Frog 'N Snail Redux

After having dinner at Frog 'N Snail a few times, Z and I decided to try it for brunch. (Admittedly, this post is a few months old now, but the brunch menu hasn't changed much since we went and both of the dishes we ordered are still available.)

Always a sucker for a big, juicy burger with fried egg on top, Z's eyes and stomach went straight for The Burger, an Agnus and short rib burger with shallots, fried green tomatoes and Boursin. Not surprisingly, he loved it.

I opted for the Duck Hash Benedict because it featured a few of my favorite things: duck leg, root vegetables and banana bread. Yes, banana bread. The bread itself was yummy--moist and flavorful--but it was a little too sweet for the rest of the dish. I would order the dish again with a sourdough bread. Or maybe a buttermilk biscuit.

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.

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.

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. 

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.