What were we thinking?

OK, I admit, I was wooed by a radio commercial I heard for Applebee's. Apparently they paired up with some chef, Tyler Florence, and came up with some limited-time menu items. I heard them describing this steak dinner: "Enjoy a grilled 7 oz. House Sirloin brushed with olive oil, fresh herbs and Italian seasonings paired with plump sautéed shrimp topped with succulent crab stuffing and lemon garlic butter. Served with almond rice pilaf, fresh seasonal vegetables and toasted side bread". It sounded GREAT. So off we went to try it.
The picture on the menu also looked great. The steak looks juicy and succulent and is covered with herbs. StfRon ordered a steak from the special menu as well. We both asked for medium rare.
When they arrived, I was at first taken aback by the lack of any sign of herbs on my steak, plus no smell of herbs and actually, no scent at all from the food. StfRon noticed that his steak was gray instead of brown. In looking, I realized that mine was as well. I tried to cut into it, and it was rubbery. When the waitress came by to check, StfRon said the steaks looked gray and were kind of rubbery. She agreed that they did not look right and offered to have them remade.
While we were waiting, a manager visited our table and told us that all the steaks pretty much look the same, so chances our that our new ones would look that way, too. She said despite the looks, they taste fine.
Our new steaks arrived and sure enough they didn't look much different, still no herbs on mine and still looking a little gray. We tried them, and the flavor was OK.

As we had been waiting for our meal to be delivered a second time, we had been talking about when the last time was that we had visited a chain restaurant. Neither one of us could remember because it had been so long. And really, what IS the goal of marketing like this where places advertise, verbally and/or with beautiful, glossy photos that the actual meal never lives up to? Is the goal to get people in once and get that sale, or is the goal to keep them coming back? If I feel like I've been misled, I'm not likely to rush back.
Surely it could also be the franchise's interpretation of how to prepare the meal, but big chains should make sure the employees know how to prepare something that is going to be plastered all over the place.
The last time this happened, it was Lonestar wooing me with a "garlic lover's" steak and shrimp. You say garlic lover's and you are calling my name. This meal had no garlic at all visible on the steak, unlike the photo covered with minced garlic, and actually my shrimp arrived fried and not garliced. The waitress said you need to specify garlic shrimp, despite the picture showing the shrimp grilled with garlic in the menu.

The employees at Applebee's were great and did right by us. And we left a great tip for our waitress, who was very apologetic. But I doubt we'll be back, and if we are, we'll steer (no pun intended) clear of the steaks.

Vonachen's Old Place

StfRon and I went to the newly reopened Vonachen's Old Place early this month. It was an anniversary of our first date; and our first date was at VOP's. VOP's, located in Junction City in Peoria Heights, was Bud's Aged Steaks for a while, but now has been returned to the Vonachen's name.
Having never been to Bud's, we were a little disappointed to see the decor had changed so much since the last time we were there. The decor is a lot of browns now, and more contemporary. Also missing was the train which used to run in the dining room along the ceiling. We did not have a chance to see how the train car dining looks now.
The menu has changed a lot, too. I was sorry to see that the French onion soup was no longer offered. I remember VOP's as having one of the best French onion soups I've ever had.
For my dinner, I chose an appetizer of rare tuna rolled in sesame seeds, and accompanied this with a side of asparagus. The tuna was superb, and at first I was planning to request some hollandaise after my asparagus arrived naked, but once I tried it, I changed my mind. The asparagus was wonderful, sprinkled with some sea or kosher salt.
I also ordered a glass of pinot noir with my meal, which was $9. Overall, it was an expensive night out, but my meal really was wonderful.
Vonachen's does accommodate groups of up to 90 people.

Uncle Billy's Bakery

Yet another wonderful place in Galesburg is Uncle Billy's Bakery, 83 S. Seminary Street. They ground flour on the premises and everything is made from scratch, from whole-grain breads to cookies, muffins, cakes and pies. They also serve coffee and tea to accompany your treats. I stopped in there recently and saw that they had oatmeal fudgies, one of my favorites. But there was a new addition, white chocolate fudgies. I had to try one, and I think I have a new favorite! My favorite non-bar cookie from the shop is a cocoa oatmeal cookie. I also picked up a loaf of cheddar herb bread, which is made with organic flour. The bread is wonderful when toasted and used for a sandwich.

