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.
Monday, November 5, 2012
Thursday, October 18, 2012
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.
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.
Thursday, October 11, 2012
The Peasantry for brunch
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.
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| Roasted Beet Hash at The Peasantry |
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
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.
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.
Monday, September 24, 2012
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.
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.
Sunday, September 16, 2012
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.
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.
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
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.
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.
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