Articles & Stories | Rockford IL

A Clasico Favorite at Mi Placita

In late 2022, Mi Placita opened up on Riverside. As a branch of Mexico Clasico, you know you are in for a delicious experience!We ventured into Mi Placita for a weeknight dinner and were greeted by the incredibly friendly staff. This is a great north-end option if classic Mexican dishes are your jam. We started with bottomless chips and salsa. The salsa was loaded with flavor and the chips were obviously fresh. Just like their south-end sister, if you order the guacamole, it is made fresh to your liking. I am always blown away by the freshness and flavor profile.Eventually, we moved on to our entrees. We asked what dishes were most popular and ordered those. We figured the masses of the Rockford area wouldn’t steer us wrong, and we were right! We started with Los Tres Amigos: sliced steak, chicken breast, and shrimp. Choice of garlic or diabla for the shrimp and served with black beans and avocado salad. Talk about delicious. The meats were all cooked amazingly. We opted for the diablo sauce and were delighted that it was actually spicy! This dish wakes up your senses. The grilled veggies (onions and jalapeños ) were fantastic and beautifully presented. With all the additional sides, this was easily two meals (maybe because we just indulged in bottomless chips and salsa 😜).Next up, the most popular fajita dish the Texas fajitas: sizzling grilled steak, grilled chicken & shrimp. Cooked with bell peppers, onions, and tomatoes. Served with rice, beans, lettuce, guacamole, sour cream, pico de gallo, and tortillas. The shrimp was perfectly prepared. No chewy texture here. The generous portion of this dish makes it easily shareable. The flavors of the grilled veggies really shine in this dish. This is perfect for those who like to make their own handheld and don’t want to risk a spicy meal. Want to kick it up a notch? Just ask for hot sauce and go nuts! Order your favorite margarita and you’re all set! We definitely can’t wait to go back and try a few more of their specialty dishes. See you there, Rockford!

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A Beautiful Evening at Abreo

Sometimes we ditch the jeans and t-shirt for something fancier. We headed to Abreo to celebrate the season of love. Lucky for us, we were starving by the time we got to Abreo… meaning we tried a lot of food 😂. We started with shrimp asiago with lemon, garlic, butter, and a grilled baguette. This delicious buttery appetizer is perfect for two to share (but it’s so good you may not want to!). It comes served piping hot in a tiny skillet. Dip, dunk, and soak your baguette in garlic butter and asiago cheese topped with perfectly cooked shrimp. Dinner came out and we started with the duck and figs, a seared duck breast, dried fig, honey-red wine jus, braised Tokyo turnips, and a crisp lentil croquette. The duck was prepared beautifully—the tender meat with delicious and prepared skin on, giving it a delightful crisp. The wine jus is a perfect pairing and is poured on your plate upon presentation. The crisp lentil croquette was a fun experience as a crunchy, flavor-packed side.Next up, the beef tenderloin with foie gras cream, garlic roasted maitake mushrooms, and roasted pumpkin. We requested a rare cook, and the beef absolutely melted in our mouths. The filet was seasoned beautifully, cooked perfectly, and absolutely perfectly paired with the rest of the plate. The mushrooms were delicious, the pumpkin was creamy, and everything was amazing.We couldn’t leave without dessert, and the warm chocolate cake with salted caramel was the perfect finisher. We added a scoop of house-made ice cream, which made an amazing dessert even better. This is perfect for two to share, but we recommend drawing a line in the cake… so you get your fair share 😉. Love knows no bounds, except your half of dessert.We can’t end this review without a shout-out to Jake’s favorite drink, the Hickory Stick. Whether you like a glass of wine or a signature cocktail, Abreo has you covered. The fantastic food is only one reason to visit, another is the amazing staff. From reservation to the end of our evening, the whole experience was smooth and friendly. Treat someone special in your life to a stunning evening downtown.

