New Year's Eve 2014

Now that Christmas is over, we all get to let out a big sigh of relief, right? It's finally over... but not for us. As 2014 comes to a close, we plan and prepare for our busiest day of the year. Every business has their BIG day, and this coming Wednesday night will be ours.

Every year (the last 21 for me), we have taken great pride in serving the area's best orchestrated New Year's Eve dining experience. Yes, the reservation book is filling up but for those procrastinators, please keep in mind that there are still reservations available with us. Click the following link to make your reservations today!

A lot of work goes into preparing for the 700+ reservations we're able to accommodate on our big night. With over 2,000 helium filled balloons - as you can see from the picture - and 48 tables available, we invite you to come celebrate with us in the fun, festive atmosphere! The Uptown will be the place to be. From the first customer that comes in at 3:45 pm to the last table served, we look to provide an enjoyable evening for everyone. Whether it be the great food, drink or celebration atmosphere, there is no better way to finish off the long Christmas season than to provide to a packed house.

Still unsure of where to go? Here are a few things to consider in making your decision.

Most other places increase prices and limit their menu on this night - we do neither. The only limitation is we will not be serving sandwiches. The rest of our menu is open. And as you can see above, there are several specials that we put together. You will see menu items such as prime rib, lobster, leg of lamb or slow roasted pork loin.

Most places you can also expect some long waits due to kitchen lag and overbooking. You will not find that here. In year's past, the longest someone has waited is less than 10 minutes at the peak of our night. With over 25 years of doing these, we have done this enough to learn what it takes to be ready.

Again, there are still some peak reservation times available. Call us at 815-224-4545 or use our online reservation link above. Remember, our kitchen serves until midnight, and the bar stays open later.

Celebrate with Uptown:Christmas & New Year's Around the Corner

First things first, have you got your shopping done?  Less than 30 seats remain for the Sam Llanas show the day after Christmas.  An intimate concert within our famed Playlist Theater is a must for any music lover... just be sure to reserve your seats before they're sold out!

Sam Llanas, formerly of the BoDeans

Friday, December 26th  |  7:30 pm

$25 General Admission  |  Purchase Tickets

  

If music isn't their thing, we're certain that food and drinks agree with everyone!  Order an Uptown Grill gift card online for a limited time.  We will mail out any orders by Saturday at 12 noon.  That should put locals in good shape for delivery on Christmas Eve.  If you miss the USPS deadline or would rather stop in, we're here!  Though we don't serve this early, someone usually has the doors unlocked daily at 8 am.  And we're here till 11 pm.  Plenty of time to stop in, cash in hand, so you can head home with that special gift!

  

Once you put all of your holiday shopping to rest, feel free to treat yourself to a nice meal this holiday season (surf and turf anyone?).  Please note our hours through the end of 2014:

  

Christmas Eve: 11am - 2pm

Christmas Day: CLOSED

  

New Year's Eve: 4pm - 12midnight

New Year's Day: CLOSED

  

One final note:  Reservations for New Year's Eve can be taken over the phone at 815.224.4545 or online but will require a credit card deposit.  Don't worry, your card won't be charged unless you fail to show up or cancel your reservation.

We welcome you to stop out and celebrate the New Year with us!  Unlike many others, we don't raise our prices for the evening, and you can order from our full menu (excluding sandwiches).

  

Now that's call for celebration! 

Uptown Grill Gift Cards

For all you shopper fanatics, this is your time of year. It's shop till you drop in trying to find all the best deals. For me, it is one of  the most dreaded seasons. I just lack the shopping talent and  patience in going out in all the mess. I have good intentions to try and buy throughout the year in order to avoid long lines and the crowds of people, however that usually never happens. I guess I am not sure if I should say this out loud or not but..... I am glad my wife likes to shop. She checks all the lists (twice) and takes care of most of our family Christmas shopping. The few days I do go out and buy gifts is more than enough for me. My list is ready, in and out... stop to stop. I'm on a mission. Why do I wait so long? 

