Mia Francesca
3311 N. Clark Street, Chicago IL; Phone 773-281-3310
Date of Review: December, 2006; updated May, 2008
There are numerous Francesca restaurants throughout the Chicago land area in places like Naperville, St. Charles, West Dundee, Elmhurst and Lake Forest just to name a few. I have been to many of them and find the quality of the food to be pretty consistent no matter which Francesca restaurant I visit. In addition, each restaurant offers a similarly styled menu. Their philosophy is to offer simple, rustic cooking and flavors, great service and good prices.
My review focuses on the Mia Francesca located on 3311 N. Clark Street in Chicago. This is the location which I have visited most frequently over the years. That said, this review is applicable to any Francesca restaurant as I have dined at many of their locations quite frequently.
In terms of atmosphere, it seems that many of the locations have a similar feel which usually includes a somewhat hectic looking environment with waiters flying between tables that are placed closed to each other and a kitchen that is visible to the patrons. This is definitely the case for the Clark Street location. Mia Francesca has a lot of energy as you are in close proximity to your fellow diners and it almost feels as if you are sharing the dining experience with them, even if you never exchange a word.
The warm bread will be on your table soon after the waiter takes it out of the warming oven near the washroom in the back of the restaurant. It is a nice “starter” with some olive oil but don’t fall for the bait and have too much of it or you will spoil the next hour of dining pleasure. All of their appetizers are excellent but the ones that are freshest in my mind are the crispy calamari, any of the different bruschetta’s on the menu and the fantastic risotto appetizer of the day. The salads and pizzas are also a nice way to start a meal.
There are a variety of different pastas on the menu. I typically pass on ordering pasta because the pasta isn’t home made and I have grown quite fond of chewy home made pasta. I have had the Linguine with Frutte del Mare and while the seafood is good, I didn’t find the marinara sauce overly flavorful or exciting. The Penne alla Paesana includes sautéed Italian sausage with wild mushrooms and peas in a tomato cream sauce. It was simple, tasty and good.
There are typically a couple different chicken dishes, a veal option and 2-3 different fish courses on the menu. If it is on the menu, the Veal chop is almost the same size as a pork chop from Ditka’s and it is fantastic. I have also had the fantastic veal medallions served with wild mushrooms, prosciutto and a light brandy sauce. Yum! That said, I am partial to the fish dishes as I always feel that I am doing a disservice to myself by not ordering one. They are that good. On my last visit, I had tilapia in a light white wine sauce with a pepper, onion and mushroom garnish that was fantastic. On past visits, I have had striped sea bass over creamy polenta and roasted salmon with tomato, avocado, red onion, olive oil, basil and lemon over asparagus.
The dessert menu is varied. Mia Francesca’s version of tiramisu is very good and their gelatos and sorbets are a nice way to lightly finish off a fantastic meal.
Mia Francesca is a decent value with many reasonably priced options on the menu. You definitely don’t walk away and feel like you overpaid for the meal you just enjoyed. On my last visit, we had a $30 dollar bottle of wine, 1 appetizer and 2 entrees for $100 and that included tax and tip.
Monday, December 11, 2006
Thursday, December 07, 2006
Chicago (African) - Yassa African Restaurant
Yassa African Restaurant
716 E. 79th Street, Chicago IL; Phone 773-488-9630
Date of Review: December, 2006; updated May, 2008
If you like culture and experiences, Yassa is the place for you. It is tucked away on the South Side of Chicago and may require a bit of a commute, but it is well worth it.
In terms of atmosphere, think of walking into a shop storefront and having it feel like a home. Yassa is run by Jay and his family who immigrated to Chicago from Senegal. Throughout the restaurant, there are subtle and not so subtle hints of Senegal, helping make your dining experience truly a cultural one. This includes African art work, masks and Senegalese colors. The restaurant is small so there may be a significant wait. If there is, crack open your bottle of wine (BYOB) and ask for a few glasses as there is room near the counter to stand and have a drink as you soak up the warm, home like atmosphere of Yassa.
After a 45 minute wait, Jay emerged from the kitchen with something that was thankfully headed for our table. We ordered 2 appetizers and 4 entrees and told him to bring out whatever dishes were ready first as everything is cooked to order. The first dish to arrive was the Fataya (an appetizer), which are pan fried shells of crisp, chewy bread that are wrapped around a fish mixture. It is a bit of a cross between a fish patty and a fish empanada. It is served with a flavorful, spicy sauce that includes yellow mustard and pureed red pepper. Our 2nd appetizer was Nem. Described as an egg roll by Jay, Nem is more like a fried spring roll and is filled with a combination of onion, vermicelli, mushrooms and scraps of shredded chicken or lamb. It is served with the same sauce that the fataya is served with. The appetizers are tasty but they are on the greasy side.
For entrees, we looked to Jay for suggestions. We told him we were looking to sample some authentic Senegalese cuisine and he guided us in the right direction. We (Jay) decided that we should try the Chicken Yassa, Grilled Fish, Chicken Brochette and the fish stew (Thiebou Djeun).
All of the portions were very large with voluminous amounts of white rice (jollof) and assorted vegetables (many of them being root vegetables) served with the fish stew and the Chicken Yassa. Tonia chose couscous as a side with the brochette and Nick chose the wonderful Aloco (plantains) with the grilled fish.
There were many spices hidden within the platters of food on our table that exploded within our mouths and led to some continuous plate passing until everyone had sampled all of the dishes. I was especially impressed with the wonderful flavors of the caramelized onions mixed with the couscous that was served with the brochette and the assorted vegetables (yams, carrots, cabbage, etc.) served over the rice that was served with the Chicken Yassa. The chicken in both dishes had a nice flavor contrast that was somewhere between the charcoal it was cooked on and the lemon, onion and spice marinade that was used. The fish stew (grouper) was average, but the highlight of the meal was the grilled fish. Served with a generous scooping of relish (onions, peppers, cilantro and who knows what else), the tilapia is grilled and served whole (with the head on). It was easy enough and enjoyable (for me at least) to filet the fish off the bone. The fish was wonderful; it is the house specialty. It was so good that I would later find my friend Nick with the carcass of the fish in his hands attempting to get every bit of fish off of those bones. On another visit, Ivy and I had the Thiou Curry with Lamb. While flavorful, both Ivy and I found the dish to be too greasy for our palettes.
Yassa is one of the better values in Chicago. It is BYOB and there is no corking fee. In addition, nothing on the menu costs more than $12. Given the fact that the plates of food are large enough that 2 people could easily share one entree, the prices are extremely reasonable. We had 2 appetizers and 4 entrees for $56. You cannot ask for better value than that.
This is a cultural experience and one I would recommend to anyone who likes to try new things. When you leave a restaurant and feel the need to shake hands with the owner and possibly even exchange a hug, it is hard not to feel good about the last 2-3 hours you spent there.
To put it simply, Jay and his family seem to be wonderful people who work hard to deliver quality food and service for very reasonable prices. When Jay asked for our suggestions to improve his restaurant and we told him that he should raise the prices. In response, he smiled and told us he couldn’t do that. He said he couldn’t do that because he wanted to keep the prices affordable for anyone who wants to experience Yassa. Jay explained that it is about the people and that is what Yassa is about.
716 E. 79th Street, Chicago IL; Phone 773-488-9630
Date of Review: December, 2006; updated May, 2008
If you like culture and experiences, Yassa is the place for you. It is tucked away on the South Side of Chicago and may require a bit of a commute, but it is well worth it.
In terms of atmosphere, think of walking into a shop storefront and having it feel like a home. Yassa is run by Jay and his family who immigrated to Chicago from Senegal. Throughout the restaurant, there are subtle and not so subtle hints of Senegal, helping make your dining experience truly a cultural one. This includes African art work, masks and Senegalese colors. The restaurant is small so there may be a significant wait. If there is, crack open your bottle of wine (BYOB) and ask for a few glasses as there is room near the counter to stand and have a drink as you soak up the warm, home like atmosphere of Yassa.
After a 45 minute wait, Jay emerged from the kitchen with something that was thankfully headed for our table. We ordered 2 appetizers and 4 entrees and told him to bring out whatever dishes were ready first as everything is cooked to order. The first dish to arrive was the Fataya (an appetizer), which are pan fried shells of crisp, chewy bread that are wrapped around a fish mixture. It is a bit of a cross between a fish patty and a fish empanada. It is served with a flavorful, spicy sauce that includes yellow mustard and pureed red pepper. Our 2nd appetizer was Nem. Described as an egg roll by Jay, Nem is more like a fried spring roll and is filled with a combination of onion, vermicelli, mushrooms and scraps of shredded chicken or lamb. It is served with the same sauce that the fataya is served with. The appetizers are tasty but they are on the greasy side.
For entrees, we looked to Jay for suggestions. We told him we were looking to sample some authentic Senegalese cuisine and he guided us in the right direction. We (Jay) decided that we should try the Chicken Yassa, Grilled Fish, Chicken Brochette and the fish stew (Thiebou Djeun).
All of the portions were very large with voluminous amounts of white rice (jollof) and assorted vegetables (many of them being root vegetables) served with the fish stew and the Chicken Yassa. Tonia chose couscous as a side with the brochette and Nick chose the wonderful Aloco (plantains) with the grilled fish.
There were many spices hidden within the platters of food on our table that exploded within our mouths and led to some continuous plate passing until everyone had sampled all of the dishes. I was especially impressed with the wonderful flavors of the caramelized onions mixed with the couscous that was served with the brochette and the assorted vegetables (yams, carrots, cabbage, etc.) served over the rice that was served with the Chicken Yassa. The chicken in both dishes had a nice flavor contrast that was somewhere between the charcoal it was cooked on and the lemon, onion and spice marinade that was used. The fish stew (grouper) was average, but the highlight of the meal was the grilled fish. Served with a generous scooping of relish (onions, peppers, cilantro and who knows what else), the tilapia is grilled and served whole (with the head on). It was easy enough and enjoyable (for me at least) to filet the fish off the bone. The fish was wonderful; it is the house specialty. It was so good that I would later find my friend Nick with the carcass of the fish in his hands attempting to get every bit of fish off of those bones. On another visit, Ivy and I had the Thiou Curry with Lamb. While flavorful, both Ivy and I found the dish to be too greasy for our palettes.
