Storefront City Chicago

Archive for the category “Drink It!”

21 May 2013

DAVIDsTEA

WHAT: DAVIDsTEA
WHERE: 924 W. Armitage Ave., 1645 N. Damen Ave., & 3530 N. Southport Ave.

OUR RATING: Do It!

Tea is taking off, and has been for some time. The city itself is quite replete with teahouses, from the swanky Russian Tea Time to the more relaxed Argo. DAVIDsTEA emerges into an already well-populated market with three locations in Lincoln Park, Lakeview and Bucktown. With its Canadian credentials, bright wooden interior and literally hundreds of teas, DAVIDsTEA clearly wins all the style points. Add the alcoholic tea cocktail we tried and you’re in for an even bigger treat.

Adam:

(davidstea.com)

(davidstea.com)

I’m always a little suspicious of those chains that start small and explode rapidly to encompass whole continents. Starbucks and Teavana are the quintessential examples (the latter now owned by Starbucks). I have nothing against large chains, I just always suspect that their craft has not been honed to its fullest potential yet. The best empires are built slowly, preferably once the home-stores are self-sufficient and producing a major surplus. The goal should never be to expand, but to consolidate and take advantage of profits to enter undervalued markets. Anyway, enough of my business strategy prattle, because DAVIDsTEA allays some of my initial worry.

(davidstea.com)

(davidstea.com)

When you enter a DAVIDsTEA you’ll immediately notice the difference. A combination between the clean lines of modernism and the classic healthfulness of a Scandinavian spa, this company taps right into a branding message that just speaks volumes to the new generation of minimalist, health-conscious urbanites. With just over 150 different teas, and boasting the largest organic tea selection in North America, it can be confusing as to which tea to try. If you feel befuddled, just ask, as the lovely staff will be happy to make suggestions and guide you through the tea choosing process.

Whether you choose to imbibe in-store or take a few packets of leaves home, DAVIDsTEA has an astonishing variety (think traditionals like Assam, rarities like butterfly jasmine green and downright fun ones such as mint julep). I’ll let Alicia clue you in on the more alcoholic options, but as you can see DAVIDsTEA brings something awesome-new to the equation.

Alicia: On our latest visit to DAVIDsTEA we were introduced to the ambitious concept of a tea cocktail. DAVIDsTEA hosted a lovely cocktail reception with specialty cocktails infused with their summer collection teas, created by Tyler Fry of Chicago’s infamous Violet Hour. We were a little too late to sample the “One-Two Punch” with an all-fruit blend of mango, pineapple, and tangerine flavors (DAVIDsTEA’s Mango Fruit Punch blend) combined with tequila, but we were able to sample their “Migratory Coconut,” the low calorie answer to the Pina Colada with Appleton White Rum infused for two hours with DAVIDsTEA’s Coconut Grove blend and a bit of fresh pineapple juice, fresh lime juice, simple syrup, and St. Elizabeth Allspice Dram. Such a perfect spring drink!

The Migratory Coconut Cocktail

The Migratory Coconut Cocktail

But if you aren’t lucky enough to stop by a shop during one of these special events, not to fret! Tea Cocktails are super easy to craft at home and with DAVIDsTEA’s remarkable array of tea flavors, I can’t really think of a cocktail you can’t mimic with tea, and I’m sure brand new cocktail concoctions are relatively limitless. After purchasing your tea and spirit of choice, all you need to do is combine your 750ml bottle of spirit with either 5 Tbsp of herbal or white tea for 2 hours, agitating periodically. If the aforementioned Mint Julep black tea is more your style, go for 4 Tbsp for 1.5 hours. After the proper amount of time, simply strain the infusion and decant in the original bottle. And if you’re on a budget but want to make things even fancier, simply add a sprig of fresh herbs, such as mint, and you’ve got a rockin’ tea cocktail.

(davidstea.com)

(davidstea.com)

Final Thoughts: Stylish with an extensive collection, DAVIDsTEA provides a unique experience that feels exclusive and yet welcoming to all in the neighborhood. Tea is the most communal drink in the world, and we think DAVIDsTEA is one of the best places to enjoy it.

Posted in Drink It! and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
17 May 2013

Volo

WHAT: Volo
WHERE: 2008 W. Roscoe St.

