April 2008

April 25, 2008

Lucky Number Seven

A new venture in downtown Belleville (that's in Illinois, kids!) brings together enough successful influences that we have to believe the whole thing's gonna blow up huge: first, a return to the foodie scene of influential chef/impresario Blake Brokaw, he of Lo, Hungry Buddha, Chocolate Bar (1.0) and Tangerine, RIP. Brokaw's crafted the menu for Seven, a new restaurant/lounge setting up shop in a rehabbed downtown building in Belleville's blossoming downtown. The spot's backers have, among them, years of experience in restaurants and clubs throughout the region. Throw in WiFi, DJs at night and a 2 a.m. close time for attracting a late-night crowd...

Reportedly, there will be a website here; find the joint at 7 South High St., (618) 277-6700; it's open in a big way starting with lunch on Monday, April 28.

April 17, 2008

Welcome to the Blogosphere!

Guess what, kids? Our favorite local foods grocery (and soon to be expanded into a café side, as well) is blogging! Local Harvest Grocery co-owner Maddie Earnest has a few entries up...new blogs sprouting for spring!

Also, check out this cool-sounding conference noted there: I hadn't heard anything else about it yet.

April 11, 2008

Health Food Downtown

In the shadow of the hulking Syndicate project (and soon to be in the shadow of Roberts Brothers Go Greenapalooza), there's a small health food market called "La Buena Salud" that's been open for a few weeks now, by my count. It's a still-growing inventory that includes: supplements/vitamins/potions galore, some of those wacky health books favored by such shops, a small selection of grocery items (including local stuff from Black Bear Bakery, Local Harvest Grocery and a few others), organic bath/body/beauty products and tea. Lots of tea. Oh, and a little bulk section, too.

All in all, an interesting addition to Locust, at 917-A. Here's hoping the market finds them.

April 10, 2008

Taste Treat of the Week: Sodalicious! It's Right There in the Name

Mmmmm. So, this divine hunk of sugary love emanates from
Veruca Bakeshop and Café, down there in Benton Park, but truth be told, I procured mine at Local Harvest Grocery, one of the outlets carrying the treats of pastry chef Mathew Rice. Sodalicous is this: a chilled, wax-paper-wrapped wedge of one of those great Southern creations, cola-infused cake (we like to think it's the Real Thing, but I can't say for sure) with a thick middle layer of cherry buttercream icing. It's moist and not overly sweet, and, well, so delicious...