Yassa is one of the better values in Chicago. It is BYOB and there is no corking fee. In addition, nothing on the menu costs more than $12. Given the fact that the plates of food are large enough that 2 people could easily share one entree, the prices are extremely reasonable. We had 2 appetizers and 4 entrees for $56. You cannot ask for better value than that.
This is a cultural experience and one I would recommend to anyone who likes to try new things. When you leave a restaurant and feel the need to shake hands with the owner and possibly even exchange a hug, it is hard not to feel good about the last 2-3 hours you spent there.
To put it simply, Jay and his family seem to be wonderful people who work hard to deliver quality food and service for very reasonable prices. When Jay asked for our suggestions to improve his restaurant and we told him that he should raise the prices. In response, he smiled and told us he couldn’t do that. He said he couldn’t do that because he wanted to keep the prices affordable for anyone who wants to experience Yassa. Jay explained that it is about the people and that is what Yassa is about.
Monday, November 20, 2006
Chicago (Italian) - Osteria Via Stato
Osteria Via Stato
620 N. State Street, Chicago IL; Phone 312-642-8450
Date of Review: November, 2006
Osteria Via Stato is not your typical Italian restaurant. Let me step back for a minute. This may be your typical Italian restaurant, but only if you have called some city in Italy your home for some portion of your life. Rich Melman, chairman of Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises, new “concept” draws from the wonderful meats, cheeses, atmosphere and range of courses that you might find if you were sitting in an Osteria in Bologna or Florence or Naples. In fact, before opening the restaurant, Melman and his team sent a ‘research team’ to Italy so that they could get as close as possible to the cuisine and concept of what they were trying to emulate.
The atmosphere here is busy and welcoming, just as an Italian Osteria should be. The lighting creates a warm feeling and there is a lot of energy in the restaurant with tables everywhere including on what feels like an indoor terrace that opens out to the atrium of the Embassy Suites hotel that the restaurant is located in. The bar area also has tables and there is an expansive back room of the restaurant where the majority of tables are located with the open kitchen in full view.
Osteria Via Stato does offer a standard menu that you can order from. That said, I have never ordered off of it. To me, the beauty of this restaurant is the 3-course ‘Italian Feast’ menu option they offer. This is a selection of courses for $35.95. It is a great way to sample a variety of dishes. For the 1st course, an assortment of chef selected antipasto plates is brought to your table along with some warm, crusty bread and a plate of olives. Some of the antipasto dishes that have stood out during my visits include the veal meatballs in a red sauce and wood roasted sweet onions with crumbled parmesan cheese melted on top. You can request as many helpings as you want of any antipasto dish you would like to try more of.
The next course comes in the form of pasta and risotto. There are hearty ragus and perfectly cooked noodles and rice that remind me of the pasta and risotto dishes I have enjoyed while in Italy. All are served family style and you can request more of any dish that you deem worthy of another helping. It is always a surprise as to which two dishes will show up on your table as the chef is still ‘making the call’ at this point in your meal.
Your third course is the only course you choose yourself. Your server uses one of the small black chalkboards hanging on the wall to describe the 8-10 options you have available to you. You have a wide range of options ranging from veal meatloaf to a lamb t-bone (5$ extra), porterhouse for two (8$ extra), short rib on a bed of polenta, pork shank, swordfish or salmon. All the items I have tried have been good but my favorites are the tender lamb t-bone and the succulent short rib. There are 2 side dishes that are brought to the table to pass with your entrée. Some I have had include glazed carrots and onions, sautéed cauliflower and a wonderful sweet potato puree.
From a dessert perspective, I have been too full to ever actually order a dessert although the chef did come out on my last visit and offered a complimentary sampling of sugared orange peel and chocolate peanut brittle which was very good.
The prices are fair for the quantity and quality of the food that continues to show up on your table during your meal. On my last visit, 5 of us dined and the total bill was $244 plus tip. That included a $37 bottle of wine. They have an extensive wine list with bottles from every region of Italy and you have the option to try 3 different glasses of wine paired with your meal for as little as $15 per person as part of the "Just Bring Me Wine" program.
620 N. State Street, Chicago IL; Phone 312-642-8450
Date of Review: November, 2006
Osteria Via Stato is not your typical Italian restaurant. Let me step back for a minute. This may be your typical Italian restaurant, but only if you have called some city in Italy your home for some portion of your life. Rich Melman, chairman of Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises, new “concept” draws from the wonderful meats, cheeses, atmosphere and range of courses that you might find if you were sitting in an Osteria in Bologna or Florence or Naples. In fact, before opening the restaurant, Melman and his team sent a ‘research team’ to Italy so that they could get as close as possible to the cuisine and concept of what they were trying to emulate.
The atmosphere here is busy and welcoming, just as an Italian Osteria should be. The lighting creates a warm feeling and there is a lot of energy in the restaurant with tables everywhere including on what feels like an indoor terrace that opens out to the atrium of the Embassy Suites hotel that the restaurant is located in. The bar area also has tables and there is an expansive back room of the restaurant where the majority of tables are located with the open kitchen in full view.
Osteria Via Stato does offer a standard menu that you can order from. That said, I have never ordered off of it. To me, the beauty of this restaurant is the 3-course ‘Italian Feast’ menu option they offer. This is a selection of courses for $35.95. It is a great way to sample a variety of dishes. For the 1st course, an assortment of chef selected antipasto plates is brought to your table along with some warm, crusty bread and a plate of olives. Some of the antipasto dishes that have stood out during my visits include the veal meatballs in a red sauce and wood roasted sweet onions with crumbled parmesan cheese melted on top. You can request as many helpings as you want of any antipasto dish you would like to try more of.
The next course comes in the form of pasta and risotto. There are hearty ragus and perfectly cooked noodles and rice that remind me of the pasta and risotto dishes I have enjoyed while in Italy. All are served family style and you can request more of any dish that you deem worthy of another helping. It is always a surprise as to which two dishes will show up on your table as the chef is still ‘making the call’ at this point in your meal.
Your third course is the only course you choose yourself. Your server uses one of the small black chalkboards hanging on the wall to describe the 8-10 options you have available to you. You have a wide range of options ranging from veal meatloaf to a lamb t-bone (5$ extra), porterhouse for two (8$ extra), short rib on a bed of polenta, pork shank, swordfish or salmon. All the items I have tried have been good but my favorites are the tender lamb t-bone and the succulent short rib. There are 2 side dishes that are brought to the table to pass with your entrée. Some I have had include glazed carrots and onions, sautéed cauliflower and a wonderful sweet potato puree.
From a dessert perspective, I have been too full to ever actually order a dessert although the chef did come out on my last visit and offered a complimentary sampling of sugared orange peel and chocolate peanut brittle which was very good.
The prices are fair for the quantity and quality of the food that continues to show up on your table during your meal. On my last visit, 5 of us dined and the total bill was $244 plus tip. That included a $37 bottle of wine. They have an extensive wine list with bottles from every region of Italy and you have the option to try 3 different glasses of wine paired with your meal for as little as $15 per person as part of the "Just Bring Me Wine" program.
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
Chicago (Southern) - FAT Willy's RIB SHACK
Fat Willy’s Rib Shack
2416 West Schubert Avenue, Chicago IL; Phone773-782-1800
Date of Review: October, 2006; updated May, 2008
Fat Willy’s is a hidden gem. While it may not be that easy to find, it is worth looking for because it has some of the best barbecue in Chicago and compares favorably with the likes of Smoke Daddy, Honey One and Twin Anchors.
You walk into Fat Willy’s, which is quaintly tucked behind a movie theater in a somewhat odd location, and might not think much. To be honest, I really don’t think you’d ever find the place unless someone told you about it. In terms of atmosphere, the name of the place is Fat Willy’s rib shack and it is pretty much a shack. However, your eating barbecue and aren’t at a fine dining establishment, although the food might make you think otherwise. It is a basic place with a pickup counter and busy service station to the right and 15 or so tables to the left. It is what I expect when I go to a place to grab some barbecue.
For starters, the macaroni and cheese is rich, has a nice garlic accent and is heart stopping good. Having a scoop of this along with some excellent green onion and cheddar cornbread (served with honey butter) is a great way to start your meal.
The beef brisket sandwich has a pile of wonderful smoked and very tender brisket on a nice grilled baguette with caramelized onions and a fresh horseradish sauce spread across the top of the brisket. These are big sandwiches and you need to be pretty hungry to eat the whole thing. The meat has such a nice smoky flavor that the tastes savor in your mouth long after you decide it is time to swallow the fantastic mouthful of barbeque in your mouth. You owe it to yourself to nibble on a couple pieces of brisket without any sauce to truly appreciate the flavor of the meat. However, the complex and flavorful barbecue sauce definitely adds to the flavor of the meat, instead of overwhelming it. You can’t go wrong with the mild or spicy barbecue sauce that is provided in syrup bottles on the table as both are very good. The flavor of the pulled pork is just as special as that of the brisket and it is served with some vinegar slaw on top. My friend Joel and I ordered one of each and swapped halves so that we could get the best of both worlds. The sandwiches are served with a cup of so-so coleslaw and some fries that are also pretty average. The baby back pork ribs are pricey but full of flavor and the rib tips are tasty but too fatty for my taste (yes, I know rib tips are supposed to be fatty).
Fat Willy’s prices are about average. For 9.95, you get a very good sized sandwich that you will have trouble finishing in one setting. At $16 for a half slab of ribs, this is a bit pricey but isn’t a rip off either. Some people might expect better value given the off beat location but you get what you pay for and at Fat Willy’s you are getting some fantastic meat.
