What’s New In 2022 ~ New Options for Drinking, Dining & Shopping in Downtown Elgin
Welcome to the 2022 New Year! Start this year off right by exploring a variety of new and exciting menu and shopping items at our local, small businesses right here in the heart of Downtown Elgin.
The White Matcha is one of the amazing new beverages at Arabica Cafe.
Arabica Cafe: 59 Douglas Ave.
Arabica is a coffee house and so much more, featuring gourmet coffee and espresso, scratch-made pastries, and sandwiches on their own scratch-made bread. New this year, Arabica is proud to announce that pulled pork sandwiches are back and tastier than before. They are also introducing some new drinks including White Matcha. This drink consists of a combined barista-grade matcha with Hollander white chocolate. Also new to the menu is The Nutty Irish that combines their wonderful espresso, pistachio milk and Irish cream (syrup) to make a subtle, and delicious latte. Stop by next time you’re in the area and try them all!
Martini Room: 161 E. Chicago St. Martini Room is known for their creative cocktails and swanky lounge setting. New this month is their Fresh Start Martini Flight. Enjoy 4 mini martinis for $16 every Wednesday. The Fresh Start Flight features the cucumber-based Life is Good martini, the Citrus Burst, the fruity Bubbly Kiss and the Banana Foster.
Viator Coffee: 51 S. Grove Ave. Viator is a specialty coffee shop serving high-quality coffee and espresso drinks, teas, small plates, fresh pastries, and baked goods. Oddly enough, one of the keys to making a great espresso is to have a great coffee blend. Viator has stated that Triforce is their main espresso at their shop. Now I’m sure you may be wondering what does this delicious blend include? Well, it includes a blend of 50% Ethiopia Yirgacheffe and 50% Guatemala Atitlan with notes of caramel, orange creamsicle, and fudgsicle. They have also brought back the classic Mexican Mocha consisting of espresso, steamed milk, dark chocolate, and a touch of Mexican chili powder and cayenne pepper. Other signature drinks currently available include The Pithy Partridge, Charcoal & Vanilla, St. Bernard, and a Snickerdoodle Latte.
Trivia Night is back on the last Thursday of every month. Check the EPH Facebook page for theme details.
Elgin Public House: 219 E. Chicago Street
Elgin Public House allows you to partake in better than average “pub grub” and a fine line of beverages. Elgin Public House has a new, limited time sandwich on the menu known as the Prime Beef & Cheddar which is shaved prime rib and cheddar cheese served on rye bread. They’ve also brought back their Trivia Night on the last Thursday of every month where you can test your knowledge for a chance to win cash prizes. Come make yourself comfortable, relax, and enjoy some fun! When you want EPH to enjoy at home check out their new Family Packs available for takeout or delivery. Daily options include Mac & Cheese, Spaghetti & Meatballs, BBQ Ribs and more.
Meraki Market Hub: 66 S. Grove Ave. Meraki’s modern and rustic market features over 6,000 square feet of shopping space in a historic building in the heart of Downtown Elgin. Shop handmade items, home decor, boutique clothing, furniture, antiques, gifts, and more! Visit Meraki to check out their fast-selling Milk House candles. They have many benefits and the container is even reusable. They also have a new and exciting vendor called Kamibashi Asian Art. Stop by today to check it out!
The new “Paper Dragon” is a must-try at Vern’s Tavern!
Vern’s Tavern: 76 S. Grove Avenue
Vern’s Tavern specializes in vintage style cocktails, hand crafted beverages, specialty wines and of course good ole fashioned beer. New this year is “The Paper Dragon”. This smokey and bold drink is made with Jalapeno infused syrup, fresh squeezed lime, smokey Mezcal, and grapefruit juice. Try one tonight!
Steep n’ Clay: 8 Douglas Ave. Steep n’ Clay is a newer shop in Downtown Elgin offering an amazing assortment of teas from around the world! Black/Red, Oolong, Rock, High Mountain, Green, Yellow, White, Herbal, Blends, Shou/Shu/Ripe/Cooked Pu-Erh, Sheng/Raw/Un-cooked Pu-Erh, and even CBD Teas. Every continent is represented (except for Antarctica) plus an extensive apothecary for all your herbal needs.
Be sure to try some of these new options and be on the lookout for more. Follow us on Facebook for all the latest!
What’s New In 2022 ~ New Options for Drinking, Dining & Shopping in Downtown Elgin
Welcome to the 2022 New Year! Start this year off right by exploring a variety of new and exciting menu and shopping items at our local, small businesses right here in the heart of Downtown Elgin.
