Storefront City Chicago

04 Apr 2013

Native Foods Café

WHAT: Native Foods Café
WHERE: 1023 W. Belmont Ave. (also 218 S. Clark St., 1484 N. Milwaukee Ave.)

OUR RATING: Do It! (Choose certain dishes)

nf6

Welcome to the small chain offering fast-casual made-from-scratch vegan food, Native Foods Café. Founded in Palm Springs, California, this establishment has locations in California, Oregon, Colorado, and of course its three restaurants in the Loop, Lakeview and Wicker Park. Native Foods Café aims to please vegans and non-vegans alike with seasonal updates of hearty dishes, desserts and homemade beverages, all inspired by the travels of their chefs. Their entire menu is 100% plant-based (and also non-dairy), including homemade tempeh and seitan, and their “Native Cheese.”

Alicia: I almost ordered the Baja Tacos, but as I’ve gone relatively taco crazy the last few days, I decided to try something else: the roasted corn and basil polenta bites. From a friend’s suggestion I also ordered the soup of the day, the Moroccan lentil soup. The soup came first, along with a small piece of toast, and was ultimately pretty good. Chunks of carrot mixed with red lentil puree which offered a bit of heat, along with some fresh ginger for some crunch. The soup was a little watery for my taste and I felt the need to add some extra heat with some ground black pepper, but all in all I was satisfied.

(nativefoods.com)

(nativefoods.com)

And boy was I glad I had ordered the soup to go along with their polenta bite appetizer, as the plate that came next was relatively small with three polenta bites served on top of some fresh arugula. Yet, despite being tiny, these polenta bites definitely packed a bunch of flavor. The basil baked polenta cakes were dense but moist, and the fresh roasted corn, basil, red pepper, onion and Native Cheese on top were a fresh and creamy contrast to the cakes. Only afterwards did I realize the cafe offered some fresh green salsa on the condiment stand, which I surely would have added to my dish. Upon completion I was a little unsatisfied as to the amount of total food I ordered for the price compared to Adam’s gigantic bowl of food, but after a few minutes digesting those polenta cakes I realized just how filling they really were.

Finally, I washed it all down with their watermelon fresca, with fresh watermelon, a touch of mint and sweetened with organic agave. It was refreshing and not too overwhelmingly sweet. I did really want to add fresh mint to the glass, which is usually on offer, but the establishment had failed to refill this delectable herb while I was there.

(nativefoods.com)

(nativefoods.com)

Adam: Veganism, vegetarianism, pescetarianism, the list of -isms is endless, and makes one sound more like they are describing their political persuasion rather than their eating habits. Here, I stuck with veganism, and added to it a little gluten free, so I was all around feeling good about my choices.

For a hefty dinner, I tried the Rockin’ Moroccan Bowl with tofu, which laid two skewers of tofu atop a heap of quinoa, and plenty of currants, almonds and mixed vegetables, all topped off with a Moroccan sauce. It seems that you are indeed embarking upon an international experience, with Asian tofu, Andean quinoa, European currants and Middle Eastern almonds lumped together, but I suspect there is very little of Morocco in this dish.

(nativefoods.com)

(nativefoods.com)

That said, it was filling and tasty, although I might spice it up a little next time, as I do like my foods to have a variety of flavors. However, the more mellow flavor might be appreciated by some who don’t like spice as much as me, so don’t see this as negative.

I paired this with their Lavender Lemonade, created through steeping French lavender in fresh lemonade sweetened with (organic) sugar. Honestly, it was a little too sweet for my taste and one must have to have a fairly sensitive palate to appreciate the lavender, which was completely absent when I sipped it. Stick to the food, steer away from this drink.

(nativefoods.com)

(nativefoods.com)

Final Thoughts: After talking to some die-hard lovers of Native Foods Café, and with our recent experience, we’ve come to realize that this vegan-friendly spot is a bit hit or miss, with definite hits in their hearty and delicious bowls of food and fresh mock meats. We’ll definitely be back to try their seitan and tempeh, perhaps their $10 daily specials, or even their dairy-free pastries in the dessert case. Pair a dish with their organic, natural and local selections of beer and wine and you’ve got a perfect match.

Posted in Eat It! and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
03 Apr 2013

Butt Trash

WHAT: Butt Trash
WHEN: Sundays at 8pm, March 24 – April 28
WHERE: Chemically Imbalanced Comedy (1422 W. Irving Park Rd.)
RUNTIME: 1 hour, with an approximately 5-minute intermission
WHO: Fanny and Dumpster, Chemically Imbalanced Comedy
PRICE: $10

OUR RATING: Do It!

Lakeview’s Chemically Imbalanced Comedy has a ton of shows going on right now, so Storefront City headed over to see one of their newer improv comedy shows, Butt Trash, featuring female improv comedy groups Fanny and Dumpster.

Adam: Our night began with Fanny, a group of women providing excruciatingly hilarious character acting, positively accurate group dynamics and strong comedy that seemed reminiscent of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia; I was most certainly bursting with laughter at these girls.

Made up of Blair Beeken, Claire Mulaney, Sarah Shook and Lily Sullivan, Fanny managed to take the annoyingly complicated suggestion of ‘municipal’ and turn it into a full-fledged ridiculous drama, replete with underage alcohol supply, sexual tension, eating disorders and the most broken social group I’ve seen presented on stage (and that’s a good thing).