OUR RATING: Do It!

(volorestaurant.com)

(volorestaurant.com)

This wine bar in Roscoe Village has a casual elegance that makes it the perfect place to enjoy a glass or two, indulge in small plates (which aren’t really that small) and relax in the cool embrace of your own personal cabana, complete with wispy gauze curtains and dazzling strings of lights that trail into your peripheral vision. With an extensive wine list and eclectic food menu, Volo is set to become the staple for date-nights throughout the city.

(volorestaurant.com)

(volorestaurant.com)

Adam: When first laying eyes on Volo, you might not think much. The front is like all the other wine bars you’ve ever seen, with a small selection of seating on the pavement. Inside, a secluded and dark atmosphere exudes, but it is the back patio that really makes this place special. Your feet patter across the red-brick floor to your desired seat, whether it be a black-iron table, or one of the specially upholstered cabanas. Lanterns dangle from the ceiling, casting a warm glow, while vines creep up the walls.

(Bubbly and White Wine Flights)

(Bubbly and White Wine Flights)

Volo is, first and foremost, a wine bar, and it would have been criminal not to have tried some of their almost endless varieties on offer. For a diverse and leisurely experience, try out one of their wine flights. I chose the Oregon Whites Flight, partly because the options seemed interesting, and also because Oregon is an up-and-coming wine region, worthy of our appreciation and scrutiny. I started off with the 2010 Brooks Riesling from Willamette Valley, OR. Technically, of course, Riesling should derive from the Rhinelands, but the Oregon type still maintained some of the original character, if not also being rather tart for a Riesling. Next, I sampled the 2012 Anne Amie Müller-Thurgau of Yamhill-Carlton, OR. A relative recent variety of white grape, it was bred for the first time in 1882 by Hermann Müller of Thurgau, Switzerland. Again, we have the German connection, although this wine shines brighter than the Riesling, with peach, melon and minerals creating a crisp, strong wine. Finally, I sipped away at the 2011 Four Graces Pinot Gris, Willamette Valley, OR. A Burgundian formulation originally, the pinot gris has a fragrant, slightly sweet incarnation here, along with a honeyed finish that is divine as the Graces themselves. Highly recommended alone, or in the trio.

Veal Bone Marrow

Veal Bone Marrow

As for food, the selection is sumptuous. Small plates are not small, and will easily feed two people. Choosing one of their signature dishes, the marrow bones and toast, of roast veal bones served with medium flake sea salt and thyme dashed toasts, I was presented with a mountainous plate of at least 6 bones, each of which had beautifully succulent marrow within. Like a hunter-gather of yore, I relished in the juicy softness of the marrow, so dutifully spread upon the toasts and seasoned with just a hint of salt. One of the best plates I’ve tasted in a long time.

(volorestaurant.com)

(volorestaurant.com)

Alicia: Volo’s back patio is the perfect date-night spot, or even a girl’s night out, where one can sit back and relax with good wine and food and talk the night away while bathed in the ambience of a magical secret garden. To fit with the elegance of my surroundings I chose Volo’s bubbly flight. I started with the NV Adami, Brut Valdobbiadene Prosecco from Veneto Italy. With scents of apple and peach and with notes of white flower, this Prosecco had a strangely crisp and savory mouthfeel that while initially refreshing, left a somewhat muddled afternote. I continued the flight with the NV Camille Braun, Cremant d’Alsace, France, which was extremely fruity and crisp, and yet delicate all the same. Unsurprisingly, my favorite of the night was the NV Terres Dorees, FRV 100, from Beaujolais, France. This bubbly had a lovely rosy color and was complete with red berry melange, orange oil, a touch of soil and a zesty mousse.

Trio of Cheeses

Trio of Cheeses

To complement my flight I ordered a trio of their artisanal farmhouse cheeses, which lovingly came with a large basket of toasts for $12. I added on a plate of their sweet honey, candied nuts and date jam for $5 and was not disappointed, with portions of everything being quite generous, and really–with how rich every component is–a little goes a long way.

