IOWA CITY — The annual Top Chef: Downtown returned for its 14th year with more vendors and a seemingly bigger crowd than recent years. But the real question is: how high did the 31 restaurants, bars and coffee shops aim? See what caught my attention at one of Iowa City’s premiere annual food gatherings, and which ones won the hearts of the judges. Drinks 1. “Indulgence” by Wild Culture There comes a time in everyone’s life when they have to go for that espresso martini. Thanks to Wild ...

For college basketball fans, the third month of the year means March Madness. But for pork lovers, it means Pulled Pork Madness. The annual bracket for the best pulled pork restaurants in Iowa, sponsored by the Iowa Pork Producers Association, is accepting nominations through March 8 for the best restaurants, at iowapork.org. Nominees can be any style of pulled pork, from served between two buns, open-faced or smothered in cheese. The winning restaurant will receive a plaque, $250 and ...

IOWA CITY — The Corridor is set to see its third Raising Cane’s location opened in about as many years. Renovation is underway at an Old Capitol Town Center space, 201 S. Clinton St., for the chicken finger chain growing rapidly in Iowa. Building permits have been issued by the City of Iowa City to renovate the street-facing unit 142, which formerly was home to Panera Bread. An opening date for the new location has not been announced. A few of the permits issued for the new restaurant ...

CEDAR RAPIDS — March isn’t just for March Madness or Pulled Pork Madness brackets — it’s for charity, too. This month, four local charities are partnering with five Jersey Mike’s Subs locations across the Corridor for the 14th annual Month of Giving campaign. During the month, customers can round up their total to the nearest dollar or donate a little extra to support each cause: Boys & Girls Clubs of the Corridor at locations in Cedar Rapids and Marion Make-A-Wish Iowa at the ...

MOUNT VERNON — Mount Vernon’s only barbecue restaurant has opened in a new location downtown. Owners Nanette Rambo and Jimmy Daugherty reopened March 5 at 106 First St. W. The restaurant, first opened in 2017, was previously located at 124 Second Ave. NW. The reopening comes after about five weeks of closure. The restaurant’s menu at the new location will add breakfast service. Comments: Features reporter Elijah Decious can be reached at (319) 398-8340 or elijah.decious@thegazette.com.

IOWA CITY — An old Coralville favorite is reigniting the flame of a bygone era at The Highlander Hotel in Iowa City. The former Iowa River Power Restaurant, which closed in November after being forced out by its landlord, is being rebirthed as The Supper Club, with Sunday brunch and dinner service four nights each week. “It really is a good fit. You take an iconic restaurant, an iconic hotel, smash them together, and bam,” said Angela Harrington, owner of The Highlander Hotel in Iowa City. ...