What I like most about Fanny is their unashamed comedic antics. Leave your prudishness at home and wallow in the clever skits they produce, otherwise you’ll end up shocked and unamused. Standing out for me were performances by Claire Mulaney, who perfected the awkward overly long-dwelling on a subject that somehow makes it irresistibly funny, and Lily Sullivan, who managed to drop us right in the middle of the most timidly approachable subjects while remaining absolutely straight-faced.

Stream of consciousness and delightfully wonderful improv, Fanny are masters of their art and should be seen at all costs.

(cicomedy.com)

(cicomedy.com)

Alicia: After the briefest of intermissions came the next quartet, Dumpster, whose motto is “the Devil never closes a door without opening a dumpster.” Composed of cast members Jill Fenstermaker, Ellen Haeg, Molly Hall and Amy Speckien, the ladies in this group have credentials ranging from stints at iO Theater, The Gift Theatre, and plenty of other shows at CIC.

While not as successful as their predecessors from Fanny, Dumpster began and ended their show with a group scene, with different characters and combinations in between. The two weakest aspects of the performance was the group’s inability to stay on topic with the audience suggestion (merely using the subject to initiate the first scene, and then never referring to it again), and the constant rotation of changing characters that was hard to follow and which felt like somewhat of a letdown after Fanny’s consistent character profiles.

Yet, Dumpster’s focus on neuroses, family dynamics and a healthy variety of character acting led to fast-paced fun that definitely kept the audience at the edge of their seats wondering what might come next. With a suggestion of “toaster,” this dynamic quartet presented scenes anywhere from neurotic housewives reading romance novels and discussing their feminine problems, to an all-out family war at the dinner table sparked by a little bit of sibling rivalry. With Dumpster, you’re never sure what’s lurking around the next corner, or in the next garbage bin.

bt6

Final Thoughts: Chemically Imbalanced Comedy is producing new comedy at highly affordable prices. Easily accessible and rarely frequented, you are almost definitely guaranteed a seat and plenty of laughs at this independent and developing venue.

Posted in Performing Arts, See It! and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
02 Apr 2013

Antique Taco

WHAT: Antique Taco
WHERE: 1360 N. Milwaukee Ave.

OUR RATING: Do It!

(antiquetaco.com)

(antiquetaco.com)

In its tiny Wicker Park location, Antique Taco, from husband-and-wife team Rick and Ashley Ortiz, nestles at the corner of Milwaukee and Wood, inviting customers into its cozy, vintage space, complete with rustic long tables for communal eating and deep oak tones. It’s a cute space and somewhat ‘homey,’ and while always buzzing, still provides a relatively chill atmosphere for any type of group. A very long fast-moving line marks this place out as a popular spot with the locals, who seem to brave the sometimes inflated prices for a little bite of Old Mexico.

(antiquetaco.com)

(antiquetaco.com)

Adam: Antique Taco is simple food done well. With a purposefully limited menu of only five tacos (however, with other goods on offer as well, from your typical guacamole to more unique options such as cheese curds), you don’t have to endlessly skim through reams of paper to locate your desired dish. I thought it best to try two of their meatier options: the grilled rib-eye and chicken tinga tacos. Both were excellent, but in quite unique ways. Each order comes with two tacos and ample toppings.

(antiquetaco.com)

Rib-eye Tacos

Beef tacos are somewhat of a staple for me – if you can prepare this correctly, then you’re on the right track. Antique Taco’s rib-eye tacos, with caramelized poblano peppers, onions, cheese whiz (yes, this works!) and fresh cilantro are smoky and delicious, tasting like they just came off a roaring barbeque. The fresh cilantro was the strongest flavor in this one, but I also detected heavy spicing that doesn’t seem to discernibly come from anywhere, so I must assume that the meat was specially prepared.

(antiquetaco.com)

Chicken Tinga Tacos

But, my favourite tacos of the night were surely the chicken tinga tacos, complete with savory shredded chicken, hot sauce, queso, carrot and celery pickle, el rancho crema fresca and fresh cilantro. Spicy, almost to the point of being hot, while also exceptionally creamy, the flavor profile was somewhat hard to pin down, but at once perfectly singed and soothed the palate in such a way as to be wonderfully complex and mouthwatering. If you have to get just one taco, get the chicken tinga!

(antiquetaco.com)

Market Mushroom Tacos

Alicia: One look at Antique Taco’s menu and I knew I was going to try the Market Mushroom tacos. The two warm corn tortillas encased meaty sauteed mushrooms, crunchy salty pumpkin seeds, fresh and spicy arugula, bitingly flavorful purple onion and radish, and a smoked onion cream that cut through all of these flavors with a beautifully creamy finesse. The perfect pairing was obviously the purple onion with the savory onion cream, making me want to keep coming back bite after delicious bite.

(antiquetaco.com)

Maple Farm Duck Enchiladas

Unfortunately, the Maple Farm Duck Enchiladas were much less successful. After ordering at the register, I was notified that the enchiladas were fried, but since I had already gotten my hopes up, I thought I’d still try them. What came to the table was definitely not an order of enchiladas, but of flautas, and I felt angry and embarrassed for Antique Taco in their failed nomenclature. As I dug into the fried tortillas I definitely enjoyed the savory duck meat, but with all the accoutrements on top (cream, lettuce, etc), I failed to pick out what they tried to sell as peanut butter mole and blackberry crema fresca. Ultimately, this was a very sorry dish, and something I would never order again, as their tacos are the clear winner here.

Overall, Antique Taco is fun, and I really enjoyed the sticks accompanying each dish which identified what I was eating, as well as the fun jar of complimentary gum for a post-meal refreshment. Yes to their tacos, no to their fried enchiladas.

