Geoff Is Turning 50!

by Megan Considine

September 9th and April 10th may seem like ordinary days to you, but for the Uptown, they have great significance and deserve recognition. Not to mention they have Geoffrey Hejl in common! 

On September 9th, in 1965, Geoffrey Hejl was born! Meaning that this week he turns the big bad 5-0! Geoff loves trains, Donny and Marie, kittens, the L.A. Dodgers, and old TV shows. He has lived half of a century and is coming up on 50 while still being fabulous. From all of your friends at the Uptown Grill, Happy Birthday Geoff. We hope you take Donny Osmond's best piece of advice and “enjoy the ride!" 

In an industry that is always changing and a job market that is always seeing unemployment, you hold certain employees near and dear to your heart and consider them part of your family. You notice those who are loyal, committed, and genuinely concerned about the business's well-being and success. The hard-working and passionate employees stand out and you count your blessings when you find one like this. As if a 50^th birthday isn't exciting enough, On April 10, 1990, Geoff began working for the Uptown and 25 years later, we are still being entertained by his wit and jokes! We are lucky to have his dedication to his job. 

Geoff is one of our main daytime janitors and dishwashers. You can always count on him to take other people's shifts and he is one of our best kitchen workers! He is always the first one here and the last to complain. He is kind to everybody and puts all of his energy into doing a job well done! He is a key member of our team and we are lucky to have had him with us since April 10, 1990. Here's hoping we can count on his work ethic and his sense of humor for 25 more years! Cheers to you Geoff and your milestones of 25 and 50 years! Thanks for all of your hard work, loyalty, and dedication. We appreciate you today and everyday!

Back to School Blues?Uptown to the Rescue

by Megan Considine

Uniforms have been pulled out the closet. Hundreds of dollars in new clothes have been purchased. A fortune has been spent on school supplies and back packs that will be outgrown in one year. First day of school pictures have been taken and posted on Facebook. New teachers have been met. After school activities are already in session. The list could go on and on...

School is officially back in session, but we are here to tell you that it's not all bad! As August (one of our busiest tourism months), comes to a close, we start to switch gears and transition into a busy fall, just like you.

Let us help you make the process an easy one! With all of the excitement of high school football kicking off and late volleyball games or far away tennis matches (not to mention helping with junior high math homework), who even has time to think about dinner? I'm exhausted just typing about it. 

Count on your trusty Uptown Grill to do all of the work for you. Carry-outs are available all day, everyday:

Monday - Thursday: 11am to 10pm

Friday - Saturday: 11am to 11pm

Sunday: 12noon to 10pm

This means we are available for lunch when you forget to pack yours in the morning. This means that after you have supported the Bruins, Cavaliers, Red Devils or other local football teams, we're open for a beer and a late night dinner or snack.

When your college freshman comes home for the first time during Labor Day, we'll be open! And after you shop Downtown LaSalle for your daughter's homecoming dress, we're available for a nice lunch. When there is no time to make supper for the growing teens, we can help! We offer kids meals, too.

Don't let the back-to-school blues get you down! Count on us for your all of your needs... from a meal on the go to a late night bite. Stop in to see us today and get a quick peek at how the remodel is coming along)

Wishing all area students (and parents) a safe, happy, and healthy school year!

Introducing Baby Leightyn

We would like to announce the addition of the newest member of our staff.

Leightyn Everly Anderes arrived at 11:01pm Wednesday, August 12th. She weighed in at 7 pounds, 12 ounces and is 20.5 inches long.

Ryan and Alexis's first daughter, Emersyn, was the beginning of the next generation on both the Barto and Anderes sides of the family. Now, Leightyn is the baby.........for the moment! 

Ray and Rita went from one grandchild to three, in a matter of a few weeks as Ray and Rita's daughter Rene and her husband Mike Ficek had given birth to a baby boy, Samuel James Ficek, on June 30th. 

It's been a busy summer for the Anderes family as they have quickly grown in size. We want to congratulate them on their new additions and it probably won't be too long before you see one, or three of them, roaming the floor of the Uptown.

Congratulations to all of the Anderes'! 

Heirloom Tomatoes:Enjoy Them in 2 New Dishes

by Josh and Megan

We received a new supply of heirloom tomatoes, and as a reminder for those who missed it a few weeks back, we now have caprese salad and our heirloom tomato flatbread back on the menu.

But if you're feeling a bit more adventuresome, we're also introducing two new dishes featuring everyone's favorite summer fruit.

Heirloom BLT with Burrata Mozzarella

If you think the name is a mouthful, wait til you try this sandwich! Light and healthy enough to beat the heat - but filling enough to fill your belly - the heirloom BLT is the new way to my heart (or should I say, stomach)!

Chef Chris takes 9-grain, whole wheat bread, and piles it high with applewood smoked bacon, locally grown heirloom tomatoes, arugula, burrata mozzarella and garlic aioli. Pronounced “burr-ah-tah” (meaning buttered in Italian), it is a fresh Italian cheese made from mozzarella and cream. The outer shell is solid mozzarella, while the inside contains both mozzarella and cream, giving it an unusually soft texture.

