2015 Reno: The Great Reveal

by Ray Anderes

Well, the last nail has been driven. At times I thought it would be in my coffin. On Thanksgiving Eve, our fabricator came and finished all of the last trim work and touch up. For those of you at a distance or have not been able to check out our new digs, we have put photos from the entire place in a folder for your perusal. All we have left to do are some cosmetics and adding art work, which we are working on.

And, just in time....December is our busiest month. We are looking forward to the month and lots of Christmas cheer in our new surroundings. After the first of the year be on the lookout for some other new exciting changes we are making to our operation. We will keep you posted

And thanks to all my customers and employees for putting up with our mess, the noise, and the disruptions. I hope you think it was worth it.

View our full photo gallery.

Stone Enjoy By 12.25.15

by Jim Lannen

We're adding a new, yet familiar beer to our list just in time for the holidays. At the beginning of 2015, we took advantage of an opportunity to offer Stone Enjoy By beers as part of our draft selection.

The freshest IPA available on the market comes from one of the greats in the craft beer industry, Stone Brewing Company. Located in Escondido, California and dating back to 1996, Stone comes out with their Enjoy By series just a few times a year. And just to be clear, this hoppy West Coast beer is brewed and intended to be consumed within 30 days (hence the date).

Earlier this year, we were given one of only a handful of barrels in the state of Illinois outside the city of Chicago. Enjoy By is one of Stone's signatures brews, and we've been fortunate for the chance to continue offering it. 

So the latest and last segment of their Enjoy By series for 2015 comes our way this week. Stone Enjoy By 12.25.15 is the perfect gift to yourself during your holiday visits to the Uptown. But with the "enjoy by" date right around the corner (just like Christmas!), do not miss your chance at enjoying this brew!

A 9.4% ABV golden colored brew with a creamy white head, Enjoy By is smooth up front... but then comes the power of the hops. It contains more than a dozen hops and is a powerful, fresh double IPA. You will get hints of peaches and other tropical fruit, both on the nose and the palate.I must say, I've been nervous that we would not sell out by the date this brew is set to "expire." However, our area loves craft beer and we've gone through our previous Enjoy By brews fairly quickly. Any place with Stone on tap shows how important a good beer selection should be.

Enjoy it while you can while visiting our recently renovated bar and lounge this holiday season!

Prosciutto Bruschetta & Butternut Squash Ravs

by Josh Theisinger

This week, we're giving our menu a few updates... from a new appetizer to an old-time favorite entree.

Italian Tomato & Prosciutto Bruschetta

Introducing an easy, yet savory appetizer of roasted Italian tomatoes and prosciutto bruschetta! The dish is started with some crispy sourdough toasts and topped with roasted Italian red and yellow tomatoes.

Thinly sliced prosciutto (a salty, dry-cured ham) and ciligiene mozzarella are added before it's all finished off with fresh cracked pepper and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil. It's the perfect combination of savory and sweet... from the tasty meat to the natural sugar of the roasted tomatoes.

 



 
Butternut Squash Ravioli with Brown Sage Butter

Next, we have an entree that always finds its way to our menu during the holiday season. Our ravioli are a crowd pleaser for those cold, wintery days.

The dish consists of butternut squash raviolis pan fried in a browned butter infused with fresh sage. They are then served with freshly grated parmesan reggiano cheese before being served directly to the table.

Take some sage advice, and don't miss out on this winter dish. It's a wise move to visit us soon before the cold weather comes blowing through!

Miracle on First Street

by Ryan Anderes

Tomorrow, we welcome what has become a yearly tradition to downtown LaSalle: Miracle on First Street (and no we are not talking about our completed renovation project).

Presented by the LaSalle Promotional and Advisory Committee, this will be an all-day event on Saturday, December 5th that concludes with the annual lighting of the Christmas tree at City Hall.

Starting as early as 8:00 am, the day will feature plenty of family activities to participate in throughout downtown LaSalle in an effort by the city to provide a fun, holiday atmosphere while promoting local businesses.

Santa will be out and about all morning and afternoon, so make time in your day to bring the kids down to see him. Here are the times and places:

• Join him between 8:00; 10:00 am at the Lock 16 Visitor Center for breakfast ~ Reservations required ~ $10 adults and $7 children
• Snap a photo with him at his temporary LaSalle house on 1st and Wright Streets between 10:00 & 2:00
• Walk alongside him in the annual Christmas parade that begins at 4:00 at The Gathering Place and ends at City Hall 

Here is a list of other activities going on throughout the day:

• 9:00 to noon Santa's Workshop - located at Ax Church, 229 Gooding Street - will offer the opportunity to make a Christmas craft
• 10:00 to 2:00 Get your pet's photo with Santa at Ancare Veterinary Hospital located at 2400 Chartres Street
• 10:30 to 2:00 Free hot chocolate and candy canes will also be available at Dr. Wendy Sanders-Maubach's office
• 9:30 to 1:00 Fire Truck Rides will be available at City Hall 
• 11:00 to noon Holiday Music and Storytelling at LaSalle Public Library 
• 1:00 to 2:30 The Christmas movie "Elf" will be presented at Living Word Church of God, 159 Gooding Street

Take a holiday tour at the Hegler Carus Mansion - Tours run on the hour at 12, 1 , 2 , and 3 o'clock. Carriage rides will also be available from 1 to 4 pm beginning at the corner of First and Marquette Streets. 

The day will conclude with a "Walk with Santa" parade starting at The Gathering Place bowling alley around 4:15 and ending with the lighting of the Christmas tree at City Hall.

Come enjoy a fun-filled, holiday spirit Saturday... but make sure to take a break for a bite to eat here at the Uptown. We will be serving up warm meals all afternoon, or just stop in for a beverage to warm you up!

Mac Daddy Burger

Offered beginning Thursday, 12/3

This week's gourmet burger takes our half pound all-beef patty and tops it with elbow macaroni and swiss cheese with caramelized onions.  Better than your average mac 'n cheese, this treat - combined with a brew of your choice - is the Mac Daddy!

Choose any microbrew or bottled beer to accompany a different and enticing burger, every Thursday, for just $10. (Flavor available the rest of the week at regular menu pricing.)

Click here to view our complete burger photo album