During the lockdown portion of the COVID-19 pandemic, our family took the opportunity to dive much deeper into two of our interests: exploring nature and eating takeout. The marriage of these two activities can go wrong easily—a soggy, sloppy sandwich in a poorly balanced Styrofoam container spilling onto your jeans in the great outdoors can […]
Dining Recommendations
Posted inBread & Butter Dining Guide
LV Recommends: Restaurants that feel like home
Foodies who spent the last two years dining only al fresco — or simply a casa — are itching for a change of scenery. While these local spots offer a range of fare, what they all have in common is a comfy, casual atmosphere that will help ease you back into the dine-in experience. Sanctuary […]
Posted inBread & Butter Dining Guide
Tender is the loin: The quest to find the CRANDIC’s most perfect pork tenderloin
Photos by Zak Neumann / Little Village The pork tenderloin sandwich ranks among Iowa’s most important culinary contributions, alongside Maid-Rites, puppy chow and Casey’s breakfast pizza. The formula is simple: A piece of pork loin is pounded thin, battered and deep fried, served on a bun which it humorously dwarfs in size and topped most […]
Posted inBread & Butter Dining Guide
LV Recommends: Notable restaurant newbies in Eastern Iowa
Opening a restaurant is no small feat, but opening your doors for the first time in the middle of a global pandemic is next level. These new spots are worthy of a gold star. Alebrije Restaurant 401 S Linn St, Iowa City 319-569-1083 View Website Named for the brightly colored Mexican folk art sculptures you’ll […]
Posted inBread & Butter Dining Guide
LV Recommends: Ultra Premium Olive Oil available here in the CRANDIC
Purveyor of high quality oils and aged balsamic vinegars, Harvest Oil and Vinegar has the area’s freshest ultra premium (UP) olive oils from around the world. Created in small batches by farmers exercising sustainable practices and time honored traditions of quality, you can be assured you won’t find
Posted inBread & Butter Dining Guide
LV Recommends: This mayonnaise swap rivals the real thing
Known for their killer tofu, Old Capitol Food Co. has experimented with a new product over the last year that has gained quite a few fans. What originally began as a way to make use of the leftover trimmings from their packaging process has now evolved into a full-fledged product of its own.
Posted inBread & Butter Dining Guide
LV Recommends: A local booze shop run by brothers
Bootleggin’ Barzini’s brothers Clark and Edgar McGuire were already acclaimed entrepreneurs prior to purchasing their liquor store. In 2005, they won the Small Business of the Year award for their delivery service, Whateva’ We Can Deliva.’ “It was ahead of its time, but we delivered anything and everything
Posted inBread & Butter Dining Guide
LV Recommends: This traditional low-alcohol beverage is perfect when you need to hit the refresh button
Surrounded by farms as far as the eye can see, it was only a matter of time before this local brewery, the area’s rich farming history and Amish and Mennonite communities collided. Haymaker’s Punch, a traditional beverage for thirsty hay farmers working the fields, is now on tap at the brewery.
Posted inBread & Butter Dining Guide
LV Recommends: Shop for new tableware and support these local artisans
Owner Patti O’Neill partners with artisans in Oaxaca, Mexico to produce beautiful collections of home goods that marry traditional techniques with modern aesthetics. O’Neill travels regularly to Mexico to collaborate with her artisans and share the process, and brings back fresh goodies multiple times
Posted inBread & Butter Dining Guide
LV Recommends: Restaurants you and your kids can agree on
Wait… a brewery on a list of kid-friendly establishments? You bet. The casual atmosphere of Big Grove lends itself well to dining out with kids in tow. The menu of international street food offers choices for both adventurous and discerning eaters and the brewery is known for their great selection of brewed-on-site
Posted inBread & Butter Dining Guide
LV Recommends: Where to swap your burger for a plant patty in the CRANDIC
Known for their burger-centric menu through which you can travel the world, owners Mitch and Christina Springman make sure their culinary creativity is accessible to all diners by crafting a housemade veggie burger that can be used as a vehicle to sample their international delights. Packed with veggies, lentils
Posted inBread & Butter Dining Guide
LV Recommends: 5 places where soup reigns supreme
The sour, spicy flavors in the saozi noodle soup at JiangHu are addictive. Try it once and you’ll find countless reasons to order it again and again. When you need a warm up on a chilly day: saozi noodles. When you’re feeling the beginnings of a head cold: saozi. When you’re too lazy to pack your lunch
