Charlotte’s is a fresh food bistro type restaurant deli with creative sandwiches, fantastic sweet potato fries, pasta and fresh salads, and desserts that make your eyes tell your tummy “yeah I think youstill have room.”
My friend Jennifer got tuna on croissant with sweet potato fries and I got the west coast club with spf. Though. I have to say the sandwich didn’t have a lot of flavor it was packed with veggies and meat. A few strips of bacon or a spicier guac would have jazzed it up a bit.
The prices are ok, a little high for lunch but not unreasonable. With my huge sandwich and a small spf it came to 9.20 with tax. We also got it to go so didn’t order drinks which saved us a couple bucks.
It was a good thing for me that Brighton got out of school at 11:30. After a quick lunch at home, we headed to the City Park in Lisbon. A small historic community of around 2500 people, Lisbon has a gem sitting right on Main Street. It’s called Espresso 134.
ATMOSPHERE:
The renovated 1881 building is more than gorgeous inside. It’s modern and cozy and … well gorgeous! Clad with granite countertops, bar, tables, and ledges, comfy leather chairs downstairs, and cozy chairs upstairs, the whole place just reeks of class. Two chillers under the bar hold local wines and beer. An odd twist to a traditional coffee shop, but with the idea of wine tastings, beer pairings, art shows, euchre tournaments, and live music, it somehow works. Beautifully. I just can’t say how impressed I was with the look of this place. Each coffee shop I frequent has it’s own unique style, and Espresso 134 is no exception.
Now, from what I understand, this establishment is in the middle of a management change. The previous owner, Eric Krob, is going to be taking ownership once again since the current owner, Jill Schaefer, is choosing to spend more time with her 4 boys. A reasonable option since running this kind of business takes a LOT of time. So at this time, Just Jill’s Espresso 134 offers up breakfast, lunch and limited dinner offerings, as well as carry out prepared meals. However, I am not sure how long that will last. So if this is what you’re interested in, I suggest calling ahead.
DRINKS n STUFF
So how is the coffee? Pretty good. Coffee roasts from PT’s Roasting Company out of Topeka, KS (Direct Trade) supplies Espresso 134 with it’s premium roast. I had a simple (boring) decaf, skim latte. I say boring because I’m nursing a 2 month old who doesn’t care for caffeine or milk proteins. So I didn’t get a good representation of what their coffee is REALLY like. Brighton and I did, however, each have a Raspberry Italian Creme Soda, which was excellent.
We also each had some goodies. Brighton had two (yes TWO) cake bites. One chocolate and one lemon. Which he says were “Good!” complete with a deep dimple smile (which is a positive review equal to 9 stars). I had a chocolate truffle, which was pretty good too. The chocolates were made by a local Cedar Rapidian business called Sweetopia Handmade Chocolates.
Also offered are local wines and happy hour specials. Wine selections include Cedar Ridge wines, wines for fundraising (UNITE for livestrong, MOVE for National Multiple Sclerosis Society, and INSPIRE for Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation) where actual $$ goes to the foundations for the sale of each of these wines. Pretty cool eh?
EXTRAS:
Also available is catering for office parties/business meetings etc. just call a day ahead. You can also rent the building for your meetings (and make a fantastic impression!) WiFi is available, ask for a password. Or if you need to use a computer, one is available for you on the second floor. Which, by the way, also has a huge flat screen television, comfy chairs and a beautiful leather couch. I’m just sayin’.
All in all I really liked this place. Good coffee, great service, out of this world atmosphere. So if you’re ever in the area, or in Iowa at all, stop by and say hello. Tell them I sent you!
Well, it sure has been a busy year!!! Building houses, having babies…(ok ONE house and ONE baby…but that sure is enough!) no rest at the Oberbreckling home! Needless to say, our outings have been limited, but we did manage one really fantastic one recently. Al’s Blue Toad in historic and rebuilding Czech Village in Cedar Rapids.
Al’s Blue Toad is a Czech homestyle pub style restaurant in the heart of historic Czech Village in the old Zindricks restaurant. With fabulous traditional Czech recipes as well as just good ol’ rib stickin’ food. Rebuilt after the flood of 2008, this restaurant shows no sign of slowing down. With a facebook fan base of over 1000 fans, Al’s Blue Toad is definitely helping the flood recovery in Czech Village stand out and stay afloat (no pun intended).
The first time I ate at the toad was with my bestie from San Diego, Jill, her daughter and mom. Jill had the Paprika Chicken, her mom had the Tender Roast Pork Loin (seems to be their specialty – everyone orders it!), and I had the Breaded Pork Tenderloin with fries (an Iowa favorite). We all tasted each other’s dish and were all delighted. Even the 4 year old enjoyed the food. I wasn’t equipped with a camera at the time but made a mental note to bring one next time.
