Rockford's Sound Bites

Please Pass me the broth....

I realize that it's been quite awhile since my last post.  I actually had someone email me privately to inform me that there were more than 5 restaurants in town. 
Unfortunately, I've been somewhat out of commission with dining out as I have been battling a digestive disorder that limits my choices significantly.  Call it irony...I love food.  I love dining out.  I decide to write a blog on local restaurants, and I find out that the only way that I can minimize my ongoing discomfort is to eliminate certain categories of foods from my diet.  Anyone ever tried an elimination diet?  You basically eliminate everything but water and broth for 3 days, then slowly add one food at at time every 3 days.  It's sheer torture, but you'll find out what foods are causing you problems. 
In order for me to stay pain free, I've had to eliminate all dairy, all sugar including sucrose, fructose, corn syrup, honey, artificial sweeteners, mushrooms, chocolate, all alcoholic beverages, (yes all of them) vinegar and vinegar containing products while sticking to a very low carb diet.  Yea me!  Sounds like a ton of fun, doesn't it?  Thankfully, after I begin to recover, I can slowly add things, except dairy, back into my diet. 
I can't wait to have a pizza (with no cheese) and a beer!  Although I am improving, I'm taking it slowly with adding taboo foods back into my diet.  I have slipped up here and there and paid the price.  As a result of my illness I have learned to cook pretty creatively.  I make a pretty good lemon and oil salad dressing.  And best of all, I have lost 23 pounds! 
I'll be back in action soon and coming to a restaurant near you.  If you know of a place that serves organic food, please let me know.  I think that would be a great place to reconvene.  Until then....

Bon Appetit'

Lisa 

Vinny's On Block Five/Hairspray --Another Bad Hair Day!

Hello,

It's been way too long since my last entry.  This is a very hectic time of year in the radio business, and it's been especially nutty this year.  Then on top of everything I've had to make some adjustments to my diet due to some food sensitivities I have.  It's made things a little interesting to say the least.  We've been eatting at home a lot lately. 

The last time I went out for dinner was a few weeks ago when my husband and I took my mom and step-dad out for my mom's birthday.  We had tickets to see Hairspray at the Coronado that night, so it made sense to grab something quick downtown.  We quickly decided on Vinnie's On Block 5.  We've eatten just about everywhere downtown except for Vinnie's.  It's on the South East corner of East State Street and 2nd Avenue, right where Deb's Little Italy was located. 

They've done a great job of remodeling the restaurant and giving it more of a contemporary flair.  However, there is only one regular height table in the place.  Luckily, it was empty, as my mom and step dad have some physical diablilities that make it difficult for them to sit comfortalby at a bar height table.   Even before finding our table, my mother fell walking throught the restaurant.  There is a step down in the middle of the place that she didn't see.  So, we were pretty much doomed from that point on. 

We made it through dinner, but I'll just say this to sum everything up:  I miss Deb's.  I was bummed that I would be having to start the diet the next morning. 

Well, I've started the diet and I can eat only a few things.  I've forgiven Vinnie's and I'll put them on my list to try again on a rainy day.  My mother ended up on crutches for 2 weeks due to a sprained ankle.  Happy Birthday Mom!

We all loved the play.  My husband even stayed awake through the entire show!  All in all, it was time well spent with people I love, and we had a good time. 

Until Nextime,

Bon Appetit'

Lisa

The Irish Rose

This past weekend, my husband and I went to The Irish Rose for dinner.  The Rose was an all time favorite of ours for their Friday night "Adult Happy Meals."  The wood grilled grouper was the best I've had.  We quit going to The Rose about a year ago because the grouper just wasn't what it used to be.  I don't know if they started getting their fish from a different source or if they made a change to their kitchen staff.  We gave it several tries and it no longer compared to the grouper we had in the past.  The thrill was gone.

So, we decided to give The Irish Rose another try.  I ordered the whitefish which came with soup or salad, pasta alfredo and fresh aspergus.  I chose a salad with basil vinegrette dressing.  The salad was a nice mixture of greens and the homemade dressing was wonderful.  Unfortunately, the whitefish was a little on the bland side, as was the pasta.  This dish could be so much better with a wine or cream sauce. 

My husband ordered the pork loin medalions whith garlic mashed potatoes, and steamed broccoli.  He also would have enjoyed a sauce with the medalions as they were missing a little flavor.  He raved about the garlic mashed potatoes.  I seriously think he would have been happy with just the potatoes and his Corona! 

Our waitress was attentive and friendly.  I think I like The Rose mostly because of the atmosphere.  The booths are reminicent of the old Rock River Deli that used to be on State and Madison.  (Those were the days.)  And the beat up hard wood floor ads a special warmth.

All in all, I'd give the Irish Rose 3 out of 5 stars.  The Irish Rose is located at 519 East State Steet, right on the cormer of East State Street and 3rd Street.  To make reservations, you can contact The Irish Rose at 815-954-0480. 

