Storefront City Chicago

Archive for the tag “Lincoln Park”

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 , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
12 Mar 2013

Salt & Pepper Diner

WHAT: Salt & Pepper Diner
WHERE: 3527 N. Clark St.

OUR RATING: Do It!

While the Salt & Pepper Diner location on Lincoln Avenue is closed, you can still celebrate a good ol’ 50’s/60’s throwback retro diner at this Lakeview spot, perfect for Cubs’ fans on game days, and even more perfect for casual brunch fun on any other day. Actually, now that we think about it, this place must be a gold mine for families with kids on game day, with the rest of the Wrigleyville area pretty obsessed with the 21+ scene.

(cityowls.com)

(cityowls.com)

Cheap, delicious food in a really fun, friendly, and laidback atmosphere with chrome walls, faded leather booths, and high boy tables, Salt & Pepper also has your must diner counter to munch at and drink your cup o’ Joe. All it seemed to be missing was some music from the 50s/60s, rather than a current hits list. But like other deli/diner/sweetshops in the city, you can even grab a table and play a board game while you wait for your food…and we suggest you do!

Adam: Number one of my list of excellent things about Salt & Pepper are the Bloody Marys. At $3 for a massive glass, they are definitely the cheapest ones in town. While more Bloody than Mary, they are excellently prepared with ample vodka, tomato juice, a dash of Worcestershire sauce, a hint of Tabasco, seasonings, lemon, lime, a celery stick and celery salt on the rim: this has to be one of the best Bloody Mary’s I’ve had in a long time.

I paired this with a barbequed chicken (pulled) sandwich. Absolutely tender and juicy with Sweet Baby Rays (perhaps the best barbeque sauce ever?), it came with a great side of tater tots and the necessary pickle, so rather normal diner food. But, for its cheap price and great chicken (and not to mention the substantial and rather large portion size), this is definitely a winning dish!

Alicia: As soon as I saw the Banana Nut Bread French Toast item on the menu, I knew I had to have it, and when it arrived, I was in heaven. In front of me were placed three delicate pieces of freshly baked banana nut bread that had been very, very lightly french-toast-ified with egg, and then topped with pecans, fresh bananas and powdered sugar. And of course, the necessary vessel full of maple syrup on the side along with a dollop of butter.

And those slices of banana nut bread were killer. Sure, maybe I would have liked a little more egg on them and a little caramelization of the pecans, but for $6.50 this plate was gigantic and the bread was definitely some of the best B-bread I’ve had in a very long time. It, of course, didn’t pair at all with my delicious, delicious, delicious bloody mary, but with a few sips of water in between I was able to satisfy both my savory and sweet desires. The only drawback of this place was the service, but I think that was our particular waitress, so hopefully next time we come back we’ll have better luck.

(cityowls.com)

(cityowls.com)

Final Thoughts: We would go back here in a heartbeat, and probably always order a bloody mary. But we’d venture out too, as their pancakes, burgers, omelettes and peanut butter milkshakes do sound pretty tantalizing. A full brunch for two with drinks for about $20? Yes, yes, yes please!

P.S.: If you can’t make it to Salt & Pepper, but still want a Bloody Mary, we’d suggest Demitri’s Bloody Mary Seasoning added to your tomato juice – a bit Russian, but the obvious choice for any real bartender.

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

Balena

WHAT: Balena (Italian)
WHERE: 1633 N. Halsted St.

OUR RATING: Do It!

A place providing physical ease, the relaxation of invitingly comfy furnishings, a spacious atmosphere and a bold simplification of food, Lincoln Park’s Balena is an upscale Italian eatery perfect for pre-show cocktails or a full-on meal. Complete with an impressive cocktail menu, an array of pizzas and other small bites, it also has a nice dessert menu. To be certain, this place is definitely a bit upscale for one’s wallet, but you’re sure to find something you love here.

Margherita Pizza (Photo: Nick Kindelsperger)

Margherita Pizza (Photo: Nick Kindelsperger)

Adam: Pizza: traditional, Italian, fun! And not what I would normally get at an Italian restaurant! But, with all the talk of Balena’s magnificent pizzas, I just had to make an exception. Trying both the margherita and mushroom pizzas, I can honestly say that Balena gets this right. Fresh mozzarella, basil and tomato make for an established choice, named for Queen Margherita of Savoy, who thought the colours resembled the Italian flag. It’s fitting that Old World basil, the King of Herbs, is paired with the New World tomato here, for the merging of cultures elevates this dish to new heights.