(antiquetaco.com)

(antiquetaco.com)

Final Thoughts: A great place to grab a few tacos, we would definitely come back here, especially to try their rosemary margarita (tequila, fresh lime juice, fresh orange juice and rosemary simple syrup) and of course to order one of their horchata milkshakes on a warm day (yet, which to choose is up in the air, as the joint offers up cinnamon, banana, almond, and vanilla varieties). Yum!

Posted in Eat It! and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
01 Apr 2013

Under a Rainbow Flag

WHAT: Under a Rainbow Flag
WHEN: March 21 – April 21, 2013 (schedule)
WHERE: Profiles Theatre – The Main Stage (4139 N. Broadway Ave.)
RUNTIME: 2 Hours and 30 minutes, with a 10 minute intermission
WHO: Pride Films and Plays
PRICE: $15-25

OUR RATING: Do It!

A meeting on a train for four gay soldiers during World War Two is the starting point for Leo Schwartz’s new musical Under the Rainbow Flag, based on the true story of veteran Jon Phillips. A tale of self-discovery, good humor and utter tragedy, we journey west to San Francisco and onto the war-torn shores of East Asia, exploring the many different paths these remarkable men take.

With show-stopping tunes and wonderfully composed ensemble pieces, Under the Rainbow Flag tells the very real story of servicemen who fought and died for a country which denied and opposed their sexuality, and for this it should be celebrated as an original and heartfelt triumph.

(Photo by David Zak)

(Photo by David Zak)

Alicia: The production of Under a Rainbow Flag couldn’t have better timing. The show was submitted as part of Pride Films and Plays’ Great Gay Play Contest (2012), and now the next installment is right around the corner with Gay Play Weekend and the 2013 Great Gay Play Contest showing its fierce talent at Center on Halsted from May 17 to 19.

Since last year’s contest, Under a Rainbow Flag has nurtured and grown, with a staged reading at Center on Halsted last May, and with an overwhelming response to their Indiegogo project, raising over $5000. And now, after months of work, it has matured and found its place on Uptown’s Main Stage.

(Photo by David Zak)

(Photo by David Zak)

Under the Rainbow Flag is a poignant, fast-paced soiree that really does take you back to those days of radio plays, big bands and rhythm & blues, and the prevalence of WWII propaganda infiltrating the modern lives of American civilians and soldiers alike. Set Designer Ashley Ann Woods works magic on the production, with WWII vintage print posters lining the top level of the stage, magnificently painted background drops of San Francisco on the main level, and even her trolley-track work-of-art flooring. She works hand-in-hand with lighting designer Garvin Jellison to move the audience effortlessly from setting to setting, with my favorite moments being spotlights against a Pearl Harbor poster (and did I detect an outline of a radio?) while the radio news played to provide a bit of historical background to the theatrical mix.

But the talent didn’t stop on the tech side, with director and Pride Films and Plays Executive Director David Zak showing his directorial prowess with a melange of smart, risky and just-plain-fun choices. Knockout performances were seen from James Nedrud (Russell) and Jordan Phelps (Stefano), who may not have been the main characters, but were really the ones who carried the show for me. Nedrud has obviously played the musical scene before (his rendition of “The Army’s Handing Out Medals” with fellow actor Luis Herrera (Bender) was a highlight of the night), and I would love to see him elsewhere on stage. He knows how to play to a crowd and how to really work Tracy Strimple’s choreography. Meanwhile, Phelps has a sincere and provocative charm which adds complexity to his bitingly raw performance.

Adam: The presence of gays in the military during World War Two is not a subject that is covered much in the history books. While technically banned from service in the 1940s, the imperative for fighting men meant that gays were indeed admitted, albeit while keeping their sexuality low profile. Indeed, the recent repeal of DADT, as well as the cases currently before the Supreme Court, reminds us that we are still in the midst of this discrimination, and have only just begun taking steps towards equality. Under a Rainbow Flag starts to illuminate some of this history for the first time, an extremely important service.

(Photo by David Zak)

(Photo by David Zak)

Truly marvelous and catchy numbers (especially “Queens”, which is perhaps the most riotously fantastic piece in the whole work) create a sense of connection and camaraderie between audience and actors. Full of energy and life, we are treated to a full array of experiences from the openly camp, to the closeted (but hilarious) reactions to straight servicemen. Codes are an essential part of life for these men, who must balance between the ideal and reality, which is also more brutally reflected in the wartime setting, replete with its own codes and ciphers, even if they are for more grisly purposes.

(Photo by David Zak)

With expert music direction by Robert Ollis, seated behind the keyboard in full military uniform, a perfect score beams forth that makes us laugh as well as reflect on the wider, more serious issues that it raises. An important piece of theatre for our times, I would highly recommend you pick up a ticket and get a front row seat.

Final Thoughts: With Under the Rainbow Flag, Pride Films and Plays continues to foster compelling and talented work that speaks to the LGBT community and beyond, and we’re thrilled to see such a commendable piece of work find its footing in the performing arts and have such great success in a short period of time.

Posted in Performing Arts, See It! and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
29 Mar 2013

Sweet Mandy B’s

WHAT: Sweet Mandy B’s
WHERE: 1208 W. Webster Ave.

OUR RATING: Chance It!

This bakeshop is typically sweet, like the many that have sprung up around Chicago due to the current cupcake craze. The difference is that Lincoln Park’s Sweet Mandy B’s was thoughtful enough to realise that it was Passover this week, and has produced a non-leavened menu for all those observing the holiday. That being said, once you are seated in the child’s room decorated interior, these sweet treats may or may not seem to be unique enough for this much-loved bakery.