Also known to some as an Italian BLT, we think it offers the best of both worlds. It has all the makings of a classic BLT... bacon, lettuce, and tomato. To go the extra mile, we turn to the cooking geniuses of Southern Italy and include the fresh cream and mozzarella.

Four Cheese Frittata

Who doesn't love breakfast outside the socially acceptable times for eating it? We've all had those late night runs to IHOP or had cravings for bacon and eggs in the middle of the day. Don't worry, we're not judging... we've all been there!

But we're gonna break the social norm here and offer a traditional Italian delicacy that is well suited for any lunch or dinner occasion. Our chefs are serving up a four cheese frittata with spinach and heirloom tomatoes.

Frittata is a traditional Italian, egg-based dish similar to an omelette and a crustless quiche. Like an omelette, you'll still see the same stuffing of meats, cheeses and vegetables. But by contrast, the frittata is baked in the oven rather than on a stove.  And while omelettes are typically more savory and richer tasting from the eggs, the eggs in a frittata are vigorously beaten over a longer period of time to incorporate more air, thus achieving a much fluffier and lighter entree. 

We bake our frittatas with a mixture of tillamook cheddar, swiss, provolone and regular cheddar cheeses with a generous layer of fresh, locally grown heirloom tomatoes and spinach. Right as it turns golden brown, we pull it out of the oven and serve it piping hot to the table!Stop in and see us today and see why our customers (and employees) are raving about our newest menu additions!

Battle of the Burgers:A War of Worlds

by Megan Considine

Sometimes restaurants - chain and independent alike - can learn a thing or two from the fast-food industry. Burger King and McDonalds have used burgers as their key player in the lunch and dinner appeal for decades! They have doubled them, layered them, even decorated them... and they still remain the largest burger industries in the world.

Long a mainstay in American cuisine, the burger has gained a new distinction. It has helped to fuel the first increase in lunch visits at casual dining restaurants in five years! The burger wars have now turned into a fierce and heated battle among chain restaurants like Chili's or Applebee's where they offer deals like “$6 between 4-10pm” or “$1 beer with a new burger.” McDonald's has struggled with their burger sales while others have thrived. The increase in lunch sales, dinner sales, and late night sales nationwide all have had one thing in common:

They have beefed up their burger (pun intended).

We aren't sure what has taken our chain competitors so long to jump on the bandwagon, but at the Uptown, we've been perfecting the art of the burger for over 5 years now and have marketed it accordingly. We offer our burgers all day, everyday!

Our Thursday special is devoted to the burger lovers. For just $10, we offer our special burger with any one of our sides - chips, coleslaw, fries, pasta salad or potato salad. But it gets better... to wash down the tasty meal, we offer a draft or microbrew beer included in the deal. When you come in on Thursdays, your decision is easy, effortless and requires little to no thought. Our burger-me crowd is growing all the time!

This past week, we set a record. With 47 burgers sold in just one day, the caprese burger (which featured fresh heirloom tomatoes, mozzarella, garlic aioli and hints of basil) stole the show and has provided some steep competition. It takes an army to come up with better and better ideas each week, but our classics through the years have included:

italian stallion - aloha burger

taco salad burger - mac daddy burger

waffle burger - rise n shine burger

BLT burger - pulled pork burger

guinness burger - bloody mary burger

PBJ burger (just to name a few)

We try to keep it original, and we give our readers first glimpse at them each week in our newsletter. (What has been your favorite? Any suggestions for us to try? We'd love to hear about them!)

It might seem counter-intuitive for casual dining restaurants to highlight burgers as beef prices remain elevated, but part of the strength of burgers is that customers choose a less expensive and more artistic approach to beef entrees.

Whatever the reason, we love our burger fans!  And our burgers aren't going anywhere... even when the chains move onto something else. Whether you've been in for our burgers before, have never tried them or are one of the first to try the new one each week, stop down and see us soon!

Fall Show Announcements

by Megan Considine

With great pleasure, we are finally able to tell you to mark your calendars... that's right, concerts are back and better than ever!

We are set to welcome our first artist of the fall season to the stage on Saturday, October 24.

Ranked by Rolling Stone's magazine in the "10 New Artists You Need To Know: Fall 2014," Margo and the Price Tags will be the the first band to test out our new digs! Margo's voice and songs ache with the same world-weariness that permeated Loretta Lynn and Tammy Wynette's songs with a hint of Dolly Parton.

She describes her songs as honest, no frills country classic. The band vowed to never write songs about love, but they use love as an illustration to everything. Their music is raw, yet animated and intimate. It's no doubt one of a kind. Their unique sound is a perfect fit for the Uptown Grill Playlist Theater.

After bringing a new act to our stage in October, we welcome a classic back to our stage in November. 

You guessed it, Miles Nielsen returns for his famous Thanksgiving Eve show on Wednesday, November 25. (And no this is not a Cheap Trick).

For those who may not know or have forgotten, Miles is the son of Rick Nielsen, band member and guitarist of Cheap Trick. Miles grew up around this band, but his style has a timeless and mature feel to it. His style is unique and one that we always welcome back. 

