Julius Meinl
3601 N. Southport Avenue, Chicago, Illinois; Phone 773-868-1857
Date of Review: December, 2007
This Viennese style café is a Vienna institution and is as European as it gets. Located on busy Southport Avenue, the open spacing and classy décor in this café make it one of the better breakfast and lunch options in all of Chicago. The ambience is purely European and I feel at home here as if I am still living in Amsterdam. They have an impressive pastry case and coffee bar with shiny coffee containers and an assortment of Austrian pastries for sale if you decide to take something away with you.
The real charm is in the pleasant ambience of this cafe (more than a few customers may be studying). The décor is so charming and the Julius Meinl symbol, a child’s head leaning forward with a red hat and top on, is ever present throughout the café including on the coffee cups. With neat lamps and coat hooks on the pseudo booths near the windows, you will find it tough to find a more charming place to enjoy breakfast or lunch. Even the leather bound menus add a touch of class.
Julius Meinl’s large Austrian accented menu is split evenly between breakfast and lunch. Sweeter breakfast options include croissants, pancakes and crepes. More savory options included baked eggs mixed with things like smoked salmon, cream cheese and dill, bacon and Swiss cheese or tomato, basil and goat cheese.
For lunch, the menu includes and impressive array of sandwiches and salads in addition to traditional Austrian style soup (frittaten) and European specialties like goulash. They also offer finger sandwiches and cheese and cured meat plates. On my last visit, I had the chicken salad sandwich. The sandwich consists of roasted chicken, red grapes, dried apricots and toasted walnuts mixed together with a yogurt-tarragon dressing and served on toasted walnut bread. From the wonderful bread to the fantastic way the sweet flavors (grapes and dried apricots) combine with the chicken and mayonnaise alternative (tarragon-yogurt mixture), this sandwich is outstanding. All sandwiches are served with mesclun greens tossed in balsamic vinaigrette.
They have an exclusive coffee, tea and non-alcoholic drink menu and an impressive assortment of wonderful pastries for here or to go. The coffee is some of Chicago’s best and it is served on a small silver tray accompanied by a glass of chilled water (no ice just like in Europe) and a cookie.
The prices at Julius Meinl are decent. A cup of coffee is $2.06 (no refills) and almost every breakfast or lunch option on the menu is between $6 and $9. On my last visit, I had the roasted chicken salad sandwich and 2 cups of coffee and my total bill was $12.03 and that includes tax.
Classical music is played on many Friday and Saturday evenings.
Friday, December 14, 2007
Wednesday, December 05, 2007
Chicago (Lebanese) - Semiramis
Semiramis
4639 North Kedzie Avenue, Chicago IL; Phone 773-279-8900
Date of Review: December, 2007
This quaint, romantic Lebanese restaurant is a great BYOB with healthy portions of innovative Lebanese cuisine at reasonable prices. The entrance features the carry out area of the restaurant which has a relaxing waiting area with cushions that fit the traditional Lebanese décor of the restaurant. In the adjoining room, there are 12 tables, exposed duct work, Lebanese paintings and wall hangings. The music is just loud enough to hear but doesn’t interrupt with whatever you may be doing (talking to your companion or reading). The lights are dim making for an intimate and romantic dining environment.
I have eaten at Semiramis on many occasions (dine in and carry out) and have tried a variety of different dishes. All have been solid, if not excellent.
As a complimentary snack, they offer marinated turnips and olives. Both are full of flavor and are nice to nibble on while you wait for your meal. For appetizers, the creamy hummus goes well with the wheat (and white) warm pita bread that it is accompanied by. Feel free to add a bit of the flavorful and complex spicy sauce (complimentary, but must be requested) to your hummus or other appetizer. The fattoush salad is also a good way to start a meal. This refreshing salad has cucumbers, tomatoes, green onions, green peppers, radishes, mint and toasted pita bread, mixed with olive oil and lemon juice.
The hummus and chicken shawarma is a filling entrée that hits the spot. Chicken shawarma is served on top of a bed of hummus and is topped with onions, pickle spears and tomatoes. There is a bit of yogurt sauce on top of the chicken that is a nice twist. The chicken is the real highlight as it isn’t the typical chicken shawarma I am used to. While I do like the typical shawarma meat, Semirami’s version is better as the slices of roasted chicken are fresh, well seasoned and tasty.
On another occasion, I had the whole chicken which is a large chicken wrapped in lavash (thin Lebanese style bread) and is served with rice or salad and garlic sauce. The chicken is very good and the portion is large enough for two. The rice and lentils with caramelized onions is a good vegetarian option. This dish is excellent with lots of flavor and is served with a house salad making for quite a feast.
The service is excellent. I have had the same server each time and she is warm, friendly and passionate about the food. Her passion is obvious in the way she describes the specials. While I haven’t tried the specials, everything she has described to me has really sounded fantastic.
The appetizers range from $3 to $6, sandwiches $5 to $6 and entrees $8 to 14$. On my last visit, I had the chicken shawarma and hummus entrée and my total bill was $11.74 including tax but not tip.
4639 North Kedzie Avenue, Chicago IL; Phone 773-279-8900
Date of Review: December, 2007
This quaint, romantic Lebanese restaurant is a great BYOB with healthy portions of innovative Lebanese cuisine at reasonable prices. The entrance features the carry out area of the restaurant which has a relaxing waiting area with cushions that fit the traditional Lebanese décor of the restaurant. In the adjoining room, there are 12 tables, exposed duct work, Lebanese paintings and wall hangings. The music is just loud enough to hear but doesn’t interrupt with whatever you may be doing (talking to your companion or reading). The lights are dim making for an intimate and romantic dining environment.
I have eaten at Semiramis on many occasions (dine in and carry out) and have tried a variety of different dishes. All have been solid, if not excellent.
As a complimentary snack, they offer marinated turnips and olives. Both are full of flavor and are nice to nibble on while you wait for your meal. For appetizers, the creamy hummus goes well with the wheat (and white) warm pita bread that it is accompanied by. Feel free to add a bit of the flavorful and complex spicy sauce (complimentary, but must be requested) to your hummus or other appetizer. The fattoush salad is also a good way to start a meal. This refreshing salad has cucumbers, tomatoes, green onions, green peppers, radishes, mint and toasted pita bread, mixed with olive oil and lemon juice.
The hummus and chicken shawarma is a filling entrée that hits the spot. Chicken shawarma is served on top of a bed of hummus and is topped with onions, pickle spears and tomatoes. There is a bit of yogurt sauce on top of the chicken that is a nice twist. The chicken is the real highlight as it isn’t the typical chicken shawarma I am used to. While I do like the typical shawarma meat, Semirami’s version is better as the slices of roasted chicken are fresh, well seasoned and tasty.
On another occasion, I had the whole chicken which is a large chicken wrapped in lavash (thin Lebanese style bread) and is served with rice or salad and garlic sauce. The chicken is very good and the portion is large enough for two. The rice and lentils with caramelized onions is a good vegetarian option. This dish is excellent with lots of flavor and is served with a house salad making for quite a feast.
The service is excellent. I have had the same server each time and she is warm, friendly and passionate about the food. Her passion is obvious in the way she describes the specials. While I haven’t tried the specials, everything she has described to me has really sounded fantastic.
The appetizers range from $3 to $6, sandwiches $5 to $6 and entrees $8 to 14$. On my last visit, I had the chicken shawarma and hummus entrée and my total bill was $11.74 including tax but not tip.
Tuesday, December 04, 2007
Chicago (Thai) - Sticky Rice Thai Restaurant
Sticky Rice Thai Restaurant
4018 North Western Avenue, Chicago IL; Phone 773-588-0133
Date of Review: December, 2007; updated May, 2008
I love Asian food and I love every kind of it. Japanese, Korean, Chinese, Vietnamese, Malaysian, Indonesian and Thai! I have probably had Thai most frequently over the years and have always held Thai cuisine in high regard – both before my 2 visits to Thailand and even more so afterwards. That said, with a Korean girlfriend, I have almost neglected Thai cuisine over the last few months. Well, after a chance meeting at work with a woman from Bangkok, I was offered a suggestion and found a special place that promises to be a destination for me as long as their doors are open.
This is a small, casual Thai BYOB restaurant offering great food at reasonable prices. The restaurant is almost unrecognizable if you don’t look for it. While they do have a red and yellow sign, the restaurant comes up on you quickly after you turn off of Irving Park onto Western Avenue. The atmosphere is colorful inside and there are about 12 or so tables in the restaurant.
For starters, the Tom Yum soup is outstanding. This is a Thai restaurant run by Thais and the woman taking my order asked if I wanted my soup mild, medium or spicy. She said those terms were by American standards, not Thai ones. I ordered it hot and it was hot. The overall flavor of this chicken, onion and fresh mushroom laden Thai hot and sour soup was outstanding and the portion was good size. The grilled calamari is refreshingly non greasy and is served with a tasty lime and fish based sauce that includes about a hundred tiny chopped pieces of garlic floating in the sauce. The Thai spring rolls were decent, but no better than those I’ve had elsewhere.
For entrees, the steamed sole fish with lime sauce is the best item I have had on the menu. A large sole filet arrives sitting in a bed of sauce on a plate. I never could have imagined how good this dish would turn out to be. The sauce consisted of fresh slices of garlic, hot pepper and spicy Thai lime fish sauce. It was garnished with lime wedges, some carrot and red pepper strands and a bit of lettuce. I ate everything and used every bit of the very sticky rice the dish was accompanied with to soak up every bit of the sauce. Other entrees I have tried include the Num Prik Ong. This spicy, tasty dish consists of ground pork, tomato and onion cooked with red chili paste and is served with carrots, cucumbers and of course sticky rice. The large portion of gigantic prawns cooked in a clay pot with glass noodles and button mushrooms wasn’t quite as tasty as the other dishes I’ve tried but still hit the spot. The Pad Thai is average.
Most of the items on the menu are under $8. On my last visit, the Tom Yum soup was $3.25 and my fish dish was $7.95. I didn’t order a drink and my total bill came to $12.24.
Sticky Rice Restaurant was recommended to me by a woman who spent most of her life in Bangkok. She was very honest with me in telling me that some of the Thai restaurants I have frequented are pretty average. After eating at Sticky Rice, I understand what she means.
Stick Rice features exquisite dishes from Northern Thailand in addition to the already known Pad Thai noodle dishes and the like that are featured on most Thai menus around the city. The name of the restaurant comes from Northern Thailand's consumption of glutinous rice with every meal in substitution of jasmine rice. According to the web site, Northern Thais eat sticky rice with their hands, very much like how bread is dipped in soup. I used mine the same way I use bread at an Italian or French restaurant – I soaked up all that wonderful sauce.
4018 North Western Avenue, Chicago IL; Phone 773-588-0133
Date of Review: December, 2007; updated May, 2008
I love Asian food and I love every kind of it. Japanese, Korean, Chinese, Vietnamese, Malaysian, Indonesian and Thai! I have probably had Thai most frequently over the years and have always held Thai cuisine in high regard – both before my 2 visits to Thailand and even more so afterwards. That said, with a Korean girlfriend, I have almost neglected Thai cuisine over the last few months. Well, after a chance meeting at work with a woman from Bangkok, I was offered a suggestion and found a special place that promises to be a destination for me as long as their doors are open.
This is a small, casual Thai BYOB restaurant offering great food at reasonable prices. The restaurant is almost unrecognizable if you don’t look for it. While they do have a red and yellow sign, the restaurant comes up on you quickly after you turn off of Irving Park onto Western Avenue. The atmosphere is colorful inside and there are about 12 or so tables in the restaurant.
For starters, the Tom Yum soup is outstanding. This is a Thai restaurant run by Thais and the woman taking my order asked if I wanted my soup mild, medium or spicy. She said those terms were by American standards, not Thai ones. I ordered it hot and it was hot. The overall flavor of this chicken, onion and fresh mushroom laden Thai hot and sour soup was outstanding and the portion was good size. The grilled calamari is refreshingly non greasy and is served with a tasty lime and fish based sauce that includes about a hundred tiny chopped pieces of garlic floating in the sauce. The Thai spring rolls were decent, but no better than those I’ve had elsewhere.
