Smart Living Weekly December 19, 2018

Sm mart a r t L iving Weekly Your Better Quality of Life Magazine • Rockford Region/Beloit 95¢ • Dec. 19, 2018

™

Right in Our Region

Have a Buy-Local Merry Christmas!

See Page 16

The Newer, Better Braces Tips for Buying Furniture Tasty, Easy Holiday Recipes How to Free Up Christmas Cash

FREE WIN!

$25 Gift Card from GreenFire Restaurant

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Smart Living Weekly

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In This Issue

Right in Our Region ........................Cover & p. 16 Have a Buy-Local Merry Christmas!

Your Home .................................................. ..... 11 What to Know About Furniture Inspiration & Worship ......................................12 The Christmas Story Your Kitchen .....................................................15 Yummy Holiday Salads Your Technology ...............................................21 Free Up Money for the Holidays Your Health ............................................. .......... 23 A New Clear Choice for Braces Your Fun ................................................... ......... 25

Restaurant of the Week ................................... 26 Baci’s Grill Dining Locally .......................................... ........ 26

Smart L iving Weekly ™

Publisher/Editor-in-Chief Bill Hughes

Executive Editor/Web Editor Chris Linden Managing Editor Lindsey Gapen Assistant Managing Editor Jermaine Pigee Editor Emeritus Janine Pumilia Graphics Director Blake Nunes Graphic Designer Samantha Behling Contributing Writer Peggy Werner, Paula Kalivoda Furniss General Sales Manager Brent Hughes Sales Manager Brad Hughes Advertising Sales Representatives Brian Hughes, Jeremy Jones, Nita Lasky, Anthony Franklin Administration & Circulation Manager Lisa Hughes Distribution Kelly Fairbairn Website www.SmartLivingWeekly.com Published by Hughes Media Corp.

222 Seventh St., Rockford, IL, 61104 (815) 316-2300, Fax: (815) 316-2301 lhughes@northwestquarterly.com Smart Living Weekly.

Copyright 2018 by Hughes Media Corp., 222 Seventh St., Rockford, IL, 61104. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part of any text, photograph or illustration without written permission from the publisher is strictly prohibited.

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Use It or Lose It T

he growing variety of locally owned retail shops and restaurants in our region is wonderful! And we cherish our non-profit local gems, too, which give us experiences in art, nature, culture, history and science.

Unfortunately, however, we don’t always make the connection between admiring these assets and actually supporting them.

Christmas is an ideal opportunity to change that. We’re spending money anyway.

Why not put some of it toward gifts that make our community stronger? After all, nearly every cent we spend at a big-box store or chain restaurant flies to another state faster than we can say ‘multi-national conglomerate.’

In this week’s cover story, you’ll meet a handful of entrepreneurs who’ve placed faith in our community by opening local shops. They don’t need us to say nice things about their storefronts. They need us to walk through their doors (or go to their websites) and actually shop.

As for supporting locally owned restaurants, I suggest two words: “gift certificates.”

Some places even offer certificates worth more than the cash value, which means it’s “living smart” to pick some up for yourself, too. Find such offers inside this issue.

The “use it or lose it” principle holds true for non-profits, too. If we want our public gardens, theaters, galleries, orchestra, museums, arboretum, historic homes, nature preserves and other amenities to thrive, we must do more than admire them from afar. We need to use them and view them as the wonderful resources for gift giving that they are. Several have gift shops, but also consider buying annual memberships. They last all year long as loved ones enjoy museum visits, concerts, garden strolls and members-only events made possible by your generous Christmas gift.

For more ideas, check out our cover article. And be sure to pick up the brand new Holiday edition of our Northwest Quarterly Magazine!

