Every issue, 365ink's Rich Belmont dons his napkin and digs into another great Tri-State dining venue. In a past few years Rich has sampled scores of delicious options and we've go pretty PDF versions of every one of those feature article here for your reference. WARNING: Do not read these reviews is you suffer from sever hunger, it could be dangerous! Recent Features includes George and Dales, Frank O'Dowd's Irish Pub, Rhody's Food & Spirits, The Shot Tower Inn and Star Restaurant! Click into the blog for a full list of linked PDF articles.

The tradition continues...
The Hotel Julie Dubuque's fantastic restaurant, Caroline's, is once again hosting a pair of monthly wine dinners on Wednesday, April 18th, where a terriffic wines will be paired with a Cajun Menu and Wednesday, May 23rd, where a Midwest Menu will get the full wine compliment. $45 per person. Call 563-588-5595 for reservations today. And don't forget that every Saturday is Prime Rib Night! A succulent 12 oz. cut is only $22. Visit them online... www.hoteljuliendubuque.com.

Here's an easy and adaptable recipe for you to make during the cold winter months! Use what you have and make it your own! This lasagna soup is delicious and pretty easy to make.

by Rich Belmont
Year 2011 is history which means you are probably done noshing on Christmas treats and Holiday dinners.  You have had your share of rich foods and big meals with family and friends.  So you might be thinking it’s time to get back to basic eating.  Well you can’t get more basic than Paul’s Tavern on Locust Street between 1st and 2nd Streets in Dubuque. Click the title for the rest of the story.

Two words my friends... NORGE BROILATOR!

Argosy's Food For Thought 
by Rich Belmont

Do you think of New Year’s Eve as the end of year 2011 or as the beginning of 2012?  Either way you owe it to yourself to finish this year or begin the next one with an exceptionally delicious dinner!

L.May Eatery is just the place to help you celebrate “out with the old and in with the new”.  If you haven’t done so already its’ not too late to make your reservations for a delightful dinner chosen from a special New Year’s Eve menu served from 4 pm to 10 pm.

When Chocolaterie Stam opened this summer in the Main Street storefront formerly occupied by Café Manna Java (269 Main Street) it created kind of a buzz downtown.  There were plenty of questions.  What kind of place is it?  What is gelato?  To what does that name refer and how do you pronounce it?  Click the title for the answers to these and many more decadent questions in the 365ink feature story and photos by Mike Ironside.

It's a real life catbread!!

Today I come bearing another recipe. This one is from the Dubuque Farmers' Market on Facebook. I've been wondering what to do with my bag of cherry tomatoes from Tree of Life CSA. They're really sweet and weren't quite ripe last time I checked. This tomato sauce sounds like the purrrrfect thing to make :)

P Dubz has never failed me. Ever. So, if she says something is her favorite, I have to try it. I bring to you my favorite homemade pizza just in time for you to use the yummy eggplants and tomatoes from your local CSA.

So Otto Sallman’s Restaurant has come full circle.  You probably don’t know who Otto was.  In 1899 he built a building on Bouthillier Street in Galena next to the railroad tracks right across the street from the Train Depot.  We know he intended to open a restaurant because the October 20, 1899 Galena Daily Gazette contained an article titled “Otto Sallman Restaurant Handsomely Equipped”.  Otto ran out of money, however, and never got to fulfill his dream.  In subsequent years his building served as a handmade basket store, home bakery, grocery store, pizza parlor, furniture store, antique shop and more recently a sandwich café. (by Rich Belmont)