The owners of Lacayo — the NewBo restaurant that was formerly Caucho — “boomeranged” back to Cedar Rapids with the dream of opening their own restaurant. Armina Grizak Lacayo and Daniel Lacayo lived in Chicago before moving to Daniel’s hometown of Cedar Rapids in 2015 to work for local restaurateurs Carrie and Andy Schumacher. “It’s […]
Jessica Carney
Posted inFood & Drink
LV Recommends: NaRa Thai
When I moved back home to Iowa after living in Minneapolis for a few years, one of the few things I missed was the cuisine. I’m no food snob — I like cheeseburgers and pizza as much as the next person — but I also appreciate things like a great falafel and other foods that […]
Posted inCommunity/News
‘It’ll be fine’: When COVID-19 meets Midwest resoluteness
Coronavirus officially arrived in Iowa in mid-March, and within a week of this news breaking, everyone I know tried to fend it off with a healthy dose of Midwest heartiness. “It’s like the flu. It’ll be fine,” I’ve heard coworkers, fellow yoga class attendees and friends say, despite heavily reported statistics to the contrary. (The […]
Posted inFood & Drink
LV Recommends: Edith Lucielle’s Bait Shack and Wing Depot
With the casual diner aesthetics, you might assume every menu item would be served to you directly from the fryer (where it arrived straight from the freezer), but Edith Lucielle’s serves a wide variety of homemade dishes, including homemade tenderloins—something I had never heard of, even as a lifelong Iowan—and homemade tiramisu.
Posted inFood & Drink
LV Recommends: LP Street Food
Though it opened in 2018, LP Street Food looks like it easily could’ve been in its location for 50 years. It fits seamlessly into the ever-expanding Kingston Village neighborhood just west of downtown Cedar Rapids, and the look is more cozy and lived-in than brand new. That fits well with the food, which is as messy as it is tasty.
Posted inBread & Butter Dining Guide
No music, no problem: Area bars and restaurants that provide a space to eat in peace
“Don’t worry; they don’t have a band tonight. I called ahead to make sure,” my husband said about the restaurant where we were thinking of eating that evening. Though we’d technically passed the threshold already, I think that was the moment we officially entered our 30s. I had to tease him about being old and […]
Posted inFood & Drink
LV Recommends: Groundswell Cafe
The concept of the Groundswell Cafe in Cedar Rapids (201 3rd Ave SW) is simple: Eat, and if you’d like, leave some extra money to pay for someone else’s meal. Nonprofit Matthew 25 opened the cafe on Oct. 8
Posted inFood & Drink
LV Recommends: Geyer’s Oven
There’s nothing more “Iowa” than eating in the middle of a cornfield. At Geyer’s Oven in Oxford, Iowa (1259 Rohret Rd SW), cows passively watched me enjoy delicious wood-fired pizza made with fresh ingredients such as summer squash and roasted beets. Visitors brought picnic blankets, dogs, wine and other wonderful things to enjoy along with the summer evening outside on the farm.
Posted inCommunity/News
Protesters rally in Cedar Rapids during Mike Pence visit
“Peace not Pence,” was chanted by protesters across the street from Rockwell Collins in Cedar Rapids on Wednesday. NextGen Iowa and Indivisible Iowa organized a rally to protest Vice President Mike Pence, Congressman Rod Blum and Gov. Kim Reynolds, who were at the company to speak about tax reform, among other issues. “Rod Blum is […]
Posted inArts & Entertainment
CR PrideFest plans for second year in NewBo
As many as 7,000 people are expected at Cedar Rapids PrideFest this Saturday, in addition to almost 100 vendor booths including animals rescue groups, churches and theaters. Attendees can look forward to a drag show, live music, political speakers — including Cedar Rapids Mayor Brad Hart — and a performance by the Eastern Iowa Circus Collective.