Mushroom Pizza (opentable.com)

Mushroom Pizza (opentable.com)

I also tried their mushroom pizza, topped with fontina cheese, taleggio cheese (so ancient that Cicero talked of his liking for it), scallions and thyme. Very Italian, delicate and delectable, you can imagine yourself taking supper on Lake Como with this fabulous combination.

Having a penchant for wine, I decided to try two, both a red and a white, to go with the margherita and mushroom pizzas, respectively. The red was the lovely Stefano Farina “Le Brume Langhe”, a mixture of Nebbiolo, Barbera, and Merlot, from Piedmont (2007 12 / 39). Quite full and a perfect complement to tomatoes, black plum comes through strongly, with a definite blackberry flavor and a hint of coffee. Most certainly recommended, Pliny the Elder drank a variety of this wine while in Piedmont – if it’s good enough for old Pliny, it’s certainly good enough for me!

(Photo: Eric Kleinberg)

(Photo: Eric Kleinberg)

Onward then, to the white wine, a Salviano “Orvieto” of Procanico grapes (first cultivated for the Pope) from Umbria (2010 11 / 39). Making an excellent and light pairing with the mushroom pizza, pear is the dominant flavor, along with apple and a minerally aftertaste. Refreshing and relaxing, this wine makes for the perfect end to an evening.

A highly enjoyable experience, which I hope to repeat soon.

(balenachicago.com)

(balenachicago.com)

Alicia: Balena mixologist Debbi Peek crafts some crazy cocktails that explore a variety of Western European bitters and, more specifically, Italian Amari. The bitterness of each of their drinks is rated on a “1-10” scale, a “1” representing the least and a “10” the most bitter. I must admit that my palate hasn’t quite accepted bitters favorably in the past, so I went for a safer option with their Rosemary No2, a well-balanced mix of campari, aperol, fresh sour, egg white, and delicately flamed rosemary. Definitely a fun drink and a great immersion into the world of bitters, with subtle, yet dangerously potent flavors.

(vodamagazine.com)

(vodamagazine.com)

After kicking off the night with a cocktail, I ordered their spicy sausage, red onion, tomato and mozzarella pizza with a glass of their Andrian “Somerto” Chardonnay, Alto Aldige 2011. You might hesitate to mix these two, as red wine is usually a safer bet to pair with sausage. But I was crazy to try their Somerto so I just went for it. The wine was delicate with a hint of peach, but I failed to really catch the mango and grilled nuts as listed in the description. It was nonetheless crisp and refreshing, and I give major thanks to Balena for their more than generous pouring.

Mushroom Pizza (Photo: Nick Kindelsperger)

Mushroom Pizza (Photo: Nick Kindelsperger)

As for the pizza, I usually don’t go for sausage, as I always think most places overcook their meat, but Balena’s sausage was tender and juicy. It wasn’t very spicy, which was fine by me because the lack of spice and the delicate mozzarella cheese paired with my wine quite nicely. And the dough was perfect: thin but substantial, with puffy, chewy edges.

(balenachicago.com)

(balenachicago.com)

Final Thoughts: Chef Chris Pandel works wonders with Peter Becker, who runs the restaurant’s bread program, and we’re just itching to go back and try some of their other breads and perhaps dig into a bowl of pasta or two. And while we didn’t save room with our trio of pizzas and glasses of wine, we hear pastry chef Amanda Rockman’s desserts really do rock, so we’re definitely headed back for more. If you get a chance, don’t forget to check out their cavern-esque cellar/event space downstairs as well!

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

See What I Wanna See

WHAT: See What I Wanna See
WHEN: February 15 – April 12, 2013 (schedule)
WHERE: Steppenwolf Garage Theatre (1624 N. Halsted St.)
RUNTIME: 2 Hours with a 15 minute intermission
WHO: Bailiwick Chicago
PRICE: $20

OUR RATING: Skip It!