From all of us at Smart Living Weekly, have a very local, very Merry Christmas! ❚ Janine Pumilia SLW Editor

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Beautiful flowers, topiaries and gift s 2213 E State St Rockford, IL 61104 Poskastyle.com (815) 316-2979

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Y H  G

What to Know When Buying Furniture

By Janine Pumilia

T

here’s a growing demand for better quality furniture, and you really do get what you pay for, says Mitchell Johnson, store manager at Gustafson’s Furniture & Mattress, 6651 E. State St., Rockford.

“Both across the U.S. and here in our region, people are tired of cheap furniture that falls apart,” says Johnson.

Leather furniture remains popular, but Johnson cautions, “Be sure to ask questions about leather quality, since there are many imitations on the market.

We also sell a lot of fabric sofas.

“There’s a trend toward more texture, with tweeds and corduroys and weaves. Today’s upholstery options are really wonderful – very durable but beautiful and comfortable. Most of today’s upholstery fabrics are made from PET, a highly durable polyester thread.”

Motion furniture is very big, in every age group, across all demographics, says Johnson. “Don’t be afraid of electric mechanisms in recliners,” he says. “People worry too much about the motors breaking, but that seldom happens.

You’re more likely to break a recliner that has to be manually raised and lowered. And electric motors give you a full range of motion rather than stopping only at certain positions.”

When buying upholstered furniture, the important question is not only how the surface looks, but what lies beneath.

“Ask good questions when shopping,” advises Johnson. “Is the frame made from strong laminated wood or just plywood? Is there a reasonably good spring system that will distribute weight?

Is the padding made of high-density foam or cheap fluff?”

You’ll also want to know, “Is the leather exterior real leather?”

Reputable stores often have a cut-away model so you can see the construction below the surface.

Doing business with local people, not fly-by-night chain stores with high turnover, is safest, says Johnson. “They have a real stake in making you happy and will deal with you more honestly.”

Learn more at Gustafsonfurniture.com.❚

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I  W

The Christmas Story

The following is a portion of the Christmas Story from Luke chapter 2. Give yourself the gift of some quiet time this holiday to contemplate the greatest gift of all.

I

n those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to their own town to register.

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.

While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told ... ❚ 12

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Y K

Yummy Salads for the Holiday Season T

he holiday season is usually full of sweet treats and large meals, but a side dish of yummy salad can help bring balance. Consider adding a holiday honeycrisp salad or a spinach salad with warm bacon dressing to your dinners.

Holiday Honeycrisp Salad

Ingredients: 3 honey crisp apples thinly sliced Juice of 1/2 lemon 12 oz. salad greens (spring mix, baby spinach, arugula, baby romaine or combo) 1 cup pecan halves toasted 3/4 cup dried cranberries or dried cherries 4 oz. blue cheese Dressing: 1/2 cup olive oil 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar 1/4 cup apple juice or apple cider 2-3 Tb. honey 1 Tb. lemon juice Salt and pepper to taste

Preparation: Place apples in baggie and squeeze lemon juice over, mix to coat. Layer greens, apples, pecans, berries and cheese. Pour dressing over before serving.

Spinach Salad Bacon Dressing

with

Warm

Ingredients: 5 servings 12 oz. bacon, cooked (drippings and browned bits reserved) 5 large eggs boiled and sliced 9 oz. baby spinach 6 oz. mushrooms sliced 1/2 red onion 1 cup swiss cheese cubed small Croutons Dressing: 3 Tb. bacon dripping 2 Tb. olive oil 1/3 cup red wine vinegar 1 Tb. dijon mustard 1 Tb. honey Salt and pepper to taste

Preparation: In a skillet, whisk together bacon drippings, olive oil, red wine vinegar, dijon and honey.

Season with salt and pepper. Allow to simmer over medium heat for 1 min. Stir in two slices of bacon, crumbled. Allow to cool slightly.

