Tuesday, November 8th 

Around the Industry 

Forget about Occupy Wall Street. Let's Occupy Main Street!

By Ray 

Don't worry, this is far from a political article. We are at that time of year when we start to think about our holiday gift giving strategery. This past week I saw several articles, 2 in trade magazines and one open forum in the News Tribune by Natalie Smigel that make sense in these difficult times. This isn't about big national chains. This is about supporting home town small businesses, your neighbors with their financial lives on the line and helping them to keep their doors open. This is to help you think locally when planning out your Christmas gift list. Several business organizations have gotten together to create "Shift Your Shopping". On their website they cite several studies that highlight what a tremendous impact just getting your community to purchase 10% more local products can have. Plainfield, Illinois is the nearest local chapter. See the links below.

 

 

Shift Your Shopping 

I Buy Plainfield

Beyond the obvious selfish reason for hawking Uptown Grill gift certificates I would like you to consider any local product or service in which the bulk of your gift giving dollar stays in our community and helps to make all of our holidays brighter. Stop and think for a minute of how much more money stays in our community when you purchase a local product, service or gift certificate. That flat screen TV at one of the big chain stores I would guess yields a tiny portion back to our community as compared to dollars spent at a local independent businesses. It's time to think out of the box, out of the big box. While some of these things might not seem very gifty, in these difficult times they are very practical and they greatly help the local economy.


Who wouldn't like to have their driveway sealed, lawn mowed for the summer, or driveway plowed all winter? How about a few rounds of golf at the local course? How many people couldn't use an oil change for their car, truck or motorcycle, or a detailing done at a shop run by the American working guy? Thinking about a heartfelt gift for Mom? I'll bet she would love the services of a local cleaning lady for a day. Most computers could use a tune-up, and I know several local techies who are struggling to keep their repair businesses up and running. If you're looking for something more personal, there are local crafts people who spin their own wool and knit it into scarves. Others make jewelry and pottery and beautiful wooden boxes and kid's toys. How about buying tickets to see a great Stage 212 or other local play? Massages, manicures, haircuts, or other services at our local salons are unexpected treats and will get used. YMCA or gym memberships can be a gift of health. Lessons of any type dance, yoga, music, or art can bring out great things in your loved ones. Oh and please dont forget all the great locally owned restaurants we have in our area. This last one is my personal favorite.

Let's make Christmas 2011 about caring about us and keeping more money in town and encouraging local small businesses to keep plugging away and to follow their dreams. When we care about our fellow countrymen, we care about our neighborhoods, and the benefits come back to us in ways we couldn't imagine.

Behind the Bar  

Different Uses of Wine 

By Jim

Over the course of the last 10-15 years, the wine industry has been booming. More and more people have ventured away from beer or spirits and are finding wine to be quite a social platform. But not only does this wonderful beverage offer a great way to look and feel sophisticated, there are many other uses for this product that can help with everyday life. I recently read an article that contained multiple uses for the grape. So the next time you pop the cork off that bottle that has been sitting on your wine rack and you find out it has turned, don't throw it out. Some of these uses can be quite interesting.

Here are a few:

Dyeing Fabric: Kind of along the lines of tie-dying. Heat a bottle of red to a simmer and toss in your fabric. Let the color set it while stirring for 10 minutes and remove, cool and rinse. It could be a deep red or a light blush twist to your garments.

Skin Softener: Next time you relax in a warm bath, pour in a bottle of red and let the antioxidants soften and brighten the skin.

Frozen Wine Cubes: Just can not finish that last glass? Pour in an ice cube tray and you will always have access to just the right amount to enhance soups or sauces.

Fruit and Vegetable Cleanser: Wine can actually kill bacterias salmonella and e.coli while the alcohol can cleanse the impurities.

"4-0-Wine" :Yes, wine can be used as a disenfectant. However, it needs to be white wine and do not use on granite. The acid can actually eat at the granite but dry white wines such as sauvignon blanc can actually disenfect countertop surfaces.

"Winedex": As turning wine becomes more like vinegar, mix a few tablespoons of white with water and the solution cleans dirty glass.

Grease Stains: The acid in wine can actually help dissapate grease and oil stains on garage floors.

Heal Bruises: The old wives tale says to soak a piece of bread in wine and lay over a bruise. It helps to heal the inflamed tissue.

Wine Jelly: Wine, sugar, fruit and liquid pectin can turn that merlot into a great slice of toast in the morning.

Wine Marinade: I found this really interesting. "Not only does red wine make steak extra-flavorful, it may reduce cancer causing compounds naturally found in meats. Frying and grilling meat at high temperatures turns sugars and amino acids of muscle tissue into carcinogenic compounds, but marinating steak in red wine for at least six hours before cooking can reduce two types of carcinogens by up to 90 percent. Use about a cup of red wine, a cup of olive oil and the seasonings of your choice like garlic, parsley and peppercorns."

Homemade Vinegar: If you just do not get to using it, let nature take its course and leave it opened for a few weeks. It will transform on its own.

Upcoming Event   

11/11/11 

By Nikki    

 
Whether you think 11:11 is a hoax, or you live by it everyday, I find it interesting we finally run into the date this Friday, November 11th, 2011. Many people find themselves glancing at the clock at 11:11 and  thousands of people have became intrigued by it. The number 11 has now become known world wide as a lucky number and a lucky time of the day when it's 11:11. I can't remember the first time I heard someone tell me "it's 11:11, make a wish!" because it was quite some time ago. There's been times I have mentioned 11:11 to someone though, and they had never heard of it before. No one's been able to trace the origins of where the idea of making a wish at 11:11 came from. It must be something we learned when we are younger, from a random relative, or through word of mouth. This little "trend" has spread like wildfire though, and has become much more common than someone would think.