Adam: Passover is a great time of year: Spring is coming, the birds are singing, food is plentiful and wine is free flowing. Unfortunately, it also means the limiting of ones diet to non-leavened goods, and sometimes that isn’t compatible with eating out and partaking of regular enjoyments. Sweet Mandy B’s has crafted an exclusive menu especially for Passover, including chocolate turtles, macaroons and matzah s’mores. Yum!

(sweetmandybs.com)

(sweetmandybs.com)

I gravitated towards the matzah s’mores, simply because s’mores are great and matzah is delicious. Two huge pieces of matzah seal a massive marshmallow between them. Chocolate is liberally dribbled on top of this, and, for the adventurous, nutella can also be added. The first crunch is excellent, making me wish that I was taking a camping trip. However, if you eat these s’mores in-store they are served cold, which I do not believe is the correct way for them to be consumed. For best results, take one home with you, pop it in the microwave and let the marshmallow and chocolate melt together, like they’re meant to. Very sweet and large, one can easily be shared between two people. So, next time you’re wandering in the forest and don’t have time to pack graham crackers, pack matzah instead and you’ll have a jolly good time.

(sweetmandybs.com)

(sweetmandybs.com)

Alicia: Dark chocolate, pecans and lots and lots of caramel. Sounds simple, but Sweet Mandy B’s turtles pack a whole ton of flavor, and the serving size is pretty big (about the size of your generic cookie). Their turtles are pretty run-of-the-mill, but nonetheless delicious, and they are certainly unique in that they are more deconstructed than your average turtle. Instead of the caramel and nuts encased within a shell of chocolate, it looks like Sweet Mandy B’s started with a small pile of nuts, then dripping caramel on top to make it all come together. Then, after waiting for it to harden, that’s when they dropped a whole mass of chocolate on top, allowing for a thick chunk of chocolate to serve as the final top layer.

(sweetmandybs.com)

(sweetmandybs.com)

Not a dark chocolate fan? … … … Now that we’re done judging you (not really!), not to fret: these babies also come in regular milk chocolate and white chocolate. And while probably big enough to share, you’ll end up wanting to hoard it all to yourself. Delicious! Again, pretty normal for a turtle, but turtles are yummy nonetheless.

(sweetmandybs.com)

(sweetmandybs.com)

Final Thoughts: If you can’t make it to Sweet Mandy B’s for Passover, don’t fret! The bakery has numerous sweet treats all year-round, including giant cookies, a plethora of cupcakes (which is what they’re best known for), enormous candied apples and of course cakes galore if you’re in for a slice. And while you’re chomping down on some chocolate or savoring the last remnants of icing off your fork, you can view their ‘art gallery’ in their main ‘dining’ area, with art from local students, where proceeds go directly to their annual Read-A-Thon promoting literacy among children and their families. So stop in for a quick cookie and take a look around!

Posted in Eat It! and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
28 Mar 2013

Crossroads Public House

WHAT: Crossroads Public House
WHERE: 2630 N. Clark St.

OUR RATING: Skip It!

Storefront City felt in the mood for a bar night, so we tried out Crossroads Public house in Lincoln Park, right next door to the famed Weiner Circle. What drew us to Crossroads was our attempt to get as much beer for as little money as possible, with some fun ambiance that didn’t get too ridiculously crazy and obnoxious. Were we successful?

Alicia: Eek. This place is somewhat enticing from the outside in terms of publicizing their nightly specials, with posters advertising a bunch of deals on the windows, and with a standing poster in the middle of the sidewalk listing their daily offerings. And some of them sound like really good deals too, like $2 burger nights on Thursdays, $1 well drinks on certain nights, and the like. But we could tell just from the loud Top 40’s music blasting from within and the sloppy drunks on the dance floor that this probably wasn’t our kind of place.

The bar is relatively large, and comes with nearly a dozen large plasma TVs (obviously playing sports), a dart machine, jukebox, Foosball and what we guessed was a dance floor. One side of the place was pretty populated by a bunch of drunk fraternity-esque guys in their late 20’s, and the other part of the bar was ultimately empty. And it was all sticky, smelly and relatively dirty. We weren’t very hungry, which was good, as I probably wouldn’t have felt safe or clean ordering food their anyways (their menu consists of your typical burgers, salads and pizza), so we just stuck to having a drink or two.

Adam: Crossroads is basically a local dive bar with really cheap beer. On Tuesdays and Saturdays, their house ale, CPH (wow! that’s a creative name) is $6 for a pitcher, and that’s exactly what we ordered. CPH is really not a good beer. Watery and weak, I practically felt like I was drinking a Miller High Life knockoff. But, then again, it’s the cheapest beer you’ll get anywhere in Lincoln Park, so if you need to have a pint and you’re skint, this is the place to be. If you can put up with the service, that is, who are practically non-existent and take eons to prepare your order (literally, you just open the tap and fill the pitcher. It’s not like you need to mash the barley).

cr4My final comment will be this: if another place calls itself an Irish pub, when it is neither Irish nor a pub, I will call out your manager and make him answer for his crimes. A pub is a public house, derived from an inn, which should be traditionally adorned in Medieval or Tudor style and encourage community values and conviviality (for an example, check out my old haunt at The Harrow Inn). Additionally, for it to be Irish, it must at least something pertaining to Irish culture upon its walls: put whiskey bottles along the back of your bar, put some copies of James Joyce out, display a replica of the Book of Kells, or at least put some Bono on. Good gracious! It’s not that difficult to embrace a highly hospitable culture, is it?

