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July 14, 2010
On The Web
Do You Yelp?
By Ryan

yelp logo whiteIn one of our past articles we mentioned a website called Yelp.  Yelp is a community based business review site where customers can comment on their favorite or least favorite businesses. In trying to be as web media friendly as we can we have joined the site as a member.

What's nice about Yelp is that you have a much larger sample size to base a decision on. For example, if you hear from a good friend that a new restaurant in town was just horrible, you would probably take your friends word for it and not be all that eager to try it for yourself. On Yelp, you might have 15-20 or more reviews for a local restaurant. If 90% of the reviews are bad, well that makes your decision a lot easier. If there are only 1 or 2 bad reviews, it probably means that your friends just had a bad experience. Heck, anyone can have a bad day.

Another aspect that makes it so useful is that it has a cell phone app.  Just think, if you are traveling and want to see what restaurants there are in the area, you just have to Yelp!  This really levels the playing field between independents and the big chains.  Independents do not have the national media coverage that the big chains do, so finding them can sometimes be very difficult.  On Yelp, any place that has been reviewed will be listed, from the mom and pop diner to the upscale fine dining restaurant.

Our page only has 6 reviews so far, which is not that great of a sample size for area visitors to base their opinion on just yet. However, the more people that Yelp, the more accurate the evaluation is. Check out our yelp business page at Yelp Review and write us a review.

You can also review the reviewer!  This give you an idea about how reputable that particular review is.  Does he have negative things to say in all of his reviews or is he pretty fair across the board.  A more reputable reviewer makes the entire process more dependable.

Watch the video link below on how a Yelper uses Yelp to distinguish between a good restaurant and one he might want to stay away from.

A Yelper Yelps about Yelp
Playlist Theater Update
Roy Davis
By Kris

roy davis hatWith only a month away to our next show, Roy Davis tickets are already more than 50% sold.  Roy will appear on Friday, August 13th at 7:30pm.  Tickets are only $15 advance, $18 door.

This is Roy's second appearance at Playlist Theater (July 2008).  He has a new album that was released in January.  With "We Are A Lightning Bolt" something in his writing seems to have changed.  Songs from the new record range from experimental folk to full on rave up Americana.  To quote the Portland Phoenix   "The twang and the lilt of alt-country were always there, but somewhere in the country's small towns and wide open spaces Davis put his hands in the country's dirt, too, and his always-smart songs have never been so fully realized, so full of actual people, as they are here.....Maybe Davis does have a secret or two. He sings with the depth of a man who's got a few skeletons in the closet. For a songwriter, that can never be a bad thing."

Roy's music has been described as everything from Rock to Experimental Rock, to Alt Country to Indie or Garage music.  It's hard to put any "label" on his music.   "Is late night music a genre? It should be. Get yourself a drink, turn off the lights, turn on "We Are A Lightning Bolt" and watch the storm roll in."
No Depression


Playlist Theater has been on summer vacation since the Griffin House show the beginning of June.  Everyone is hungry for the new show.  Don't wait, tickets won't last much longer. 

Roy Davis MySpace
Behind The Bar
Tito's American Made Vodka
By Jimmy

Tito's VodkaDoesn't it seem that nowadays everyy vodka comes from over seas?  What about the good ol' USA? Yes, we have some great bourbons, but not vodka, right?

Well, deep in the heart of Texas lies Tito's Handmade vodka. Tito Beveridge, the founder and master distiller, operates the first and oldest distillery in Texas. This small distillery only employs 18 people but produces over 165,000 liters annually.

The vodka is micro-distilled in an old-fashioned pot still, just like fine single malt scotches and high-end French cognacs. It is made from 100% corn grown right here in the Midwest. Their handcrafted technique offers more control over the distillation process, resulting in an incomparable clean product. Only the heart of the run, "the nectar" is taken, leaving behind the residual lower quality alcohol.  The vodka is cleansed of phenols, esters, congeners and organic acids by filtering it through the finest activated carbon available. It distilled 6 times to give it that clean super premium flavor with no sugar or gelatin added.

Tito was asked why he doesn't charge more for such a fine product. He replied, "I want to try to keep the price where all my friends can afford it.  You can pay twice as much for vodka but it won't be as good. If I put it in a frosted, painted, see through bottle then I would have to charge more.  I would rather put my money into the actual juice rather than have people pay more for the bottle."

This is what matters to me also.  I far more appreciate a company that spends money on its actual product rather than all of the advertising. You get the feeling that they actually care about what they serve, it is not just all about the money.

Tito's recently scored 95 points out of 100 in Wine Enthusiast, outscoring even Ketel One, Grey Goose, Belvedere and Absolut. Wall Street Journal quoted it as "America's first craft sippin' vodka".