The hallway outside the bathroom is decorated with many different publications and awards from various magazines and newspapers talking about Fat Willy’s excellent barbecue. All of the publications are reputable and Fat Willy’s does a good job of making sure that those who eat here are well aware of the restaurant’s accolades.
Fat Willy’s serves beer and wine but a barbecue spot is synonymous with beer. They do a good job of offering a decent variety of beers but the key is the fact that they offer 40’s. Yes, 40 ounce beers and they serve them in a paper bag. Some people may find this to be “trashy”, for lack of a better word. Personally, I think it’s awesome.
2416 West Schubert Avenue, Chicago IL; Phone773-782-1800
Date of Review: October, 2006; updated May, 2008
Fat Willy’s is a hidden gem. While it may not be that easy to find, it is worth looking for because it has some of the best barbecue in Chicago and compares favorably with the likes of Smoke Daddy, Honey One and Twin Anchors.
You walk into Fat Willy’s, which is quaintly tucked behind a movie theater in a somewhat odd location, and might not think much. To be honest, I really don’t think you’d ever find the place unless someone told you about it. In terms of atmosphere, the name of the place is Fat Willy’s rib shack and it is pretty much a shack. However, your eating barbecue and aren’t at a fine dining establishment, although the food might make you think otherwise. It is a basic place with a pickup counter and busy service station to the right and 15 or so tables to the left. It is what I expect when I go to a place to grab some barbecue.
For starters, the macaroni and cheese is rich, has a nice garlic accent and is heart stopping good. Having a scoop of this along with some excellent green onion and cheddar cornbread (served with honey butter) is a great way to start your meal.
The beef brisket sandwich has a pile of wonderful smoked and very tender brisket on a nice grilled baguette with caramelized onions and a fresh horseradish sauce spread across the top of the brisket. These are big sandwiches and you need to be pretty hungry to eat the whole thing. The meat has such a nice smoky flavor that the tastes savor in your mouth long after you decide it is time to swallow the fantastic mouthful of barbeque in your mouth. You owe it to yourself to nibble on a couple pieces of brisket without any sauce to truly appreciate the flavor of the meat. However, the complex and flavorful barbecue sauce definitely adds to the flavor of the meat, instead of overwhelming it. You can’t go wrong with the mild or spicy barbecue sauce that is provided in syrup bottles on the table as both are very good. The flavor of the pulled pork is just as special as that of the brisket and it is served with some vinegar slaw on top. My friend Joel and I ordered one of each and swapped halves so that we could get the best of both worlds. The sandwiches are served with a cup of so-so coleslaw and some fries that are also pretty average. The baby back pork ribs are pricey but full of flavor and the rib tips are tasty but too fatty for my taste (yes, I know rib tips are supposed to be fatty).
Fat Willy’s prices are about average. For 9.95, you get a very good sized sandwich that you will have trouble finishing in one setting. At $16 for a half slab of ribs, this is a bit pricey but isn’t a rip off either. Some people might expect better value given the off beat location but you get what you pay for and at Fat Willy’s you are getting some fantastic meat.
The hallway outside the bathroom is decorated with many different publications and awards from various magazines and newspapers talking about Fat Willy’s excellent barbecue. All of the publications are reputable and Fat Willy’s does a good job of making sure that those who eat here are well aware of the restaurant’s accolades.
Fat Willy’s serves beer and wine but a barbecue spot is synonymous with beer. They do a good job of offering a decent variety of beers but the key is the fact that they offer 40’s. Yes, 40 ounce beers and they serve them in a paper bag. Some people may find this to be “trashy”, for lack of a better word. Personally, I think it’s awesome.
Tuesday, October 03, 2006
Chicago (German) - Chicago Brauhaus
Chicago Brauhaus
4732 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago IL; Phone 773-784-4444
Date of Review: October, 2006
I won't sit here and lie and say that the food is fantastic at the Chicago Brauhaus. If you’re not fond of home style German cooking that sticks to your ribs and is heavy on spatzle, red cabbage and some kind of meat, you are not going to be that happy when you browse through the menu. That said, if you do like German style cuisine, the food is pretty good.
This is a loud restaurant with a unique crowd. You will see old timers dressed up for a night out who most likely have Germanic roots of some sort. At the same time, you will see young groups of people in there 20's, 30's or 40's simply looking for a good time. It seems that the consensus with anyone coming here is that they want to have fun. From September 20th through October 29th (for Oktoberfest), they have a band that plays nightly and you should expect to see various kinds of singing, dancing, yodeling and other rowdiness. This is a restaurant with big tables and is perfect for a large party. This is probably a place you want to come to with at least a party of 4. This is one of best places in Chicago to “let go” at and have fun over a liter or so of beer. If you get to the point where you are 'passing the beer boot' around the table, you deserve extra credit. If you are passing it or taking it from someone you don't know, even better.
An expensive, albeit excellent and very large appetizer is the Kalte Platte which is an assortment of cold cuts, cheese, potato salad and pickles. It is served with a basket of pretzel rolls and rye bread and some fantastic spicy mustard. If they are selling giant pretzels, buy one and dip it in the mustard. For entrees, the Cevapcici is a ground beef and lamb combination that is formed into the shape of thick sausage links. It is pretty tasty and is served with some good German style potato salad. Other dishes I recommend include the Sauerbraten, Wiener schnitzel and the Rindsroulade. The Rindsroulade is especially memorable. It consists of thin slices of sirloin beef rolled with mustard, bacon, onion and pickle and the rolls of beef are then braised. Like most entrees, it is served with spatzle and red cabbage. The portions are good size but they don't overwhelm you, which is a good thing as the food is quite heavy.
The Chicago Brauhaus has an excellent selection of German beers on tap. It is the best selection of German draught beers I have seen in Chicago. Beers they have on tap include Hofbrau, Spaten, Stiegl, Bitburger, Julius Echter, Becks Dark and a house brew. Be careful as you indulge in a half or full liter as these beers have a tendency to make you dizzy.
The service is up front and to the point. It is German. If you are not ready to order, don't expect a kind greeting. Expect your server to walk away and come back in 5-10 minutes. It is the systematic type of service one would expect at an authentic German restaurant.
The food is not cheap but not overpriced either. You can order from a variety of different sausages or other home style type dishes like stuffed cabbage or Bavarian style meatloaf for a pretty reasonable 7-13$. Expect to spend $15-17 for something like Wiener schnitzel, Sauerbraten, Stuffed Chicken or a Pork Shank. The beer isn't cheap but you aren't drinking 12 ounce beers either. The price corresponds to the quantity of beer you have in your mug.
Overall, this is just a fun place to spend an evening at. Once or twice a year may be enough but some of my best nights in Chicago have taken place at the Chicago Brauhaus. The only thing that I would say is great here is the beer but when you add in some decent food, unique and fun music and a diverse crowd of people all looking to have a blast, you get a VERY GOOD TIME.
4732 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago IL; Phone 773-784-4444
Date of Review: October, 2006
I won't sit here and lie and say that the food is fantastic at the Chicago Brauhaus. If you’re not fond of home style German cooking that sticks to your ribs and is heavy on spatzle, red cabbage and some kind of meat, you are not going to be that happy when you browse through the menu. That said, if you do like German style cuisine, the food is pretty good.
This is a loud restaurant with a unique crowd. You will see old timers dressed up for a night out who most likely have Germanic roots of some sort. At the same time, you will see young groups of people in there 20's, 30's or 40's simply looking for a good time. It seems that the consensus with anyone coming here is that they want to have fun. From September 20th through October 29th (for Oktoberfest), they have a band that plays nightly and you should expect to see various kinds of singing, dancing, yodeling and other rowdiness. This is a restaurant with big tables and is perfect for a large party. This is probably a place you want to come to with at least a party of 4. This is one of best places in Chicago to “let go” at and have fun over a liter or so of beer. If you get to the point where you are 'passing the beer boot' around the table, you deserve extra credit. If you are passing it or taking it from someone you don't know, even better.
An expensive, albeit excellent and very large appetizer is the Kalte Platte which is an assortment of cold cuts, cheese, potato salad and pickles. It is served with a basket of pretzel rolls and rye bread and some fantastic spicy mustard. If they are selling giant pretzels, buy one and dip it in the mustard. For entrees, the Cevapcici is a ground beef and lamb combination that is formed into the shape of thick sausage links. It is pretty tasty and is served with some good German style potato salad. Other dishes I recommend include the Sauerbraten, Wiener schnitzel and the Rindsroulade. The Rindsroulade is especially memorable. It consists of thin slices of sirloin beef rolled with mustard, bacon, onion and pickle and the rolls of beef are then braised. Like most entrees, it is served with spatzle and red cabbage. The portions are good size but they don't overwhelm you, which is a good thing as the food is quite heavy.
The Chicago Brauhaus has an excellent selection of German beers on tap. It is the best selection of German draught beers I have seen in Chicago. Beers they have on tap include Hofbrau, Spaten, Stiegl, Bitburger, Julius Echter, Becks Dark and a house brew. Be careful as you indulge in a half or full liter as these beers have a tendency to make you dizzy.
The service is up front and to the point. It is German. If you are not ready to order, don't expect a kind greeting. Expect your server to walk away and come back in 5-10 minutes. It is the systematic type of service one would expect at an authentic German restaurant.
The food is not cheap but not overpriced either. You can order from a variety of different sausages or other home style type dishes like stuffed cabbage or Bavarian style meatloaf for a pretty reasonable 7-13$. Expect to spend $15-17 for something like Wiener schnitzel, Sauerbraten, Stuffed Chicken or a Pork Shank. The beer isn't cheap but you aren't drinking 12 ounce beers either. The price corresponds to the quantity of beer you have in your mug.
Overall, this is just a fun place to spend an evening at. Once or twice a year may be enough but some of my best nights in Chicago have taken place at the Chicago Brauhaus. The only thing that I would say is great here is the beer but when you add in some decent food, unique and fun music and a diverse crowd of people all looking to have a blast, you get a VERY GOOD TIME.
