June 11th marked the grand reopening of Illinois as part of the Restore Illinois Plan, and as I was browsing the options available to mark the occasion, I remembered dining at this unique restaurant that calls Plainfield its home, one year ago and before the menu refresh that ownership undertook. I was impressed at that time and was looking for an opportunity to see what has changed. Never one to back away from a new experience, I decided today was the day to re-visit this venerable village staple with open mind and eager heart - would this classic eatery and bar impress me all over again? Short answer - yes.
The adventure began with a stellar start. Our server, Ana, was more than attentive; she provided valuable recommendations throughout the evening, and I credit the success of this establishment to employing people of her ilk on staff. My first decision was what flavor to go with for the ginger beer accent in my vodka mule; I asked for a recommendation, and was told the Black Currant was a solid flavor. When I received my drink and took my first tentative sip, I immediately noticed the darker, fuller taste that lingered for several seconds. This delightful aftertaste grew stronger with each sip, peaking about ten sips in, and helped accent the already perfectly balanced flavor profile. This was the best mule I have ever had.
Moving on to the appetizer, or 'small plate' as they are called here, I wanted to try the chicken wings; they were much lauded online and some close friends urged me to give them a shot. I was not disappointed. To get a better sense of the flavors, I ordered 8 wings with 4 of each available sauce and a side of ranch. A great set of wings tastes great without any side sauce, and these certainly fit that bill, although no one should say no to ranch. (it's a thing) This small plate earns further high praise for its unique bleu cheese slaw garnish, and since I hate bleu cheese (the only food I truly despise) I was pleasantly shocked to find it appealing and more than edible. It takes a monumental effort to make that happen, so this earns bonus marks.
Finally, the highlight of the evening - dinner was served. I asked Ana her thoughts on three available sandwich options, and she walked me through each option with a professional description and personal anecdote of what she tried, when, and why she liked it. The mojo chicken sandwich was her pick, and seeing as the mule was already a huge win, I saw no reason to challenge her. When I received the sandwich, I noticed the plate was arranged in a balanced manner: the ratio of sandwich to side (fries in this case) was exactly the way it should be. The grilled chicken was cooked just right, juicy like disco in the 70's and more tender than Elvis' love. Pickled vegetables accompanied the meat along with a garlic aioli sauce, and these too were delectable. This is an excellent sandwich. Not to be outshone, the fries are thin-cut and seasoned just right. Even the green beans that one of my table partners got were juicy and fresh. Sides are an important part of a meal, and Sovereign succeeds brilliantly in making them a true complement to the main course. A rousing effort all around was made here.
All in all, I cannot understate the positives of visiting this Plainfield staple. The staff, overworked as most places are in the post-pandemic world, performed brilliantly and I want to thank them for their efforts and service. Sovereign exceeded my already lofty expectations while planting the seeds in my mind for what I should experiment with on my next visit; due to this experience, that visit will come much sooner than the last. read more