Final Thoughts: If you’ve already had a few drinks and absolutely need a place to act drunk and stupid and consume a few more cheap beers, go ahead and go here, but otherwise we suggest you skip it and save yourself the two or three showers you’ll need to clean this place off of you. It’s definitely worth a few more pennies to go elsewhere.

Posted in Do It!, Drink It!, Nightlife and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
27 Mar 2013

Lincoln Whiskey Kitchen

WHAT: Lincoln Whiskey Kitchen
WHERE: 930 N. Meacham Rd. (Schaumburg)

OUR RATING: Chance It! (If you’re near).

Picture 38Lincoln Whiskey Kitchen (LWK) is definitely out of our normal range. Located in Schaumburg, its a 40 minute drive from the city (right next door to Woodfield Mall), but we thought we’d branch out a little and give you a taste of suburban style. A restaurant with a decidedly southern feel they, obviously, specialize is whiskey and foods prepared with it, so be ready to try some dishes that are explicitly labeled as alcoholic and definitely grilled. We arrived there early to experience a special prohibition-style dinner, complete with whiskey pairings.

LWK

Adam: Designed in a homestyle, leathered manner, LWK is heavy on wood and worn upholstery. Perfectly complemented by the numerous barrels along the far wall, you become part of the whiskey story, experiencing a pleasant evening in an interesting space. Definitely aim on getting a booth, as they are both intimate and comfortable.

Alicia: What I really didn’t understand about this place was their music selection. You’d think a whiskey joint would have a little more class than playing Top 40’s, especially on a night with a special prohibition 1920s style dinner. It really took me off my game, but luckily it wasn’t too loud to completely overwhelm our experience, and I was able to tune it out for a majority of the evening, especially with the intimate nature of our booth.

The Whiskey

Adam:

(jackdaniels.com)

Jack Daniel’s Unaged Rye: Well, this is a strange drink. Completely clear, as it has never touched the inside of a barrel, this single malt whiskey packs a punch. Light, easy going and with a honeyish bouquet, only 600 cases have been produced in Illinois alone and at 72% rye content, it’s touted as something special. I was not as impressed. The complexity of whiskey is based upon its aging process, and unaged whiskey might as well be moonshine, which I can obviously find elsewhere.

(lincolnwhiskeykitchen.com)

LWK Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel: Specially produced for LWK, this 90-proof whiskey is delectable and highly interesting. With vanilla and brown sugar notes, it’s the whiskey to drink if you are a serious whiskey fan, or just someone getting into whiskey. If you only order one glass in the evening you visit, try this and you’re sure not to be disappointed.

Alicia:

(jackdaniels.com)

Gentleman Jack: I’m sure most of you are aware of this particular offering from Jack Daniel’s. According to their brand ambassador, the “ladies are getting into this drink.” Well, it’s just fine, but I like my whiskey a bit stronger, honestly. At 80-proof it does pack some power, and is definitely very smooth and silky, with notes of fruit and spices. Apparently Gentlemen Jack is the only whiskey in the world to be charcoal mellowed twice, leading to its superior smoothness.

(jackdaniels.com)

Tennessee Honey: This subtle whiskey is a blend of their Tennessee Whiskey and a unique honey liqueur of their own making, with obvious hints of honey and a smooth finish. Ultimately, however, this one is a little too sweet and the liqueur unfortunately far outweighs the whiskey.

The Food (with more whiskey)

Adam: It was clear: I was going to have a job on my hands. Not only was it a four course meal, but each course had whiskey in it or next to it (and when this place says whiskey is in a meal, they mean that raw, uncooked whiskey is in the meal).

To start the evening, Whiskey Wild Mushroom Soup, the house speciality, was served steaming, topped with Swiss cheese and crispy shoestring onions. A 21+ dish, I couldn’t honestly taste the whiskey in it, but the mushroom component was absolutely delicious. Creamy, and made all the better by the Swiss and onion inclusions, this is a highly recommended, if hearty, appetizer.

This being a four course meal, AZ Egg Rolls were out next. Traditional crispy egg rolls filled with grilled chicken, yellow corn, black beans and jack cheese, along with jalapeno sour cream and sweet salsa for dipping, this was a tad disappointing, being only two half cut rolls. That being said, the portion was very tasty even if on the small side.

Perhaps the best dish of the night were the beautifully braised, and enormous, Beef Short Ribs, accompanied by whiskey demi-glace, horseradish bread crumbs and served on a bed of mashed potatoes. The beef literally fell off the bone, being cooked so excellently, and the whiskey was evident in all areas of the dish. Extremely tasty and full of flavor, this has to be the star on LWK menu.

Alicia: While I started the night with the same first course as Adam with the soup, my eyes lit up as my second course hit the table–bacon wrapped shrimp with a spicy whiskey dipping sauce. While the bacon lacked a bit of a crisp, the beautifully grilled shrimp paired amazingly with the shining star–a smoky barbeque whiskey dipping sauce. Some super powerful stuff right there, but surprisingly it didn’t overwhelm the delicate and perfectly cooked shellfish, and instead left a warming heat on the palate.

For my main course I ordered the Citrus-Soy Salmon, grilled with asian spices and topped with Japanese sesame cucumbers, with a side of mashed potatoes. With the salmon grilled to perfection, the acidity of the pickled cucumbers cut right into the heart of the savory soy reduction complementing the delicate fish, which had just the right amount of crispness on the outside while keeping the inside moist and luscious. I enjoyed the salmon so much that I won’t go into the disaster the mashed potatoes were…so let’s just leave it at that.

