Category > Restaurant & Bar Reviews
In August 2008, while we were all busy watching the Olympics and could have really cared less, the Blockbuster Video at 1305 S. Neil St. closed its doors. For the next three years the building stood vacant, listed “for sale or for lease,” but without any takers. You may have driven past it, just north of Kirby, its blue-and-yellow marquee still intact, moldering in decay. It was starting to seem as if the building would just remain in that …
| For the third and final stop of the Champaign-Urbana wine bar plus retail tour, my compadre and I visited Wines at the Pines, a shop nestled among other stores in the The Pines at Stone Creek Commons development at Windsor and Philo Roads in Urbana. This wine bar also moonlights (or perhaps “sunlights” would be a better term) as a coffee shop during the day. I will freely admit that I thought this combination seemed odd and incompatible until …
Three standalone wine store + wine bar combos strategically outline the Champaign-Urbana area: Sun Singer Wine & Spirits in southwest Champaign Wines at the Pines in southeast Urbana Buvons (attached to Corkscrew) near downtown Urbana. I wondered what, besides geography, makes each bar unique, and whether our twin cities really drink enough wine to support three wine bars. So I set out to answer my questions in this three-part series. It turns out that each bar fills a slightly …
On a whim, my man-date, editor John Steinbacher and I, left Carmon's after a sensational meal to try out Maize Mexican Grill, the newest offering on the corner of First and Green, on the cusp of Midtown Champaign. What was once Ye Olde Donut Shoppe, and then Derald's failed Brick and Mortar restaurant, is now, without question — yes, even after one visit — the best Mexican food you will find anywhere even close to Champaign. Leave me to …
Upon learning that Champaign-Urbana would finally be home to an Irish restaurant (sorry — Murphy's doesn't count, and you know it), I felt both excited and uneasy. Excited, because I've been craving this for years and years; any chance I get when traveling anywhere, I am through the doors of a McFlanagan's or The Curragh or something about Irish Brothers or whatever. I love Irish food, in particular, because it's just about as close to Southern-style comfort food as …
If there was any doubt that Carmon's Bistro — which was recently purchased by Thad Morrow and is headed-up by former bacaro sous chef Joshua Boyd — would be fantastic, let's put that notion to rest immediately. Still in its soft opening, and without a liquor license, the small diner space on North Neil with a name that won't quit, sparkled in all things hospitality at our visit there Tuesday evening. The restaurant will open fully next Tuesday, assuming …
Walking in downtown Champaign, you might have noticed a small, unobtrusive sign, "Quality," sticking out of a wall. There have been people going into the "Lox, Stock and Bagel" place ― which has been defunct for quite some time now ― and as one of those inside, I've often seen quite a few people peer in the large windows on their way, curious at what is going on.
It's an unfortunate fact, but a very real one: we don't have great Mexican food in this town. For those who are thinking to themselves — "Oh, but Dos Reales!" — please, just stop. Keep quiet. You sound like a lunatic. It's not great. It's not even good. It isn't even close to good. In fact, it's bad. Formidable spots to grab a decent Mexican meal can be counted on one hand: Taco Loco, Mas Amigos, and El Charro …
The long-awaited gastrobrewpub, Destihl, finally opened in downtown Champaign in late April. So with a couple weeks under their belt, I thought I'd see how things were going, and with a little assistance from friends, check out all fourteen of their current beers. First, some facts. Although Destihl brews beer at both their Champaign and Bloomington locations, Matt Potts, CEO/Brewmaster of Destihl, says every beer currently served at the Champaign location is made on site. Those four shiny brew …
This review is about ten years past due, I'd guess. The fact is, I know almost nothing about food by comparison to a fella like Thad Morrow, the proprietor and head chef at bacaro, now in its second decade in downtown Champaign. I've been fortunate enough to have eaten at some of the United States' finest restaurants due to having a wealthy Grammy and a penchant for enjoying fine foods whenever affordable; Commander's Palace and Brennan's in New Orleans …
Most Recent Food Comments
Love CSR. Apart from making my way through the regular roasts in 1/2 pound increments, I also like to pick up some of the little sample packets of the flavored stuff for when the lady and I feel like getting crazy. Sticky Bun is pretty nice.