The next time I went with my family and one of the first things I noticed at the Toad was how clean the place was and smelled. Being a diabetic at the time (gestational diabetes) I had to excuse myself to the restroom several times for tests and shots, which smelled and looked clean. Even the garbage cans were clean and freshly changed. Impressive for such a busy bustling place. Then came the menu. Which is full of great food at great prices. I will say, though, not much on the menu for kids. I ordered the Tender Roast Pork Loin with the yummiest dumplings and my husband, the Czech Burger which is adorned with bavarian kraut and caraway swiss. Both were fantastic. So much so that I completely forgot to take photos of our meals until they were almost gone. So, much to my husband’s chagrin, I chased the waitress around when I saw her bring out one popular appetizer, the homemade breaded mac and cheese. I again, didn’t have my good camera or even my point-and-shoot but I managed a bad photo with my camera phone. The others were stolen from the facebook fan page. :)
Stop in some time and say hello, and tell them I sent you! The Toad is located at 86 16th Avenue SW Cedar Rapids Iowa. Their phone number is 319-265-8623 and the hours are Monday through Sunday 11AM to 2 AM and Sunday 11 AM to 10 PM. Maybe I’ll see you there!!
Have you eaten at the Toad? Tell me what you think?!
Located on the Main Street in the Historic College town (Home of Cornell College) of Mount Vernon, (we all know College kids take their pizza very VERY seriously) lies a Royal little pizza place called Pizza Palace.
Hawaiian Thick Crust Pizza
Oh yum. Is all I have to say. Andrew, Brighton, and I stopped by there on a Thursday evening. The place was almost empty less a few late comers such as ourselves, but the pizza (we ordered the Hawaiian with a thick crust) was absolutely outstanding.
Made by the owner himself, Rawley Alger, the cheese was perfectly melted and browned, the crust was crispy and full of flavor, the ingredients including pineapple and Canadian bacon, didn’t “wet” the pizza down like Hawaiian pizza can sometimes be. Instead, it was wonderfully fresh and just about the most perfect pizza I have ever had. In addition, the price is extremely reasonable, the service is excellent, and the atmosphere is fun and feels very historic and homey. A large Hawaiian pizza costs the same, maybe a dollar more, than a large Casey’s specialty pizza on sale. And for the price of about $14, you get local service, great food, and you get to support a locally and family owned (since 1986) business. Which just makes it taste a little better…
Alger’s Pizza Palace is located at 106 1st Street West in Mount Vernon Iowa. Their phone number (for carry out!) is (319) 895-6971. If you visit, you can pass the time by searching the mural on the wall for the treasure hunt items listed in the middle on the list. Extra points if you can find the mice (of which only 3 people know the locations of…)
If any coupons are available, you can find them here.
I am sorry that my blog has hit a stand still. Things have been a wee bit crazy around here lately. But I’m still looking for and ready to try out new places. We’re considering going out today and if we do, Lunch will be someplace local and new. But I’ve got lots to do today at home so leaving the property just might not be in the plans!!
Ever see these kinds of signs when you’re driving through a small town? ”Spaghetti Dinner!”
“Catfish Fry!” “Pancake Breakfast!” Well, no one makes breakfast like the Mechanicsville Volunteer Firemen and Paramedics. The entire town and then some comes out to have breakfast and to support our local fire and ambulance. I’ve gone to this with my husband and mother in law every year since I’ve lived here. It’s one of the things I look forward to every fall. It’s $6 for adults and $4 for kids 4-12 free for kids 3 and under.
You get in line, hand them or buy your ticket, and then wait in line for your plate. You get your food from hard working paramedics and fireman, then go sit down at a table where the minute your plate is empty or your cup of coffee, milk, or juice is empty, there is someone there to give you another pancake, sausage, egg, potatoes, etc etc or more to drink. You don’t leave hungry EVER and there is more than enough food and joy to go around. It certainly gives you a sense of community and friendship when you see all the smiles and are greeted with “hellos” and “how are yas” and “hey, how’s that crop comin’. ”
It’s a great way to see a community and to get a small town Norman Rockwell feel as you crowd into the firehouse, sit shoulder to shoulder and share a bottle of syrup and a smile.
Next time you see one of these signs, consider stopping. It’ll be worth it. :)
On your way to the Meskwaki Bingo Casino and Hotel, take a quick detour to visit the John Ernest Vineyard and Winery. This area is full of history and activities and is right between Cedar Rapids and Ames. If you’re interested in learning about Meskwaki culture check out the site above.