Monday, June 26, 2006
Oak Park (Italian) - The Pasta Shoppe & Cafe
The Pasta Shoppe and Cafe
116 North Oak Park Avenue, Oak Park IL; Phone708-763-0600
Date of Review: June, 2006
This is a landmark neighborhood Italian restaurant in the heart of Oak Park that is a fantastic deli in addition to being a solid sit down restaurant. Upon entering the restaurant, I was immediately awestruck by the impressive display case that had an assortment of meats, cheeses and salads in addition to some luscious looking profiteroles. The goodies inside this cabinet show up on the bowls and plates of the patrons sitting at the tables in the restaurant. In addition, they can be found on a picnic blanket in the park nearby or on the kitchen tables of those that were smart enough to swing by the Pasta Shoppe in preparation for that picnic or home cooked meal.
Upon entering the restaurant, you pass by the display case (mentioned above) and a freezer loaded with fresh pasta to make your way through a narrow path to a small, intimate dining area of no more than 7 or 8 tables. There is also an outstanding outdoor seating area that feels European as you are sitting on a sprawling, pedestrian sidewalk situated between two buildings.
On our visit, we started with a plate of arancini. These fantastic little rice balls are stuffed with cheese and are then deep-fried and are served with homemade marinara sauce. I could have eaten 5 or 6 of these beauties if I wasn’t trying to make room on my plate for an Italian salad and fried ravioli (served with the same marinara sauce). We complimented the appetizers with 3 baskets of bread we used to clean up 2 or 3 small plates of olive oil sprinkled with fresh parmesan.
For entrees, we decided to listen to our instincts and stick close to the home made pastas and sauces. My dad had the cheese ravioli with the spicy arrabiata sauce. Both my Mom and I went for the same sauce but with a different base. I went for the rigatoni and she the cavatelli. My sister and brother in law decided to branch out a bit and chose the chicken marsala which was also very good. The portions were large and I was very satisfied with my meal. The pasta sauce was rich, hearty and flavorful. As an accompaniment, I ordered the spinach and mozzarella stuffed meatballs that were out of this world. All of the pastas were cooked perfectly and had a nice consistency to them. One thing I will say about the arrabiata sauce is that it is very spicy. For me, that is perfect because I love spice and can handle it. However, my Mom and Dad found it to be too spicy for them. They actually asked for a side of marinara sauce and found the combination of marinara sauce with the arrabiata to be a better spice combination for them.
We had 2 appetizers, 1 salad and 4 entrees. In addition, we had 8 glasses of wine between us. The total cost was $102 plus tax and tip. We also did a fare bit of sharing as the large portions made entrée sharing a definite option. I ate my entire entrée myself but really had no reason to other than the fact that I was enamored with the sauce despite the fact that it gave me a sweaty forehead.
A nice accent is that the wine is served in those small glasses that you can fit your whole hand around. These are the ones you find at old school Italian restaurants. The nicest accent is that everything is homemade in The Pasta Shoppe and that is tough to find these days.
116 North Oak Park Avenue, Oak Park IL; Phone708-763-0600
Date of Review: June, 2006
This is a landmark neighborhood Italian restaurant in the heart of Oak Park that is a fantastic deli in addition to being a solid sit down restaurant. Upon entering the restaurant, I was immediately awestruck by the impressive display case that had an assortment of meats, cheeses and salads in addition to some luscious looking profiteroles. The goodies inside this cabinet show up on the bowls and plates of the patrons sitting at the tables in the restaurant. In addition, they can be found on a picnic blanket in the park nearby or on the kitchen tables of those that were smart enough to swing by the Pasta Shoppe in preparation for that picnic or home cooked meal.
Upon entering the restaurant, you pass by the display case (mentioned above) and a freezer loaded with fresh pasta to make your way through a narrow path to a small, intimate dining area of no more than 7 or 8 tables. There is also an outstanding outdoor seating area that feels European as you are sitting on a sprawling, pedestrian sidewalk situated between two buildings.
On our visit, we started with a plate of arancini. These fantastic little rice balls are stuffed with cheese and are then deep-fried and are served with homemade marinara sauce. I could have eaten 5 or 6 of these beauties if I wasn’t trying to make room on my plate for an Italian salad and fried ravioli (served with the same marinara sauce). We complimented the appetizers with 3 baskets of bread we used to clean up 2 or 3 small plates of olive oil sprinkled with fresh parmesan.
For entrees, we decided to listen to our instincts and stick close to the home made pastas and sauces. My dad had the cheese ravioli with the spicy arrabiata sauce. Both my Mom and I went for the same sauce but with a different base. I went for the rigatoni and she the cavatelli. My sister and brother in law decided to branch out a bit and chose the chicken marsala which was also very good. The portions were large and I was very satisfied with my meal. The pasta sauce was rich, hearty and flavorful. As an accompaniment, I ordered the spinach and mozzarella stuffed meatballs that were out of this world. All of the pastas were cooked perfectly and had a nice consistency to them. One thing I will say about the arrabiata sauce is that it is very spicy. For me, that is perfect because I love spice and can handle it. However, my Mom and Dad found it to be too spicy for them. They actually asked for a side of marinara sauce and found the combination of marinara sauce with the arrabiata to be a better spice combination for them.
We had 2 appetizers, 1 salad and 4 entrees. In addition, we had 8 glasses of wine between us. The total cost was $102 plus tax and tip. We also did a fare bit of sharing as the large portions made entrée sharing a definite option. I ate my entire entrée myself but really had no reason to other than the fact that I was enamored with the sauce despite the fact that it gave me a sweaty forehead.
A nice accent is that the wine is served in those small glasses that you can fit your whole hand around. These are the ones you find at old school Italian restaurants. The nicest accent is that everything is homemade in The Pasta Shoppe and that is tough to find these days.
Monday, May 22, 2006
Las Vegas (Asian) - Tao
Tao
The Venetian Hotel, Las Vegas NE; Phone 702-388-8338
Date of Review: May, 2006
Located in the Venetian hotel, I challenge anyone with any interest in Asian culture to pass by this venue without stopping in for at least a drink. If you can, you have more will power than I. After meandering through the Venetian hotel, I made my way towards the light outside but paused when I caught a whiff of a nice fragrance. After realizing that this aroma was coming from the restaurant I just walked by, my interest was piqued enough for me to turn around and do a bit more investigation. I was taken in immediately as the entrance to the restaurant is lined, on both sides, with large sunken tubs filled with water and various different kinds of flower petals. After a quick glance inside, I knew where I was having dinner on this particular evening.
Tao’s atmosphere begins with bathtubs full of flower pedals which open out into a fantastic Asian accented lounge area that has the feel of a club. The Asian accents are ever present as you move from one room to the next. This is the type of place where you might spot a Hollywood power couple. Tao is that cool. Tao is a 42,000 square foot entertainment complex that features the aforementioned lounge and restaurant, banquet facilities and a nightclub. No worries if the nightclub atmosphere isn’t for you. You probably won’t even see it. I didn’t. With velvet and silk prominent throughout an atmosphere that is accented by waterfalls and a hand-carved 20-foot-tall Buddha floating peacefully above a pool complete with Japanese carp, dining at Tao is much more than a meal. It is an experience.
The menu is varied (Pan-Asian) but Tao specializes in Hong Kong Chinese, Japanese and Thai cuisine. The variety of delicacies available includes sashimi with different types of dipping sauces, innovative sushi rolls, lobster wontons, Peking duck and a Wasabi Crusted Filet Mignon.
During my visit, I dined with my friends Andy and Marcia. We started with yellowtail sashimi with jalapeno and Ponzu sauce. The fish was succulent and fresh and the Ponzu sauce was a nice contrast to the fresh fish and jalapeno flavors. We continued with the Thai Stuffed Shrimp with Garlic, Lime and Thai Chili Sauce and the Lobster Wontons with Shiitake Ginger Broth. I think the sentence above gives enough perspective regarding the flavorful combinations in these 2 dishes. Both were absolutely wonderful. We continued with the Peking duck. We took turns picking different things to eat and this was my choice. I love duck but this was my first experience with Peking duck. I now understand what I have been missing. With the flavors of the crispy and scrumptious duck accented by slivered spring onions and hoisin sauce all combined in a mushu wrap, this was a delectable combination of flavors that I could not get enough of. I put the exclamation point on this entree by disregarding everything I know about health and eating every piece of crispy duck skin left on the plate.
For dessert, we had the Giant Fortune Cookie which was filled with white and dark chocolate mousse. Visions of cracking the crispy crust of this massive fortune cookie with my spoon to delve into two kinds of mouthwatering chocolate mousse are still very much fresh in my head.
It is impossible to really find value at a restaurant as exclusive as Tao. When you walk into the restaurant and take a look around, you know it is going to be very expensive. That said, it is undoubtedly worth every penny spent. We chose 1 bottle of wine from the extensive and impressive wine list to go with four different dishes and a dessert. The cost was $220 plus tax and tip and it was worth every cent.
The Venetian Hotel, Las Vegas NE; Phone 702-388-8338
Date of Review: May, 2006
Located in the Venetian hotel, I challenge anyone with any interest in Asian culture to pass by this venue without stopping in for at least a drink. If you can, you have more will power than I. After meandering through the Venetian hotel, I made my way towards the light outside but paused when I caught a whiff of a nice fragrance. After realizing that this aroma was coming from the restaurant I just walked by, my interest was piqued enough for me to turn around and do a bit more investigation. I was taken in immediately as the entrance to the restaurant is lined, on both sides, with large sunken tubs filled with water and various different kinds of flower petals. After a quick glance inside, I knew where I was having dinner on this particular evening.