In a bowl, toss spinach, bacon, mushrooms, onion and cheese. Toss with dressing. Add eggs and croutons on top. ❚

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R  O R

Have a Buy-Local, Very Merry Christmas

By Peggy Werner & Janine Pumilia here was a time when Christmas shopLallygag Boutique, 4616 E. State St., ping was fun. People would make a where owner Kim Knutson is busy disday of it, chatting with friendly, knowlplaying an array of unique casual weekedgeable shopkeepers. And when the day end wear for women, plus gift items from was done, nearly every dollar they’d spent other local businesses. re-circulated within their own community.

“I’m very much about supporting Much changed after impersonal bigthe ‘buy local’ movement and I keep my box chains moved into communities like store looking fresh, new and interesting piranha fish, wiping out local retailers by by buying in small batches,” she says. the thousands and whisking profits off to “When it’s gone, it’s gone. You don’t find out-of-state headquarters. that in the big chain stores.”

But there’s a movement afoot. People Knutson offers locally made items are bored by the seeing the same lineup of like “815” T-shirts and impersonal chain stores in every city. other “Rockford” Local retailers are on the rise and items, which are big patrons are supporting them. sellers this season.

Here, we meet a few loLallygag doesn’t cal shopkeepers who believed that, if offer a website bethey built it, you would come. And in ads cause Knutson wants throughout this issue you’ll find many her customers to enjoy a personal shopping exmore.

Things never look the same at perience, but she does use social media.

T

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“The nature of my store is in-person and personal,” she says. “Customers like to come in and chat, have a cup of coffee and see what’s new.”

The 3R’s Learning Materials Center, 1643 N. Alpine Road, specializes in games, toys, puzzles and educational materials for parents, grandparents, teachers and others who help children to learn.

Stacy Fry opened the business 13 years ago with her late mom, Jane Erikson, who was an educator.

“We’re knowledgeable about our products and help people find what they’re looking for. Our greatest compliment is that the children love what they get,” she says.

Especially popular this Christmas season are the Light Stax, which are colorful building blocks with lights running through them; Magformers magnetic building toys; SpinAgain, which are

R  O R colorful discs that spin on a corkscrew pole; and Hot Dots talking pens.

Bath and Body Fusion, 324 E. State St., got its start when owner Jennifer Ralston used her creative energies to fight off a deep depression that set in after two of her siblings were seriously injured in two separate car accidents.

A single mother, she loved bath and body products, but couldn’t afford most of them. She researched natural ingredients online and made a hobby of developing a whole line of spa-like treatments at affordable prices.

Ralston introduced her products at a local farmers market and had developed a following of 3,000 customers by the time she opened her store in 2011.

Dream Cream head-to-toe moisturizer is the store’s biggest seller, shipped throughout the country through Amazon and the store’s website.

Stocking stuffers include Peppermint Swirl Bath Soak, Candy Cane Swirl Bubble Bar, Rudolph the Red-Nosed

Reindeer Bath Bomb, relaxing Lavender Snowflakes for the bath, Gingerbread Bubble Bar and Holiday lotion bars.

Shop online – shipping is free – at bathandbodyfusion.com or visit the fresh bath bar inside the store.

Poska, 2213 E. State St., specializes in handmade, vintage and one-of-a-kind items and fresh floral arrangements.

“I’ve gotten to know my customers well, so when I see something I think they’ll like, I grab it,” says Louise Poska, who opened the store 10 years ago. “I just have a sixth sense about my customers because they’ve shared their homes and lives with me and I know their tastes.”

Items by Vermont glassblower Simon Pearce are always good sellers, she says, as well as Frasier Fir candles.

Poska worked in advertising for many years before opening her own store to feed her creative side. “Retail is demanding work,” she says. “But it’s a rewarding way to invest yourself and get a lot of personal satisfaction.”

Christine LaMantia became the new owner of Roxy Carmichael, 310 N. Alpine Road, in July.

“Our styles are fun and funky and people leave our store saying they never thought they would buy something like what they just bought,” she says. “We try to keep our prices reasonable while offering something different.”

Shopping local has its advantages.

“When people come into the store, they get attention right away,” she says.

