside in another country. Overall, we will definitely be back! read more

If you want a fancy experience, this is the place. The food is wonderful and the servers/team will not disappoint you. Loved going here. It is pricey, but well worth it. read more

Great restaurant in Peoria! The atmosphere is so awesome here. The menu is fabulous, but some can be a bit pricey if you don't ask the price. They offered my group the special and almost everyone at the table chose the special. I found out when the bill was delivered that it was $75 a person. That seemed a bit much for me, but they all seemed to enjoy it. I do think their food is good though. read more

Great atmosphere, service and food. Yes, it's in a rather unusual location but from the time you approach the door until you leave, you feel you're having a special meal. read more

The food is outstanding. I had something that has a complicated name but it's basically spicy shrimp with linguine. Phenomenal.

Wonderful dining experience! The food and service is excellent.

Lipstick on a pig comes to mind, came on a recommendation, knew nothing of the place, we walked in and asked if we needed reservations and the hostess said, and I quite "it would be nice" no smile, just bitch face. Sat us in the table by the bathroom walkway and pantry, we won't be back, the food wasn't great but her attitude was appalling. You can receive that treatment at McDonald's for $1.99. I wish I could paint a more colorful picture and keep anyone from gracing this "lovely" establishment with their presence. read more

One of the most beautiful restaurants I've ever visited, and the service was phenomenal, but the food itself is lacking. We ordered the veal con funghi and spaghetti which were both mediocre. It's possible the other meal options are better. I'd recommend they actually grate the cheese, it almost seemed like they served pre-ground cheese from a plastic container. read more

This was by far the best dining experience I have had. Our waiter Tony made my mom and I's experience unforgettable. Perfect portions and perfect service. If you are looking to treat yourself or your family, connected is the place to go for the perfect dining experience! read more

Best food and service in Peoria !!!! Great martini and wine selection.. Deserts were spot on... will def be back

Connected?! More like DISconnected! This place doesn't know how to provide service or reservations. I had a reservation for dinner at this place for 7:30pm. My date and I patiently waited and we were finally seated at 8:10pm. The waiter and hostess were not apologetic at all for making us wait 40 min to get a "reserved" table. We respectfully asked for a complimentary drink and the waiter insisted to get his manager for permission. Next... GET THIS!, the manager cowardly yelled at us, "What do you want us to do? Reserve all the tables all night for you?! In fact let's just end the night and get out of here!" Sorry but even an elementary kid would understand what the word "reservation" means, but it seems like the "manager" of this place didn't get past elementary school. Hmm, that makes me wonder what he puts in your food? I am in awe and disgusted that a MANAGER would represent his restaurant this way. I would rather spend money on horrible food and excellent service than being unreasonably treated like this and having "good" food. I would never come here again and as a Chicagoan who travels back and forth a lot with many people, I'll make sure that this restaurant, "Connected", stays DISconnected. I'll soon see this place go out of business. read more

One of the best meals I have ever had. The location is very unassuming, it's in the parking lot of the local Walmart and is currently under construction but do not be fooled!!! This place is wonderful. Chef Troy Ummel has created something special here. We had a group of 8 and everyone thoroughly enjoyed their meals. In particular, the special skirt steak/pinwheel was probably the best steak of all time, the delmonico ribeye was fantastic and the wild boar tenderloins were also amazing. The drinks were on-point and the service was impeccable. Our servers Ryan and Cody were an amazing duo. I would highly recommend Connected if you're in the Peoria area. read more

It felt like the folks at Connected were trying just a little too hard. They overshot the fine dining mark and landing squarely back in Peoria. The tuxedo-clad servers look a little outmoded rather than professional and weren't particularly adept at fielding questions about the food. Our waitress's friendliness compensated for that somewhat. The clientele ranged from couples in hoody and jeans out for a "fancy" dinner to Cat employees. The former broke the already fragile atmosphere of class with their attire while the latter ruined it with pretentious conversation (one woman asked her server if the recent earthquake in Chile would affect the flavor of the Chilean sea bass). From the unspellchecked menu, I ordered the salad with mushrooms. I enjoyed the mushrooms themselves and the greens were fine but the honey mustard dressing was too much. In fact, sauces were the undoing of my entrée as well. I ordered the Chilean sea bass (unaffected, I'm pleased to report, by seismic activity) and found it drowning in the tarragon lobster sauce and the too-creamy shrimp risotto. The flavor of the sea bass itself was lost. All this was served with some unspectacular white Italian bread--they had no other varieties when we inquired. The meal ended with some antiquated chivalry when my female co-diner was given a rose with our check. For the price, the place isn't worth it. I won't be going back anytime soon. read more

