Sunday Brunch at Wood in Boystown

After a failed attempt (or two) at a weekend dinner at Wood, we opted for brunch. It was still busy around noon on a Sunday in November, but we were able to get a table for five without much of a wait.

I started with a Kir Royale (why not?) complete with Mathilde Blackcurrant Cassis. It's fruitier and fresher than standard cassis. Z opted for his go-to morning drink: a Bloody Mary.

Wood's brunch menu is not extensive with just four items in the sweet section, five in the savory, four in the lunch section and four sides. But after kicking off the meal with a side of fries, each of us were able to find an entree that appealed to us. I opted for the bendict, while Z went with Pork Belly Sandwich. If a pork sandwich is on a breakfast menu, nine times out of 10, Z will order it.

Our entrees were flavorful and perfectly cooked. We'll definitely be back.

Gluten-free in Lakeview

With a mother, a sister, a nephew and a niece who are gluten-intolerant, I pay more attention to gluten-free dining options than most. So when Senza opened in East Lakeview a couple of months ago, I had to scope it out.

Z and I stopped by one Saturday morning for a quick brunch, after picking up coffee from our new favorite spot, BowTruss. I had the English Muffin Sandwich, while Z opted for the Flatbread, complete with a sunny side egg and ham. Unlike other gluten-free breads I've tried, my English muffin wasn't too heavy. The same goes for the bread in the flatbread. Z and I split the Caesar salad, which comes perfectly grilled and is one of the best Caesar salads I've eaten in a long time.

For dinner, Senza offers a more formal menu and rotating tasting menus, starting at $65 for a vegetable tasting. When my gluten-free guests come into town, I can't wait to take them to a restaurant where they can finally eat everything on the menu.

Yoshi's Cafe in Boystown

For me, Yoshi's Cafe is in the same bucket of restaurants as Las Fuentes--I've passed by it hundreds of times and have never managed to go inside. The difference with Yoshi's is that I had also heard that's its food is good. In fact, it's a Zagat-rated restaurant that has been in Lakeview for more than 20 years. And as Z and I found out with our friend Jim one cold, rainy Friday evening, it has earned its rating.

We started with a delicious bottle of Zinfandel while we poured over the menu. Yoshi's, which features a fusion of French and Japanese cuisine, changes its menu fairly often, but some sort of foie gras pate seems to be a staple. And it should be. It was delicious.

After the foie gras and a salad, we moved on to the short ribs and a skate dish that was featured that evening.

Our appetites satisfied, we left Yoshi's in good spirits, but not before picking up some almond macaroons in take out containers that our server handed us as we walked out the door.

Yoshi's is open for dinner every day except for Monday and for brunch on Sundays. Management recommends reservations, but we were able to walk in late on a Friday evening.

The Peasantry for brunch

When we went to The Peasantry for dinner back in August, we knew we'd be back for brunch. Little did we know brunch would be so good that we'd be back two weekends in a row.

During the first visit, I tried the roasted beet hash while Z and our friend Miki ordered the Curried Breakfast Flatbread. My hash was light and flavorful. And, with all those veggies, dare I say, healthy? The curried flatbread is such a unique take on a brunch dish. The flavors of the coconut curry, arugula and cider vinaigrette came together deliciously.

I didn't order as well on the second visit, while Z seemed perfectly content with his Short Rib Pastrami Hash, complete with plenty of vegetables and a delicious mustard vinaigrette. The Chicken and Corn Pancake Gyro was so unique that I had to try it, but something about the fried chocolate chili chicken didn't fit with the apple slaw and maple yogurt. We also got a side of the Cannellini Bean and Asparagus Salad, which was served topped with mint, raisins and a date chutney. Yum!

The Peasantry has plenty of other delectable-looking brunch dishes. How about a Blueberry Hand Pie or a Brunch Dog with bacon? I'm sure we'll be back for a brunch three-pete soon.

Roasted Beet Hash at The Peasantry

BowTruss Coffee in Lakeview

We were devastated when our favorite coffee shop closed last year. But the promise of a new spot, complete with roasting works on site, kept us going.

Since BowTruss opened over the summer, we haven't been disappointed. The weekend barristas greet Z and I warmly every Saturday and Sunday morning. The menu is basic--lattes, cappuccinos, drip coffee and pour overs in two sizes, eight and 16 ounces. Lattes and cappuccinos are smooth and delicious; I'm always disappointed when I finish the last drop. The pour over technique, which you've also seen at Intelligentsia, highlights the unique flavors in each carefully crafted and roasted coffee blend. So far, my favorite BowTruss coffee blend is from Rwanda. It's light, citrusy and refreshing.

Although BowTruss is just down the street from Intelligentsia in Lakeview, it seems to have a following of its own. The family-style tables are always filled with Lakeview residents pouring over books, magazines or their MacBooks. BowTruss doesn't serve food, but on weekends local bakeries and sweet shops, like Glazed & Infused, take over the table near the shop's window. 

Stop by BowTruss to try a super-smooth cappuccino or to pick up a bag of beans to try at home.

Saturday Night at Girl and the Goat

As part of our dining tour with Z's dad a couple of weekends ago, we spent Saturday night at Girl and the Goat. Our friends Alicia and Chris had made reservations months ago and were kind enough to invite us to share their table. Yes, that's still what it takes to get into GATG, unless you have a small table or want to wait for hours.

Even with a 9:15 p.m. reservation, we still had to wait a few minutes before we were seated. And like Nellcote, just down Randolph Street where we had eaten the night before, the dining room of GATG was loud. Very loud.