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Rock-Pho'd Will Rock Your World

Have you been to Rock Pho’d yet? We gave it a try for the first time, and it blew us away!We stumbled in on a cold blustery night and were immediately greeted by the phenomenal, let me repeat… phenomenal staff. We checked out the menu and instantly knew we were in good hands.We started with appetizers, because how can you not? The crab rangoon was delicious and had a generous about of meat. The sweet and sour sauce was perfect and served in ample quantity. The crispy potstickers were perfection. The filling was generous and so incredibly flavorful, and the homemade sesame soy sauce was out of this world. Seriously, I’m putting it on everything.We decided to try the Banh Xeo Vietnamese Crepe and Nam Khao for entrees. The crepe is a unique dish. It is a fried rice flour crepe stuffed with shrimp, thinly slice bbq pork, and bean sprouts. Served with lettuce, carrots, and cilantro with a side of homemade Laotian sweet chili vinegar sauce. Packed full of meat, this was a huge dish. Everything was cooked perfectly and so packed with flavor. The Nam Khao is crispy curry marinaded rice with bits of pickled pork, chopped peanuts, green onions, cilantro, lime, and dried chilis. Served with lettuce cups and cilantro. It says bits of pickled pork, but the meat serving was generous and the flavor knocked our socks off. Add extra meat or a side of Jasmine rice if you’re looking for a bit more, but this meal as a stand-alone was generously portioned. On the table, you’ll find the classic toppings, including chili oil. And no worries, they have to-go portions all ready for your leftovers.We couldn’t have possibly had a better visit, and with the outstanding food, amazing staff, and cozy atmosphere… we simply cannot wait to return.

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Lunch at Garrett's Restaurant and Bar

Did you hear?! Garrett’s Restaurant and Bar is not only open for lunch, but they are open for lunch on Sundays! We had to stop by and check it out.We are a sucker for an appetizer menu, and it was no different at Garrett’s. We had to order their Reuben Rolls! These are a big shareable appetizer, but you may want to keep them all to yourself. The wrap is flaky and thin, meaning all the flavor comes from what is packed inside: corned beef, Swiss cheese, and sauerkraut. Dipped in dressing, these will keep you coming back for more. Up next was the pulled pork. You get options here! Pick your favorite bbq sauce and dive into this stacked high sandwich perfect for the meat lover in your family. They have 5 bbq sauces, and well… we may have to go back and try them all. We started with the garlic bbq and can’t wait to try them all! Served with chips or fries, you aren’t leaving hungry.Thinking of something lighter? Try their thin breads! A lighter version of the sandwich, these feature the thin bread from Mary’s Market. The chicken bacon ranch sticks to a classic flavor with flame-grilled chicken and some fresh veggies. It’s great to have another Sunday option around town! Stop in and enjoy your Sunday Funday (or any day of the week) at Garrett’s.

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Pizza from The Firebox Restaurant & Pizzeria

Cruise through Belvidere often? Make sure you stop by Fire Box to try their pizza!Fire Box is a half-service restaurant, so grab a seat, head to the bar, and place your order! They then bring piping hot pizza straight from the fire box to your table. We love a pizza joint with creative pre-selects, and Fire Box has plenty of pre-selects for you to choose from. Need topping control? Create your own, just the way you like it.Their pizza has a cornmeal-dusted crust, adding that extra crunch with every bite. The sauce was spot on and the cheese was loaded on top.The appetizers are amazing! Some of the best breaded mushrooms we have ever had. You can tell because we dug in before taking a photo 🤣. They have a lunch special too for those busy weekdays.Stop in, grab a slice, and say hi!

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Celebration of Chocolate Month Poll

Celebration of Chocolate Month is specially dedicated to celebrating the tasty goodness that is chocolate. So tell us, where do you get your local chocolate?

