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.
Thursday, April 11, 2013
Lunch near the not-so-new office
I'm embarrassed by how long it's been since I've posted a blog entry. More than three months!! I could claim busyness with working full-time, planning a wedding, planning a trip around the world. But it's also not making writing a priority.
Now, with my wedding quickly approaching and the promise that Z and I would give guests ideas of things to do in Chicago, it's time to step up my blogging game. I'll start with a sandwich spot I tried recently near my not-so-new office. (I didn't change jobs. Rather, my company moved to a new office building for the third time in the three years that I've been there....)
Bombacigno's J & C at 558 West Van Buren looks like an outdated dry goods store from the exterior. With an oversized awning and bars over the windows, I expected to step inside and send a letter via the Pony Express, not order a delicious sandwich.
But with 4.5 starts on Yelp and a 100% rating on Urban Spoon, I figured it was worth sampling a sandwich. The space inside mirrors the outside. It's dark with an old hardwood floor. But the crowds of business people inside don't seem to mind. A large chalkboard with the names of sandwiches, pastas, soups and salads lines the entire back wall. Once I figured out how to read the handwriting on the wall, I found some delicious-looking sandwiches, including a smoked turkey on focaccia served with a light pasta salad.
My colleague and I took our sandwiches to the additional seating area on the second floor. The stairs to the second floor have a definite downward slant to the right and the walls upstairs are lined with old newspapers and memorabilia of Chicago of yesteryear. Just like the building its located in and the memories that line its walls, Bombacigno's food and service has stood the test of time
Now, with my wedding quickly approaching and the promise that Z and I would give guests ideas of things to do in Chicago, it's time to step up my blogging game. I'll start with a sandwich spot I tried recently near my not-so-new office. (I didn't change jobs. Rather, my company moved to a new office building for the third time in the three years that I've been there....)
Bombacigno's J & C at 558 West Van Buren looks like an outdated dry goods store from the exterior. With an oversized awning and bars over the windows, I expected to step inside and send a letter via the Pony Express, not order a delicious sandwich.
But with 4.5 starts on Yelp and a 100% rating on Urban Spoon, I figured it was worth sampling a sandwich. The space inside mirrors the outside. It's dark with an old hardwood floor. But the crowds of business people inside don't seem to mind. A large chalkboard with the names of sandwiches, pastas, soups and salads lines the entire back wall. Once I figured out how to read the handwriting on the wall, I found some delicious-looking sandwiches, including a smoked turkey on focaccia served with a light pasta salad.
My colleague and I took our sandwiches to the additional seating area on the second floor. The stairs to the second floor have a definite downward slant to the right and the walls upstairs are lined with old newspapers and memorabilia of Chicago of yesteryear. Just like the building its located in and the memories that line its walls, Bombacigno's food and service has stood the test of time
Thursday, December 27, 2012
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.
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.
Monday, November 5, 2012
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.
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.
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.
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