It's Your Business: More than a taste of food news
All right, foodies. Today's column is devoted to businesses that cater to those of us who love to eat.
Got a hankering for a falafel sandwich? Holy land Mediterranean Grill, 705 N. Neil St., C, opened last week in what was previously known as Jack's Grill.
We've heard the falafel is good, but the chefs cook up a whole range of dishes, including various kebabs, lamb chops, meat shawarma (thin slices of slow-cooked lamb) and some American dishes such as shrimp scampi.
Partners Sam Moukhamer and Jamal Kahala renovated and rearranged the space after Jack's Grill closed. They chose the name because the food they cook hails from a region that is considered the holy land for three of the world's religions (Islam, Judaism and Christianity), said Moukhamer, a Jordanian native who has spent the last 20 years in the U.S.
They renovated the space and added features such as indoor canopies and booths. They're also planning to add a stereo system that will broadcast Middle Eastern music.
"I want to make the atmosphere relaxed," Moukhamer said.
The emphasis is on fresh and made-to-order food. Juice drinks are made from fruit after the customer orders. The tabouleh also comes from the chef's recipe, not a container that has been sitting in the cooler, Moukhamer said. At night chickpeas are soaked for use in hummus and other dishes.
The menu also features drinks such as Turkish coffee and Arabian tea. And all meats are halal. Catering also is available.
The restaurant can be reached at 355-0599. It's open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.
Italian restaurant for Urbana
What used to be known as The Timbers steakhouse in Urbana (and before that, Ned Kelly's) is now Nikki Marie's, an Italian restaurant.
Nicole Lee has taken over the restaurant at 1601 N. Cunningham Ave. from her parents, Johnny and Cheryl Lee. The Lees, who have a history of running several restaurants in East Central Illinois, including The Possum Trot in Oakwood and The Outer Banks in Pesotum, ran The Timbers for about two years, until mid-August of this year.
The restaurant, named after Nicole's children, Nicholas and Alexa Marie, is a family friendly Italian restaurant, Lee said.
The interior has been painted and some toys, including a rocking horse, have been added to the decor.
"We wanted people to know it's a family friendly place," Lee said.
The restaurant still has some of the offerings of the previous restaurant, including rib-eye, fried shrimp and a pork chop. They've also added pizzas and entrees such as a seven-layer lasagna. And for dessert: homemade tiramisu. Beer and wine are also being served.
Plus, meals for children have been added.
Most entrees, with the exception of the kids' meals at about $4, cost about $8 to $15, with the most expensive entree being the rib-eye at $17.
The restaurant is open for dinner from 4 to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 4 to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday and can be reached at 365-0377.
Ownership change
The longtime manager of the Apple Dumplin restaurant in rural Urbana is planning to buy the building and business from the current owners.
The restaurant, at 2014 N. High Cross Road in northeast Urbana, features country cooking such as fried chicken, mashed potatoes, noodles, vegetables and rolls.
Kathryn Flaningam started working at the restaurant in 1991 and has been managing it for eight years, she said.
Her mother and her daughter also work at the restaurant.
She and her husband, James Flaningam, are planning to buy the business from Bob and Rita Wingler this month.
Flaningam said she does not plan any major menu or decor changes, but she would like to start offering family-size meals to go. Right now the restaurant offers single dinners to go, but she would like to add options such as a bucket of chicken and a bucket of noodles.
In the spring, she plans to add catering.
The restaurant can be reached at 344-0076.
Flesor's candy, anyone?
If you live in Champaign-Urbana and have been missing candy from Flesor's Candy Kitchen, which closed its shop at Urbana's Lincoln Square Village in January, the Tuscola-based candy shop and restaurant will have a kiosk at Champaign's Market Place Mall during the holidays.
The stand, located in the Macy's wing, will be open on weekends beginning the second weekend in November.
Kitchen items for sale
Pat Bohlen, Rita Drechsel and Anna McKinney have become the local sales representatives for Demarle at Home.
The France-based company sells flexible cooking and baking products made from silicone.
"Baking has become fun again. It's easy cleanup and there are wonderful results," Drechsel said, adding that the products promote even heating and even browning.
She and McKinney are hosting their first demonstration in Drechsel's St. Joseph home on Nov. 3.
"This is a home-based business for both of us," she said.
More information is available by contacting Drechsel at my_kitchen//ritadrechsel.demarleathome.com, Bohlen at pbohlen<@>gmail.com or McKinney at urbanaanna<@>yahoo.com.
Are you opening a new business or changing an existing business? Christine des Garennes can be reached by phone at 351-5388 or 800-252-3346; by e-mail at cgarenne@news-gazette.com; or by regular mail at The News-Gazette, c/o It's Your Business column, P.O. Box 677, Champaign, IL 61824-067
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- Good thing C-U forefathers knew to go green
- Sketches at exhibit honor Illinois' fallen heroes
- UI prof has unique perspective on genome
- Couple hits the Oregon trail – the two-wheeled way
- For businesswoman, creativity at heart of consulting
- Danville alderman to run for Black's seat
- Obituaries