Kitchen Witch | Thursday, January 22,2004

The portions are grand at Marcia’s

Deborah Denney learned how to cook while serving her country. The chef, who once fed a former president and Navy admirals, now serves up fried chicken livers in a small café. But it's all the s

Kitchen Witch | Thursday, January 15,2004

Another magic act

By Penny Zimmerman-Wills

As I've been a life-long fan of the Magic Kitchen restaurant, I have to admit it's been the primary source of my Thai food cravings for as long as I've been a Springfield resident. But I have d

Kitchen Witch | Thursday, January 8,2004

A colorful café of spice

By Penny Zimmerman-Wills

One step inside Café Brio and you'll quickly get an idea of what kind of food is served there. The bold colors of gold, green, and orange-red are used on everything from the walls to the menus.

Kitchen Witch | Wednesday, December 31,2003

A year of food

By Penny Zimmerman-Wills

Since I began writing this column a year ago, I've had the pleasure of meeting and talking with many restaurant owners, cooks, and food professionals. What I have noticed more than anything is that th

Kitchen Witch | Wednesday, December 24,2003

The art of dining

By Penny Zimmerman-Wills

Two local restaurants are blending food and art to creative an appetizing atmosphere for the senses. "I just love the arts," says chef Augie Mrozowski, owner of Augie's Front Burner. Evidence of

Kitchen Witch | Thursday, December 18,2003

A Mexican victory

By Penny Zimmerman-Wills

Cinco de Mayo is the Mexican holiday celebrating Mexico's victory over an invading French army in 1862. It's also the name of a new Mexican restaurant that does an honorable job of celebrating

Kitchen Witch | Thursday, December 11,2003

The Italian way

By Penny Zimmerman-Wills

A tip before you order at Mariah's: Try something served with the homemade red sauce, a house specialty. The flavorful tomato sauce, which is rich with herbs, spices and onion, is light in texture and

Kitchen Witch | Thursday, December 4,2003

Soup’s on

By Penny Zimmerman-Wills

No matter the season, the soup's always on at the Feed Store. For nearly three decades, the restaurant has been serving up bowls of mushroom bisque and Wisconsin cheese soup for lunchtime crowds. Th

Kitchen Witch | Wednesday, November 26,2003

Gourmet to go

By Penny Zimmerman-Wills

Chef and caterer Dave Linn won't be eating traditional turkey and trimmings this Thanksgiving. It's not because he dislikes the bird. It's just that after preparing approximately 50 complete turkey di

Kitchen Witch | Thursday, November 20,2003

Seafood feast

By Penny Zimmerman-Wills

The New England Lobster House may be a long way from the East Coast, but it's been proving for more than 20 years that tasty seafood does exist in central Illinois. Owner Cathy Sims Norgaard says cu