Restaurants

After several months of remodeling, Bluebird Cafe has opened another location, branching out to Solon.

Mama Pearls in Cedar Rapids brings a new take on soul food to a cloud kitchen — and the restaurant has a dessert menu just for the Southern sweet tooth.

Rapid Creek Cidery is merging with Wilson’s Orchard & Farm and reopening as Wilson’s Ciderhouse & Venue, which will introduce Saturday brunch service to complement its Sunday brunch.

Big Grove Brewery announced Friday a total of $24,000 in grants to a trio of local nonprofits as part of its Big Grove for Good program.

Mamacita Taco Pub is owned by local restaurateurs Haile Duncan and Ozzie Aguirre, who own Mas Margaritas and the recently opened La Casita, right next door to Mamacita.

Cedar Rapids now has its first crepe shop. Tasty Crepe is open in the cloud kitchen near Lindale Mall.

New data from the Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance shows that Cedar Rapids is starting to shed its reputation as a “chain restaurant city” as it becomes a state leader in independent restaurant trends.

The Eat Shop in Solon had a line going down the block Saturday as customers eagerly supported the fundraiser for Ukrainians fleeing or staying to fight the Russian invasion.

The new restaurant in northeast Cedar Rapids will offer a different take on Mexican food, with specialties from the owners’ native La Piedad and Guerrero regions of Mexico.

This pizzeria serves the world’s first pale lager brewed in the Czech Republic since 1839.

Aaron Hall, baker at The Local Crumb, was named a semifinalist for the James Beard Award for Outstanding Baker. He is one of only two Iowa semifinalists for the prestigious award in any category.

Donutland will be expanding in Iowa City, filling in for Daylight Donuts after it closed on Sunday.