Metro Plantation

One of my favorite things to do during the holidays was to stop by Village Plantation in Peoria's Sheridan Village to look at all the great furniture and holiday decor, so when I heard they were closing, I was disappointed.

I was glad to see Metro Plantation open in Peoria's Metro Centre.

I recently stopped in to have a peek.

The shop is smaller than the Sheridan Village location was, but is still filled with gifts, lamps, candles, home decor and a few furniture pieces.

I'll be back next month to look for some holiday gift ideas.

The Cupcake Camper

When I heard there was an Airstream trailer topped with a cupcake selling the petite pastries at the Shoppes at Grand Prairie in Peoria, I said I must visit. I am a big fan of cupcakes. Heck, one of the first things I became a fan of on Facebook is cupcakes!

We served cupcakes at our wedding, but they were not all I dreamed of.

Sunday we were walking through the mall when I spotted it, The Cupcake Camper.

After finding out my husband would buy me one, we walked up the wooden steps and I selected an orange and chocolate one, noticing they were out of both the pink and spiced cupcakes.

My cupcake was delivered in a mug-sized cardboard box with a folded pink napkin and plastic fork slid into the gap.

Having had lots of treats over the weekend during Spoon River Drive, I decided to save the orange-iced cupcake dusted with black sprinkles for later, so I put it in the fridge.

Monday I ate the last of my Maurie's carmel apples, since they'd been around for a few days.

Tuesday after dinner I pulled the cupcake box out of the fridge so it could warm up a bit.

I opened it later and poked at the icing, saddened to find it a bit hard. I had the fleeting thought that I may have to throw it out, but decided to turn the oven on for a minute, then back off, and put the treat in there to sit a bit.

A few minutes later I pulled the cupcake out and tested the icing again. Soft and fresh as new.

I cut the cake neatly in half, noting the thick layer of orange icing. Sampling it, I was pleasantly surprised at how good it was.

The icing was soft, thick and buttery tasting, with a hint of almond flavor.

The cake itself was made of a fine, almost silky chocolate flour mixture.

Considering this cake had been neglected far long enough, I went ahead and ate the other half in the same sitting, enjoying every last morsel.

Part way through I informed my husband I may need to try some more of their cupcakes. Right after I take that long bike ride.

Noted

China Garden in Washington celebrated their grand opening October 7.

Bone Appitit will soon be open in Washington.

Peoria's Chicago Grills have closed.

The Underground is now open for lunch and dinner in the Cornerstone building in Peoria, operated by Mary Ann Fahey.

Jane Dough Bakery & Café

I was driving through downtown Peoria trying to decide where to have lunch when I came upon an open parking space right in front of Jane Dough Bakery & Café.

I'd been wanting to try the place out since they replaced the City News Café, so I pulled into the space.

Digging into my purse for some change for the meter, I was pleased to find over an hour of time left on the timer.

I noticed a help wanted sign in the window of the café.

A sidewalk sign in front proclaimed the special to be turkey meatloaf with bistro fries for $7.50. Glancing at a few of the sandwich options, I decided a warm meal sounded good, so I ordered the special at the counter, paid and then took a seat.

The owner, Anne, soon brought my meal artfully arranged on a tin pie plate topped with waxed paper. She mentioned she had forgotten to bring me a fork and stepped back behind the counter.

I waited a bit, but she didn't return, so I went to the counter to ask for a fork.

Fork in hand, I dug into the moist meatloaf, finding it hearty, warm and full of great seasoning. I have to say it is one of the best meatloaves I have ever tried.

The bistro fries turned out to be baked potatoes sliced into wedges, fanned on my plate and sprinkled with herbs.

While dining, I checked out some of the other offerings listed, which included gazpacho, breakfast wraps, sandwiches and home made granola, plus the café offers organic breads and uses some local farm ingredients.

Box lunches are available as well.

