What to do during the cold winter? Eat!
We have had a mild winter in Central Illinois. That hasn't stopped people from taking part in a favorite winter past time...eating!
You may have noticed that I have a few area restaurants listed on my "Favorite Places" tab. I plan to write about some of them periodically...Especially if it is too cold to play outside and take road trips!
Keep in mind, I am not a restaurant critic. For me, dining out is about the experience and having fun with friends.
I love small town, family owned restaurants where each meal is homemade, nothing comes from a can and if you visit often enough people actually remember your name and are happy to see you.
I don't believe we have to travel far to have a great meal, wonderful service and a lot of fun.
One of my favorite places in Peru, IL is Mark Allen's American Kitchen.
The atmosphere is relaxed, welcoming, quirky and cool.
The restaraunt is owned by Mark Weisbroad and Anne Maxwell-Weisbroad.
Mark has been in the culinary business for over 30 years and the food at Mark Allen's is great!
Anne is an artist.
In the bar, Anne has created a whimsical space where her guests can play while enjoying drinks. Anne often uses metal instead of canvas for her art. Many pieces of her art are interactive.
Customers can write messages with a dry erase marker on one piece, and move magnetized facial features on another.
Anne's esthetic is bright, warm and fun. (I am also not an art critic, but I know what I like!)
Anne has installed a "wish wall" in the Dining Room where guests can write their wish on a small colored piece of paper roll it up and place it on the wall.
The art, fabulous food, great service and talented bartenders make you feel as though you are in a larger metropolitan area even though you are in a small town.
I highly recommend stopping at Mark Allens when you are on the roads less travelled.
See more of Anne's cool art here!
Mark Allen's, Peru, is in La Salle County, Just 20 minutes from Starved Rock State Park. It is a great place to stop along the Illinois River Road National Scenic Byway or while visiting the Heritage Corridor.
For hours, menu and more information check out http://www.markallens.com/.
You may have noticed that I have a few area restaurants listed on my "Favorite Places" tab. I plan to write about some of them periodically...Especially if it is too cold to play outside and take road trips!
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| The experience starts before you enter Mark Allen's. Anne's whimsical folk art is both outside and inside! |
Keep in mind, I am not a restaurant critic. For me, dining out is about the experience and having fun with friends.
I love small town, family owned restaurants where each meal is homemade, nothing comes from a can and if you visit often enough people actually remember your name and are happy to see you.
I don't believe we have to travel far to have a great meal, wonderful service and a lot of fun.
One of my favorite places in Peru, IL is Mark Allen's American Kitchen.
The restaraunt is owned by Mark Weisbroad and Anne Maxwell-Weisbroad.
Mark has been in the culinary business for over 30 years and the food at Mark Allen's is great!
 |
| Anne's art warms up the dining room at Mark Allen's withfun bright colors. |
In the bar, Anne has created a whimsical space where her guests can play while enjoying drinks. Anne often uses metal instead of canvas for her art. Many pieces of her art are interactive.
Customers can write messages with a dry erase marker on one piece, and move magnetized facial features on another.
Anne's esthetic is bright, warm and fun. (I am also not an art critic, but I know what I like!)
Anne has installed a "wish wall" in the Dining Room where guests can write their wish on a small colored piece of paper roll it up and place it on the wall.
 |
| "Bob" watches the festivities from behind the bar. |
I highly recommend stopping at Mark Allens when you are on the roads less travelled.
See more of Anne's cool art here!
Mark Allen's, Peru, is in La Salle County, Just 20 minutes from Starved Rock State Park. It is a great place to stop along the Illinois River Road National Scenic Byway or while visiting the Heritage Corridor.
For hours, menu and more information check out http://www.markallens.com/.
Looks fabulous!!
ReplyDeleteI might have to take a little road trip:)
You should! It is a wonderful place. Thanks for commenting!
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