The winery sits on top of a hill just off the highway. You’ll see lumbering dogs, and friendly staff and lots and lots of wine! The gal working on the Saturday that we went, was more than happy to let us try each one of the very distinct wines. Our favorites were Cranberry, Red Zinfandel, Dusty Road, Iowa Sunset, & Lincoln Highway Red. Ok there were a lot of wines that we enjoyed. I admit.
They do have music at the vineyard, but this weekend of the 5th is the LAST of the season! With Dogs on Skis. You can get the info HERE on their website. You can always call them at (866) 533-4544. They’re official address is 3291 North Avenue Tama, Iowa. The winery is beautiful and looks like it could be rented out for weddings or other kinds of formal events. They also have small gifts and of course wine truffles made here in Iowa. Definitely need to stop and visit if you’re near!
Here is their contact info:
web address: http://www.johnernestvineyard.com/index.html
Ditto’s is one of those wonderful restaurants that you find in almost every small town. Especially in Iowa. You can order a skillet breakfast any time of the day, have a porkchop home style lunch complete with mashed potatoes, and supper of liver and onions with a hand dipped milk shake and finish off with a huge slice of homemade pies (if you’re lucky enough to get one before they’re gone.)
Brighton and I and occasionally Andrew, can be found on a lazy Sunday morning having breakfast. We occasionally go there for lunch or dinner and scoop up their huge nummy tenderloin.
Service is usually pretty good, they’re often busy and so it may take a while to get your first cup of coffee, but besides that, you won’t wait long. The owner can often be found in the kitchen in the morning and early afternoons. Speaking of coffee, they serve Farmers Brothers coffee, which is usually served at these kinds of little diners.
Dittos is located on Highway 30 on your way out of Stanwood or on your way into Stanwood – depending on which way you’re coming – or going. Stanwood is on the north side of Hwy 30. You can’t really miss it. And you shouldn’t.
Snuggled in between the rolling hills of Jackson County lies a century farm and acres of grape vines at a
family owned winery called Tabor Home. I’m no stranger to Tabor Home. I met them years ago at the farmer’s market in Cedar Rapids, fell in love with their wines, and have been a “fan” ever since. My husband and I ordered 2 cases of wine for our wedding, and the rest is history.
The road to Tabor Home takes you through the rolling hills deep in the heart of Grant Wood Country. Which makes the trip not only about the destination but also the journey. Through the summer, they have Music in the Vineyard beginning in June every other week until the end of September. But it doesn’t end there, they also have other activities such as the Wine Trail in April and November, Nouveau Wine Festival and the Holiday Open House in November. You can log onto their website to get details.
Among the many activities, they also carry a variety of local foods including cheese and chocolate made with Tabor’s own Raspberry wine (my personal favorite) and offer several recipes and lists of foods to pair with their wonderful wines, also available at their website. Tabor grows all their red wine grapes and most of their whites. They do purchase some from other growers around the area, but also from the Mississippi Valley. Last year, they harvested 18 tons of grapes from their own vineyards and expect that many again this year.
And the Pièce de résistance, their selection of wonderful wines ranging in price from $9.75 to $18.95 and flavors ranging from the grapiest grape to the best of red. (sorry for THAT description Paul). The winery is open for tasting Monday through Saturday 10-6 and Sunday 12-6. You can call ahead and ask for tours or just stop in and try some wines. Tell Dr. Tabor that I sent you
On our trip to Terrill, to visit the family, one of our outings was Little Swan Lake Winery in Estherville. Little did we know that it was the day of their Harvest Festival featuring World Port, Billie James, and Neal Ruge. Along with a whole other host of goodies. I desperately wanted to stay to listen to World Port, but my company was getting restless so we left after trying a few different wines.
Now, technically, this isn’t an eating establishment, but it is local and all Iowa. The beautiful barn turned winery sat as the focal point across from a field where lumbering buffalo roam. There is a host of different and wonderful wines to chose from and tasting is of course welcome.
Of the wines I was able to try, my favorite was the Concord. I also enjoyed the Buffalo Blush and Buffalo Frost, one of their signature and award winning wines. The prices were reasonable on their wines, ranging from their fruit wines starting at $8/bottle to their more traditional (or not) reds for $34. I honestly found nothing traditional about their wines, at least the ones that I tried, and that was very refreshing. This is wine you can’t get just anywhere and I’m glad that it’s here in Iowa.
Posted by Marcy 
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