(bailiwickchicago.com)

(bailiwickchicago.com)

(bailiwickchicago.com)

(bailiwickchicago.com)

As we mentioned last week, each year Steppenwolf’s Garage Theatre explodes with new talent in three repertory productions from some of Chicago’s up-and-coming theater companies.

Storefront City takes on Garage Rep 2013 once again, but this time with Bailiwick Chicago’s See What I Wanna See. Bailiwick Chicago, with a mission focused on producing contemporary (and reinventing classical) musicals, is an itinerant theater company that launched in 2009 out of the remnants of Bailiwick Repertory Theatre.

(Credit: Michael Brosilow)

(Credit: Michael Brosilow)

Directed by Artistic Director Lili-Anne Brown, See What I Wanna See is a three-part musical by Michael John LaChiusa. The performance is broken down into two acts with two prologues which journey through feudal Japan with lovers Kesa and Morito. The musical then jumps forward in time in Act 1 to a murder noir in New York City in 1951, and then even further forward in Act 2 to Central Park, New York City, 2002, where a priest undergoes a crisis of faith post-9/11. Exploring desire, hope and truth, this five person ensemble piece utilizes a mix of pop, jazz and classical music, along with some Asian flairs.

(Credit: Michael Brosilow)

(Credit: Michael Brosilow)

Ultimately, despite Bailiwick’s best intentions, See What I Wanna See is a flawed production, complete with musical numbers that fail to capture the imagination of even the most Philistinic member of society, a number of untrained vocalists, and disparate storylines that clearly come from an intelligent yet confused mind, whose comment on culture is unclear.

(Credit: Michael Brosilow)

(Credit: Michael Brosilow)

The redeeming factors of this show are limited. Danni Smith, a collective member of Bailiwick Chicago, proves talented and versatile in her roles as the wife and Aunt Monica. And Lizzie Bracken’s scenic design, particularly the mirroring of the floor design with the stencil silhouette on the wall, is lovely for a show in rep. Mix the two together and you get the seductive and beautiful scene in Act 1 where Smith performs behind Bracken’s screen with Lee Keenan’s adept lighting choices. This, and the general strength of the cast’s ensemble work, are commemorable, but nothing was quite memorable enough to get us wanting more.

(Credit: Michael Brosilow)

(Credit: Michael Brosilow)

When it comes down to it, See What I Wanna See seems a poor choice to produce: its music, lyrics and script being so unfortunately weak. Ultimately, some of the casting decisions seriously undermined the production, and we suspect that qualified musicians would have brought more to the experience.

P.S. If you missed it last week, check out the Garage Rep 2013 trailer!

Posted in Performing Arts, See It! and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
28 Feb 2013

She Kills Monsters

(buzz22chicago.com)

(buzz22chicago.com)

WHAT: She Kills Monsters
WHEN: February 15 – April 21, 2013 (schedule)
WHERE: Steppenwolf Garage Theatre (1624 N. Halsted St.)
RUNTIME: 90 minutes, no intermission
WHO: Buzz22 Chicago
PRICE: $20

OUR RATING: Do It!

(steppenwolf.org)

(steppenwolf.org)

Each year, Steppenwolf’s Garage Theatre explodes with new talent in three repertory productions from some of Chicago’s up-and-coming theater companies. Storefront City takes on Garage Rep 2013, starting with Buzz22 Chicago’s She Kills Monsters.

(Credit: Michael Brosilow)

(Credit: Michael Brosilow)

If you’re like us, you know what Dungeons & Dragons is: an epic game of wits, stamina and adventure (and, ultimately, creativity), it represented an epoch when tabletop games were the norm and your imagination could take you anywhere. Buzz22 Chicago’s She Kills Monsters is not only an extremely fun romp through the world of fantasy, but also a meditation on our perceptions of those we love, and how they exist in their own minds.

(Credit: Michael Brosilow)

(Credit: Michael Brosilow)

In Qui Nguyen’s play, a young woman must face the perils created by her sister’s mind on a D&D quest to save that sister’s very soul (you can pick up the script at She Kills Monsters). Under Scott Weinstein’s direction, a plot unfolds that shows us this young woman is as much trying to save her own soul as her sister’s: accompanied by a motley band of followers, demons are slain in more ways than one in this epically funny and compelling fantasy-action-comedy.

