In past newsletters, I have talked about how lucky we are to have the largest hospitality trade show in the world less than a hundred miles from our doors. I also mentioned the real possibility that it was going to move to another city. This is one of the largest trade conventions of any kind in the world. Last week the National Restaurant Association and the City of Chicago announced a deal to keep the show in Chicago through 2016. Chicago Mayor Richard Daley and Illinois Governor Pat Quinn joined NRA representatives at a press conference to announce the deal with the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority (MPEA) and the Chicago Convention & Tourism Bureau.

NRA Show to stay in Chicago through 2016

You may have noticed in the past few months, that one of our more familiar faces around here has been missing. I'm talking about our hostess, bartender, concert promoter, Anna. She has been away working in AmeriCorps since October.  For those of you not familiar with AmeriCorps, it is an organization that works to better communities, teach children and protect the environment... of course that is a very broad description and their work is not limited to just that.

Currently, Anna is working on a disaster relief project in McAllen, Texas. They are repairing houses that have been affected by hurricanes Alex and Dolly. Anna has been helping to replace siding and flooring, putting up drywall, installing soffits, among other things. This project will last another couple weeks and then she will finally have a short break. She mentioned that she is with her team 24/7. They live together, work together, eat together. You can imagine the challenges that could arise from that sort of living situation. Despite any challenges, Anna is  building some great friendships.  I'm happy to hear that Anna is doing well and I thought that I should share some of what she is doing with those of you that know and miss her.

Serving food for a living, we have come across all kinds of diets and specific food allergy restrictions. Over the course of a week, we probably have at least 20 people ask us about certain items on our menu and what it contains. Please feel free to ask if there are any dietary restrictions that you or whomever you like to bring in may need. We try to accommodate you the best we can by getting you the information you may need to decide what food items are ok for you to eat. There are also some dishes that we can modify in order for you to enjoy it. There are options on our menu that allow for these special diets. Gluten free has to be one of the more common restrictions we deal with on a daily basis.

Those with celiac disease or mild sensitivity to gluten have to be pretty creative in cooking or baking from scratch. They often substitute some interesting, lesser known grains for standard flour. Here are a few that we have featured on special at times throughout the year.

Buckwheat grains are not related to wheat even though it has the name in it. They are small, triangle grains and in the United States, they are most commonly roasted. They have a earthy, smoky flavor. 

Corn in its dried form called cornmeal, can be used to make cornbreads and polenta. Polenta is a rich, naturally creamy dish.

Millet are small yellow seeds that are packed with vitamin B and have a slightly sweet, almost corn-like flavor. They are as simple to cook as rice.

Quinoa, also known as "the mother grain" in South America, is nutrition packed with protein, fiber and iron.

Sorghum is made from grass that is ground. Sorghum flour has a neutral taste and pale color. It is a good substitute for wheat flour in baked items.

For those of you that are gluten free, there is actually a website that is a social network dedicated to gluten free living. It has all kinds of recipes and food information for those that are interested.

Click Here

I am not one for most TV mini-series, but I recently have been intrigued by the HBO mini-series "Boardwalk Empire." What does "Boardwalk Empire" and behind the Uptown bar have to do with each other? Well, there are many things about the series that I find interesting. Here's a quick list; The era itself being set in the 1920's, you have a time frame shortly after WWI, the women's movement, the NWP (National Womens Party) and the 19th amendment, which granted women the right to vote, gangster and mob related activity, gambling, and what brings me to "Behind our bar," the 18th Amendment to our Constitution.........Prohibition.

Birthdays

Andrew Kamphaus
Mary Halberg
Brett Witek
Nikki Galetti
Trace Robillard
Dan Miller

Anniversaries

Charis Sherman - 5 years
Mackie Harmon - 3 years
Ben Konczak - 1 year
Aly Witek - 5 years

Arthur Lee Land

Paul Cebar 

Samantha Crain