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Greetings! 
Remember our holiday hours!New Years Day Serving 4pm to 10pm
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New Years Eve Traditions
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Champagne
by Kris
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 A New Year's Tradition: This Thursday marks yet another New Years Eve celebration, and
whether you're a champagne drinker or not, midnight kicks off perhaps
one of the oldest New Years traditions ever -- the champagne toast.
Champagne has always been associated with celebration. Whether its
launching a ship, or toasting a new marriage, champagne has always been
there. Of course beyond its celebratory uses, this bubbly fermentation
has long served as a symbol of the rich and privileged since it was
first created around three hundred years ago, and it continues to
retain that reputation today.
In the early 1700s, a supposedly "blind" monk by the name of "Dom
Perignon," created the first bottle of bubbly. There are also stories of sparkling
wine being made even earlier in England and Italy.
In the early 1800s,
Francois Clicquot was a successful champagne maker in France. His
company was considered a major player in the art of champagne making,
competing with well known giants of the time, Moet and Heidsieck. All
three companies continue to be major players in the high end champagne
market today, but it was the team at Clicquot that actually invented
the crisp clear champagne we all recognize.
Champagne had a big problem. The problem was sediment. In those days champagne was darker in
color, and known for its cloudy unappetizing appearance. Because of
these unpopular qualities, champagne was certainly not appealing to the
masses -- especially those "fine" men and women in the upper crust of
society. Then came the death of Francois Clicquot which left his wife,
Venuve Clicquot (Venuve is French for Widow), in charge of his winery.
The widowed single
mother did something that changed the champagne industry forever. She
asked her team to come up with a way to clean up the champagne. The widow surmized that by straining out the goop
floating inside the champagne bottles, the final product would be
perfected.
Under the widow's direction, Clicquots wine makers devised an
entirely new champagne bottle that was inverted. By inverting the
bottom of the bottle, solid particles left over from fermentation would
settle on the cork, instead of in the bottom of the bottle. Then they
would loosen the corks allowing the pressure to blow out the sediment
creating the worlds first clear sparkling wine. Her champagne was an
instant hit outselling all their competitors by a (5 to 1) margin, and
eventually the entire industry followed Clicquots lead.
Follow this age old tradition and enjoy a bit of the bubbly this New Years Eve. We offer the following choices.
Freixenet Cordon Negro Piper Heidsieck Moscato di asti, La Spinetta Mumms, Cuvee Napa Domiane Ste Michelle |
Champagne Service
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Proper Champagne Service and Glassware
by Ray
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 Wine experts opinion's on the proper way to serve champagne have
changed dramatically in the last few years. They say to appreciate the subtleties of champagne one should get rid of the long stem flutes
and the saucer shaped coupes that they have been traditionally
served in. The champagne coupe, because it is so open, causes there to be
no nose and no aromas. The long stem flutes, because of the narrowness,
tends to make the bubbles overwhelming. They also debate
about decanting. Imagine decanting a champagne to take some of the
bubbles out. It seems kind of self defeating on one hand. On the other,
I know I have had some champagnes that the bubbles were so intense
you could not taste the wine behind it.
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New Years Eve Traditions
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Resolutions
by Jimmy
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 Here we go, out with 2009 and in with 2010. It is the time of
year where everybody looks at their past and sets goals for the new
year. We all have different ideas on what we need to work on, but it seems
that every year, the list remains pretty much the same. We all want to
spend time with family, exercise and get out of debt. It seems these goals
tend to last for about a month or so and then the hectic activities of everyday
life seem to take control and these goals get pushed aside. We all try to follow
them. It just becomes too difficult to find the time. Maybe that should be
the #1 resolution of the ones that are listed below. Make more time so we
can accomplish all of our other goals.
The tradition of the New Year's resolutions goes all the way
back to 153 B.C. The Romans named the first month of the year after Janus, the
god of beginnings and the guardian of doors and entrances. With two faces, Janus could look back on past events and forward to the
future. Janus became the ancient symbol for resolutions and many Romans looked
for forgiveness from their enemies and exchanged gifts before the beginning
of the new year. At midnight on December 31, the Romans
imagined Janus looking back at the old year and forward to the new. The Romans
began a tradition of exchanging gifts on New Year's Eve by giving one another
branches from sacred trees for good fortune. Later, nuts or coins imprinted with
the god Janus became more common New Year's gifts.
The New Year has not always begun on January 1, and it doesn't
begin on that date everywhere today. It begins on that date only for cultures
that use a 365-day solar calendar. January 1 became the beginning of the New
Year in 46 B.C., when Julius Caesar developed a calendar that would more
accurately reflect the seasons than previous calendars had. Although the date for New Year's Day is not the same in every culture, it
is always a time for celebration and for customs to ensure good luck in the
coming year.
Here is the list of the 10 most popular New Years resolutions.
What are your goals for 2010?
1.) Spend more time with family and friends.
2.) Exercise!
3.) Give up a habit
4.) Take a trip
5.) Get a better education.
6.) Get out of debt.
7.) Learn something new.
8.) Help others.
9.) Get organized.
10.) Time Management |
Behind the Bar
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Gin and Martini's
by Ryan
 Growing up, my parents and their best friends would
drink Tanqueray every time they would get together. Some with lime, some with lemon, some with tonic,
some with just ice. Growing up and being around my parents friends children, we
never paid much attention to what they were doing. We had our own games to play.
