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.
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
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.
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