One of his favorite venues to perform in is the listening room kind where he can do the singer-songwriter mode and play solo or with another guitarist. His music comes off with a melodic, roots-rock sound.

Miles Nielsen is a crowd favorite (only 3 months, 2 weeks, and 5 days until he takes our stage again, but who's counting?).

Be on the lookout... tickets for these two shows will be available soon. We are so excited to welcome live music back to our newly renovated Playlist Theater!

See you then!

Two New Pasta Plates

by Josh and Megan

Fettuccine Alfredo
In any restaurant, it's so hard to create a menu that is geared toward adults and children. Obviously most kids don't have an advanced palate that would allow them to enjoy things that we adults find as delicacies (show me a 7 year old that loves raw oysters). But we're bringing back an old classic that is sure to make even the most childish of adults giddy with excitement.

That's right... fettuccine alfredo is back. I can't even begin to tell you how often people call and ask when it's going to be back. It's a simple (but great) dish that is the perfect blend of cream and cheese over fettuccine noodles, which is then topped with more cheese and broiled to create a crunchy topping.

We often take for granted that we can create such elaborate and opulent dishes or get our hands on ingredients that wouldn't grace the cabinets in most homes. But this blast from the past is proof how something so simple and easy can be so good.

The only road block that we've run into is that this dish won't be around forever. We can already hear the cries of anguish from all over the Illinois Valley after that sentence. Last time we said that, even Ray's granddaughter gave him grief for taking it off the menu. But that just means you're going to have to stop in and get it before it's gone!

Fusilli Pasta
Speaking of getting it before it's gone, Chef Chris stopped me today to ask if I had tried his new fusilli (pronounced fuze-eh-lee) pasta before it hits the menu.

No worries... we won't make you wait long to try it out for yourself!

In contrast to the fettuccine, this dish is a bit more complex. We take the fusilli, a long and thin corkscrew-shaped pasta, and mix it with sauteed shrimp, shiitake mushrooms, asparagus, and grape tomatoes. Just when it can't get any better, we top it off with a white wine cream sauce.

Whether your appetite calls for something simple or a bit more elaborate, our two new pasta dishes are sure to please!

Caprese Salad

by Megan Considine

Over the weekend, I happened to walk by Drew - our infamous bartender for well over a decade now - and saw him eating one of the most colorful dishes I have seen in a while. I asked what it was and he said, “The caprese salad. I've been waiting all summer for this.”

I felt very out of the loop for not knowing about this appetizer sensation.  And as a result, I now feel it's my duty to pass along this new-found knowledge to those who might also be unaware of this legendary menu item.

Perfect for summer, our caprese salad is made up of organic, locally-grown heirloom tomatoes that come in a variety of colors (besides your traditional, garden-grown red). We were lucky enough to catch the first batch ripe off the vine!

Combined with housemade fresh mozzarella, chiffonade of basil, roasted garlic, balsamic crème, olive oil, black salt and cracked pepper, this dish has the perfect amount of color for the plate... and taste for the belly!

And apparently, it goes quickly. Sure, we'll be serving it up as long as we can get our hands on tomatoes... but don't miss out on your chance to get in on this summer dish!

Oysters Thermidor

by Megan Considine

The opportunities for a tasty oyster dish are endless. Whether you go for a simple, on-the-half-shell method or opt for a fancier display of rockefeller or casino, oysters have been a delicacy for centuries... however they're made!

And of the many options, we're about to introduce one more. We've been known to experiment with different ways to make a dish unique. And so we present the latest brainchild to surface from the Uptown kitchen: Oysters Thermidor.

Perhaps you've heard of Lobster Thermidor. A creamy combination of lobster meat, egg yolks, mustard and brandy (often Cognac), the resulting mixture is stuffed into a lobster shell. We liked the idea of this classic French dish dating back to 1894, but we wanted to make it our own.

Yep, this is where we loop back to the whole oyster idea.  Why not combine the two concepts?  As a result, we stuff the same amazing combination with our oysters... and wa-laa!  We have just created the Oyster Thermidor. 

Come see us today and tell us your favorite way to enjoy oysters (but only after you try these first to be sure)!

Light Eats & Late-Night Snacks

by Megan Considine

As we transition to August, we are suddenly reminded of the calories we've consumed all summer long. Vacations, parties and warmer weather have a way of getting the best of us and our eating habits.

Here at the Uptown, it's been a summer of meat. From the aged strips to the pork filet and even the Father's Day barbeque trio... we've tried it all. Whether you still haven't got enough of our meaty dishes or are ready to transition to lighter meals, stop down today and you'll find something for everyone.

For instance, we've created two new, light dishes that will help those of us who need it. Back-to-school clothes or wedding dresses anyone?  (Did I mention I'm getting married in 51 days?)

For the appetizer lovers of the world, we created a tri-level dish layered with grilled and marinated eggplant and mozzarella cheese. Enough to share, the dish is served Italian style.  In addition to perfect amounts of fresh mozzarella cheese, Chef Chris also sprinkles in grape tomatoes, capers and basil. 