After an inital good first visit, I was eager to try a new dish but the experience ended up being a flop! It was busier on this visit but a place shouldn't have to be empty to have a good meal. Our busboy was so clumsy and awkward right from the beginning when he tried to place my friend's napkin on her lap with such a flourish, he slapped her in the face with it! Every time he set down or took away a plate, he would clang it on a glass, once very nearly upsetting my friend's husband's wine glass so he had to lunge to right it. When we sat down we were told the bread was baking now and would be "right out" which I guess means 15 minutes. We had ordered an appetizer that we meant to have along with the bread but were too hungry to wait. After we scarfed that container of bread, we asked for a refill along with more dip but it just never came. We asked the busboy and the server who both said they would be right back with it but either forgot or there just wasn't any more. After loving the sea bass, I tried the filet this time and my partner had the veal. My filet was extremely tender but also strangely dry?? The sauce around it was incredibly salty as well. The au gratin potatoes were super good though! The veal dish was SO tiny! It was 3 VERY THIN slices of veal just lying on the plate alone in a pool of gravy and next to that was a ball of fried dough-maybe cornmeal?? Really strange and it was actually less food that you would get in a frozen dinner! That sauce completely lacked salt so we mixed the 2 together and it came out okay in the end. We had ordered a bottle of wine that they were keeping in the fridge somewhere so we had to ask for refills but then when we were eating dessert, we wondered if it was all gone yet and asked the busboy to bring it out. It was still about 1/3 full! If we wouldn't have remembered, none of the waitstaff would have and either they would've served it to (and charged) other diners or the staff would've finished it. I would rather have it sit at the table in a bucket than have it put away and not know if we have finsihed what we are paying for. Also, at the end of this meal we weren't offered the complimentary limencello like before even though we ordered 2 desserts. Do you only get it free if you don't order dessert?? read more

I have been coming to this restaurant nearly once a week since it opened. I feel compelled to respond to a recent review. Troy is passionate about his restaurant. He is the hardest working owner I know. He is hands on with every component of his restaurant. It does not surprise me that he would reach out to a seemingly unhappy patron. He goes way out to please each and everyone of his guests. I have no axe to grind, but it is entirely unfair and unreasonable for a seemingly unhappy customer (for reasons unknown) to permanently brand him with a scarlet letter. The plates, the service, the quality, the message and the ambiance are beyond compare locally. Keep up the good work Troy. read more

Just got home from this place. Service was super slow and they didn't specify that soup or salad would be additional. So we had sticker shock when we received the bill. The staff didn't care. We had a large party of first timers with us and they won't be back either. The steaks are good but my boar sausage was very lackluster. Not worth the price at all. Go eat somewhere else and have the same quality of food for 60% of the bill with better service. read more

This is one of my family's favorite restaurants in Peoria. Our teenage daughter chooses Connected for any special occasion dinner. The food is incredible and the service is spectacular. I had the wild boar which was delicious and my wife had the pollo quattro fromaggi (4 cheese chicken parmigiana) which is one of the best we have ever had. We will definitely continue coming here! read more

One of the best dining experiences we've ever had anywhere. Tony the head waiter was the best I've ever seen. The food, service, martinis spot on. We had wild boar, eggplant parm.,crabcake&calimari apps,4 grey goose martinis,creme brulet, bill was $150 tip $50 worth every cent!!!! read more

Connected was an INTERESTING restaurant experience. We waited a while for our table, at the bar, with a reservation, which was ok since they were really busy, but at the same time kind of bogus. As soon as I asked about our table they immediately sat us. The decor is cool, the staff was way friendly. Napkins on your lap and 3 people waiting on your table, at first it seemed they were trying a little too hard. But the FOOD was INSANE. The wine was pricey but delicious. My husband had the wild boar...I tasted the sauce on the crusty bread, and it was intoxicating. I had the sea bass and it was completely wonderful. I can't stop thinking about how delicious that seafood was. The food totally got my ratings, though the rose at the end of the meal was nice little touch too. read more

Connected has never disappointed. Creative, classy and consistent. Not much on the menu for the weight watcher but the chef will accommodate most any diet. My vegan granddaughter enjoyed her pasta and veggie meal. A rose for the ladies is a lovely touch. read more

My husband took me to Connected for my birthday because I had heard good things about it. The restaurant is very nice on the inside and the fountain wall is beautiful. I ordered the sea bass, which I was very underwhelmed with, and my husband ordered the wild boar. He loved it and after trying a bite I was eyeballing his meal the rest of the night. If I was to go back I would definately order the wild boar. The waiter seemed somewhat awkward but was friendly and I appreciated the fact that they handed my husband the check and me a rose. There was really nothing about the experience though for me to recommend the place to a friend. read more

