American restaurant Savor now open in historic St. Charles

Savor, a restaurant serving “American cuisine with a twist,” according to its owners, opened in early February at 221 N. Main St. in St. Charles, as reported by Riverfront Times. 

Marsha Timme, who co-owns the restaurant with her husband Scott Timme, has 35 years of experience in the restaurant industry. She always wanted to open a restaurant with her mother, Julianne Yates, but didn’t get a chance to do so before her death four years ago. Timme didn’t give up. “I finally found what I think is the perfect space in the perfect area, and I felt it was something [my mom] would’ve loved. So, I said, ‘You know what? Let’s do it.’ It’s a lifelong dream that’s finally coming true,” she said. “We have a picture of her over the bar, so she’s watching.”

Savor serves appetizers, burgers and sandwiches, soups and salads, flatbreads and entrees. So far, the burgers are the most popular order. “From the feedback we’re getting from everybody, it’s one of the best burgers they’ve ever had,” Timme said. The menu is still being updated, and Timme is excited to debut their deconstructed country fried steak: country-fried meatballs served with mashed potatoes and corn. 

For beverages, guests can choose from 10 specialty cocktails, as well as many classic cocktails, from the full bar. There are also about 20 different wines, as well as a growing selection of local beers on draft from breweries like Heavy Riff Brewing Co., 2nd Shift Brewing and Urban Chestnut Brewing Co. “We have something that everybody is going to love,” Timme said. 

The restaurant is housed in a 120-year-old building that has brick walls decorated with lanterns and images of St. Charles. Timme said they wanted a “cozy feel where you can come in for a date night or in your T-shirt and blue jeans, and either way you’re going to feel comfortable.” At 1,000 square feet, Savor has 14 seats at the bar, as well as 14 tables that can seat about 60 guests. They’re currently remodeling the patio, which will offer about 50 more seats, plus live music on Sunday afternoons. For now, they have live music indoors on Friday and Saturday nights.

The restaurant’s mission is for guests to “savor the food, savor the drinks, savor historic St. Charles.” In the coming months, Timme hopes to give back to the St. Charles community and support local causes by hosting fundraising events or engaging in volunteer opportunities.

Savor is open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday to Thursday, from 11 a.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday. In March, they plan to begin serving brunch and will open at 10 a.m. on Saturday as well.