   

With December just beginning, some have their lists complete and get to sit back and relax. For most others, it is time to power shop. As the days to Christmas get fewer and fewer, you may find yourself running out of time or ideas. This is your reminder that an Uptown gift card is the perfect gift that can give all year long.   

 Here are a few reasons to choose an Uptown gift card.    

• Each card is wrapped in a elegant looking gift box. Fill in a TO: and FROM: and you're done wrapping

• No expiration date! We still accept gift cards from the day we opened back in 1985. 

• We have been in business for almost 30 years. We are not going anywhere.

• No service fees or loss in value for inactivity - $50 today will be $50 in 5 years 

• Point, Click, Buy - easy online ordering. Send us your list. We will mail the same day.

• Available in any denomination. Use all or just a portion of the value on the card each visit.

• They choose how to use it - Great for a light lunch, night out with friends, drinks and appetizers at the bar, dessert after a play or all of the above. 

Click the link below and find out truly how easy Uptown gift card buying experience can be. Anytime day or night in the comfort of your home. No long lines, no crowds of people.
Give us your entire list and be done!

 

  PURCHASE A GIFT CARD HERE!

or stop in anytime, our friendly staff is prepared to take care of you and get you in and out and back to the rest of your holiday shopping.

Happy Holidays!

Holiday Parties:Trust Uptown to Host Yours

Well, here we are again. The holiday season is upon us. Amazing how fast the year goes by! Many of us have not even had time to think about putting together a holiday party, so we are here to remind you that perhaps you need to start thinking about it.

Most businesses will have at least one small work gathering for Christmas. But not every business can afford to break the bank and throw one large party for all of their employees... especially under today's economic conditions. So for those businesses or employees looking to host a smaller gathering or a party for the department in which they work, look no further. We can handle any or all of your needs.

Groups do not have to book our banquet room to host a party. We have many areas within our restaurant that can accommodate groups from 5 to 30 or more. You won't find anywhere more accommodating than the Uptown. Our private banquet facility can accommodate groups upwards of 100 people, and we still have a few prime dates available this holiday season. Those dates include Friday/Saturday, December 19th & 20th, and the room is again available immediately following Christmas on Friday/Saturday, December 26th & 27th. We've found that businesses don't like to host events so close to Christmas because it is hard for everyone with their busy holiday schedules. But, if you are looking to put something together last minute, remember that we are available. 

Holiday To-Go's:Order Ahead for Thanksgiving

The holidays are about traditions and spending time with loved ones, so who wants to spend all that time prepping for it instead of taking part in all the fun?

We are all familiar with the turkey, ham and all the fixings that are a staple during the season. The Uptown embraces this sense of tradition and wants to be one of your new ones.

Our dressings, desserts, breads, and crackers are available as a perfect new addition to any holiday meal. Our breads and cookies are baked fresh daily. Our dressings are made from scratch by our skilled chefs, and our crackers are not available anywhere else.

Even though it's not necessarily the main course, our dressings and gourmet breads serve as the perfect accessory to any meal. If you're looking to plan ahead for the season, we invite you to call, email, or come in and see us personally.  We would be beyond happy to create a fresh batch of whatever you need, just for you!

And don't forget, you're not limited to only breads, dressings, or desserts. We also offer a full assortment of appetizer platters that are neatly packaged in an elegant container. These are perfect for any party, get-together, or family gathering during the season.

Even though we like to showcase these options during the holiday season, they are also available year round, any day of the week. You can call ahead and pick up at a time of your choosing.

While we're not open on Thanksgiving or Christmas, we can certainly make the holidays a little easier for you. Just remember:  the Uptown will do all the work for you, but we'll let you take all of the credit!

Upcoming Events: Oktoberfest

We are heading into what is one of my favorite times of year. Not only is it time for the seasons to change and cooler fall weather to settle in, but it also marks the start of Oktoberfest. Each year, we play host to a time-honored German tradition. Starting Sunday, September 21st, we will be preparing the "area's most authentic" German fare each night after 4 pm while supplies last. Come and enjoy a plate that is filled with traditional meats, sausages and sides, plus a stein of German beer.