I ordered a steak and it was cooked as I requested. Very good service. The atmosphere is nice. We had a high traffic table but we were walk-ins and took what was open. They gave the table a lemon liqueur I am not sure if that in standard or not. It was very tasty and a nice surprise. Other than my salad plate being warm (probably just out of dishwasher) everything was great. I will go back...next time making reservations to ensure a better table. read more

I heard about this restaurant with mixed reviews from some friends so my wife and I tried it. We must of picked a good night since there were only 3 couples there counting us. Ther service was fast since they had more people working there than customers. This should of told us something about the restaurant. I ordered veal and it came with I believe cornmeal. The food was hot but that was about it. Three small pieces of veal in a sauce. This wouldnt of been enough to feed a baby. My wife had the chicken served in a sauce served with the same cornmeal. The chicken was dry and somewhat rubbery. I didnt know if they threw it in a microwave or not. My wife received a rose and we each got a shot of limecello. I would recommend this place only if you want to throw alot of money out the window. We won't make it back read more

This was a great experience all the way around. It has a different vibe than any other restaurant that I have been to in Peoria. The prices are kind of high, but it was well worth it. I had the Chilean Sea Bass over Shrimp Risotto and it was wonderful. Others in my party had the Wild Boar and they really enjoyed it. I would definitely go back! read more

My husband and I have heard wonderful things about The Connected and wanted to go somewhere new for our 1st Anniversary. We were greeted with 'happy anniversary' when we gave them our reservation, which was lovely! We were indecisive about our bottled wine choice so we were offered samples of both! We did get the Carpaccio Di Manzo for an appetizer, I HIGHLY recommend it, so so good! My husband got the mushroom salad and I got the ceasar salad, if you like mushrooms, the mushroom salad is ahhhhhhhhmazing, I'll be getting that next visit! I ordered the Vitello Al Quattro Formaggi which was so wonderful and if you like cheese, there's a ton of cheese of this dish. My husband ordered the special which was wild boar and ribeye trimmings sausage with rigatoni in a fresh tomato sauce, which was so incredible. We finished our lovely meal with bananas foster cheesecake and the complimentary limoncello shot. Our entire evening was more than we could have asked for. We will certainly return and would suggest this lovely establishment to anyone! Some reviews I've read make note to the cost... Our entire meal including tip was less than $150! Clearly not the McDonald's dollar menu, but that's certainly not what we were looking for. I don't think this is expensive for what you're receiving!! Oh. One more thing, I'd read multiple reviews that comment on the dress code here. I was freaking out about what the heck to wear since its 50 in May! However, it's nowhere near as strict as people make it to be. Nice attire is completely fine! read more

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First visit for my Daughter's birthday. Love the decor and food. My Sea bass was excellent as was wife's veal piccata, and Daughters shrimp diablo. Service was good but a little off in timeing. Very busy night however, as it should be. Tom Metamora read more

Connected has become a favorite of ours because the food has been consistantly interesting, delicious, and creative. The decor is the remains of a failed New Orleans style bar and bistro. Chef Troy Ummell crafted his restaurant around this pleasant street-scape. His staff has been enthusiastic about serving us and have on all occations been knowledgible about the menu items and specials. Our server the last time nearly insisted I try the wild boar and it was incredible, best meal ever! It is not a great location or in an upscale area. But you go out for a great dinner and this is what you get. This is Peoria, IL after all. Chef Troy is the hardest working chef-owner around. We found the place on the suggestion of our butcher who supplied the meats to them. It was the best tip ever. We found the service a cut above many restaurants. Things are done (like clearing the table completely) before desert that made it feel refined and upscale. Chef Troy makes his rounds often but only as the kitchen duties permit. Maybe he'll find you enjoying a great dinner. read more

I enjoy dining at Connected but I'm not as excited about it as I used to be. I think the quality of the food has declined. The only item I love on the menu is the tomato and mozzarella appetizer! The service is good. The area of Peoria where the restaurant is located is a little shady. That makes me a little nervous. It's a nice place though with a variety of different entrees that may be appealing to most, just not me. read more

My spouse and I go to this restaurant when we need to spoil ourselves with a fancy night out without the kids. As parents of young children, we almost never have a chance to linger over several courses and truly enjoy being pampered. The service is amazing and personal. We feel doted on without feeling hovered over or rushed. Their wine list is quite good. On our first visit, we were extremely pleased to see that they carried one of our favorite Oregon reds--which I wish they'd have continued. The alternative bottle the server brought out on our most recent visit was also very nice, however. The food is excellent-- in presentation and quality. You can tell care goes into creating each dish on the menu. As a vegetarian, I enjoy having several options (none of which feel like a compromise) from which to choose. Their desserts are amazing--fresh and flavorful. In summary, go when you want to spoil yourself, linger over a long and delicious dinner, and leave completely stuffed. You will congratulate yourself on a decision well made. read more