For entrees, the steamed sole fish with lime sauce is the best item I have had on the menu. A large sole filet arrives sitting in a bed of sauce on a plate. I never could have imagined how good this dish would turn out to be. The sauce consisted of fresh slices of garlic, hot pepper and spicy Thai lime fish sauce. It was garnished with lime wedges, some carrot and red pepper strands and a bit of lettuce. I ate everything and used every bit of the very sticky rice the dish was accompanied with to soak up every bit of the sauce. Other entrees I have tried include the Num Prik Ong. This spicy, tasty dish consists of ground pork, tomato and onion cooked with red chili paste and is served with carrots, cucumbers and of course sticky rice. The large portion of gigantic prawns cooked in a clay pot with glass noodles and button mushrooms wasn’t quite as tasty as the other dishes I’ve tried but still hit the spot. The Pad Thai is average.
Most of the items on the menu are under $8. On my last visit, the Tom Yum soup was $3.25 and my fish dish was $7.95. I didn’t order a drink and my total bill came to $12.24.
Sticky Rice Restaurant was recommended to me by a woman who spent most of her life in Bangkok. She was very honest with me in telling me that some of the Thai restaurants I have frequented are pretty average. After eating at Sticky Rice, I understand what she means.
Stick Rice features exquisite dishes from Northern Thailand in addition to the already known Pad Thai noodle dishes and the like that are featured on most Thai menus around the city. The name of the restaurant comes from Northern Thailand's consumption of glutinous rice with every meal in substitution of jasmine rice. According to the web site, Northern Thais eat sticky rice with their hands, very much like how bread is dipped in soup. I used mine the same way I use bread at an Italian or French restaurant – I soaked up all that wonderful sauce.
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Chicago (Pizza) - Pequod's
Pequod’s
2207 N. Clybourn, Chicago IL; Phone 773-327-1512
Date of Review: October, 2007
This place screams “classic pizza parlor”. They used to have a hard rock atmosphere with a décor reminiscent of a 1970’s Three’s Company episode, but they have updated things resulting in a much more cozy and amenable place to enjoy a meal for those that don’t want to hear Metallica playing in the background. It was a good change but it doesn’t change the classic pizza parlor atmosphere that still rings through. They also have a party room upstairs that will hold nearly 40 people.
This place is pure pizza. Sure, they have some sandwiches, appetizers and salads on the menu but so does every pizza place. Whether you go thin or opt for the thicker pan style pizza, both are outstanding. There is no Chicago style pizza.
For appetizers, they have all the standbys including garlic bread, jalapeno poppers, mozzarella sticks and fried mushrooms. I have tried a few and they are all about what you would expect. I do recommend the Pequod’s salad for some roughage before you bury your digestive system with cheese, white bread, sauce and whatever else you decide to toss into the mix.
That brings us to the primary reason that anyone visits Pequod’s and that is for the pizza. The thicker pan style pizza is baked in cast iron pans that look like they have been around for a while and it makes things taste all the better. I usually opt for a pizza loaded with mushrooms, onions, fresh tomatoes and either sausage or pepperoni. The key to the pan pizza is the cheese that emerges from the pan and melts into the crust, caramelizing the edges and offering a wonderfully unique contrast to the cheese, sauce and other chosen toppings. Some people prefer the crispy pepperoni which gets a bit toasty in the oven but the sausage is some of the best you will find on a pizza in Chicago.
The thin crust pizza isn’t crispy thin, but chewy thin and is also very impressive. The thin crust pizza is served cut in squares as opposed to triangle slices (which the pan is cut into) and a few pieces of thin seem to take you a long way.
Pequod’s prices are on the high end of average. It certainly isn’t cheap but you get what you pay for. A 16 inch (large) thin crust with cheese is $13.95 and it is an additional $2.90 per topping. The large pan goes for $16.95 and it is an additional $2.50 per topping.
This is the best traditional American pizza spot in Chicago. I really believe that. You can have the novelty Chicago style pizza all you want. Most people I know would rather talk about Chicago style pizza than actually subject themselves to eating it anyway. Just put a Pequod’s pan (preferably) or thin style pizza in front of me as this is as good as it gets when it comes to pizza.
This is that neighborhood kind of place that gets passed on from one generation to the next if you are lucky enough to know it exists. Well, now you are that lucky.
2207 N. Clybourn, Chicago IL; Phone 773-327-1512
Date of Review: October, 2007
This place screams “classic pizza parlor”. They used to have a hard rock atmosphere with a décor reminiscent of a 1970’s Three’s Company episode, but they have updated things resulting in a much more cozy and amenable place to enjoy a meal for those that don’t want to hear Metallica playing in the background. It was a good change but it doesn’t change the classic pizza parlor atmosphere that still rings through. They also have a party room upstairs that will hold nearly 40 people.
This place is pure pizza. Sure, they have some sandwiches, appetizers and salads on the menu but so does every pizza place. Whether you go thin or opt for the thicker pan style pizza, both are outstanding. There is no Chicago style pizza.
For appetizers, they have all the standbys including garlic bread, jalapeno poppers, mozzarella sticks and fried mushrooms. I have tried a few and they are all about what you would expect. I do recommend the Pequod’s salad for some roughage before you bury your digestive system with cheese, white bread, sauce and whatever else you decide to toss into the mix.
That brings us to the primary reason that anyone visits Pequod’s and that is for the pizza. The thicker pan style pizza is baked in cast iron pans that look like they have been around for a while and it makes things taste all the better. I usually opt for a pizza loaded with mushrooms, onions, fresh tomatoes and either sausage or pepperoni. The key to the pan pizza is the cheese that emerges from the pan and melts into the crust, caramelizing the edges and offering a wonderfully unique contrast to the cheese, sauce and other chosen toppings. Some people prefer the crispy pepperoni which gets a bit toasty in the oven but the sausage is some of the best you will find on a pizza in Chicago.
The thin crust pizza isn’t crispy thin, but chewy thin and is also very impressive. The thin crust pizza is served cut in squares as opposed to triangle slices (which the pan is cut into) and a few pieces of thin seem to take you a long way.
Pequod’s prices are on the high end of average. It certainly isn’t cheap but you get what you pay for. A 16 inch (large) thin crust with cheese is $13.95 and it is an additional $2.90 per topping. The large pan goes for $16.95 and it is an additional $2.50 per topping.
This is the best traditional American pizza spot in Chicago. I really believe that. You can have the novelty Chicago style pizza all you want. Most people I know would rather talk about Chicago style pizza than actually subject themselves to eating it anyway. Just put a Pequod’s pan (preferably) or thin style pizza in front of me as this is as good as it gets when it comes to pizza.
This is that neighborhood kind of place that gets passed on from one generation to the next if you are lucky enough to know it exists. Well, now you are that lucky.
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Chicago (Pan-Asian) - Joy Yee's Noodles
Joy Yee’s Noodles
521 Davis Street, Evanston IL; Phone 847-733-1900
Date of Review: September, 2007
There are currently 4 different Joy Yee’s locations in the Chicagoland area. They have locations in Naperville, Chinatown and University Village near the UIC campus. My review focuses on the Joy Yee’s located in Evanston since I frequent this spot most often. That said, this review is applicable to any Joy Yee’s restaurant.
All of the locations have a similar setup and menu with a small restaurant with many tables close together. They can easily push the tables together to accommodate a large party or separate them for a party for two. This is a very casual family friendly place and is a great place for large parties. The servers are attentive and expect that your food will arrive quickly. The servers work the whole restaurant so the person serving you may be a different person than the one who seated you or took your order.
Instead of attempting to describe every dish I have tried, I will give a recap of a few that are fresh in my mind. Their menu is huge with soups, noodle soups, and one pot rice and noodle dishes featuring seafood, chicken, beef and pork. This Pan Asian restaurant features dishes from a variety of Asian countries including Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Korea, Japan and China.
For appetizers, the chicken lettuce wraps (also available with pork or beef) are excellent. A healthy size platter that could easily serve as an appetizer for 4 of flavored chicken with onions and vegetables and quite a few lettuce leaves arrives on your table. We made wrap after tasty wrap and never even finished the appetizer because our entrees arrived and forced our attention to drift in another direction. Another good bet for an appetizer is the Japanese seaweed salad. It is a refreshing and tasty way to start a meal.
For entrees, the Korean Kimchi spicy scallop is served in an earthenware pot. It is full of large scallops, kimchi (marinated spicy cabbage), onions and other vegetables in a spicy Korean hot paste based sauce that has a hint of sweetness to it. The portion was too large for me to finish but the dish had just the right amount of spice for me and was loaded with flavor. It was served with a cup of rice that you can dump right into the pot. The Malaysian style seafood baked rice is an assortment of shrimp, scallops, squid and fish cooked together in sweet and spicy sauce with rice and is served in a bamboo pot. Heading back to Korea, the Korean BBQ short ribs are flavorful as the sweet sesame oil and scallion infused marinade makes for one scrumptious bite after another.
Joy Yee’s has a great variety of fresh fruit freezes with or without tapioca pearls floating at the bottom of your drink. The juice bar located at the back of the restaurant has an array of fresh fruits from mango to papaya to strawberry or banana. You can also get a red bean freeze or have one with a fruit that is common to some part of Asia like jackfruit, lychee or dragon fruit.
Joy Yee’s offers decent food great value with only a few items over $10 or $11. You can get many seafood dishes for under $12. On my last visit, we had 1 appetizer, 2 entrees and nothing to drink. Our total bill was $42 with tax and tip. The portions are large and you are likely to walk out with a take home bag.
521 Davis Street, Evanston IL; Phone 847-733-1900
Date of Review: September, 2007
There are currently 4 different Joy Yee’s locations in the Chicagoland area. They have locations in Naperville, Chinatown and University Village near the UIC campus. My review focuses on the Joy Yee’s located in Evanston since I frequent this spot most often. That said, this review is applicable to any Joy Yee’s restaurant.
All of the locations have a similar setup and menu with a small restaurant with many tables close together. They can easily push the tables together to accommodate a large party or separate them for a party for two. This is a very casual family friendly place and is a great place for large parties. The servers are attentive and expect that your food will arrive quickly. The servers work the whole restaurant so the person serving you may be a different person than the one who seated you or took your order.
Instead of attempting to describe every dish I have tried, I will give a recap of a few that are fresh in my mind. Their menu is huge with soups, noodle soups, and one pot rice and noodle dishes featuring seafood, chicken, beef and pork. This Pan Asian restaurant features dishes from a variety of Asian countries including Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Korea, Japan and China.
For appetizers, the chicken lettuce wraps (also available with pork or beef) are excellent. A healthy size platter that could easily serve as an appetizer for 4 of flavored chicken with onions and vegetables and quite a few lettuce leaves arrives on your table. We made wrap after tasty wrap and never even finished the appetizer because our entrees arrived and forced our attention to drift in another direction. Another good bet for an appetizer is the Japanese seaweed salad. It is a refreshing and tasty way to start a meal.
For entrees, the Korean Kimchi spicy scallop is served in an earthenware pot. It is full of large scallops, kimchi (marinated spicy cabbage), onions and other vegetables in a spicy Korean hot paste based sauce that has a hint of sweetness to it. The portion was too large for me to finish but the dish had just the right amount of spice for me and was loaded with flavor. It was served with a cup of rice that you can dump right into the pot. The Malaysian style seafood baked rice is an assortment of shrimp, scallops, squid and fish cooked together in sweet and spicy sauce with rice and is served in a bamboo pot. Heading back to Korea, the Korean BBQ short ribs are flavorful as the sweet sesame oil and scallion infused marinade makes for one scrumptious bite after another.
Joy Yee’s has a great variety of fresh fruit freezes with or without tapioca pearls floating at the bottom of your drink. The juice bar located at the back of the restaurant has an array of fresh fruits from mango to papaya to strawberry or banana. You can also get a red bean freeze or have one with a fruit that is common to some part of Asia like jackfruit, lychee or dragon fruit.
Joy Yee’s offers decent food great value with only a few items over $10 or $11. You can get many seafood dishes for under $12. On my last visit, we had 1 appetizer, 2 entrees and nothing to drink. Our total bill was $42 with tax and tip. The portions are large and you are likely to walk out with a take home bag.
Tuesday, August 07, 2007
Chicago (Southern) - Smoque
Smoque
3800 N Pulaski Rd Chicago, IL 60641; Phone 773-545-7427
Date of Review: August, 2007
Is Smoque a sit down BYOB restaurant or a carry out place? When you walk into the restaurant and step behind the line of hungry customers waiting to put in their order, you may wonder. As you wait, you will be taken in by the incredible aroma that permeates the restaurant. At this point, you know you have arrived in a true barbeque spot and have no choice but to wait for your number to come up. Smoque has a significant carry out business and does not offer table service although there is enough seating in the restaurant for over 50 people. You wait in line, put in your order and pick up your tray of food. I went on a Saturday night and it took 10 minutes to get to the front of the line to order and another 10 minutes after ordering for my number to be called. All the while, I sipped on a beer. While you are waiting in line, someone will take down your name and the number of people in your party so that they can make sure you have a table to sit at.