“They don’t always know what they want for themselves or for someone else, so we’re there to help, if they need us.”

Among her hottest selling items this season are luxurious silk and woven fashion scarves in vibrant colors. She also carries stocking stuffers under $20 and coffee from Fresh Horizons Coffee Co. of Roscoe. ❚

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Y T

Pay Less for Tech & Have More Holiday Cash

By Peggy Werner

A

customer walks into EZ Satellite and Wireless, 6239 N. 2nd St. in Loves Park, and within a few minutes leaves happier than when he came in, after finding out how to pay less for internet, phone and television services.

It’s that much more money he’ll can use for holiday expenses.

During the customer’s visit, EZ Satellite and Wireless Owner and General Manager Charles Zambrano asks him questions about the number of televisions in his home, his favorite channels, whether he enjoys streaming and recording, how many phones he has and if he needs high-speed internet.

Zambrano’s goal is to help every customer save money.

“Most customers are paying too much, up to $250 for phone, television and internet. I can save them $50 to $100 per month. With every customer, I can offer them the best each company has to

offer,” he says.

“A lot of people are not happy with their tech services, but they’re afraid to change or don’t have time to do the research to find a better deal.

It’s not that hard to get a better deal and start saving money,” he says.

Zambrano’s business has doubled since he moved it to the Loves Park location from Roscoe a few years ago. He also sells, installs and services security cameras and surveillance systems and sells solar panels.

What sets his business apart from others, he says, is personal attention, good customer service and honesty.

“I make sure the customers know exactly what they are getting and that they are not paying for services they don’t want or need,” he says.

EZ Satellite &Wireless is an authorized dish network retailer licensed to offer services from any other provider using dish, cable, internet and home security, such as Rise Broadband, Comcast, Frontier, HughesNet, DirectTV, Digitenna and Protect America.

Learn more by calling EZ Satellite & Wireless at (815) 957-4335 or by visiting the office. ❚

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Y H

Clear Aligners Offer an Alternative to Braces B y To n i R o c h a ntil relatively recently, just the word “braces” was enough to make people frown. Now clear aligners are an innovative way to realign teeth gently and flexibly while keeping smiles on patient faces.

In its clinic at 5051 E. State St. in Rockford, Orthodontic Experts is one of the leading Midwest providers of Invisalign and similar products. Dr. Yaroslav Yarmolyuk, DDS MS, owner of the Rockford location and nearly a dozen locations in the Chicago area and Colorado, says the clear aligner advantage is, well, clear.

“They are more esthetic and comfortable than metal braces,” Yarmolyuk says.

“Patients used to need adjustments every six to eight weeks, but now they change trays every week, slowly easing teeth into proper position. Patients are given 12 to

U

16 trays so the number of appointments are reduced.”

Patients can remove clear aligners to eat, floss and brush their teeth, which helps to keep their mouths hygienically cleaner.

And the more gradual correction causes less discomfort than traditional metallic braces. Yarmolyuk says it takes six months to a year or more for the process to be completed, depending on how much alignment is necessary.

“Plus there are no dietary restrictions,” he adds. “They can eat anything they want because their braces are removed for meals.”

Other benefits of this new alignment system include compatibility for patients with less than perfect oral hygiene or a higher risk of dental decay. Appointments are shorter and less frequent, giving pa-

tients more scheduling flexibility. Also, Yarmolyuk says patients involved in active sports can remove their aligners during practice and games.

For more information about clear aligners or other orthodontic needs, call Orthodontic Experts at (815) 918-4427 or visit orhodonticexperts.com. ❚

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Y F Autumn just might be the best time of year. The sun is a little lower (and prettier), the air is a little crisper (and cleaner) and the leaves cascade down in colorful splendor. This fall, spend some quality time in the fun, nearby, value-packed Rockford Region. See stunning fall colors at

Real. Original.