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Take a trip to Discovery Town

It’s time for a road trip, and it’s an easy drive to this pint-sized city! Take the family to Discovery Town…a temporary exhibit at Discovery Center Museum where children play as they learn about the people and places that make up a community. The exhibition opens February 11 and runs through May 29. Discovery Center created this temporary exhibit several years ago and is bringing it back due to popular demand.Discovery Town is a friendly little town with a focus on fun! Each stop on the trip through this mini city provides opportunities for children to try out adult roles through role play. This cityscape created just for kids offers a collection of storefronts where our youngest citizens are the shopkeepers and customers. Children have the freedom to safely explore, discover, and learn through creative and imaginative play in a pint-sized community. While in Discovery Town, children can explore a variety of settings:Vet Clinic: Give your furry friend a checkup. Then make your pet pretty at the grooming table!Theater: Dress in costume and give a performance worthy of a Tony award.Post Office: Sort the mail, fill your bag, and deliver letters all over town!Airport: Sort and load packages, fire up the engine, and pilot your way to…anywhere!Pizza Shop: Take an order, then prepare, bake and serve up some pizza!Fire Station: Answer emergency calls, suit up in firefighter gear, drive the fire truck and then battle a blaze!Classroom: Be the teacher or the student and enjoy school-themed activities.Town Park: Enjoy outdoor games in this big green space, and take a spin on the sock skating rink.Town Zoo: Check out the giant giraffe, lion, zebra and monkey. “Children explore and learn about the world around them through role play,” explains Sarah Wolf, executive director at Discovery Center. While not all children decide so early, it’s fundamental to children’s development for them to understand their potential and their options, and to see themselves in different roles. Discovery Town is sponsored in part by Associated Bank, Smith Charitable Foundation and JL Clark. Admission to Discovery Center and the Discovery Town exhibit is $11 for the public and free to museum members.

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Thai Hut Reopened for Dine In

In case you missed it, Thai Hut is now reopened for dine-in! This Rockford staple has been on our list to try for a while, and we were thrilled to join them in person.One does not simply go to Thai Hut and not order an appetizer… or two. We started with the Pot Stickers and Crab Rangoons. The Potstickers were absolutely delicious and came with a special sauce with a thick consistency. The sauce added that bold flavor profile and being thick didn’t leave a drip trail across your plate. The Crab Rangoons are savory and served with a delicious sweet and sour sauce. These will definitely be on the regular rotation for us!On to the entrees! We ordered Thai Hut’s Special Combo, an incredible stir-fried combination of chicken, shrimp, and imitation crab with mixed vegetables and cashew nuts. Served with a side of rice, this delicious stir fry is cooked in their house sauce and deserving of the name Thai Hut Special. This mouth-watering entree is going to keep you coming back for more. The mix of proteins kept the flavors fresh and exciting. The sauce truly makes this dish! Drunken Noodle was next, your choice of meat stir-fried with rice noodles, tomatoes, onions, eggs, peppers, bean sprouts, and basil. We decided to add pork to this dish and I’m glad we did! The thick rice noodle was unique and fun, and the colors in this dish were bright and fresh. The veggies were stir-fried to maintain their crisp texture, and the heat really popped on this one. No worries, you choose your level of spice. It’s like a choose-your-own-adventure meal!The service was phenomenal, the food was delicious, and the atmosphere was great! Be sure to stop in for lunch or dinner soon!

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Rockford Symphony Orchestra Presents The Music of John Williams on Feb. 11

The Rockford Symphony Orchestra will be taking the stage on February 11 at 7:30 pm at the Coronado Performing Arts Center to present the Music of John Williams. Jaws, Star Wars, Harry Potter, Raiders of the Lost Ark…Williams has composed many of the classic movie scores of our time. As a special component of the program, a group of area high school students will be singing with the orchestra during the Saving Private Ryan piece.The concert will be conducted by Kevin Stites, who is thrilled to be returning to his “hometown” orchestra, having conducted a solo concert with Kristin Chenoweth and the RSO in 20??. He most recently made his Chicago Symphony and Ravinia Festival debuts and spent six seasons as Music Director for the Radio City Christmas Spectacular. His work on Broadway includes: South Pacific, Tale of Two Cities, The Color Purple, Titanic, Sunset Boulevard, Les Miserables (2006 revival), and Fiddler on the Roof, among others. He also has spent time touring with productions and worked in film and TV.Kevin is a proud graduate of Pecatonica High School, Pecatonica IL, and earned his Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees from the University of Illinois at Urbana/Champaign.Tickets are available online at rockfordsymphony.com, by phone at 815-965-0049, or by visiting the RSO offices which are open M-F 9-5.

