McHenry County | Honolulu | Beyond "Where Are You Today?" Travel Blog
Travel Off the Beaten Path with Noel F. & April M. Williams
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Cafe Firefly in the heart of historic downtown Algonquin is the perfect place for a few hours of work on your laptop or relaxing with friends over coffee. Owner and head baker Allie Gilberts ensures the customer favorites such as Hello Dolly bars, Strawberry – Lemonade cupcakes and biscotti are always plentiful. <Update: I understand the new owner is Wade Merritt.> Daily specials change and may include cupcakes, cookies, scones and bar cookies. Several sandwich choices are on the menu for those with a heartier appetite. Drink selections include a variety of coffees, smoothies and hot chocolate.
Service is friendly and attentive often remembering your previous order. Tables and chairs are perfect for working or informal meetings. Log in to your laptop or tablet with the free wi-fi.
Curl up with a thick book on the couches near a corner wall of windows and soak in the natural light. When the weather is temperate, take your order out on the patio and watch the downtown scene pass by.
Allies’s Cafe Firefly treats must spark creativity. Recently a guitarist quietly strummed as I reconnected with a friend. Open mic nights draws locals with various talents.
Follow Cafe Firefly on Twitter, Facebook and check in using FourSquare to earn loyalty bonuses.
Allie GIlbert's coconut lime cupcakes at Cafe Firefly
I stopped in at Downtown Dogs N More of Algonquin a couple of weeks ago. Turned around and abruptly left. Why? The place was jammed!
So last week I got there early enough to beat the crowd and now I know why it was so busy. I had their special, 2 dogs fries and a drink for 4 bucks. The dogs were great.
The dogs were great. The home-made fries are excellent and we topped of the meal with chocolate dipped soft-serve cones. I’m looking forward to trying one of Downtown Dogs’ burgers.
Eat in the restaurant or take your order to go.
Downtown Dogs N More Algonquin, Illinois
Duke’s Alehouse in Crystal Lake features food and specialty beers while using local and organic products. One page of the menu lists local farmers Duke’s buys from and the items they provide for the restaurant. General Manager and Chef Zak Dolezal is committed to sustenance.
We dined on the outdoor patio just off Main Street and across from the train station in downtown Crystal Lake. The shade from the umbrellas, gentle breeze and greenery added to the pleasant atmosphere. Music played in the background and was not overwhelming. The lunchtime crowd included professionals dressed in office wear.
The beer menu includes an extensive list of microbrew beers grouped by varieties. Our server was well versed on the offerings and suggested specifics after asking about our tastes. We choose a Weihenstephaner Hefeweizen with an orange slice and Bell’s Two Hearted Ale.
Appetizers looked tempting though we took a pass this visit. The roasted beet salad with endive, blue cheese and candied pecans was a hit. We asked for the bacon dressing on the side making this a vegetarian salad.
Mac and Cheese with Beet Salad at Duke's Alehouse in Crystal Lake
On to the vegetarian entrees. The baked mac and cheese was creamy and hot. The grilled eggplant Parmesan came stuffed with bulgar wheat and kale, topped with tomato sauce and Parmesan cheese. Both were delicious.
Duke's Alehouse Grilled Eggplant Parmesan
Stop at Duke’s to celebrate Meatless Monday’s where all vegetarian entrees are half price. Vegetarian and vegan items are clearly noted on the menu. Dolezal and Duke’s focus on sustainability includes hosting a monthly Green Drinks meet up.
Rice Fusion Sushi is an Asian fusion restaurant located in the Algonquin Commons shopping center along the Randall Road corridor. We stopped by for lunch on a recent Saturday afternoon. The menu includes fusion Chinese, Japanese and Thai specialties including many vegetarian items. They take special care to ensure all food is presented attractively.
Our server was attentive and helped us choose our food. The sushi was fresh and we liked all the dished we sampled.
Our meal started with a peanut and avocado maki roll, an interesting mix of creamy and crunchy textures. Miso soup and salad with house ginger dressing made daily was served next. Stacked pieces of Agedashi Tofu sat on a banana leaf accompanied by an orange slice and orchid blossom.
Agedashi Tofu at Rice Fusion Sushi Restaurant on Randall Road in Algonquin
Peanut and Avocado Maki Roll at Rice Fusion Sushi Restaurant
Noel had the sashimi lunch; eight pieces of fish including salmon, tuna, crab and fluke. This was served with a dollop of fine black masago.
Sashimi lunch at Rice Fusion Sushi Restaurant in Algonquin
My Hibachi Tofu came with a choice of white or brown rice and soup or salad.
Save room for dessert! We tried two items and they were both delicious. The chocolate caramel pyramid was cool and creamy as it melted in my mouth. The green tea and vanilla mochi balls were layered with whipped cream in a martini glass.