If a salad starter is more to your liking, we've added a new grilled portabello salad. Served on romaine lettuce, this salad has seared portabello mushrooms, white anchovies, gorgonzola cheese, and grape tomatoes. We drizzle extra virgin olive oil and balsamic dressing over the the top to finish it off.

We realize that sometimes a light salad or a late-night snack is all you have time for during the busy end of summer. As school starts back up and you go back to your routines of sports, homework, school supply shopping and Friday night football, keep us in mind... even if it is for your late-night dinner on the go!

Our full menu is available for carryout during our business hours. In case you haven't been visited lately, our hours are:

Monday - Thursday: 11am-10pm

Friday - Saturday: 11am-11pm

Sunday: 12noon-10pm

Stop down for a quick drink while we get your mess-free meal ready for you in just 10-15 minutes... the perfect amount of time for a quick glass of wine or an ice-cold beer as you head off to the next destination in your busy schedule!

Quiche + Soup + Salad

by Megan Considine

What do the following items have in common: animal print, big sunglasses, button-up shirts, boots, denim jackets, high-waisted pants, leather jackets, leggings, mini skirts, and quiche?

All are 80s trends that have recently come back around... yes even the quiche.

Quiche is a savory, open-faced pastry crust with a filling of custard. The custard is usually made up of cheese, meat, seafood and/or vegetables. Quite versatile, it can be served hot or cold and can be used as a separate entree, as party food, or as a pairing to another dish.

Food critics claim that quiche “lost its way” for a while. Overdone in the 80s and overused for catered affairs, quiche is just now coming back to restaurants.

This happens with all trends though, and some come back around while others simply remain a thing of the past. If leggings can survive... so can quiche! Certainly undeserving of a bleak future, quiche - when done correctly - is a beautiful thing.

We welcome it back to our menu in the form of our Quiche-Mesculyn Salad Combo. We've played by the rules when preparing our quiche: it comes with applewood smoked bacon, housemade asparagus and leeks.

We offer a smaller version of our mesculyn salad (spring greens, dried fig, glazed walnut, and gorgonzola cheese) and serve it on the same tray. We also make room for a cup of our soup of the day... hot or cold. This classic dish is paired with enough variety to keep your taste buds interested and your belly full.

Despite making its first appearance on our daily menu in quite some time, quiche has long been a mainstay on our banquet menu! It is always a hit and a popular option for the showers, parties and functions we host in our banquet room.

Speaking of which... you may have heard we are remodeling. Our banquet room was pegged for the first phase of updates. Completely renovated and gorgeous, it's been finished for several weeks now.

We are very fortunate that we have not yet had to close or disrupt any banquets or daily operations. For those who have been weary about booking with us due to construction, cast your worries aside. We still have the same great banquet options AND a new and improved room!

Consider us for your next baby shower, bridal shower, business meeting, anniversary party or retirement party. Whether you've hosted here before or you're just excited to check out the new digs and give our quiche a try, give us a call today!

We are always happy to answer your questions and are prepared to assist in any way we can.

Job Growth & the Restaurant Industry

by Megan Considine

We placed an ad on Facebook early this spring in search of new employees. As we approached our busiest time of year, we knew we needed to be fully staffed for the tourist season while also covering the shifts of employees who would be taking trips and vacations of their own.

We received an overwhelming response of applicants. In the last two months, we have had over two dozen applications turned in. In the last month alone, we have hired ten new employees. I started to wonder, was this because everyone wanted some extra money this summer? Or were there other forces to consider...

• Is the Illinois economy making it harder to survive? 
• Did people just love our food so much they wanted to be part of the behind-the-scenes action? 
• Was it simply because of an ad on Facebook versus the local newspapers? 
• Or was everyone just dying to be a chef in the making? 

I started to do my homework. As of July 2, 2015, restaurants have added 30,000 jobs to the economy this year! According to the National Restaurant Association, the overall economy is “on track to post its strongest annual employment gain since 1999.”

For eating and drinking places, the 3.7 percent year-to-date growth puts the restaurant industry on track to register its fourth consecutive year with job growth of at least 3.5 percent. This would also be the 16th year in a row that the restaurant industry job growth outpaced the overall economy.

Snack and nonalcoholic beverage bars - including coffee, donut and ice cream shops - were the leaders of the restaurant group with a whopping 6.4 percent employment gain. Quick service restaurants are the runner up in the category with a 3.8 percent gain. Coming in close are table service restaurants (like us) at a 3.5 percent employment gain.

This started to make more sense to me. Those looking for a job know that restaurants are always looking. With perks such as flexible hours, accommodating schedules, tips and room for growth on the chain of command, what's not to love about working in a restaurant?!

Here at the Uptown, we currently employ 69 individuals in 10 different departments. We have those who rely on this as their full time job; we have those who teach or have full time jobs elsewhere and work here on the weekends; we have stay-at-home parents who need a break from their darlings a few days each week; and we have college graduates who come back for Christmas, Spring and Summer breaks.