Smoque has the best barbeque ribs I have had to date. That may change in the future but the St. Louis ribs at Smoque are the best I have ever had.
On my visit, I ordered the half and half combo, one half sandwich of pulled pork and one half sandwich of beef brisket. It is served with slaw and 1 side dish. I chose the French fries because the little bags of fresh cut fries I saw being served up looked too good to pass on. The slaw is tangy and the fries have great taste and aren’t too greasy. The brisket and pulled pork both have a wonderful smoky flavor. The pulled pork is shredded and has a nice combination of the crispy and incredibly tender pieces of the pork shoulder roast mixed together. The brisket -- I got mine sliced as opposed to chopped -- is tender and has a nice flavor from the Memphis style dry rub that is used on it prior to cooking. The smoky flavor of the meat is a deep flavor that lingers in your mouth after each bite. It is served with 2 small plastic containers of barbeque sauce. The thicker North Carolina vinegar and tomato based sauce is for the ribs and the thinner sweet and tangy sauce is intended to be used on the sliced and chopped meats. At the end of my meal, I used the brioche like buns from the sandwiches to sop up every last bit of the homemade sauces. For an extra $4 dollars, I complimented my entrée with a ¼ slab of St. Louis ribs. The meat on the ribs was cooked perfectly. It isn’t falling off of the bone but is tender enough where it sticks to the bone but pulls off in perfect segments and detaches completely when you take a bite. I appreciated the meatiness and smoky flavor of the meat much more because I was able to bite in and really chew the rib meat. I didn’t even bother using the sauce because the smoky meat was so flavorful and the rub they used had such a perfect flavor. The ribs were glazed with just the right amount of barbeque sauce so as to not take away from the flavors of the meat and the rub.
Smoque is a very good value for the quality of the food. My total bill was $13 for the half and half sandwich combo and a ¼ slab of St. Louis ribs. A brisket platter served with slaw and 2 sides is $9.45 while a pulled pork platter is 1$ cheaper. For $3, you can add a portion of pulled pork or brisket to any entrée or salad. For $4, you can add a ¼ slab of St. Louis ribs. A brisket sandwich is $7.95 with slaw and 1 side and a pulled pork sandwich is $7.45. A slab of ribs with slaw and 2 sides runs at $18.45 for the St. Louis ribs and $19.45 for the baby back ribs.
Smoque produces as much meat as they can but do not be surprised if they run out of something. You need to be flexible with what you order because you may have your heart set on brisket but end up with pulled pork. One of the employees told me that they always sell out the brisket and they sometimes need to grill burgers and sausages on the side of the restaurant to feed the employees because there is nothing else other than side dishes left to give them.
3800 N Pulaski Rd Chicago, IL 60641; Phone 773-545-7427
Date of Review: August, 2007
Is Smoque a sit down BYOB restaurant or a carry out place? When you walk into the restaurant and step behind the line of hungry customers waiting to put in their order, you may wonder. As you wait, you will be taken in by the incredible aroma that permeates the restaurant. At this point, you know you have arrived in a true barbeque spot and have no choice but to wait for your number to come up. Smoque has a significant carry out business and does not offer table service although there is enough seating in the restaurant for over 50 people. You wait in line, put in your order and pick up your tray of food. I went on a Saturday night and it took 10 minutes to get to the front of the line to order and another 10 minutes after ordering for my number to be called. All the while, I sipped on a beer. While you are waiting in line, someone will take down your name and the number of people in your party so that they can make sure you have a table to sit at.
Smoque has the best barbeque ribs I have had to date. That may change in the future but the St. Louis ribs at Smoque are the best I have ever had.
On my visit, I ordered the half and half combo, one half sandwich of pulled pork and one half sandwich of beef brisket. It is served with slaw and 1 side dish. I chose the French fries because the little bags of fresh cut fries I saw being served up looked too good to pass on. The slaw is tangy and the fries have great taste and aren’t too greasy. The brisket and pulled pork both have a wonderful smoky flavor. The pulled pork is shredded and has a nice combination of the crispy and incredibly tender pieces of the pork shoulder roast mixed together. The brisket -- I got mine sliced as opposed to chopped -- is tender and has a nice flavor from the Memphis style dry rub that is used on it prior to cooking. The smoky flavor of the meat is a deep flavor that lingers in your mouth after each bite. It is served with 2 small plastic containers of barbeque sauce. The thicker North Carolina vinegar and tomato based sauce is for the ribs and the thinner sweet and tangy sauce is intended to be used on the sliced and chopped meats. At the end of my meal, I used the brioche like buns from the sandwiches to sop up every last bit of the homemade sauces. For an extra $4 dollars, I complimented my entrée with a ¼ slab of St. Louis ribs. The meat on the ribs was cooked perfectly. It isn’t falling off of the bone but is tender enough where it sticks to the bone but pulls off in perfect segments and detaches completely when you take a bite. I appreciated the meatiness and smoky flavor of the meat much more because I was able to bite in and really chew the rib meat. I didn’t even bother using the sauce because the smoky meat was so flavorful and the rub they used had such a perfect flavor. The ribs were glazed with just the right amount of barbeque sauce so as to not take away from the flavors of the meat and the rub.
Smoque is a very good value for the quality of the food. My total bill was $13 for the half and half sandwich combo and a ¼ slab of St. Louis ribs. A brisket platter served with slaw and 2 sides is $9.45 while a pulled pork platter is 1$ cheaper. For $3, you can add a portion of pulled pork or brisket to any entrée or salad. For $4, you can add a ¼ slab of St. Louis ribs. A brisket sandwich is $7.95 with slaw and 1 side and a pulled pork sandwich is $7.45. A slab of ribs with slaw and 2 sides runs at $18.45 for the St. Louis ribs and $19.45 for the baby back ribs.
Smoque produces as much meat as they can but do not be surprised if they run out of something. You need to be flexible with what you order because you may have your heart set on brisket but end up with pulled pork. One of the employees told me that they always sell out the brisket and they sometimes need to grill burgers and sausages on the side of the restaurant to feed the employees because there is nothing else other than side dishes left to give them.
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Chicago (Argentine) - Tango Sur
Tango Sur
3763 N. Southport Avenue, Chicago, Illinois; Phone 773-477-5466
Date of Review: June, 2007; updated May, 2008
Tango Sur is an Argentine steak house and is one of Chicago’s romantic gems. It has a great al fresco dining section out front on busy Southport Avenue. In addition, it has a dark and intimate interior with low lighting and lots of tables. It is easy to find a table for two in the corner for a romantic evening but the BYOB policy also makes this a great place for a birthday dinner. The restaurant is small but it has a lot of tables, always a lot of people and a lot of energy. There is a great waiting area in the back near the bathroom that is like a separate room where guests can pop open a bottle of beer from their 6 pack or have a glass of wine as they wait.
The empanadas are the crown jewel of the appetizers. They have four variations including spinach and cheese, ham and cheese, chicken and ground beef. The pie crust like shell on the empanada is excellent. The empanadas are served with gorgeous chimichurri sauce. Chimichurri is made from chopped parsley, dried oregano, garlic, salt, pepper, onion, and paprika with olive oil. Another appetizer that is very good is an eggplant dish called berenjena. This dish reminds me of vegetarian lasagna as it features oven baked eggplant layered with spinach, provolone, parmesan and ricotta, served with tomato cream sauce.
For entrees, I have had the Vacio on numerous occasions. The Vacio is described on the menu as flap meat. The first time I came to Tango Sur, I tried the Vacio because it was recommended despite the fact that I didn’t know what flap meat was. Well… Flap meat is a cut similar to skirt or flank in that it comes from the less tender regions of the animal. It is often cheaper than more popular cuts but has a wonderful meaty flavor and fine texture when prepared carefully. The serving of Vacio at Tango Sur is huge. There is no bone in it and it is very flavorful and tender. It is served with chimichurri sauce. Dribbling some of this wonderful garlicky sauce over the steak is a must. I have also tried the double portion of solid filet mignon and the Argentine grill for two. The Para Dos (Argentine grill) is a huge helping of assorted meats served on a table top grill. It features short ribs, flap meat (or Vacio), pork sausage, beef sweetbread and black sausage. This is a great way to sample a bunch of different menu items. The short ribs are extremely flavorful and the vacio is always good. The pork sausage is OK and I am not a big fan of beef sweetbread or black sausage. They didn’t taste bad to me but a couple bites were more than enough for me. If you are connoisseur of these meats, you may feel differently.
All steaks are served with a simple salad that arrives about 10 minutes before your entrée. The salad has lettuce, tomato and a few rings of white onion and is served with old school vinegar and oil bottles for dressing.
The waiters help to make Tango Sur feel even more authentic as they all look as if they are from Argentina and I believe they are. The servers are predominantly male, friendly and very casual.
The prices at Tango Sure are reasonable. On my last visit, my party of 3 had three empanadas, the chef’s special eggplant appetizer, a filet and the argentine grill for 2 for a total of $91. That included tax and tip. There are very few places in Chicago where you can have a good steak for that price. Steaks range from $14
to $21. Read the fine print as there are some steaks that are $35 plus but these are intended to be shared by two people. In addition, don’t be fooled into thinking the only steaks on the menu are the ones listed under the Chef’s Specials page which seems to dominate the menu. Most of these steaks are more elaborate and expensive variations of the steaks listed under the Parilla section of the menu. The steaks on the Parilla section are not served with a potato while the Chef’s Specials are.
3763 N. Southport Avenue, Chicago, Illinois; Phone 773-477-5466
Date of Review: June, 2007; updated May, 2008
Tango Sur is an Argentine steak house and is one of Chicago’s romantic gems. It has a great al fresco dining section out front on busy Southport Avenue. In addition, it has a dark and intimate interior with low lighting and lots of tables. It is easy to find a table for two in the corner for a romantic evening but the BYOB policy also makes this a great place for a birthday dinner. The restaurant is small but it has a lot of tables, always a lot of people and a lot of energy. There is a great waiting area in the back near the bathroom that is like a separate room where guests can pop open a bottle of beer from their 6 pack or have a glass of wine as they wait.
The empanadas are the crown jewel of the appetizers. They have four variations including spinach and cheese, ham and cheese, chicken and ground beef. The pie crust like shell on the empanada is excellent. The empanadas are served with gorgeous chimichurri sauce. Chimichurri is made from chopped parsley, dried oregano, garlic, salt, pepper, onion, and paprika with olive oil. Another appetizer that is very good is an eggplant dish called berenjena. This dish reminds me of vegetarian lasagna as it features oven baked eggplant layered with spinach, provolone, parmesan and ricotta, served with tomato cream sauce.
For entrees, I have had the Vacio on numerous occasions. The Vacio is described on the menu as flap meat. The first time I came to Tango Sur, I tried the Vacio because it was recommended despite the fact that I didn’t know what flap meat was. Well… Flap meat is a cut similar to skirt or flank in that it comes from the less tender regions of the animal. It is often cheaper than more popular cuts but has a wonderful meaty flavor and fine texture when prepared carefully. The serving of Vacio at Tango Sur is huge. There is no bone in it and it is very flavorful and tender. It is served with chimichurri sauce. Dribbling some of this wonderful garlicky sauce over the steak is a must. I have also tried the double portion of solid filet mignon and the Argentine grill for two. The Para Dos (Argentine grill) is a huge helping of assorted meats served on a table top grill. It features short ribs, flap meat (or Vacio), pork sausage, beef sweetbread and black sausage. This is a great way to sample a bunch of different menu items. The short ribs are extremely flavorful and the vacio is always good. The pork sausage is OK and I am not a big fan of beef sweetbread or black sausage. They didn’t taste bad to me but a couple bites were more than enough for me. If you are connoisseur of these meats, you may feel differently.
All steaks are served with a simple salad that arrives about 10 minutes before your entrée. The salad has lettuce, tomato and a few rings of white onion and is served with old school vinegar and oil bottles for dressing.
The waiters help to make Tango Sur feel even more authentic as they all look as if they are from Argentina and I believe they are. The servers are predominantly male, friendly and very casual.
The prices at Tango Sure are reasonable. On my last visit, my party of 3 had three empanadas, the chef’s special eggplant appetizer, a filet and the argentine grill for 2 for a total of $91. That included tax and tip. There are very few places in Chicago where you can have a good steak for that price. Steaks range from $14
to $21. Read the fine print as there are some steaks that are $35 plus but these are intended to be shared by two people. In addition, don’t be fooled into thinking the only steaks on the menu are the ones listed under the Chef’s Specials page which seems to dominate the menu. Most of these steaks are more elaborate and expensive variations of the steaks listed under the Parilla section of the menu. The steaks on the Parilla section are not served with a potato while the Chef’s Specials are.
