thanksgiving header
November 24, 2009
Greetings!
 
Fajita Fridays


fajitasFor the next few weeks we will serve Chicken Fajitas for two with a pitcher of traditional margaritas.  All of this for only $20.00.

This special will be served after 4pm on Friday only.

This special is not available for carry out. 
Around the Uptown
Gift Card Consideration
by Ray
With Christmas and Black Friday upon us I thought it would be a good time to share with you a few things to consider when purchasing gift cards. Recently we upgraded to a new "point of sales system" which allows us to scan and use gift cards. This allows us to track the remaining balance. If your giftee does not use it all in one visit they will have credit remaining. While doing this we also upgraded our packaging. We feel that when you purchase a gift card it should look like gift and you should not have to do anything else to present it. Many places don't do this.

With all of the the economic instability around us you should also consider where you are purchasing gift cards from. Many of you, as well as myself, have received a gift certificate that was later worthless because the place went out of business. When a place goes out of business they very rarely give you a warning or chance to redeem them.

gift certssMany businesses put expiration dates on gift cards and others even remove some of the balance from the gift card if you don't use it in a timely fashion. We can't do anything about inflation but we won't devalue or expire your gift card. We have been here for 25 years this spring. We still have gift cards outstanding from 1985 and believe it or not we still honor them in full. Don't risk your dining gifts with anyone else.

Our trade magazines are also reporting an amazing decline in business sponsored holiday parties this year. It's very understandable that some businesses think it does not send the right message to be having parties in times like these. For businesses, gift cards are a good way around this.

I think gift cards for dining are about the safest gifts you can give, whether it is a gift for Christmas, birthday, or just a thank you. If you need a quick gift we will even personalize them for you and mail them to the recipient. One phone call, visit to uptowngrill.com or even email and you are done. BAH HUMBUG, I HATE SHOPPING!

Happy Holidays Ray
On Special This Week
Stone Crab Claws
by Jimmy
stone crab clawsCurrently on special, we are featuring Stone Crab Claws.  They are a 3 to 6 count per pound sized stone crab claws served with both mustard and cocktail sauce.

In the U.S., stone crabs are harvested from October 15th until May 15th along the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico coastal waters.  Because a stone crab has hardly any meat in its body the claws are harvested which are considered a delicacy. The meat resembles lobster in appearance and flavor. Believe it or not, fisheries only harvest one claw from each crab,  this is done so that the crab is not left defenseless.  The crab is then released back into the water where it can grow a new claw. Per pound of meat, stone crab is the most expensive seafood sold in the United States.

More on Stone Crab Claws
Around the Industry
McCormick Place
by Ray
mc cormick place pedwayIn our business we are blessed to have the largest hospitality trade show in the world less than a hundred mile from us. It is an event we look forward to every year for new ideas, seminars and a nice few days in the city. Recently I had heard many rumors that the National Restaurant Show was leaving Chicago after 50 years. The reasons cited were incredibly high cost of exhibiting there, including the highest taxes in the country and a strong union control of almost every aspect of the show. Over the years I had heard many horror stories from business acquaintances confirming these facts.
Another Trade Show Dumps Chicago

mccormick placeAfter reading several articles recently about some of the major national trade shows leaving Chicago the National Restaurant Association announced it had no plans to move the show, although the contract is up for renewal in 2011. This years show appeared to be less than two thirds the size of last years show and I hope it is a wake up call to all involved. They can not continue to charge two, three, and four times the amount for things as they would pay for in Atlanta, Orlando or Las Vegas. This is very important part of our states economy.
NRA show to stay in Chicago through 2011

With this said, it appears that the powers that be in this situation are listening to the sounds of dollars leaving Chicago.  The link below will bring you to a press release from MPEA stating that they have instituted a task force to try to bring things together to keep what convention business they have in the city.

Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority (MPEA)
Behind the Bar
New Holland Cabin Fever
by Ryan
cabin fever aleOne of the things I look forward to each winter is which dark brown ale we are going to purchase for the winter/holiday season. This years winter brew is the Cabin Fever from New Holland Brewing in Holland, Michigan. There's just something about having that dark, full flavored brew as the cold and the first snowfall start to peak their heads around the corner. Cabin Fever has notes of rye, roast and raisin that play off a subtle caramel sweetness with a dry finish. Each year I'm introduced to a new dark winter ale and the Cabin Fever is a new personal favorite.
New Holland Cabin Fever
Around the Downtown
Sasso Jewelry and Gifts Extend Hours for the Holidays
by Kris
sassoDrew and Denise Bernabei, owners of Sasso Jewelry and Gifts, have announced that they will have extended holiday hours starting Thanksgiving weekend. Through Christmas they will be open every Sunday from Noonish to 4ish (to quote Denise.) Sasso is located just half a block to the east of us.

This is a one stop shop for unique home decor, candles, one of a kind gifts and amazing jewelry from some of Americas top jewelry designers. Sasso will happily gift wrap all purchases in their complimentary signature white and gold gift wrap.

You are only a stranger once, as the friendly and helpful staff has an awe inspiring way of remembering customers, past purchases and their tastes.  Even if you are shopping for Christmas gifts for others, remember that they have a "Wish List" program just for you.  Just mark down anything that you fall in love with and spread the word to family and friends that all they have to do this shopping season is visit Sasso and pick up any of the items on your wish list.

Not only for the holiday season, Sasso also has gift registry for brides and other occasions. Hours are 9:30am to 5pm Monday through Friday and 9:30 am to 4pm on Saturday along with the extended Sunday hours through Christmas.

Come to Downtown LaSalle this holiday season. Shop all of the unique downtown stores, then drop in for dinner, a cocktail or just dessert. Happy Shopping!

Sasso Jewelry and Gifts
629 First Street
La Salle
815-223-0022
Moon Report
December Has Two Full Moons
by Kris

moon riseCold Moon
December 2nd at 1:32 am
Cold Moon - The name of the Full Moon usually in December.  Specifically the first Full Moon before Yule.  This is the month when the winter cold fastens its grip and the nights become long and dark. This full Moon is also called the Long Nights Moon by some Native American tribes or the "Moon before Yule."



blue moon


Blue Moon
December 31st at 1:14 pm
A Blue Moon is the second Full Moon in a calendar month.  It will be interesting with this Blue Moon falling on New Years Eve!  The last time this happened was 1990 and the next time will not be until 2028.  There are "Blue Moon New Years Eve" parties planned all over the country. 
On Our Special
Caprese Salad   
Crab Claw Cocktail
Herb Roasted Duck and Brie Salad
Osso Buco
Gorgonzola Stuffed Ravioli
Roasted Cauliflower
Thanksgiving Weekend Hours
turkey dayWe will be closed Thanksgiving day to allow our staff to enjoy the holiday with family.

We will be serving lunch through dinner all weekend.
Friday 11 am to 11 pm
Saturday 11 am to 11 pm
Sunday Noon to 10 pm

Wishing you a safe and happy holiday from the entire Uptown staff!
Playlist Theater
 Tickets on sale now.           

Next Show                                                                            
                                                                                                         
willie nile
Willie Nile
Friday
January 29th
Uptown Grill
601 First St.
La Salle, Il 61301
815-224-4545
Mon - Thur 11 am to 10pm  - Fri & Sat 11 am to 11 pm
Sun Noon to 10 pm
 
Uptowngrill.com
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