Wednesday, August 24th 

Congratulations Rene and Mike!

By Ray

 

Around the Uptown 

Labor Day 

By Jim

This coming Monday is the national holiday, Labor Day. For those of you in the normal working world, this means a day off of work, a day of rest or a weekend of partying. In our industry, which is quite different than most, it is just like any other normal day. Although, we will be closed for lunch, we will be serving from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. So, come share it with us.

Traditionally, Labor Day often marks the end of summer and all of its festivities. It is very common to have cookouts, picnics, barbecues and other gatherings with friends and family. For all sports fans, this day is marked on the calendar to remind them of beginning of both the NFL and college football seasons. For children, it signifies back to school. But why did this holiday come about? Was there too long of a gap between the 4th of July and Thanksgiving? I mean really?, we get a holiday for rest and to party? I guess I never really had off on Labor Day weekend so it is not something I look forward to.

The first Labor Day was observed on September 5th, 1882 in Boston by the Central Labor Union, the nation's first major trade union. It is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers that they have made towards strength, prosperity and well being of our country. It did not become a federal holiday until 1894 but by then at least a dozen states had been practicing it as a holiday. Originally, it was a day that consisted of parades and festivals. Over time, more emphasis was placed on what it was created for, the economic and civic significance. Public speeches by promiment men and women about the labor movement were being held on this day. Nowadays, the speeches and parades are far and few between and the holiday has grown into now being the whole weekend. It is a time for family and friends to get together because it seems after this holiday is over, the fall is here and before you know it, winter will set in. Enjoy your Labor Day Weekend!

 

To your health

Drinking to Remember  

By Andrew

Surfing the web recently, I noticed an article about a study that seems to show moderate drinking can cut the risk of Alzheimers disease. Scientists at Loyola University Chicago School of Medicine analyzed more than 140 studies involving more than 365,000 people and found that people who had 1-2 drinks daily were 23 percent less likely to develop forms of dementia and cognitive impairment. We've known for years that a glass of wine a day is good for your heart and reduces coronary artery and cardiovascular diseases. This study shows that a drink a day has the same positive effect on the brain. If you needed one more reason to unwind with a glass of wine after your busy day, here it is. Stop in and relax with a glass of your favorite wine to please yor heart, mind and soul.

Around the Illinois Valley 

Local Bike Trails 

By Jim

As a kid, you could always find me and my friends with our bikes. You all remember putting the baseball card with the clothes pin in the spokes of your wheels to make it sound like a motorcycle, right? It used to be fun riding along the canal towpath, hitting trails and finding new places along the way. As you grow up, life seems to be more about being somewhere at a specific time and biking, well, is more like work. You get your drivers license, your free behind the wheel with an open road and that old bike becomes forgotten. Well, just a few months ago, I taught my daughter to finally ride a bike without training wheels. What an accomplishment! I remember how excited I was taking off for the first time without my dad holding onto the back of the seat. And now, how proud I was of my daughter doing it for the first time on her own. I can't wait to show her the card trick. Now that I have a riding partner, this summer I have finally brought out my bike and got to spend some quality riding time in our area. Although it is a little more on the casual side of bicycling, none the less, it gets me thinking about getting out more often.

Not only is riding a great way to spend time with family, we all know it is a great source of exercise. Whether it be riding down the Illinois Michigan Canal towpath, Hennepin Canal towpath, throughout your neighborhood or climbing dirt paths out at the designated areas of Starved Rock and Mathessein State Park, there is something here in the area for you. There seems to be so much of a keen interest in this sport, that I have found that there are some organized bike clubs throughout our area. To name a few, there is Starved Rock Cycling Association, Illinois Valley Cycling Association and Peoria Bicycle Club. I could not believe how organized these clubs are. Most importantly, members must share a love of cycling. The clubs are designed to expand knowledge and appreciation for cycling, help promote public recognition of the need for safer conditions and to advocate development of new programs or the improvement of current bicycling facilities. Each club has its own website that is dedicated to everything about bicycling and what is available in our area. From maps, regulations and safety tips to organized events and rides, they have it all. Whether it be for recreation or for exercise, biking is for everyone and we have so much around us to enjoy it. There are a few links below or even stop by our front desk and get your Official Bicycle Map of Illinois from our brochure rack.

Stop in on your way through for some lunch. We are biker friendly with a bike rack out front. Enjoy a full meal or a quick snack on our sidewalk tables to get you replenished as you continue your ride.

Starved Rock Cycling

Illinois Valley Cycling

Peoria Bicycle Club

A Few Trail Maps

The Circus is coming, the Circus is coming! 

Carson & Barnes Circus 

By Nikki

Carson & Barnes Circus is coming to Peru on Tuesday August 30, 2011 for two shows. First show is at 4:30 p.m. and second show is at 7:00 p.m. Tickets can be purchased in advance at the Peru City Clerks Office, Hyvee, or Walmart. Adult tickets are $12.00 and children ages 2-11 are $6.00. For four generations they have traveled North America with their most traditional and exciting big top performances. Step right up and don't miss it while they are in town!

Click Here to View their Website

New Weekly Special   

Taco Tuesdays   

The idea behind our weekly specials is to offer our customers something new and interesting that you can't already have anywhere else. To round out our list of weekly specials, we have added "Fish Taco Tuesday." The addition of this special allows us to offer an affordable and interesting special every day of the week.

"Taco Tuesday" will be available all day every Tuesday for dine-in or carry-out. The offer will be for our version of a fish taco which will include panko breaded tilapia, red cabbage and chipotle mayo with a mango salsa. They will be served with corn chips and adobo sauce.

