Maxine's on Main

Recently a friend and I headed out to Morton to try the new Maxine's on Main, located at 208 N. Main Street.
We walked in to the cozy bungalow and were recognized by our reservation and arrival time and were seated on the front porch area at a tall table.
Both being fans of cheese, we decided to partake of the cheese plate, which our server told us consisted of goudas, one goat cheese and three cow cheeses. The cheeses were accompanied by a delicious cherry mustard, some nuts and savory caramelized onions.
For dinner I went with the wheat crusted salmon on a bed of red pepper couscous.
We finished our meal with a chocolate flight for dessert. We got to sample a Cabernet brownie; cayenne, hazelnut and bacon truffles; Pot de Creme and chocolate bark. My favorites were the spicy cayenne truffle and the bark.
Service was great and all of the food was nicely presented and well-prepared.
Maxine's also features a nice wine and beer selection, and currently only serves dinner Tuesday through Saturday.

Noted

I heard that Salt on Prospect in Peoria Heights is planning to expand into the vacant space next to them and is considering offering brunch on Sundays.

Noted

As of the beginning of this month, Los Jimadores in Washburn is now serving breakfast.

Party Mardi

I'm always looking for a reason to celebrate. A couple of weeks ago while glancing at my calendar, I noticed that Fat Tuesday is February 21.

The first place I thought about visiting was Beignet's On The Corner, 100 State Street in Peoria. Their menu has a New Orleans flair and I love their shrimp bisque.

I noticed River Beach Pub, 13637 N River Beach Dr, South Rome is offering hurricanes and jambalaya on Fat Tuesday. 

If I don't want to wait until Tuesday to celebrate, Saturday, February 18 I see that 309 in Junction City is having a Mardi Gras complete with hurricanes, beads, masquerade masks, live blues and jazz.

Also this Saturday night is Willett's Winery's annual Mardi Gras Party with New Orleans style cuisine and the Mason Dixies Band starting. The winery is located at 105 East Market Street in Manito.

Lunch for $10 or less

Tired of brown bagging it but don't want to break the bank? Here are some options for lunch under $10 in the Peoria area:

Yen Ching 6936 North University Street, Peoria
Los Jimadores 7723 North University Street, Peoria
Alwan & Sons Meat Company 703 E War Memorial Dr., Peoria Heights
Cracked Pepper 311 Main Street and 3406 NE Adams, Peoria
Rizzi's 112 State Street and 4613 North Sheridan Road, Peoria
Cummins Family Restaurant 1869 Washington Road, Washington
Spotted Cow 718 W. Glen, Peoria
Smo-King Pit Northwoods Mall, Peoria
Joe's Peoria 1301 W Pioneer Pkwy., Peoria

Noted

If you're looking for some new places to dine, check out Knuckles Pizza at 1719 W. Woodside Drive in Dunlap or Kabab-G at 7800 Sommer Drive in Peoria.

Rasoi The Indian Kitchen

I don't have a wealth of experience with Indian food, but when a friend suggested lunch at Rasoi The Indian Kitchen last week, I was interested to give it a try.
Located on N. Knoxville Avenue at Pioneer Parkway in Peoria, the last time I visited the spot it was The Copperworks restaurant. The walls have since been painted a warm yellow and the restaurant has a somewhat calming appeal.
As we were seated, the waiter asked if we wanted to eat from the buffet. My friend asked if we could order from the menu and he said no, just the buffet, so buffet is what we did.
He poured us each a glass of water as we went to fill our plates.
Based on my limited knowledge of Indian food, I believe I ended up eating chicken masala, a paneer in what appeared to be a pesto-type sauce, chicken tikka, some delicate chips that were fairly salty and some fruit. There were also vegetables to make a salad with and soups, among other Indian dishes such as goat curry.
Two baskets of naan were brought to the table, which was plenty to accompany our meal.
Most of the traditional Indian dishes I tried had a hint of spicy heat to them, but nothing overpowering, and I would try any of them again.
After spotting it on the buffet, I had to finish with the rice pudding, which was a nice touch.
Since it was a buffet, service was not invasive, but we could have used a refill on our waters about midway though the meal.
On the way out my friend stopped by a table for what I thought would be mints or toothpicks, but instead took a spoonful of cardamom and asked me if I would like some. I popped some in my mouth and decided it was an unusual, but refreshing end to my meal at Rasoi.

