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crocus in my front garden are blooming; the small petals of bold yellow
and lavender peak through last fall’s decaying leaves. A few days
ago, their blooms barely held their heads above the inch or so of late-spring
snow. They are small gems, and their presence makes me smile every spring.
I love it when nature allows for such beauty to grow in tucked-away pockets
of the earth. They are the treasures of spring. Similar to finding a crocus peaking its head above snow, if you haven’t experienced the beauty and delicacy of Red Crow Grille, I think you are missing one of the Quad Cities’ small gems. It is a quaint little treasure tucked away in northwest Bettendorf. Like a crocus in spring, Red Crow Grille’s exquisite ambiance may surprise you, but the delectable entrees may keep you coming back long after spring has passed. If you’re not acquainted with Red Crow Grille, it is located at 2504 53rd Ave. in Bettendorf. Laurie Sandoval, the restaurant’s owner, opened the door nine years ago, and Red Crow Grille has been setting a very high standard ever since. A few of their signature dishes are the duck breast appetizer served with brioche (a rich French bread), fried goat cheese, and chamboard syrup; the beef tenderloin entree served with haircot vert (a slender green bean) and whipped potatoes; and my favorite, the grilled asparagus. Just like we are spring-cleaning our homes, Laurie and Chef Brian Olsen have been busy creating new entrees so they can continue to keep their menu seasonal. The new menu and wine list came out April 15th. The wine list “Pairs up with Chef Brian on food profiles to let the wine complement the direction the menu is moving,” Laurie says. Red Crow Grille offers over 150 different wines. On weekends it offers a wine feature, a selection usually not on their regular list that enhances the dinner features for the evening. Laurie and Brian explain that they also work with the Buy Fresh, Buy Local program of the Quad Cities to include locally raised produce, always incorporating the freshest foods whenever possible. A highlight of their new menu items includes an appetizer of grilled Yellowfin tuna with sea bean salad, grilled red onion and scallions, and a lemon caper vinaigrette. Or if your palette is craving chicken, you might try the yellow corn crepe stuffed with roasted wild mushrooms and braised chicken. It sits on a pool of Mornay sauce (a creamy cheese sauce) topped with a fried taco (Spanish ham), all sitting under a small green salad. All of this of course is served with a tower of warm homemade bread, whipped herb butter, and an amuse-bouche (a small bite before the meal begins—chef’s choice) to tease the taste buds. Each bite is a taste explosion of flavors, Chef Brian says. When your spring cleaning is finished, you might want to enjoy the new season with a Mother’s Day celebration, a graduation party, an elegant June wedding, or a casual get-together with friends. If you are hosting or looking to host a gathering or event this spring, you may want to think of Red Crow Grille as the chef for your party. Red Crow Grille has two options for catering. For a larger crowd, they offer a buffet-style meal with a mixture of foods, or they can create an elegant sit-down dinner for a more intimate atmosphere. Chef Brian promises to create a memorable meal for every occasion. Although Red Crow Grille has catered a few larger parties of more than 100, they try to keep the number smaller. This helps to keep the gathering more warm and personal. They have catered many parties and a few smaller weddings that have taken place in people’s homes. However, if your home doesn’t quite have the ambiance you are looking for, Red Crow Grille has two private rooms attached to the restaurant. One holds a maximum of 10 guests, and the other room holds a maximum of 45 guests. These rooms are usually booked four to six nights per week for church groups, business dinners, or wedding rehearsal dinners. They have three main menus to work with, offering appetizers, salads, a choice of four different entrees, and dessert. Entrees range from beef, chicken, salmon, and pork on one menu, to pork, grouper, chicken, and rib eye on another. Prices start at $44 per person. If you are interested in hosting a gathering at Red Crow Grille or having the personable and professional staff cater a special event for you, call Laurie at 563-332-2370. If you’re not looking to have your own party, but just want a fun evening among friends, Red Crow Grille hosts a few annual wine events. Their most recent included high- end gourmet hor d’oeuvres with over 60 different wines to sample. If you didn’t make this wine tasting, you might want to inquire about future wine tastings and other upcoming events by accessing the Web site at www.redcrowgrille.net or checking out the new Web page at www.myspace.com/redcrowgrille. The MySpace page has all of their menu items listed, photographs of a few different entrees, and pictures of the dining area. For their “friends,” they will be sending out listings of all upcoming wine events. Be sure to turn up the sound because the playlist consists of great music by Frank Sinatra, Rosemary Clooney, and Tony Bennett. Reservations are preferred for their wine tastings because they fill up quickly, so be sure to call ahead. Like the crocus in spring, Red Crow Grille is a little hidden jewel. It’s time to pack up the wool sweaters, stow your winter boots, and trade your fleece jacket for the lime green raincoat tucked in the back of the closet. Host a gathering, attend a wine tasting, or have an intimate dinner with your significant other to celebrate the arrival of spring. I think Red Crow Grille offers a variety of new entrees and wines that are sure to appease and delight all appetites. Red Crow Grille is open for dinner Monday through Thursday from 5 to 10 p.m., and on Friday and Saturday from 5 to 11 p.m. They are closed on Sunday. |
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