(Credit: Michael Brosilow)

(Credit: Michael Brosilow)

With transitions from the world of High School to the mythical world of role-playing, we are privy to choreographed battles, large scale puppetry work by Colleen Werle, beautifully intimate shadow puppetry from the majestic Manual Cinema, awe-inspiring mask design from Colleen Werle and Trina McGee, and thrilling costume designs that will take you back into the 90s, through the lands of elves, and even into the depths where demons lurk while watching ER and Twin Peaks.

(Credit: Michael Brosilow)

(Credit: Michael Brosilow)

You don’t need to know about D&D to appreciate this epic show (to be honest, only half our duo is a D&D nerd). Yet, one of the magical aspects about She Kills Monsters is the wide array of audience members who attend: we shared the house with an avid D&D player who had ‘nerd’ written all over his face and down to his toes, and who had probably not seen a lot of theater before. On top of that, Buzz22 Chicago is just brimming with energy and youthfulness. This young company’s mission is to explore coming of age and the ideas of change, growth and transition that are constant in all of our lives. No matter what you do with your free time, whether you watch reality TV or play RPGs, this show allows us all to share a unique and mesmerizing adventure.

(Buzz22Chicago.com)

(Buzz22Chicago.com)

She Kills Monsters is absolutely fun, subtly thought-provoking and a must for anyone who dreams of being something more. Highly recommended, so pick up tickets while you still can!

P.S. Check out the Garage Rep 2013 trailer! And if you want to play a bit of D&D, this is the place to start: Dungeons & Dragons Fantasy Roleplaying Game: An Essential D&D Starter (4th Edition D&D)

Posted in Performing Arts, See It! and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
22 Feb 2013

Next Door

WHAT: Next Door (Cafe)
WHERE: 659 W. Diversey Pkwy.

OUR RATING: Chance It!

(nextdoorchi.com)

(nextdoorchi.com)

Offering a variety of sweet treats, hot drinks and workspace, Next Door is a cafe that sells itself on being both a place to have a casual bite and sip on some coffee and as a collaborative zone, complete with free financial advice and other themed-workshops, conference rooms and desks. It’s an interesting concept, and makes for a great space that buzzes with all the feeling of a college library or study room. Definitely for some, but certainly not for all, Next Door caters to a younger crowd used to working in coffee shops designed for studying.

(nextdoorchi.com)

(nextdoorchi.com)

Adam: Next Door has the feeling of the Arts and Crafts movement behind it: lush woods, high beamed ceilings and reclaimed tables and chairs create a modern and earthy atmosphere that is both comforting and stimulating. Grabbing a table can be an issue, as they are generally packed just after 5pm. However, once you place your articles upon a seat, you may proceed to choosing your guilty pleasures from the menu.

With a selection of customizable crepes on offer, I felt obliged to give it a try, ordering the nutella and banana one, as it seemed to be the most delicious with a sweet character. Well, I have to say, I was wrong. What I was served was plenty of crepe and not very much nutella or banana slices. It was very sad, as I had quite high hopes for the place. It seemed to me that they were being deliberately stingy in a quite unnecessary way, so I was, needless to say, very disappointed.

But would I come back? Perhaps. I would certainly order something else and mainly arrive to enjoy the ambience, but the nutella crepe is a no-go area. Come for the decor, but be cautious in your ordering.

(nextdoorchi.com)

(nextdoorchi.com)

Alicia: Ultimately, Next Door is a hit or miss affair. Their coffee is pretty darn good, but they don’t always refill their milk jugs so if you’re a skim milk fan you might be out of luck pretty often. And as Adam mentioned, their filled crepes aren’t too filled. I ordered a crepe with blueberry compote and speculoos, and the very fact that they had speculoos as an option puts this place on my good side…yum! But the yum factor was limited to the small amount they put in there.

(nextdoorchi.com)

(nextdoorchi.com)

I don’t find Next Door’s atmosphere particularly welcoming. In fact, I find it quite sterile and so open as to be distracting. And I’m intrinsically dubious about it being an insurance and financial advising center (State Farm based). Nothing against State Farm in particular, but just the very association of a community center with an insurance company puts me a bit on edge.