We have high school students who fit us into their busy academic and athletic schedules, and we have managers who have mastered every department in this industry, worked their way to the top and now run the place. It takes a diverse population to run this restaurant. Day in and day out, it's a constant team effort (especially as we remodel).

In a society riddled with unemployment and economic lows, it's nice to know that our industry continues to be the leader of change! We always welcome new employees and look forward to watching them grow and make their second home with us. Because we are a well-known, respected (30 years on our side) restaurant with wonderful and loyal customers, we are always able to make room for new employees.

As we get ready to transition from the summer to fall, our search for new employees is on again! If you know of someone who would make an awesome addition to our staff, send them our way.

Your support of our day-to-day operations is not only supporting Uptown Grill, but it is also lowering our local unemployment rates... now THAT is teamwork!

Pup-Friendly Patio

by Megan Considine

You see a wide range of groups dining together when you work in a restaurant. You get used to showing hospitality for family gatherings, friends catching up, retirement parties, bridal parties, business functions, etc. It’s just the nature of the job, and we love the variety!

But what about your four-legged best friends?

They stay cooped up all day long while you are at work, so they shouldn’t have to stay at home while you’re out having fun, should they? We didn’t think so! Alfresco dining is so much better when you can enjoy it with ANYONE you love, including your furry babies.

Our sidewalk dining is the the perfect place to enjoy lunch, dinner or a treat with your canine companion.  A great place to be when it’s nice out, the patio is comfortable, cool and shaded.  Our sidewalk tables are evenly spaced allowing your dog to be comfortable and feel welcome without feeling cramped.  We also provide water and offer your pet a doggy treat!

And of course, there are a few extra perks for the humans. We make sure you can hear our music outdoors.  Plus, we treat the experience just as we do any other dining room... by offering a full menu from open to close plus excellent, prompt and thorough service. Our patio section is fully staffed all spring and summer long with servers who are are excited to pop out and get some summer sun while at work (especially the dog and puppy lovers). 

While we encourage our regulars and veterans to let us meet more of their family members, we also hope to catch the eye of the tourists and travelers who are traveling with their dogs!

The nice weather brings a lot of people out and about to our local attractions. All of the following tourist stops are nearby:

• Starved Rock State Park (6.7 miles)
• Matthiessen State Park (7.5 miles)
• Buffalo Rock State Park (12.7 miles)
• Grizzly Jack’s Grand Bear Resort and Water Park (9.8 miles)
• Lock 16 I&M Canal (.10 miles)

It’s safe to say we meet thousands of people each summer from Chicagoland, Quad Cities, Bloomington, Peoria, Rockford, Wisconsin, Iowa, Indiana and more! We love to hear where people come from and how they find us.

For those who bring their dog to the park for the day or those who are driving on their way to or from their destination, we would hate for them to pass us by because their furry companions aren’t welcome!  Whether you've been here before or have been hesitant because you thought your four-legged family members weren’t allowed, think again!

Our patio is always open to you and your friends and family... human and animal alike. If it’s not raining, snowing, or hailing (granted it is Illinois, so sometimes those all happen in the same day) we’re out there ready to serve you.

Stop down for a tasty treat.  It's an experience even Fido can enjoy!

Independence Weekend

by Megan Considine

June is almost over (already) which means the 4th of July isn't far behind. It's amazing how quickly time flies!

Independence is certainly not our busiest holiday with competitors such as New Year's Eve, Valentine's Day, Mother's Day and Easter stealing the glory (no secret there). What makes this holiday so unique and exciting for our downtown LaSalle location is the view. 

Our outdoor dining has glorious views during both the Peru fireworks. That's right... in the Illinois Valley, this holiday is celebrated on July 3. Neighboring cities have fireworks on each of these days. Our neighbor to the west, Peru, is famed for their fireworks which take place at historic Water Street on July 3.

One can sit outside, visit with friends, have a drink, and relax while watching the beautiful fireworks without having to navigate through a busy and loud crowd. The best view in the house isn't the food on your plate or the flowers on your table... it's the fireworks and beauty of small town life.

While we encourage you to find a spot on our patio, we also have all of the makings of a great American holiday on the inside. Red, white and blue! Tried and true! American classics.

Chef Chris is always experimenting with berries. He keeps them on hand for different side dishes and desserts. From strawberries and raspberries, to cheesecake and red velvet cake, red is a color you can always find in our kitchen.

Mashed potatoes, vanilla bean gelato and whipped cream are also found in our kitchen. These white-hued foods are essential to making all of your favorite classics. Not to mention our always fully stocked white wine selection!

Blue is not a hard color to find in our restaurant either - specifically behind the bar. Our bartenders are armed with the knowledge to make your favorite martinis, margaritas and mixed drinks.  They also know how to create the classics or whip up something crazy and unique.

As you prepare to celebrate our nation's Independence Day (color coordinated food is optional), keep us in mind.  We'll be open the following hours for the holiday weekend:

Friday, July 3:  11am - 11pm

Saturday, July 4:  11am - 11pm

Sunday, July 5:  12noon - 10pm

Whatever it is that you enjoy most about the holiday - family gatherings, good food, entertainment, tradition, lots of laughs or memories - let us be a part of the fun.  We always look forward to celebrating with you!