Tao’s atmosphere begins with bathtubs full of flower pedals which open out into a fantastic Asian accented lounge area that has the feel of a club. The Asian accents are ever present as you move from one room to the next. This is the type of place where you might spot a Hollywood power couple. Tao is that cool. Tao is a 42,000 square foot entertainment complex that features the aforementioned lounge and restaurant, banquet facilities and a nightclub. No worries if the nightclub atmosphere isn’t for you. You probably won’t even see it. I didn’t. With velvet and silk prominent throughout an atmosphere that is accented by waterfalls and a hand-carved 20-foot-tall Buddha floating peacefully above a pool complete with Japanese carp, dining at Tao is much more than a meal. It is an experience.
The menu is varied (Pan-Asian) but Tao specializes in Hong Kong Chinese, Japanese and Thai cuisine. The variety of delicacies available includes sashimi with different types of dipping sauces, innovative sushi rolls, lobster wontons, Peking duck and a Wasabi Crusted Filet Mignon.
During my visit, I dined with my friends Andy and Marcia. We started with yellowtail sashimi with jalapeno and Ponzu sauce. The fish was succulent and fresh and the Ponzu sauce was a nice contrast to the fresh fish and jalapeno flavors. We continued with the Thai Stuffed Shrimp with Garlic, Lime and Thai Chili Sauce and the Lobster Wontons with Shiitake Ginger Broth. I think the sentence above gives enough perspective regarding the flavorful combinations in these 2 dishes. Both were absolutely wonderful. We continued with the Peking duck. We took turns picking different things to eat and this was my choice. I love duck but this was my first experience with Peking duck. I now understand what I have been missing. With the flavors of the crispy and scrumptious duck accented by slivered spring onions and hoisin sauce all combined in a mushu wrap, this was a delectable combination of flavors that I could not get enough of. I put the exclamation point on this entree by disregarding everything I know about health and eating every piece of crispy duck skin left on the plate.
For dessert, we had the Giant Fortune Cookie which was filled with white and dark chocolate mousse. Visions of cracking the crispy crust of this massive fortune cookie with my spoon to delve into two kinds of mouthwatering chocolate mousse are still very much fresh in my head.
It is impossible to really find value at a restaurant as exclusive as Tao. When you walk into the restaurant and take a look around, you know it is going to be very expensive. That said, it is undoubtedly worth every penny spent. We chose 1 bottle of wine from the extensive and impressive wine list to go with four different dishes and a dessert. The cost was $220 plus tax and tip and it was worth every cent.
Sunday, May 21, 2006
Chicago (Italian) - Rose Angelis
Rose Angelis
1314 West Wrightwood, Chicago IL; Phone 773-296-0081
Date of Review: May, 2006; updated May 2008
This neighborhood Italian joint offers large portions of solid, standard and somewhat innovative Italian food. It is my favorite Italian restaurant in Chicago.
This is a very romantic restaurant. It feels like you are eating in a home. The entrance has a warm, cute bar with some tables where you can enjoy a drink as you wait for your table. There is also a nice outdoor area off to the left of the bar entrance. The restaurant opens up into 3 additional adjoining rooms that give you the feeling that you are moving through a home. The tables are close together and the restaurant fits in with its location between 2 homes on a quiet side street.
For appetizers, I really enjoy the bruschetta and the “special” whole wheat pizza. The vegetable laden pizza had a very tasty wheat crust that added to, rather than detracted from the pizza. In addition, I highly recommend the minestrone soup. I am not even a big fan of minestrone soup but it will definitely be the appetizer I order the next time I visit the restaurant. The grilled calamari steaks sautéed with spinach and onions in a spicy balsamic sauce with toast points is solid and the sauce really makes this dish.
The menu is heavy on pasta but the chicken marsala and fish specials are very good also. On the innovative side, the duck filled tortellini is one of those rare “must try” entrees on a menu that immediately catches your eye. The wine and cognac reduction sauce is a good accompaniment to the flavors of the duck and the spinach, mozzarella, and tomato that are layered throughout the dish. Rose Angelis specializes in different types of ravioli’s. I have been particularly impressed with the salmon filled ravioli and the ever changing special ravioli. On other occasions, I have enjoyed the pumpkin filled ravioli and the cherry, walnut and portobella mushroom ravioli. The linguini al frutti di mare features fresh linguini served in a tomato white wine sauce with mussels, shrimp, calamari and scallop garnished with parmagiana cheese. It is one of the best renditions of this dish I have had as the home-made pasta is outstanding.
On the down side, I wasn’t blown away by the asparagus wrapped in prosciutto appetizer and thought the huge portion of lasagna was awfully cheesy, but lacking in taste. The appetizer salad for the table was nothing special.
For dessert, the bread pudding with caramel sauce is enough for 3-4 people and is one of my favorite deserts in Chicago. The strawberries in caramel and the chocolate mousse assortment are also very good.
The service is excellent and the servers here are ripe with suggestions. Most of the servers have a “flavorful” persona that suits the environment of the restaurant. This is not a formal atmosphere and this comes through in the personalities of the servers.
On my last visit, we had 3 appetizers, 3 entrees and a dessert for 81$ plus tax and tip. We had 5 people eating but did a lot of sharing because the portions are so large and we still left with a take home bag. We only had 2 drinks total so that helped keep the price low. I don’t think you will find many other restaurants in Chicago that give you large quantities of good food at such great prices.
1314 West Wrightwood, Chicago IL; Phone 773-296-0081
Date of Review: May, 2006; updated May 2008
This neighborhood Italian joint offers large portions of solid, standard and somewhat innovative Italian food. It is my favorite Italian restaurant in Chicago.
This is a very romantic restaurant. It feels like you are eating in a home. The entrance has a warm, cute bar with some tables where you can enjoy a drink as you wait for your table. There is also a nice outdoor area off to the left of the bar entrance. The restaurant opens up into 3 additional adjoining rooms that give you the feeling that you are moving through a home. The tables are close together and the restaurant fits in with its location between 2 homes on a quiet side street.
For appetizers, I really enjoy the bruschetta and the “special” whole wheat pizza. The vegetable laden pizza had a very tasty wheat crust that added to, rather than detracted from the pizza. In addition, I highly recommend the minestrone soup. I am not even a big fan of minestrone soup but it will definitely be the appetizer I order the next time I visit the restaurant. The grilled calamari steaks sautéed with spinach and onions in a spicy balsamic sauce with toast points is solid and the sauce really makes this dish.
The menu is heavy on pasta but the chicken marsala and fish specials are very good also. On the innovative side, the duck filled tortellini is one of those rare “must try” entrees on a menu that immediately catches your eye. The wine and cognac reduction sauce is a good accompaniment to the flavors of the duck and the spinach, mozzarella, and tomato that are layered throughout the dish. Rose Angelis specializes in different types of ravioli’s. I have been particularly impressed with the salmon filled ravioli and the ever changing special ravioli. On other occasions, I have enjoyed the pumpkin filled ravioli and the cherry, walnut and portobella mushroom ravioli. The linguini al frutti di mare features fresh linguini served in a tomato white wine sauce with mussels, shrimp, calamari and scallop garnished with parmagiana cheese. It is one of the best renditions of this dish I have had as the home-made pasta is outstanding.
On the down side, I wasn’t blown away by the asparagus wrapped in prosciutto appetizer and thought the huge portion of lasagna was awfully cheesy, but lacking in taste. The appetizer salad for the table was nothing special.
For dessert, the bread pudding with caramel sauce is enough for 3-4 people and is one of my favorite deserts in Chicago. The strawberries in caramel and the chocolate mousse assortment are also very good.
The service is excellent and the servers here are ripe with suggestions. Most of the servers have a “flavorful” persona that suits the environment of the restaurant. This is not a formal atmosphere and this comes through in the personalities of the servers.
On my last visit, we had 3 appetizers, 3 entrees and a dessert for 81$ plus tax and tip. We had 5 people eating but did a lot of sharing because the portions are so large and we still left with a take home bag. We only had 2 drinks total so that helped keep the price low. I don’t think you will find many other restaurants in Chicago that give you large quantities of good food at such great prices.
Chicago (Italian) - Pizza D.O.C.
Pizza D.O.C.
2251 West Lawrence Avenue, Chicago IL; Phone773-784-8777
Date of Review: May, 2006
So, what does D.O.C. stand for? It actually stands for "Denominazione Di Orgine Controllata", a term used on Italian wine labels to convey both the excellence of a product and the care with which that product was made. Take it from the owner’s themselves, “We insist on excellent ingredients and attention to their preparation, which is the reason we call ourselves "D.O.C."
Pizza D.O.C. is a very romantic restaurant. It makes you feel like you are in a restaurant in Italy. There is a “community table” in the middle of the restaurant where you can select items like marinated zucchini or eggplant for your antipasti plate which contributes to a warm, comfortable environment. Most of the servers, based on their accents, seem to be of Italian descent. There is a not a large waiting area but there is a small, cute bar at the back of the restaurant where you can enjoy a drink and wait for your table. The restaurant is active, just like in Italy and has a wood burning oven in full view as you pass by to go to the bathroom. If you want an Italian oasis in Chicago, this is the place.
Pizza D.O.C. has generous size portions of absolutely very good, authentic Italian food. Everything about this place screams Italian, making it a favorite of the Italian immigrant community. On my visit, we started with the Insalata Tricolore and we both enjoyed it. Consisting of arrugula, endive, beets and parmigiano shavings in a light lemon juice and extra virgin olive oil dressing, this salad went very well with the fresh, home baked bread. The menu is loaded with different pastas and pizzas that I will continue to sample as I visit Pizza D.O.C. again and again. On this evening, we shared the pizza porcini. The ingredients – tomato sauce, mozzarella, porcini mushrooms – were simple but the taste was definitely not. To start with, the pizzas are cooked in a wood burning oven. This makes for old style Italian crust that is somewhere between thin crust and New York style chewy crust. It doesn’t get soggy no matter how long you take to finish your pizza. The crust is chewy but not too much and a bit sweet. There is just the right amount of extremely tasty sauce as it doesn’t overpower the flavors of the mushrooms or mozzarella. To be honest, I am still wondering how a pizza with so few ingredients could be so flavorful. I guess that says a lot about the quality of the ingredients. The pizza is big enough to share with another person along with a salad or appetizer but eating the entire pizza yourself as an entrée would not be a problem.