Monday, June 11, 2007
Chicago (Greek) - Artopolis
Artopolis
306 S. Halsted, Chicago, Illinois; Phone 312-559-9000
Date of Review: June, 2007
Artopolis is one of the more casual dining spots in the heart of Greektown. This place is a bit different from every other place around as it offers some traditional Greek dishes but also offers tastes from around the Mediterranean and pizzas cooked in a wood burning oven. Artopolis has a very enviable location as it is close to the Hasted Blue Line station located in the middle of Halsted Street across from Nine Muses. There are 3 floors in the restaurant and lots of open windows to look onto this always busy and active slice of Halsted Street. The restaurant has an open layout with a bakery visible and display cases of pastries for sale. The décor reminds me of the Mediterranean.
Artopolis has a wide ranging menu that includes traditional Greek dishes, pizzas and sandwiches. The solid Greek Salad is void of lettuce and focuses solely on the tomatoes, kalamata olives, peppers and feta that are topped with an oregano and red wine vinaigrette. It is served with a plentiful basket of bread. The Mediterranean Fest includes a plate with hummus, fava, baba-ghanoush, tzatziki, and olives. Unfortunately, the same bread served with the salad is used for the dips. The bread is fine but pita bread is much nicer with Middle Eastern spreads like these. The hummus and baba-ghanoush were average compared to the variations of these dishes I have had at Middle Eastern restaurants in Chicago. That said, the tzatziki was solid and I respect the effort to stretch the menu beyond the borders of Greece.
On another occasion, I had the Spinach and Feta Spanakopita as a starter – can also be ordered as an entrée. This dish is excellent and consists of fresh leaf spinach, leak, spring onion, dill and feta cheese in a flakey phyllo dough.
There are a host of excellent sandwiches on the menu including varieties of vegetarian, chicken and lamb sandwiches. Two sandwiches I have tried which I really enjoyed include the Briammi Kefte and Mediterraneo. The Briammi Kefte is oven-baked lamb and beef kefte, briammi (vegetable ratatouille), and crumbled feta on rosemary bread. The Mediterraneo has sliced roasted leg of lamb, Dijon mustard mayonnaise, tomato, green leaf and mint on rosemary bread.
The pizzas at Artopolis are excellent. The pizza crust is what is most impressive as it is crispy and flavorful. The pizza is pan style and has a plentiful amount of toppings that make it very filling. On my last visit, we ordered the Inferno pizza which has roasted chicken, smoked gouda, mozzarella, green and florina peppers, caramelized onions, and spicy tomato sauce. It is a sizeable portion as this one pizza priced at $12.75 had 8 reasonable size slices and could easily serve as a dinner for 2 moderately hungry people.
The prices at Artopolis are reasonable. On my last visit, we had a Greek Salad, appetizer plate, a pizza and a half bottle of wine for $53 including tax and tip. Pizzas range from $10 to $13 and sandwiches are in the $7 to $10 range.
306 S. Halsted, Chicago, Illinois; Phone 312-559-9000
Date of Review: June, 2007
Artopolis is one of the more casual dining spots in the heart of Greektown. This place is a bit different from every other place around as it offers some traditional Greek dishes but also offers tastes from around the Mediterranean and pizzas cooked in a wood burning oven. Artopolis has a very enviable location as it is close to the Hasted Blue Line station located in the middle of Halsted Street across from Nine Muses. There are 3 floors in the restaurant and lots of open windows to look onto this always busy and active slice of Halsted Street. The restaurant has an open layout with a bakery visible and display cases of pastries for sale. The décor reminds me of the Mediterranean.
Artopolis has a wide ranging menu that includes traditional Greek dishes, pizzas and sandwiches. The solid Greek Salad is void of lettuce and focuses solely on the tomatoes, kalamata olives, peppers and feta that are topped with an oregano and red wine vinaigrette. It is served with a plentiful basket of bread. The Mediterranean Fest includes a plate with hummus, fava, baba-ghanoush, tzatziki, and olives. Unfortunately, the same bread served with the salad is used for the dips. The bread is fine but pita bread is much nicer with Middle Eastern spreads like these. The hummus and baba-ghanoush were average compared to the variations of these dishes I have had at Middle Eastern restaurants in Chicago. That said, the tzatziki was solid and I respect the effort to stretch the menu beyond the borders of Greece.
On another occasion, I had the Spinach and Feta Spanakopita as a starter – can also be ordered as an entrée. This dish is excellent and consists of fresh leaf spinach, leak, spring onion, dill and feta cheese in a flakey phyllo dough.
There are a host of excellent sandwiches on the menu including varieties of vegetarian, chicken and lamb sandwiches. Two sandwiches I have tried which I really enjoyed include the Briammi Kefte and Mediterraneo. The Briammi Kefte is oven-baked lamb and beef kefte, briammi (vegetable ratatouille), and crumbled feta on rosemary bread. The Mediterraneo has sliced roasted leg of lamb, Dijon mustard mayonnaise, tomato, green leaf and mint on rosemary bread.
The pizzas at Artopolis are excellent. The pizza crust is what is most impressive as it is crispy and flavorful. The pizza is pan style and has a plentiful amount of toppings that make it very filling. On my last visit, we ordered the Inferno pizza which has roasted chicken, smoked gouda, mozzarella, green and florina peppers, caramelized onions, and spicy tomato sauce. It is a sizeable portion as this one pizza priced at $12.75 had 8 reasonable size slices and could easily serve as a dinner for 2 moderately hungry people.
The prices at Artopolis are reasonable. On my last visit, we had a Greek Salad, appetizer plate, a pizza and a half bottle of wine for $53 including tax and tip. Pizzas range from $10 to $13 and sandwiches are in the $7 to $10 range.
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Chicago (French) - La Sardine
La Sardine
111 N. Carpenter Street, Chicago, IL; Phone 312-421-2800
Date of Review: May, 2007
La Sardine is strategically located to make for a quaint location despite the fact that the restaurant is across the street from Oprah’s HARPO studio and a stones throw away from the Randolph dining corridor. As you enter the restaurant, you see a large wine cabinet on your right and a large bar in front of you. The bar is a perfect place for a pre dinner drink or as a dining spot for a party of one or two. The bar area is much larger than the one at Le Bouchon (their sister restaurant) and provides an adequate amount of space for patrons to enjoy a glass of wine as they wait for their table.
The atmosphere is warm with a completely open and visible kitchen and tables placed close, but not to close, together on the other side of a border that separates the bar from the restaurant. The décor is warm with nice hues of red, exposed brick and eye catching beams painted with murals of fish, flowers and people enjoying food and drink. This restaurant seats 80-100 people.
La Sardine has a menu that is similar to the menu at Le Bouchon with a few variations. The menu is loaded with a nice mix of staple French dishes including lamb shank, duck breast, roast chicken, steak and frites, and rabbit. They always have 2-3 fish specials.
On my visit, my companion and I both chose the $25 price fixe menu option that is offered on Tuesdays. He had the escargot and was very pleased with his choice. I had the braised oxtail. The only word I can use to describe this dish is heavenly. The hearty, roast like oxtail was bursting with flavor. The potato gnocchi it is served with is melt in your mouth velvety and the red wine sauce was so scrumptious that I used 2 pieces of bread to absorb every last bit of sauce left in the dish.
Other entrees you can’t go wrong with include the lamb shank, duck and any of the fish specials. Monroe and I each chose one of the fish specials for our entrees. I had the salmon and Monroe had the whitefish and we were both satisfied with our choices. My salmon was cooked perfect as it was tender with a bit of flakiness. It was seasoned with a light wine and butter sauce over sautéed spinach and rice that was cooked al dente and had great flavor with an assortment of vegetables in the rice.
For dessert, we had the always excellent crème brulee and the assortment of sorbet. The sorbet assortment featured 3 small scoops of cinnamon apple, raspberry and lemon sorbet. I was a bit full and therefore opted for the mediocre sorbet which wasn’t the best option on the dessert menu.
They have a great wine list that features wines from every region of France. Bottles start at $35 and increase from there. As I waited for my guest, I had a glass of Sancerre that was pricey (9.25) but very good and refreshing. Over dinner, we had a $40 bottle of Vouvray that was refreshing and fruity.
The prices at La Sardine are about average with appetizers, salads and desserts ranging from $5 to $8 and entrees ranging from $15 to $20. On my last visit, we both had the price fixe menu ($25 per person) and a $40 bottle of Vouvray. Our total tab was $120 and that included tax and tip.
Specials include a 3 course price fixe lunch menu everyday for $22. In addition, they have ½ price bottles of wine on Mondays and offer there $25 three course price fixe menu on Tuesdays.
111 N. Carpenter Street, Chicago, IL; Phone 312-421-2800
Date of Review: May, 2007
La Sardine is strategically located to make for a quaint location despite the fact that the restaurant is across the street from Oprah’s HARPO studio and a stones throw away from the Randolph dining corridor. As you enter the restaurant, you see a large wine cabinet on your right and a large bar in front of you. The bar is a perfect place for a pre dinner drink or as a dining spot for a party of one or two. The bar area is much larger than the one at Le Bouchon (their sister restaurant) and provides an adequate amount of space for patrons to enjoy a glass of wine as they wait for their table.
The atmosphere is warm with a completely open and visible kitchen and tables placed close, but not to close, together on the other side of a border that separates the bar from the restaurant. The décor is warm with nice hues of red, exposed brick and eye catching beams painted with murals of fish, flowers and people enjoying food and drink. This restaurant seats 80-100 people.
La Sardine has a menu that is similar to the menu at Le Bouchon with a few variations. The menu is loaded with a nice mix of staple French dishes including lamb shank, duck breast, roast chicken, steak and frites, and rabbit. They always have 2-3 fish specials.
On my visit, my companion and I both chose the $25 price fixe menu option that is offered on Tuesdays. He had the escargot and was very pleased with his choice. I had the braised oxtail. The only word I can use to describe this dish is heavenly. The hearty, roast like oxtail was bursting with flavor. The potato gnocchi it is served with is melt in your mouth velvety and the red wine sauce was so scrumptious that I used 2 pieces of bread to absorb every last bit of sauce left in the dish.
Other entrees you can’t go wrong with include the lamb shank, duck and any of the fish specials. Monroe and I each chose one of the fish specials for our entrees. I had the salmon and Monroe had the whitefish and we were both satisfied with our choices. My salmon was cooked perfect as it was tender with a bit of flakiness. It was seasoned with a light wine and butter sauce over sautéed spinach and rice that was cooked al dente and had great flavor with an assortment of vegetables in the rice.
For dessert, we had the always excellent crème brulee and the assortment of sorbet. The sorbet assortment featured 3 small scoops of cinnamon apple, raspberry and lemon sorbet. I was a bit full and therefore opted for the mediocre sorbet which wasn’t the best option on the dessert menu.
They have a great wine list that features wines from every region of France. Bottles start at $35 and increase from there. As I waited for my guest, I had a glass of Sancerre that was pricey (9.25) but very good and refreshing. Over dinner, we had a $40 bottle of Vouvray that was refreshing and fruity.
The prices at La Sardine are about average with appetizers, salads and desserts ranging from $5 to $8 and entrees ranging from $15 to $20. On my last visit, we both had the price fixe menu ($25 per person) and a $40 bottle of Vouvray. Our total tab was $120 and that included tax and tip.
Specials include a 3 course price fixe lunch menu everyday for $22. In addition, they have ½ price bottles of wine on Mondays and offer there $25 three course price fixe menu on Tuesdays.
Chicago (Greek) - Athena
Athena Restaurant
212 S. Halsted, Chicago, Illinois; Phone 312-655-0000
Date of Review: May, 2007
Located in the heart of Greektown, Athena offers a lively, large and open dining environment that is great for small parties and also excellent for big ones. This is a great place for a large dinner party to celebrate a birthday or even a wedding rehearsal. They have a small bar and a very large outdoor dining area that provides great views of the city. With the large area outside on 2 different levels and decorated with Greek columns, the patio gives you the feeling that you are at an outdoor restaurant in Greece except the scenery is the Chicago skyline as opposed to the sea. This is one of the better outdoor dining areas in all of Chicago.
