Plentywood Farm.
It was a well known and well liked restaurant in Bensenville, Illinois, from the early 30’s into the ’90’s. From nice dinners to wedding receptions, business retreats, funeral luncheons, and Easter dinner, it was one of those restaurants where one always felt comfortable, the food was always outstanding, and you left knowing you had a few dollars left in your pocket.
I modeled a darling black dress at Plentywood Farms,. It was festooned with white polka dots and smart, red piping with a red leather belt. Me? Modeling? My last time on a runway was as a fallen angel of the Lord for the Christmas Pageant, and we all know where I landed in that attempt.
This “walk” was for a Newcomers Club fashion show. The dresses we modeled were from Honey Girl, in Elmhurst. I liked the dress so much, I bought it with the discount the store offered. I really felt good in it, and wore it for quite a few years, amazed that I not only modeled it, but, did so without falling off of the runway. That was my first time in Plentywood Farm.
Tom wanted to take me there shortly after the “fashion” show. I think he was miffed that he couldn’t attend. We went for our anniversary later that same year, and returned there on several others.
We celebrated a New Year’s Eve with our good friends , Jeri and Kyle; one of several New Year’s we celebrated with them. It was the restaurant of choice for confirmation celebrations, funeral luncheons, wedding showers, and just a night out when Ma came to watch the girls.
Plentywood Farm was a large, rustic building with several annexes: warm and inviting, all. It gleamed in the sunshine and glowed in the candlelight and never, ever disappointed. There was even a little county store on the grounds, where one could by county styled items – and their fresh-baked bread.
The photo is of a rendition of Plentywood Farm in one of my Ford Treasury Cookbooks. Although we never ate there on Thanksgiving, it always had the aura of “Over the River and Through the Woods” to me – and I wanted to share it with you. It is one of those places that someone from the area will say “remember Plentywood Farm?” and chorus line of memories will ensue. In fact, it just happened today at an event I attended.
The restaurants you’ve mentioned in your comments are sadly not in the books. I will, however, try to post a restaurant that might illicit a memory for you, every once-in-awhile.
Off I go to make some cranberry relish.
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