For desserts, we had the panna cotta and the pistachio gelato. The panna cotta was simply scrumptious. This creamy, egg-less vanilla bean based custard that is topped with caramel sauce is a worthy, if not superior, comparison to flan or crème brulee. I would actually describe this dessert as refreshing. The pistachio gelato made me look around and ask myself, “Where am I? Am I in Chicago or Vivoli’s in Florence?”
The service is somewhat offbeat but very attentive. It is offbeat because this is a “real” Italian restaurant and I would expect nothing less than this type of service. This is the kind of place where your waiter notices the attractiveness of the women who just entered the restaurant or complements you on your own date. Like I said, this place is truly Italian.
The food is reasonably priced. Our total bill was $57 plus tax and tip for a salad, pizza, 2 desserts and three glasses of wine.
2251 West Lawrence Avenue, Chicago IL; Phone773-784-8777
Date of Review: May, 2006
So, what does D.O.C. stand for? It actually stands for "Denominazione Di Orgine Controllata", a term used on Italian wine labels to convey both the excellence of a product and the care with which that product was made. Take it from the owner’s themselves, “We insist on excellent ingredients and attention to their preparation, which is the reason we call ourselves "D.O.C."
Pizza D.O.C. is a very romantic restaurant. It makes you feel like you are in a restaurant in Italy. There is a “community table” in the middle of the restaurant where you can select items like marinated zucchini or eggplant for your antipasti plate which contributes to a warm, comfortable environment. Most of the servers, based on their accents, seem to be of Italian descent. There is a not a large waiting area but there is a small, cute bar at the back of the restaurant where you can enjoy a drink and wait for your table. The restaurant is active, just like in Italy and has a wood burning oven in full view as you pass by to go to the bathroom. If you want an Italian oasis in Chicago, this is the place.
Pizza D.O.C. has generous size portions of absolutely very good, authentic Italian food. Everything about this place screams Italian, making it a favorite of the Italian immigrant community. On my visit, we started with the Insalata Tricolore and we both enjoyed it. Consisting of arrugula, endive, beets and parmigiano shavings in a light lemon juice and extra virgin olive oil dressing, this salad went very well with the fresh, home baked bread. The menu is loaded with different pastas and pizzas that I will continue to sample as I visit Pizza D.O.C. again and again. On this evening, we shared the pizza porcini. The ingredients – tomato sauce, mozzarella, porcini mushrooms – were simple but the taste was definitely not. To start with, the pizzas are cooked in a wood burning oven. This makes for old style Italian crust that is somewhere between thin crust and New York style chewy crust. It doesn’t get soggy no matter how long you take to finish your pizza. The crust is chewy but not too much and a bit sweet. There is just the right amount of extremely tasty sauce as it doesn’t overpower the flavors of the mushrooms or mozzarella. To be honest, I am still wondering how a pizza with so few ingredients could be so flavorful. I guess that says a lot about the quality of the ingredients. The pizza is big enough to share with another person along with a salad or appetizer but eating the entire pizza yourself as an entrée would not be a problem.
For desserts, we had the panna cotta and the pistachio gelato. The panna cotta was simply scrumptious. This creamy, egg-less vanilla bean based custard that is topped with caramel sauce is a worthy, if not superior, comparison to flan or crème brulee. I would actually describe this dessert as refreshing. The pistachio gelato made me look around and ask myself, “Where am I? Am I in Chicago or Vivoli’s in Florence?”
The service is somewhat offbeat but very attentive. It is offbeat because this is a “real” Italian restaurant and I would expect nothing less than this type of service. This is the kind of place where your waiter notices the attractiveness of the women who just entered the restaurant or complements you on your own date. Like I said, this place is truly Italian.
The food is reasonably priced. Our total bill was $57 plus tax and tip for a salad, pizza, 2 desserts and three glasses of wine.
Friday, May 19, 2006
Chicago (Vietnamese) - Hai Yen Restaurant
Hai Yen
1055 West Argyle Street, Chicago IL 60640; Phone 773-561-4077
Date of Review: May, 2006; updated May, 2008
Located on Argyle Street right off of Broadway in the Vietnamese section of Chicago (better known as Little Saigon), Hai Yen is my first choice for Vietnamese food in Chicago. The atmosphere is basic, yet pleasant and suits the restaurant’s philosophy of a fresh, quick meal at good prices. This restaurant is very clean.
The key word I would use to describe the food at Hai Yen is “fresh” as everything I have sampled is tasty and freshly prepared. The Green Papaya Salad with Shrimp and Pork is an excellent starter as the shredded green papaya, carrots, onions, shrimp, pork, fresh mint and peanuts are in perfect contrast to the sweet and tangy lime dressing that this mixture was tossed in. I also highly recommend the grilled beef spring rolls (Bo Cuon) and the Banh Xeo. Banh Xeo is a Saigon style crepe made from rice flour that is filled with shrimp, pork, and bean sprouts and is served with vegetables and a lime dipping sauce. As soon as I saw this on the menu, I knew I had to try it as I remember having this dish in a small local restaurant in Saigon some years back and have fond memories of being the only tourist, or at least Caucasian one, in this crowded restaurant at that particular time.
For entrees, I recommend the charbroiled pork meatballs that are served with an egg roll on top of vermicelli rice noodles. They are served with fresh mint, basil, rice paper and a sweet and sour lime sauce. Much like a fajita, you combine a bit of each of these ingredients in a piece of rice paper and bite into some gorgeous flavors. I also recommend the Pho. Pho is a traditional Vietnamese soup that offers an intriguing composition of carefully arranged layers of noodles, vegetables and meat surrounded by a hot, rich broth that is spiced with anise, cloves and roasted ginger in addition to fresh basil, cilantro and sometimes even mint. Another favorite of mine is the Chao, rice porridge with a combination of pork, meatballs and/or assorted seafood. It is nourishing, tasty and filling. I recommend sticking close to the Vietnamese menu options and straying from the Thai style options like meat or seafood with vegetables as these menu options are decent, but nothing you can’t get at any other restaurant.
The service is basic and efficient; it suits the restaurant. It is definitely prompt and if you want to have a quick meal and leave quickly, this is the perfect place.
The portions are large and the prices are reasonable. On our last visit, we had 2 appetizers and 2 entrees for $30 including tax and tip.
Try the fresh fruit drinks with tapioca and ask the servers to point you in the direction of the dishes that are authentically Vietnamese.
1055 West Argyle Street, Chicago IL 60640; Phone 773-561-4077
Date of Review: May, 2006; updated May, 2008
Located on Argyle Street right off of Broadway in the Vietnamese section of Chicago (better known as Little Saigon), Hai Yen is my first choice for Vietnamese food in Chicago. The atmosphere is basic, yet pleasant and suits the restaurant’s philosophy of a fresh, quick meal at good prices. This restaurant is very clean.
The key word I would use to describe the food at Hai Yen is “fresh” as everything I have sampled is tasty and freshly prepared. The Green Papaya Salad with Shrimp and Pork is an excellent starter as the shredded green papaya, carrots, onions, shrimp, pork, fresh mint and peanuts are in perfect contrast to the sweet and tangy lime dressing that this mixture was tossed in. I also highly recommend the grilled beef spring rolls (Bo Cuon) and the Banh Xeo. Banh Xeo is a Saigon style crepe made from rice flour that is filled with shrimp, pork, and bean sprouts and is served with vegetables and a lime dipping sauce. As soon as I saw this on the menu, I knew I had to try it as I remember having this dish in a small local restaurant in Saigon some years back and have fond memories of being the only tourist, or at least Caucasian one, in this crowded restaurant at that particular time.
For entrees, I recommend the charbroiled pork meatballs that are served with an egg roll on top of vermicelli rice noodles. They are served with fresh mint, basil, rice paper and a sweet and sour lime sauce. Much like a fajita, you combine a bit of each of these ingredients in a piece of rice paper and bite into some gorgeous flavors. I also recommend the Pho. Pho is a traditional Vietnamese soup that offers an intriguing composition of carefully arranged layers of noodles, vegetables and meat surrounded by a hot, rich broth that is spiced with anise, cloves and roasted ginger in addition to fresh basil, cilantro and sometimes even mint. Another favorite of mine is the Chao, rice porridge with a combination of pork, meatballs and/or assorted seafood. It is nourishing, tasty and filling. I recommend sticking close to the Vietnamese menu options and straying from the Thai style options like meat or seafood with vegetables as these menu options are decent, but nothing you can’t get at any other restaurant.
The service is basic and efficient; it suits the restaurant. It is definitely prompt and if you want to have a quick meal and leave quickly, this is the perfect place.
The portions are large and the prices are reasonable. On our last visit, we had 2 appetizers and 2 entrees for $30 including tax and tip.
Try the fresh fruit drinks with tapioca and ask the servers to point you in the direction of the dishes that are authentically Vietnamese.