I love eating at Greek restaurants as I typically sample an assortment of dishes like I would at a tapas bar. All of the cheese and garlic spreads go great with an order of pita bread or a slice or two from the complimentary basket of bread. The tzatsiki is excellent for bread dipping and is loaded with almost as much wonderful garlic as the creamy potato and garlic skordalia which also goes good with an order of fried zucchini. Yes, given the amount of garlic in some of the dishes, kissing a loved one can be a challenge after eating at Athena. There are many variations of feta on the menu which are always good. In my opinion, one of the best dishes in all of Chicago at any restaurant is Athena’s char broiled octopus. The octopus is tender and meaty and is seasoned with olive oil and vinegar. The char broiled flavor is wonderful. The cold octopus salad is also good as the octopus is marinated in vinegar and olive oil with carrots and celery. The saganaki is always good and you can’t go wrong with a Greek or Athenian salad.
The entrees on the menu include a variety of pastas, authentic Greek dishes like lamb (braised or leg of), pastitsio, mousakas or a gyros plate. The menu is large with many char broiled meats (beef, chicken, pork, quail) and they offer an assortment of seafood dishes. I recommend the shrimp Athena which is shrimp baked in tomato sauce with vegetables topped with feta and served over rice.
The baklava is always good for dessert and Athena has a large assortment of Greek wines at reasonable prices.
The prices at Athena are decent. Most of the cheese and dip appetizers are around $6although the octopus is closer to $12. The entrees mostly range from $9.95 to
$16.95. On my last visit, we had 7 beers, 1 combination appetizer and 3 entrees for $110 and that included tax and tip.
212 S. Halsted, Chicago, Illinois; Phone 312-655-0000
Date of Review: May, 2007
Located in the heart of Greektown, Athena offers a lively, large and open dining environment that is great for small parties and also excellent for big ones. This is a great place for a large dinner party to celebrate a birthday or even a wedding rehearsal. They have a small bar and a very large outdoor dining area that provides great views of the city. With the large area outside on 2 different levels and decorated with Greek columns, the patio gives you the feeling that you are at an outdoor restaurant in Greece except the scenery is the Chicago skyline as opposed to the sea. This is one of the better outdoor dining areas in all of Chicago.
I love eating at Greek restaurants as I typically sample an assortment of dishes like I would at a tapas bar. All of the cheese and garlic spreads go great with an order of pita bread or a slice or two from the complimentary basket of bread. The tzatsiki is excellent for bread dipping and is loaded with almost as much wonderful garlic as the creamy potato and garlic skordalia which also goes good with an order of fried zucchini. Yes, given the amount of garlic in some of the dishes, kissing a loved one can be a challenge after eating at Athena. There are many variations of feta on the menu which are always good. In my opinion, one of the best dishes in all of Chicago at any restaurant is Athena’s char broiled octopus. The octopus is tender and meaty and is seasoned with olive oil and vinegar. The char broiled flavor is wonderful. The cold octopus salad is also good as the octopus is marinated in vinegar and olive oil with carrots and celery. The saganaki is always good and you can’t go wrong with a Greek or Athenian salad.
The entrees on the menu include a variety of pastas, authentic Greek dishes like lamb (braised or leg of), pastitsio, mousakas or a gyros plate. The menu is large with many char broiled meats (beef, chicken, pork, quail) and they offer an assortment of seafood dishes. I recommend the shrimp Athena which is shrimp baked in tomato sauce with vegetables topped with feta and served over rice.
The baklava is always good for dessert and Athena has a large assortment of Greek wines at reasonable prices.
The prices at Athena are decent. Most of the cheese and dip appetizers are around $6although the octopus is closer to $12. The entrees mostly range from $9.95 to
$16.95. On my last visit, we had 7 beers, 1 combination appetizer and 3 entrees for $110 and that included tax and tip.
Wednesday, May 09, 2007
Chicago (French) - Red Rooster Cafe and Wine Bar
Red Rooster Café and Wine Bar
2100 N Halsted St (Cross Street: Dickens Avenue), Chicago, IL; Phone 773-929-7660
Date of Review: May, 2007
With a tough to find side entrance off of Halsted Street, the Red Rooster Café and Wine Bar is a find to some and a treasure to many. As you ascend up the old stairway that is supposed to take you to what you have been told is an excellent restaurant, it would be understandable for one to have doubts. However, the quaint entrance is only a hint of what is to come after you set foot inside one of the more known, yet forgotten romantic restaurants in all of Chicago. The Red Rooster is a place you take someone you really like (or at least who you think you may really like). Upon entering the restaurant, you see 12 tables (with about 6 being 2 tops), a small bar and hear cool funky music (Morcheeba on my last visit) playing in the background. The décor is rustic with cool portraits painted on the wood walls. The atmosphere speaks of the French countryside with pots, pans, garlic and a rooster hanging from the fan in the middle of the restaurant. The restaurant is very casual and has dim lighting.
I have visited Red Rooster on 4-5 occasions over the last few years and have tried many of the menu items. After you sit down, you are presented with a basket of very nice bread with butter. The French and excellent brown bread in the basket is crusty, warm and toasted (which can come in very handy if you order the mussels).
Some of the appetizers I have tried include the assorted cheese platter which includes 5 kinds of cheeses (including gruyere, blue, brie and goat) and is served with assorted fruit and nuts. My favorite appetizer is the steamed mussels. The mussels are absolutely fantastic served in a flavorful butter garlic sauce that is perfect for bread dipping. The mussels are tender and there are loads of them floating at the bottom of the bowl immersed in the sauce. This is one of the best batches of mussels I remember having anywhere. Foie gras is also on the menu as a starter and the baked brie en croute is also a great way to start a meal.
For entrees, I recommend the duck confit which consists of a duck leg and breast in a red wine sauce served with mashed potatoes, squash and carrots. It is a simple French countryside dish but a good one. I also recommend the grilled salmon in a cabernet sauvignon sauce. There is a nice assortment of entrees that round out the menu including braised lamb shank (which is excellent), steak, braised beef bourguignon with pasta, and 2-3 different types of fish.
For desserts, you cannot go wrong with the excellent crème brulee. The porcelain bowl it is served in is piled high with assorted berries on top with a bit of berry coulis on the plate. It is a solid rendition of this typical favorite.
Red Rooster has an extensive and solid wine menu that has is heavy on French wine but also has other options. While waiting for my guest, I had an absolutely wonderful glass of Vouvray for $7.75 a glass. Over dinner, we shared a bottle of 1999 Macon Solutre le Moulin du Pont ($27) that was recommended by the waitress as a solid full bodied white wine.
The prices at Red Rooster are pretty reasonable. The appetizers and salads range from 4$ to 12$, the desserts range from 5-8$ and the entrees fall somewhere between 12$ and 18$. On my last visit, my guest and I had 2 appetizers, 1 entrée that we shared, 1 dessert and a $27 bottle of wine. Out total tab was $90 and that included tax and tip.
Two different three-course prix-fixe menus are available Sunday through Thursday.
2100 N Halsted St (Cross Street: Dickens Avenue), Chicago, IL; Phone 773-929-7660
Date of Review: May, 2007
With a tough to find side entrance off of Halsted Street, the Red Rooster Café and Wine Bar is a find to some and a treasure to many. As you ascend up the old stairway that is supposed to take you to what you have been told is an excellent restaurant, it would be understandable for one to have doubts. However, the quaint entrance is only a hint of what is to come after you set foot inside one of the more known, yet forgotten romantic restaurants in all of Chicago. The Red Rooster is a place you take someone you really like (or at least who you think you may really like). Upon entering the restaurant, you see 12 tables (with about 6 being 2 tops), a small bar and hear cool funky music (Morcheeba on my last visit) playing in the background. The décor is rustic with cool portraits painted on the wood walls. The atmosphere speaks of the French countryside with pots, pans, garlic and a rooster hanging from the fan in the middle of the restaurant. The restaurant is very casual and has dim lighting.
I have visited Red Rooster on 4-5 occasions over the last few years and have tried many of the menu items. After you sit down, you are presented with a basket of very nice bread with butter. The French and excellent brown bread in the basket is crusty, warm and toasted (which can come in very handy if you order the mussels).
Some of the appetizers I have tried include the assorted cheese platter which includes 5 kinds of cheeses (including gruyere, blue, brie and goat) and is served with assorted fruit and nuts. My favorite appetizer is the steamed mussels. The mussels are absolutely fantastic served in a flavorful butter garlic sauce that is perfect for bread dipping. The mussels are tender and there are loads of them floating at the bottom of the bowl immersed in the sauce. This is one of the best batches of mussels I remember having anywhere. Foie gras is also on the menu as a starter and the baked brie en croute is also a great way to start a meal.
For entrees, I recommend the duck confit which consists of a duck leg and breast in a red wine sauce served with mashed potatoes, squash and carrots. It is a simple French countryside dish but a good one. I also recommend the grilled salmon in a cabernet sauvignon sauce. There is a nice assortment of entrees that round out the menu including braised lamb shank (which is excellent), steak, braised beef bourguignon with pasta, and 2-3 different types of fish.
For desserts, you cannot go wrong with the excellent crème brulee. The porcelain bowl it is served in is piled high with assorted berries on top with a bit of berry coulis on the plate. It is a solid rendition of this typical favorite.
Red Rooster has an extensive and solid wine menu that has is heavy on French wine but also has other options. While waiting for my guest, I had an absolutely wonderful glass of Vouvray for $7.75 a glass. Over dinner, we shared a bottle of 1999 Macon Solutre le Moulin du Pont ($27) that was recommended by the waitress as a solid full bodied white wine.
The prices at Red Rooster are pretty reasonable. The appetizers and salads range from 4$ to 12$, the desserts range from 5-8$ and the entrees fall somewhere between 12$ and 18$. On my last visit, my guest and I had 2 appetizers, 1 entrée that we shared, 1 dessert and a $27 bottle of wine. Out total tab was $90 and that included tax and tip.
Two different three-course prix-fixe menus are available Sunday through Thursday.
Monday, May 07, 2007
Chicago (Mexican) - Nuevo Leon
Nuevo Leon
1515 West 18th Street, Chicago, IL; Phone 312-421-1517
Date of Review: May, 2007
Nuevo Leon has been a fixture in the Pilsen neighborhood for over 40 years. They are known for their authentic, home style Mexican cooking.
This storefront BYOB restaurant has a colorful entrance with murals in an assortment of colors adorning the exterior of the restaurant making Nuevo Leon a noticeable spot at the very least. The décor inside is also very colorful with murals painted on the walls throughout the restaurant. The atmosphere is busy and hectic and very family friendly.
Upon sitting down, our server arrived with some warm chips that were glistening with a bit of oil. In addition, a cup of salsa and another cup with jalapenos and carrots were placed on our table. The warm and fresh chips were absolutely wonderful with a robust corn flavor in each bite. The salsa is a nice combination of peppers and tomatoes and is a bit spicy with a hint of smokiness, but not much sweetness. We also decided to sample a small order of guacamole. A generous portion of guacamole (I don’t want to see the large) arrived and we dug in. The guacamole was creamy and piled high with lots of ripe avocado. What I really liked about the guacamole is that they didn’t try and do anything special. It was just good avocado with maybe some salt and pepper. They didn’t chop up onions and jalapenos and everything else in an attempt to get fancy. To be honest, a bit of guacamole on top of a chip with a carrot slice or some salsa was a flavor explosion in my mouth and I could still taste the corn flavor of the chip.
On this evening, my guest ordered the Pollo en Mole. What showed up on our table was a huge plate of food that included a steamed chicken thigh, wing, breast and drumstick served with rice and refried beans with the chicken completed covered in a rich, traditional mole sauce. While they probably could have held back half a cup of the mole sauce that was poured over the food, the chicken was tender, the rice and beans tasty and the mole sauce full of flavor.
I ordered the whole red snapper (HUACHINANGO AL MOJO DE AJO) which was served with rice and an avocado, lettuce, tomato and onion salad. The fish had crispy skin on the outside (as it was flash fried) with tender flesh meat and was served with fresh garlic and a red pepper sauce on top of the fish. The fish was served with flour tortillas. I usually go for corn tortillas but I decided to try the flour based on the suggestion of my server. The tortillas were nice and warm and had those black spots on them throughout which come about when the tortilla has been pulled from a hot pan. The fish had a great garlicky flavor and was fresh and tasty.
Nuevo Leon is an excellent value. Entrees range from $6 for tacos or a burrito up to $13 or so dollars for a steak or fish dish. We ordered a small order of guacamole and 2 entrees (the fish was $13.50 and the chicken $8) and paid a total of $35 and that includes tax and tip.