Charcuterie Platter

by Megan Considine

Over the years, we have learned that people snack more during the summer than any other time of the year. With all of the different graduation parties, showers, pool parties, and picnics, lots of meals consist of "just" munchies.

We pride ourselves on being able to accommodate even the heartiest of appetites, but we can't forget about those who prefer an appetizer instead of an eight course meal. We've made room on our appetizer page for our charcuterie platter... a meat tray just light enough to get the job done.

Country pate' is a traditional French dish, similar to meatloaf. The pork is ground, seasoned, and baked in an oven. Unlike meatloaf, however, country pate tastes richer than meatloaf and uses more herbs and some alcohol to add flavor. We are making it in house so you know it will be one-of-a-kind!

Salami Rosa, a cooked salami, has origins in the city of Bologna, Italy. Bologna holds many secrets. From the unexpected river that suddenly appears in some parts of the city, to mysterious sayings and strange images drawn, the salami rosa is right up there. The surprising flavor is mild and full of personality.  Plus, how exactly it came to be is yet another mystery.

Spicy Capicola - sometimes referred to as coppa, capocollo or capicola - is incredibly flavorful.  Both a sweet and spicy meat, it is famed for its delicate flavor and tenderness.

Serrano Redono Iglesias is characterized by its great sensory and nutritive qualities. It has a low salt content and a smooth, slightly salty taste. Ray says, “this is the best you can buy.”

Salami Tosciano hails from Tuscany. We all know Tuscany is famous for its works of art (especially since Michelangelo spent some time there), but nothing compares to this regional creation. Lean pork, a handful of spices and a slow-aging process can only give way to a distinctive bite, taste, and aroma.

Under the direction of Chef Chris, these famous meats have teamed up to form a tasty menu addition. He has a knack for picking the best of the best!

Stop down and try our charcuterie tray.  When the munchies come calling, count on us to supplement your summer fun!

We are confident this will be the perfect snack... light, yet filling.  And even if you decide to stay for a full-course meal once you polish off this beauty, it will be our little secret!

Servers Count Steps

by Megan Considine

When you go out to eat, have you ever stopped and thought about how fast everyone seems to be moving? If the answer in your head was “no, I guess I haven't” or “no, not really,” we can't blame you! (Your only job when you go out to eat is to enjoy yourself, your company, and your meal.)

We don't expect you to consider how many steps a server, bartender or hostess takes. In fact, sometimes in all the hustle and bustle of a busy shift, we even fail to notice just how fast our fellow staff members are moving. Not anymore, thanks to Fitbit!

Fitness trackers, step counters, and good ole pedometers have been around for years... that's no secret.  But in 2013, consumers not only wanted to know how much they were walking while exercising, they also wanted to know how much they were walking while going about their daily lives.

Consumers asked; Fitbit listened.  In a little over two years, Fitbit has sold over 15.4 million bands. Of the 15.4 million sold, 9.5 million are still registered as active users. The Fitbit company has made quite a profit off of the health and fitness-conscious individuals of the world. This device fits nicely on one's wrist and tracks water intake, steps taken, bathroom breaks and sleep. It beeps at you when you haven't met the healthy amount of these categories.

To add even more appeal, Fitbit can also be synced to any phone or mobile device. The intent was to make people more aware of their habits and motivate them to improve their health. Now you'll find people who battle their friends and compete over who's walked more. It's a healthy craze that is sweeping the nation.

So what does this have to do with the Uptown?  A large number of our servers have been seen sporting these bands during the workday.

I figured that since servers spend all day on their feet walking to the front desk, their tables, the kitchen, the bathroom, the bar, the basement, the coolers and the drink station (and back!), they probably beat me in my day-to-day steps. I was right.

A server who works an eight-hour shift walks approximately 12,000 steps (when 10,000 is the normal amount in a 24hour period). A server who works an average shift of four to six hours walks 10,087 steps... that's the equivalent of climbing the Aon Oil Tower in Chicago 6.3 times or climbing the Sears (Willis) Tower 4.8 times! Crazy isn't it?!

What's even crazier is that most of our servers work doubles - lunch and dinner shifts straight through.  Most of them do banquets or concerts; most have other jobs on top of Uptown; and all of them take turns staffing the late shifts turning their 4 hour shift into 7. Our servers certainly work hard while they are here, and I am one to admit I had no idea!

Whatever brings you in next, know that our servers are committed to taking as many steps as it takes to make sure you have a good experience while you're here!

We count on you to keep them on their toes... literally.

Rhubarb Cheesecake &Return of Soft Shell Crabs

Isn't it neat how certain foods have a sense of nostalgia about them? Most of us have memories of our families and loved ones when thinking about our favorite dinners and desserts. I think of my grandma whenever I have pasta salad or whenever I make Christmas cookies. Ryan thinks of his grandmother whenever he has rhubarb pie! He can remember her making it and how tasty it was! My first experience with rhubarb came in the form of a large slice of strawberry-rhubarb pie, complete with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. I remember being mesmerized by the ping pong of sweet and tart flavors.
 