(nextdoorchi.com)

(nextdoorchi.com)

While I wouldn’t work there on my own again, I would definitely go there to collaborate with others, especially with their sliding whiteboard walls, glass enclosed work spaces, and a plethora of group workshops available for free. I’m very excited to be signed up for their free yoga class next Tuesday morning, so we’ll see how that turns out as well. I find the place extremely neighborhood friendly, as they often shout out to their neighbors on social media outlets, and offer a wide variety of free programming which ranges anywhere from featuring local music talent to cooking classes, to yoga and entrepreneurial workshops.

(nextdoorchi.com)

(nextdoorchi.com)

Final thoughts: Participate in Next Door’s communal atmosphere and you’ll be amazed at the wealth of altruistic opportunities at hand. And, ultimately, we have nothing against a good cup o’ Joe and a safe space to share your ideas with others.

Posted in Drink It!, Eat It! and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
14 Feb 2013

Molly’s Cupcakes

WHAT: Molly’s Cupcakes
WHERE: 2536 N. Clark St.

OUR RATING: Do It!

(mollyscupcakes.com)

(mollyscupcakes.com)

There’s something special about cupcakes (and especially on Valentine’s Day). We’re not entirely sure what it is, but perhaps the endless varieties, crazy colours and fluffy toppings have something to do with it. Eating a cupcake is a little like regressing to childhood: they’re always a bit messy, sweetly succulent and seem quite silly. Add a swing set to the bar and you have the recipe for a unique bakeshop that makes a great play date or date night, depending on your age. It makes for a fabulous treat this Valentine’s, so why not stop over.

(virtualtourist.com)

(virtualtourist.com)

Adam: I really love Molly’s. It has a simplicity that makes it quite charming and cupcakes that you just can’t say no to. We had walked past several times, but had never seen the swing set along the bar available. Then, bingo! We got our chance, ordered two of the filled cupcakes ($3.75) and swung on our swings by the bar.

I chose the Ron Bennington, named after the radio personality and comedian. It’s Molly’s best selling cupcake and we thought it wise to try the one everyone raved about. Consisting of a chocolate cupcake, topped with chocolate frosting and butterscotch pieces, and filled with peanut butter, it was the richest thing I’d had all day. What works about it though is the combination of flavours, with the peanut butter centering the whole dish around a buttery and nutty theme. Make sure you have water handy though, because this one packs a punch to the tastebuds.

(mollyscupcakes.com)

(mollyscupcakes.com)

Molly’s Cupcakes also serves a variety of other cupcake sizes and types: minis ($1) and molly’s unfilled ($2), along with other baked goods including cakes, cookies, bars, pies and even cheesecake (including pumpkin caramel!). But I’d recommended the filled cupcakes as the best thing on the menu–they are simple, yet indulgent, and are sure to make you want more.

(mollyscupcakes.com)

(mollyscupcakes.com)

Alicia: I pass by Molly’s in Lincoln Park everyday on my way to work and eye the trays full of freshly baked cupcakes that cover the bar as I walk on by. I had heard so much about their cupcakes but I wasn’t sure…they seemed a bit pricey and small compared to Crumbs’ cupcakes, which I am a huge fan of. But all the hype and the quaint playfulness of their store ultimately drew me in, and I would definitely return!

It was obvious that I was getting in on Adam’s Ron Bennington, so I thought I’d choose something to cut all that richness and chocolate. As soon as I saw the mound of homemade whipped cream with the delicate slice of peach on top, I knew I wanted the Peach Cobbler. Vanilla cake might sound a bit drab, but when you fill it with cinnamon peach puree and top it with brown sugar streusel, you have a perfect mouthful. And if you enjoy the likes of apple pie, this offers a really interesting alternative, especially since I find peaches a rather underutilized fruit.

What really makes this cupcake is the homemade whipped cream that cuts into the sweetness of the puree. The streusel was slightly disappointing in that it didn’t provide as much crunch as I would have liked, but I’m sure that’s because we visited Molly’s later in the day and the cupcake wasn’t as fresh as it would have been in the morning. Nonetheless, I found the flavors complex, but comforting, and a great compliment to the richness of Adam’s cupcake.

Final Thoughts: Snag a seat on the swing set and take a whimsical journey with cupcakes Willy Wonka would be proud of. And don’t forget the sprinkles!

Posted in Eat It! and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
05 Feb 2013

Butcher & The Burger

WHAT: Butcher & The Burger
WHERE: 1021 W. Armitage Ave.

