We’re making a quick stop to pick up this week’s special luncheon guest star at…
The Nest Coworking Space in downtown Peoria.
Home to many local businesses including Smiley Graphix and Rootlebox!
There’s lots of doors to go through to get to the heart of the Nest.
It kind of reminds me of the beginning introduction of Get Smart, if you’re old enough to remember that television program.
Okay, after moving through those doorways, here we are in the lobby area of The Nest.
There’s couches in here and a working station over to the left.
There’s a familiar face over here in the aforementioned Smiley Graphix office space…
It’s John Ingles who has been a guest on the MBIP blog many times!
He and his wife and business partner, De have been in business here in Peoria for over 25 years with Smiley Graphix. Smiley Graphix has grown and changed as the years have unfolded and the internet and websites changed the whole direction of their business.
They’ve also branched out with other businesses and let’s take a look at them right here and right now!
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Smiley Graphix
Smiley Graphix Studio is the founding business John and De formed.
They can build websites and also help you get the most out of an existing website with SEO knowledge, Audits and Maintenance.
Your website can be so much more than just a marker on the internet, let Smiley Graphix take it to the next level.
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Wild Routed
Wild Routed features home-grown apparel and merchandise designed by John and De and 10% of all purchases go back to the National Parks.
Here’s John and De explaining this passion project of theirs.
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Rootlebox
John told me that moving forward, he and De want to really focus on the Rootlebox business, that was recently launched by De.
It’s an Eco-Friendly branding and design business, specializing in cultivating eco-conscious brands.
Rootlebox was recently featured in the PJ Star and you can read that article by clicking right here.
Okay…it’s time for lunch!
The Nest is located right next door to Sugar Wood-Fired Bistro, so it only made sense to walk the short distance to this popular downtown dining destination.
Let’s go inside and let this week’s luncheon adventure begin!
There’s the Sugar logo in the foyer and once inside, you order up at the front counter.
We perused the menus and Marcala took our orders from behind the counter while flashing a beautiful smile!
Everyone is very friendly and welcoming in here!
We decided to sit in the far corner of the dining room.
There’s a photo of the outside patio area and another of our view of the inside dining area.
Behind the front counter is the wood-burning oven that gives the food here such a unique and smoky flavor.
We once cooked Gumby in this oven! Fun times for sure!
As you can see, most of the beers on tap are locally sourced from Industry Brewing.
There’s a nice display of sweet baked items in this case up in the front of the bistro.
Meanwhile, back at our table…
Lunch is served! They have wonderful service in here!
John got the Salmon entree, which looks amazing!
I got two appetizer orders for my lunch: The Sweet Chili Thai chicken wings and the Wood-Fired Potatoes.
Everything looks and smells fantastic!
Okay, let’s dig in!
John raved about his Salmon lunch and paused for a photo by the ever-present MBIP Camera.
Lights, camera…lunch!
The wood-fired potatoes are seasoned baby potatoes, topped with shaved parmesan cheese and served with a parmesan truffle aioli sauce.
They were so satisfying and had such a delicious and unique flavor to them!
The Sweet Thai chicken wings were scrumptious, juicy and had the perfect blend of sweet and heat spicy goodness.
Thanks to John for joining me as this week’s special luncheon guest star and to everyone at Sugar for a fantastic luncheon experience!
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826 SW Adams Street
Peoria
309-676-0848
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Related Posts: Lunch At First Bite: Dac’s Smokehouse, Jack’s On Adams and Radish Kitchen.