Tanner's Orchard

Fall is always the time Tanner's Orchard comes to mind. People go crazy for apple cider, cider donuts, caramel apples, gourds and pumpkins at Tanner's each year.
StfRon and I made the trek to Tanner's last weekend. Of course we always go in the same door and volley for space at the cider sampling barrel. We each drank a refreshing Dixie cup full and moved on.
I was looking forward to some soup, which I know they had served in the past, but this time they had cider brats, steak sandwiches and hot dogs, so we both had hot dogs. We visited the goats and sent a cup of food up the conveyor belt for them.
Tanner's has lots of fun things for kids like the barrel train and corn maze.
They've also started an online store, so if the drive out Route 40 to Speer is too far or you want to avoid the crowds, visit http://www.tannersorchard.com. There is a lot of great information on the web site as well.
This weekend is the Christmas open house, November 3 & 4.

Smo-King Pit

Mall food may not sound very appetizing, but if you overlook the Smo-King Pit in Northwoods Mall in Peoria, you are doing yourself a huge disservice.
The Smo-King Pit is occupying the former Diamond Daves location near Sears on the second level. If you're a rib lover, you HAVE to try the ribs here. You can choose your number of rib bones you would like, plus your choice of sides. They also have sandwiches, wings and more.
Every time we have been in the sides are served piping hot, even though I'm sure they are prepared ahead, and your food will arrive very quickly. I can honestly say in all the dozen or so times I ate at Famous Daves, the food was warm, never hot.
They also make their own cheesecakes, which are frozen, but tasty. Next time, I'm going to order a slice with my meal so it can warm up a bit while I eat.
The service is great here, which pairs nicely with excellent food.

Rizzi's

Rizzi's has been a standard in Peoria for Italian for quite some time with a location on Sheridan next to Jeffrey Alans, 4613 N. Sheridan Road, to be exact. A more recent addition is the Rizzi's at 112 State Street downtown.
The two are different as far as atmosphere, and the menu differs as well. At Rizzi's on Sheridan, you can enjoy lunch or dinner in a smaller, cozy atmosphere. My long-time favorite here is the calzones. Plan to bust a gut, or take half home with you!
Rizzi's downtown is more of an upscale feel in an old, renovated brick building.
Almost every Italian restaurant now does the olive oil with bread and Parmesan before your meal. Let me tell you, though, I had lunch at Rizzi's downtown this week, and I think it is by far the best olive oil I've ever been served in a restaurant. The tomato-basil salad dressing is excellent, too.
Rizzi's downtown is also available for parties.
Peruse the menus at http://www.rizzisrestaurant.com.

April, 2007 - I met a group at Rizzi's on State for a party, in their small party room behind the bar. There were about 10 of us.
The olive oil for the bread was as good as always. And I tried a new dish, pollo francaise, which was FABULOUS. Boneless breast of chicken dipped in egg sauteed with lemon butter and white wine sauce. I had it over angel hair pasta, with the garden salad topped with tomato basil dressing. My entrée was served piping hot, despite our large group, plus the restaurant was full of prom-goers. A very nice meal, indeed.

A Perfect Pear Boutique

I've recently discovered that boutique shops are a great place to find clothing and goods made right here in the USA. A Perfect Pear, 4544 North Prospect Road in Peoria Heights, is a great example. Here you can find unique clothing and accessories and you won't look just like the gal in the next cube. Sure, it might cost a little more, but it's worth it for the style, and for knowing that you're supporting your fellow Americans.
A Perfect Pear carries many great brands, like Laundry, Seven for All Mankind, Spanx and Juicy Couture.

Namaste Wellness Studio

There are a lot of interesting things going on at Junction City in Peoria right now, including a recent newcomer, Namaste Wellness Studio.
I tried yoga on a whim about 10 years ago, and loved it, but stopped going due to the instructor moving to Colorado.
Last year, I got hooked up with yoga at Franciscan Recreation Center. It's a great price, and Vicky is an excellent instructor. But, the time slot isn't great for me, plus it's a long drive from home.
Now, yoga is becoming easier to find in Peoria. Maybe Washington could take note: People can't come to yoga in Washington at lunch time during week days. Most of us work out of town.
So, off to Peoria for great yoga we go! Namaste offers several levels of yoga at several time slots, yoga for teens, partner yoga, intermediate, Ashtanga, beginning and beginner and beyond. And don't think that yoga is just for women. At Franciscan, usually 1/3 of the class is men.
Yoga can ease muscle tension and pain, make you more flexible and stable, and it even got rid of the jiggle in my thighs!
The studio has an informative website at http://www.namastewellnessstudio.com.