Our plate will consist of:

• kassler ripschen (smoked pork chop)
• eisben mit sauerkraut (pork hocks with sauerkraut)
• leberkaese (German veal loaf)
• knackwurst (German garlic sausage)
• bratwurst (mild white veal sausage)
• sauerkraut, red cabbage, and german potato salad

4th of July Holiday Hours

 Our Hours for the 4th of July Holiday will be:

Thursday, July 3rd:  11am to 10pm

Friday, July 4th:  4pm to 11pm

The city of Peru will host their fireworks on Wednesday night, July 3rd at dusk. The fireworks will be shot off from Water Street which is just a few blocks down the road from us. Over the years, we have been able to see several good shows from our front entrance. Our sidewalk café is one of the most comfortable and relaxing in the area. Come enjoy a great view of the Peru fireworks.

Obviously, any fireworks let off close to the ground are those that can be heard, but not seen. The rest of the show is in plain sight looking west from either our patio or sidewalk. I know the crowds on Water Street can be huge, so why fight it? Stop down to the Uptown, pull up a seat, and of course our staff will be here to serve cocktails, appetizers, dinner or any other preference you might have... no wrist band required.

Father's Day:Raising the Steaks

There is probably no better time of the year to talk about our steaks than right before Father's Day and near the beginning of summer grilling season. We take our meats seriously. When I was at the Red Door Inn many years ago, I learned how to hold, cut and prepare all of the best cuts. We still practice it every day here.

We cut all of our own meat. We do this for one reason, and that is so we can control the quality. All of meats come in with at least 3 weeks age, and we extend that even further in house. We have our own commercial cryovac machine to get a nice air-proof storage. This also help us age our meat.

We offer all the main cuts:

Filet - We use only the center cut. The best part of the best part. We have other uses for the tails, tips and the head meat. 10 ounces

New York Strip - AKA The Red Door Sirloin. The was my favorite steak at the Red Door, and it is still my favorite. This steak has a meatier texture and to me the best flavor. 12 ounces

Ribeye - I know people love their ribeyes grilled. To me this loin is meant for roasting because of its structure. It just makes it more tender. It is the most popular, and that is why we offer it both ways. We garlic and herb marinate them. 20 ounces

Prime Rib - We slow-roast ours all day the old fashion way in our 1970 "Alto Sham." I think we have as good a prime rib as I have had anywhere. Available in 12 or 16 ounces. We will have prime rib this Sunday.

Bacon Wrapped Pork Chops - Ours are cut to the "America's Cut" specification, one and a quarter inch cut, completely trimmed. We then wrap them in in our tasty applewood smoked bacon. Try having them cooked medium sometime. Tender and delicious. 8 ounces, single or doubles.

Lastly our chefs will then cook that steak to perfection on our open flame char-broiler. So treat Dad and yourself this weekend.

Our Popular Dad's Day Special is Back!

We're quickly approaching mid-June, which typically means all of your summer favorites: hot dogs, baseball, apple pie. And don't forget, spending time with dear ol' Dad.

This year, why not treat him to an "upgrade" at the Uptown? While we're sure he appreciates the effort of a fresh, grilled pork chop with a side of potato salad, wouldn't you love to kick back and enjoy the day, too?  Without the stress of being grill master or chef extraordinaire?

Our kitchen staff is lining up a special that Dad (and even you) won't be able to resist. Trust us, it's a homerun!  Keep reading to find out what entree we've prepared that is fit for a king.

In the meantime, do take a moment to make a reservation by calling 815-224-4545. We wouldn't want you to miss out!

And if you just can't make it here for the holiday, consider treating Dad to a gift card. At least you'll be here in spirit... cheers!

