Tapas, Radio Maria, Baileys and Coffee and the Blind Pig - Yep, the works

On reflection....

I am leaving Champaign Urbana with the knowledge that I have had a taste of it's secret delights. Though I haven't been to all of the restaurants here, I have already found my favorites.

Those of you who will be traveling in this area need to stop by Radio Maria ~ a small tapas bar/restaurant (no, not topless :) ) in downtown champaign. Monday night, their dinner section was closed, so Alex, Holly and John and I took a seat in the Tapas area, that contained fun leather booths, red and blue light behind the bar, CLEAN

*** Alex, me, Holly and John the UU

BATHROOMS and an attentive staff.

Eggplant fries in basalmic honey - ever heard of that? It's DELISH. Crisp strips of eggplant, still with their skins, drizzled with sweet honey. It was a work of art, frankly. I wanted platefuls...but that goes against the principle of tapas.

Marshmellows and Peanutbutter topping on a rich, creamy, chocolate - the ending to a perfect meal. A thing that four friends could share. Yep - the highlights ;)

A tour of Champaign followed with a stop in at the Blind Pig...a quaint, artsy pub (much more quaint after the no smoking ban) with cards strangely sticking to the ceiling and light fixtures made of brass with flower like covers.

Champaign's big city lights lit our way home....