WDL
New Tasty Fare at Hearthrock Café
By Peggy Werner n his second year as head chef of Benson Stone Company’s Hearthrock Café, Todd Cooper is realizing his goal of taking the restaurant to the next level of quality. He’s ensuring customer satisfaction while regularly introducing new food and beverage items. “I’m always inviting customer input and want to cater to their ideas, as well as my own ideas and those of my staff,” he says. “I explore possibilities and try new things while providing the best food at affordable prices.” Recent menu changes include using all free-range grain-fed chicken in recipes, using more smoked meats in some
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tasty new sandwiches and adding specialty seasonal coffees like Salted Caramel Pumpkin Latte, Cinnamon Roll Latte, Caramel Macchiato and Cinnamon Dulce Latte are all on his radar. New sandwiches include a Double Bacon BLT, made with fresh guacamole, Roma tomatoes, shredded Romaine lettuce on toasted marble rye; and an apple wood smoked boneless baby back rib sandwich topped with homemade barbeque sauce. Among the most popular menu items are the Smoked Andouille Sausage Flatbread, made with a homemade Marinara sauce, fresh Mozzarella and Parmesan Cheese, red pepper and portabella mushrooms; a Mutated Reuben sandwich, made with a homemade sauce and pickled red cabbage; and traditional signature dishes such as the BBQ pulled pork, which is smoked in-house, and the tender, savory pot roast sandwich.
Backyard Grill & Bar Casual/American. 5390 Elevator Road, Roscoe, Ill., (815) 623-6677. 2nd St., Loves Park, Ill., (815) 6369430. LD M-Th 11am-midnight, F-Sat to 2am, Sun noon-10 p.m. $-SS. Bravo Pizza Italian/American. 376 Prairie Hill Road, S. Beloit, Ill., (815) 624-7900. LD Sun-Th 11am-10pm, F-Sat to 11pm. $. Capital House Lunches, fine dining, sushi bar, gourmet coffee & pastries, martini bar. 308 W. State St., Rockford, (815) 708-8989. LD T-Th 11am-10pm, Fri.-Sat. 11 am-10pm. $-$$$. Ciao Bella Ristorante Upscale-Casual/Italian-American. Daily specials. 6500 E. Riverside Blvd., Loves Park, Ill. (815) 654-9900. LD M-F 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Sat. 5-10 p.m. $$ Cucina di Rosa Italian Bistro/Bakery 1620 Bell School Road, (815) 395-5040. BkLD. M-Sat 7am-9pm. $$ Dos Reales Mexican Restaurant Casual/Mexican. 5855 E. State St., (815) 227-4979. LD $-$$.
398-5700. LD Sun-Th 11am-10pm, F-Sat to 11 pm. GreenFire Upscale-Casual/American contemporary. Live entertainment. 6795 E. Riverside Blvd., Rockford, (815) 3163473. BkLD M-F 11am, Sat-Sun 8am. Bar open late. $$$. Hearthrock Cafe Restaurant/cafe. Baked goods, coffee, breakfast, lunch. Inside Benson Stone Co., 1100 11th St., (815) 227-2000. BkL M-F 7:30am-3pm; Sat. 8am-3pm. $-$$. Lino’s Italian/American. 5611 E. State St., Rkfd. (815) 397-2077. D M-Sat 4:30am-10pm; Sun. 4:30am-9 pm. $$. Maciano’s Casual Italian. 6746 Broadcast Pkwy., Loves Park, (815) 633-7500; & 5801 Columbia Pkwy., Rkfd., (815) 227-5577. LD Sun-Th 11am-10pm, F-Sat to 11pm. $-$$. Olympic Tavern Upscale-Casual/American. 2327 N. Main St., (815) 962-8758. Extensive beer list. LD M-Th 11 a.m.-midnight; Fri-Sat. to 2 a.m. $-$$. Prairie Street Brewhouse Upscale-Casual/American. 200 Prairie St., Rockford, (815) 277-9427. LD Sun-W 11am10pm, Th to midnight, F-Sat to 2am. $-$$.
Fresco at the Gardens. Casual/American Café. 318 Spring Creek Road, (815) 316-2256. BkL Daily 7am-3pm. $$
Salamone’s North Italian-American. 2583 N. Mulford Road, Rkfd. LD. Sun. noon-10 p.m.; Mon.-Th 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Fri. 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sat. noon-11 p.m. (815) 639-1200
Giordano’s Casual/Italian. Stuffed pizza, salads, entrees, sandwiches, desserts. 33 Executive Parkway, Rockford, (815)
Taco Betty’s Casual/Mexican-American. 212 E. State St., Rkfd., (815) 977-5650. LD Daily 11am-1am. $$. ❚
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Smart Living Weekly
Cooper is following the farm-totable trend, working with seasonal and fresh ingredients as much as possible. New dishes are first introduced as specials. A computerized menu boards above the café counter displays daily and weekly features. Fresh hot apple cider will be served from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. every Saturday in December at Benson’s, 1100 11th St., and a local band will play seasonal tunes. ❚
In the Spotlight
Top Picks for Local Restaurants Baci’s Kitchen Fast-Casual, dine-in, carry-out. 2990 N. Perryville Road, inside A Perryville Place. (815) 329-6922. Open 7 days/wk. at 8 a.m. BkLD. Complete menu at Baciskitchen.com.
Todd Cooper
Jan. 23
To advertise call 815-316-2300
Merrill & Houston's Steak Joint
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ocated at 500 Pleasant St., Beloit, inside the Ironworks Hotel, the restaurant features mouthwatering steaks, along with a full-service menu of fish, chicken and and seafood selections. Named after the men whose 1858 foundry became Beloit Corp., Merrill & Houston’s Steak Joint celebrates Beloit's rich industrial history. Many of its components are constructed with repurposed materials salvaged from historic buildings. Leather seats, hardwood floors and many historical photographs lining the walls give the space a rustic feel. Merrill & Houston's is available for private and corporate events. The main dining room seats 120 and the banquet room can accommodate 200 guests. Merrill & Houston’s Steak Joint is open daily at 4 p.m. ❚
