Uptown Grill

If you've ever driven from Madison to St Louis you know there's a long, boring stretch through Illinois with not much to look at, and not too many great places to stop and eat. We stumbled upon an unlikely upscale restaurant in La Salle a couple of years ago and now it's a regular stop whenever we're going through. The Uptown Grill menu is printed daily with specials featuring what's fresh and local. On our last visit I had a difficult time deciding between some of the specials but settled on a beautiful dish of mussels, one of my favorite things. They were prepared with a lemongrass sauce that was light and refreshing and had just a little kick of hot pepper added. There's always a wide range of appetizers offered, which you can make into a shared meal, or if you prefer your own dish, you're sure to find something among all the specials, salads, sandwiches and entrees made by the talented kitchen staff.

During warm months there is screened dining outdoors in addition to a large dining room and spacious bar area. The restaurant seems to always be busy with groups of all ages. The staff is well trained and the food is always outstanding. We definitely recommend you plan a visit on your next trip through central Illinois.