Open Father's Day

Sunday, June 15th | 12noon - 10pm

Our featured dish this Father's Day will be the ancho chili bbq mixed grill trio. This trio was so well received last year that we went ahead and and smoked the meats again this year. We will serve smoked pork ribs slathered in a house made chipotle barbecue sauce. But that's not all! We serve it next to a chipotle grilled chicken breast, plus an applewood smoked bacon wrapped pork filet with an ancho chile creme. What a trio!

The chipotle pepper provides a smoky and tangy barbecue sauce that complements the slightly spicier, yet smooth ancho chile creme. The flavor also goes well with the smokey tones of the freshly grilled chicken and pork. We then finish the dish off with roasted rosemary new potatoes and fresh corn on the cob.

Let us treat you AND dad next weekend!   Just be sure to reserve your table while you still can!

Father's Day:Necktie Beats Underwear for Worst Gift

Moms are easy. Fathers are hard. I am not sure how many of you would agree with this. It sure seems like many of you out there seem to think so. I do know for sure that business on Father's Day, from a celebratory standpoint is about 1/4 of Mother's Day. Have you ever wondered why that is? Why would it be so different? Please don't tell me it is because moms can cook and dads can't.

In preparing this article I googled "worst fathers day gifts." Try it - the results are hilarious. You can see one example here.

While stumbling around the Internet, I came across a survey that might make things a little easier for you. While it is titled "Necktie beats underwear for bottom spot on the list as worst fathers days gifts," it also includes a survey of what fathers want for Father's Day. The number one thing that dads want this Father's Day is dinner out with the family. hmmmmm...

The results of the interactivedad.com poll are as follows:

Memorial Day Weekend Hours:Open Monday at 4pm!

Many restaurants will be closed on Memorial Day to observe the holiday. Although we will be closed for lunch on Monday, we will open for dinner at 4pm and serve until 10pm.

See below for the rest of our weekend hours.

Friday: 11am - 11pm

Saturday: 11am - 11pm

Sunday: 12noon - 10pm

Monday: 4pm - 10pm

The weekend weather looks terrific, so stop in and soak up the summer temperatures on our screened-in patio or sidewalk seating.  Kick back and relax this holiday weekend. Let us do the cooking out for you!

And remember, every Monday night, the area's most famous dish of Steak Diane is available. For the value of $18, receive a 6 oz. filet mignon medallion served with mushroom marsala sauce, celery and button mushrooms.

A bit more background on the holiday that awards us a long weekend:

 

Memorial Day is a United States Federal holiday. You will find it on the last Monday of May every year. This holiday is to remember and honor U.S. soldiers who have died while serving our country. There will be many memorials held in our surrounding area and all over our country. All of us should try to take some time out of our day to thank the brave men and women that have made the ultimate sacrifice, so that we can live our lives in freedom.

Take a moment to honor your loved one this Memorial Day by leaving a thought or comment on our blog.

Mother's Day Specials

Mother's Day is the busiest day of the year for restaurants. Sure, New Year's Eve and Valentine's Day can sometimes rival Mother's Day for the #1 title, but most of that business is done in the evening. Mother's Day is a day-long affair. There's not enough time in one shift to show all the mothers their much deserved appreciation.

To celebrate Mother's Day this year, we will be doing our part by offering a variety of specials listed below. Sunday can be a day for a late brunch or a large buffet. But not everyone wants a buffet for a celebration as formal as Mom's Day! And that's where we become the place to be. A nice relaxing sit down meal where we do the work and bring the food to you... and clean too!

Our staff will be hard at work, preparing for a crazy day... so it goes in our industry. In addition to showing our appreciation for Moms, we also recognize and appreciate the sacrifice our staff makes.  When you begin working in a restaurant, it becomes a harsh reality to some that their services will be required on most major holidays. Some people are not cut out for that type of commitment, and it's very easily understood. As a business, you are asking a lot. On the other hand, if this is your business or your job, these are the days that you live for. It is definitely a two-way street.