OUR RATING: Chance It!

(butcherandtheburger.com)

(butcherandtheburger.com)

A lot can be said for this lovely little spot that takes the old fashioned concept of the burger and gives it a modern twist. In keeping with the times, Butcher & The Burger allows for full customization, with patrons picking their meat (a choice of prime beef, turkey, grass fed beef, pork, salmon, elk, lentil brown rice, portobello, shrimp or bison), spice blend (everything from kosher salt and black pepper to umami), bun and toppings. All of this is served on a chopping block, which accentuates the location’s butchery credentials.

(butcherandtheburger.com)

(butcherandtheburger.com)

The ambience is old-timey and evokes an epoch where your local butcher was your friend and the burger shop a major hangout for the kids. No McDonalds back then, and a good thing too. While space is extremely limited, the coziness lends something to the experience that makes you okay with being squeezed up against the wall.

Adam: OK, I know what you’re going to say: why did you order the vegan option at a burger joint? And the answer is: it just seemed right. My philosophy is that if a place is going to have a solid menu, then the vegan option is perhaps the most important part–if you can succeed at that, you’re pretty much good all around. And boy, did they succeed!

(butcherandtheburger.com)

(butcherandtheburger.com)

My lentil burger was meaty and full, and only fell apart towards the end, which is more than I can say of other vegan burgers I’ve had. I went with the Chicago-style steakhouse rub, for a bit of traditionalism, which gave it a rather local kick. Encased in a whole wheat bun and topped off with lettuce, tomato, onion, wasabi mayo (this is great!), pickles, BBQ sauce, and goat cheese, I felt I was in luck.

(butcherandtheburger.com)

So why, you might ask, did I say you should only chance this spectacular burger experience? Well, it’s the little things. For example, on all our burgers, the cheese was a sprinkling at best, providing practically no flavor and therefore making me wonder why it was being offered. I also observed that some of the spices (such as sun fiery ghost pepper and coconut curry) were so very spicy that they overwhelmed any other essence in the burger. Such flavors need to be a little more balanced when it comes down to it.

(timeoutchicago.com)

(timeoutchicago.com)

Another issue was the price vs. size/what you get ratio. My burger cost $7.50 (they range up to $14.50 with no extras), and that included no sides, no drink, no nothing. You might argue that this is a gourmet restaurant with a special experience. The burgers are pretty good, but not that good. They should at least throw in a fries or drink, otherwise, the pretentious a-la-carte nature of the menu outweighs the homestyle cooking. I’m sorry, but you just can’t have a soup called Grandma’s onion soup and foie gras on the same menu. My verdict: perhaps go once to try it out and get a super customized burger you can’t get anywhere else. Then, don’t bother coming back.

Alicia: Yes, I went vegan too, but one of our guests went for the prime beef, so we do offer an account of an actual burger in this review. She ordered the burger medium on top a pretzel bun (which happens to cost $.50 extra, and worth it, according to her) with some other accoutrements. The burger came out crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, and boy was it vertical. Medium-sized patty at best, but darn tasty.

(butcherandtheburger.com)

(butcherandtheburger.com)

Meanwhile, I went a little crazy with my order. I really wanted a portobello burger, but they were out of that (disappointing), so I went with the lentil-brown rice option with their coconut/curry/honey spice blend, goat cheese, delicious dijon mustard and wasabi mayo, onions, pickles and -get this- a LETTUCE bun. All of this placed between two slices of iceberg lettuce. You’d think all of these additions (and on top of that a burger made of lentils) would be the messiest thing I ever ate. Not the case! It all stayed perfectly within the ‘bun’ and I was able to enjoy all of the tastes without muddying it with bread (I hate that). The coconut/curry/honey spice blend was the perfect level of spiciness and uniqueness without being too un-burger like. All-in-all, a win!

(butcherandtheburger.com)

(butcherandtheburger.com)

Final thoughts: We give Chef/Partner Allen Sternweiler’s place props. They’ve offered a location where foodies and those who just like burgers can both be happy. On top of that, it’s BYOB, so you can carry in your favorite 6-pack without breaking more of the bank than your burger might already. But would we go back again? Perhaps not for their normal lunch or dinner burgers, but we WOULD come back to try their frozen custard perhaps, and definitely their breakfast burgers, which cost the same as they do at lunch and dinner but also come with two eggs any style and small fries. Fancy a burger brunch anyone?