SM

Anderson Japanese Gardens, the finest in North America. Visit beautifully spacious Rock Cut State Park. Don’t miss Klehm Arboretum & Botanic

ILLINOIS, USA

Garden, with more than 500 different species of trees, shrubs and vines, all glowing in autumn’s glory. Indoors, our concert and theater season will be gaining momentum at Coronado Performing Arts Center, a beautifully restored downtown vaudeville house. Plus, our Riverfront Museum Campus will be coming alive for the whole family. Visit gorockford.com today for a full list of autumn special events, festivals, gardens, golf and more.

Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau NWQ_fall.indd 1

102 N. Main St.

Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau

Tourism

Attractions & Events

All Aglow at Nicholas Conservatory Thru Jan. 6. enjoy the sparkling lights inside and out. Thru Feb. 3 enjoy a magical miniature world as six G-scale trains and Rockford, IL 61101 1.800.521.0849 gorockford.com trolleys run through the lush tropical setting of the conservatory. Tues.-Fri. 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Sat. & Sun. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. 1354 N. 2nd St., Rockford.

9/10/07 2:07:37 PM

Laurent House Holiday Tour Dec. 22, at 2 p.m. & 3:30 p.m. Tour Rockford’s unique Frank Lloyd Wright home decorated for the holidays with mid-century ornaments.

Each guided tour ends with refreshments. $22 for adults, free to children ages 6-16. Not recommended for younger children. Reserve your place by calling (815) 877-2952.

Christmas at the Armory Dec. 21-22, 7 p.m. Performers entertain with a family evening of Christmas songs. Surprise visit by you-know-who. Cocktails and buffet prior to show. Janesville Armory, 10 S. High St., (608) 741-7400, janesvillearmory.com.

Holiday Hoopla Dec. 26-30, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Get your gray matter in gear while wandering this drop-in workshop space. Recycled materials turn into bird feeders, toys, decorations, and whatever you imagine. Use real tools to transform them and take home what you make. 711 N. Main St., Rockford. (815) 963-6769, discoverycentermuseum.org.

Legends of Country Dec. 31-Feb. 17, see website for times. A stage full of country superstars re-created in one performance: Dolly Parton, Tim McGraw, Reba McEntire, Brooks and Dunn, Shania Twain and Johnny Cash. Fireside, Fort Atkinson, Wis., (800) 477-9505, firesidetheatre.com.

January 2019

Young Artists Concerto Competition Jan. 5, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Instrumentalists up to the age of 18 play a piece written for orchestral accompaniment; the winner performs as a soloist with the Kishwaukee Symphony Orchestra on Feb. 23. KSO, Boutell Concert Hall, DeKalb, Ill., (815) 756-3728, kishorchestra.org.

JPAC Improv Comedy Jan. 11, 8 p.m. Improvisors pick suggestions

Visit the Laurent House on Dec. 22.

from the audience and create off-the-cuff comedy and music. JPAC, Janesville, (608) 758-0297, janesvillepac.org.

Fire Cider Making at Klehm Jan. 12, 10:30-noon. Join master herbalist Shannon Redden to learn about the health benefits of using Fire Cider, a flavorful vinegar mixture infused with herbs. Make your own jar to take home. $25. Klehm Arboretum & Botanic Garden, (815) 965-8146, 2715 S. Main St., Klehm.org.

Ron White Jan. 12, 8 p.m. Ron “Tater Salad” White, of the Blue Collar Comedy series, returns to Rockford with a new stand-up show.

Coronado PAC, Rockford, (815) 968-0595, coronadopac.org.

‘Million Dollar Quartet’ Jan. 17-18, Thu. 7:30 p.m., Fri. 8 p.m. The place is Sun Recording Studio in Memphis; the year is 1956. Up-and-comer Jerry Lee Lewis and rockabilly king Carl Perkins are recording together. Elvis and Johnny Cash stop by the studio and the four musicians make history as they record together for the first and only time. Coronado PAC, Rockford, (815) 968-0595, coronadopac.org.