It's no secret that the food at GATG is excellent. Even then, a few dishes stood out during our experience. Because the menu changes so frequently and you may have a completely different selection to choose from, I'll mention our favorites very briefly.

The goat liver mousse was excellent, as were the roasted beets. Our server was doing us a favor when she recommended the sauteed green beans topped with cashews; they were crunchy and flavorful. The grilled baby octopus with a pistachio-lemon vinaigrette was perfectly cooked and lacked any of the chewiness that can come with octopus. The scallops that night came with short ribs. Yum!

The only thing I didn't care for was the dessert. It was some sort of cobbler with an overly-crunchy, flavorless topping.

Needless to say, we'll be back to GATG, whenever we can get in. 

2 Sparrows Brunch Redux

I first wrote about 2 Sparrows in early May. At the time it seemed to be the hot spot for brunch in north Lincoln Park. We left after the first visit feeling like the food had potential, but that it feel short. Nevertheless, given the reputation of its management team and how recently it had opened (September 2011), we thought we should give it another chance.

We went again last weekend, when Z's dad was in town for a visit. After picking up coffee from BowTruss (more on that in another post), we arrived at 2 Sparrows around noon on Saturday. 2 Sparrows does not take reservations, so the three of us waited about 20 minutes for a table. 

We scoured the menu while we were waiting for our table. When we sat down, I quickly ordered an orange juice and a Chile Relleno. 2 Sparrows has an orange juicer, so you know the juice is going to be fresh and delicious. My chile relleno came fried and stuffed with ooey gooey cheese, served on eggs scrambled with onions and peppers. I had high hopes for the chile. Unfortunately, after several bites, the fried dough became overpowering and the entire dish could have used more spice and flavor.

Z ordered the Bloody Norseman--2 Sparrows' version of a Bloody Mary complete with Beef Jerky and housemade bloody mix--and he and his dad each ordered the Duck Hash. The Bloody Norseman was a much stiffer drink than your average Bloody Mary and not nearly as smooth. While the Duck Hash wasn't as disappointing as my Chile Relleno, it's not reason enough to go back to 2 Sparrows. With all of the great brunch spots in Lincoln Park, including newcomer The Peasantry just around the corner, we can cross 2 Sparrows off of our list.

Gemini Bistro Redux

A few months ago, I raved about Gemini Bistro. When we went in February, we loved it. Perhaps it was the leisurely dinner over a holiday weekend. Or that we were with fun friends. My bet is on the cocktails and delicious foie gras dish we ate as an appetizer.

When Z and I returned to Gemini Bistro a few weeks ago, using a DailyCandy Deal I had recently purchased, I had high expectations. And you know what they say about high expectations...

We started with a glass of wine and a couple of salads--Yia's Yia's Salad and the Red & Golden Beet Salad.  I'm a sucker for beets. And beets with truffle vinaigrette--YUM! The first course was a success.

Next came the Mussels a la Biere and the Blackened Whitefish. Neither was bad, but both lacked flavor. Mussels have become so popular in Chicago recently. It seems like every restaurant I go to has at least one preparation of mussels on the menu. In order to stand out in a city full of mussels, they must be amazing. Gemini's didn't meet the mark.

We left Gemini disappointed. We thought we had found our go-to neighborhood bistro spot. We'll have to keep looking.

Brunch at Eggy's

Eggy's Diner is difficult to find. Looking at a map probably won't help. To make sure you don't spend a minimum of 15 minutes wandering around Lakeshore East until you find it, either go with someone who's been there before or someone who knows the neighborhood very well.

Once you do find Eggy's, which is in the same complex as Maison Brasserie and Mariano's Fresh Market, you'll enter a restaurant with a defined urban edge--open concept, high ceilings, lots of metal and wood. It's a cool, retro-ish space. I felt hip sitting there, drinking my coffee and eating my eggs with a few friends before we walked over to the AMC Theater on Illinois to watch "Dark Night".

I had high expectations for the food. The menu features dishes prepared by former Custom House chef de cuisine Zach Millican and pastry chef Erin Moony. And while the special of the day, the chilaquiles,  was very flavorful and deliciously prepared, the other dishes my friends and I ordered didn't meet the mark. The two omelets at the table were a rubbery. The breakfast sandwich was tasty, but small.

Eggy's is still finding its space in the Chicago brunch scene. Our server told us they were trying out specials to see what stuck and would add them to the menu as they found things patrons liked. I'll give Eggy's a few months before I go back for round two and try the Peter and the Wolf (pastrami hash topped with two fried eggs and horseradish cream) or a delectable addition to the menu.

Las Fuentes in Lincoln Park

I've walked past Las Fuentes at the corner of Halsted and Wrightwood countless times. The large outdoor patio area with colorful lights always looked fun, but given its size and location in the heart of Lincoln Park, I had low expectations about the cuisine.

One Friday night, when Z and I didn't want to venture too far from home, we decided to check it out. We sat on the patio, where we could enjoy fresh air, the lively conversation of our fellow diners, and the Olympics on a few large, flat screen TVs.

We started with the standard chips and salsa to accompany our half-pitcher of margaritas. After informing the waitstaff that the standard salsa would be too mild, Z took his salsa up a notch with a bottle of habanero sauce. The waitstaff kept stopping our table to check on his progress with the habanero sauce and when he proved worthy of the spice, they offered him a fresh, whole habanero pepper to accompany his meal.

We rounded out our first course with guacamole. Although the guac was good and did have a nice, not overly citrusy flavor, it wasn't as good as the perfectly seasonsed, table-side guac served at some restaurants. It was definitely better than the margaritas, which began to taste a little harsh after a half-glass.

