Enjoy Fondue at Water Street Cafe in Peoria
October 15, 2009By admin
Don’t expect the typical café experience when you eat at Water Street Wines, Café & Coffees on Peoria’s State Street. This charming little place offers much more than soups and sandwiches – starting with fondue and make-your-own s’mores.
“Because we’re locally owned, we can really give people what they want, and fondue is something that’s unique to the area,” says Ben Mitzelfelt , general manager of Water Street. “We do cheese and chocolate fondues, and we’ll soon be adding a hot oil fondue so you can cook right at your table. We also offer s’mores for dessert, which is nice for a first date or a business meeting because it’s interactive.”
Water Street has a cozy atmosphere with a large exposed brick wall dating back to the late 1800s and brightly painted red walls in contrast.
“We’re uncomplicated and not stuffy,” Mitzelfelt says. “We do have linens and candles in the evening, but you can come dressed in jeans or any attire. It’s a great place to learn about and enjoy wines from all over the world without feeling intimidated.”
Water Street is owned by Paul and Diane Hahn, who also own nearby Mackinaw Valley Vineyard, so the restaurant features both Mackinaw wines as well as imported wines and beers. The food is also something to savor.
“Our Turkey Avocado sandwich is our most popular sandwich by far,” Mitzelfelt says. “It’s a perfect blend of flavors – turkey with bacon, tomato, fresh whole avocado, mozzarella and a nice pesto sauce served on a pretzel roll. All our sandwiches are served with corn chips and our homemade hummus.”
The lunch menu also features pita pizzas, soups, wraps and salads. The dinner menu provides more extravagant options such as fresh duckling leg quarters, beef short ribs, lamb shank and balsamic barbecue pork shank.
Of course, no meal at Water Street is complete without dessert, whether it’s Lemon Berry Cake, s’mores, tiramisu, crème brûlée or chocolate fondue. Dip fruit and other goodies into your choice of milk chocolate, dark chocolate, caramel or the vanilla-and-cinnamon-flavored Aztec fondue.
To learn more, visit Water Street’s website.