With that said, we got to thinking about how many Mother's Days in a row some of our staff has worked. Those numbers are in the 20's for some, the teens for some and double digits for others.  We hope that some of you will make a trip to the Uptown a Mother's Day tradition and spend it with our staff members who are more than happy to serve you year after year!

So if you haven't made your plans for Mother's Day yet, click or call to make your reservation today! We are filling up fast.

Mother's Day Specials 

all entrees will be served with horseradish mashed potato and soy glazed sugar snap peas 

roasted boneless pork loin

bourbon demi glaze

slow roasted prime rib 

english cut 

12oz     16oz

boneless leg of lamb 

mint demi glaze

crab and shrimp stuffed sea bass 

orange hollandaise

chocolate covered strawberries 

white and dark chocolate

hummus plate 

avacado, grape tomato, roasted garlic and corn tortilla chips

assorted whitefish and spinach radiatore 

white wine cream sauce with roasted red & yellow tomato

Administrative Professionals' Week:April 21st - April 25th

Attention all bosses! We want to remind you that this coming week is your chance to show those that make your lives easier, the appreciation they deserve. This coming week, beginning  Monday, April 21st through Friday, April 25th, is Administrative Professionals' Week and your chance to treat them to the Uptown. What better way to say thank you than to bring them for lunch, carryout, or give a gift card that they can enjoy on their own time!

We are here to give your employees a great meal. Year after year, getting them the same gifts of flowers, cards or candy become so boring. Getting treated to lunch is something they will enjoy. Or why not bring them fresh baked breads, cookies or brownies to work this week. Make every day a little something special to say "thank you!" Remember, this week is to celebrate and acknowledge the skills, loyalty and efficiency of your administrative professionals. We also realize that there are those that simply cannot get out of the office on most days and keep business running. A gift card will certainly give them something to look forward to!

Administrative Professionals' Week began in 1952 to recognize the work of administrative assistants, secretaries, and other office professionals for their contributions and hard-work to the business. Today, it is becoming one of the largest workplace observances besides employee birthdays and major holidays. Administrative Professionals' Day is Wednesday, April 23rd, but with every business celebrating this holiday together, it will be a very busy day for us.

We remind you that it is not just one day to celebrate. Maybe Mondays are better for you? Or perhaps split the office and take half one day, the rest the next? Either way, we would love to accommodate, and we can guarantee your employees will appreciate it!

Click here to make reservations.  |  Click here to purchase a gift card.

Easter Specials

Easter is just around the corner, and while you can still visit us any day of the week, there are a few added bonuses for you to enjoy on Easter Sunday. Our very own Easter bunny has dropped off some gifts that will be available for one day only.

We'll start with a brown sugar and mustard glazed boneless ham. This is no ordinary slab of ham. This is slow-roasted, bone-in pit that we slice ourselves. The brown sugar and mustard glaze creates a sweet and tangy crust, which we round out with the balance of a bourbon raisin sauce.

If ham is cramping your style, we'll also be serving herb crusted boneless pork loin. Our generous portion of 8 ounce pork loin is slow roasted to a perfect tenderness and topped with a bourbon peppercorn sauce.

Food & Folklore:Corned Beef and Cabbage

To help celebrate the Irish, we will be serving corned beef and cabbage all day on Saturday through St. Patrick's Day. We serve a generous 8 oz. portion of corned beef and fresh vegetables (not canned or frozen); steamed cabbage, baby carrots and boiled whole new potatoes.

Come down and watch the downtown LaSalle St. Patrick's Day Parade, then celebrate with us. What was once an annual tradition, the LaSalle St. Patty's Day Parade was missed for many years. Four years ago, the parade was resurrected, and a new annual tradition was begun. On Saturday, March 15th at 1 pm, LaSalle will once again host its "Annual" St. Patty's Day Parade. Don't miss the fun, and lets hope with weather cooperates.

The story of the connection between corned beef and cabbage, the Irish and St Patrick's Day is convoluted and somewhat unclear. It appears that this connection was American in origin rather than Irish. Organized St. Patrick's Day parades may have begun sometime around 1845 in the Northeast United States, but there is no mention of corned beef connected to these early celebrations. 

