Kitchen Witch

When the late Rev. Peter Mascari built The Grotto in Sherman, he envisioned a gathering place for the senior citizens who were living in the adjacent apartment building and nursing home complex. Although the building has operated as a restaurant since opening several years ago, in some ways his vision was realized. Some local residents […]

At McCormick’s Deli, it’s all about the bread. Baked daily, it’s the foundation on which a variety of meat, cheese and condiments are added. And as we all know, it’s the secret to a good sandwich. Bread makes McCormick’s stand out from the crop of sandwich shops, not the atmosphere or service. Located in a […]

La Sorella Ristorante is the perfect place to cheat on your low-carb diet — and not just a little bit. Really throw caution to the wind and indulge in pasta, cheese gnocchi, homemade bread and wood-fired pizza. It’s easy to do here. In fact, one of the highlights of dining at La Sorella arrives at […]

Valentine’s Day is all about love. The love of creamy chocolate dessert. Prime rib dinners for two. Fresh strawberries and cream. In honor of Cupid’s big day, several area restaurants are offering special menu items. Here’s a sampling of dining options sure to warm your heart: Norb Andy’s Tabarin. Special menu items include a chicken […]

On the Chinese calendar, we’re now in year 4702, the Year of the Monkey. Fifteen days of celebration kicked off on Jan. 22. Of course, naming it a “monkey” year isn’t a commentary on current fashion trends or the fact that we’re in an election year. Chinese lunar years are named for animals; the next […]

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 same for Denney. “I enjoy it,” says the owner and chef of Marcia’s Grand Café in Mt. Pulaski. Denney recently […]

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 discovered there are several other options in town that can toss tofu and spice up chicken with coconut […]

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. Even the complimentary tortilla chips made daily come in shades of orange and purple. So it’s evident this […]

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 these people have one thing in common — unrelenting passion. To be a success in the food industry, like many other […]

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 his appreciation for art can be seen throughout his downtown restaurant — from the life-size portraits of nude woman by the front door, […]

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 authentic Mexican cuisine. The restaurant opened in August in space formerly occupied by Reflections at the Travelodge on the city’s south side. […]

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 tastes like it just came off your stove at home after simmering for several hours. Mariah’s restaurant opened this fall […]