For my main dish, I ordered the Cochinita Pibil (marinated pork, baked in a banana leaf), while Z chose the Chile Tipico en Nogade (chiles in walnut sauce). My pork was perfectly cooked, juicy and tender with light yet distinct flavors. The walnut sauce, covered with pomegranate seeds, made Z's dish unique, but we both found the sauce too sweet and heavy. Z added flavor to the dish with the habanero pepper.

Las Fuentes more than exceeded my expectations and I was excited to see other delicious-looking dishes on the menu. You can't go wrong with a Molcajete or shrimp in mole poblano sauce.

Las Fuentes has two other locations--one in Stickney (southwest suburban Chciago) and one in Alsip (south suburban Chicago).

Street Food in Lincoln Park

As is the trend at mid-priced, popular restaurants in Chicago, The Peasantry doesn't take reservations. So when we arrived with a group of six on a Saturday night, we expected to wait a while. What we found, however, was a very welcoming hostess who went out of her way to find us a table as quickly as possible. We waited about 15-20 minutes while we sipped our drinks at the bar. And the hostess assured us our wait would be shorter "once the basement is open," which should happen soon.

Once we arrived at our table, we started with Poutine with Duck Confit and completed our first course with an order of Truffle Fries and Roasted Beet Flatbread. The fries are waffle fries, which automatically makes them taste better. Not that they needed much help. Aside from a bit too much grease on the fries, everything in that course was delicious.

Z ordered the Beef and Bone Marrow Burger for his entree, while the Baby Octopus Gyro caught my eye. Turns out my choice won. The burger was good, but in a town full of excellent burgers, it doesn't stand out. While my gyro was flavorful, not at all chewy, as is the risk with octopus, and appropriately light. The Chicken and Corn Pancake Gyro was another popular dish at the table.

We finished our meal with an order of the churros, encrusted with macadamia nuts and accompanied by a white chocolate hibiscus anglaise sauce. The churros had a lovely flavor and crunch, while the sauce fell a little flat.

I'm already planning my next meal at The Peasantry. Assuming it's not brunch, where the Pancetta and Chocolate Waffle would get my vote, doesn't the Pickled Lamb Tongue Flatbread with red wine marinated feta, arugula and sous vide artichokes sound delicious?

Chic Cuisine in River North

We went to Paris Club once before, more than a year ago, before it was the small plates hot spot in River North. Now, about a year-and-a-half after the French-themed Lettuce Entertain You restaurant opened in the former Brasserie Jo space, this post isn't telling you anything you don't already know: If you can get past the tables full of 20s and 30s-somethings dressed to the nines for girls-night out and guys-night out, the food is really good. It may even be worth putting up with a club-like atmosphere while you eat your meal.

On our visit a few weeks ago, equipped with a generous gift certificate from a friend, we started at the bar while we waited for our table. Just a few minutes later we were brought to our table in the back of the restaurant.

The atmosphere is loud, just like you would find in a bumpin' club. Fortunately or unfortunately, we were near the servers' station, which offered a small reprieve from the noise, but a constant flow of traffic from servers entering orders.

We started out with the Chilled Seafood Platter and a Charcuterie Board, followed quickly by two escargot bourguignonnes, a cauliflower and arugula salad, braised brussels sprouts and green beans with hazelnuts.

Everything on the seafood platter was delicious, but the lobster was particularly divine. Z and I agreed that it was better lobster tail than the lobster tail we'd had at a VIP wedding at The Breakers in June. The escargot bourguigonne also surprised me. I would have ordered another if it hadn't been for my stuffed stomach.

The biggest disappointment came on the Charcuterie Board in the form of a sausage. It wasn't bad, probably good at many restaurants, but it was keeping elite company and came up short.

You can make a reservation at Paris Club on OpenTable.

Sushi in West Town

Chef's choice sashimi at Arami

Despite a conspicuous location on a dingier stretch of Chicago Avenue, Arami's interior is bright and welcoming. We went on a busy Saturday evening in early June with a group of six that arrived piecemeal. Nevertheless, the staff was friendly and accommodating.

Bon Appetite magazine ranked Arami one of the top 10 sushi spots in the country. A very high honor that comes with equally high expectations.

On the whole, Arami didn't disappoint. After sampling some cocktails, the uni shooters were a fabulous way to start the meal. The Chef's Choice sashimi platter (top photo above) at another table caught our eye while we were still ordering drinks. Our table saved room for two and it didn't disappoint. All of the fish at Arami was very fresh and many of the rolls had a very unique flavor.

More sashimi at Arami

Unfortunately, all of this flavor and freshness comes at a prices. (Or maybe it was our ordering exuberance...) Our final tab came to more than $100 per person including drinks. And as Z said, "I'm still hungry!" With Z claiming starvation, we walked down the street and around the corner to Black Dog Gelato for a sweet end to the day. 

GT Fish & Oyster Bar in River North

My foodie friends--and all-around great friends and people!--Andrea and Javier were back in Chicago last week for their next Next dining experience. (They successfully stalked the Next website and got tickets to all four dining experiences, on dates that fit with their schedule. Impressive!)

When A & J come to town, we always try a fun new, hot spot. Last summer it was Aviary. Earlier this spring we stopped by Au Cheval. This time we checked out GT Fish & Oyster in River North. (GT Fish & Oyster, which has been open more than a year now, does not fit the "new" criteria. But given our wait with a reservation on a Monday night, it seems to fit the "hot spot" criteria.)

We bid our time while we waited for our table with cocktails. I started with a Waitlist, Javier had a Manhattan and Z had a Cleanbreak. On a hot summer evening, I really liked the refreshing flavors in the vodka-based Waitlist and the gin-based Cleanbreak.

