Thursday 21st of October 2010 09:34:34 AM

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I used to go to this place when it was just a cute/trendy restaurant in downtown Champaign. Now there is a pretty nice bar area, and the restaurant is separated into tapas and the regular menu...try the coffee crusted filet mignon! I try to get back here every time I drive through IL.

The beer selection is fantastic, with samples available of all tap beers. Samples range in price depending on what the beer is. Old Rasputin on nitro was a stand-out on this most recent visit. You can pay 40 bucks and try all 40 beers on tap (good luck, since most are high-test beers!)

Sunday 13th of April 2008 11:50:37 AM

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my only problem with this place is that it is bright and cheery and the bar top is warm... that's it.

I really like the beer here, tho with the exception of about 4 people in the bar, I seemed the only one drinking it... it was mom's day down at UofI that weekend so, i'm grading on a curve...

the beer selection is staggering. 27 taps... cheapest beer pbr. 1.50. next cheapest $3... old rasputin... what... OLD RASPUTIN... I had to have 2 only to justify my existence in this beer world. The most expensive beers on the tap list were a whopping 5 bucks and those included sapient trip, matilda, and the pistols from unibroue... beers I had... green flash ipa, ballast point black marlin porter, michigan brewing co ryebock, the two previously mentioned rasputins and a ballast point big eye ipa. all of the beers I had were 4 or 4ish bucks... stick a fork in me, I'm done. I'd hafta figure best selection in town...

the place's atmosphere, I like darkness, but the neo look of this place works for it and the clientele responds quite well in here. The bar is gorgeous, there's a lot of room in the bar, the art on the walls sparks conversation, (felix the cat being my personal favorite, the learn to draw being the second and I like how that one is prominent when you walk into the bar area) and the tapper made me fall in love... I posted pics in the pics section above, it's beyond cool. I'm still a knuckledragging caveman at heart and darkness amongst beerdrinkers is still what I crave, but the beerlist here says fuck your reservations and drink up while the beer is fresh...

I asked about swag here and they were like... we're thinking about getting pints... I like their crow logo... I'd sport it if something were available. The service was attentive even tho I sorta heard that music of "one of these things is not like the other" referring to me and the regular clientele, but the service did not reflect that, it was my internal initial reaction... which turned out to be very wrong. I had good conversation with my bartender about the bar, the taps, the rotation, events coming up... a special beer week, he said, in august 08. oh my... chatty helpful and friendly, my tip reflected that.

It's a great bar and it towers over it's neighbors... in all ways. if you're driving past champaign and need to get your drink on for wine, beer, spirits, or are just in the mood for some of the more interesting food offerings, which looked awesome btw... walk in and sit down... radio maria wont disappoint.

parking is tricky around this area of town. get a spot, feed the meter.

Wednesday 3rd of October 2007 08:18:39 PM

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This person needs 3 or more reviews on the site for their scores to start counting.

I'll try to be unbiased in this review but it will be difficult: I helped build this place. The bar has 27 taps, all rotating with only one permanent macro on tap: PBR (it's a downtown Champaign thing, read the menu). The draft beer menu is unsurpassed in downstate, the bottle list is small but with 60 outstanding beers to choose from. The most noteworthy beers I had on tap there were Founders' Backwoods Bastard & Breakfast Stout, several Brewmaster Specials from Flossmoor Station, Dark Horse Crooked Tree, Michigan Brewing Co. Hop Head Switch, DFH 90min, Rodenbach, St. Bernardus Abt 12. Every time I go back to Champaign I go to Radio. They also have great specials $1 off IPA's, Belgian Ales, dark beers, etc.

I gave a little less for atmosphere not because the place isn't well built or beautiful, but because the ambiance is more that of a restaurant. I'm a bar guy, I don't mind a little noise and grime--in fact I feel a bit more comfortable around it.