Tito Cevallos Trio Jan. 18, 7:30 p.m. An evening of Latin American sounds in this Charlotte’s Web series concert. MPAC, Rockford, (815) 9649713, mendelssohnpac.org.

RSO: Classics: Bach & Haydn Jan. 19, 7:30 p.m. Featuring Bach’s “Brandenburg Concerto No. 5,” Haydn’s “Symphony No. 103 in E flat major” (“Drumroll”), Purcell’s “March for the Funeral of Queen Mary” and Lully’s “Marche pour la Cérémonie des Turcs.” RSO, Coronado PAC, (815) 965-0049, rockfordsymphony.com. ❚

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WDL

Baci’s Kitchen Serves Up Variety of Fresh Fare

By Peggy Werner

I

n his second year of owning Baci’s Kitchen, Nikko Castrogiovanni sees his business as constantly evolving to give people what they want from his full -service, all-day offerings of Italian and American cuisine. These include many health-conscious and vegetarian options.

“We offer great customer service, fresh foods and a great atmosphere,” he says. “People are pleasantly surprised when they come here and they make plans to return. And many people are still trying us out for the first time.”

Baci’s Kitchen is located at 2990 N. Perryville Road, Rockford, inside A Perryville Place, between Olde Creek and Spring Creek roads. It offers carryout, catering, delivery and full table service, with reservations highly encouraged. It also has a private gaming corner, a sit-down bar, daily specials and live music most Fridays and Saturdays.

Among favorite items on the menu

are 10 oz. burgers, such as a mushroom burger with caramelized onions, Swiss cheese, portabella mushrooms and bacon; the avocado burger topped with lettuce, tomato, black beans, avocado, American cheese and onion; and the Baci Blue, with bleu cheese, bacon and purple onion.

Also beloved is Baci’s Mac and Cheese, made with corkscrew pasta that’s baked and lightly topped with panko crumbs. There are many options, like Alfredo Mac and Cheese with shrimp, peppers and broccoli.

For breakfast, waffles, omelets, skillets and ala carte items are available as well as breakfast pizza starting at $14 in three sizes, made with scrambled eggs and a choice of sauces, cheeses, toppings and meat. There are also breakfast bowls like Greek yogurt with fresh berries, granola, bananas and honey or sweet potato and egg with avocado and kale. Costs range from $4.50 to $8.

Lunch/dinner options include sandwiches, soups, panini, wraps, specialty salads, pizzas, calzones and full-blown entrees like peppercorn-encrusted sirloin filet for $22 or lasagna for $14.95.

Among Baci’s healthful signature protein bowls is the Salmon Bowl, with blackened salmon filet, brown rice, sesame seeds, spinach, avocado, edamane and shredded carrots for $14.

Hours: Sun. 8 a.m.-8 p.m.; Mon.Wed. 8 a.m.-9 p.m.; Thurs.-Sat. 8 a.m.-10 p.m. Learn more at baciskitchen.com. ❚ ❚

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.

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

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To advertise call 815-316-2300

In the Spotlight

Hearthrock Cafe

B

enson Stone Company’s Hearthrock Café has introduced new items to its already-popular menu. Head Chef Todd Cooper is following the popular farm-totable trend, working with seasonal and fresh ingredients as much as possible.

One of his most popular new creations is the Smoked Andouille Sausage Flatbread, with a homemade Marinara sauce, fresh mozzarella and Parmesan cheese, red pepper and mushrooms.

There’s also a new Benson Reuben sandwich, made with homemade sauce and pickled red cabbage.

Fresh salads include apple walnut, mandarin orange, garden, spinach or Caesar, iwith optional chicken or bacon.

Hearthrock Café hours are Mon.Fri. 7:30 a.m.-3 p.m. and Sat. 8 a.m.-3 p.m.

Breakfast is served until 11 a.m. Benson Stone Company is located at 1100 11th St. in Rockford. Learn more at BensonStone. com/hearthrock. ❚

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