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Beef Wellington at Franchesco's

Run, don’t walk! Franchesco’s is featuring a new special just for the month of January. On Friday and Saturday nights, you can order Beef Wellington. We had to go try it for ourselves! It’s a tough job, but someone has to do it 😂.First of all, have you tried Franchesco’s garlic bread? They bring it to the table for you to enjoy with olive oil before your meal. It’s warm, soft, and utterly delicious. Say yes to the bread.It was a cold night in January, so we opted to warm up with some Lobster Bisque soup. This creamy concoction really warms the soul and tastes amazing. Dip some of the garlic bread in it if you like!Then on to the main event, the Beef Wellington. A filet mignon with a mushroom and Boursin cheese layer, all wrapped in a puff pastry. It’s paired with asparagus and carrots, layered on top of a cauliflower puree. The cauliflower puree is smooth and layered with bacon flavors. It pairs beautifully with the meat. The filet is cooked perfectly to medium. Blend all these flavors together and you definitely have a meal you’ll tell your friends about. We made it a family outing and have it on good authority that the kids ravioli is “super good and very filling”. So don’t feel like you have to leave the kids at home for this one. Unless you want to, 😉.We ended the evening with their Creme Brûlée. A thick delicious vanilla custard with a caramelized sugar topping. Served with whipped cream and fresh berries, this was a sweet ending to a lovely meal.But hurry! The Beef Wellington is only available on Fridays and Saturdays in January, and then it’s gone. Try this exquisite meal for yourself!

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Bring Your Buddy to Buddy's Burgers

Want to build your burger, but don’t want to make it yourself? Buddy’s Burgers was made for you. Personalize your burger from bun to condiments.Just off Riverside Blvd. in Rockford, IL, Buddy’s Burgers is known for its custom burgers, but also offers Italian beef, Chicago-style hot dogs, and catering for a bigger crowd. When you walk in, head to the counter to order. They offer weekly special burgers, or you can build your own. Love a mushroom swiss burger? Build it! Love a classic pairing? Build it! Want to get wild and see what you can create? Build it! Select how many smash patties you want. The edges are crisp and the center is juicy. They offer gluten-free, pretzel, brioche, or Texas toast buns. From there, the world is your oyster. Make it a basket by adding a regular or premium side (mozzarella sticks anyone?) and a drink.Leave room for dessert! They have ice cream sundaes, milkshakes, and more!

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WSSR ANNOUNCES OFFICIAL SELECTIONS OF THE ROCKFORD NEW WORDS WRITING FESTIVAL