1515 West 18th Street, Chicago, IL; Phone 312-421-1517
Date of Review: May, 2007
Nuevo Leon has been a fixture in the Pilsen neighborhood for over 40 years. They are known for their authentic, home style Mexican cooking.
This storefront BYOB restaurant has a colorful entrance with murals in an assortment of colors adorning the exterior of the restaurant making Nuevo Leon a noticeable spot at the very least. The décor inside is also very colorful with murals painted on the walls throughout the restaurant. The atmosphere is busy and hectic and very family friendly.
Upon sitting down, our server arrived with some warm chips that were glistening with a bit of oil. In addition, a cup of salsa and another cup with jalapenos and carrots were placed on our table. The warm and fresh chips were absolutely wonderful with a robust corn flavor in each bite. The salsa is a nice combination of peppers and tomatoes and is a bit spicy with a hint of smokiness, but not much sweetness. We also decided to sample a small order of guacamole. A generous portion of guacamole (I don’t want to see the large) arrived and we dug in. The guacamole was creamy and piled high with lots of ripe avocado. What I really liked about the guacamole is that they didn’t try and do anything special. It was just good avocado with maybe some salt and pepper. They didn’t chop up onions and jalapenos and everything else in an attempt to get fancy. To be honest, a bit of guacamole on top of a chip with a carrot slice or some salsa was a flavor explosion in my mouth and I could still taste the corn flavor of the chip.
On this evening, my guest ordered the Pollo en Mole. What showed up on our table was a huge plate of food that included a steamed chicken thigh, wing, breast and drumstick served with rice and refried beans with the chicken completed covered in a rich, traditional mole sauce. While they probably could have held back half a cup of the mole sauce that was poured over the food, the chicken was tender, the rice and beans tasty and the mole sauce full of flavor.
I ordered the whole red snapper (HUACHINANGO AL MOJO DE AJO) which was served with rice and an avocado, lettuce, tomato and onion salad. The fish had crispy skin on the outside (as it was flash fried) with tender flesh meat and was served with fresh garlic and a red pepper sauce on top of the fish. The fish was served with flour tortillas. I usually go for corn tortillas but I decided to try the flour based on the suggestion of my server. The tortillas were nice and warm and had those black spots on them throughout which come about when the tortilla has been pulled from a hot pan. The fish had a great garlicky flavor and was fresh and tasty.
Nuevo Leon is an excellent value. Entrees range from $6 for tacos or a burrito up to $13 or so dollars for a steak or fish dish. We ordered a small order of guacamole and 2 entrees (the fish was $13.50 and the chicken $8) and paid a total of $35 and that includes tax and tip.
Saturday, May 05, 2007
Chicago (French / Fusion) - Bonsoirée Café and Delicacies
Bonsoirée Café and Delicacies
2728 West Armitage Avenue, Chicago, IL 60647
Date of Review: May, 2007; updated May, 2008
Bonsoirée is a true “find” in the heart of Logan Square. This BYOB restaurant / catering business has a pleasant, quaint store front location on Armitage Avenue. I have walked and ran up and down this slice of Armitage twenty or so times without ever noticing the place until a friend of mine told me about it. There are only about 10 tables, exposed brick and a romantic atmosphere. This is a great spot for a date or a private meal with friends.
When I visited Bonsoiree, they offered a 3 course Prix-Fixe menu for $20 every Tuesday through Friday. They now only offer the 3 course Prix-Fixe menu for $30 every Tuesday (with no restrictions).
During my visit, there were 4 starters you could choose from with one (lamb) having a 3 dollar up charge. For our starters, we selected the asparagus and oyster mushroom salad and the Caesar salad. The asparagus salad had a nice tower of chopped asparagus (as opposed to stalks) and was served with shitake and oyster mushrooms in a nutty, vanilla guave vinaigrette dressing. The Caesar salad was great. The baby spinach leaves were nice and light, not weighed down by a heavy dressing. You actually couldn’t even see the dressing on the spinach leaves. On top of the salad, there was lots of shaved pecorino Romano slices and two mild white anchovies which really made the salad. The salad is served with some excellent chive brioche croutons.
For entrees, we both decided to go for the fish. Julie got the Hawaiian moonfish which required a 3$ up charge. This hearty, flaky fish has a consistency close to that of salmon with a milder flavor. It was served in a Ponzu Beurre Blanc sauce. While a bit buttery for my taste, it went well with the fish and the accompanying taro root. The root was an interesting side and was cooked perfectly. It wasn’t too mushy or too firm. I had the Grand Marnier Seared Salmon. This was served with some very flavorful roasted portabella mushrooms which added a nice flavor to contrast that of the salmon. The Grand Marnier sauce was excellent also as it covered a decent size piece of fish. The fish was served with a circular portion of very nice Spanish tortilla topped with a pepper relish.
For dessert, the signature bread pudding is the only dessert that doesn’t require an up charge and is also the one we both selected. This was a great choice as there were 2 separate chunks of banana bread pudding on each of our plates served with a small tin of white chocolate crème anglaise sauce. The flavor of the bread pudding was a bit buttery, reminding me of the Sara Lee coffee cakes I used to have with my Dad on Saturday mornings as a child.
We also ordered a pomegranate and berry soda which had great flavor.
Bonsoirée café offered fantastic value when I visited. For the Prix-Fixe menu with one 3$ up charge and one 2.50$ soda, out total bill was $49 plus tip. Today, the prices of most of the entrees are above $20 while starters range from 6-12$.
Bonsoirée Café and Delicacies has an extensive catering business and even offers meals that they will prepare in your home for an elaborate dinner party.
2728 West Armitage Avenue, Chicago, IL 60647
Date of Review: May, 2007; updated May, 2008
Bonsoirée is a true “find” in the heart of Logan Square. This BYOB restaurant / catering business has a pleasant, quaint store front location on Armitage Avenue. I have walked and ran up and down this slice of Armitage twenty or so times without ever noticing the place until a friend of mine told me about it. There are only about 10 tables, exposed brick and a romantic atmosphere. This is a great spot for a date or a private meal with friends.
When I visited Bonsoiree, they offered a 3 course Prix-Fixe menu for $20 every Tuesday through Friday. They now only offer the 3 course Prix-Fixe menu for $30 every Tuesday (with no restrictions).
During my visit, there were 4 starters you could choose from with one (lamb) having a 3 dollar up charge. For our starters, we selected the asparagus and oyster mushroom salad and the Caesar salad. The asparagus salad had a nice tower of chopped asparagus (as opposed to stalks) and was served with shitake and oyster mushrooms in a nutty, vanilla guave vinaigrette dressing. The Caesar salad was great. The baby spinach leaves were nice and light, not weighed down by a heavy dressing. You actually couldn’t even see the dressing on the spinach leaves. On top of the salad, there was lots of shaved pecorino Romano slices and two mild white anchovies which really made the salad. The salad is served with some excellent chive brioche croutons.
For entrees, we both decided to go for the fish. Julie got the Hawaiian moonfish which required a 3$ up charge. This hearty, flaky fish has a consistency close to that of salmon with a milder flavor. It was served in a Ponzu Beurre Blanc sauce. While a bit buttery for my taste, it went well with the fish and the accompanying taro root. The root was an interesting side and was cooked perfectly. It wasn’t too mushy or too firm. I had the Grand Marnier Seared Salmon. This was served with some very flavorful roasted portabella mushrooms which added a nice flavor to contrast that of the salmon. The Grand Marnier sauce was excellent also as it covered a decent size piece of fish. The fish was served with a circular portion of very nice Spanish tortilla topped with a pepper relish.
For dessert, the signature bread pudding is the only dessert that doesn’t require an up charge and is also the one we both selected. This was a great choice as there were 2 separate chunks of banana bread pudding on each of our plates served with a small tin of white chocolate crème anglaise sauce. The flavor of the bread pudding was a bit buttery, reminding me of the Sara Lee coffee cakes I used to have with my Dad on Saturday mornings as a child.
We also ordered a pomegranate and berry soda which had great flavor.
Bonsoirée café offered fantastic value when I visited. For the Prix-Fixe menu with one 3$ up charge and one 2.50$ soda, out total bill was $49 plus tip. Today, the prices of most of the entrees are above $20 while starters range from 6-12$.
Bonsoirée Café and Delicacies has an extensive catering business and even offers meals that they will prepare in your home for an elaborate dinner party.
Sunday, April 01, 2007
Chicago (Italian) - Spacca Napoli
Spacca Napoli
1769 W. Sunnyside Avenue, Chicago IL; Phone 773-878-2420
Date of Review: April, 2007
Spacca Napoli is yet another smart spot for excellent Italian pizza. That is, Italian Neapolitan style pizza from Italy. To be honest, after visiting Pizza D.O.C., Sapore di Napoli and Spacca Napoli, my view of pizza in Chicago has been slightly altered. I guess I never knew there were so many options for real Neapolitan style Italian pizza so close by.
Spacca Napoli is a great little spot in Ravenswood. They have a custom-built oven adorned with a beautiful mosaic that churns out wonderful pizzas in a matter of a few minutes. The owner, Jon Goldsmith, earned his pizza making credentials in the home of pizza, Naples. The owner actually traveled to Naples and studied the art of making pizza and he is now using the talents he developed to the delights of many in the Chicago land area. I found Jon to be very friendly. As I waited for my guest, we chatted about a few Italian restaurants and grocery stores we both knew of that were listed in a newspaper he had a copy of on hand for patrons to page through. Spacca Napoli is a very open restaurant with windows that offer a lot of light and nice sidewalk views to the patrons dining inside as well as to the people passing by the restaurant.
Spacca Napoli has a menu that is short and to the point. There are 8 different types of “salads” on the antipasti section of the menu and they serve 12 different types of pizzas. They do have a liquor license and offer Italian beers, wines, liquors and excellent coffee. They also offer Tiramisu, Spumoni, Baked Ricotta and assorted gelatos and sorbets for dessert.
On my visit, we had an Italian lemon soda, San Pellegrino water and a couple of pizzas. My friend had the Margherita pizza which has 4 simple ingredients of tomatoes, mozzarella, basil and olive oil. It was just as delicious as my Funghi pizza whose ingredients included tomatoes, mozzarella, basil , mushrooms and olive oil. All of these fresh ingredients are places on top of a very special and tasty crust. It is this crust that makes the pizzas at Spacca Napoli so special. I really can’t say enough about the delicious pizza crusts which are mixed in a dough mixer that actually comes from Italy.
After our pizzas, we weren’t hungry for much else but I couldn’t turn away an espresso. I was feeling a bit nostalgic and couldn’t pass on the opportunity to bring back some fond memories from my time in Italy with a nice shot of espresso. It worked and also kept me wide awake for the next few hours.
On my visit, the bill was $34 for a coffee, mineral water, Italian soda and 2 pizzas. This included tax and tip. The prices are fair with pizzas ranging from $10-14 and salads from $5-8.
This restaurant is not open on Mondays or Tuesdays and they do have al fresco dining available when weather permits.
1769 W. Sunnyside Avenue, Chicago IL; Phone 773-878-2420
Date of Review: April, 2007
Spacca Napoli is yet another smart spot for excellent Italian pizza. That is, Italian Neapolitan style pizza from Italy. To be honest, after visiting Pizza D.O.C., Sapore di Napoli and Spacca Napoli, my view of pizza in Chicago has been slightly altered. I guess I never knew there were so many options for real Neapolitan style Italian pizza so close by.
Spacca Napoli is a great little spot in Ravenswood. They have a custom-built oven adorned with a beautiful mosaic that churns out wonderful pizzas in a matter of a few minutes. The owner, Jon Goldsmith, earned his pizza making credentials in the home of pizza, Naples. The owner actually traveled to Naples and studied the art of making pizza and he is now using the talents he developed to the delights of many in the Chicago land area. I found Jon to be very friendly. As I waited for my guest, we chatted about a few Italian restaurants and grocery stores we both knew of that were listed in a newspaper he had a copy of on hand for patrons to page through. Spacca Napoli is a very open restaurant with windows that offer a lot of light and nice sidewalk views to the patrons dining inside as well as to the people passing by the restaurant.
Spacca Napoli has a menu that is short and to the point. There are 8 different types of “salads” on the antipasti section of the menu and they serve 12 different types of pizzas. They do have a liquor license and offer Italian beers, wines, liquors and excellent coffee. They also offer Tiramisu, Spumoni, Baked Ricotta and assorted gelatos and sorbets for dessert.