Mackinaw Valley Vineyard

A great place we have discovered, thanks to some friends, is the Mackinaw Valley Vineyard on Rt. 9, four miles east of Mackinaw. On a nice Sunday afternoon, StfRon and I went so he could check out the place. I had been before with friends and knew that the grounds are very well landscaped and relaxing.
StfRon and I started in the tasting room and ended up buying a bottle of wine and some cheese and crackers and sharing it down by the lake, where the area was still set up from a wedding the night before. This also gave us the idea to consider the winery for our upcoming reception.
The winery normally has about six or seven different wines available for free sampling, or you can buy a glass to enjoy indoors or on the grounds, or you can buy a bottle to share (or several to take home). They have cheese and crackers available for purchase. If you want something more substantial, you can bring along a picnic.
The grounds are very nice. You can walk along the grape vines, sit on the deck in a rocker or walk around the lake nearby. The owner told us about an historic cemetery out at the end of the lake, which was neat to see.
For more information, see the website at http://www.mackinawvalleyvineyard.com.

Luthy Botanical Garden

Nested in on Prospect in Peoria are the beautifully landscaped paths of Luthy Botanical Gardens. This park is a very relaxing place to visit, and they also host some neat events out there like jazz music and the candlelight walks during the holidays. The gift shop often has many unique items to offer as well.
The paths are accented with some great statuary made by local artists, and many of the items are for sale.
My brother will be getting married in Luthy Botanical Gardens next summer, which sounds like a beautiful setting for a wedding.
I don't know much about George Luthy himself, but StfRon and I were sick to watch his house in East Peoria, atop Fondulac Drive across from Kohl's, next to Bob Evans, be torn down last year to make way for a modern high-rise office building. The house and site were beautiful, and we often visited while it was vacant, wishing we could buy the house and restore it to it's once apparent splendor. The site had been bought by a developer, though, and was priced for commercial development, which put it out of our range, especially considering the work the house would have needed.
It seems to me that East Peoria is a city without a lot of historical buildings, and it would have been worth it to preserve this property and educate the community on it's history, especially considering all the growth the town has been experiencing. It's a shame that the house is lost forever.
At least we can enjoy the botanical gardens.

Kaiserhof

One place that's a must visit if you like hearty German-style fare is the Kaiserhof in Bradford. They serve up heaping plates of sauerbraten and schnitzel, seafood and pork medallions, and you can wash it down with some great German beer or wine. You won't leave here hungry!
If you're up for more of a festival atmosphere, there is going to be an Oktoberfest in Bradford Sept. 29-Oct. 1 on Main Street with live German music, food, beer and wine, 50/50 drawings and more. Hours are 6 p.m.-midnight Friday, noon-midnight Saturday and 1-6 p.m. on Sunday with church service at 9 a.m.
But, you still need to make a point to visit the restaurant at another time. I've taken people from Cape Cod and Florida out there, and they still rave about it.

November, 2008 — The Kaiserhof in Bradford has closed. A new location has opened at the Shoppes at Grand Prairie in Peoria.

Jalapenos

Jalapenos Mexican restaurant took over the space that Dominic's had for many years in the Metro Centre in Peoria. The menu is very similar to what you will find at one of the many Fiesta Ranchera locations in the Central Illinois area.
My favorite dish here is the enchiladas suisa.
And of course I can't forget to mention the margaritas!

Ice Cream Shack

A gem I discovered due to my last job is the Ice Cream Shack in Peoria. It's right where Jefferson and Adams split, near the Hofbrau.

The shack has food items such as hot dogs, chili cheese fries, tamales and BBQ sandwiches along with a plethora of ice cream treats. They have their own version of the ice cream chain's Blizzard. The Ice Cream Shack's version is packed with goodies. My favorite is the peanut butter cup. Plus, they have TONS of shake flavors to choose from. You won't find this kind of variety at the ice cream chain!

They also have lots of outdoor seating, so it's great to go down on a nice, or even slightly hot day. You can usually snag a table in the shade.

The shack will be closing this year September 29, check it out, or you'll have to wait for next season!