Rhubarb Cheesecake
Now that we are smack dab in the middle of rhubarb season and Chef Chris's spin on rhubarb pie is (coincidentally) about to make its way to our menu, let's talk basics and what you need to know.

Rhubarb is a long, stalky plant that looks quite a bit like celery. It can range in color from deep red to light pink, and even pale green. Regardless of color, your taste buds are always in for a treat. You won't get to see the transformation process from a stalky plant to an Uptown dessert, but as always, the end result is an experience worth stopping in for.

To make our own spin on a classic, we are taking cheesecake and pairing it with a graham cracker coconut crust and then drizzling strawberry rhubarb sauce over the top. (Is your mouth watering yet?!) Pair it with a scoop of our gelato and you'll have recreated a favorite snack from your childhood.

Speaking of tasty, have we mentioned that our soft shell crabs are coming back on Friday?! Rhubarb and soft shell crabs have next to nothing in common right? Wrong! Both have a sweet taste to them.  Both have prime seasons of April through late summer. And soon, they will both find themselves on the Uptown Grill menu! 


Soft Shell Crabs
For those who aren't familiar with soft shell crabs or those who missed them when they were here last, soft shell crabs are a sweet, succulent meat. These crabs are snagged right in the middle of their molting process - and you don't have the difficulty of ripping a shell apart to get to the good stuff. They have a nice, sweet flavor, and they have the perfect amount of crisp in every bite!

Stop in soon for your chance to try the dynamic duo. An out-of-this world soft shell crab dinner with a heavenly strawberry rhubarb cheesecake dessert washed down with your favorite concoction from behind the bar... sounds like the perfect meal!

Stop down to treat yourself before these two items fly off the shelf again!

Just Desserts

After a long winter and not much of a spring, who isn't ready for summer? There is always so much to celebrate! Father's Day, graduations, weddings... oh my!

We are all geared up for the warmer weather, and we're happy to give you an excuse to celebrate any day of the week.  Here are a few reasons to make us your summer dining destination:

• a new gourmet burger flavor each and every Thursday
• great upcoming specials - from salads and sides, to pastas and appetizers
• cool and refreshing summer drinks
• lovely outdoor dining options (our screened-in patio and our sidewalk tables)

And did we mention our 3 new out-of-this-world dessert options?

Newest on our menu is the chocolate fudge cake.... a piece of chocolate cake with chocolate sauce that's lined with chocolate crunch sprinkles on the side. It's a dessert that even chocolate lovers should try with caution! Kids, don't try this at home!

Preparing to make its way to our menu again for an encore performance is the chocolate pecan cobbler. In addition to a scoop of ice cream drizzled with caramel sauce, the pan of this dish is lined with applewood smoked bacon bits and bourbon sauce. If there were ever a time to splurge on a guilty pleasure, this would be it! Act quickly though... this dessert flew out the door in no time when it was here last.

Not to be outdone, the gelato trio is quickly becoming a crowd favorite on our dessert menu. It hasn't been around very long, but it's perfect. Perfect for those who only have a little bit of room for dessert. Perfect for our indecisive guests. Perfect way to try more than one flavor. And with 3 scoops of gelato, it's perfect for the ice cream or gelato lovers!


In addition to our new dessert options, we still offer the following classics: chocolate lava Armageddon, cookies and gelato, creme brûlée and our affogato.

Whether you're up for a change or prefer to stick with your tried-and-true favorite, our dessert menu has something for everyone. After all, dessert is the perfect ending to a perfect summer dining experience. 

Make Uptown Grill your place to be for a sweet treat this season!

Raise a Glass this Holiday

Memorial Day - one of my favorite holidays - is the unofficial start to summer.  Pool covers are taken off. Grills are busted out for the first time. Families get together to celebrate the long weekend.

It's a jam-packed weekend, and it's full of tradition. What better way to remember and celebrate those who have so graciously served (or are serving) our country?  This weekend, hug your loved ones a little tighter and appreciate all that we have to be grateful for!

Join us in raising a glass in honor of our military heroes.  To help, we're listing what "Made Men" calls the 7 most American cocktails.  Our bar is fully stocked, and we'll be serving up these classics all weekend long:

• martini
• bloody mary
• tom collins
• manhattan
• mint julep
• lynchburg lemonade
• long island iced tea

Or feel free to mix it up and give one of our unique Uptown creations a try!  Thirsty yet?  You'll have plenty of opportunities this weekend to stop over and join us for a cold one.

Friday: 11am - 11pm

Saturday: 11am - 11pm

Sunday: 12noon - 10pm

Monday: 4pm - 10pm

Yep, that's right.  Not only are we open from 4pm to 10pm this Memorial Day, we'll also be serving our full menu. We keep everything the same including our Monday special, Steak Diane!