With four adventurous eaters, we were able to sample most of the small plates on the menu that caught our eyes. We started with a delicious chilled corn soup with crab (a special, not on the regular menu), Foie Gras & Shrimp Terrine and Tuna Poke. The Oyster Shooters also made our list of cold plates, but I wouldn't order them again; the flavors in the shooter didn't come together very well.

Tuna Poke & Chilled Corn Soup

I wasn't disappointed with any of the hot plates we ordered. The Steamed Alaskan Halibut was perfectly cooked and perfectly paired with basil and pea broth, roasted fennel and squid ink couscous. The Shrimp Ravioli melted in my mouth just before another delicious pasta dish, the GT "Mac and Cheese" with lobster and English peas. The Lobster Roll with pickled vegetables and fried onions was a delicious twist on the New England classic.

Shrimp Ravioli

With 30 dishes on the standard menu and plenty of specials, GT Fish & Oyster offers many reasons for a repeat visit. Its affordable prices make sure your wallet doesn't suffer too much. You can make reservations at OpenTable.

Frog n Snail in Lakeview

When Sura Thai Bistro closed in mid-2011, I felt a void in my Lakeview dining options. Z and I ordered from Sura Thai often and thought it was one of the better Thai spots in the Lakeview area, despite its healthy dose of sushi on the menu. So when I heard that Dale Levitski was taking over the Sura Thai space to open a new hot spot, I had high expectations.

My friend Jenny and I stopped by Frog n Snail for a Tuesday night dinner in late May. We arrived a few minutes before 8 p.m. and waited about five minutes for a table. (Frog n Snail does not take reservations at this time.)

Our waiter was patient as we caught up, took our time with the menu and asked questions about various dishes. Frog 'n Snail has a full bar and select beers and wines. For a beverage, we both decided on a the Great Lakes "Burning River" Pale Ale draft, which was nice and light for a warmer evening but lacked flavor.

For dinner, we shared a few smaller plates. I loved the flavor in the Truffle Chiffon, but Jenny and I both agreed it could use some toasted bread. The Sweet Pea Risotto was predictable and bland. The Slow Roasted Torn Salmon with creme fraiche, egg, fingerling potato, beets and fennel was a surprisingly delicious blend of flavors. We gambled on the Mushroom and Peach Buckwheat Herbed Crepes and won! They were delicious. Given my new-found crepe-making expertise, I'd like to try them at home.


We waited more than 30 minutes between our first and second courses. Not unusual for a new restaurant, but another reason that I'll give Frog 'n Snail a couple of months before I try it again. While Frog 'n Snail may occupy Sura Thai's space, my taste buds are holding out for more. After a few months of working out service kinks and making updates to the menu, I have high hopes Frog 'n Snail won't disappoint my taste buds. 

Making Sushi!

For years I thought sushi was too complicated to make at home. The seaweed, the perfectly-cooked sticky rice, the sushi-grade quality fish. It's all so precise, which is why I've happily paid $15 per roll to have an expert hand-craft it for me.

But a sushi-making class with I Wish Lessons taught me that making sushi doesn't need to be a sticky situation.

Sushi roll ingredient spread

At the class, my friend Vicky and I each made three rolls: a veggie roll with rice on the inside, a California roll and a spicy tuna roll. We started with the simplest (veggie roll) and worked our way up to the spicy tuna roll.

Rice on seaweed for the veggie roll

Our sushi rolling instructor recently got a job at Ra in the Gold Coast and has been rolling sushi for eight years. She's very passionate about her craft and was happy to answer questions. The other I Wish staffers distributed ingredients for our rolls while the bartender (The class was held at The Joynt.) made sure our drinks were never empty.

Cutting bite-sized pieces of the veggie roll

Our I Wish sushi-making lesson didn't use top-of-the-line tools or a beautiful test kitchen, like you might find at The Chopping Block. But it was well-organized, affordable and covered the basics I would want to know before attempting to roll some fish at home. Next up: An Advanced Sushi-Making Class!

Spicy tuna roll

The End of an American Cafe

A few weeks ago, we went to brunch at Erwin for the first time. Erwin has been in Lakeview for years, 18 to be exact. It's a staple in neighborhood and a highly-regarded cafe serving simple but good, quality food. Perhaps this is why I was surprised to read on Eater Chicago that the cafe is closing.

Our brunch wasn't fancy. I had a salmon scramble, Z had a salmon omelette and Adi, Z's friend, had a salmon benedict. (You can guess our word of the day.) But it was good. Erwin seems like the kind of restaurant that isn't trying to chase the latest trend, but rather focuses on consistency and quality. Unfortunately, you won't have much longer to try the food. Erwin closes Sunday, July 1st.

Making Crepes

To keep ourselves out of trouble during the NATO summit a couple of weekends ago, Z and I made a bunch of fun plans, most of which involved avoiding the immediate downtown area.

Flip Crepe's crepe-making classes in the company's training facility certainly fit that criteria. The training facility is located in an stretch of old warehouse buildings on Fulton Market Street not far from Intelligentsia's coffee roasting tour. The classes fit other criteria too--interactive, fun and satiating.

Z carefully measuring ingredients

We arrived at our brunch-making class and were immediately welcomed with a mimosa. Our instructor had also prepared a beautiful buffet for our brunch, complete with savory and sweet ingredients. Think caviar, eggs, bacon, Nutella, raspberries and bananas. Yum! Our instructor assured us we could sample the buffet as soon as our crepes were prepared.

