Best Bites print column (Feb. 11, 2010)
Here’s a copy of the Best Bites column that appears in today’s edition of The Daily Journal.
I’ve got good news for fans of craft beer: Oliver’s Bar & Grill (800 N. Kinzie Ave.) in Bradley has unveiled a new lineup of 18 draft handles, several of which are import or craft brews. Beers now on draft include Dogfish Head (Indian brown ale), Founders Centennial IPA, Bell’s (amber lager), Great Lakes Eliot Nes (amber lager), Modelo Especial, Weihenstephan (wheat ale), Guinness, Smithwicks, Shock Top and Woodchuck Cider.
If you’re adventurous, try mixing the beers. An Amber Velvet is a combination of Smithwicks and Woodchuck Cider. A Black Velvet combines Guinness and Woodchuck, and a Black & Blue is Guinness and Blue Moon.
Besides Oliver’s popular $3 martini night every Thursday, there are also $4 burgers and $3 drafts (including all the beers listed above) every Wednesday. If you like playing poker, Oliver’s hosts a WPT Texas Hold ‘em Poker League every Tuesday. It’s free to play, and winners receive points with WPT. Play begins at 7:30.
Oliver’s Bar & Grill is inside Quality Inn & Suites. Bar hours are 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. daily. The kitchen is open until midnight.
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Two area restaurants have contacted me with special Valentine’s Day offerings:
* America’s Bistro (110 Meadowview Center) in Kankakee will be open on Valentine’s Day for brunch and dinner. The restaurant is normally closed on Sundays, but on Feb. 14 they will be serving brunch from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and dinner from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. Call (815) 932-6795 for reservations.
* Bennett-Curtis House (302 W. Taylor St.) in Grant Park is offering special dinner-for-two packages on Saturday and Sunday evening that include a five-course meal and a horse and carriage ride. They are also holding one of their Murder Mystery Dinners on Saturday. To make a reservation or for more information, call (815) 465-2288.
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Dinner by Design (1230 N. Convent St.) in Bourbonnais will close at the end of the month. The business opened in July 2008. Their last day will be Saturday, Feb. 28. The hot-lunch program has been discontinued, and the hot-dinner program ends Friday. But the freezer case is still stocked, and there’s still time to place your entree order or schedule kitchen time. Call (815) 802-2003, go online to www.dinnerbydesignkitchen.com, or visit the store. Best wishes to owners Vicky Mansberger and Laurel Gowler.
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I haven’t been able to confirm this, but I’ve heard from multiple sources that Club Irwin (4460 Main St., Irwin) has closed.
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Best Bites appears every Thursday in The Daily Journal. Denise can be reached at (815) 937-3374 or at drenckens@daily-journal.com.
