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From our BEST Culture of the decade feature: Japan House is a local treasure. And if you haven’t discovered it yet, then you obviously don’t read Smile Politely very often, because we are not shy …

From our BEST Arts of the decade feature: I’ve done my fair share of gushing about Champaign-Urbana Adventures in Time and Space here on Smile Politely, and that is not without merit. In my experience …

From our BEST new restaurants of the decade feature: Nando, named for a now 13-year-old dachshund you see in the logo, moved into Downtown Champaign in 2016 as a second location. The original is in …

From our BEST Music of the decade feature: Not to paint with a broad brush, but The Velvet Elvis was different than a lot of venues you might consider a “house” venue. Meaning, it did …

From our BEST Food + Drink of the decade feature: It should be clear to you by now that Jin Park is laser focused on making sure to find smart ways to elevate Champaign-Urbana’s dining scene. …

From our BEST Culture of the decade feature: We have not yet compiled a list of the best parks in Champaign-Urbana, but when we do, Hessel Park will be a top contender. This park has …

From our BEST Arts of the decade feature: Deke Weaver’s Unreliable Bestiary performances are clever, moving, humorous, and devastating. They are transformational: You are not the same person at the end of the performances as you were …

From our BEST new restaurants of the decade feature: Let me preface this by saying I seriously mourned the loss of Escobar’s. It was a favorite date night spot, and their sangria was something to …

From our BEST Music of the decade feature: The future prospects of this amazing upstart chapter of Girls Rock! is, in some ways, representative of what the next decade of music and learning might look …