Just in case you can’t keep up with all the restaurant shuffling going on around here, I thought I would give it to you in one post:
- Yummy upscale Cafe Luna, whose building is being torn down in Campustown, will be moving to the site of the former Track’s and City of New Orleans restaurants on the fringe of downtown Champaign.
- Milo’s, perhaps the lbotp family’s favorite local chow, will be moving from its current location in the dead Lincoln Square Village to a stand-alone building in the new Pines shopping center in south Urbana. No wonder why they never expanded, as announced in 2006.
- The Great Impasta is closing at the end of December because the owner sold out its excellent downtown Champaign building to — what else — a bank. He says in the News-Gazette article that he may reopen the place somewhere else, but it’s not all that convincing. Unlike Lisa, I won’t really miss the place, although the ambiance in the current location was quite nice. Mostly I went there because it seemed to be the only locally owned place to get something resembling Italian food — and my patronage of the place significantly waned after they removed the eggplant Parmesan from the menu. If anything, I find that this void may open the door for a new independent Italian restaurateur to get his/her feet on the ground.
- It is now March … and there still is no Wendy’s in Champaign-Urbana.
16 responses so far ↓
Cynthia // March 3, 2008 at 12:40 pm
I hate the idea of the building Luna is currently in being torn down but other than that I like the sound of the new location.
Great Impasta….I remember vividly when it opened in the 80’s…..first time I ever had pesto! Can’t say I’ll particularly miss it now however.
I really like Milos but South Urbana’s not really my stomping grounds….I’m more likely to be in downtown Urbana….poor Lincoln Square….
Does it seem at all likely that Dom’s (or rather a new version) will open in downtown. I’ve heard it mentioned but don’t know if that’s just talk or not….
Katherine // March 3, 2008 at 3:26 pm
Well, I’m just glad Tracks is gone. What a waste of such an interesting space. I’ve never been to Cafe Luna but I’ll have to check it out.
Milo’s isn’t a real loss since I can’t eat there. A friend’s ex is a waiter there and I just know he’d spit in my food for telling her to kick the bum to the curb. Oh well, it was worth it to get him off her couch!
The sad lack of Italian food is starting to worry me. I liked Dom’s and although the Great Impasta isn’t one of my favorites I’m feeling sort of sorry for myself now. Only chains to choose from. Grr.
Leeanthro // March 3, 2008 at 3:52 pm
The Wendy’s sign last week said that they were hiring. The sign now says “coming soon.” And I’ve seen a lot of activity. Hope it’s sooner than later, but it was quite a tease to have an “Open Feb” sign.
I met my husband at City of New Orleans. I think I’ll post this week about how we met.
I can’t say I was thrilled about the Impasta lately. Ever since ownership changed. I doubt the current owner is really Italian, but I could be wrong.
I’ve only been to Milo’s a couple of times. And can’t say the new location will be a draw for me.
Gnightgirl // March 3, 2008 at 6:03 pm
I’m another who won’t miss Great Impasta; the last 3 shots I gave it, the food was underpar and extremely overpriced. Actually, I can never understand how most Italian places get away with charging what they do for a plate of spaghetti or a slice of lasagna. I can make some kickass Italian food for a heck of a lot less than $14.95/plate.
I’m excited to hear that Cafe Luna’s moving downtown though; I rarely choose to dine there because of the current location.
What in the heck’s going on with the cupcake bar, do you know?
M_Six // March 3, 2008 at 6:29 pm
The new Milo’s location will be easier for us and I bet they’ll get some decent business from Stone Creek, especially since Kennedy’s is fading. I’ll join the chorus of those who won’t miss the Not-So-Great Impasta, although C-U needs another bank like a submarine needs screen doors.
lbotp // March 3, 2008 at 7:29 pm
We would go to Milo’s no matter the location. That is a destination for us, and I’m glad that they will have a more comfortable space and room for parties.
Gnightgirl-As far as the cupcake bar goes, there was a photo of some guy working in there on the front of the N-G the other day. The cutline said they hoped to open in the next couple of months. My guess is those renovations were a lot more extensive — not to mention expensive — than anticipated. That is a pretty old building!
leeanthro — would love to hear how you and the Mr. met.
Katherine — Cafe Luna is one of the best in town.
Cynthia — I have heard/read some chatter about Dom’s finding a new place, but it seems to be just that right now.
Val // March 3, 2008 at 8:47 pm
You guys gotta try Manzella’s Italian Patio on First Street! My family has been eating there for 30 years and it is always, always good. The service isn’t always the best but the food is so good I don’t care. My favorite stand-by, spaghettini with meat sauce is outstanding, but you gotta try the spaghettini with garlic & oil. My husband loves the pizza.
catch-her-in-the wry // March 3, 2008 at 11:02 pm
I’ll follow Jane and the gang from Milo’s anywhere they move. It will be farther for us, but well worth it. Loved their food since they first opened! And in a pinch, Escabar’s is a little closer.
Great Impasta was always too noisy and food has gone downhill recently.
Will try Cafe Luna at the new location. I try to avoid campus area.
Steve // March 4, 2008 at 6:33 am
Love Milos, love Luna. I just hope both are able to recreate the character and charm I enjoy at their current locations. Getting to Luna is a pain, especially now with the construction, but it’s a neat little place to eat. And I love the size of Milos. But I’m sure both are looking forward to getting more butts in seats.
Leeanthro // March 4, 2008 at 9:25 am
I heard two restaurant rumors. I’ll post about them. (Can’t give you all my good stuff!)
iuhas5 // March 4, 2008 at 10:40 am
Gotta say I love the Great Impasta and will really miss it. Looks like Manzella’s will be a great choice since we lost Dom’s as well. I hope at least one of these reopens. Anyplace but Biaggi’s!!!! Talk about overpriced and an incredible lack of quality control!!!!!
Astrological Burnout // March 4, 2008 at 3:33 pm
Lincoln Square ain’t dead yet - with Common Ground relocating there this summer and Art Mart changing a few things around regarding their food, plus the Farmers Market gearing up for opening in May… I see better things happening. It takes time. Milo’s had a major visibility problem in LSV, among other things. This new situation is way better.
Distance is relative around here! I’m thinking Milo’s’ food is worth a few extra minutes in the car, just like a film at Boardman’s is worth it.
As for Luna - loved the building, hated the fact they were on campus. Hope nothing else changes too much.
Champaign Shuffle « Soy is the New Black // March 5, 2008 at 8:18 am
[...] Champaign Shuffle March 5, 2008, 1:00 pm Filed under: To Do In C-U, dining, rumors LBOTP and Champaign Taste have given us the scoop on some local restaurants that are closing or moving in [...]
Leeanthro // March 5, 2008 at 8:51 am
I wonder if Astrological Burnout is a transplant to the area. I find it so interesting when someplace gets renamed and the longtime locals still use the old name, but recent transplants use the new name.
(Boardman’s = The Art)
(LSV = Lincoln Square– no “village”)
Just wondering. You can’t teach old dogs new tricks!
I’ve been wanting to join Common Ground for a while. I think their new location will be good. I would have more of a tendency to go there after the farmer’s market than their current location.
Astrological Burnout // March 5, 2008 at 8:15 pm
Astrological Burnout has been a resident of C-U for 12 years, actually, but their line of work has them use current names for certain places, and they were posting from work under a pseudonym… eek!
For me, the Monkey will always be the Pig.
See you at the Market!
seen and heard « little blog on the prairie // July 31, 2008 at 12:37 pm
[...] That Milo’s will be opening at its new Urbana location on [...]
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