While making crepes from scratch may sound intimidating, the staff at FliP Crepes breaks them down the process into bite-sized steps. Finding the right balance and proportion of the ingredients is important. Once you've figured that out, you're on your way.

Keeping a watchful eye on my crepe

Z and I learned something new about each other through the process. It turns out we're both star crepe flippers!

Z flipping a crepe

My turn

FliP Crepes offers its brunch-making classes on Saturdays and Sundays. Be sure to book your class in advance. 

This Horse Knows How to Cook!

Back in March, during an unseasonably warm stretch of weather in Chicago, I went to Au Cheval twice in one week. I was inspired to be out-of-doors exploring the new haunts in the West Loop, but realized I didn't need to go farther than the corner of Randolph and Halsted streets.

Occupying a long, narrow, dimly lit space, Au Cheval didn't look like much when I first stepped inside. The long bar and open kitchen give it the ambiance of a 1950s diner. It's charming and approachable. The staff is friendly and the patrons range from hipsters, to neighborhood yuppies, to hard-core foodies, to all of the above.

Salad at Au Cheval

On my first visit to Au Cheval, I went with my friend Vicky. She resisted the temptation of rich food and stuck with a salad (herbes and sherry vinaigrette). I, on the other hand, caved and indulged in the toasted open-faced ham and cheese fondue with fried egg. Oh, was it rich! But also delicious. I balanced out my meat and cheese with a side of bread and butter pickles, similar to my mom's recipe. I washed everything down with a pint of wheat beer. Vicky opted for a cocktail.

Open-faced sandwich

Bread and butter pickles

On my second visit to Au Cheval with Z and friends Andrea and Javier, Andrea and I split the foie gras terrine with tart cherry jam. This particular preparation of foie gras was better than the preparation I had Maude's a couple of months ago. I'm salivating just thinking about it.

Foie gras terrine with tart cherry jam

Balena on a Friday Night

Since Balena opened in the middle of March, critics have given it nothing but rave reviews. (Four stars from TimeOut Chicago, the subsequent posting on Eater Chicago, a write up in Daily Candy Chicago) This combined with the backing of The Bristol and The Boka Group, (Think: GT Fish & Oyster, Girl & the Goat, Perennial Virant and, of course, Boka) gave me high expectations for my meal. Perhaps too high.

On a busy Friday night in early May, we had to wait about 15 minutes after our 9 p.m. reservation. Especially for a new restaurant, I consider that on-time. We got a table for three on the mezzanine floor, near the kitchen. If you didn't know Balena occupies the same space that Landmark Bar & Grill occupied until mid-2011, you'd never guess. The space has been transformed beautifully to look like a rustic Italian farmhouse.

The wine list is exhaustive and almost exclusively Italian, with a couple of bottles from Slovenia, Greece, Lebanon and Israel thrown in. I tried a glass of Sangiovese from Lazio, while Z tried a glass from Tuscany. Neither glass was bad, but I think mine was better.

We started with the Tuscan Kale Salad and a burrata with beets, which seems to have disappeared from the online menu. I liked both. The kale salad had a pleasant citrus flavor and the beets were perfectly cooked. Next came the Tagliolini Nero with Crab, Sea Urchin and Chile. Z and I both love uni (sea urchin), but had never tried it in pasta. The dish was good, just a touch too salty and could have used more sea urchin. I loved the crust on my pizza. It was appropriately salty and crispy and very flavorful. The ingredients on the pizza itself, pancetta with some vegetables (also no longer on the online menu) were just o.k.

Nothing at Balena was disappointing, but only the pizza crust made me want to come back for more. But that's enough to entice me to come back. That and the other delectable-looking dishes that caught my eye--charred quail, short ribs and whole roasted fish. With all of the recent press, getting a table may be another story.

Make Way for Goslings

I'm not a fan of geese. In fact, I think they're some of the nastiest animals on the planet. And may the nastiest in an urban area. But baby animals always make me smile, regardless of their menacing nature as adults.

I've been watching this family for a while. Mom and Dad seem very attentive and protective.

The little family about three weeks ago

The babies

I saw them again last week, stopping car traffic as they crossed the street to go back to their plot of land on the Chicago River near the East Bank Club. Mom and Dad still hover over their little brood. 

Three weeks later their goose-shape has started to fill in.
They look like fluffier versions of their parents.

Friday Night in Little Italy

One Friday night in April, Z and I had the luxury of not having plans and not being so tired from the week that all we could do was sit on the couch with take-out Thai food and Netflix. I had wanted to check out the new Urban Union space in Little Italy for a while, so we used our free time as an opportunity for a field trip.

Little Italy is easy to get to on the Pink Line. Just take it to the Polk stop, walk a few blocks east and a few blocks south to Taylor Street, the heart of little Italy. As Z pointed out, Little Italy doesn't look particularly Italian. If you didn't know you were on Taylor Street, you could be in Bucktown, or Lincoln Park or Lakeview.  It's a lovely tree-lined street with a healthy dose of restaurants and bars.

Before dinner, we grabbed a drink at Beviamo, a cute wine and cocktail bar at the corner of Taylor and Ada streets. On Friday night, the bar features live piano music beginning around 8 p.m. Later in the evening, a DJ spins.

We had a late-ish reservation at Urban Union, around 8:30 p.m., which was the earliest I could get same-day on a Friday. We arrived a few minutes early, checked in and were told we would be seated soon. In the meantime, we grabbed a couple of glasses of wine at the bar. One of Urban Union's claims to fame is the wine on tap. Our wine was o.k. Z's was better and less dry than mine, but neither was worth writing about.

