MOST ORIGINAL MENU Caitie Girl’s 400 E. Jefferson St., 528-1294 Caitie Girl’s. An original name for a restaurant. And the dishes on the restaurant’s menu are just as original, putting their own twist on traditional American staples. A heaping plate of purple fries is drizzled with truffle oil, kosher salt, fresh cracked pepper, rosemary, bacon and parmesan shavings. Corn tortillas are stuffed with chipotle spice canita pork, Mexican spiced corn and black bean orzo, avocado, cilantro sour cream, cojita cheese, red cabbage, and roasted peppers. And bowtie pasta, mixed with pepper jack cheese sauce and pulled pork, is topped with a buttery crumb topping and baked to perfection to create a popular mac ’n cheese. Caitie Girl’s take on the horseshoe features jalapeno cornbread, pulled BBQ pork, and pepper jack cheese sauce and tri-colored fries. By now, we’re sure you get it. Go ahead. Stop in. See for yourself. Caitie Girl’s is definitely in a class all by itself.

BEST RESTAURANT OFF THE BEATEN PATH Magic Kitchen 4112 Peoria Rd., 525-2230 • 115 N. Lewis., 525-6975 Drive too fast on Peoria Road and you may miss one of Springfield’s hidden treasures – Magic Kitchen. Located in a small building at the edge of town, some have even referred to it as one of Springfield’s “best kept secrets.” With authentic Thai dishes that will have your taste buds jumping for days, this establishment didn’t stay a secret for long, as natives lined up outside each day awaiting its opening. Today, thank God, we now enjoy Magic Kitchen 2, which serves the same delightful dishes as the Peoria Road store. Some will tell you that one of the restaurant’s greatest wonders is the BYOB – bring your own beer – liquor policy.

BEST BREAKFAST Charlie Parker’s 700 North St., 241-2104 Blueberry stuffed French toast casserole. A 16-inch pancake. And a breakfast horseshoe, featuring eggs, toast, your choice of meat, and hash browns or fries, topped with cheese or gravy. They all seemed tempting. But one look at the waitress carrying a plate of the French toast to a neighboring table and we were sold. After all, how could we pass up the load of fresh blueberries oozing from this early morning treat? (We stress early morning because it generally sells out fast.) If none of the restaurant’s three specialties tickle your fancy, and you’re more of a traditional breakfast eater, rest assured you will find something that suits you.

BEST PLACE TO HAVE A BIRTHDAY PARTY FOR GRANDMA MCL Restaurant and Bakery 2151 W. Wabash Ave., 787-8706 • 101 W. Jefferson St., 788-6513 To most of us, Grandma holds a special place in our hearts. And although she has had Lord knows how many birthdays, we recognize that she is still deserving of a very special day. Of course no one makes a meal as good as Grandma. But surely we can’t ask her to prepare her own birthday meal. Voters’ advice? MCL Restaurant and Bakery, which offers an array of dishes freshly made from scratch each day. If Grandma counts roast beef, fried, baked, and grilled chicken, meat loaf, and homemade casseroles among her favorite foods, MCL guarantees to serve them every day. Other dishes, such as chicken and noodles, ham and beans, catfish, and chopped steak, are rotated throughout the week. If you haven’t already celebrated a new year with Grandma, MCL’s homey atmosphere is sure to make her feel right at home. And the delectable down-home dishes are sure to bring back fond memories. Runner-up: Olive Garden, with Chesapeake Seafood a close third.

BEST RESTAURANT FOR A ROMANTIC DINNER Bella Milano 4525 Wabash Ave., 547-0011 In many ways, romancing your sweetheart can be quite the feat, especially for those who are romantically challenged. If this is you, then Bella Milano should become one of your best friends. Once you step into this establishment you’re immediately greeted with the smooth sounds of jazz. Its low, dark ceilings, high-back chairs, and see-through fireplace adds to the warm, romantic ambiance. With the mood set, patrons soon find that the food is as tantalizing as the decor. From expensive steak, seafood and wine to dishes that are a bit more affordable – such as lasagna, and other pasta entrees – Bella Milano is truly a spot you’ll want to frequent more than once. Since opening five years ago, the restaurant has been the site for a number of marriage proposals. And if you let them know of your pending proposal ahead of time, Bella Milano will help ensure that your day is memorable. Bella Milano is not the only restaurant that lends itself to romance. We encourage you to give our runner up a try. Runner-up: Ross Isaac