Hacienda Fuentes Cantina & Grill

Late last month I met my husband in Pekin for lunch at Hacienda Fuentes Cantina & Grill.
We sat in a booth in the second dining room and were served a basket of crunchy tortilla chips with salsa.
The waiter came by for my drink order but I still had to take in the many menu options, so he said he would be back for our food order.
I decided on the Tacos Hacienda ($7.99), three pork tacos with grilled onions and tomatillo sauce with a side of rice and beans. The tacos were tasty, complete with crunchy onions and were served in flour tortillas.
At a table nearby while we were dining, the staff sang happy birthday to a sombrero-wearing young lady, and proceeded to smear some whipped cream on her face. Later I noticed some photos of similar celebrants, so it must be their tradition.
Years ago before there were several small, local Mexican restaurants in the Peoria area, I remember helping someone celebrate a birthday at Chi-Chi's where they topped the birthday girl's head with a huge sombrero and snapped a photo of her.
Hacienda Fuentes has lunch specials starting at $4.50.

Noted

It looks like Rosie's BBQ & Grill on Sheridan Road in Peoria has closed.
I also heard that O's Tacos -N- More has closed. O's was on Farmington Road.

Noted

I heard that Copper River Coffee & Tea in Peoria closed December 31.

I also heard that a florist is planning to open on Peoria Street in Washington next to Castaways Consignment.

June Bug's Diner is open in the former El Somberito/Three Fat Guys Pizza location on Meadow Avenue in East Peoria.

Local birthday loot

My birthday is creeping up, and I've been receiving some goodies from local establishments to help me celebrate.
Kep's Place in Washington mailed me a free pizza coupon as did Tobin's Pizza in Bloomington. One World in Peoria sent me an email for a free dessert as did Noir Tapas & Rendezvous Lounge in Peoria Heights (theirs is valid with a $20 purchase).

Champs West

I just found out what I'd been missing when we visited Champs West in Peoria for the first time just before the holidays.
The stools were well worn but comfy and the bar had a similar decor to Donnelly's in Peoria, with a few tall tables and stools for seating.
We took a seat at the bar and proceeded to check out the lunch menu, which featured several $6 options.
I ordered a tuna melt, but soon was informed by the nice lady working behind the bar that they didn't have any, so I switched to ham and swiss on sourdough. The lunch includes two sides, so I chose a cup of chicken soup and the macaroni salad.
My husband ordered potato salad and potato chips as his sides. The chips were the ridged sort, and all the rest of the sides seemed homemade, or at least not your standard fare. The potato salad was mustard style and the chicken soup was piping hot and very tasty.
As for my sandwich, I appreciated that the sourdough bread was not two huge slabs, but a more manageable sort, and the ham was not your average thin deli ham.
We were well taken care of with our iced tea refills and were even given a pitcher to keep close at hand in case we needed a quick top off. She even went and got us more ice during our short meal, and to top it off, offered us cookies from a tin before we paid our bill.
While we were eating several locals wandered in with gifts or holiday wishes for the staff.
Champs is now on my list for affordable lunch fare.

Final Bells

In 2011, we bid farewell to the following local businesses. Here's to a new year of supporting local businesses!

Mr. G's Chicago Style
Vertucci's Chicago Style Eats
Country Diner
Chicago Grill
Victor's Mexican American Restaurant
Gilles Tap
SOPs
Firehouse Pizza (Pekin and Gale in Peoria)
German Specialties
Panache
Davis Bros. Pizza (Peoria Heights)
Jack's Around the Map Cafe
Dane's Bar and Grill
Lee's Family Restaurant
Taj of India
Whammy Bar
Cafe 101
Club Carbon
Illinois Antique Center

Noted

Maxine's on Main restaurant opened recently in Morton.

Noted

Peoria's Chicago Grill on University Street closed a few weeks ago.

The former Country Diner in East Peoria is now open as El Mexicano.