Thirty minutes later, we were still standing at the crowded bar, waiting for our table. After 45 minutes, we started hovering near the hostess stand. Annoying, yes, but by this point we were starving. We had a reservation and were already 45 minutes past the time of our reservation. Finally, after we'd been waiting nearly an hour, we were brought to a table in the back of the restaurant.

We ordered quickly--Spring Fava Beans, Frites, Wood Oven Roasted Marrow Bones, Grilled Stuffed Fresh Squid, Bar Harbor Mussels. Nothing that we ordered was bad. Most items were average to slightly above average, but the Grilled Fresh Stuffed Squid was divine. I would go back to Urban Union just for the squid. Just maybe not on a busy Friday night.

After our meal, we had just enough room to split a dessert. Z isn't a huge fan of desserts, but does seem to have a soft spot for bread pudding-type dishes. We ordered the Sticky Date Pudding, a date cake with butterscotch and vanilla sauce, topped with creme fraiche ice cream. Amazing.

A Little Birdy Told Me about a Hot Brunch Spot in Lincoln Park...

Wall of canning jars just inside the entrance at 2 Sparrows

Plan your visit to 2 Sparrows strategically. Despite opening more than seven months ago in September 2011, this popular brunch spot is still mobbed around weekend brunch hours and doesn't take reservations. Z and I tried to go one weekend and were told we would wait more than an hour. We tried again the next Sunday around 2 p.m. and waited just a few minutes. Note: This is a risky proposition; 2 Sparrows closes at 3 p.m. every day.

Given the amount of press the restaurant has earned and the track record of its culinary and management team, we had high expectations for 2 Sparrows. Z, who naturally gravitates toward breakfast sandwiches, ordered the Belly Sandwich. The sandwich looked beautiful--a fluffy biscuit hugged pork belly, a sunny-side up egg and pickled onions. But looks aren't everything. Z said the biscuit provided too much bread, masking the flavors of the sandwich.

My Chilaquiles were equally uninspiring. I liked the crisp corn tortilla chips, but found the tomatillo salsa too limey. We did enjoy our coffee.

One data point isn't enough to write off a restaurant, so we will be back to 2 Sparrows--if we can get a table.

Mansion Museum in River North

Chicago is known for its museums. Tourists from all over the world come to see the Art Institute of Chicago, the Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium, the Museum of Science & Industry and even the Museum of Contemporary Art. But for locals who've lived in the city for a while, rotating between the major museums can get monotonous.

Office or study at the Driehaus Museum

To break the routine and still get my cultural fix, I decided to check out the Driehaus Museum in River North. Several acquaintances told me about the museum; they liked its beautiful, authentic decor and the historical context it represents--the Gilded Age in Chicago in the late 19th century.

Parlor room at the front of the house

We went on a chilly Saturday afternoon and splurged on the guided tour, which is an extra $5 per person. (The standard  admission fee is $20 per person.) The tour added at least 60 minutes to the visit, but was well-worth the time and expense. Our tour guide, Mary, was very knowledgeable and obviously loved the museum. 

Dining room at the Driehaus Museum

The first floor of the house has the standard rooms of the late 19th century elite--a grand entrance, a parlor at the front of the house, a beautiful dining rooms and other sitting rooms scattered throughout the floor. My favorite room sits at the back of the house; it's a beautiful library, turned conservatory complete with a beautiful stained glass dome. 

Beautiful dome in the conservatory at the Driehaus Museum

The second floor of the house features the family's bedrooms and a beautiful balcony area that overlooks the foyer on the first floor. The third floor features a terrific party room that can be reserved for private events.

Japanese vases at the Driehaus Museum

The Driehaus Museum is open Tuesday-Saturday from 10a-5p and Sunday noon-5p. It's also available for private tours and other private events. On the first and third Tuesday of every month, the museum offers a Twilight Tour. A walking tour of other Gilded Age-buildings in the neighborhood is offered on the

first and third Saturdays of the month beginning April 7th and ending November 17, 2012.

(Another) Wednesday Night at the Goodman

Fish Men begins on a hot summer's day at the chess tables in Washington Square Park in New York. A group of chess hustlers dream of easier times and more vulnerable opponents, aka "fish men". They get their wish when Rey Reyes (Raul Castillo) splashes into their pit.

Rey seems to be just what the hustlers ordered--young, naive and with enough disposable income to play into the hustlers hands. But as the story evolves with seamless dialogue and understated wit, Rey reveals his true reasons for coming to the chess tables. And Rey isn't the only character with a painful past and uncertain future.

Please go and see Fish Men, playing at the Goodman Theater until May 6th. It will captivate you and keep you thinking long after the show is over. Late on a Wednesday night, the show I attended received a standing ovation from a nearly full house.

Tickets  are still available.

BYOB Asian Bistro in the West Loop

The Lake Street corridor, just under the Green and Pink Line El train tracks, can be dicey. Businesses that aren't in the meat packing industry seem to come and go frequently. At any given time, about 25% of store fronts are empty and the roar of the train passing overhead blocks daylight and masks neighborhood sounds of bird chirping, children playing and even cars driving by.

While Lake Street may not be the most scenic street in the city for a stroll, it and nearby Randolph Street offers excellent dining options, including the recent addition of Anna's Bistro.

Anna's emphasizes its take out and delivery business, but if you eat at the restaurant, Anna's menu resembles a constitutional law book. It's filled with a wide variety of Asian cuisine--Thai, sushi, Laoatian, Vietnamese, Indian and more. I'm wary of dining at restaurants that seem to be a jack-of-all-trades, and Z and I were initially overwhelmed by the options when we dined on a busy Friday night. We took our time with the menu and eventually decided on a variety of dishes representing nearly all of the ethnicities that Anna's menu covers.

