This column appears in the June 25, 2009, edition of The Daily Journal:

I’m back! Did you miss me while I was on maternity leave? I missed keeping all of you informed about area restaurant news. In fact, as some of you know, I kept posting to the Best Bites blog, which is at www.mykankakeecounty.com. Just about everything I write in this column is posted there first, and in longer form than it is here. Sometimes I even post pictures. For those of you who prefer reading your news on paper, here are some items you missed:
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A development group with local ties has purchased the rights to open a Tilted Kilt Pub & Eatery franchise in Bourbonnais in 2010. The purchase allows Joe Perry of Perry Group Ltd. and five other developers to open the themed restaurants in Will and Kankakee counties and parts of Cook County. They have plans to open locations in New Lenox and Bourbonnais next year, according to a press release, and in Chicago Ridge in September. Tilted Kilt Pub & Eatery first opened inside the Rio Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas in 2003, and there are now 29 locations in 11 states. The sports pub’s menu features largely American fare, though I did see shepherd’s pie and fish and chips among the offerings. But perhaps their food isn’t the biggest draw, as the press release also noted that “the Tilted Kilt wait staff provides an appealing visual experience.” I believe that’s code for, “Your wings and beer are served by scantily clad, well-endowed hotties”, don’t you?
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Subscribers to my e-mail list learned about Tilted Kilt on Monday. If you would like to receive updates from me, send an e-mail to drenckens@daily-journal.com. I send out e-mails for big news, such as openings and closings, plus a weekly e-mail with a list of the week’s headlines on the blog.
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There will be a local foods breakfast from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. on Saturday at the Kankakee County Farmers Market. All the items on the buffet (including farm-fresh egg casserole with new potatoes, chives and cheddar cheese; country ham with orchard cherry chutney, and homemade chicken apple sausage) will be made from locally grown foods. Tickets are $10 each. They can be purchased at the event, though only 200 will be sold, and more than half are sold already, so buying in advance is a good idea. They are available in Kankakee at the Kankakee County Farm Bureau and WKAN studios, and in Bourbonnais at the University of Illinois Extension office and the Kankakee County Soil and Water Conservation District office. Addresses for those businesses, and more details on the menu, are posted on the Best Bites blog.
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Romer Bakery in Bradley has closed. The bakery, which was also home to A Piece A Cake and Mr. Java’s Coffee House, was located at 200 N. Washington. (Thanks to a reader named Donna for that tip.)
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JR’s Chicken was hoping to open a Bourbonnais location this week or next. I’ll post an update online as soon as I hear of a firm date. (Thanks to a reader named Rob for that tip.)
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My new dining partner is a little boy named Grady. He made his debut on the restaurant scene at the tender age of one week, when we took him to one of my favorite restaurants, Armenise’s Eighteen 75. It’s never too early to teach a kid manners, right?

Best Bites appears Thursdays in The Daily Journal. If you have food-related news to share, contact Denise at drenckens@daily-journal.com or 815.937.3374.

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