On my visit, we had an Italian lemon soda, San Pellegrino water and a couple of pizzas. My friend had the Margherita pizza which has 4 simple ingredients of tomatoes, mozzarella, basil and olive oil. It was just as delicious as my Funghi pizza whose ingredients included tomatoes, mozzarella, basil , mushrooms and olive oil. All of these fresh ingredients are places on top of a very special and tasty crust. It is this crust that makes the pizzas at Spacca Napoli so special. I really can’t say enough about the delicious pizza crusts which are mixed in a dough mixer that actually comes from Italy.
After our pizzas, we weren’t hungry for much else but I couldn’t turn away an espresso. I was feeling a bit nostalgic and couldn’t pass on the opportunity to bring back some fond memories from my time in Italy with a nice shot of espresso. It worked and also kept me wide awake for the next few hours.
On my visit, the bill was $34 for a coffee, mineral water, Italian soda and 2 pizzas. This included tax and tip. The prices are fair with pizzas ranging from $10-14 and salads from $5-8.
This restaurant is not open on Mondays or Tuesdays and they do have al fresco dining available when weather permits.
Chicago (Italian) - Sapore di Napoli
Sapore di Napoli
1406 West Belmont Avenue, Chicago IL; Phone773-935-1212
Date of Review: April, 2007; updated May, 2008
Sapore di Napoli is another excellent spot for real Italian, Neapolitan pizza.
This is a very small restaurant with 8 small tables and there are probably never more than 2 people working at one time and 10-12 people eating. It is a simple place with an Italian flare that extends to the person who served us (who also had an Italian accent).
Their menu is pretty basic as all they have are a few appetizers, a few salads, a couple pastas and 12-15 different pizzas to choose from. The pizzas are 12 inches and they are not meant to be shared although splitting one with a salad could suffice as a meal for two people. On my visit, we decided to go right for the pizza. I had the Pomodori e Cipolle pizza which was a pizza with sliced tomatoes, mozzarella, red onion and rosemary. It had just the right combination of ingredients and was just the right size to leave me completely satisfied. My brother in law joined me on this evening and he had the Salsiccia pizza which had Italian sausage, tomato sauce and mozzarella. It was also very good. These pizzas are supposed to be simple but don’t take that as a negative thing as they are excellent. The crust is what really makes the pizza at Sapore di Napoli. It has a perfect consistency which is sweet, but not too sweet, chewy, but not too chewy and just perfect. The ovens behind the corner speak to the wonderful pizza crust as they can cook a pizza in 5-10 minutes and must have been very expensive.
Appetizers on the menu include Caprese, fried calamari and bruschetta. There are 4 different types of salads and they offer pastas including fettucine, spaghetti or penne with homemade marinara or bolognese sauce. On my last visit, we ordered the asparagus salad which featured asparagus along with cherry tomatoes, red onions, gorgonzola and balsamic vinegar. The ingredients were tasty and fresh making for a nice light starter to go with our pizzas.
While we didn’t sample any other menu items, we weren’t about to pass on the gelato. After all, it is hard to pass on a display cabinet of 14 different types of gelato that you’d expect to find on the corner of a street in Italy which stares you in the face when you walk into the restaurant. We both decided to go for the chocolate hazelnut gelato and we were rewarded with a healthy scoop of creamy gelato in an ice cream flute with a wafer cookie for dipping.
While the pizzas are excellent, they are not cheap. Our total bill was $45 which includes tax and tip for 2 pizzas, 2 Italian sodas and 2 scoops of gelato. The restaurant is BYOB (5$ corkage) so that helps to keep the bill reasonable. The pizzas are worth the price but if you expected to walk in and pay $20 to split a pie, you came to the wrong place. The pizzas range from $11-16 in price and the gelato is $5 for a healthy scoop. The salads are in the $6-8 dollar range.
1406 West Belmont Avenue, Chicago IL; Phone773-935-1212
Date of Review: April, 2007; updated May, 2008
Sapore di Napoli is another excellent spot for real Italian, Neapolitan pizza.
This is a very small restaurant with 8 small tables and there are probably never more than 2 people working at one time and 10-12 people eating. It is a simple place with an Italian flare that extends to the person who served us (who also had an Italian accent).
Their menu is pretty basic as all they have are a few appetizers, a few salads, a couple pastas and 12-15 different pizzas to choose from. The pizzas are 12 inches and they are not meant to be shared although splitting one with a salad could suffice as a meal for two people. On my visit, we decided to go right for the pizza. I had the Pomodori e Cipolle pizza which was a pizza with sliced tomatoes, mozzarella, red onion and rosemary. It had just the right combination of ingredients and was just the right size to leave me completely satisfied. My brother in law joined me on this evening and he had the Salsiccia pizza which had Italian sausage, tomato sauce and mozzarella. It was also very good. These pizzas are supposed to be simple but don’t take that as a negative thing as they are excellent. The crust is what really makes the pizza at Sapore di Napoli. It has a perfect consistency which is sweet, but not too sweet, chewy, but not too chewy and just perfect. The ovens behind the corner speak to the wonderful pizza crust as they can cook a pizza in 5-10 minutes and must have been very expensive.
Appetizers on the menu include Caprese, fried calamari and bruschetta. There are 4 different types of salads and they offer pastas including fettucine, spaghetti or penne with homemade marinara or bolognese sauce. On my last visit, we ordered the asparagus salad which featured asparagus along with cherry tomatoes, red onions, gorgonzola and balsamic vinegar. The ingredients were tasty and fresh making for a nice light starter to go with our pizzas.
While we didn’t sample any other menu items, we weren’t about to pass on the gelato. After all, it is hard to pass on a display cabinet of 14 different types of gelato that you’d expect to find on the corner of a street in Italy which stares you in the face when you walk into the restaurant. We both decided to go for the chocolate hazelnut gelato and we were rewarded with a healthy scoop of creamy gelato in an ice cream flute with a wafer cookie for dipping.
While the pizzas are excellent, they are not cheap. Our total bill was $45 which includes tax and tip for 2 pizzas, 2 Italian sodas and 2 scoops of gelato. The restaurant is BYOB (5$ corkage) so that helps to keep the bill reasonable. The pizzas are worth the price but if you expected to walk in and pay $20 to split a pie, you came to the wrong place. The pizzas range from $11-16 in price and the gelato is $5 for a healthy scoop. The salads are in the $6-8 dollar range.
Thursday, March 01, 2007
Chicago (Indian) - Hema's Kitchen
Hema’s Kitchen
2411 N. Clark Street, Chicago IL 60614-2717; Phone 773-529-1705
Date of Review: March, 2007
Located on Clark Street right off of Fullerton in the midst of a bevy of different types of restaurants, Hema’s is an excellent option for a good Indian meal. I have eaten here on many occasions and have never left unsatisfied and have always left full.
The atmosphere is basic, but has a nice feel as there is some nice décor, pictures and dim lighting. The restaurant is relatively small with anywhere from 12-15 tables. This is a pleasant place to enjoy a meal.
Whether you opt for the lamb or vegetarian version, I highly recommend the samosas as an appetizer. The pastry crust is scrumptious as is the filling inside. The menu has a nice variety of vegetarian, seafood, lamb and chicken entrees. The menu is pretty extensive but you can’t go wrong with a Gosht, Vindaloo, Masala or Korma entrée. I also highly recommend the Nan and Onion Paratha as no Indian meal is complete without some wonderful Indian bread. Remember to order some rice to go with your entrées (as it is not included) and I give a ‘thumbs up’ to the complimentary yogurt salad which is a nice complement to most entrees. This is a BYOB restaurant.
The prices at Hema’s are fair. Most entrees are in the $10-12 range. The portions are decent size but you will definitely walk away full after you add the rice, sauces and bread into the mix. Two people would leave full after ordering 2 entrees and an order of bread and rice for $35 including tax and tip.
The bathroom is basic and clean and accommodates 1 person. Overall, I was impressed with the cleanliness of this restaurant.
There is another Hema’s Kitchen on 6406 N. Oakley near Devon Street.
2411 N. Clark Street, Chicago IL 60614-2717; Phone 773-529-1705
Date of Review: March, 2007
Located on Clark Street right off of Fullerton in the midst of a bevy of different types of restaurants, Hema’s is an excellent option for a good Indian meal. I have eaten here on many occasions and have never left unsatisfied and have always left full.
The atmosphere is basic, but has a nice feel as there is some nice décor, pictures and dim lighting. The restaurant is relatively small with anywhere from 12-15 tables. This is a pleasant place to enjoy a meal.
Whether you opt for the lamb or vegetarian version, I highly recommend the samosas as an appetizer. The pastry crust is scrumptious as is the filling inside. The menu has a nice variety of vegetarian, seafood, lamb and chicken entrees. The menu is pretty extensive but you can’t go wrong with a Gosht, Vindaloo, Masala or Korma entrée. I also highly recommend the Nan and Onion Paratha as no Indian meal is complete without some wonderful Indian bread. Remember to order some rice to go with your entrées (as it is not included) and I give a ‘thumbs up’ to the complimentary yogurt salad which is a nice complement to most entrees. This is a BYOB restaurant.
The prices at Hema’s are fair. Most entrees are in the $10-12 range. The portions are decent size but you will definitely walk away full after you add the rice, sauces and bread into the mix. Two people would leave full after ordering 2 entrees and an order of bread and rice for $35 including tax and tip.
The bathroom is basic and clean and accommodates 1 person. Overall, I was impressed with the cleanliness of this restaurant.
There is another Hema’s Kitchen on 6406 N. Oakley near Devon Street.
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Chicago (South American) - Rios d’ Sudamerica
Rios d’ Sudamerica
2010 W Armitage Ave- At N Damen Ave, Chicago, IL; Phone 773 276-0170
Date of Review: February, 2007
Have you ever wondered about the food and culture of the countries of South America? I don’t know about you but discussions of the Argentine tango, Peruvian Inca culture and the overall beauty throughout Brazil make me a bit curious. Well, if don’t have the time or the means to make it to South America just yet, a visit to Rio Sudamerica is a good place to wet your cultural appetite with your own bottle of wine (BYOB).
Rios d’ Sudamerica is a simple storefront from the outside but has one of the most impressive interiors of any restaurant I have been to in Chicago. It is worth going to just to see the beautiful hand painted mosaic of Macchu Picchu, the landscape murals of Rio and its beautiful beaches and Argentines dancing the tango and cooking their wonderful meats. The host gave us a tour of the restaurant and described the beautiful artwork. There is a more private room upstairs that has a DJ booth and a lounge like area for dancing. As you walk down the stairs descending from the lounge area upstairs, the view of the restaurant below is particularly impressive. There is a lot of space in the restaurant and the tables are spread out making it a good place for large parties.
Rio Sudamerica has an impressive menu that includes traditional and innovative items focusing on Peru, Argentina, and Brazil. The range of starters is vast and varied. From empanadas, small pastries filled with beef, walnuts, raisins, onions and spices to various types of ceviches and some interesting starters that combine meat and fish in numerous different ways, there is a lot to choose from. We started with the Pinzas De Cangrejo Apanadas which are crab claws rolled with crab meat and spices which are then breaded and pan fried. They are served with golden yucca and a rocoto cream sauce. They were excellent as I literally dug the remaining crab meat out from the base of the claw. We also had the Ceviche Mixto which is a combination of sole, shrimp, octopus, scallops, squid and onion in a citrus marinade. The seafood was fresh and tasty but I found the marinade too tangy as the citrus flavors were a bit overwhelming. The ceviche is served with Peruvian corn which is very different from the corn we are used to. The kernels are much large and the flavor is less sweet and is much more starchy, like that of yucca.
For entrees, there is a wonderful variety of seafood and meat (beef, duck, rabbit, lamb) dishes that make it hard to pick between land and sea. I had the Moqueca de pescado which are corvina filets (sea bass) steamed with coconut milk and served with sautéed garlic, onion, green onion and green and red pepper. It is served with yucca and white rice. I was very impressed with the dish as the coconut milk based sauce was not overwhelming but a perfect compliment to the other flavors in the dish. The presentation was impressive also. My guest enjoyed the Quinua al horno con chuletas de cordero. For us Americans, this is lamb chops served over AuGratin style quinua with roasted peppers, carrots, parsley and spinach.
For dessert, we split the chirimoya ice cream which was wrapped in 3 separate chocolate crepes. Chirimoya is a tropical fruit with leathery skin and soft pulp that is related to custard apples. The crepes were average but the ice cream had an interesting and refreshing flavor that I would describe as somewhere between a lemon and an apple.