Bon Appetit'

Lisa

Five Forks Market -WOW!

Ok, Five Forks is likely to be the best restaurant in Rockford.  I will rave about the food in a minute.  First, I have to tell you, they have a fabulous wine selection right when you walk in the door.  You can pick out the bottle of wine that you'd like to have with your meal, or of course you can get a bottle or two to take home with you. 

The atmosphere is warm and inviting.  The staff is friendly and attentive, but the food is out of this world wonderful.  I did have a glass of their house reisling and my husband had his usual Corona.  We ordered the Bacon Wrapped Dates for an appetiser.  OMG, they are fabulous.  They are dates stuffed with almond slivers, wrapped in bacon and drizzled with a light vinegrette served along side a cup of honey dipping sauce.  For my entre', I had the Ahi Tuna Wraps, which was seared ahi tuna with bib lettuce and sesame ginger sauce.  I loved every bite.  My husband had the beef and bleu which was a flat iron steak dressed with bleu cheese, atop a bed of steamed spinach drizzled in a light vinegrette sauce.  In the middle of our meal, my husband proclaimed that this was by far the best restaurant in Rockford. 

We got the bill and we could hardly believe that our tab was UNDER $60.  That's right, with drinks, appetiser, steak and tuna for entre's, it was under 60 bucks.  Five Forks is worth every penny and then some. 

Five Forks is located at 6565 Lexus Drive, just off of East State Street and Trainer Road, next to Weis Morris.  Call for reservations at 815-229-5500 or visit their website at www.fiveforksmarket.com.

Bon Appetit'

Lisa

Singapore Grill

OMG, if you haven't yet visited this little gem, you need to check it out.  The decor is straight out of South East Asia.  The atmosphere is very warm and inviting and the food is spectacular.  You may think that they paid me to say this, but they have no knowledge that I was even there.  The thing that I was most amazed at was that the place was not packed on a Friday night. 

I had Bruce's filet wrapped Chilean sea bass.  It's served with a bleu cheese sause, garlic potato slices, and aspergus and portabella mushrooms in a wonderful teriyaki sauce.  The dish was quite delicious, but a little rich.

My husband had the Romeo & Juliet, which consisted of grilled chicken and shrimp sauteed with a spicy garlic sauce, served with sauteed vegetables, rice and fresh green beans.  He loved every bite, except the green beans were a little tough. 

The service was okay. (could have been a little more attentive)  We will definately return.

If you'd like to try something a little different, and you enjoy Asian Cuisine, make your reservations now.  Their number is 815-636-1888

Singapore Grill is located at 6930 East Riverside Blvd. in Loves Park, Illinois.

Bon Appetit'

Lisa

LA TOLTECA ES MUY BUENO!

This past weekend, my husband and I ate dinner at La Tolteca.  La Tolteca is a Mexican restaruant located at 1210 Sandy Hollow Road in Rockford.  It's in the parking lot near K-Mart on the corner of Sandy Hollow Road and 11th Street.   The building is bright yellow, so it's hard to miss! 

In my humble opinion, this is the best Mexican restaurant in Rockford.  Their frozen Margarita's are wonderful.  (and they're 2 for 1 on Saturdays!)  My husband was very pleased that La Tolteca serves Corona Light!  Every table is served endless bowls of chips and salsa.  The salsa is just right...not to hot, with just enough of a bite. 

The food is authentic Mexican and it's outstanding.  The ingredients are fresh and flavorful and the portions are unbelievable.  I ordered the Chicken Chimichanga and my husband ordered the Steak Fajita Burrito.  Both dinners came with rice and beans along with lettuce, tomato, guacamole and sour cream.  Neither of us could finish our meal.  We both took our leftovers home and had them for lunch the following day.  It was almost just as tasty. 

The service was good and the staff is very friendly and attentive.  The decor is traditional Mexican with colorful furnishings and bold designs.  The menu has a nice variety of appetizers, entre's and deserts and the prices are very reasonable. 

If you like Mexican food, I highly recommend that you try La Tolteca.  If you don't care for Mexican food, La Tolteca might just change your mind.  La Tolteca es muy bueno!  Reservations can be made by calling 815-226-7730.

Until Next Time,

Bon Appetit'

Lisa

Coming Soon to a Restaurant Near You...

Very soon this blog will be filled with delicious dining experiences.  You'll be able to savor one fabulous food fest each week.  That is of course by living vicariously through me, as I'll be making it my number one mission to sample every restaurant in town.  Be it a classy, fine dining experience or a fast and furious  drive through meal, from lobster to chee burgers, I'm here to taste and tell all. 

So stay tuned.  I'll surely be reviewing a restaurant you've been wanting to try.  If you have a suggestion for a restaurant you'd like me to review.  Please post a suggestion or email me at lisachatfield@maverick-media.ws 

Bon Appetit

Lisa