WDL
Capital House: High Quality & High Value
By Peggy Werner
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apital House, 308 W. State St., is known for quality food at affordable prices and a cozy urban atmosphere. “We’ve listened to the community and made adjustments based on what they wanted to see,” says corporate chef Ted Brothers, a partner in the business with owner Robin Young. The restaurant no longer serves lunch but is focused on an expanded dinner menu. “Most of our clientele see us as a dinner spot, so that’s where we’re going to put our emphasis,” says Brothers. “About 90 percent of the people come to Capital House for dinner because they love the menu and the live music on Friday and Saturday nights.” The menu changes daily but always offers freshly flown-in seafood and high quality meats. A recent menu included a variety of
salads and homemade soups plus entrees featuring Atlantic diver scallops with lobster cream sauce, heirloom tomatoes, herbed butter and seasonal accompaniments for $28; a 16-oz. prime New York strip with hand whipped potatoes, demi glaze and seasonal accompaniments for $34; seared Ahi tuna steak with peppercorn, Asian slaw, risotto and fresh lemon for $34; and filet mignon, shrimp scampi, Alaskan wild salmon, pan-seared pacific halibut, salt-crusted Chilean sea bass and New Zealand rack of lamb. Young says the menu is dictated by getting the best quality food at the best prices, so she can avoid shocking customers with steep increases because of changing market values. “I love to try new things,” says Young. “A dish served one weekend may not be on the menu the next weekend. For our regulars, this means there’s always
Alaskan King Salmon with Lobster Risotto
something new and fresh to try.” She describes the atmosphere as upscale but comfortable, with “a low key vibe that awakens the senses.” Capital House is located in a renovated space formerly occupied by Kryptonite bar. Capital House is open from 5 to 10 p.m. Tues. through Thurs. and 5 p.m. to midnight Fri. and Sat. ❚
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. 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
Jan. 16
To advertise call 815-316-2300
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Dos Reales
os Reales, 5855 E. State St., Rockford, has been serving up authentic Mexican fare and signature margaritas, along with some American fare, since 1998. Its recently updated menu features a burrito cheesesteak and chimichangas, along with newer items such as torta Mexicana, a Mexican style of sandwich filled with grilled chicken or steak; sopes Mexicanos, a traditional Mexican dish served with rice and beans; and molletes, a traditional Mexican meal with toasted bread covered in refried beans and grilled steak. Dos Reales offers glutenfree options, and dishes are mild unless a guest requests spicy. “We prepare everything from scratch and purchase our products from local sources,” says Jose Gonzalez, Dos Reales’s manager. Dos Reales is open Sun.-Thurs., 11 a.m.-10 p.m., and Fri.-Sat. until 10:30 p.m. ❚