From Tito, posted on his website, " I appreciate ya'll supporting Tito's Handmade Vodka. It's really been a dream come true for me and it's really due to all the word of mouth that we've gotten. It's all pretty much just been from people going into liquor stores and bars and asking for it.  So if you are in a bar and they don't have it, ask to speak to the bar manager. "

Well we brought it here and are passing it along to hopefully get people interested in this American made spirit. Next time your are in, enjoy a product of American hard work.

Click here and follow it to the video link to hear how Tito started
On the Menu
Taste Summer, Mango and Melon Soup
by Kris


melon and mangoWell the weatherman is back to his antics with 90 degree temps and high humidity.  Soup is not normally the word you want to hear on these sweltering days unless, of course, your talking about "chilled" soups. 

We've turned chunks of mango and Canary melon into a delicious creamy soup with a touch of cinnamon.

The Canary Melon is sweet and juicy as is the mango.  Add the cream and the cinnamon and it's hard to decide.  Is it an appetizer or a dessert?   Chilled Mango and Melon soup... The perfect way to "Taste Summer"
Around the Downtown
Landscaping Project
by Ryan

outside landscaping

Downtown LaSalle is currently undergoing a beautification project thanks to the LaSalle Business Association and the help of the City of LaSalle.  The LBA has taken the initiative to have all of the downtown planters repainted and replanted. The city of LaSalle is helping to cover costs. "Thank You" to Chuck and Teresa with Valley Fowers for their part in the re-plantings. 

The process has been furthered with Wilson Landscaping, a current LBA member. Morgan Wilson is digging out the current bump-outs on each street corner in the downtown area and replacing them with new landscaping. All of the changes have gone a long way towards beautifying the business district. 

The LaSalle Business Association has their own website where they keep you informed of future plans, current members, upcoming events in the city of LaSalle and much more. Just yesterday I came across a review for Uptown on Urban Spoons website. It refered to us as, "finally a reason to go to LaSalle!" I'd like to make the argument that there are many reasons to come to LaSalle and several of them are right here in downtown.

With the business association continuing to grow with good people in charge, with good ideas, downtown LaSalle is in the beginning of a resurgence that soon will make it a destination.

Not Your "Everyday" Specials

seafood trio newFriday Nights, Seafood Mixed Grill
It includes a  4 oz lobster tail with drawn butter, 4 oz salmon filet with basil cream and 4 oz whitefish parmesan with lemon caper butter.  All for only $19.75








steak diane
Monday Nights, Steak Diane
Every Monday after 4 pm, we will be serving Steak Diane for $13.75.  This will be just like the Red Door Inn.  With Victor's stamp of approval.









fajitasSunday, All Day, 
Sizzling Sunday Fajita and Margaritas

You get a chicken fajita for two with a 64 ounce pitcher of margaritas for only $20! Imagine this on a Sunday afternoon on the patio or at a sidewalk table with the sunshine and a nice breeze!  No, your not in Cabo, but it sure feels like it! 



On Our Special
Malpaque Oysters on the Half Shell
Yellow Fin Tuna Tower
Panini Sandwich with Raisin River Ham, Brie and Apricot-Dijon Glaze.
BLT Club Chop Salad
Marinated Marlin with a Mango Pineapple Butter
Pappardelle Pasta with Imported Italian Tuna and Capers
Steamed Broccoli with Tillamook Cheddar Cheese
Irish Creme Mousse Torte
Win a Free Lunch


Foodie Fight Free Lunch Contest
by Kris

foodie fightEach week in the newsletter we will ask 3 questions from the Foodie Fight cards.  The first person to email us (see link below) the correct answers to all three questions will receive a complimentary free lunch.  The winner has to have the correct answer for all three questions, no exceptions.  The following week we will publish the correct answers and the winner from the previous week.  So come on in and have a drink, study the cards, test each other and have fun.    Good Luck!




1. What  condiments are always passed in a pair regardless of the request?
 
2. Who is served first, the hostess or the female guest of honor?
 
3. What should hosts never do before the guests depart?
 
[email protected]

Fine Print...
You must be the first person to respond with all three correct answers.
The response must go to the email address in the above link.
You must reply within 24 hours from the time the newsletter is published.
Participants are eligible to win a limit of 3 times a year.

Last Week questions and answers....

1. What  is removed from butter when it is clarified? Milk Solids
 
2. What fortified wine is a classic match with Stilton Cheese? Port
 
3. What is made with the juice by-product of sugar refining? Molasses

Last weeks winner of the free lunch ... Sandy Falco
Playlist Theater
 Tickets on sale now.            

Upcoming Shows    


roy davisRoy Davis

Friday
August 13th
Tickets on sale now



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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