And now for the show-stopper, LWK’s Bourbon Ice Cream Sliders, chock full of liquor. Ready? This baby looked like a slider, but with a warm profiterole for a bun, honey bourbon ice cream for filling, and a marshmallow whiskey fudge sauce to top it all off. Oh yeah. The ice cream was silky, the profiterole delicate, and that whiskey fudge sauce packed a sweet punch that kept our insides all warm and fuzzy long into the night.

Final Thoughts: Delicious, diverse and flavorful, LWK has a lot to recommend it as an excellent suburban spot for that quintessentially southern remedy. However, due to the hit-or-miss nature of some of the cuisine on offer, we’re not sure it’s worth the journey out here if you are a permanent Chicago resident. That being said, if you’re in the area and need a quick bite, definitely try out this spot.

Posted in Drink It!, Eat It! and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
26 Mar 2013

Katherine Anne Confections

WHAT: Katherine Anne Confections
WHERE: 2745 W. Armitage Ave.

OUR RATING: Do It!

(katherine-anne.com)

(katherine-anne.com)

Truffles, caramels, gourmet marshmallows, oh my! Storefront City sampled a few delicacies at Logan Square’s Katherine Anne Confections. Katherine Anne has been creating her own confections at this location since 2006, and while it’s been on Chicago’s radar for awhile, it was just nominated this year for Time Out Chicago‘s Best Sweet Shop 2013 and Katherine Anne herself was just nominated as one of Zagat’s 30 Under 30, so we were super excited to see what makes this place so hot.

Adam:

(katherine-anne.com)

(katherine-anne.com)

The Truffle

If you’ve been a longtime reader of Storefront City, you’ll know by now that I’m completely into history. So perhaps it was the name of the Mayan Cherry Truffle that just said “Adam, this is for you”, or perhaps it was just because I like dark chocolate and spice. A MI tart cherry centre is infused with cayenne and habanero and enwrapped in a dark chocolate outside that completes this gem. Spicy and tart, it is the perfect adult sweet and is certainly true to its bloody Mayan heritage.

(katherine-anne.com)

(katherine-anne.com)

The Marshmallow

Like many fantastic modern inventions, marshmallows originated in ancient Egypt, when the sap of the marshmallow plant was mixed with nuts and sweets to treat sore throats. Obviously, the Pharaohs decided that it far too tasty to be merely a medicine and promoted it to a confection which we still enjoy today. Katherine Anne’s Coffee Marshmallow marries this Egyptian sweet with the Ethiopian coffee from further south, to produce a spongy delectable morsel that you will quickly finish. While slightly less powerful in flavor than expected, I imagine that this would make a nice complement to any after dinner get together.

(katherine-anne.com)

(katherine-anne.com)

The Caramel

Wonderful caramel – chewy and long-lasting, they finish most meals better than a mint would. So try the Fleur de Sel Caramel: a soft honey vanilla caramel covered in 72% cacao bittersweet chocolate and lovingly touched with a few grains of French sea salt, one of the finest varieties to be had. With a cushioned texture, botanical flavor and salty aftertaste, this is one of their bestsellers, and one can see why.

Alicia:

(katherine-anne.com)

(katherine-anne.com)

The Truffle

It was the cashew that drew me into sampling the Cascara Truffle. It’s made with cascara, the husk from the coffee bean with notes of fruit & coffee; paired with dried huckleberries from Rare Tea Cellar Inc., toasted fresh chevre, and cascara-candied cashews. Honestly, the truffle was a bit one-noted despite the complexity in its creation. Only afterwards upon investigation did I discover that cascara is known for its laxative properties and has some precautions upon consuming…so if you’re pregnant or have problems with your kidney or appendix and the like, you may want to avoid this one.

(katherine-anne.com)

(katherine-anne.com)

The Marshmallow

What better way to get your drink on than to infuse a marshmallow with some bubbly? The Champagne Marshmallow is pretty subtle, but you can still taste that sparkling wine in there somewhere. Perhaps not the most flavorful, but how elegant and fun!

(katherine-anne.com)

(katherine-anne.com)

The Caramel

I am the biggest fan of using rosemary and sea salt when cooking, so when I spotted the Rosemary Sea Salt Caramel, I was definitely excited to mix some sweetness into the equation. And boy was this one a winner! A perfect blend of sweet, salty and earthiness with the rosemary, I couldn’t get enough of this caramel, which offered a savory chewiness without getting stuck to my teeth. Which, I almost would have preferred, just to be able to taste it for longer. But alas, it was gone in a snap.

(katherine-anne.com)

(katherine-anne.com)

Final Thoughts: While known for years for their truffles, and despite the latest craze in gourmet marshmallows, the secret behind Katherine Anne Confections is actually in their caramels. And many little birdies have told us their drinking chocolate is the way to go. Obviously, this is high on our agenda next time we’re in the area, but no matter how filling that will probably be, we’ll have to order a whole box of Katherine Anne’s Rosemary Sea Salt Caramels, and maybe even a few Mayan Truffles to spice things up a bit.

P.S.: The wonders of the internet mean that you can now order Katherine Anne Confections online. So why not pick up a box of caramels or some truffles to really experience the variety that Katherine Anne has to offer.

Posted in Eat It! and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
25 Mar 2013

Nellcôte

WHAT: Nellcôte
WHERE: 833 W. Randolph St.

