FOOD

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Journal Star

Let’s face it, foodie friends: The weekly news cycle can be a lot to digest.

There is a time and a place to dish out all the major stories, of course — be it news, sports, entertainment or business. But sometimes, you're craving something a little more bite-sized as you search for the latest on Peoria’s restaurant scene.

The Journal Star offers exactly that. PJStar Dining is a weekly newsletter cooked up for food lovers in and around Peoria.

In it, I share the latest scoop on restaurant openings, closings, menu changes and more. Here's a sampling of some of the stories you might find.

Briefs: Pekin restaurant highlighted in online series

Greg Hutson, right, of "America's Best Restaurants," hosts a Facebook Live chat with Ashley Spencer, middle, co-owner of Ashers Bar & Grill, and her mother, Patty Tauscher, on Thursday, Oct. 27, 2022, at the bar in downtown Pekin.

It has been less than a year since Ashers Bar & Grill opened in Pekin. Now, the restaurant has been selected for the online series "America's Best Restaurants."

One of 'America's Best':Pekin restaurant highlighted in online series

Features: Why this nationally renowned chef returned to the Peoria dining scene

Chef Josh Adams and his staff prepare for the afternoon opening recently at Black Band Distillery in Peoria.

Josh Adams' Peoria Heights restaurant, June, earned national recognition after being featured in the Wall Street Journal. The restaurant closed in 2014 and Adams left the Peoria dining scene. See what motivated him to return.

'Cool opportunity':Why this nationally renowned chef returned to the Peoria dining scene

Lists: Check out these Peoria restaurants with gluten-free menu items

The inside of Rhythm Kitchen Music Cafe is shown in a 2015 file photo.

Finding restaurants that cater to dietary restrictions can be a tricky task. Here are 13 restaurants in the Peoria area that offer gluten-free menu options.