One of Downtown Rockford’s Top Restaurants Unveils Major Menu Flip: Which Classics Remain?

You heard about the big restaurant flip in downtown Rockford, right? We're really happy for the owner and we're even happier once we heard which original faves are staying on the menu. 

Once upon a time I didn't live in Rockford, Illinois. I lived in the Chicago suburbs and started working here at 97ZOK in 2013. At some point I needed to go out to eat!

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How I found myself at Octane in downtown Rockford, I don't remember, but what I do remember is that I instantly fell in love with the place.

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Maybe it's the cool vibes, maybe it's the awesome drinks, or maybe the mac and cheese on the menu with the GIANT noodles. Whatever the reason, I can absolutely say in the ten years I've been working in this city, Octane has been my top go-to restaurant.

So... when I heard Octane was flipping to a new restaurant, I was a little concerned.

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I'm also so happy for the owner, Patrick, that he is turning the restaurant he acquired into his OWN spot, but... would the mac and cheese stay on the menu?

There have been plenty of other menu items I've enjoyed at Octane, but the idea that the mac and cheese might go away forever was a little daunting.

Thankfully, 27 Aluna (the new name of Octane) will still feature the iconic noodles... and the epic espresso martini, which I've ordered almost as many times as the mac and cheese.

The big flip officially happens Wednesday, January 10. Along with the menu changes, we're also getting brunch Wednesdays thru Saturdays! That's huge!

27 Aluna's hours will be:

• Tuesdays: 5-9pm (dinner)
• Wednesdays and Thursday: 10am-2:30pm (brunch), 5-9pm (dinner)
• Fridays: 10am-2:30pm (brunch), 5-10pm (dinner)
• Saturdays: 9:30am-2:30pm (brunch), 5-10pm (dinner)