Hidden Lake Winery & Banquet Center

10580 County Rd 400 E, Aviston, IL 62216, USA

Address:	10580 County Rd 400 E, Aviston, IL 62216, USA
Phone:	+1 618-228-9111
Site:	hiddenlakewinery.com
Rating:	3.6

Location

Photos 1

Reviews 8

A Private User

The setting is lovely but its a shame the rest of the experience was poor. Slow service, mediocre food and a staff of unprofessional teenagers ruin what had potential to be a great time. The parking lot is apparently still suffering from being bombed--huge craters, rocks, weeds and holes that will rip the wheels off your car are the first indicator that this isnt a professionally run place. Customer service is very poor because the winery is staffed by college kids who apparently could not care less about anything other than collecting their paychecks. There were 3 other tables having lunch on the day I visited yet it still took TWENTY-SEVEN MINUTES for the kitchen to produce a plate of lukewarm appetizers and a sandwich. Iced tea and water refills were non-existent and dining with a bunch of yowling (and possibly diseased) feral cats that have apparently been repopulating the local shelters was less than enjoyable. The view of the lake was nice, but the food was mediocre at best, and thats being generous. The appetizer combo of fried treats was appealingly described on the menu but our server couldnt give us any information about it as apparently she (by her own admission) doesnt eat there. It was expensive and disappointing as was the sandwich--I could have saved the 22 mile drive and had better food at McDonalds. I was there because I am a wedding planner and I was looking for venues for a client but after seeing this place, I wont be holding her wedding here! Its a shame really because its such a nice location and the wine they make was quite enjoyable. Some professional help and a kitchen staff and menu revamp could make a huge difference here, but sadly its another case of an amateur restaurant owner with a poorly executed concept.

A Private User

We currently live in the Denver area and when visiting Southern IL over the Holidays decided to spend our New Years Eve Holiday at the Hidden Lake Winery. First off we were asked to pay $25 dollars a ticket and when we arrived the ticket prices had changed to $5 dollars. We were not given a refund, instead we were given credit for food and drinks even though we had previously paid in cash. This would be fine with some people but considering we had over 14 people in our group. Not every person in our group drank alcohol and many of the people in the group were vegans. To top it off the food they had was terrible and expensive plus not vegan friendly at all. We paid $15 dollars a appetizer which was most likely made at the gas station in the local town of Albers. I guess its too much to ask for to have a cheese platter humus plate at a WINERY. Also the change in the ticket price invited Southern IL best to show up for the event. When we walked in we were greeted by a drunk man yelling obscene things to everyone for example (CUNext Tuesday), the man then began hitting peoples cars. The only thing the Hidden Lakes Winery did that was good was call the police to have him arrested, after the fact and the damage was done. On the bright side the Big Bang was awesome which were the dueling pianos that convinced us to go there in the first place. Our night was cut short though when a girl at the table next to us began vomiting in the floor and no one ever can to clean it up. Therefore the emesis was then tracked everywhere. Nothing makes you happier about getting immunized than seeing emesis being tracked around a banquet hall. Because negative stars are not an opition I will be giving Hidden Lake Winery in Aviston one star for I hated it.

Jameel Acosta

I decided to have a wedding reception there with nothing fancy going on. The people had a few jobs to do. 1.) Setup my area I rented out. I rented two patio areas. I didnt want linen or anything fancy, just umbrellas. They didnt have it setup when I arrived. I had to go in and ask for someone to set it up. We spent some well saved money to rent out the area and you cant setup some umbrellas? What few umbrellas we did have were split between the other area. So out of about 6 tables in each area that should have had them, we had 2. 2.) The space I reserved only had one sign for two patio areas and we had to keep chasing people away. I did not mind another wedding going on at the same time as my event, but I did mind the people from the other wedding sitting in the space I rented. I guess it didnt help that there were signs for the other wedding party pointing to my area. I felt like we were brushed aside because we did not pay as much as the other party, very unprofessional.

Bethany Crocker

I came here for a rehearsal, wedding, and reception. We also stayed over night in one of the cabins. The wine tasting bar has quick service and the staff is friendly. The setting outside for the wedding was gorgeous, the ballroom inside was as well. The bartender for the reception wasnt alwaits available was the big down side. The cabins are cozy, although pretty cold inside. There is a futon in addition to the bed, and we comfortably had 4 adults use the cabin. Rental includes a bottle of wine and a few breakfast type snacks and drinks. The cabin also has a jacuzzi, and small kitchenette. Our cabin was not handicap accessible.

Voncile Stone

It was a 2nd visit on Easter...1st time was good so we decided to go back again.....not a good idea.....the food was cold, low and in some cases non-existent. We arrived at 12:45 for our reservations. Out of potatoes, out of ham, asked about replacement and was told limited amount left and would replace ham with turkey, Replacement potatoes were cold. Asparagus and mixed veg were both cold. Limited selection, cold, food for $19.00 per adult is not a good thing. Brought out some choc cake after we asked for dessert. Service of wait staff was good and they were attentive for replacement drinks.

Bobby Mallmann

Wine is ok. Over priced though. Food was decent when you can get hot. Doesnt always happen there. The food is also over priced. Came here for a special event where they were "roasting" a hog. I can tell you that the hog that they served, they did not roast. It wasnt bad but they were charging $13.95 for a pulled pork sandwich. Who does that???? Its not like they piled on the meat either. The fries were cold. We were served nachos with cold cheese and cold pork. Asked for a new plate that never showed. Very disappointed. I will never eat there again.

Cliff Sturgeon

We went there to wine and dine one evening, and the first problem occurred when two servers started cattily arguing over who have our table in front of us. The dining area had acoustic tiling that was dirty, the food was pretty bad, and over priced, and the wine glasses they brought out were rather poorly cleaned (you advertise as a winery, and the star attraction isnt immaculate...). Perhaps Im spoiled by having been to some very nice wineries, but the experience was generally off putting. I will not be returning.

A Private User

What a beautiful place. Saw the signs on the highway and drove 6 miles to and was surprised how nice and clean. The cabins look great. Only problem is no staff. One lovely girl to sample wine and buy with a full room. Went to grill which was nice. The only waitress was too busy to help us. It took an hour to buy a bottle of wine and try to eat. Call ahead. Iwith the waterfall and great indoor and outdoor eating area would be great if they were prepared.