HUUUUUUGE fan of their Black Velvet roast…It makes up about 75% of my coffee intake. LOL CSR is definitely one of those Champaign institutions that I brag about to people not from here. :-)
We like CSR too! We french press at home and I leave the lid off while it steeps—letting the ground beans bloom. Then, like in your tasting, I scoop off the top layer before pressing. We really need to invest in a burr grinder though, as I…
I had their tea at the Urbana Farmer’s Market when they first started out and it was great! Their tins recently caught my eye at Walnut Street Tea Company and my guests used it all up before I could even try it! Way to go Tiesta, stay…
Im fine with missing ingredients and of course they fixed things what restaurant fights with the customer over things like that anymore. ( the way social media could affect them) My problem is that I am visiting you place of business within the first week of opening.…
The second visit to Meatheads included what tasted like a stale bun. That’s the end of going to Meatheads for a while.
That seems like an odd experience to me. Basically everything you mentioned, apart from price, is contrary to what I’ve witnessed or heard about. You ate at the restaurant and the burger was cold? Seems more like the complaint of someone who took something home. And if…
Unfortunately i did not have the same experiences that some of you may have had. I went to meatheads the 2nd or 3rd night it was open and I was very disappointed. My burger was cold and soggy. I ordered one of their specialty burgers. A spicy…
Ah, I finished it weeks ago—it was figuratively on ice over the holidays… I think each has its own appeal to various consumers, but I hit Buvons/Corkscrew most frequently. The current staff is extremely friendly and has never steered me wrong for a wine pairing, even when…
Most Recent Comments
Pamela - Are the roasteries in Seattle as clean as CSR? It always disturbs me a little that it is so clean in there.
Now you will be able to munch on pizza and shrimp cocktails in downtown Urbana (whilst a DJ spins?) after your dissolution of marriage http://www.news-gazette.com/news/business/features/its-your-business/2012-02-05/its-your-business-new-pizza-place-downtown-urban Is this a franchise of a Reno pizza joint, or just a coincidence of name? http://www.blackrockpizza.com
Signs someone is “fishing” for a factual anchor: 1. Starts call to radio with: “I’ve been an Illini fan for (XX) years” or “I’m a diehard fan,” as if somehow that unverifiable claim will justify the 5 minutes of B.S. that follows. 2. Makes reference to KenPom…
That’s what she said.
Black dog and Siam terrace is where I always go after my divorces.
Love CSR. Apart from making my way through the regular roasts in 1/2 pound increments, I also like to pick up some of the little sample packets of the flavored stuff for when the lady and I feel like getting crazy. Sticky Bun is pretty nice.
If you happen to be getting a divorce, or fighting a DUI prosecution, downtown Urbana is a great place to eat.
HUUUUUUGE fan of their Black Velvet roast…It makes up about 75% of my coffee intake. LOL CSR is definitely one of those Champaign institutions that I brag about to people not from here. :-)
We like CSR too! We french press at home and I leave the lid off while it steeps—letting the ground beans bloom. Then, like in your tasting, I scoop off the top layer before pressing. We really need to invest in a burr grinder though, as I…
Confidential? In this state? Hahahahahahahhahahaha
just confirmed: there will be white russians served. the art abides.
big lebowski at the art. mark it, dude.
There’s a great video promo out for “Company” too: http://vimeo.com/36077847
Wow, His Majesty took the time to answer your polite plea. It’s been a while since I spoke fluent arrogance, but allow this attempt at a translation: “I deeply regret the embarrassment…” = I wish we hadn’t got caught and it wasn’t a big deal really. “...and…
I love the Guitars
I had their tea at the Urbana Farmer’s Market when they first started out and it was great! Their tins recently caught my eye at Walnut Street Tea Company and my guests used it all up before I could even try it! Way to go Tiesta, stay…
Im fine with missing ingredients and of course they fixed things what restaurant fights with the customer over things like that anymore. ( the way social media could affect them) My problem is that I am visiting you place of business within the first week of opening.…
Thanks for that, Louis CK.
Your call to stay pissed is precisely why global warming fanatics will fail. Emotion has no place in hard science. The problem with the issue of global warming is that is has been pumped full of emotion and politics, and the science is becoming a by-product. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204301404577171531838421366.html?KEYWORDS=global+warming
Clearly the Postal Officials in favor of this cannot make an economic argument, as this saves the post office $0. What is their rationale?
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Pamela - Are the roasteries in Seattle as clean as CSR? It always disturbs me a little that it is so clean in there.