OUR RATING: Do It!

It seems that every week we bring you something European in Chicago, and this week is no different. One of the newer additions to the Randolph Street corridor in the West Loop, Nellcôte was modeled after the Villa Nellcôte, leased by Keith Richards in 1971 for the Rolling Stones to use as a recording space for Exile on Main St. Storefront City crashed a Chicago bloggers event held here the other week and liked it so much we came back for brunch!

(nellcoterestaurant.com)

(nellcoterestaurant.com)

Enter Nellcôte: a French-style industrial villa with a punky elegant personality, and connected through its kitchen to famed RM Champagne Salon. The food, with all wheat products deriving from chef Jared Van Camp’s (of Old Town Social) in-house mill, is diverse yet simple, and provides a welcome comfort to the more gastronomically challenging fare offered in similar locations elsewhere.

(nellcoterestaurant.com)

(nellcoterestaurant.com)

Alicia: A little bit vintage, a little bit rock ‘n’ roll and a lot 1960s French chateau. Crown molding, herringbone flooring, custom chairs, silk drapes and antique mirrors are contrasted against exposed cement pillars, Italian marble tables, and punches of rich and crazy colors through handcrafted Hermes orange Tolix bar chairs and a series of art installations. Even the bathrooms were reminiscent of said French opulence, but of course with some pictures of Jagger and the like on the doors. Oh, and don’t forget a 12-foot-wide, eight-step white Italian marble staircase near the back of the restaurant and 18-foot-high Art Nouveau wrought iron gates at the entrance. It’s an elegant eclectic-chic pastiche that defies the overdone ‘rustic’ decor concept pervading the city. It was almost like Gaga’s “Paparazzi” video had a baby with Andy Warhol. Almost.

With a mix of Spanish, French and Italian influences, the decor matches their melange of European-influenced food, and one is nostalgically greeted to an $18 prix fixe brunch menu offering a variety of entrees and a charcuterie/cheese/pastry plate for the table to share. In addition to a sampling of a cheese and a meat, the plate also came with preserved figs, mini brioche and nutty madeleines, along with some homemade strawberry jam, clotted cream and deliciously creamy lemon curd.

But on to the main event, the pain perdu: crispy french toast with chopped apples (the fruit garnish changes with the seasons), crème Chantilly, and caramel sauce. Not at all what you might call a “light” breakfast, but as you can probably tell by now, I am definitely a baked goods at brunch kind of girl. Anyways, I have to admit I was a bit disappointed by this dish. After my first bite I wasn’t sure if I wanted to take another one, as most of the flavor seeping into my taste buds was actually of oil and the fryer the bread must have lived in for a good while (they soak day-old brioche in caramel custard and fry it), and which came out looking perhaps a bit too overdone.

But I let myself take a few more bites and once I got into the center I was able to appreciate the airy brioche (soaked like a sponge in cream and still retaining its caramel custard it was slathered in prior to frying-time) with caramel and apples, with only pieces of the charred and oily outside that added flavor, rather than overwhelming the bite. An okay dish, definitely an off fryer day, but really that pastry plate in the beginning and the ambiance of the place both redeemed the whole experience.

Adam: When we initially came to Nellcôte, as has been mentioned above, we were attending a bloggers event in celebration of the Oscars. For this, we were privy to three interesting and diverse cocktails from their beautiful long bar. While not regularly available, if you jot down the ingredients, we’re sure they’ll put them together for you (in the kitchen, which is where they make all their drinks).

"Les Mis"

“The Silver Lining”

First was the Les Mis, a combination of Moët Imperial Champagne, Grand Marnier, Angostura bitters and, yes I’m serious, gold. Other than feeling that it couldn’t be further from representing the revolutionary world of 1830s Paris, I felt that it had decent enough contrasts to recommend it. Providing a classic base, the Moët Imperial essentially makes this a sparkling cocktail, with hints of other flavors. While the bitters were a tad overpowering, this is a solid pre-dinner drink.

"Zero Dark Thirty"

“Zero Dark Thirty”

Then, it was onto the Zero Dark Thirty, consisting of Hennessy VS, rum, Rare Tea Sellers Earl Grey, Blood Orange, Cherry Heering, and Moët Imperial. Perhaps the most confusingly named (I can’t think of anything that links the ingredients to the film), it presented an extremely odd taste that will not be up everyone’s street. The Hennessy and rum provide a harsh duet, while the tea and Cherry Heering give the entire drink a cordial flavor that makes one think this was intended for a 19th century British India officer suffering from some incurable tropical malady.

The sure winner was The Silver Lining, of Belvedere, Combier Grapefruit, lemon and Yellow Chartreuse Rinse. Delicate and delicious, the Belvedere provides a decent base, while grapefruit and lemon give all the appreciated sour needed. Chartreuse is obviously fantastic, and I was convinced that the monks who made it would have been pleased with this cocktail.

But, enough on drinks – food is paramount here. After hearing plenty about the supposed best choices (complex pizzas vs. simple pastas), I chose the Sunnyside-Up Egg Pizza, complete with organic fried egg lovingly positioned atop a bed of arugula tossed in a lemon and olive oil, along with fontina and mozzarella cheese on the pizza itself. It is essentially a salad on a pizza, which is such a nice change from the greasy norm you get elsewhere. Highly recommended for brunch, it shows Nellcôte can do both modern and classic admirably.