Located at 311 SW Main Street in Peoria, Jane Dough has some great breakfast and lunch options, and it's great to see them supporting local farms as well.

April 2010 — Jane Dough has closed.

Noted

Tavern On Prospect will celebrate their grand opening at Junction City in Peoria October 9.

October 5 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., everyone receives free admission to the Peoria Zoo.

Noted

The 4A Deli in Washington has closed.
I'm excited about the prospect of a Tapas restaurant, Noir, on Prospect in Peoria Heights, which I read about in this morning's Journal Star.
Lee's Family Restaurant has been open for a week or so in the former Steak 'n Shake on NE Adams in Peoria. We checked it out and will post a review soon.

Oscar's Family Restaurant

Last week we were looking for someplace inexpensive to have lunch.

My husband mentioned a family restaurant on Farmington Road, and I was game to check it out.

Oscar's Family Restaurant is located at 3118 W. Farmington Road in Peoria.

The dining room is a bit rough around the edges and decorated with pictures of John Wayne and likenesses of what I assume is Oscar the hound dog, based on the dog on the sign on top of the building. There were poker machines lining the front wall.

Our friendly waitress told us to have a seat anywhere.

I noticed the specials board listed a pork fritter with mashed potatoes and gravy plus green beans, which I think was $6. Sounded great to me, so I ordered that, while StfRon ordered a cheeseburger and fries.

My meal arrived piping hot, complete with a dinner roll. The pork fritter, reminding me of a Schnitzel, was topped with a brown gravy that had a bit of hickory smoke flavor to it. It was a great comfort food meal, and despite liking his cheeseburger, my husband sampled my meal several times and said he should have ordered the same thing.

Oscar's does not accept credit cards, but will take checks.

I love a good special that includes veggies, and it seems to be getting harder to come by. Oscar's delivered.

Main Street Mercantile

Ever since I saw ads for the Main Street Mercantile in Congerville, I've wanted to stop by for a visit.

Earlier this month we parked alongside 112 Main Street, walked past a couple of rockers on the porch and went inside.

The store was filled with some primitive and country gift and decor items, a selection of toys along the back, and in the next corner was an intriguing array of bulk food items. We looked through baking products, spices, snack mixes, candies, soup and dip mixes and more, selecting a horseradish bacon dip mix and a cream of asparagus soup mix.

Just past the row of food items, a group of people was enjoying a meal at a cozy table in the center of a small dining area.

We made our way to the counter to pay and passed a case of homemade fudge.

While I was paying I noticed a sign for Eduardo's pizza, which can be eaten on site or taken home to bake. I remember a friend of ours said she knows someone who raves about the pizza.

Last night we mixed our horseradish bacon dip mix with some sour cream and sampled our find. The horseradish had a nice bite, and the smoky bacon bits plumped up nicely after sitting for the recommended 30 minutes. I know we'll be heading back to Main Street Mercantile to get some more of that!

Noted

In Peoria's Campustown, Monroe Restaurant & Bar is closed and has a business for sale sign in the window. I believe they opened on August 1. The Fieldhouse bar in the former Gorman's looks well on it's way to opening day.

The Ice Cream Shack in Sunnyland has added a drive through lane that's been open for several weeks now.

Emo's and the Ice Cream Shack in Peoria are both closing for the season in the next week or so, so get your fill before it's too late!

Noted

Firehouse Pizza in Washington has been open for a few weeks now, and it looks like many people are taking advantage of it.

Cherry Garden is shaping up in Washington's Cherry Tree Shopping Center. It does look like it will be mainly carryout.

I noticed a sign in Haddad's Restaurant's (Peoria) window announcing that they will be moving to a new building a couple of doors down.

Simply Everything Boutique, a newer addition to the Shoppes at Grand Prairie in Peoria, showcases art from more than 35 local artists.

This weekend is Peoria Oktoberfest at the riverfront.

Morton's Pumpkin Festival begins tomorrow and continues through Saturday.