The West Side Show Room announces the official selections for Rockford New Words 2023. New works written for performance were chosen from 243 submissions representing writers from Rockford and around the world. Ten plays, poems, monologues, and stories will be presented in a staged reading at 7pm on January 19, 20, and 21, 2023 at The West Side Show Room in Rockford. The January 4th performance will also be broadcast on Facebook. The theme of this year’s festival is “Healing + Homage.” RNW Artistic Director Claudia Consuelos felt her upbringing had impacted her in multiple ways, whether positive or negative. “As we navigate life, we carry with us great generational traditions, but we must also break free from their curses,” Consuelos said. “This year we wanted to ask writers to consider the ways in which they honor and heal from those who came before.” This theme inspired first-time Rockford playwright Whitney Howell, who uses the name Nena Monroe in her artistic endeavors, to write the play “The Perfect Sweet Potato Pie” as a way of processing the grief she experienced from the death of her sister. “My sister was a nurse who worked on the frontlines of the pandemic and passed away from Covid,” Howell said. “Even though she’s gone physically, it’s like I’ve created a whole new memory with her that I will forever cherish.” Likewise, the poem “Spider In The Labyrinth” by Rockford writer JP Rindfleisch IX, deals with loss. Rindfliesch, whose work embodies “things dark, strange, and queer,” says “Loss is painful, and many times we lose those we love before we have time to say goodbye. We find ways to honor them and heal from the regrets of conversations we didn’t get to have.” Linda Zuba, whose work was first chosen for Rockford New Words in 2019, is back with a monologue entitled “Letter to Mamá.” After a serious case of COVID 2 years ago, Linda’s life drastically changed as she knew it and as she loved it. “My healing journey has involved repairing the physical damage as well as psychological wounds from suppressed emotions and vicarious trauma.” In its eighth year, Rockford New Words continues to provide opportunities for aspiring and established writers from the Rockford area to have their works selected, evaluated, and presented professionally to the public alongside national and international writers. Each writer receives a $200 royalty for the rights to present their new work. Rockford New Words received an Arts & Humanities Fund grant from the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois, and a Community Arts Access Grant from the Rockford Area Arts Council to support this one of a kind literary event. For more information and to reserve tickets, please visit wssr.org OFFICIAL SELECTIONS The Perfect Sweet Potato Pie | PlayNena Monroe (Rockford, IL) Photobombed | MonologueAnne Valentino (Rockville, MD) The Gettysburg Redress | PoemEileen Byrne (Wilmette, IL) Kill The Beast | PlayD.A. Mindell (New York, NY) New Year’s Purun | PlayJustin P. Lopez (San Francisco, CA) Father’s Day Of Silence: A Healing Hymn In Words | Poem/MonologueCris Eli Blak (Louisville, KY) srinivas | MonologueRajendra Ramoon Maharaj (Brooklyn, NY) Letter to Mamá | MonologueLinda Zuba (Rockford, IL) Second Act | StorytellingSavanna Mapelli (Yardley, PA) Spider in the Labyrinth | PoetryJP Rindfleisch IX (Rockford, IL)

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Rockford’s Best Ruben at Vintage 501

Vintage at 501 made a bold statement on its Facebook page a few weeks ago. They claim to have the city’s best Reuben. So naturally, we had to go try it.We’ll get to the Reuben, but one does not simply go to Vintage without ordering the Million Dollar Bacon (thick-cut bacon, cracked black peppercorn, cayenne pepper, chili flakes, brown sugar, slow-roasted to absolute perfection)! This sweet and spicy take on bacon is sure to be a table-pleaser. Next up, The 50/50 Burger: 50% Black Angus Beef and 50% Bacon mixed together and hand pattied, topped with cheddar cheese, sriracha, and a sunny side up egg, on a pretzel bun. We already know that pretzel buns are superior, but a pretzel bun with a burger that is 50% bacon…? Perfection. This well-prepared burger packs a delicious flavor that is accentuated by the sunny-side-up egg. Want lettuce, tomato, and onion? Just ask! Served with fries to make this a filling meal.The time has come to discuss the Reuben. Is it the best in Rockford? We have to agree! Slow-cooked and thick-cut corn beef, sauerkraut, swiss cheese, and 1000 Island dressing come together in a beautiful creation that brings people in daily. Marbled rye bread, toasted to perfection, brings the flavors together. The thick-cut corn beef really sets this Reuben apart. We’ll be back for this one!Stop in to try the Reuben or any other menu item at Vintage 501. See you next time, Rockford!