((nellcoterestaurant.com)

((nellcoterestaurant.com)

Final Thoughts: Nellcôte is new, chic, and amazingly fun. Not too loud during the day, it hots up at night and becomes a full-scale bar, complete with DJ. Perhaps the perfect combination of classic and modern, you are sure to be pleased with what you find. And, if you are a little strapped for cash, let us recommend the Savant Special for starving artists. Monday to Friday from 5-7pm with a pizza and a beer all for $10.

Posted in Drink It!, Eat It! and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
22 Mar 2013

Measure for Measure

WHAT: Measure for Measure
WHEN: March 9 – April 14, 2013 (schedule)
WHERE: Goodman Theatre (170 N. Dearborn St.)
RUNTIME: 2 Hours and 40 minutes, with a 15 minute intermission
WHO: Goodman Theatre
PRICE: $25-86

OUR RATING: Chance It!

It seems that Chicago has an appetite for Shakespeare recently, and especially for some of the less-performed works from the Bard’s repertoire. One of the three “problem plays,” Measure for Measure has been classified as a dark comedy, though audiences consistently find its treatment of certain subjects distasteful. In the Goodman Theatre’s production, Measure for Measure is transposed to 1970s New York, where greed, lust and depravity rule supreme.

(goodmantheatre.org)

(goodmantheatre.org)

The Duke of Vienna determines to leave the city in the hands of Lord Angelo, during whose brief reign laws that had fallen into obscurity are prosecuted most vigorously. This leads the young man Claudio, who has been involved in an unconsecrated relationship with Juliet, to be arrested and sentenced to die. His fate lies with his sister, the nun Isabella, who must appeal to Angelo for her brother’s life, and bear his dreadful, lecherous proposal.

Adam: I have a statement to make: updating Shakespeare rarely ever works, and especially if significant scripting changes do not occur. By specifically setting the play in 1970s New York City, director Robert Falls has limited himself, making references throughout the play incompatible with his vision, and generally undermining the story.

(L to R) Sean Fortunato, Kevin Fugaro and Travis A. (goodmantheatre.org)

(L to R) Sean Fortunato, Kevin Fugaro and Travis A. (goodmantheatre.org)

Perhaps it’s the fact that I come from an education rooted in historical study, or that I’ve seen my fair share of traditionally-staged Shakespeare in England that works fantastically, but I just can’t fully get behind these types of changes. They alter the essence of the work, allowing audiences to conveniently skip over the history involved in favor of more recent events they can understand without learning the background.

That being said, one must give Goodman credit for attempting a play that does not translate well to the modern day, with ample misogyny that must be dealt with in order for the play to be successful.

(L to R) Celeste M. Cooper and James Newcomb (goodmantheatre.org)

(L to R) Celeste M. Cooper and James Newcomb (goodmantheatre.org)

Some star performances were to be had from the amusing and versatile James Newcomb (Duke Vincentio), whose eloquence and charm make his depiction of depraved royalty most watchable, while supporting actor Sean Fortunato (Elbow) provides a humorous and uncannily accurate depiction of a New York City police officer.

Unfortunately, the final reveal of the play seemed to be elongated, so that one thought the Duke almost cruel in his actions. Nevertheless, Measure for Measure will appeal to some audiences, with its likability based mainly on your personal preference for how Shakespeare should be performed.

Alejandra Escalante (goodmantheatre.org)

Alejandra Escalante (goodmantheatre.org)

Alicia: Overall, I was pretty disappointed with this production, and to be honest, I haven’t enjoyed much I’ve seen at the Goodman since The Seagull a few years ago. Yet, if you can score some cheap student/Hot Tix tickets, this production is on an entire different scale than anything else you’ll see in Chicago, with the possible exception of Broadway in Chicago and the like. It’s big. It’s loud. It’s certainly trying to say something, and trying really, really hard.

The prologue is perhaps the most impressive moment of the play, where director Robert Falls drops us most foully (and in slow motion no less) into a sleazy and sex-crazed Midtown Manhattan, all to the warped tune of Donna Summer’s “Love to Love You, Baby.” With this song as a starting point, Richard Woodbury’s sound design only gets better, with beautiful original scores playing throughout most scenes and peaking with intensity during transitions.

(L to R) Aaron Todd Douglas and Joe Foust (goodmantheatre.org)

(L to R) Aaron Todd Douglas and Joe Foust (goodmantheatre.org)

Yet, the worst moment of the play is the final component of a Donna Summers bookend to the performance, with “Last Dance” playing for the finale while the entire cast does a choreographed disco dance, and as Falls decides to kill off a major character that survived Shakespeare’s version. Utterly tragic.

And don’t even get me started on Walt Spangler’s scenic design. While I usually love and admire Spangler’s work, it looked like the Goodman’s production of Camino Real came back to haunt me and vomited all over the stage. The Goodman sure does like to flaunt that they have lots of money, and I’ve never appreciated that aspect of their productions.

(L to R) Alejandra Escalante and Jay Whittaker (goodmantheatre.org)

(L to R) Alejandra Escalante and Jay Whittaker (goodmantheatre.org)

Finally, Falls tried super hard to make this piece funny, and most of the audience laughed from beginning to end. With the exception of a handful of moments, I didn’t really laugh at all. And when the audience laughed after Isabella’s (Alejandra Escalante) attempted rape, I wanted to burn the theatre down.

Final Thoughts: We’re a little on the fence with this one, as you can probably tell. “Chance It” was dangerously close to “Skip It,” but ultimately, with a generally talented cast of actors and a strong directorial point-of-view, we suggest you think about it.

Posted in Performing Arts, See It! and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

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