Great service and attention to detail, nothing really negative to say about this place, steak was good not the best but very good. Each visit seems to get a bit better, worth taking time to go out to. read more

I came here on a recommendation... First thing that was placed in front of me, eggplant spread... what the hell!? Eggplant is gross, disgusting. Nope the eggplant spread here was fantastic! Paired with the delicious bread, yum. I was even nibbling at the spread all by itself. The bread was tasty too, I love bread. I ordered the wild boar for dinner... amazing. I reckon the bartender (John) saw my reaction when I took my first bite. Freaking delicious. I don't know what the dish is called, but they'll be able to recommend it to you. Now the service... outstanding. Welcoming and super friendly. Apparently I came in when they were about to close. Made no fuss about it, sat me down and fired up the grill. Head chef was super nice too. Those two people are the only ones I can speak for on service, attitude, and downright awesomeness; since I didn't interact with any servers/waiters (I didn't get the same vibe from them though, but I could be wrong they just didn't seem as thrilled for me to come in at that hour). Those two guys give me the vibe that they are just super down to earth and cool people. Now to go back to my opening statement, I came here on a recommendation. She said it was the best food in town. Did not disappoint me. I like this place. I may have to come back before I fly home. read more

Every time I make it to Peoria I go to Connected! Great food and great bartender who makes it a great atmosphere! Can't wait to go back!

I found Connected to be extremely below par for its billing. First, I attempted to call and make reservations for a party of 6 for nearly two hours and no one seemes to know how to answer the phone. I told the host this when I arrived there, and he simply told me"you must have been dialing the wrong number". I checked my cell phone calls against the business cards at the host stand...and what a shock, they were the same. I even hit redial on my phone, while standing next to the host stand, where the phone was clearly visible, and watched as no one cared to answer it. Of the people I was with, 3 ordered steaks, and the crew in the kitchen went 3-3....in overcooking each one. My lamb chops were also overcooked. The waitstaff was less than attentive as well. It seems that they have just re-hired all of the waiters from Po'-Boys and expected them to be top notch waiters all of a sudden...not a good idea. (I actually recognized a face or two). The only redeeming quality at this place was the pleasant bartender. She was extremely attentive and nice to our entire party, offered us up bread while we were waiting to be seated, since we obvisouly didn't have reservations so no one answers the phone! read more

Excellent upscale dining. Great place to impress your significant other. I'm glad this building didn't go to waste after the cajun place moved out...just wish there wasn't a crappy bingo hall next door. I try to block that out of my vision when I enter : ) read more

If you didn't know what you were looking for you would probably miss this place. It is nondescript due to poor out side lighting and is over shadowed by a bingo hall next door. The food here is an excellent twist on Italian cuisine. My two favorite items are the boar sausage pasta( not on menu but have it on special, so if it's on special you should really get it) and the filet is also great read more

Met the owner on our first visit. We were guests of a local friend who had been there many times. !st visit to Peoria. Nice decor. Had the boar dish. It was very tasty but the boar was just pork. It was the sauce that made the dish. Otherwise, it was pork loin. I also tasted a couple of the other guests dishes. The shrimp were over cooked but the veal was tender and delicious, the sauce also made that dish. Overall a good meal. A bit expensive for the quality/quantity and location. read more

Probably the best Italian in Peoria! Excellent food. Excellent service! They have daily, off the menu specials everyday too! We loved it!

Bottom line: Nice atmosphere, food and service ok, somewhat overpriced imo. Would give 3 1/2 stars if I could.--After being seated by the hostess, we waited over 5 minutes before anyone came to us. Finally someone (I think the floor manager) noticed and came over, got us menus, took our drink orders, and told us the specials, recommending the homemade sausages. Later, when I ordered them from our server she didn't think they had any. She checked and I got them. I found them just ordinary and overpriced for what you got. Total for 2, including least expensive bottle of wine, 1 dessert, tax and gratuity was $130. read more

If you love Italy, Italian food, and fine dining, then you should dine at Connected. The food was delicious and the atmosphere was wonderful. The setting reminds you of dining outdoors at a small street restaurant in Italy. I would come back again and again whenever I'm in Peoria. Songs of Dean Martin played throughout my time at the restaurant. I suspect that sometimes there is live music because of the baby grand piano on display on the upper level. However there was not live entertainment the evening that I dined there. Complimentary bread and an eggplant dip was brought to my table. I ordered the Caprese salad to start with. I had the rigatoni as my main entree. I enjoyed two glasses of their Malbec. I also ordered a scoop of lemon basil sorbet. All desserts are made in-house. I was given a complimentary shot of Limoncello and a rose. The staff was very attentive and polite and friendly. read more

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