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Murder Mystery Fundraising Dinner to Support RSO

The Rockford Symphony Orchestra (RSO) invites the community to an evening of glamour, fun, and intrigue at an Old Hollywood Murder Mystery Dinner to benefit the RSO’s music education initiatives on January 20 in the Embassy Suites ballroom. Cocktails, appetizers, live music, and a special guest will kick off the night from 6-7 p.m. The dinner theater begins at 7 p.m. Guests are invited to a star-studded Hollywood dinner on the estate of Sir Warren Peace, where the killer crowd assembled will be kept guessing as to who the next victim will be and who the unhinged guest is that keeps whacking the invitees. Guests are encouraged to dress the part as their favorite Hollywood star or in their most glamorous finery. In attendance will be the new Music Director of the RSO! The new Maestro will be announced on January 18 and the Murder Mystery Dinner will be his/her first official engagement in the role. Tickets are available online at rockfordsymphony.com, by phone at 815-965-0049, or by visiting the RSO offices which are open M-F 9-5.

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Classic Grilled Plates at Hacienda San Jose

If you’ve never been to Hacienda San Jose, it’s time to make the trip down East State Street! When you walk in you are greeted by the fun atmosphere and pleasant team.We all know it’s about the chips and salsa, and if you are a fan of traditional salsas, this is the place for you. You get three salsas of various spice levels and flavors. It was hard to choose a favorite, so be sure to tell us which is yours!Sometimes you just need classic fajitas, so that’s what we started with. The mixed fajitas lets you choose which protein combo you’d like. Treat yourself and get up to three. We went with the classic steak, chicken, and shrimp. These are served sizzling with a variety of cooked peppers, onions, tomatoes, and all the classic fajita sides including rice, beans, fresh vegetables, and cheese. Choose your preferred tortilla and start building your meal! These are big enough to share, or make a perfect leftover meal for the next day.Not feeling fajitas? Try their classic dinners. Steak, chicken, and shrimp grilled to perfection and served with classic vegetables, rice, beans, fresh vegetables, avocado, and tortillas. The whole grilled vegetables are a delicious addition to this dish. You can enjoy this meal many different ways, and each one of them is delicious.Add a margarita and you have a great local meal. Share your favorite dishes with us to try on our next visit!

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Favorite Local Gym

As a new year and new month start, many people begin working on their resolutions. Tell us your favorite local gym! What makes them stand out? We want to know!

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Brunch at Fresco

Anderson Japanese Gardens is known for its amazing grounds that transport you to a beautiful Japanese Garden. Tucked inside the Visitor Center is Fresco at the Gardens, a fresh breakfast and lunch restaurant with stunning views and a warm ambiance.Fresco is known for its fresh flavors and spins on classic dishes. We ordered breakfast to start our day off. First up, the Fresco Breakfast. This is perfect for the person who wants it all! Sausage, bacon, potatoes, eggs, and a sweet side of your choice make this a meal fit for champions. The sausage is house blended into thick patties, and the bacon is cooked to that perfect texture. Add 2 eggs your way and a pile of roasted breakfast potatoes and there is no way you are leaving hungry. You get to choose from 1/2 a waffle, pancakes, or French toast to round out this savory feast. The French Toast is thick, fluffy, and why love songs are written. Another popular dish is Fresco’s Egg Benedict. Artisan challah rolls topped with thick cut natural smoked pit ham, organic eggs, and topped with artisan hollandaise sauce. If you are a Benedict fan, you have to dig into Fresco’s version. Served with breakfast potatoes and fresh fruit, this is sure to start your day off right.Enjoy the Garden views, the warmth of the fireplace, and the excellent service at Fresco at the Gardens.

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Sushi at Shogun

When was the last time you visited Shogun? We headed out for a celebration and sushi!Shogun is one of those places where you can never restrain yourself to only order one thing, so wear your stretchy pants and go all in. We started with gyoza, a steamed dumpling filled with meat and veggies. The texture of the gyoza was perfect, and paired with the dipping sauce this dish is the perfect start to any Shogun meal. You can’t go wrong with sushi at Shogun. They have simple flavors, such as the salmon roll, yellowtail roll, etc., to very detailed rolls such as the Rockford Roll and more. Keep in mind that you can request hand rolled for many of the choices! Shogun is known for their fresh sushi and did not disappoint.Even though we sat on the cafe side, we gave a grill recipe a try. The Beef Teriyaki was an impressive assortment of veggies, steak, and rice. Cooked to your preference, the steak is delicious, and treated to a splash of teriyaki sauce to enhance it’s flavor. The fresh vegetables come in a huge portion to help keep you full.Shogun is a great choice for any celebration, or just Wednesday. So go ahead, make today a celebration.