We will offer 3 tacos for $6.75 or for $2.50 each,  no limit.

 

Stop in for this deal and try a Corona or any of our freshly made margarita's, chips and salsa, del caribe cheese or anything else you might associate with an authentic Mexican meal.

"Burger Me" Thursday -  

Burger and a Beer for only 10 Bucks!  

"Tombstone Burger"  

Three Things to Try 

By Aly - Panzanella Chicken Salad - This week I recommend you give our Panzanella Chicken Salad a try. It's back by popular demand. Our Panzanella Chicken Salad is a warm bread salad with freshly baked chunks of Italian bread, Italian marinated chicken, tossed romaine, grape tomatoes, parsley, pinenuts, and balsamic vinaigrette dressing. The warm bread on top of this salad is baked fresh to order. The warmed bread and chicken alongside the cold tomatoes, and romaine create a new and exicitin twist on your everyday salad. I love the addition of pinenuts because it balances out the soft textures of bread and tomatoes giving this salad a lovely crunch. This is not your everyday salad, it's better.  Ciao!



By Jim - Sea Scallops - This weeks featured seafood is amazing! Broiled fresh sea scallops served with a lemon caper dill sauce. You get seven large sea scallops, not those tiny scallops you often see bacon wrapped at most places. I wish you could smell how fresh these scallops are before they are cooked. Quite honestly, they are excellent not even cooked. This dish is perfect for this time of year. Nice and light, with an accompianment of a creamy citrus dill sauce. I have seen a ton of these served this week so far and have heard some great comments. It is also served with sauteed swiss chard and cannelini beans tossed with white wine and plugra butter as its side dish. If you like scallops and want something a little different, give this a try.



By Kim - Island Coffee - The weather is still warm but I hope that doesn't steer you away from an after dinner coffee drink. This week, I encourage you to try our Island Coffee. Mixed with Malibu Coconut Rum and Creme de Cocoa, and then topped with whipped cream and chocolate shavings, there is a nice island-like twist to this hot drink. To me, there is nothing better than enjoying a cup of coffee with friends after my meal. Why not try something new and give the Island Coffee a try. I guarantee you, you won't be disappointed!

"Not Your Everyday Specials"

Monday Nights, Steak Diane

Every Monday after 4 pm, we will be serving Steak Diane for $14.75. This will be just like the Red Door Inn. With Victor's stamp of approval.

Fish Taco Tuesdays

Every Tuesday, we will be serving fish tacos. The taco includes panko breaded tilapia, red cabbage, chipotle mayonnaise, and a mango salsa. They will be served with corn chips and adobo sauce. Available for dine in and carryout. 3 for $6.75 or 2.50 each. 

Wienerschnitzel Wednesday

Every Wednesday after 4pm, we will be serving authentic German Wienerschnitzel. Served with roasted asparagus, spaetzel and veal demi glaze it is only $11.75.

Burger Me Thursday-"Tombstone Burger"

Each week we change our bizarre burger and serve it all day with any beer in house for only $10.00! This week we are doing the "Tombstone Burger". This burger is going to be topped with a deep fried onion ring, chili and melted cheddar cheese. Served with a pepperoncini. Available ALL DAY Thursday, August 25th. 

Friday Nights, Seafood Mixed Grill

4 oz. broiled lobster tail with drawn butter, 4 oz. cod filet

with basil cream, and 4 oz. whitefish parmesan with lemon caper butter. All for only $19.75

Prime Rib, Friday and Saturday Evening 

Available after 4pm every Friday and Saturday night is our herb crusted prime rib of beef. Our prime rib is slow roasted for several hours in our 1980 alto shaam. It is served with au jus, mushrooms and your choice of side dish. Available in 12oz or 16oz   

Boneless Pork Loin, Saturday Nights

Saturday night after 4pm we will be serving a slow roasted boneless pork loin. It will be served with our mashed potato of the day, our special vegetable of the week and a bourbon demi glaze. All for $16.75  

Sunday, All Day, Sizzling Fajita and Margaritas

You get a chicken fajita with a 64 ounce pitcher of margaritas, perfect for a relaxing Sunday! Serves 2 for $20!

On Special This Week

"Like" our Facebook and be the first to know about food specials, drinks, and MORE!

Foodie Fight

Each week in the newsletter, we will ask three 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 lunch. The winner has to have the exact answer for all three questions, no exceptions! The following week we will publish the correct answers and the winner of the previous week. So come in and have a drink, study the cards, test each other and have fun. Good Luck! 

1.  Whose kitchen was donated to the Smithsonian's National Museum of American HIstory in Washington, DC? 

2.  What style of restaurant made its United States debut in 1905 in New York City? 

3.  What country was Wolfgang Puck born in? 

Email your answers to foodiefight@uptowngrill.com 

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 weeks questions and answers...

1. What country mandates animal welfare guidelines for living space, access to the outdoors, natural light, and herd or flock size?  SWITZERLAND

2. In what French wine region is the Chablis district?    BURGUNDY

3. What is another name for the Chinese wok-skimmer made of woven brass wire and a bamboo handle?    A SPIDER 

Last weeks winner of the free lunch .......  No Winner! 

Uptown Grill

601 First St.

La Salle, IL 61301

815-224-4545

Monday - Thursday

11AM -10PM

Friday - Saturday

11 AM - 11PM

Sunday

12PM - 10PM

uptowngrill.com 

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