McHenry County Blog

When we were in Colorado last summer, we visited the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center. A site for traveling exhibits, it was filled with blown glass from the West Coast factory of Ghilhuly.

The eye patch wearing artist have been seen by most on the PBS-TV show on his chandeliers he installed in Venice, Italy.

In Colorado Springs there was one hanging in the foyer. My 7-year old got down on his back and took this picture of a yellow and green chandelier.

We were then admonished that photographing the exhibits was not allowed.

I knew that flashes could degrade paintings and pointed this out to the volunteer admonisher. I also pointed out that glass probably didn’t fade when put in bright light.

No matter. No more pictures.

Now, two chandeliers that are certainly as beautiful as the one in Colorado Springs can been seen in Algonquin at the Montarra Grill, located in a strip mall north of the Oberweis Ice Cream store, northeast of the intersection of Randall and County Line Roads.

A large group can dine beneath this blue masterpiece. Another hangs in the bar.

Reservations are certainly a good idea on weekends. Expect to pay $100 a couple, if you like wine and other libations. The phone number is 847-458-0505.