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

Perennial Virant

WHAT: Perennial Virant
WHERE: 1800 N. Lincoln Ave.

OUR RATING: Chance It!

(perennialchicago.com)

(perennialchicago.com)

If there’s one thing that you can take away from Lincoln Park’s Perennial Virant its the ever-changing menu that moves with the turning of the seasons. One can view this from two perspectives: either it provides an endlessly rotating variety of fare and dissuades palate boredom, or it makes the process between visits majorly confusing. We would say that Perennial Virant manages to tread the line between the two quite well, but not well enough for us to outright recommend it.

Adam: When you enter Perennial Virant, the first thing you are struck by is the cacophony of voices intermixed with inappropriately loud music. OK, that is a little harsh…you are also greeted by a beautiful open space with the modernist touch of raw open metalwork and comforting leather seats. However, the sheer pulsating nature of the music required us to ask for its lowering, a request that was only partially fulfilled.

But, I’m too glum! The wait staff were immediately attentive to our service needs, providing the table with deliciously delicate complimentary bread, and a choice of wine. While I decided to sip on the Sauvignon Blanc, Quintay “Clava” 2011 (Casablanca Vly, CHL), I can highly recommend the Grenache Blanc, Famille Perrin “Reserve” 2011 (Rhone, FRA), which was enjoyed by Alicia.

(perennialchicago.com)

(perennialchicago.com)

We decided upon a starter to share, and honed in on the butternut squash panna cotta, mainly because of its unusual combination of the aforementioned squash with caramelized egg, prairie breeze cheddar, apple, and pickled onions. I am afraid to say, we were not impressed. It, honestly, seemed dull, and once you got over the fact that panna cotta could be an appetizer as well as a dessert…well, let’s just say you would be wiser to try the beet salad (fantastic and worth a taste).

(perennialchicago.com)

(perennialchicago.com)

For an entree, the duck leg confit did me nicely. Almost unnaturally, wafer thin slices of duck graced the platter, laid so daintily that it might almost be sacrilege to move them. Drizzled lightly with duck jus accompanied by vanilla melon jam, perhaps the most interesting side was the persimmon pudding cake which embodied the traditional elements of a real pudding: supple and succulent with a most wonderful, herby taste. Persimmon was known to the Greeks as the “Wheat of Zeus”, after all. Pickled sunchokes (Jerusalem artichokes) and red cabbage complete this dish, which is to be highly recommended as a fine piece of duck.

Tea finished the night, and a good selection they have too. I enjoyed the Earl Grey, served in full teapot with loose leaves. Definitely a good cap to the evening.

(perennialchicago.com)

(perennialchicago.com)

Alicia: My favorite aspect of Perennial Virant is the aesthetic, in particular the clear light bulbs that fully occupy the space and hang all along the ceiling. It’s trendy in a very unassuming and homey way, and had me thinking ‘Nikola Tesla on vacation to the farm’ the entire night. My least favorite aspect were the oddly placed bathrooms, which were located outside of the actual restaurant in the lobby of the Hotel Lincoln.

For a Chicago Gastropub/New American restaurant, Perennial Virant is a little more vegetarian/pescatarian friendly than others, but it’s still pretty limited. Many in our party, including myself, ordered the pan-roasted rainbow trout, which was accompanied by grits, greens, a sweet corn medley (what they call “chow chow”) and a spicy butter sauce. You would think this dish sounded okay for pescatarians, but in fact the greens are cooked in bacon fat and are accompanied with bits of bacon as well. Luckily, I’m not limited in this fashion, but it’s really annoying when a place doesn’t list all of these components in their menu descriptions, and when they severely limit one’s options if they have any dietary restrictions. Worse yet, our vegetarian had one option, a vegetarian skillet, and even that was so spicy as to be unpalatable. After taking a bite, even I had to have a few sips of wine before I could enjoy eating anything else.