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Breakfast at Magpie

Magpie is an adorable restaurant in the heart of downtown Rockford. Serving breakfast and lunch, there is plenty to explore!We started with breakfast and will definitely be back to try lunch soon. First up, the Reuben 3 Egg Omelet. If you are a fan of corned beef and sauerkraut… run, don’t walk, to enjoy this delectable and unique omelet. The Swiss cheese and French drizzle on top really melted all of the flavors together. The corned beef is house-made, and you’ll never return to anything else. Served with potatoes and toast with house-made jam, you are set to tackle the day.Next, a classic breakfast with a little bit of everything. A bed of potatoes, topped with a single biscuit, gravy, bacon, and eggs. Can’t decide what you want? This is it. Get a taste of all of your savory favorites in one bite. With house-made gravy, you can’t go wrong with this delicious dish.But wait! What if you have a sweet tooth? You order Magpie’s amazing French toast. Thick baguette slices made into delicious French toast are topped with powdered sugar and cinnamon butter. Order their stuffed French toast for an extra dose of sweet infusion. Whatever you decide to order at Magpie’s, add a cup of their delicious coffee and it will be the perfect kickstart to your day. Enjoy!

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Rockford Symphony Orchestra to Present Holiday Pops

The Rockford Symphony Orchestra will be presenting Holiday Pops on Saturday, December 17 at 7:30 PM at the Coronado Performing Arts Center. One of the Rockford area’s most loved holiday traditions will be conducted by locally recognized music director Kevin Jensen. Special guests include the Nielsen Chorale and Rock Valley College’s Chris Brady. The concert will feature holiday classics including The Christmas Song and the Hanukkah Festival Overture along with some fun contemporary pieces such as Elf The Musical Medley and The Toy Trumpet featuring the RSO’s principal trumpet Mark Baldin. And no Holiday Pops is complete without the sing-a-long. Jensen was the conductor and musical director for the Rockford Wind Ensemble starting with its founding in 2002 until retiring in 2022. His 35-year career as a music teacher included Eureka, Batavia, and Loves Park/ Machesney Park (Harlem) high schools. In 2014 he was given the Rockford Mayor’s Arts Award, and in 2015 was recognized as the “Outstanding Alumni” for the School of Music at Illinois State University. While at ISU, he served as drum major of the "Big Red Marching Machine". Jensen is an acclaimed composer with nearly 40 commercially published works and over 200 freelance commissioned works to his credit.Order your tickets today online at www.rockfordsymphony.com, by phone at 815-965-0049, or in person at the RSO box office.

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Meet Iron Salamander - A Full Service Food Truck

Have you been out to Barnstormer Distillery lately? They just welcomed the Iron Salamander, a new food truck, to their hangar experience. What makes Iron Salamander special? They offer a full-service dining experience!The Iron Salamander has a full line up of delicious truck food, including burgers and more, but we tried their dinner specials and were blown away by what came out of a food truck!Off their classic truck menu, we started with the Philly-son, a philly cheese steak eggroll topped with their salamander sauce. We highly recommend you make these a part of your regular rotation! What a fun way to experience a philly, and the sauce was delicious. They came out piping hot. One order is enough to share...but you won't want to.Next up was the main courses off their special dinner menu. The specials rotate, so you get to try new flavors out of this amazing restaurant on wheels. We had the salmon and beef tip plates. The salmon was served on a bed of amazing risotto. The texture was perfect, and the flavor was phenomenal. The salmon was cooked perfectly. If you enjoy salmon, you have to try Iron Salamander.Next up were the beef tips. Served on a generous and delicious bed of mashed potatoes, this perfectly prepared dish was cooked to tender perfection.Paired with fresh asparagus, these meals were not only plated stunningly but immediately had us making plans to return.We had a sneak preview of the chocolate mousse, and let's just say... make sure you save room for dessert. Catch the Iron Salamander at Barnstormer Distillery through December. Follow their pages to find where they are headed next!

