Ross Isaac

BEST CHEF
Sean Keeley, Ross Isaac 1710 S. MacArthur Blvd., 744-7677 This time of year, Sean Keeley, Ross Isaac’s head chef and owner, can be found perusing the meat and produce at the Old Capitol Farmers’ Market. He features these local ingredients each week in his restaurant’s ever-changing, globallyinspired, American cuisine. He constantly adds to his list of appetizers, which include a spin on pub food like the Cuban nachos — chorizo, grilled steak, roast pork and pico de gallo over cheese sauce and corn tortilla chips. He also appeals to clientele by offering popular entrees like the pork chop and New York strip alongside new culinary creations. “I provide a familiar feeling for the regulars,” Keeley says, “or if they see something new, they can go in that direction.”
Runner-up: Jimmy Oh, Jimmy Oh’s

BEST RESTAURANT OWNER WHO MEETS AND GREETS
Sean Keeley, Ross Isaac 1710 S. MacArthur Blvd., 744-7677 Meet Sean Keeley, the man behind Ross Isaac — MacArthur’s crown jewel. After working as a chef at Sebastian’s Hideout, the Crowne Plaza Hotel and Indigo, Keeley introduced his very own contemporary eatery to Springfield two years ago. He hoped to infuse fine dining with a comfortable, neighborly feel, and judging by the first-place nod from our voters, he succeeded. “I wanted it to feel like a local place,” Keeley says. “Now the staff knows our regulars by name.” Stop by and say hello to Keeley on $5 Martini Mondays; dine inside by candlelight or outside on the new heated patio.
Runners-up: Chad Reese, Chadito’s Mexican American Grill; Jimmy Oh, Jimmy Oh’s

BEST WAIT STAFF
Ross Isaac 1710 S. Macarthur Blvd., 744-7677 No matter how good a restaurant’s food is, if it takes the wait staff an hour to refill your drink, the enjoyment of eating out can be easily lost. The staff at Ross Isaac makes sure everything is ship-shape – and fast. Chef Sean Keeley says it’s a matter of good communication. “The way we service the food is designed around the server letting us know where they are in the meal,” Keeley says. “I’m just really lucky that everyone here gets along well. It’s kind of become a family camaraderie here.” Keeley says the service is good because his staff cares about the diners. “We’ve definitely made a lot of good friends since we opened … a lot of fantastic regulars.”
Runner-up: Red Lobster

BEST WINE SELECTION
Ross Isaac 1710 S. Macarthur Blvd., 744-7677 With more than 200 different wines, Ross Isaac is a natural choice for best wine selection in Springfield. Owner and head chef Sean Keeley personally picks wines to complement his constantly-evolving menu. From the Australian Woop Woop shiraz to the organic Chilean Cono Sur cabernet sauvignon, you’re sure to find a spirited companion for your meal. Keeley’s favorite is the Maipe Malbec served with a New York strip steak, which he charbroils in a chili chipotle butter and serves with garlic mashed potatoes and crisp onion frites. Vegetarians need not fret; Keeley makes a mean veggie pasta that he pairs with Joel Gott sauvignon blanc – truly a taste to behold.
Runner-up: Maldaner’s