Monday, April 10, 2006
Chicago's most romantic restaurants
Here is my list of Chicago's most romantic restaurants. Each of these restaurants has their own intrinsic charm in additional to wonderful food. When you combine these 2 elements, you end up with a little bit of paradise that I recommend sharing with others…
Webster's Wine Bar - 1480 West Webster Avenue (across from Webster place cinema)
An absolutely terrific spot to share some small, tapas like dishes and sip on some excellent wine. You can sit in the front or nestle in the back under the dim lights and warm, inviting atmosphere that just begs you to order another glass of wine. There are wines from all over the world here and tastings are offered throughout the month. In some cases, there is an assumed arrogance that is associated with wine bars but that is far from the truth when it comes to Webster’s and that is one of the things I love best about this spot. There is a diverse customer base here and it is a casual place where you are as welcome in shorts on a nice summer day as you are in a suit on a wintry one. The staff is friendly and very unpretentious as they offer suggestions based on your palate and knowledge of wine instead of offering opinions that may make you feel foolish. The variety of cheeses offered is impressive and I was impressed with their gourmet pizzas, lamb shank and Antipasto plate. http://www.websterwinebar.com
Le Bouchon - 1958 North Damen Avenue
Le Bouchon is as French as it gets for Chicago. This small, intimate dining venue is located on the corner of Armitage and Damen and its 15 tables are almost always filled. It reminds me very much of France from the décor and atmosphere to the wine and the food. The tables are set close together and the servers need to maneuver between them as they bring the delicacies from the kitchen into the infectious atmosphere of the restaurant. The Paris street mural above the bar is just another indication of how authentic the food and atmosphere are as the owner, Jean Claude Poilevey, is a native of Burgundy and would have it no other way. They have an excellent wine list and fantastic, reasonably priced food. I have tried almost everything on the menu and have never left unsatisfied. My favorite appetizers include the generous portion of mussels, the French Onion Soup (you should share this as it is very rich), the Lynonnaise salad and the Codfish Brandade with Garlic croutons. The brandade is a combination of butter, cream, garlic and codfish that is served steaming hot in a crock. I always seem to need to supplement the wonderful garlic croutons with many pieces of bread to make sure the crock is empty when it is taken away from my table. For entrees, the Ragout of Duck, Rabbit and Lamb Shank are my favorites but the fish specials are always excellent as are the steaks and free-range chicken. For desserts, pick whatever you want otherwise I will list the whole menu. However, I do really like the fresh berries with vanilla sauce as it is a somewhat lighter way to finish off a filling meal.
http://lebouchonofchicago.com
Red Rooster Café and Wine Bar - 2100 North Halsted Street
The Red Rooster is so basic but so charming. You need to actually look for the restaurant since the entrance is actually on Dickens Avenue despite the Halsted address. After ascending up a few stairs to get to the entrance, you may feel like you are heading into a boutique hotel somewhere in France, not knowing what to expect. Upon entering, you will be pleasantly surprised as you find before your eyes an atmosphere that just radiates the comfort that is part of the food, wine and environment at the Red Rooster Café and Wine Bar. The décor is heavy on dark wood and doesn’t try and awe you with anything eye-catching but is content with looking relaxed and inviting. It is the kind of place you could sit and eat, talk, and drink wine for hours. And of course, they do have an excellent wine list. I haven’t even got into the food, but you will not be disappointed. The Red Rooster features traditional French provincial cuisine. Some of my favorite starters include the Baked Brie en Croute and the Apple Bleu Cheese salad. Featured entrees include the Braised Lamb Shank, Pork Loin au Poivre and Grilled Salmon with a Cabernet sauce. This is also one of the better bargains in Chicago with entrees ranging from $11 to $17 dollars. http://www.cafebernard.com/Redrooster/
Margie’s Candies - 1960 North Western Avenue
Can you say old school? Classic? Original? We are talking 1921 old school when we talk about Margie’s Candies as it has been around for that long. This landmark has the best sundaes and ice cream creations in Chicago. Everything is home made here as Margie’s makes there own hand-dipped candies in addition to their own hand-packed ice cream. You will always find Margie’s full of couples sharing a sundae or parents treating there excited children to a tasty treat. Margie’s also has sandwiches and salads and other greasy spoon type fare but that is not the reason you come to Margie’s. You come to this old-school parlor environment for English toffee, truffles, shakes, sundaes and banana splits. For any of you who had parents that used to take you to a favorite ice cream spot growing up, a visit to Margie’s brings back good memories of how things used to be. For me, that was Creamy Delight in downtown Joliet for one for their turtle sundaes. http://margiescandies.com/catalog/
Rose Angelis - 1314 West Wrightwood Avenue
Nestled in the middle of a neighborhood offering wonderful food at great prices, this crowded but cozy atmosphere will make you feel like you just sat down for dinner in the home of an Italian friend or relative.
This comfy restaurant makes all its patrons feel at ease. That's partly due to the fact that Rose Angelis, with its intimate walled rooms adorned with murals, looks and feels like a house. It's also because of its many homemade pastas including duck-filled tortellini, salmon-filled ravioli or the manicotti of the day. Don’t miss the bruschetta starter or the Italian bread pudding with caramel sauce for dessert that is enough for 3 people and is among the best desserts in Chicago. The small glasses that wine is served in add a nice touch as does the awning outside the entrance to the restaurant. http://www.roseangelis.com
Blue Fin – 1952 West North Avenue
Ok, this is my “local” sushi spot but it is also my favorite. Other than the awkward entrance that doesn’t make for a good area to wait for a table in, this Wicker Park sushi bar and restaurant aims to and succeeds in being a prime date location. There is provocative artwork, dimmed down lights and 2 person tables that are perfect for staring into the eyes of the person across from you. In addition, there is funky background music that is easy to relax to. Blue Fin has fresh and tasty sushi in addition to a variety of hot Asian entrees at prices that are far from cheap but are fair.
Nine Muses – 315 South Halsted Street
I feel like I am going out on a bit of a limb here by mentioning Nine Muses as one of the most romantic restaurants in Chicago but why not. This is in fact, my list. For some reason, I just feel comfortable in this restaurant. It is dimly lit and you can usually find some pillars of the young and old Greek community fraternizing amongst themselves at the bar. Since almost everyone is Greek that patrons the restaurant, you can be almost sure to be an outsider, unless of course you are Greek. But the “Greek community” does make you feel at home. When your waitress decides to come out of the conversation she is involved in, you can order a coffee, a drink or some food. The food is typical Greek fare that is solid but won’t overwhelm you. However, the Old World charm of this spot may. There are French doors that open onto the sidewalk, exposed brink and mahogany wood and Greek music playing in the background. In addition, they have a great outdoor seating area in the summer that provides a good area for people watching.
Japonais – 600 West Chicago Avenue
Japonais is more than just a restaurant. It is a dining experience. This definitely is a scene and place to be seen as you will realize as soon as you walk in. The food is a combination of Asian and French cuisines and it is as delicious as it is innovative and creative. There are rare circumstances when the food that is being served matches it’s presentation and the environment it is served in but this is definitely the case at Japonais.
There are two dining rooms, a sushi bar, and a downstairs lounge and patio. The lounge and patio open out into an enclosed area that is outside the restaurant. There are comfortable chairs to relax on or kiss on if you are feeling more risqué. Only a partial menu is served in this area of the restaurant which reminds me very much of the type of atmosphere you would see in Miami at a place like the Shore Club or the Delano.
The menu features a variety of hot and cold appetizers, entrees and sushi. With the many delectable small plates available, I have never actually delved into the entrees despite dining at the restaurant on 3 different occasions. My favorites include the Tokyo Drums (spicy chicken drumettes with a roasted scallion dipping sauce), Manchu pork and scallion steamed buns and Kobe carpaccio. Among my favorite sushi rolls on the menu, the Tuna Tuna Salmon (salmon tartare topped with sliced tuna, avocado sauce and wasabi tobiko sauce), Spicy Mono (spicy octopus roll topped with spicy tuna tartare and sweet unagi sauce) and the Special Salmon (tempura shrimp roll topped with sashimi marinated salmon and wasabi tobiko sauce) come to mind. http://www.japonaischicago.com
Tango Sur - 3763 N. Southport Ave.
This storefront favorite has it’s own charm amongst an array of activity in this always busy restaurant. When I arrived, we had to wait 15-20 minutes for a table. My date, who was from Argentina and who frequents the restaurant often, led me to a tiny waiting area near the rear room of the restaurant. Trust me, you would never expect a restaurant to have a waiting room in this area. This room is fantastic though. It has 1 small wooden table with 2 or 3 chairs around it in the middle of a room surrounded by wall seating much like what you would find in a sauna. The room is dimly lit and is very romantic, unless of course you have 12 people sitting around the table against the wall staring at you.
The atmosphere isn’t quite so intimate in the restaurant itself but the tables are close together and allow for intimate conversation. As for the food, this is a BYOB so bring your favorite bottle of Argentinean Malbec or other favorite red wine to go along with the cut of meat you decide on. My first introduction to Tango Sur’s garlicky chimichurri sauce (a sauce made from parsley, garlic, olive oil and mild peppers) was a dangerous one as I was on a date but still managed to knock down 3 pieces of bread loaded with the stuff. By the way, she was eating the sauce also. I had a wonderful empanada stuffed with beef and some solid chorizo sausage for appetizers. I could have eaten 3 of those empanadas. We also had the short ribs, which were very tasty and the vacio. The vacio is a mountainous piece of steak, filled and covered in herbs, served on a sizzling grill with sweet potatoes and chimichurri that is intended to be shared by 2 people. My date ordered it herself and kindly gave me more than half of it to take home.
The vacio was one of the tastiest steaks I have had in a long time and it was only $14. In addition to being romantic, Tango Sur offers great value and huge portions.
Jane's - 1655 West Cortland Street
Anytime you can dine in what used to be a home that has been converted to a restaurant that is pretty cool if you ask me. It seems to be that Jane’s has just the right amount of light, both natural and man-made (e.g. electricity) to make for a comfy atmosphere to enjoy a delicious, reasonable priced meal that will satisfy the gourmet as well as the more down-to-earth palate.
