The "Buzzards" of the Uptown.
Anyone that has ever worked in a restaurant knows that the
terminology is sometimes quite colorful. Several years ago some of the younger
staff started to refer to us veterans as "buzzards". While it is
pretty obvious why, we buzzards like to think it is because when the young ones
start to go down we always swoop down and save them. Here are our "buzzards" . Melinda Andreoni, Jo Morel,
Kris Hall, Marsha Klimek, Trace Robillard, Deena Toovey, Mary Halberg Ray &
Rita Anderes. Together between us we have 304 years of hospitality experience.
Sorry, but they won't let me list who has how many years. - Ray  |
Single Malt Scotch
We
feel we have one of the best Single Malt Scotch selections in all of Illinois,
offering more than 15. A single malt simply means that it is the product of a
single distillery in Scotland. Most of these distilleries have been in
existence for more than 300 years. The recipes from these distilleries are
usually kept very secret and are the same ingredients and
processes for all these years. This lends itself to an amazing variations
in taste, color and textures. For
example, Laphroig, has the distinguishing characteristic of having a
very peaty taste, caused by the high concentration of peat use to fuel the distillery while MaCallan draws it's flavor from the casks it is aged in that were once used to age sherry.
Most
people drink single malts served "neat". This means that they are served in a short
glass or snifter with no ice and at room temperature. Adding a splash of room
temperature pure water can take away some of the harshness of the straight
spirit. Others like to taste with a few ice cubes. - Jimmy How to Taste A Single Malt Scotch
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Wildcat Rapid Changed Forever
Those of you that are not the adventurous type probably are
not aware that the Illinois Valley is the white water Mecca of the Midwest. Currently
it is the height of kayak season and on a nice day when the water is up you
will see license plates from Iowa, Wisconsin, Indiana and Michigan. While we
have several area waterways that are frequented by kayakers, canoeists,
and rafters the most famous rapid in all of the midwest is Wildcat which is
between Lowell and Oglesby on the Big Vermillion River.
Over the last few months the rapid has undergone a dramatic
change. The hillside on the east bank has slid into the rapid. There is a
dangerous strainer (an obstacle that can trap you against the current) In this case a tree branch over the main part of the rapid, but
more importantly, the flow of the rapid has changed. Some of the flow has been diverted
to other parts of the rapid and the eddies that kayakers would use to get back
up into the rapid are gone. All of this seems to be part of the natural erosion
process and is probably how Wildcat was formed in the first place.
There is local firm called Vermillion River Rafting that
rents several different types of rafts. They are based in Lowell. Click the link below for more information. - Ray Vermillion River Rafting
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Mon - Thur 11 am to 10pm - Fri & Sat 11 am to 11 pmSun Noon to 10 pm - uptowngrill.com |
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Uptown respects your privacy and will not sell or distribute your personal information.
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Mother's Day, May 10th
Playlist Theater
May 12th, Dan Hicks and the Hot Licks
June 3rd, Terry Evans
June 25th, Bill Kirchen
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- Steamed Mussels with Lemongrass, Chile and Basil
- Dabob Bay Oysters
- Grilled and Chilled Asparagus
- Asian Chicken Chop Salad
- Sauteed Rainbow Trout with Lemon Shallot Butter
- Steak Diane ala Red Door Inn
- Maple Glazed Tri-Colored Carrots
- Pappardelle Pasta with Spring Vegetables
Specials are Available for a Limited Time |
It's Morel Time
Conditions are looking great for the upcoming morel frenzy in Central
Illinois. We've had ample winter snows and, more importantly, plenty of rain in
March. Anytime we have floods in March, we see an overwhelming bumper crop of
morels in the river bottoms in late April/early May. Morels have a rich, creamy flavor that
is deliciously earthy, nutty, steak-like and it's this awesome taste
that makes the morel mushroom No.1 with mushroom lovers. Creating morel mania
when they appear, the morel entices thousands of morel hunters into the
woods. For those of us who either do not have the time to forage the woods or the
inclination (yes some of us don't actually like digging through decaying
leaves) there is always the option of purchasing them from those who do have
the time and the inclination. This can come as quite a shock, morel prices can be higher per pound than filet mignon. To those of you who hunt, please give us a call with your bounty we will definitely
be interested. For those of you who want to enjoy the fruits of others labor, keep an eye on our specials, with any
luck they'll be here soon.- Kris |
Dan Hicks and
The Hot Licks
This show is the kick off of his "Tangled Tales" CD release tour. This new CD "Tangled Tales" delivers eight great new original tunes that feel like
instant Dan Hicks classics. It is calculated to keep your toes tappin' and your synapses zappin'. Get your tickets soon, it will sell out fast. Tuesday, May 12th. 7:30PM
Doors Open at 6:30PM
Listen to Tangle Tales at Surfdog Records
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