Wow. This was a side of Champaign I didn't know existed. The space is warm without being rustic, artistic and art-deco is more apt. There is jewelry displayed in windows and on the walls, so the place feels like a foodie art gallery in some ways. The waiter was the most friendly and helpful and conversational waitstaff I have ever encountered.
And the food. Man. What a way to break from my campus habits of Chipotle and Torticas. A friend and I did two started and shared the entree and dessert. We chose the beef tartare and roasted bone marrow appetizers. It was my first time trying steak tartare and I was really pleased with it, though the potato chips that come with it to eat are a little overpowering for the tartare. The bone marrow is as rich and indulgent as you might expect, and well complemented by the toasts it comes with.
Our entree was the grilled Berkshire farms pork chop and came with a side of cheesy macaroni and arugula. The pork chop was very substantial and somehow crispy, almost like it was fried. Very nicely done and the apple sauce is delicious made from local apples from Curtis Orchard.
Dessert was a funnel cake drizzled with caramel and topped with whipped cream. So good! Definitely lighter than your average Funnel cake, and also super crispy and crunchy.