Brunch With a View

The last time I went to The Lighthouse in Rome (Illinois, not Italy) a couple of my companions were not impressed. I thought it deserved another look. This was a beautiful Sunday morning, perfect for the short drive up Route 29. Despite the road construction, it was a pleasant trip. I turned off on River Beach Road in order to keep the view of the Illinois River in sight.

Just after entering Rome, off to the left you see The Lighthouse. I don't know if it will continue into fall, but during the summer months they serve a delightful Sunday brunch buffet. This morning was a perfect day to have breakfast on the deck. The sun would peek through the clouds now and then. Overall, the weather was perfect. Temperature in the upper 60's and no wind.




The buffet is a bargain. $7.50 including tax! Your drink is not included however. The buffet includes fresh fruit. This week they had an Ameretto (not sure I spelled that right) dip for the fruit. There are several types of bread and bagels with butter, jelly and your choice of cream cheese spreads. The buffet also sports a selection of pastries. With the "real food", there are several choices. Scrambled eggs (with or without sausage and cheese - neither were runny or watery), fried hash, several choices of potato (crisp hash browns are good), bacon, sausage (not fond of the type of link they use, but there are plenty of other choices), a thick baked pancake with sausage and cheese that is quite different but also quite good with a little syrup on it, chicken tenders, biscuits and gravy (fantastic sausage gravy), French toast that is "to die for" and a few other choices. Not huge, but at $7.50, a real value! The amount of food that is out at any one time is relatively small. This allows for fresh food to be set out almost all the time. Service is friendly and prompt.

What is truly priceless about brunch at The Lighthouse is the view!

The view from the deck is a wide expanse of the Illinois River. Did not see any ducks this time. There were a few gulls and small birds. A small fishing boat pulled up so the family could come in for brunch. As they were approaching, the people on the deck watched as the Asian carp jumped in the air and tried to get in the boat. What a great way to spend part of Sunday morning.