CHAMPAIGN– Champaign restauranteur Thad Morrow’s first industry task was at Le Petit Café in Bloomington, Indiana. He was an undergrad at Indiana University and told the owners that he ‘d work for free for 2 weeks. They agreed.
” I learned how to cook a couple of French things, and then, off to the races,” remembered Morrow, a native of Jacksonville, Illinois.
While Morrow studied public law and ecological science at IU, he chose to pursue his true enthusiasm: food and wine.
Thad Morrow showcases a bottle of organic, orange Riesling. Harrison Malkin/Illinois Public Media
” I like it (white wine) as a beverage to drink. I like the odor of it. I like to taste it,” Morrow stated. “However I also like the kind of things that surround the white wine world. And I like the history but the big chauffeur is, no matter what the wine is, it starts some type of discussion with people.”
Morrow transferred to New york city in the mid-1990s and went to the prominent Culinary Institute of America. He then worked under chef Mario Batali at the acclaimed New york city City dining establishment, Pó. He stated he still cooks with Batali.
In 2017, the food publication, Eater, extensively reported on accusations from four females of sexual misconduct versus Batali. This May, Batali was discovered not guilty of indecent assault and battery in a Boston trial.
In April, Morrow opened Ladro Enoteca, a red wine bar and shop, facing East Main Street in downtown Champaign. It’s the third Champaign bar or restaurant on his resume, following stints as chef and owner at Bacaro (2000-2015) and partner at Naya (2018-2020).
Morrow, a 50-year-old, was also director of white wine for a time at the New York-based meal set company Blue Apron.
For Ladro Enoteca, Morrow has actually brought a brand-new crop of natural and great wines and high-quality cheese, meat, and tinned fish to the neighborhood.
“I believe, you understand, individuals in the Midwest (can) have actually premium seafood … once they learn that (it) originating from a can isn’t such a bad thing,” Morrow said.
Alice Cho is a server at Ladro Enoteca. She intends to create an accessible environment around wine drinking.
Alice Cho behind the bar at Ladro Enoteca. Harrison Malkin/Illinois Public Media
“I understand red wine can be frightening and I felt that a lot going to different places … so I really hope that individuals can end up being excited about white wine, be truly open about learning more about (it)… not be too intimidated or overwhelmed, or believe that (it) needs to be some very…hoity-toity thing, but something that you can just really delight in,” stated Cho, who studied nutrition at the University of Illinois prior to falling in love with the hospitality industry.
Morrow has prepared appetizers for previous President Barack Obama at a fundraiser on Long Island, New York City, and for his governmental opponent, Mitt Romney, at an event in Illinois.
Morrow said red wine and food can motivate more significant, political discussions.
“Red wine kind of smooths over a lot. You know … one is the alcohol … however it smooths over some (other) things. And I think you can have a regular, civil conversation, and most likely hash out some, like, commonalities,” Morrow stated.
In your area, Morrow believes the city of Champaign requires to deal with issues, ranging from crime to parking, dealing with small companies.
Empty bottles of natural and great red wine outside the kitchen area. Harrison Malkin/Illinois Public Media
“You know, if people are fretted about coming to downtown Champaign, then you won’t get other small businesses opening,” Morrow said. “Like I took a danger, and I imply, if you ‘d asked me a couple of weeks back, I would have been like, ‘maybe it was a bad concept. But you understand, I’m gon na stick it out’.”
The city has worked with organizations, like the Illinois State Cops, University of Illinois Police, and the private security firm, AGB, to stop criminal activity. However Morrow said the city still isn’t doing enough to improve the scenario.
“If they can be found in and had a glass of white wine with me, or had supper, we could have a conversation. That’s a real conversation, right? And I believe once you learn more about me as an individual, and I are familiar with you as an individual, suddenly, you know, the framework altered a little bit,” he said.
During the University of Illinois’ homecoming weekend, some visitors told Morrow that he should have opened his wine bar in Chicago or Los Angeles. They were surprised to see his location operating in a smaller sized city, like Champaign.
But his action was easy: “far too late.”
Harrison Malkin is a reporter for Illinois Public Media. Follow him @HarrisonMalkin