More on downtown dining

Check out this story from Gazette business editor George Ford from yesterday’s paper: Downtown C.R. developing ‘critical mass’ of eateries
According to George’s story, downtown CR has reached a “critical mass” - or a large enough number - of businesses to attract people to the downtown area. If you haven’t ventured downtown lately to dine, now’s [...]

What I’ve Been Cooking Lately: Caramelized Leeks with Roasted Salmon Fillets

Before I bought my first leek, I was kind of intimidated by them. I’d never watched anybody cook with them — or even knowingly eaten them — so I had no idea what they tasted like or how to clean or prepare them.
But a year or so ago, there was a recipe that I wanted [...]

Eggs get cute

This is the coolest thing ever:

 It’s an egg!
What a great idea for a fun, healthy Easter treat! Check out this post from JustBento.com for more information about egg molds, how to use them and where to find them.

An easy way to search food blogs

Vanilla Garlic tipped me off to a new recipe search engine created by another food blogger (yes, there are a lot of us) over at Simply Recipes.
Food Blog Search uses Google technology to search more than 1,000 food blogs (with more blogs being added to the list of sites searched every day). It’s pretty cool — and a [...]

Restaurant news: Cafe del Sol’s grand opening

Coralville-based Cafe del Sol Roasting has been roasting coffee beans and selling them to local grocers, restaurants and coffee shops since 1990. According to their web site, devoted customers include acclaimed restaurants like Devotay and Lincoln Cafe.
Now you can try their gourmet organic fair-trade blends by stopping by their new coffee shop, Cafe Del Sol Coffee & [...]

Get down(town) Monday night.

I do a lot of my dining downtown. That’s partly because I work downtown - so the coffeeshops, cafes and restaurants here are an easy walk from the office and perfect for a quick break during the day. But it’s also because the burgeoning restaurant and nightlife scene make it a great place to grab [...]

What I’ve Been Cooking Lately: Raspberry Cream Cheese Breakfast Buns

This has not been a great weekend in the kitchen.
I’ve managed to forget the eggs in a batch of muffins I made for my book club, under-cook my first quiche and turn a fancy vinaigrette into a solid mass of burned vinegar and sugar.
I’m think all this winter weather is getting to me.
Luckily, I had [...]

Finding chocolate in E. Iowa

Gazette file photo
A tray of chocolates at Chocolate Haus in Amana.
Where do you go for really Valentine’s chocolate in Eastern Iowa? Skip the pre-prepackaged stuff at the big box stores and try treats from one of our local shops:
Simply Divine in Cedar Rapids
Betty Jane Candies in Cedar Rapids
Sweetopia in Hiawatha
Temptations Fine Candies in Atkins and Marion
Chocolate Haus in Amana 
Bochner [...]

Restaurant news: Motley Cow has moved

The Motley Cow in Iowa City has moved to a new location with more seating and an expanded kitchen. The new address is: 160 N. Linn St. The restaurant’s phone number remains the same. (319.688.9177)
Check out the business section of tomorrow’s Gazette for more on the changes — or lack of them — at the [...]

White chocolate deserves a wine pairing, too.

I had a great time talking with wine guys to get their recommendations for a few inexpensive to moderately priced bottles to pair with Valentine’s Day chocolates. (I also made sure to forward all recommendations to my husband. Hint, hint.)
But the article only included recommendations for milk and dark chocolates. I didn’t even think about [...]