On Special 

Soft Shell Crabs 

By Jim

This week on special, we are featuring soft shell crabs. Soft shell blue crabs are considered one of America's delicacies because they are only available for a short time each year. As crabs grow larger, their shells can not expand so they grow out of them. This is called the molting process, when the crab is left with a soft covering. This is when they are at their best. 




During the season, they are shipped alive and must be kept alive until cooking time. Because the crab is soft, the entire thing can be eaten. They are cleaned, hand breaded in a bread crumb mixture and pan fried until crunchy and golden brown. We serve three hotel sized crabs sauteed with a lemon garlic butter. There are 5 size classifications for soft shell crabs; whales, jumbos, primes, hotels and mediums. These smaller crabs are sure packed with flavor. We serve them with shoestrings cut from fresh potatoes. Come get them before they are gone. 

In The Cellar 
Graham Beck Brut

By Ryan

Behind The Bar  
Benedictine Liqueur 

By Jim

When it comes time for finishing off your dining experience, one of the more popular after dinner drinks has been Benedictine liqueur. Benedictine is a herbal liqueur that is considered one of the oldest brands of liqueurs still made. It is believed to have been first developed by Dom Bernardo Vincelli in 1510 at the Benedictine Abbey of Fecamp in Normandy as a medicinal aromatic beverage that lasted through the French Revolution. By the mid 19th century, Alexandre Le Grand had taken over by recreating the healthful elixir of 27 different herbs and spices. The drink was bottled in its distinctive shape and label that you still find today. Le Grand used his marketing sense by persuading renowned artists of the time to create posters of this liqueur to be distributed throughout France and the rest of the world. Within 10 years, more than 150,000 bottles were sold each year. Today, it is over a million.

The exact recipe is a a closely guarded trade secret that is only known to 3 people at any given time. There have been many that have tried to reproduce but to no avail. The process involves several distillations that are eventually blended into its final product. It is made with herbs, roots and sugars with a cognac base. Every bottle is labeled with D.O.M.. This is mistakenly refered to by some as the "Dominican Order of Monks". It actually stands for "Deo Optimo Maximo" or, "for our best, greatest God."

The distinctive taste of Benedictine was not for everyone so B & B, or Benedictine and Brandy, was created in the early 1900's for those to enjoy a less sweeter or drier taste. Either way, next time you are in, enjoy a sip of one of the oldest liqueurs made today.  

From The Roots 
Hank's Gourmet Root Beer 

By Aly

On a warm summer day, I like to cool myself down by indulging in frosty mug of root beer.  I am not much of soda drinker, but on rare occasion I find myself craving root beer. I would have to declare myself a bit of snob when it comes to which root beer brand I prefer. The root beer that we have carried here for years is Hank's Gourmet Root Beer. Hank's Beverage Company is a privately operated company, based in Philadelphia. They have been producing gourmet beverages for over 40 years and their products are now sold in over 40 states. Although Hank's has been in operation for quite some time, it wasn't until 1996 that they first introduced their Root Beer.

One may wonder what elements in root beer give it its distinctive flavor.  Some of the key ingredients that give root beer its flavor are the following: anise (which is licorice like in flavor), sarsaparilla (which is considered to be the grandfather of root beer its origins that back to the 1800s and the root of this plant gives off somewhat of a bitter flavor), birch oil (made from the its sap the birch tree),  wintergrass (lends a minty flavor), sassafras (a deep bitter flavor similar to sarsaparilla), vanilla extract (is responsible for that creamy texture found in root beer).

With that said, we carry Hank's Root Beer for a simple reason... we think it tastes great! Hank's has a superior flavor that is obtained by using premium ingredients and pure sugar cane. My favorite way to enjoy a Hank's root beer is in a frosted glass with a scoop of Sisler's French vanilla ice cream on our screened in patio.  So come in and have sip of a Hank's for yourself!

Around the Illinois Valley
A 1920's Review: Remembering when LaSalle Roared! 

Step into the 20's for an evening filled with music by the Johnnie Kaye Orchestra and a live radio stage show by the IVCC Theatre Department. A historic evening to preserve two historic treasures of LaSalle: The Hegeler Carus Mansion and the Julius W. Hegeler I Home. This event is sure to be a lot of fun and will help to preserve some truly beautiful pieces of LaSalle's history. Tickets are $35 for an evening of music, theatre, and desserts. Cash bar will be available.  

click here to register for tickets