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Favorite Holiday Lights Displays

The lights are on in the 815! Inquiring minds want to know, which is your favorite? Tell us about your holiday tradition, and drop your photos in the comments.

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Red Noses Comes to The West Side Show Room

Is there anything to laugh about during a pandemic? In Red Noses, a dark comedy set in Medieval Europe during the Black Death, Father Marcel Flote receives divine inspiration to assemble a troupe of clowns known as “God’s Zanies.” Their mission: to travel around the countryside using slapstick comedy and hilarious antics to lift the spirits of the sick and dying. Using Monty Python-style humor, this troupe of misfits includes a blind juggler, a trembling drummer, a sex-starved nun, two one-legged tap dancers, a stuttering comedian, and a mute acrobat who communicates by ringing bells. Each finds connection and redemption by continuing Christ’s true work.First presented in London in 1985 during the height of the AIDS epidemic, Red Noses spoke to the hopes and fears brought on by that global crisis. For West Side Show Room director Epic Jones, presenting the play in the context of the current pandemic allows it to take on new relevance.“Today, as we are emerging from COVID, we are given the opportunity to see ourselves reflected in this troupe of comically flawed, but endearingly human clowns,” said Jones. “Like many of us, they are survivors who were inspired to seek a higher purpose.”The Red Noses cast includes Carolyn Cadigan (last seen as the Judge in We Are Pussy Riot) as blind juggler Jean Le Grue, Eduardo Galaviz (The Nasty Interesting Man in Eurydice) as Marcel Flote, and Kevin Poole (Putin in We Are Pussy Riot) as surly soldier Brodin. “Red Noses” opens Dec 1, 2022 at The West Side Show Room, 1414 N Main St. in Rockford. Tickets are $25 for adults and $15 for students on Fridays and Saturdays, $20 for adults and $10 for students on Thursdays and Sundays. The Friday, December 9th performance is free. Donations accepted. To reserve tickets, visit wssr.org.Play:Red Noses by Peter BarnesProducing Organization:The West Side Show RoomLocation:1414 N Main St, Rockford, IL 61103Dates/Times:Dec 1 - 18, 2022Thursdays 7pmFridays 8pmSaturdays 8pmSundays 4pmTickets:Free - $25Information:wssr.org/nosesContact:contact@wssr.org

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Get Baked at Baked Wings

A new wing joint has opened up in Rockford! Once a ghost kitchen inside of The Pomodoro, Baked Wings is now open on Riverside in Loves Park. We wandered in to try the new location and ordered a feast! We tried their “soon to be famous” Garlic White Cheddar cheese curds. They hit the nail n the head with these large cubes of delicious cheese, lightly breaded and fried to perfection. Serious cheese lovers rejoice! Finally, a curd that is more cheese than breading. Available in three flavors, we can’t wait to go back and try them all.Next up, the wings. The baked wing concept is a healthier take on the chicken wing. Combine that with their lineup of flavor rubs and you have a wing that tastes just as sinful as its fried and dunked brother but packs a lighter punch. They have 13 flavor rubs to choose from, and 13 dunking sauces… to really give you the freedom to explore any flavor profile you desire.We tried the Chili Lime, Garlic Parmesan, and Buffalo Hot rubs. Each spice rub has its own flavor profile. The heat really came through on the Buffalo Hot, and the Garlic Parmesan makes your mouth just melt. Add some fried to your order, and you’re all set.With an expanded menu, there is definitely something for everyone at Baked Wings. You can get full service at the bar, or order at the counter and take a seat in the main dining area. Check out Baked Wings and tell us your favorite wing flavor!

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