2014 Valentine's Specials

As you probably know, Valentine's is one of our biggest nights of the year. Each year, we go out of our way to make it special evening. We increase capacity, rally all of our troops and put in some really great specials for you.

If you are late on making your reservations, how about early or better yet late....... on Valentines. Beat the rush - we are open all afternoon and late in to the night with the kitchen open until 11pm. Things tend to be much more romantic as the evening gets later. Be prepared, do not get moonstruck as it will be a full moon. Just ask my staff what happens on full moons.

Accepting reservations online or by phone: 815.224.4545

We have also added extra capacity on Saturday night as well. As of right now, we still have most times available for Saturday evening.

Please see below for our outstanding list of specials.

Set the Valentine's Mood: Common Aphrodisiacs

Love is in the air! For those of you who have forgotten, or for you last minute shoppers, Valentine's Day is this Friday. It's a time of setting the "mood" and showering your significant other with gifts and love that we typically don't express other times of the year.

Many of us are not that good at expressing how we feel or how to set this "mood," so the Uptown is making it easy for you with different types of aphrodisiacs. Putting it simply, an aphrodisiac is a substance; mostly associated with food, that creates a heightened sense of pleasure for someone who indulges in them.

One of the most popular and well known is the oyster. The famous lothario, Casanova, was said to have eaten 50 oysters a day for breakfast. High in zinc, oysters help boost testosterone in men, increasing their libido. Honey is another food that help vitality in both male and females alike. Sticky, sweet, and sensuous, honey contains natural sugars that provides a quick energy boost.

Valentine's 2014: A Weekend Holiday

Over the years, it seems our lives have only become more hectic and a lot busier. Too much to do and too little time. Holidays are supposed to be the times set aside to spend with loved ones. Even they are busier than ever. Whether that be celebrating the New Year with many of your family and friends, a house full of people on Thanksgiving and Christmas or a July 4th picnic in the park, there is usually never that "alone" time spent with your significant other. That day is set aside as Valentine's Day. IT IS A REQUIREMENT. It is quiet time to share with each other and forget everything going on around you and remembering how you fell in love. There are many traditions out there - and I am sure everyone has their own - but most of the time it involves taking that special someone out for a nice meal and a conversation. We would love to host your special night. 

Valentine's Day Specials

As you can well imagine, Valentine's Day is one of the better days for business in the restaurant industry. For establishments like ours, New Year's Eve is the number one day for sales, while Valentine's ranks second and Mother's Day third.

While our culture has not figured out a way to move New Year's Eve to a different day, it does seem as though many people have started to migrate Valentine's to different days. With Valentine's Day falling on a Friday this year, it could mean that people stretch their Valentine's Day dinner out all the way through the weekend. Some like to skip the crowds and go for a quieter evening on Sunday night as opposed to Friday or Saturday. The real romantics still go out on the actual Valentine's Day, but when the calendar falls like this, we have to get ready for two Valentine's days......Friday and Saturday. I can see Sunday being very popular for fellow hospitality employees that have to work through the holiday weekend. So we will treat Friday and Saturday both as Valentine's Day!

Valentine Favorites:New February Cocktails

Love is in the air here at Uptown Grill! With Valentine's Day quickly approaching, we have changed up our drink specials once again. Keeping with the idea of love and the Valentine holiday, we have added some amazing martinis and a classic cocktail with an Uptown twist.

We have been experimenting with blood oranges this season, both in the kitchen and behind the bar. We have used fresh blood orange slices in our Blood Orange Mojito, and now we have infused Absolut Vodka. We are featuring our house made Blood Orange Infused Absolut in two cocktails this month.

First we have our Blood Orange Cosmo. We put a spin on our Classic Cosmo, using our infused vodka. Garnished with a fresh slice of blood orange, this drink would be perfect to have through dinner, or even as a dessert cocktail.