Final bells

This year, like those before, saw the rise and fall of many unique local businesses in central Illinois.

2012 also saw us move out of Illinois, several months ago. Due to this, I find it difficult at this time to keep up with all the local developments, being a couple hundred miles away. We do visit fairly often, but when we do we tend to revisit old favorite dining establishments, or gravitate toward places where family and friends like to go more often than trying the new guy in town.

At this time, I’m going to hang up my blogging hat for a while, but no matter where I am I still seek out unique local shops and restaurants, and hope you will too. Keep living the local and have a great 2013!

Noted

Off The Bone Smokehouse Restaurant & Bar at 3127 Prospect in Peoria has closed and El Nopal Authentic Mexican Restaurant is opening soon in its place.

Noted

Kuchie's on the Water took over Captain Ron's at 579 Wesley Road in Creve Coeur this August.

Double D Diner in Washington has closed.

Noted

Madison's on the Square, a bakery and café, will open later this year in Washington in the former BBQ spot on Walnut Street.

Lop Ears Poochy Playground

A few weeks ago we dropped off our dog at Lop Ears Poochy Playground, 10000 North Galena Road in Peoria, for an afternoon of play.
We weren't quite sure what to expect. We walked in to the concrete-floored Morton style building and saw a large open room, but no people or dogs.
After about a minute, a happy dog came running out of a room to the right and I joked that this must be our greeter. The dog ran over to us and soaked up all the attention we gave.
Soon another dog ran out of the room to the right, and before we knew it, a whole stream of dogs poured out of the room to check out who was there, followed by a gentleman who was holding down the fort for the day.
He took plenty of time to ask questions, walk our dog around the site and learn about how she would react to the group.
We soon left to get on with our day and a few hours later I received a text message, apparently from our dog, letting us know that even though she is shy she was having fun.
Lop Ears offers boarding, stay and play and dog daycare.
When we arrived a few hours later, there were a few more people there and we met the wife of the husband/wife team.
I can honestly say I don't think I've ever met people who love dogs more. They were so friendly and very caring about the dogs, and welcomed us to bring our dog back any time.
I certainly will!

Noted

Panaderia Ortiz Bakery is now open at 1404 NE Monroe in Peoria. Oh how I miss my lunches at the Goodness Café!
Sazani's Steak & Pasta House is now open at 7327 N Galena Road, also in Peoria.

Noted

Junction City's 309 restaurant closed this month. Also in Junction City, Natural Balance Wellness Center is now open.

Taber Lacie Photography and Brienzo's Wood Fired Pizza (with a mobile brick oven!) opened earlier this year.

A new restaurant, Lee's Chinese Garden, has opened at 1221 W. Glen in Peoria next to Mediterranean Mart.

Noted

While Bone Appitit in Washington recently closed, late last month Off-the-Bone Smokehouse opened at 3127 N. Prospect Avenue in Peoria.

Keeping cool

It's not only very hot, it's also National Ice Cream month!
Cool off with some treats from the new Coneys, 3725 W. Willow Knolls Road or with some classics from Emo's, 3618 Prospect Road, or slurp a shake while you sit in the shade of the trees at the Ice Cream Shack, 2313 NE Adams Street, all in Peoria.
Across the river chill out at the Ice Cream Shack, 2306 Washington Road in Washington or hit up Uncle Bob for some homemade ice cream at 409 E. Center Street in Eureka, or roll up to Didley's Car Hop, 920 N. Niles Street in Metamora.

Noted

There has been activity at the former Jill's restaurant site at 7327 N. Galena Road in Peoria. A sign on the property reads Sazanis Steak & Pasta opening soon.

Noted

The former Firehouse Bar & Grill is now open as No Wake Zone Bar & Grill, 4925 N. Galena Road in Peoria. They are serving pizzas, sandwiches and salads, burgers, hot dogs and more for both lunch and dinner.

Noted

New businesses debuting on the east side of the river this spring include The 5th Quarter Sports Bar & Pizzeria at 1110 N Main in East Peoria (formerly Vertucci's) and Le Fleur florist on the square in Washington.

Noted

blu, an accessory store, is now open in Peoria's Junction City.

The Beanhive

Over the weekend we found ourselves in Galesburg and I was looking for Kaldi's Coffeehouse on East Simmons Street, but instead I found The Beanhive, which used to be called Kaldi's.
The coffee shop had several customers sitting at tables or in comfy chairs visiting and enjoying coffee and the shelves were lined with Leaves N Beans coffee beans, roasted in Peoria Heights.
In addition to coffee The Bean Hive offers sandwiches including a vegetarian option, cookies and smoothies. They also host live music events.
My husband ordered a latte with an extra shot of espresso and was informed that for the same price he could have a triple shot, which he was all over.

Noted

This weekend we were in Monmouth and saw the new Petey's Pub & Grill, which has been open several months now, located at 2 American Way. Apparently the owner of Cerar's Barnstormer, where we've enjoyed several family dinners, is the owner of Petey's.

Bernardi's Pub and Italian Eatery

For Mother's Day we met the moms (and a dad) at the newly dubbed and revamped Bernardi's Pub and Italian Eatery in Dunlap's Lake of the Woods Plaza.
Waiting for some of our party to arrive, we enjoyed their outdoor seating for a bit since the weather was so beautiful.
Once we headed inside, I loved the large vintage prints of Mona's and various family shots throughout the dining room.
The menu featured some of the more traditional Bernardi's family classics such as tortellini, but also salads, beer battered asparagus, Cajun salmon, pulled pork, grilled tuna, a Reuben, and even a mac n cheese melt complete with Italian beef, BBQ sauce and green onion.
However, once I saw the garlic parmesan flatbread on the menu, I was sunk.

Described as fire roasted flatbread brushed in Bernardi oil, parmesan, and fresh parsley served with homemade roasted garlic paste with chopped tomatoes and slightly drizzled with Olio & Vino’s black truffle oil, I was surprised at the simplicity of the flatbread when it arrived, accompanied by a dish of garlic paste. However, this was a dish after my own heart, with true, hearty roasted garlic I could spread all over the soft pita-like bread.
I had the fortune of sampling my husband's little "hush puppies", which were dusted with powdered sugar, and my mom's side of mac and cheese, which was delicious. I have always liked the idea of mac and cheese at a restaurant, but have always been disappointed after trying it. This version topped the charts.
My dad had a nice looking piece of salmon that I believe featured a pesto-based sauce and my mom had some BBQ pork sliders.
I did notice fried chicken being served up in galvanized "buckets" and I remembered my dining companion talking about a customer who was taken aback by the change. Hey, if the food is good, it's all good with me!
We were able to supplement our meal with margaritas, red wine and iced tea, and service was good.
I'll be sure to keep Bernardi's Pub on my list for future family gatherings!

Noted

Soul Food Catering is now open in the former Rosie's BBQ & Grill at 2626 N. Sheridan Road in Peoria.

Noted

Granny Goodwitch Bakery opened a storefront at 1104 Main Street in East Peoria this winter.

Noted

A karaoke bar named Pitch will open at 631 Main Street in Peoria next month.

Mother's Day is rapidly nearing. I'll be on the prowl for a gift from a great local shop and am trying to think of someplace we can sneak in for breakfast without all the chaos or portable brunch items to take over to Mom's. As much as I would like it, I don't think a Cracked Pepper bacon log will work!

Noted

Lil' Mak's is opening soon on Route 116 in Metamora.