Courier News- April 5th 2011
Pingree eatery drawing diners westward
By Julie Mullen For The Courier-News
PINGREE GROVE — Twin brothers Lui and Mike Akiti say their retail service background and love for good food provided the perfect setup for their next career as restaurateurs.
Even so, they both admit they weren’t quite prepared for the huge success that lay ahead.
The Akitis, who live in Hoffman Estates, found a rural spot to open Butler’s Restaurant, a new family-style eatery that has been drawing praise from miles around.
The restaurant, which opened Nov. 15, offers breakfast, lunch and dinner daily at a value price, Lui said.
Still, the food is made fresh, using only the highest quality ingredients, he added.
“Our steaks are choice and are the best prices around at about 30 percent less than other places,” Lui said. “People are just raving about our food.”
Lui also boasts top-grade service, which he honed over 11 years as manager of the men’s department at Nordstrom’s in Schaumburg.
Butler’s, which posts the motto, “service with a smile” on its wall, was named for the mindset the Akiti brothers hope to maintain.
“We named the place Butler’s because we think of ourselves as butlers, attending to the every need of our customers,” Lui said. “At Nordstrom’s, customers are No. 1, and I really have to thank them for developing my service skills.”
Switching gears
The restaurant business was already in the twins’ blood, with their uncle running a very successful eatery in Morris for the past 18 years.
Lui said he often would drive through Pingree Grove on his way to see family in Rockford, listening to inspirational tapes along the way. A positive energy struck him one day last year, and he knew he was ready for a change.
“My uncle said one day, ‘You have to get out of retail and do something,’ ” Lui said. “My brother and I love eating out ... and thought, 'We’re 34 and have a chance in life to do something different.’ ”
Since opening late last year, Butler’s has been bustling, and patrons are singing its praises — from the omelets and sandwiches to the fish and steaks.
The dining room seats 120 patrons. There’s also a full-service bar, with seating for 12.
“We pride ourselves on offering good wine and drinks,” Lui said.
For the Akiti brothers, opening the restaurant was the icing on the top of what they say they were already living — the American dream.
“We moved to the states in 1992 from Yugoslavia,” Lui said. “It was the greatest day in our lives, and things just keep getting better and better.”
( http://couriernews.suntimes.com/lifestyles/4487522-423/pingree-eatery-drawing-diners-westward.html )
By Julie Mullen For The Courier-News
PINGREE GROVE — Twin brothers Lui and Mike Akiti say their retail service background and love for good food provided the perfect setup for their next career as restaurateurs.
Even so, they both admit they weren’t quite prepared for the huge success that lay ahead.
The Akitis, who live in Hoffman Estates, found a rural spot to open Butler’s Restaurant, a new family-style eatery that has been drawing praise from miles around.
The restaurant, which opened Nov. 15, offers breakfast, lunch and dinner daily at a value price, Lui said.
Still, the food is made fresh, using only the highest quality ingredients, he added.
“Our steaks are choice and are the best prices around at about 30 percent less than other places,” Lui said. “People are just raving about our food.”
Lui also boasts top-grade service, which he honed over 11 years as manager of the men’s department at Nordstrom’s in Schaumburg.
Butler’s, which posts the motto, “service with a smile” on its wall, was named for the mindset the Akiti brothers hope to maintain.
“We named the place Butler’s because we think of ourselves as butlers, attending to the every need of our customers,” Lui said. “At Nordstrom’s, customers are No. 1, and I really have to thank them for developing my service skills.”
Switching gears
The restaurant business was already in the twins’ blood, with their uncle running a very successful eatery in Morris for the past 18 years.
Lui said he often would drive through Pingree Grove on his way to see family in Rockford, listening to inspirational tapes along the way. A positive energy struck him one day last year, and he knew he was ready for a change.
“My uncle said one day, ‘You have to get out of retail and do something,’ ” Lui said. “My brother and I love eating out ... and thought, 'We’re 34 and have a chance in life to do something different.’ ”
Since opening late last year, Butler’s has been bustling, and patrons are singing its praises — from the omelets and sandwiches to the fish and steaks.
The dining room seats 120 patrons. There’s also a full-service bar, with seating for 12.
“We pride ourselves on offering good wine and drinks,” Lui said.
For the Akiti brothers, opening the restaurant was the icing on the top of what they say they were already living — the American dream.
“We moved to the states in 1992 from Yugoslavia,” Lui said. “It was the greatest day in our lives, and things just keep getting better and better.”
( http://couriernews.suntimes.com/lifestyles/4487522-423/pingree-eatery-drawing-diners-westward.html )
