After years of planning and preparation, Fairways is teeing up to welcome the public for a series of soft opening events.
For co-owner Matt Rixner, reaching this point “seems unreal.”
He and Nick Babcock joined forces to bring a restaurant to the Peoria Park District’s Golf Learning Center roughly three years back. Now, their vision of a low country inspired eatery has taken shape.
“It was a long process,” Babcock said, with Rixner adding, “but definitely exciting – exciting to get people through the door to see like our vision start to actually develop.”
Restaurant to host soft opening events
Fairways will host a series of reservation-only events ahead of the restaurant’s full public opening on Feb. 18. A ribbon cutting ceremony is scheduled to coincide with the Masters Tournament on April 9.
Upcoming events include:
Rixner said those interested in attending can call (309) 571-1600 to inquire about reservations.
Already, the restaurant has welcomed guests to invite only dinners. Feedback so far has been positive, Babcock said, with guests enjoying the food and atmosphere.
“They didn’t realize it was going to be this well presented and this nice in here, I think,” Babcock said.
A ‘country club for all’
Rixner said they started with a “good shell.” Even so, he said the building “needed some beautification, you know, to really bring it character.”
His wife partnered with an interior designer to bring their vision of a low country inspired eatery to life.
“They did a great job,” Babcock said. “Looks fantastic in here – very low country. Very Charleston, southern. That’s what we were shooting for.”
China plates, woven baskets and other artistic elements adorn the walls. Chandeliers shine from above as white beams accent the vaulted ceiling.
Pops of color can be found throughout – from the bold blue alcove with booth seating to the matching blue chairs lined up along the bar.
Golf, of course, is also at the center of the design. Several prints and paintings pay homage to the sport, and on one wall, various clubs are arranged to form a half sun.
From the beginning, Rixner said they wanted the space to feel like a “country club for all.”
‘Southern flair’ and ‘something for everybody’
The low country, southern flair extends to Fairways’ menu, though Rixner said they will strive to offer “something for everybody.”
Fried chicken is expected to be a staple, Rixner said. The menu will also feature blackened catfish, shrimp boil, shrimp and grits and collard greens. A char-grilled meatloaf with peach bourbon barbecue sauce will also be available, and Rixner said the restaurant will offer other options with a southern spin.
“We’re kind of taking some of the staples of other American cuisine and you know just throwing like southern flair into it,” he said.
At the bar, Babcock said Fairways will feature “a lot of unique things” with its cocktail selection.
This includes a gin and fig milk punch. Babcock described the drink as balanced and smooth and said it has been a popular cocktail at soft opening events. Customers, he said, have also enjoyed the restaurant’s peach spritz.
“We’re trying to develop this menu to cater to all types,” Babcock said. “So not only do you have like your low country inspired cocktails but we’re also doing a lot of golf cocktails.”
The aim, he said, is to cater to various tastes and price points.
Fairways also offers a handful of domestic draft options, as well as “hyper local” beers on tap. Rixner expects various out-of-town visitors – especially in the summer – so he said they wanted to “feature all the great breweries that are in the area.”
Rixner said customers will find creations from breweries in the Peoria, Bloomington and Champagne areas, including:
While the brewery selection will remain largely the same, Babcock and Rixner expect to rotate which beers are available.
“It won’t be as heavy craft as like he is at The Fox,” Babcock said, “but we’re going to try to offer something for everybody and be very local.”
‘Fore Peoria’
To start, Rixner expects the restaurant to be the primary draw for customers. As the weather warms, however, he expects to see a shift as more visitors come to experience the golf aspect.
The golf bays and simulators will be available for use when Fairways opens. Both are available by the hour, and reservations can be made online at https://peoriaglc.org/.
The simulators include a myriad of games – including various options ideal for children.
Ultimately, Babcock said Fairways is a space “for everybody.” Rixner agreed and recounted a saying coined by his wife.
“We want to be fore Peoria, you know, f-o-r-e,” Rixner said. “You know, kind of a play of words, but I mean that’s very true. … This facility is going to just be a great community facility.”
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This article originally appeared on Journal Star: ‘Fore Peoria’: Restaurant prepared to open at new Peoria golf facility
Reporting by Cassidy Waigand, Peoria Journal Star / Journal Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