But, as we started to become a little older and a little more interested in
alcohol, we discovered at a young age that this Gin thing wasn't all it was
cracked up to be (Sshhh!, don't tell)! However, as we started to gain an
interest in sitting around the dinner table and wanting to engage with them in
their conversations, it almost became a passage of right, that we had to learn
to enjoy Gin. And, over the years, I know I have.
Most people don't know that Gin's dominat flavor is
derived from the juniper berry. Most people also, at least in my experience,
don't realize that a "Martini" is really Gin with dry vermouth. On a side note,
my Grandpa Victor never served any dry vermouth in his martini's at the Red
Door Inn. He said the only way to ruin a good martini is by putting in too
much dry vermouth. So that tradition has been followed here at
the Uptown.
Being educated at such a young age about Gin, I
always knew a "Martini" meant Gin. When I started bartending someone would order
a "Martini" and I would automatically pour Gin over the rocks or shake it
and serve it "up." After having 7 or 8 "Martini's" sent back because
they weren't made with Vodka, I now have to ask, "Gin or Vodka?"
whenever someone orders a "Martini." The unfortunate part is,
that when Gin drinkers are asked this question they look at you like you
have 2 heads and it can make you feel pretty stupid! Gin also was the
main drink during the "three martini lunch" era when businessmen would get
together and have enough time to have a martini (or 3) at lunch
over steak or lobser and still discuss business. As the nature of the
"business lunch" has changed over the last few decades, so
apparently, has the meaning of "Martini."
Gin on our
list...
Beefeaters
Bombay
Bombay Saphire
Gordons Extra Dry
Hendricks (my personal
favorite)
Tanqueray
Tanqueray 10
Tanqueray
Rangpur |
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On the Menu
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Additions to our Tea List
by Ryan
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 Many places use packaged tea bags and we are not
one of them. Yet, another product that sets the Uptown apart from all the others
is our loose leaf tea selection. This week we have added a few new selections to
our tea list. Joining the list are strawberry white tea, peppermint tea,
pumpkin chai tea and sour apple wulong tea. The additions bring our complete tea
list up to 13. Our teas are served in a cast iron tea pot that allows for
your to tea to steep at very warm temperatures. The health ramifications of
loose leaf tea are infinite, with each loose leaf tea being good for your health
in a variety of ways. Ask your server to see our hot tea list and make your
selection today.
 Pumpkin Chai Tea is a custom blend of black, green
and herbal tea and it is enhanced by flavors of pumpkin spice and caramel with
hints of ginger, cinnamon and clove.
 The sour apple wulong is flavored with
apple and it does contain real fruit pieces. Wulong tea has recently been
discovered to help as a weight loss aid.
 Peppermint tea is one of the oldest
herbal teas and it is naturally caffeine free.
 Finally, the strawberry white
tea, which is excellent as a hot tea or served as an iced tea, with its flavors
of fruit, rose petals and marigold pieces make this tea a must
try.
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Around the Midwest
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Peoria Restaurant Ranked as one of the Top Three New Restaurants in the Country
by Ray
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 While some business owners might think that I was nuts promoting
another restaurant, I fully realize man does not live by Uptown alone.
We really do hope to form a bond with our customers via this newsletter
by sharing this type of news. If it makes life in our little corner of
the midwest a little more enjoyable thats a bonus.
 I found
this article in the Wall Street Journal where a critic picks his top
three new restaurants of the year for the entire nation. I was amazed
to see that one of the three was in a strip mall in Peoria. Named "Best New Restaurant in the Hearland Region" this fine
dining establishment features an 80 acre organic farm. The owner Josh
Adams has worked with such notable chefs as Charlie Trotter at his
world-renowned Chicago restaurant and Grant Achatz at Alinea.
I have not been there yet but the
next time my travels take me to Peoria I will. I hope it Plays in Peoria
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| On Our Special |
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Tuna Tower
Malpaque Oysters on the Half Shell
Panini - Imported Ham, Gruyere Cheese, Apricot Dijon Spread
Wedged Baby Iceburg Salad
Almond Crusted Mahi Mahi
Balsamic Marinated Flat Iron Steak
Pappardelle alla` Amatriciana
Sherry Teriyaki Infused Chicken
Sauteed Parmesan Zucchini
Lemon Mousse Cake
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| Playlist Theater
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Tickets on sale now.
Next Show
Willie Nile
Friday
January 29th
Upcoming Shows
Jeffrey Foucault
Friday
April 16
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Unadvertised Special
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Each week we will offer at least one unadvertised special. There is some "fine print" and they will only be available at certain times. So don't miss out, treat yourself, you deserve it. Our way of saying "Thanks for Subscribing." Fish Tacos
Two soft flour tortillas, fried grouper, avocado, pico de gallo, shredded cabbage and chipotle tartar sauce. Served with black bean corn relish and adobo pepper sauce. $8.75
 Available Sunday, January 3rd thru Thursday, January 7th Available all day.
This special is available for carry
out.
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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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You can read all of our past UPtown UPdates by clicking the link below.
UPtown UPdate Archives |
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Uptown respects your privacy and will not sell or distribute your personal information.
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