Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Get Those Taste Buds Ready!

Heard by way of the "Grapevine" that good food is on it's way again. The grapevine says that Mary Ann Fahey (of local fame, most recently Eamon Patrick's) will be opening Cornerstone Catering and The Underground in the beautiful Cornerstone Building. All the delicious soups, salads and sandwiches will be served at The Underground and the MARVELOUS Sunday Brunch will be served on the first Sunday of the month. Grand opening is scheduled for early Fall. I sure hope that Peoria supports this local business and the wonderful old building it will be housed in.

I read so much concerning the disdain of "one more chain restaurant". I hope that words turn into action and that this courageous venture is a great success.

Sunday, August 16, 2009

I Won't Be Back

First of all, I have to make a couple of admissions. I am not a particularly good cook, nor am I a food critic. But, I do have a fondness for Sunday Buffet Brunches and Sunday morning breakfast in general. Since learning that Childer's had opened a new (well, since around Mother's Day) Sunday Brunch at the old Ranchero Fiesta next to Landmark, I planned to check it out. Today was the day and I won't be going back.

The atmosphere was fine, the staff pleasant but, the food was lacking and quite overpriced. Brunch was $15.39 including tax; no Senior Discount available. The usual items were available along with items more associated with lunch. Even with salt and pepper, the sausage gravy lacked flavor. The bacon ranked an O.K. rating. Sausage links were a failure. I didn't try the scrambled eggs as they looked "slimy". I don't know if it was too much butter or if they were undercooked, but they sure weren't pretty. I tried the waffle. It was fair, although it could have stood another 10 seconds in the waffle maker. They also have an omelet station that I did not try. One saving grace was a hash brown mixture that seemed to include egg, cream and sausage. It was good.

Small salad bar, pasta salad, some veggies, stuffed tomato (looked like tuna salad stuffing) and pastries rounded out the menu.

The cashier did not question my response when after she asked, "How was everything?", I simply said, "O.K.". I am glad that she didn't.

I am not sure what I expected, but with the Childer's name on it, the quality and price of this brunch, certainly was not it.

I still have to try Sunday Brunch at the Par-A-Dice. Any other suggestions?

Or do I just stick with the Bartonville Diner and The Lighthouse in Rome?