The White Matcha is one of the amazing new beverages at Arabica Cafe.
Arabica Cafe: 59 Douglas Ave.
Arabica is a coffee house and so much more, featuring gourmet coffee and espresso, scratch-made pastries, and sandwiches on their own scratch-made bread. New this year, Arabica is proud to announce that pulled pork sandwiches are back and tastier than before. They are also introducing some new drinks including White Matcha. This drink consists of a combined barista-grade matcha with Hollander white chocolate. Also new to the menu is The Nutty Irish that combines their wonderful espresso, pistachio milk and Irish cream (syrup) to make a subtle, and delicious latte. Stop by next time you’re in the area and try them all!
Martini Room: 161 E. Chicago St. Martini Room is known for their creative cocktails and swanky lounge setting. New this month is their Fresh Start Martini Flight. Enjoy 4 mini martinis for $16 every Wednesday. The Fresh Start Flight features the cucumber-based Life is Good martini, the Citrus Burst, the fruity Bubbly Kiss and the Banana Foster.
Viator Coffee: 51 S. Grove Ave. Viator is a specialty coffee shop serving high-quality coffee and espresso drinks, teas, small plates, fresh pastries, and baked goods. Oddly enough, one of the keys to making a great espresso is to have a great coffee blend. Viator has stated that Triforce is their main espresso at their shop. Now I’m sure you may be wondering what does this delicious blend include? Well, it includes a blend of 50% Ethiopia Yirgacheffe and 50% Guatemala Atitlan with notes of caramel, orange creamsicle, and fudgsicle. They have also brought back the classic Mexican Mocha consisting of espresso, steamed milk, dark chocolate, and a touch of Mexican chili powder and cayenne pepper. Other signature drinks currently available include The Pithy Partridge, Charcoal & Vanilla, St. Bernard, and a Snickerdoodle Latte.
Trivia Night is back on the last Thursday of every month. Check the EPH Facebook page for theme details.
Elgin Public House: 219 E. Chicago Street
Elgin Public House allows you to partake in better than average “pub grub” and a fine line of beverages. Elgin Public House has a new, limited time sandwich on the menu known as the Prime Beef & Cheddar which is shaved prime rib and cheddar cheese served on rye bread. They’ve also brought back their Trivia Night on the last Thursday of every month where you can test your knowledge for a chance to win cash prizes. Come make yourself comfortable, relax, and enjoy some fun! When you want EPH to enjoy at home check out their new Family Packs available for takeout or delivery. Daily options include Mac & Cheese, Spaghetti & Meatballs, BBQ Ribs and more.
Meraki Market Hub: 66 S. Grove Ave. Meraki’s modern and rustic market features over 6,000 square feet of shopping space in a historic building in the heart of Downtown Elgin. Shop handmade items, home decor, boutique clothing, furniture, antiques, gifts, and more! Visit Meraki to check out their fast-selling Milk House candles. They have many benefits and the container is even reusable. They also have a new and exciting vendor called Kamibashi Asian Art. Stop by today to check it out!
The new “Paper Dragon” is a must-try at Vern’s Tavern!
Vern’s Tavern: 76 S. Grove Avenue
Vern’s Tavern specializes in vintage style cocktails, hand crafted beverages, specialty wines and of course good ole fashioned beer. New this year is “The Paper Dragon”. This smokey and bold drink is made with Jalapeno infused syrup, fresh squeezed lime, smokey Mezcal, and grapefruit juice. Try one tonight!
Steep n’ Clay: 8 Douglas Ave. Steep n’ Clay is a newer shop in Downtown Elgin offering an amazing assortment of teas from around the world! Black/Red, Oolong, Rock, High Mountain, Green, Yellow, White, Herbal, Blends, Shou/Shu/Ripe/Cooked Pu-Erh, Sheng/Raw/Un-cooked Pu-Erh, and even CBD Teas. Every continent is represented (except for Antarctica) plus an extensive apothecary for all your herbal needs.
Be sure to try some of these new options and be on the lookout for more. Follow us on Facebook for all the latest!
“Hi, my name is Abigail Herman and I am a senior at Judson University. I’m majoring in communication with minors in photography and marketing. I’m excited to intern with DNA this semester because of the many incredible communication, photography and marketing opportunities I’ll get to be a part of. I hope this blog will help further your curiosity in exploring what’s new in Downtown Elgin!”
This was helpful! You can see lots of construction and renovation downtown but don’t always know what’s new or coming. Great update!