Hanssen's Le Bakery & Café

If you're looking for a different breakfast or lunch option in Peoria, you need to check out Hanssen's Le Café, located in Peoria's Metro Centre. They have an impressive selection of fresh salads, soups, quiches and omelettes, just to name a few.
You just pick up a tray on your way in and walk past the glass cases to peer in at all the great options.
I enjoyed a half chicken pesto sandwich with a cup of grilled cheese tomato soup. The soup was rich and savory.
I also love a chicken salad they make, which has huge grapes in it.
And when you're done with your meal, you might just mosey over to Le Bakery side and grab some treats for later. The thing I usually can't resist is the baklava, a favorite my mom makes.

November, 2008 — Le Café has reopened as Café Evergreen. Le Bakery is still operating next door.

Green View

Need some plants, trees or even some great gift ideas? Give Green View a try.
Founed in 1955, Green View is a family-owned business with locations in Dunlap, Normal, Champaign, Oswego and Springfield.
They also offer free seminars on various landscaping topics. Look for a list at http://www.greenview.com.

Jim's Bistro

Jim's Bistro at 4612 North Prospect Road in Peoria Heights is a great addition to the area.
I've been in several times for lunch. After I tried the beefeater sandwich, I've had a hard time trying anything else. But everyone I've eaten with loves their meal choices, as well.
Give the bistro a try for lunch or dinner, and the bonus is a nice walk through the Heights where you can do some window shopping. A lot of great shops have sprung up lately.

Eastside Center

You know what would be refreshing after this incredibly humid summer? A few hours at Splashdown at the Eastside Center in East Peoria!

Eastside Center has plenty of activities to offer besides the 3-acre water park complete with Lazy River and Wild Ride tube slide, like an indoor track, volleyball and basketball courts, a fitness center, AND great classes like yoga, cardio and weight-lifting classes.

Duffy's Tavern

Today we travel to Utica for a visit to a great local haunt that isn't too far a stretch for us Central Illinoisans, Duffy's Tavern.

We discovered Duffy's about six years ago after a trip to beautiful Starved Rock State Park, less than two hours from Peoria. Duffy's is not far from the park, on the corner on the main drag (Mill Street) in Utica. It looked like a nice Irish place to quench a thirst worked up by a day of hiking.

The building is beautiful, an old brick building with tin ceilings and lots of great trinkets to check out while you toss back some cold ones. You might even luck into a basket of popcorn to munch on while you hang out.

Duffy's has a good selection of imports and such, and Irish favorites like corned beef and reuben sandwiches, plus seafood, steaks and pasta. I must say, we haven't eaten a meal there yet, but we need to soon!
A few years later, in the spring of 2004, we were saddened to hear about Duffy's being hit by a tornado that struck Utica. The second story of the building was damaged, but we heard Duffy's would plan to reopen and cheered.

For an anniversary, we booked a cabin at Starved Rock in 2005 and headed over to Duffy's. They were back in full force, basically just as we remembered the place. It was almost like coming home.

Cyd's Sendsationals

Recently I had lunch at Cyd's Sendsationals in Peoria Heights. Cyd's is a smörgåsbord of culinary delights. Don't feel like cooking? Pick up some gourmet fare from Cyd's, like the cilantro pork tenderloin I was eying.

For lunch, Cyd's has a great selection of sandwiches and salads. I had an apricot chicken salad sandwich, a grapefruit soda and a marble brownie to save for a snack later.

Cyd's is also a great option for cakes, catering and cooking classes. You can view their weekly menus and cooking class info at http://www.cyds.biz.

I've heard a rumor that Cyd's will be relocating to Junction City in October, which should give them even more room to fill with gourmet goodies!

Update, April, 2007: Cyd's has relocated to Junction City, at Prospect and Knoxville Ave. I stopped in for lunch, and enjoyed the modern look. They have several salads, sandwiches and starting at 2 p.m. have appetizers. They also carry single bottles of beer for purchase while you dine-in.
I had a fruit and nut salad with brie, walnuts, dried apricots, prosciutto and mixed greens with a balsamic dressing. Very tasty.
I like the chairs they chose for the dining room. They remind me of these chairs I saw on Made in America.

Blue MoonLight Drive-In

The former Galesburg Drive-In was reopened in 2005 as the Blue MoonLight Drive-In, 2875 West Main St.

If you don't remember drive-in theaters from your youth, that's a sad thing. The good news is, there seems to be a resurgence in drive-ins. This one takes the cake, serving such delights as tortilla pizzas, tex-mex and pizza paninis, subs, homemade ice cream sandwiches, and, of course, popcorn.

There's nothing quite like watching a movie at a drive-in. It truly says summer!