(chicagomagazine.com)

(chicagomagazine.com)

However, when the waitress was made aware that some of our party could not consume pork, she was readily able to assist in menu recommendations and even warned me that my dish contained pork once I ordered. As for the dish itself, while the sauce and corn were almost too spicy, I thought the dish as a whole was a success. The fish was beautifully cooked and stood up to the loud and savory greens, with the spicy corn and butter cutting through it all with a sweet punch. I expected a few more surprises and more unique flavors, but it was successfully ‘homey.’

(perennialchicago.com)

For dessert, our party ordered pastry chef Elissa Narow’s mint chocolate sundae with chocolate clusters and fudge sauce, a maple cheesecake and a caramel apple crepe with butterscotch ice cream, candied chestnuts and fresh cooked apples. All three desserts were delicious, with fresh picked mint enveloped in dark chocolate for the sundae and a sumptuous crepe with tangy caramel. Our favorite of the night by far, however, was the maple cheesecake, which was amazingly luxurious with exciting cameos from fresh, tart cranberries.

Final Thoughts: Perhaps our only real criticisms of Perennial Virant are Chef Paul Virant’s inconsistent menu and the unwarranted racket. It’s not that good food isn’t served here, it is–as our enjoyment of most of it goes to show. But, the “virant” of quality is not really up to snuff: a restaurant needs to have a menu that is delicious for all who patronize it, not just the few who are lucky enough to choose the right dishes.

Tea!

Tea!

If you’re vegetarian, this restaurant has nothing of real merit for you, and we would advise you steer clear. If not, start out with the beet salad, accompanied by one of their white wines. Order the duck for your main and the cheesecake or a scoop of plain ice cream for dessert and finish the night with a cup of Earl Grey. With this particular menu, the right choice is everything.

Posted in Eat It! and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
29 Jan 2013

The Burwood Tap

WHAT: The Burwood Tap (Bar)
WHERE: 724 W. Wrightwood Ave.

OUR RATING: Chance It!

(burwoodtap.com)

(burwoodtap.com)

Living only three blocks away from The Burwood Tap means that you would think we would have visited already for a review. Unfortunately, it was only recently that we set foot in this unknown, woodclad pub. We should have got there sooner to give you the full story.

Claiming to be the oldest neighborhood bar in Lincoln Park (founded in 1933), we certainly saw a dedicated crowd and friendly atmosphere. We think we’re going to have to come back a second time to fully appreciate the bar, but here we go–

(burwoodtap.com)

(burwoodtap.com)

Alicia: Give a girl free popcorn, free pool, a cozy aesthetic and some fun, intimate but low key lighting and you have her hooked. I may not be a fan of The Burwood Tap’s top-40 and pretty loud music selection or their numerous sports-on-TV screens, but you surprisingly don’t have to be a sports-loving DePaul frat boy to enjoy this place. Sure, there’s a lot of them here, but when a group of a few dozen current students and alumni from Geek-central University of Chicago can feel at home at this locale neighborhood bar, you can pretty much be anyone to come here. But you’ll definitely have to be in the mood to really try when socializing with others, as the music is pretty darn-loud (but then again, I’ve been to much louder spots in Wrigleyville, by far).

(burwoodtap.com)

(burwoodtap.com)

Adam: The Burwood Tap has a lot of pros: the previously mentioned free pool and popcorn, the friendly staff and a lovely interior. Unfortunately, certain aspects did not sit well with me, though they would have probably been tolerated by others. Drink prices were quite steep ($8 for a (small) Guinness draft) and bar staff, while attentive, took time chatting to patrons while fixing my pint (not a pint, by the way). I like efficient service with minimal time wasted. She was quite lucky I gave her the dollar tip at the end, but I felt that her convivial demeanor probably deserved a token of appreciation.

(burwoodtap.com)

(burwoodtap.com)

Other than this though, I thought this bar was pleasant and classic, and I’m sure that with frequent attendance a good relationship could be built with both patrons and staff. I’d come back for the drink specials and free buffet, but perhaps only order a domestic draft next time.

(burwoodtap.com)

(burwoodtap.com)

Final thoughts: We’ll definitely want to come back here on a Monday-Thursday night for a free buffet, and to check out their acclaimed Wednesday trivia night, but this may not be the best weekend-night out. You might be safer trying out a more well-known location, but the adventurous can experience Lincoln Park at its most authentic at this local little spot.

Posted in Do It!, Drink It!, Nightlife and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

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