Uncle Bob's Homemade Ice Cream

Ice cream season may be winding to a close for the year, but we managed to make it to Uncle Bob's Homemade Ice Cream in Eureka on their last night of the season at their Eureka spot, 111 S. Main Street.

Uncle Bob's has taken some prizes for their ice cream, including the Best Dessert category at Taste of Peoria this year. Its chocolate raspberry cheesecake earned first place, while its fudge brownie sundae won second.

I ordered their cookie batter ice cream on a regular cone instead of the waffle cone offering, while StfRon tried the turtle sundae.

The cookie batter ice cream had a buttery base that reminded me of butter pecan with a few chunks of cookie dough and plenty of tiny chocolate chips. It was very good.

If you haven't had a chance to try their ice cream yet, don't despair. We spotted Uncle Bob's mobile truck at the El Paso Corn Festival this weekend, and I'm sure they will be making rounds at other fall events.

Morton joins 3/50 project

An article in today's Journal Star reports that Morton has joined the 3/50 Project, yet another project touting support for local businesses.
According to the project's Web site: Consumers are asked to select three locally owned, brick-and-mortar retailers in their hometown that they would hate to see go out of business. Once those businesses are chosen, spend $50 there monthly. Not $50 each, a total of $50. Using U.S. Department of Labor/Bureau of Labor Statistics figures, if half the employed population in the country spent $50 at three independent businesses each month, it would generate $42.6 billion in revenue.

Round up

I was sad to learn that Ponte Vecchio in Peoria's Sheridan Village has closed. We celebrated many occasions there.

It appears that Firehouse Pizza in Washington is now open, however we have not made it in yet.

As far as my recent dining escapades, I've enjoyed meals at Café 401, Ming Shee, Avanti's and One World in Peoria; The Butcher Block in Peoria Heights; Captain Ron's in Creve Coeur; Bernardi's in Washington and had some great tuna at Reality Bites in Bloomington.

This week I won't have as much time to dine out, but I'm looking forward to trying a few new places in the next couple of weeks.

Gebby's Family Restaurant

Last week we were on our way out of town and looking for some place to have breakfast.

I hadn't been to Gebby's Family Restaurant in years, so I suggested it.

We arrived at 726 E. War Memorial Drive in Peoria Heights just before 9 a.m., and were seated quickly. But from the time we sat down, I noticed a constant stream of people coming in, and many times people had, and were willing, to wait for a table to empty up. All this on a weekday, too.

The restaurant was tidy and nondescript, with light wood and light paint colors throughout. Wagon wheels were mounted inside window openings next to the booths.

The coffee was hot but not bold, and I enjoyed a glass of grapefruit juice, which they offer in three sizes.

The service was efficient and the food was good.

I ordered eggs Benedict and my eggs were covered in Hollandaise, perched atop nicely crisped English muffins, appropriately accompanied by a steak knife to cut through said crispy muffins.

My husband had biscuits topped with a thick, creamy gravy and a side of corned beef hash.

I noticed several homestyle lunch specials posted on the wall, such as meatloaf with mashed potatoes and gravy, which would hit just the right spot during the lunch hour.

Gebby's is only open for breakfast and lunch.

More dining savings

There was a discussion going on recently in the comments section of my blog about Dining Tour books.
The $30 books are sold as fundraisers for various organizations in the area.
My husband and I have bought these several times in the past, and recoup our costs quickly with the offers inside.
This year's book includes restaurants like Aachi's Indian Cuisine (which we've been planning to try); The Chateau; Kaiserhof Restaurant; Maid Rite; Peoria Pizza Works; and Water Street Café, just to name a few.
Find out more about how you can purchase a book on Peoria Secret Server's blog.

Noted

We've been vacationing over the last few weeks, and have been catching up on changes around the Peoria area.

Feldan's Pizza Pasta & More in Peoria has closed.