Z loves shumai, so we started with that. While it is difficult to disappoint with shumai, we were genuinely impressed with Anna's. Our other favorite dishes on the menu included the Peking Duck Bun, The Samurai sushi roll and the Filipino Pansit Noodles. The best part about Anna's: our delicious meal was about $50, thanks to the affordable food prices and BYOB liquor policy. We'll definitely be back to Anna's.

You probably won't need it, but you can make a reservation at Anna's on Open Table.

Slurp your dinner in River North

Slurping Turtle opened at the perfect time of year in Chicago--late November. What makes Chicagoans want to eat hot, salty noodles more than blistery winds and freezing temperatures? With perfect timing and the reputations of its predecessors Takashi in Bucktown and Noodles by Takashi Yagihashi at Seven on State paving the way, Slurping Turtle has been mobbed since it opened.

I finally had a chance to go on Tuesday night with my friend Tamara. At 7:30 p.m. we were seated right away at a booth. Tamara ordered a sake, while I opted for a glass of Vouvray. The menu offers an impressive selection of items from the bincho grill and sashimi, dumplings and other hot tapas, but Tamara and I went straight to the noodles.

Tamara's Shoyu Ramen was predictably delicious, but I was more impressed with the broth in my Slurping Noodles. My dish contained a healthy dose of cilantro, which I will never protest.

Red Bean Macaroon at Slurping Turtle

We concluded our meal with a couple of macaroons. While Slurping Turtles' macaroons may be inspired by the traditional French cookies, the cookie portion is much heavier and the fillings much more unique. Tamara's was filled with traditional red bean paste, while mine contained a delicious caramel soy concoction. 

Caramel Soy Macaroon

Slurping Turtle does not take reservations, so I recommend going at an off time, like a weeknight or an early lunch or dinner on a weekend. Bear in mind that it closes from 3 to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and doesn't open until 5 p.m. on Sundays. 

Branchin' Out at Branch 27

Friends Kelley and Peter (mentioned in the previous post) had been raving about Branch 27 for months. I felt like I was missing out, so when my friend Arianne came into town and we needed a dinner spot in a location that was accessible to both downtown and the interstate, I picked Branch 27.

The space itself was enough to peak my interest. Branch 27 is located in the former 27th ward Chicago Public Library building. Hence the name, Branch 27. As a lifelong nerd and bookworm, anything related to a library has a special place in my heart.

Branch 27's cocktail menu is particularly intriguing, but on a cold and rainy Wednesday night, Arianne, our friend Alicia and I decided that a bottle of Four Vines Zinfandel was our best bet.

In keeping with the need for comfort food on stormy night, we all ordered a bowl of flavorful, creamy tomato soup. (Branch 27 changes its menu from time-to-time and the tomato soup is no longer on the standard menu.)

Delicious tomato soup at Branch 27

I ordered the rib eye sandwich (also no longer on the menu), while Alicia ordered the PEI Mussels and Arianne opted for the Housemade Tagliatelle. They both enjoyed their dishes. My sandwich had a really nice flavor, but could have been split between two people. 

Rib eye sandwich at Branch 27

If a large portion size is my only complaint, I'd say dinner at Branch 27 was a success! During the week you probably won't need it, but you can make a reservation on OpenTable.

An American Bistro in Lincoln Park

My dining companions at Gemini Bistro

If you're not looking for it, you'll zoom right past Gemini Bistro on Lincoln Avenue. But if you are looking for the cool flatiron building, you'll appreciate the clean exterior and convenient location in the middle of Lincoln Park. Parking is usually easy on Lincoln Avenue and the restaurant isn't too far from public transit.

The location is great and the building is a unique design, but, really, you should visit Gemini for the food. And drinks. And the homey atmosphere.

Our table wasn't quite ready on a busy Sunday night during restaurant week, so we started at the bar. I had a delicious Chicago Sidecar, while Z had a Lychee Martini, one of his go-to drinks.

We dined with friends Kelley and Peter, also adventurous foodies, so we had the luxury of being able to try many dishes on the menu. My favorite dish of the evening was a special--foie gras atop a toasted ciabata, accompanied by a cherry chutney. We ordered two. It was that good. Z still talks about it and holds it up as the gold standard in foie gras.

Other favorites on the menu included the Creamless Tomato Soup, the Baby Beet Salad and the Truffle Parmesan Fries. I typically love brussels sprots, but I found the sprouts at Gemini to be mushy and flavorless. The Gemini Burger wasn't anything special either.

Gemini Bistro is another Michelin Bib Gourmand winner. You can make a reservation on OpenTable. In the warmer months, request a table outside on the sidewalk cafe.

Awesome Aviary

Mike ordered the classic "In the Rocks"

I thank my super-foodie friends Andrea and Javier for introducing me to Aviary last summer. They don't even live in Chicago and know all of the hippest spots! Aviary is perfect for a special occasion, a birthday or other celebration or just a fun night on the town. What makes Aviary such a great place to take out-of-town guests is the unique presentation and careful detail in each and every drink. It represents some of the most innovative culinary presentation the city has to offer. When Betsy and Mike were in town a few weekends ago and we wanted to grab drinks before dinner, we knew just where to take them.

Betsy's drink

Aviary accepts reservations if you email them in advance. Seating times are 6 p.m., 8 p.m. or 10 p.m. I recommend making a reservation to avoid waiting an hour or more on a typical Friday night. Guests dining at Next, which is adjacent to Aviary, have preference at Aviary.

