The
Uptown is located in the heart of downtown Bloomington near the square. A recent external face-lift made this already hot spot, even more of a "must-see" destination. Uptown has a sort of urban, jazz atmosphere. The chic ambiance gives the feeling of being in New York or Chicago.

Everything these people serve up is unique and they do it right! But I have a personal bias for their breakfast menu.

They have one of the best breakfast menus in Bloomington! It is fresh and well worth the wait. And wait you will during the weekend. If you plan on going on a Saturday or Sunday for breakfast, plan at least two hours. Possibly an hour of that will be spent waiting.

Once you get in, you will be treated to fresh squeezed orange juice, fantastic pancakes, toast and a variety of other "chef's specials." They have the best "home fries" I've ever had. They have set the standard (for me) for how "home fries" should taste. The potatoes are soft, with sliced onions and mushrooms, and for a little bit of extra (which I always go for), add swiss cheese and pepperocinis.

Their menus definitely have a little bit of cajun flair. For lunch, you might try their red beans and rice with andouille sausage. Or perhaps just a burger. For dinner, they have steaks to chicken piccata and DELICIOUS mashed potatoes. Really good.

Their dishes have a wide range of prices from a couple of bucks for breakfast to upwards of $20 for dinner. But every menu (breakfast, lunch or dinner), offers something for a reasonable price.    [09 Jul 2001 20:48:46]

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Recommended Dishes: Red beans and rice, chicken piccata, anything for breakfast

     ­Tracey   

Most overrated restaurant in Bloomington
I have been here for breakfast and dinner as recently as 2006. The food has never been more than mediocre. Given that eggs and homefries is about the easiest thing to make, my last visit (they got neither right) was an especially disappointing contrast to their reputation. I think this is the place people who have never eaten well or been anwhere actually cosmopolitan go to feel urban and hip and bask in the benign warmth of phony artsy decor. I imagine the clientele is the people who listen to "smooth jazz." I don't know a better place to go for breakfast nearby, but almost anything in the area would be a better choice for dinner (e.g. Samira, Shanti, Esan Thai, Little Tibet).    [14 Sep 2006 09:31:54]

Food:    Service:    Ambiance:    Overall: 
Recommended Dishes: not the polenta

     ­Andrew