Rios d’ Sudamerica is a good value. We had 2 starters, 2 entrees and 1 dessert for $91 which included tax and tip. The fact that the restaurant is BYOB helps keep the costs down. Most appetizers are under $10 and the entrées are under $20.
2010 W Armitage Ave- At N Damen Ave, Chicago, IL; Phone 773 276-0170
Date of Review: February, 2007
Have you ever wondered about the food and culture of the countries of South America? I don’t know about you but discussions of the Argentine tango, Peruvian Inca culture and the overall beauty throughout Brazil make me a bit curious. Well, if don’t have the time or the means to make it to South America just yet, a visit to Rio Sudamerica is a good place to wet your cultural appetite with your own bottle of wine (BYOB).
Rios d’ Sudamerica is a simple storefront from the outside but has one of the most impressive interiors of any restaurant I have been to in Chicago. It is worth going to just to see the beautiful hand painted mosaic of Macchu Picchu, the landscape murals of Rio and its beautiful beaches and Argentines dancing the tango and cooking their wonderful meats. The host gave us a tour of the restaurant and described the beautiful artwork. There is a more private room upstairs that has a DJ booth and a lounge like area for dancing. As you walk down the stairs descending from the lounge area upstairs, the view of the restaurant below is particularly impressive. There is a lot of space in the restaurant and the tables are spread out making it a good place for large parties.
Rio Sudamerica has an impressive menu that includes traditional and innovative items focusing on Peru, Argentina, and Brazil. The range of starters is vast and varied. From empanadas, small pastries filled with beef, walnuts, raisins, onions and spices to various types of ceviches and some interesting starters that combine meat and fish in numerous different ways, there is a lot to choose from. We started with the Pinzas De Cangrejo Apanadas which are crab claws rolled with crab meat and spices which are then breaded and pan fried. They are served with golden yucca and a rocoto cream sauce. They were excellent as I literally dug the remaining crab meat out from the base of the claw. We also had the Ceviche Mixto which is a combination of sole, shrimp, octopus, scallops, squid and onion in a citrus marinade. The seafood was fresh and tasty but I found the marinade too tangy as the citrus flavors were a bit overwhelming. The ceviche is served with Peruvian corn which is very different from the corn we are used to. The kernels are much large and the flavor is less sweet and is much more starchy, like that of yucca.
For entrees, there is a wonderful variety of seafood and meat (beef, duck, rabbit, lamb) dishes that make it hard to pick between land and sea. I had the Moqueca de pescado which are corvina filets (sea bass) steamed with coconut milk and served with sautéed garlic, onion, green onion and green and red pepper. It is served with yucca and white rice. I was very impressed with the dish as the coconut milk based sauce was not overwhelming but a perfect compliment to the other flavors in the dish. The presentation was impressive also. My guest enjoyed the Quinua al horno con chuletas de cordero. For us Americans, this is lamb chops served over AuGratin style quinua with roasted peppers, carrots, parsley and spinach.
For dessert, we split the chirimoya ice cream which was wrapped in 3 separate chocolate crepes. Chirimoya is a tropical fruit with leathery skin and soft pulp that is related to custard apples. The crepes were average but the ice cream had an interesting and refreshing flavor that I would describe as somewhere between a lemon and an apple.
Rios d’ Sudamerica is a good value. We had 2 starters, 2 entrees and 1 dessert for $91 which included tax and tip. The fact that the restaurant is BYOB helps keep the costs down. Most appetizers are under $10 and the entrées are under $20.
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Chicago (French) - Le Bouchon
Le Bouchon
1958 North Damen Avenue, Chicago IL; Phone 773-862-6600
Date of Review: January, 2007; updated May, 2008
Le Bouchon is a classic French bistro in the heart of Wicker Park. Jean-Claude Poilevey opened Le Bouchon in 1994 and his restaurant has continued to impress in an environment that has underwent a myriad of changes over the last decade or so. Le Bouchon offers a casual atmosphere and high quality, classic French dishes. The menu is small as is the restaurant. When I walk into Le Bouchon, I feel like I am walking into one of the wonderful storefront bistros in the Marais or St-Germain-des-Prés neighborhoods in Paris which brings back some incredibly fond memories.
Le Bouchon is a quintessential French bistro. It is small, crowded and the tables are close to one another. This makes for an intimate dining experience that can be romantic or just fun. It has a small bar that you can have a drink at, but on a busy night you will have a tough time finding a place to stand as you wait for your table. If you have an extended wait, I would recommend going across the street to Darwin’s for a drink and returning when your table will be ready.
For starters, the French bread on the table is a good way to start your meal. Don’t skip on the rich and flavorful butter either. There is a range of starters and salads that are all solid. The French Onion Soup is fantastic. It is served with a healthy portion of cheese melted over the top, but the key to the dish lies in the fact that the onions are soaked in duck fat. As good as it is, I found it a bit too rich for my liking. These same onions are packed inside a nice crust in Jean Claude’s Onion Tart, which makes for a nice piece of savory pie. The codfish brandade is a simple combination of garlic, cod, butter and cream and it is fantastic. It is served with garlic croutons, but if you are left with more brandade (but no more croutons), use your leftover bread to assist you with the rest. The mussels and house made pate are also very good. On the salad side, I have particularly enjoyed the salad with lardons.
The entrees range from an always wonderful fish special to roasted duck for 2 to grilled steak with house butter and home-made Fries. On my last visit, I had the monkfish special that was served lightly fried and paired with sautéed spinach and garlic mashed potatoes. Another fish special I have enjoyed in the past is the skate wing, which has a firm consistency and is served with spinach and vegetables. The standard menu has many classic dishes including free range chicken, poached salmon, braised Moroccan lamb shank and sautéed rabbit.
The dessert menu is simple but continues to impress. The crème brulee is, as expected, solid. The profiteroles are decent but if the French Onion Soup and your entrée left you begging for a digestive, a lighter dessert option is the fresh berries with vanilla sauce.
Le Bouchon has an extensive, solid wine menu that is heavy on French wine.
Le Bouchon is a solid value. The appetizers, salads and desserts all range from 5-8$ and the entrees are between 16-20$. On my last visit, our party of 3 had the three course price fixe menu offered on Tuesdays and a total of 4 glasses of wine for a total of $125 (including tax/tip).
Le Bouchon offers some excellent specials including ½ price bottles of wine on Mondays, a $22 Prix-Fixe special where you can select any starter, entrée and dessert on Tuesdays and the daily "Le Menu Bistro Lyonnais" menu option allows the patron to select an appetizer, entrée and dessert from a limited selection of menu items for 20$.
1958 North Damen Avenue, Chicago IL; Phone 773-862-6600
Date of Review: January, 2007; updated May, 2008
Le Bouchon is a classic French bistro in the heart of Wicker Park. Jean-Claude Poilevey opened Le Bouchon in 1994 and his restaurant has continued to impress in an environment that has underwent a myriad of changes over the last decade or so. Le Bouchon offers a casual atmosphere and high quality, classic French dishes. The menu is small as is the restaurant. When I walk into Le Bouchon, I feel like I am walking into one of the wonderful storefront bistros in the Marais or St-Germain-des-Prés neighborhoods in Paris which brings back some incredibly fond memories.
Le Bouchon is a quintessential French bistro. It is small, crowded and the tables are close to one another. This makes for an intimate dining experience that can be romantic or just fun. It has a small bar that you can have a drink at, but on a busy night you will have a tough time finding a place to stand as you wait for your table. If you have an extended wait, I would recommend going across the street to Darwin’s for a drink and returning when your table will be ready.
For starters, the French bread on the table is a good way to start your meal. Don’t skip on the rich and flavorful butter either. There is a range of starters and salads that are all solid. The French Onion Soup is fantastic. It is served with a healthy portion of cheese melted over the top, but the key to the dish lies in the fact that the onions are soaked in duck fat. As good as it is, I found it a bit too rich for my liking. These same onions are packed inside a nice crust in Jean Claude’s Onion Tart, which makes for a nice piece of savory pie. The codfish brandade is a simple combination of garlic, cod, butter and cream and it is fantastic. It is served with garlic croutons, but if you are left with more brandade (but no more croutons), use your leftover bread to assist you with the rest. The mussels and house made pate are also very good. On the salad side, I have particularly enjoyed the salad with lardons.
The entrees range from an always wonderful fish special to roasted duck for 2 to grilled steak with house butter and home-made Fries. On my last visit, I had the monkfish special that was served lightly fried and paired with sautéed spinach and garlic mashed potatoes. Another fish special I have enjoyed in the past is the skate wing, which has a firm consistency and is served with spinach and vegetables. The standard menu has many classic dishes including free range chicken, poached salmon, braised Moroccan lamb shank and sautéed rabbit.
The dessert menu is simple but continues to impress. The crème brulee is, as expected, solid. The profiteroles are decent but if the French Onion Soup and your entrée left you begging for a digestive, a lighter dessert option is the fresh berries with vanilla sauce.
Le Bouchon has an extensive, solid wine menu that is heavy on French wine.
Le Bouchon is a solid value. The appetizers, salads and desserts all range from 5-8$ and the entrees are between 16-20$. On my last visit, our party of 3 had the three course price fixe menu offered on Tuesdays and a total of 4 glasses of wine for a total of $125 (including tax/tip).
Le Bouchon offers some excellent specials including ½ price bottles of wine on Mondays, a $22 Prix-Fixe special where you can select any starter, entrée and dessert on Tuesdays and the daily "Le Menu Bistro Lyonnais" menu option allows the patron to select an appetizer, entrée and dessert from a limited selection of menu items for 20$.
Glenview (Mediterranean) - Pita Inn
Pita Inn
9854 North Milwaukee Avenue, Glenview IL; Phone 847-759-9990
Date of Review: January, 2007
Pita Inn offers some of the best, most reasonably priced Mediterranean food in the Chicago land area. Pita Inn has been in business since 1982 and has locations in Skokie, Wheeling and Glenview. I have been to each of the locations although my review focuses on the Glenview restaurant since I used to frequent this location on a weekly basis for lunch.
Pita Inn is a pretty basic place that offers counter service and is perfect for a nice lunch or a quick dinner. They do have a large seating area that is pleasant and very clean and also have a small outdoor seating area. It is hard to describe the exterior of the restaurant but the location in Glenview is unique and eye catching. It almost looks like some sort of temple.
Pita Inn has an excellent selection of Mediterranean specialties. I regularly enjoy their hummus which is served with homemade, warm pita bread. In addition, there are numerous salads (Jerusalem, Tabouleh, Yogurt) available with the same wonderful Pita Bread.
Some of my favorite menu items include the stuffed grape leaves, the beef or chicken shawarma entrée or sandwich and the chicken fatoush salad. Their falafel is also excellent. The business lunch special is an excellent value. It is offered from Mon – Fr from 11 AM to 3 PM and includes a combination of shish kabob, kifta kabob, shawarma and falafel served with rice, salad and pita bread. This is a lot of food and it is only $3.95. It offers a great opportunity to sample a variety of the items on the menu.
Pita Inn is a fantastic value. You can get a solid portion of good food along with a drink for between 5-10$ dollars per person for lunch or dinner.
9854 North Milwaukee Avenue, Glenview IL; Phone 847-759-9990
Date of Review: January, 2007
Pita Inn offers some of the best, most reasonably priced Mediterranean food in the Chicago land area. Pita Inn has been in business since 1982 and has locations in Skokie, Wheeling and Glenview. I have been to each of the locations although my review focuses on the Glenview restaurant since I used to frequent this location on a weekly basis for lunch.
Pita Inn is a pretty basic place that offers counter service and is perfect for a nice lunch or a quick dinner. They do have a large seating area that is pleasant and very clean and also have a small outdoor seating area. It is hard to describe the exterior of the restaurant but the location in Glenview is unique and eye catching. It almost looks like some sort of temple.
Pita Inn has an excellent selection of Mediterranean specialties. I regularly enjoy their hummus which is served with homemade, warm pita bread. In addition, there are numerous salads (Jerusalem, Tabouleh, Yogurt) available with the same wonderful Pita Bread.
Some of my favorite menu items include the stuffed grape leaves, the beef or chicken shawarma entrée or sandwich and the chicken fatoush salad. Their falafel is also excellent. The business lunch special is an excellent value. It is offered from Mon – Fr from 11 AM to 3 PM and includes a combination of shish kabob, kifta kabob, shawarma and falafel served with rice, salad and pita bread. This is a lot of food and it is only $3.95. It offers a great opportunity to sample a variety of the items on the menu.
Pita Inn is a fantastic value. You can get a solid portion of good food along with a drink for between 5-10$ dollars per person for lunch or dinner.
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