Salt

I've been to the new Salt restaurant in Peoria Heights twice now for dinner. I tried to meet someone there for lunch once as well, but Salt is currently closed on Mondays.
The first time I ate there we stopped in on a whim on a Saturday night to see how busy it was and found the small restaurant booked, but were offered a seat at the bar to dine, which was fine with us.
The restaurant has a contemporary feel and is accented with salt block lights and salt block candle holders.
To start we had their Focaccia bread served with sea salt butter. The salt was distinctive and I found I preferred only a very small amount of butter.
When we placed our order, the bartender suggested we could split a salad, which came topped with cranberries and local Ropp curds along with candied walnuts. It was very good.
For my meal I ordered the pork Porchetta ($26), a slow roasted pork shoulder served with a sweet potato puree.
After tasting my husband's meal, salt crusted beef ($28), a filet cooked under a salt dough cap served with a root vegetable confit, I was envious. The beef was extremely tender and the root vegetables were incredible. You are not meant to eat the salt dough, but on a next visit my friend dared me to try it so I bit off a tiny chunk. Now that's what I call SALT! Makes for a delicious steak, though.
The bartender who served us was very knowledgeable about the menu and wine and was very attentive until the restaurant got a bit busier. He became distracted and though we had asked about desserts he soon dropped off our bill so we paid and figured we'd check it out another time.
On my second visit with friends, there was a mix up about who was serving our table and we ended up sitting for 15 minutes with no water or drink orders, but after that things were fine.
One friend ordered the vegetarian noodles which features noodles made of butternut squash and sweet potato. Another had the Amish chicken served with chicken mozzarella sausage. I sampled the sausage and it was delicious.
I went with the featured fish, a red fish served with asparagus and artichoke hearts garnished with capers and accompanied by a risotto. Again, the vegetables were incredible. I mused that if a chef could make vegetables taste as good as the ones I've tried at Salt, they could certainly serve only vegetables and strike it rich.
This time I did get to try dessert, the salted bacon brownie. Not only was it garnished with a thick slice of bacon, there were bits of bacon baked into the brownie batter and the whole thing was drizzled with caramel. Decadent.
I am looking forward to trying breakfast and lunch at Salt. A friend of mine said she had a salmon burger there that felt like it weighed two pounds and it was served with chips garnished with the salt of her choice.

O's Tacos -n- More

This week we headed to the former Lonny's Dairyland spot on Farmington Road for lunch at the newly opened O's Tacos -n- More.
When you walk in to the former dairy barn, there is a window to place your order straight ahead and a room of picnic table seating off to the left.
We placed our order for the two taco dinner, grilled chicken and had ours dressed with onion and cilantro instead of the tomato, lettuce and cheese. The soft corn tortilla tacos came with a side of mild green sauce and also a hot red sauce plus rice and beans for $6.50, and we added two drinks. While we waited we were given a small basket of chips and salsa to munch on.
The tacos were simple, but heaped with plenty of chicken and the staff was friendly.
The dining area could probably get a bit chilly in cold weather, but we were there on a 40 degree day and there were space heaters in the room and it was not uncomfortable.
There is also a drive up window for carry outs.

January, 2012 — O's Tacos has closed.

Noted

Vertucci's Chicago Style Eats in East Peoria closed early this month.
Los Jimadores has opened in the former Victor's restaurant spot in Washburn.
Juicy's Famous Steak and Lemonade on NE Adams in Peoria kicked off their grand opening over the past weekend.

Joe's Peoria

Last month we ate at Joe's Peoria for the first time. The sports bar is located along Pioneer Parkway in Peoria in the same strip mall as Taste of Thai.
Joe's features daily specials, a kid's menu and I have seen several coupons published in various local outlets.
For dinner I ordered their Buffalo chicken wrap ($6.95 with fries), billed as crispy chicken dipped in mild sauce. The chicken was indeed very crispy, and the wrap included shredded cheese and lettuce. The fries were the skin on variety that appeared to be hand cut.
My husband had a Reuben (also $6.95). He also added a side of chili ($2.95), which he was a big fan of.
We dined at the bar and hit a change in shift, but both bartenders took good care of us.
We've added Joe's to our list of places to stop for eats north of War Memorial.

Noted

I heard that Alpha Bravo Pub and Grill will open early next year in the former Harold's Hamburgers location in Sunnyland.
I believe that O's Tacos -n- More has opened on Farmington Road. I will have to head over there and check it out!