My drink--"The Ginger". Seems better suited for Mike.

Don't come to Aviary expecting to eat a full meal with your drinks. The menu features delectable bite-sized portions, but you'd have to eat the entire meal at least twice to get a decent meal.

Pina Colada--My favorite drink of the evening

Magnificent Maude's

Tenderloin steak tartare and chicken liver mousse at Maude's

A few weekends ago, we had some celebrating to do. My sister Betsy and her fiance Mike were in town to celebrate their engagement and spend some time in the big city. We took a (calculated) risk and took them to, Maude's Liquor Bar.  

The happy couple at Maude's

A week in advance, the earliest reservation for four on a Friday night was 9:30 p.m. Now I understand why. 

Walking into Maude's, I felt like I had stepped into a quaint roadside bar in Europe. The interior, down to the soap and towels in the restrooms, is tastefully done and appropriately French. Maude's food is refreshingly pure and simple, yet rich and flavorful. We started out with a platter of oysters, carefully comparing East Coast and West Coast. We ended up with a two-two split on the winner. 

Z and me and the oysters

Then came our small plates. The tenderloin steak tartare was one of the best preparations of tartare I've tasted in Chicago. The chicken liver mousse had a lovely flavor, not too pungent and appropriately creamy. I've been on a foie gras kick recently and I found the foie gras pate a bit plain, but that's only in relation to the other fabulous dishes on the menu. I could have skipped the Traditional Cassoulet, too. I felt guilty eating all of that meat without some veggies, so we ordered the Brussels Sprouts. They were good, but the 'sprouts at The Gage still have my heart. Smothered with brie and bacon, they're the best I've found in the city. 

Although Maude's full name is "Maude's Liquor Bar", go to Maude's for the food. The drinks are good, but they pale in comparison to the food.

Wednesday night at the Goodman

My friend Nicole and I have a very limited subscription to the Goodman Theater. Recently, we had the privilege of seeing "The Convert" in the Owen Theater.

The play takes place in colonial Zimbabwe around the turn of the 19th century in the home of Chilford, a native Zimbabwean man, with aspirations of becoming a priest in the Roman Catholic church. Chilford employs Mai Tamba and later Jakesai, who comes to be known as Ester As the title of the play would suggest, Chilford works tirelessly to convert the natives in his town. His efforts have varying degrees of success. But no convert seems as pure or as righteous as Ester.

And that is the crux of the play. Throughout "The Convert", Ester struggles with fully adopting her new way of life, while feeling a sense of duty to her family and her culture.

The first act of the play was slow and full of context-setting dialog. On a Wednesday night, it's difficult for me to sit through a performance that doesn't immediately grab my attention. But I persevered and the acts improved. The third act was by far the best. Suspenseful, dramatic and compelling, I was disappointed when the play was over.

"The Convert" plays at the Goodman Theater until Sunday, March 25th.

Jazz & Classical Music at Julius Meinl

A few weekends ago, I met my friend Tamara for a late afternoon coffee beverage at Julius Meinl, a cute European-style coffee house at Southport and Addison. Our beverages came on an adorable tray.

Tamara was running late, so I had a few extra minutes to scope out the pastry case and read the menu. After settling on a mango smoothie (Tamara had a chai tea latte.), I flipped to the back of the menu and noticed a line up of concerts at Julius Meinl's Southport and Lincoln Square locations. Concerts are Friday and Saturday nights and often feature musicians who play for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra or have won or been nominated for a Grammy. I'll let you know when I check one out!

Julius Meinl is a Vienna-based coffee purveyor with a few locations in Chicago, including a soon-to-open cafe in Ravenswood. My mango smoothie probably had a lot of sugar, but it was delicious.

At Julius Meinl on Southport

Mom's first sushi

Sushi spread at Sushi Mon in Lincoln Park

I'm so proud of my mom! A couple of weekends ago, she finally took the plunge and fully embraced sushi. And not just California rolls and spicy tuna rolls. She went off the deep end and tried a dragon roll, a cucumber roll with raw tuna and a salmon appetizer, also raw.

We took her to Sushi Mon in Lincoln Park, a quaint BYOB place with some of the freshest, most affordable sushi in the city. Z and I stop by at least a couple of times a month and have never been disappointed. (Our favorite is the fresh gold uni they often carry.)

We started with miso soup and green salad, followed by the salmon appetizer--a piece of raw salmon wrapped around cucumber, avocado and crab meat.  Next came the crunchy California roll, which turned out to be Mom's favorite and contrary to her customary position of refusing shellfish or "bottom feeders" as she calls them.

We finished up with a Dragon roll of the pressed variety, another Sushi Mon specialty, a Vienna roll and a Viola roll.

Mom before her Vienna roll

And after! Yum!

Lotta gelato in Ukranian Village

(Photo courtesy Black Dog Gelato)

(Photo courtesy Black Dog Gelato)

Outside of Italy, authentic, creamy, flavorful gelato is hard to find. While nothing can compete with the experience of eating gelato while strolling through the streets of Roma, Black Dog Gelato comes close to the creaminess of real Italian gelato. And its flavors are unlike any I've found.

We went to Black Dog this past weekend with my parents and each of the eight flavors we ate between the four of us was divine in its own right. I tried a Salted Peanut/Goat Cheese Cashew Caramel combination. Z tried a lighter fruit combination, while my mom went for chocolate/vanilla and my dad opted for a Salted Peanut/Bourbon Apricot combination.

Flavors change daily. Black Dog is open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays in the winter, with longer hours in warmer months. If you "like" the shop on Facebook, you'll get updates about new flavors and gelato-making classes.