Connected Restaurant: A Romantic Italian-American Dining Experience

We hosted our wedding reception at Connected, and while many aspects of the experience were wonderful, I do want to share both the highlights and an important detail that others may want to know. First, the positives: the food was absolutely amazing! Every dish was fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented—our guests are still talking about it. The staff were equally fantastic: professional, kind, and attentive throughout the evening. Tony did a great job of rearranging space to give my husband and I our own table. They truly went above and beyond to make us and our guests feel welcome and taken care of! However, I was disappointed that we didn’t receive full access to the private space as we had originally discussed and planned for. Leading up to the wedding, it was communicated that we would have the entire room, with a minimum spend required to secure it. We met those requirements, but on the day, a curtain was used to divide the space and another party was placed on the other side. This wasn’t what we had expected and, admittedly, it did affect the atmosphere we had envisioned for our reception. That said, I deeply appreciate all the effort the team put into making our day special. I just hope this helps future couples to have clear communication and confirmation on space usage in advance.

Magnificent place, it was my first time at a restaurant of that elegance and I have found a new favorite! The food was incredible and the wait staff were so very kind and friendly. We got plenty of time to adjust between courses and the atmosphere was calm and the music brought back some wonderful memories. 100% recommend, I will be visiting again!

Food and service were both absolutely fantastic. We had Gregory as our server and he was phenomenal. The rose and limoncello at the end were such a great cherry on top. It was our first time and we will definitely be back!

P H E N O M E N A L!!! My husband and I came here for our anniversary because we have been hearing such great things about this restaurant. It is for sure a HIDDEN gem - IYKYK type situation - given that it's so tucked away. Don't do like we did and pull up 10 minutes before opening, sneak into the locked door behind an employee arriving for their shift, and get on the reservation list for 5p. Just call a couple days before - YOU WILL NEED A RESERVATION! People were lined up outside before opening to eat here... on a TUESDAY Upon entering, however, we understood what the hype was about. This place transports you to a magical land. The ambiance is stunning. The front hosts are so warm and welcoming. We sat at a cute little 2-top and were greeted by Colton who took our drink order. Then someone arrived with bread and the most spectacular whipped eggplant butter concoction, it was so good I asked for it to-go. Caron provided the best service imaginable, and I loved her blinged out ensemble! We ordered the pasta e fagoli soup (the soup base is a flavor bomb - I also ordered three cups to go because this soup ruined me for life), the bolognese, branzino, asparagus, and delmonico steak with scalloped potatoes.... EVERY SINGLE DISH WAS A STANDOUT!!! If you are into a bit of fun, go on a special occasion and order a dessert. It comes out with a sparkler that lights up the room and they take your picture (the table behind us did it). We opted out of the sparkler, but we did order the tiramisu dessert. We cannot wait to return here!!

My husband and I had dinner at Connected, and I have to say — Gigi and Chandler absolutely made our night. The food was phenomenal, I had the Bistecca Al Barrolo (truly top-tier, every bite was better than the last), but the service? Next level. Gigi and Chandler were not only attentive, but genuinely fun, warm, and engaging. They went above and beyond without ever feeling forced or scripted. You can tell when people love what they do, and they do. Their energy, their timing, their recommendations — all flawless. We laughed, we dined, we felt taken care of from the moment we sat down until the moment we left. Good service literally makes or breaks a restaurant, and they are the reason this place is not just good — it’s memorable. Food will get you in the door, but service like theirs is what keeps you coming back and telling everyone you know. Connected is lucky to have them, and we truly couldn’t have asked for a better evening. They didn’t just serve us dinner — they made our night. Highly, highly recommend. We’ll be returning soon — and specifically asking for Gigi and Chandler!

Everything about this place was 5 stars! Went for a birthday dinner with my hub, and it was so fancy. I absolutely loved the decor - The dining room is set up to feel like you are sitting outside in Europe under the stars. The food was absolutely spectacular, and despite being extremely full, I managed to inhale my dessert, which was fabulous. Absolutely plan to visit again when we have friends in town.

I have been here for dinner three times and every time it has been a 10/10. The food is flavorful, fresh, creative, and I never leave wanting more. My favorites are the carpaccio appetizer and wild boar entree. Their cocktails are delicious as well. The staff is genuinely friendly and they make a point to make everyone feel welcomed. I also think that they are fairly priced given the excellent quality of the food and portion size. Peoria is lucky to have Connected.

Amazing basil lemon martini. AMAZING. Eggplant spread with bread=game-changer. Mushroom salad was both hearty and refreshing. Carpaccio with fresh Parmesan and artichoke was delicious. We had veal for the table and the piccata was rich, light, and ATE IT ALL. Best service, personable and attentive. Atmosphere was cozy and fun with great lighting. This place will be a go-to from now on!