Apostrophe bar in Peoria's Junction City has closed, and soon will reopen as another bar.

Café Evergreen in Peoria's Metro Centre is closed.

Monroe Restaurant and Bar in Peoria's Campustown is now open in the Zim's location.

Double D Diner is in the works in Washington.

I'll post more as a remember or see them.

Savings galore

If you're looking to stretch your dollars and support local businesses, here are a few good finds.

Frugal Fridays is offering half price gift certificates such as:

$50 for $25 for Specs Around Town in Bloomington

$50 for $25 for Sticks and Stones in Peoria (as seen on Oprah, of course)

$51 for $26 for Wee Tee in Peoria

$50 for $25 for Kartville in West Peoria

Discount Dining is offering:

$30 for $15 for Stadium Pizza in Peoria

$30 for $15 for Firehouse Pizza in Pekin

$30 for $15 for Los Jimadores in Peoria

If interested in the above offers, there are only a few left in some cases, so don't wait.

This weeks 3B Freebies in the Journal Star include a free coin purse from Unique Teak in Peoria (Wednesday) and a free soft drink from the Kaiserhof in Peoria (Thursday).

Kaiserhof Restaurant

You may remember the Kaiserhof from Bradford. We do miss that location.

Since last winter, the Kaiserhof Restaurant has been much closer for Peorians, at the Shoppes at Grand Prairie.

We stopped by Sunday and I enjoyed the $3 Bloody Marys, my husband had a great tenderloin sandwich and I had a nice Caesar salad.

A couple of months ago I enjoyed an excellent bowl of clam chowder there as well.

There are sandwiches under $5 on the lunch menu, daily specials, plus a lunch card so you can earn a free lunch.

There are pitcher specials several days a week (I know a few people who are taking advantage of this), various drink specials, plus kids eat free on Mondays and Wednesdays.

There is a newly added beer garden, and also a German deli for your take home needs.

Hodel's Chanticleer

Recently on a Friday night we were bored and looking for something different to do, and the Chanticleer, or Chantilly, as StfRon's uncle would say, popped into my mind.

We made the short drive to Eureka and pulled up in front of the low, nondescript building at 744 N. Main Street.

We decided to sit on the bar side of the building, and were the only people sitting at a table instead of at the bar.

Our server was also doing bar duty, and was very cheerful and helpful, as was the manager or perhaps the owner who greeted us as soon as we stepped inside.

We placed our order for white meat fried chicken and potato salad for me, and prime rib for my husband, along with a salad. She explained that their bleu cheese dressing is homemade, with a Thousand Island type base, and said it is a favorite among customers. He decided to try it, and by the end of the salad, I was scraping the bottom of the container for every last drop for the crackers from our table cracker basket. It was not very bleu tasting, as I don't really care for bleu cheese, but it was very good.

As the menu stated, the fried chicken did take a bit of time to prepare, and we passed the time enjoying a pitcher of beer until it arrived.

I also noticed as an older gent stopped by to compliment the staff on the catfish he had enjoyed on his way out.

My chicken was not overly salty or seasoned, but had a nice, greasy, crisp crust covering the juicy bird.

StfRon said the prime rib was not as rare as he wanted and was not as slow roasted as some, but it was good, and the horseradish sauce the waitress mixed up for him carried a real kick.

The meal was very reasonably priced, service was good, and with the atmosphere and cracker basket, Hodel's Chanticleer brought back memories of places we went for family outings when we were kids.

Free ride

The Journal Star publishes a coupon for something free each day, dubbed the 3B freebie.
The coupon, believe it or not, is always located on page B3.
I noticed a good one in Thursday's paper for a free 12 ounce coffee from Cracked Pepper Catering & Bakery, Inc., valid through July 31.
Tuesday's issue featured an offer for a free Wonder Dog from Velvet Freeze, also expiring July 31.
So dig those papers out of the recycle bin, and watch for new great offers every day!