What is the real background and idea behind the number 11 and 11:11? I honestly had no idea why I even made a wish or thought about 11:11 until I researched a little bit. Honestly, I didn't know what to expect. There's a few different things I came across, just like you see with any other kind of phenomenon. "Numerologists believe that events linked to the time 11:11 appear more often than chance or coincidence. This belief is related to the concept of synchronicity. Other authors believe it is an auspicious sign, and others that it signals a spirit presence." --Wikipedia

The first one had to do with a spirit called "lightworkers." Lightworkers have a mission in this lifetime to hold as much light for the planet as possible, such as raising the frequency of love and one-ness on Earth. Supposedly seeing 11:11 on the clock is a wake up call or a reminder that you are a lightworker. I loved the idea of this considering I see that time on the clock almost every single day. Another thing in regards to this number is a message from angels letting you know that you're an "angel on earth," (with the same mission as a lightworker). In her book Angel Numbers, angel therapist Doreen Virtue writes about 111: "An energetic gateway has opened for you, rapidly manifesting your thoughts into reality. Choose your thoughts wisely at this time, ensuring that they match your desires. Don't put any energy into thinking about fears at all, lest you manifest them." I included a link at the bottom from Doreen that explains all the number and number sequence meanings other than 11:11 that people frequently run into.

The second one lead me to info on The Mayan Calendar. If you don't already know, the Mayans were an advanced, ancient Mexican civilization with incredible skills in astronomy and math. Their calendar (which is associated with the "turning of the ages") officially ends on December 21, 2012 at (of course) 11:11. This date marks a re-birth of our world, according to the Mayans. The new world we are moving towards is based on all about oneness rather than separation. If you're seeing 11:11, this may be another clue that you are here to advance the concept of "we are all one" across the world. Whatever the meaning really is or where it really came from, it's up to you to believe in it or not. Take a look around sometimes though, the number 11 shows up more than you would expect.

On 11/11/11, I predict one of three things will happen.

 

1. Something good happens - The belief that something good will happen is based solely on your spiritualism, faith, and/or optimism. I am very optimistic so I can see many good things happening to everyone. 

 

2. Nothing happens - I think this is the most likely scenario. Just because an unusual date occurs, doesn't mean that something extraordinary is going to happen. (like the year 2000, and many other predicted natural disaster dates) 

 

3. Something bad happens - The belief that something bad will happen is based solely on pessimism of reality. I'm hoping nothing bad happens, but good and bad things happen every day of the year. 

 

So what will you be doing on 11/11/11, at 11:11:11? :)

 

Number Sequences 

 

"Burger Me" Thursday 

Burger and a Beer for only 10 Bucks!  

"Green Burger"   

Three Things to Try

By Aly - Tomatillo Chicken Nachos - This week on specials we have brought back an Uptown favorite that you won't want to miss out on, tomatillo chicken nachos. These nachos are served with freshly fried tortilla chips on a bed of shredded lettuce topped with grilled marinated tomatillo chicken, del caribe cheese, avocado, and pico de gallo. Tomatillo are relatives of tomatoes and are a very popular Mexican cuisine. Tomatillos themselves are considered to be tart yet mild flavored and are the main ingredients in many of the green sauces you see at Mexican restaurants and cuisine. These nachos are delicious and an appetizer you don't want to miss out on. 

By Nikki - Stuffed Chicken Breast - This special is an old tradition so don't forget to get it while it's here! We are featuring our delicious style of a stuffed chicken breast. This mouth watering breaded boneless chicken breast is going to be stuffed with ricotta, spinach, sundried tomato, and oyster mushroom. The combination of these put together gives off such a delicious flavor, and don't forget to mix in some of our rice blend that comes with it. Every time we put a stuffed chicken breast on special I have to get it because it always has the best taste and is a filling meal. Come in and give it a try if you already haven't!

By Kim - Limoncello - Limoncello is an Italian citrus-based lemon liqueor mainly produced in Southern Italy. Made from the peel of the Sorrento lemon, this liqueur is usually served chilled as a pallet cleanser or after-dinner drink, and has even made it to the dessert menu in restaurants across the United States. Here at the Uptown, we offer our Lemon Drop Martini, in which we use Limoncello and Absolut Citron Vodka. I have always been a fan of this martini with the sweet and tart combination of the sugared rim and lemon liqueur. There is even a group of ladies that come in just for this martini, so I can assure you it is one to try. So come on in and enjoy a little taste of Italy in downtown LaSalle, I guarantee 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 pineapple black bean 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 - "Green Burger"

Each week we change our bizarre burger and serve it all day with any beer in house for only $10.00! This Thursday, November 10th, our gourmet burger will be  

Friday Nights, Seafood Mixed Grill

4 oz. grilled lobster tail with drawn butter, 4 oz. broiled 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!

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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.   What did nursery-rhyme character Little Miss Muffet eat while sitting on her tuffet? 

2.   Who is considered the father of the 1980s Cajun craze? 

3.   What Cantonese small-plate tradition's name translates as "so close to the heart"? 

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 part of a meal is the responsibility of a sommelier?   WINE 

2. What is a term that explains a beauty treatment for tightening flesh, loosening unwanted skin, and improving colors in food?   BLANCHING 

3.  What chef from Lyon, France, with restaurants in New York City, Palm Beach, and Las Vegas, is regarded as one of America's greatest chefs?   DANIEL BOULUD 

Last weeks winner of the free lunch  .......  Jimmie Aranda

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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