Green Tea and Vanilla Mochi in a Whipped Cream Cloud Next to Chocolate Caramel Pyramid at Rice Fusion Sushi Restaurant in Algonquin
There are many items our server recommended that we plan to try on our next visit, including Thai Coconut Soup and Sweet Potato Roll. Choose from three maki rolls from a special menu for $12.
Full bar service is includes a choice of Asian beers. The interior of the restaurant is red and black with a Chinese flavor. A smiling Buddha greats you as you enter the restaurant. For those who cannot make it to Rice, delivery is available.
We thoroughly enjoyed our visit to Rice.
Rice Fusion Sushi | 2523 N. County Line Rd. Algonquin, IL 60102 | 847.658.5233
The annual Algonquin Founders’ Day Festival is four days of fun for the entire family. Each year the festival begins with a cardboard regatta in Riverfront Park. Youngsters transform a couple of sheets of cardboard and rolls of duct tape into sailing vessels they paddle around a buoy in the middle of the Fox River.
Algonquin Founders Days Cardboard Boat Regatta
Algonquin Founders Days Cardboard Boat Regatta
Towne Park is the place for music, Taste of Algonquin food, social garden and carnival rides Thursday through Sunday. Several runs and walks of various durations are planned as well as a bags tournament. Other events include petting zoo, bicycle decorating, dog and cat show, and charity duck race.
The Algonquin Founders’ Day parade is a community event. Civic groups, businesses and families prepare by designing and working on their parade entries for weeks. Spectators save their spots along the parade route early in the morning. Kids are sure to catch plenty of candy thrown from the floats.
The Algonquin Founders’ Day festival end with a bang on Sunday night. Fireworks are launched from a barge on the middle of the Fox River just north of Algonquin Road.
The Algonquin Founders’ Day Festival is held the last full weekend in July.
Colonial Cafe and Ice Cream recently moved to a larger location across Northwest Highway in Crystal Lake. The brightly colored walls at the new location are cheery and the many windows make for a airy feel.
We stopped by for lunch and ice cream. The menu remains the same as the prior location with a few additions. Breakfast fare include eggs, pancakes and waffles. Lunch and dinner items include burgers, other sandwiches, wraps, salads, pot roast and country fried steak.
We had the patty melt with fries and burschetta. Sweet potato fries are also available.
Colonial Cafe is known for the Kitchen Sink Sundae, a monster created with 6 scoops of ice cream, three toppings, two bananas, whipped cream and nuts all served in a bowl that looks like a kitchen sink. Our came with a candle and the staff sang happy birthday to Noel.
Our server was pleasant, answered all our questions and was more than happy to customize our order. She offered to add fresh peaches and mangoes to the iced tea. During the busy lunch hour on a summer weekday, the restaurant was full with a mix of people. Many families with small children came in for meals.
Colonial Cafe has restaurant locations and headquarters throughout the Chicago suburbs. Meeting rooms are available for clubs or events.
Colonial Cafe Kitchen Sink Sundae
Food was served hot and tasty. The menu has a wide variety of foods including vegetarian choices.
Lunch at Colonial Cafe in Crystal Lake, Illinois
The new location is at 5689 Northwest Highway.
Every year there is something new at the Richardson Farm “World’s Largest” Corn Maze. The Richardson family is currently moving the historic English Prairie School ¼ mile down the road to their farm.
The first English Prairie School was built on the site in 1846. It was replaced with a brick schoolhouse in 1929 and all 5 of the 5th generation Richardson’s attended this one-room school. Local children attended class here until 1962 when the building was converted into a private residence.
George Richardson in the doorway at English Prairie School
The Richardson family heard the building was slated for demolition and decided to preserve this piece of history. It is no easy task to move an estimated 188 tons building. A company specializing in relocating buildings has lifted the school on a trailer to be rolled along 2 block journey.
It was too costly to move the basement walls also, so the Richardson’s are moving the main floor only and setting it on a traditional basement with 9′ walls. The English Prairie School will be ready for visitors at its new location on English Prairie Road in 2013.
Read more about Richardson’s World Largest Corn Maze and Adventure Farm
Zorbing Richardson Corn Maze Adventure Farm Spring Grove McHenry County Illinois
Richardson Corn Maze and Richardson Adventure Farm Spring Grove McHenry County Illinois
Today begins the Algonquin Public Library summer reading program. Midsummer Knight’s Read is a midevil themed reading event for youngsters and adults. The kickoff included a visit from two Knights of the realm which delighted the children. Their show included sword skill and feats of bravery.
Virginia Freyre, Adult Reference Librarian and Alicia Parmele, Head of Youth Services were decked out in appropriate midevil attire for the program. The entrance to the youth library was transformed into a castle.
Knights of the Realm at the Algonquin Public Library
“Our kickoff to the summer reading program event is designed to get kids into the library,” Parmele said. “We encourage them to join our reading program and enjoy reading over the summer.”
The reading program runs from June 11 through August 8, 2011. Weekly and grand prize winners will receive prizes.
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