Opened in September 2023 in the old Crane Alley space, Encanto inherits a room with memory, and the restaurant wisely leans into atmosphere: bright murals, contemporary Latin music, friendly hosts, and a menu sprawling enough to satisfy—or at least not displease—a big table.

With the trending combination of Caesar salad, fries, and martini at a bar, Alyssa can’t help but think there’s nowhere else better in Champaign-Urbana for this steakhouse bar moment than Hamilton Walker’s.

How do you take your coffee when there are 48 different temperatures and weather conditions in one week? Columbia Street Cafe at The Yard on Broadway has all our moods—and the weather patterns—covered with a wide variety of options from their own classic roasts to something indulgent.

In Illinois, there is a new bill circulating through the state house and senate that is proposing implementing hourly train service between Champaign and Chicago, as well as other frequently traveled destinations from the Chicago hub. www.smilepolitely.com/opinion/of-c...

Champaign-Urbana’s string quartet in residence, Jupiter String Quartet, will debut its newest member in a concert on March 12 at the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts.

The Papa Del’s Pizza Factory on Neil Street is celebrating 10 years, and nothing says “tenth birthday” like a good, old-fashioned pizza party.

It’s almost Election Day. Do you know where your polling places are?

JM’s Texas Craft BBQ will open soon inside Lincoln Square Mall. Urbana’s new food court vendor will offer barbecue plates and smoked meat by the pound in addition to from-scratch sides and the restaurant’s only dessert: secret-recipe banana cream pudding.

Primary elections are currently underway; Election Day is Tuesday, March 17. On the ballot for everyone in Champaign County is County Executive. There are two people running in the Democratic primary: Michelle Jett and Sanford Hess.

Primary elections are currently underway; Election Day is Tuesday, March 17. On the ballot for everyone in Champaign County is County Executive. There are two people running in the Democratic primary: Michelle Jett and Sanford Hess.

Parkland College will celebrate its 60th anniversary this year, kicking off this Thursday, March 12 with a Day of Giving.

Seeking Art through Wa, an exhibition’s from curator, Satomi, defines Wa as a traditional Japanese concept of harmony and balance, but also as a form of peace—a tranquility expressed beautifully through ink-based arts like calligraphy and sumi-e.

There’s no better time than spring break for a flight. This spring, explore the town’s flavors via a collection of mini pours.

Habitat for Humanity of Champaign County has upcoming financial education courses that are free, accessible, and promising for those who long to ditch the landlord.

On Tuesday March 3, Natalie MacMaster, Donnell Leahy, and a collection of their friends and family members took the stage in Krannert Center for the Performing Arts’ Foellinger Great Hall for what they described as “one of the longest shows we’ve ever done.”

Start screaming; it’s ice cream season. The cute seasonal ice cream stand Sidney Dairy Barn opens for the season this weekend.

Offering an often-changing list of craft beers, 25 O’Clock Brewing Company targets a more mature audience with a discerning palate for craft beer with intellectual stimulation in its menu

Hang tight if you planned to visit the Children’s Discovery Museum in Normal today or tomorrow. The museum will be closed March 9 and 10 for construction on their brand new “From the Farm to A Healthy Me” exhibit.

Take care of business at the beginning of the week, and kick of spring break early with tons of events on Wednesday and Thursday.

There is much more work to be done with regard to water use laws, agriculture, and massive data centers. So keep up the good work of educating yourself and others, and contacting your state reps to protect our resources.

This year marked the 43rd installment of the Insect Fear Film Festival, solidifying itself as a unique community event that provides a fun experience for all ages.

From the raw talent of our area high schoolers to the world-class grace of the Dance Theatre of Harlem, there is a lot to love about arts this month.

Pond Street—a restaurant located inside of the VFW building off of Main Street in Urbana—has a crisp, clean menu, keeping the list of dishes short, but the restaurant excels at every one of them.

This week, Alyssa is thirsty for the mango lassi at NAYA.

The Marching Illini will perform in Kilkenny as part of St. Patrick’s Festival Kilkenny on March 15.

Read Across America, which may include swapping and / or donating books. Then, see some art, enjoy live music, and treat yourself to something sweet.

Joselli Deans' lecture "Blacks in Ballet: Embodiment, Representation, & Resilience" and art exhibit by Marilynn Dean Cleveland will happen on March 26.

Tucked in with the surrounding houses on a neighborhood street is Huber’s West End Store, one of Champaign’s oldest bars.

Verona becomes Urbana in this adaptation of Romeo and Juliet—directed by our very own Arts Editor, Amy Penne.

Check out the candidate guide provided by the League of Women Voters of Champaign County, as well as a sample ballot, contact information for our government officials, and more ahead of March 17. Vote, please!

The Editorial Board decided to kick off Women’s History Month with some ways to support women athletes in our own community.

The vintage clothing scene in the Champaign-Urbana has been booming. With more and more vintage store fronts opening like Resistance Threads and Devotion, there is a landscape of new (old) styles and expressions.

In honor of Women’s History Month, let’s celebrate some amazing women in the local food and drink world.

The Virginia Theatre is hosting a special screening of the film as part of Illinois Public Media Film Series and presented in partnership with the Japan House.

This month, taste the iconic, long-loved avocado jhalmuri in Downtown Champaign and four other things that did not exist in this town in 2020.

On February 25, community members assembled in the austere, beautiful Hessel Park Church to watch a dance performance entitled “Good House Keep,” choreographed by University of Illinois dance faculty member Anna Sapozhnikov.

The College of Liberal Arts & Sciences next Dean’s Distinguished Lecture welcomes Professor Kara Federmeier, who will present “What’s in a word? Finding meaning in the brain” on Wednesday, March 4.

We are looking for new contributors for our Arts section: You can see shows before they debut, talk to local artists and learn about their work, dive into literature, dance, and poetry, and check out festivals like Boneyard and PYGMALION.

This week—March 4 through 10—marks Owner Appreciation Days at Common Ground Food Co-op. This week kicks off with an artist reception and ends with coffee samples from a small batch roastery.

There’s something quietly thrilling about spotting fried chicken on the menu at a place mentally filed under tea and mochi.

Editors are daydreaming about pool days, ordering takeout, celebrating International Women's Day, and more this week.

Chaz Ebert has released the initial slate for this April’s festival at the Virginia Theatre, and the programming is shaping up to be the conversation we need just when we need it most.

It’s a midterm election year; primaries are underway. Voting is the best way to help determine the pathway for your party this November. Election day is March 17, but early voting has already begun.

The Urbana Police Department recently set up designated Internet Exchange Parking Spots, which will be monitored by video 24/7. These spots will hopefully provide peace of mind when you’re picking up you next sweet online marketplace purchase.

For a short month, there sure was a lot happening. Learn about four new restaurants that opened this February and two announcements of new additions coming soon, plus links to all of this month’s Food & Drink articles.

Windy City Express is an indie fast food joint with dine in and a drive-through window in an old 1900s Wendy’s.

Huge congratulations are in order for Champaign’s own Damian Duffy and University of Illinois alumnus John Jennings.

The Humanities Research Institute will host the annual campus celebration of International Women’s Day with 12 Women Who Changed the World: Untold Stories.

Ring was advertising that it now has a feature that lets people blast images to strangers under the guise of helping them find lost dogs. What this doesn’t address is that this feature is surveillance.