While our biggest competition this holiday weekend will be the cookouts at nearly every house on the block, our doors will be open. We won't be deterred. Perhaps its because over the course of the years, we've discovered that:

• 35% of consumers say they will dine out this holiday
• 1 in 5 will order restaurant carryout
• 66% will take a vacation or trip in which they will visit a restaurant
• middle-aged adults (45-54) are more likely than other age groups to dine out
• 17% will want to dine inside to get out of heat
• 12% will seek out restaurants with summer specials and promotions (did we mention the Steak Diane?)
• 22% will visit a restaurant they have never been to before
• 20% will dine at one of their favorite restaurants

Some other interesting tidbits:

• This year, nearly 37.2 million Americans will travel 50+ miles or more for the weekend.
• Recent polls indicate that Memorial Day ranks as 7th favorite among holidays.

Seriously, what's not to love about this holiday?!  Come celebrate Memorial Day with us and make it #1 in your book!

Whether you're planning to travel 50 miles to get here, or just 5... we're more than prepared to give your grill, your cooler, and/or your kitchen a run for their money. (With guaranteed far less cleanup!)

Whatever you find yourself doing this holiday, remember what it is all about. The food, the drinks, and the fun are a blast... go ahead and create some great memories!  Just remember that without thanking a vet, doing a good deed, or counting your blessings, we have no reason to celebrate. Thank you to all veterans, and God Bless America!

Wishing you all a safe and happy Memorial Day! 

1 Week, 2 Artists, 3 Shows

Listening to live music is one of the most pleasurable things you can do when in your worst mood... and even better when in a good mood. That being said, what is it about live music in a restaurant that makes it such a unique experience?

There are plenty of ways we make a dining experience here enjoyable. For some, it is that you can have a steak at lunch and a sandwich at dinner - our menu is the same all day, everyday. It could be that we are the appropriate place for celebrations, big or small. Maybe it is that you come here and have the full deal from before dinner drinks, all the way to dessert and after dinner drinks.

We have something for everybody and feel confident in being different from the other restaurants in our small area! We've got the food covered and the drinks taken care of, but what do we have to appeal to the music lovers, to “complete the package” and make this the place to be for entertainment?

For 10+ years now, Ray has been combining two of his loves, live music and Uptown Grill. Live music is arguably lacking in our region compared to the Chicago area or other large cities. Whether you are at a fancy restaurant or the corner cafe, live music just makes dining better. Plain and simple.

We average 2-3 shows per month at our Playlist Theater, and in the past decade, we have had some of the greatest performances this area has ever seen. We have some artists who know their way around our stage like nobody's business having played up there at least 2 or more times. We are also privileged to have other artists who are first timers and bring a completely different sound than anything else we are used to. Our stage has seen such diversity, and each performer looks forward to coming back (and we look forward to having them)!

Andy Frasco is making his not first, (nor second or third), but fourth appearance on our stage this coming Thursday, May 14th and Friday, May 15th. Andy has done something different each time he has been here. Regardless, his audience has always left pumped up, exhilarated and fully energized after each set! His performances really are out of this world and are nearly impossible to describe!

Andy Frasco and the United Nations

Thursday, May 14 & Friday, May 15  |  7:30 pm

$22 General Admission  |  Purchase Tickets

A performance as overwhelming as Andy Frasco and the United Nations requires two nights. This is his first back-to-back experience with us here at the Uptown and to make it even more spectacular, it is his first time bringing his entire, original band from the west coast, known as the “California Crew.” There are still a few spots left to see him for both Thursday's and Friday's shows. You don't want to miss out on a show like his! Let Andy Frasco and the United Nations show you a thing or two about how live music should be done.

We are giving our customers only one week to relax and calm down following Andy Frasco's amped up performance before Matthew Ryan and the Northern Wires take our stage on Thursday, May 21, 2015. Matthew Ryan comes to us with a career that spans nearly two decades!

Matthew Ryan and the Northern Wires

Thursday, May 21  |  7:30 pm

$15 General Admission  |  Purchase Tickets

Ray has been a long time fan of him, and we consider ourselves lucky to have been able to squeeze in his performance. We couldn't have picked a better time to have him. Matthew is touring with a new band AND promoting a new CD, Boxers.

Reviews recently included that the “sound of BOXERS is directly related to its content; a lyrically driven story exploring the collisions of hope and frustration. A story that speaks directly to the listener, armed with a resolute anger that somehow comforts, eliciting chills and fist in the air.”

There is nothing better than an artist that uses an album to speak to your soul and bring chills to your bones. Tickets still available for a show you will regret missing!

Let your evening start and end with Uptown. We've been doing this for years, and we love entertaining! We've got all you need from A-Z! Where else can you go for three concerts and two artists all within a week?! Come in for dinner, a drink, or an appetizer before the show. Leave room though because we offer our appetizers and drinks throughout the concert. We send one of our expert servers back there to make sure you have all you need without having to get up... except to dance of course!

Tickets are still available for both Andy Frasco and the United Nations as well as Matthew Ryan and the Northern Wires. Stop in for your tickets today and see why live music is such a thing of beauty and why we at the Uptown Grill continue to make it such a priority!