Some of the dinner options include New Orleans style Black Grouper with a sake-ginger sauce & Asian vegetables or Jane’s goat cheese, vegetable and tofu burrito served with pico de gallo and avocado mousse. Jane’s offers some innovative vegetarian entrees and has an excellent sirloin burger that is topped with smoked bacon, cheddar cheese, and grilled onions. They have recently started serving breakfast and lunch. http://www.janesrestaurant.com/
Webster's Wine Bar - 1480 West Webster Avenue (across from Webster place cinema)
An absolutely terrific spot to share some small, tapas like dishes and sip on some excellent wine. You can sit in the front or nestle in the back under the dim lights and warm, inviting atmosphere that just begs you to order another glass of wine. There are wines from all over the world here and tastings are offered throughout the month. In some cases, there is an assumed arrogance that is associated with wine bars but that is far from the truth when it comes to Webster’s and that is one of the things I love best about this spot. There is a diverse customer base here and it is a casual place where you are as welcome in shorts on a nice summer day as you are in a suit on a wintry one. The staff is friendly and very unpretentious as they offer suggestions based on your palate and knowledge of wine instead of offering opinions that may make you feel foolish. The variety of cheeses offered is impressive and I was impressed with their gourmet pizzas, lamb shank and Antipasto plate. http://www.websterwinebar.com
Le Bouchon - 1958 North Damen Avenue
Le Bouchon is as French as it gets for Chicago. This small, intimate dining venue is located on the corner of Armitage and Damen and its 15 tables are almost always filled. It reminds me very much of France from the décor and atmosphere to the wine and the food. The tables are set close together and the servers need to maneuver between them as they bring the delicacies from the kitchen into the infectious atmosphere of the restaurant. The Paris street mural above the bar is just another indication of how authentic the food and atmosphere are as the owner, Jean Claude Poilevey, is a native of Burgundy and would have it no other way. They have an excellent wine list and fantastic, reasonably priced food. I have tried almost everything on the menu and have never left unsatisfied. My favorite appetizers include the generous portion of mussels, the French Onion Soup (you should share this as it is very rich), the Lynonnaise salad and the Codfish Brandade with Garlic croutons. The brandade is a combination of butter, cream, garlic and codfish that is served steaming hot in a crock. I always seem to need to supplement the wonderful garlic croutons with many pieces of bread to make sure the crock is empty when it is taken away from my table. For entrees, the Ragout of Duck, Rabbit and Lamb Shank are my favorites but the fish specials are always excellent as are the steaks and free-range chicken. For desserts, pick whatever you want otherwise I will list the whole menu. However, I do really like the fresh berries with vanilla sauce as it is a somewhat lighter way to finish off a filling meal.
http://lebouchonofchicago.com
Red Rooster Café and Wine Bar - 2100 North Halsted Street
The Red Rooster is so basic but so charming. You need to actually look for the restaurant since the entrance is actually on Dickens Avenue despite the Halsted address. After ascending up a few stairs to get to the entrance, you may feel like you are heading into a boutique hotel somewhere in France, not knowing what to expect. Upon entering, you will be pleasantly surprised as you find before your eyes an atmosphere that just radiates the comfort that is part of the food, wine and environment at the Red Rooster Café and Wine Bar. The décor is heavy on dark wood and doesn’t try and awe you with anything eye-catching but is content with looking relaxed and inviting. It is the kind of place you could sit and eat, talk, and drink wine for hours. And of course, they do have an excellent wine list. I haven’t even got into the food, but you will not be disappointed. The Red Rooster features traditional French provincial cuisine. Some of my favorite starters include the Baked Brie en Croute and the Apple Bleu Cheese salad. Featured entrees include the Braised Lamb Shank, Pork Loin au Poivre and Grilled Salmon with a Cabernet sauce. This is also one of the better bargains in Chicago with entrees ranging from $11 to $17 dollars. http://www.cafebernard.com/Redrooster/
Margie’s Candies - 1960 North Western Avenue
Can you say old school? Classic? Original? We are talking 1921 old school when we talk about Margie’s Candies as it has been around for that long. This landmark has the best sundaes and ice cream creations in Chicago. Everything is home made here as Margie’s makes there own hand-dipped candies in addition to their own hand-packed ice cream. You will always find Margie’s full of couples sharing a sundae or parents treating there excited children to a tasty treat. Margie’s also has sandwiches and salads and other greasy spoon type fare but that is not the reason you come to Margie’s. You come to this old-school parlor environment for English toffee, truffles, shakes, sundaes and banana splits. For any of you who had parents that used to take you to a favorite ice cream spot growing up, a visit to Margie’s brings back good memories of how things used to be. For me, that was Creamy Delight in downtown Joliet for one for their turtle sundaes. http://margiescandies.com/catalog/
Rose Angelis - 1314 West Wrightwood Avenue
Nestled in the middle of a neighborhood offering wonderful food at great prices, this crowded but cozy atmosphere will make you feel like you just sat down for dinner in the home of an Italian friend or relative.
This comfy restaurant makes all its patrons feel at ease. That's partly due to the fact that Rose Angelis, with its intimate walled rooms adorned with murals, looks and feels like a house. It's also because of its many homemade pastas including duck-filled tortellini, salmon-filled ravioli or the manicotti of the day. Don’t miss the bruschetta starter or the Italian bread pudding with caramel sauce for dessert that is enough for 3 people and is among the best desserts in Chicago. The small glasses that wine is served in add a nice touch as does the awning outside the entrance to the restaurant. http://www.roseangelis.com
Blue Fin – 1952 West North Avenue
Ok, this is my “local” sushi spot but it is also my favorite. Other than the awkward entrance that doesn’t make for a good area to wait for a table in, this Wicker Park sushi bar and restaurant aims to and succeeds in being a prime date location. There is provocative artwork, dimmed down lights and 2 person tables that are perfect for staring into the eyes of the person across from you. In addition, there is funky background music that is easy to relax to. Blue Fin has fresh and tasty sushi in addition to a variety of hot Asian entrees at prices that are far from cheap but are fair.
Nine Muses – 315 South Halsted Street
I feel like I am going out on a bit of a limb here by mentioning Nine Muses as one of the most romantic restaurants in Chicago but why not. This is in fact, my list. For some reason, I just feel comfortable in this restaurant. It is dimly lit and you can usually find some pillars of the young and old Greek community fraternizing amongst themselves at the bar. Since almost everyone is Greek that patrons the restaurant, you can be almost sure to be an outsider, unless of course you are Greek. But the “Greek community” does make you feel at home. When your waitress decides to come out of the conversation she is involved in, you can order a coffee, a drink or some food. The food is typical Greek fare that is solid but won’t overwhelm you. However, the Old World charm of this spot may. There are French doors that open onto the sidewalk, exposed brink and mahogany wood and Greek music playing in the background. In addition, they have a great outdoor seating area in the summer that provides a good area for people watching.
Japonais – 600 West Chicago Avenue
Japonais is more than just a restaurant. It is a dining experience. This definitely is a scene and place to be seen as you will realize as soon as you walk in. The food is a combination of Asian and French cuisines and it is as delicious as it is innovative and creative. There are rare circumstances when the food that is being served matches it’s presentation and the environment it is served in but this is definitely the case at Japonais.
There are two dining rooms, a sushi bar, and a downstairs lounge and patio. The lounge and patio open out into an enclosed area that is outside the restaurant. There are comfortable chairs to relax on or kiss on if you are feeling more risqué. Only a partial menu is served in this area of the restaurant which reminds me very much of the type of atmosphere you would see in Miami at a place like the Shore Club or the Delano.
The menu features a variety of hot and cold appetizers, entrees and sushi. With the many delectable small plates available, I have never actually delved into the entrees despite dining at the restaurant on 3 different occasions. My favorites include the Tokyo Drums (spicy chicken drumettes with a roasted scallion dipping sauce), Manchu pork and scallion steamed buns and Kobe carpaccio. Among my favorite sushi rolls on the menu, the Tuna Tuna Salmon (salmon tartare topped with sliced tuna, avocado sauce and wasabi tobiko sauce), Spicy Mono (spicy octopus roll topped with spicy tuna tartare and sweet unagi sauce) and the Special Salmon (tempura shrimp roll topped with sashimi marinated salmon and wasabi tobiko sauce) come to mind. http://www.japonaischicago.com
Tango Sur - 3763 N. Southport Ave.
This storefront favorite has it’s own charm amongst an array of activity in this always busy restaurant. When I arrived, we had to wait 15-20 minutes for a table. My date, who was from Argentina and who frequents the restaurant often, led me to a tiny waiting area near the rear room of the restaurant. Trust me, you would never expect a restaurant to have a waiting room in this area. This room is fantastic though. It has 1 small wooden table with 2 or 3 chairs around it in the middle of a room surrounded by wall seating much like what you would find in a sauna. The room is dimly lit and is very romantic, unless of course you have 12 people sitting around the table against the wall staring at you.
The atmosphere isn’t quite so intimate in the restaurant itself but the tables are close together and allow for intimate conversation. As for the food, this is a BYOB so bring your favorite bottle of Argentinean Malbec or other favorite red wine to go along with the cut of meat you decide on. My first introduction to Tango Sur’s garlicky chimichurri sauce (a sauce made from parsley, garlic, olive oil and mild peppers) was a dangerous one as I was on a date but still managed to knock down 3 pieces of bread loaded with the stuff. By the way, she was eating the sauce also. I had a wonderful empanada stuffed with beef and some solid chorizo sausage for appetizers. I could have eaten 3 of those empanadas. We also had the short ribs, which were very tasty and the vacio. The vacio is a mountainous piece of steak, filled and covered in herbs, served on a sizzling grill with sweet potatoes and chimichurri that is intended to be shared by 2 people. My date ordered it herself and kindly gave me more than half of it to take home.
The vacio was one of the tastiest steaks I have had in a long time and it was only $14. In addition to being romantic, Tango Sur offers great value and huge portions.
Jane's - 1655 West Cortland Street
Anytime you can dine in what used to be a home that has been converted to a restaurant that is pretty cool if you ask me. It seems to be that Jane’s has just the right amount of light, both natural and man-made (e.g. electricity) to make for a comfy atmosphere to enjoy a delicious, reasonable priced meal that will satisfy the gourmet as well as the more down-to-earth palate.
Some of the dinner options include New Orleans style Black Grouper with a sake-ginger sauce & Asian vegetables or Jane’s goat cheese, vegetable and tofu burrito served with pico de gallo and avocado mousse. Jane’s offers some innovative vegetarian entrees and has an excellent sirloin burger that is topped with smoked bacon, cheddar cheese, and grilled onions. They have recently started serving breakfast and lunch. http://www.janesrestaurant.com/
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