My new studio space is located right in downtown Troy, not too far from Monument Square. I really enjoy being in a city that is growing and has so much going on! Since I have moved here in May there has been so many great new businesses opening and it feels good to be a part of an area that is moving in the right direction.
There have been a lot of great restaurants, bars and specialty shops opening but my absolute favorite local lunch spot is the Ilium Café. There is something really special about this place that I can’t entirely put my finger on. It could be the beautiful interior of the Cannon Building, built in 1835, where it is located with rich deep woodwork that makes it a cozy spot for coffee or owner and chef Marla Ortega’s delicious menu items including some of our favorite salads and sandwiches.
Illium Café is a great spot for a breakfast or lunch meetings with hours Monday- Friday 8am-6pm and Saturday-Sunday 8am-5pm but the great news is that Marla and her team are planning to expand and open for dinner Thursday-Sunday and will be adding beer and wine…we might never leave!
Once a week or so we typically order any of these assorted lunchtime favorites:
The Illium Steak Wedge: crisp iceburg lettuce, bacon, toasted almonds, fried goat cheese, cherry reduction and warm bleu cheese dressing.
The Pear Salad: spring mix, sliced pears, candied macadamia nuts, Roquefort crumbles with homemade parmesan balsamic reduction.
Sandwiches that get our stamp of approval are:
The Smoke House Panini with smoked turkey, applewood smoked bacon, smoked mozzarella, lettuce, tomato and onion with a cranberry-orange mayo on Italian grilled bread and The Grilled Chicken BLT! They always make the bacon EXTRA crispy…yum!
So if you are planning a visit to Troy for a consultation with us we would be happy to meet you there for a quick bite or plan on stopping by before or after our consultation. You will be happy you took our advice!
How could I forget to mention their daily specials and soups that they often post on their Facebook and website?!