Cheese Plate Accoutrements

Cheese Plate Accoutrements

I started my cheese plate by playing it safe with a montchevre garlic and herb from wisconsin, a lovely goat’s milk cheese from Wisconsin that was mild and creamy with delicious roasted garlic, rosemary & thyme, perhaps my favorite of the night. I had my hopes up for their lamb chopper from California, a mild sheep’s milk cheese from Cypress Grove Chevre that was buttery in color and flavor with a long finish, but ultimately it was pretty run of the mill. The most unique cheese was the epoisses de Bourgogne, France, a pungent, unpasteurized cow’s milk cheese washed with brandy. The brandy was subtle and yet added an amazing bite that cut the pungent quality of the cheese quite nicely.

(volorestaurant.com)

(volorestaurant.com)

Final Thoughts: This is one of Chicago’s places to be, but if you plan on going you should plan on the long haul: meals here are very European and you might find yourself there for a lengthy period of time. Because of the longer meals and the popularity of the outdoor seating, we suggest you reserve in advance and eat a little earlier to beat the dinner crowd. And hey, they have happy hour oysters and pork belly skewers every weekday night from 5-7 anyways, so this is the perfect early-evening extravaganza to delight all of your senses.

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

Chicago French Market

WHAT: Chicago French Market
WHERE: 131 N. Clinton St.

OUR RATING: Do It!

This huge, indoor, year round marketplace beneath the train terminal next to the Ogilvie Transportation Center has just celebrated its third anniversary. Thirty one different vendors offer a variety of delicious fare, from meats, to cheese, to wines, to flowers, the list is endless. With real markets being so few and far between in the city, a visit to the French Market will be an eye-opening day of fun.

(frenchmarketchicago.com)

(frenchmarketchicago.com)

Alicia: Supporting local farmers and artisans, the Chicago French Market brings the European-inspired marketplace to Chicago, allowing year-round, permanent access to some of the freshest goods in the city. Your obvious first stop should be City Fresh Market, selling anything from fresh produce to meats, to cheese and other grocery items. After you’ve shopped for the necessities, it’s the boutiques you must hit up next, and everything is eye/nose candy. And you’ll get hungry, trust me.

(frenchmarketchicago.com)

(frenchmarketchicago.com)

If you’re in the mood for food and a little France, take a gander at Le Cafe du Marche, specializing in French-inspired sandwiches. And then there’s Frietkoten Belgian Fries & Beer, with fries, fries, fries galore. Here you can experience Amsterdam’s traditional Frietkoten ‘fry shack’ with a paper cone filled to the brim with hand cut Belgian fries, along with your choice of sauce from a selection of 20 different sauces each day. Finally, you can get in on the latest Lillie’s Q barbeque craze without having to travel to their Bucktown location.

(frenchmarketchicago.com)

(frenchmarketchicago.com)

But what really gets my mouth watering is not the savory options at CFM, but rather the desserts. Pastries, doughnuts, fresh baked bread…what’s not to love? You can grab authentic European pastries from Delightful Pastries or Vanille Patisserie, with choices including macarons, tarts, fine chocolates, and even fresh pierogies. Or get your American doughnut on at Beavers Coffee + Donuts, whose food truck is often seen exploring the city emitting the most fantastic smells of fried dough. And just wait – in May, famed chef Stephanie Izard will be bringing a satellite location of Little Goat Bread to the market, which will be sure to provide you with your carb fix.

(frenchmarketchicago.com)

(frenchmarketchicago.com)

Adam: Artisan foods, fine wines and a big open space to enjoy it all in? Well, that’s the Chicago French Market for you! Strangely, multi-vendor markets aren’t really a feature of US life as in many other countries. Obviously, the Middle East is replete with such examples of communal selling, and even the larger town next to my village in England has a monthly farmers’ market, with intermittent French markets from the produces of our sister town in Normandy. Yet, America has only recently been blessed with this phenomenon, allowing you to savour the smells of cooking and preparation, while samples flow freely, assailing the taste-buds with delicious contrasts.

(frenchmarketchicago.com)

(frenchmarketchicago.com)

Standing out as one of the most interesting venues is Pastoral Artisan Cheese, Bread & Wine, along the west wall. With artisan cheese, bread and wine, quality wines are often given freely in tastings, while their available cheeses are diverse and well-rounded. Another highlight is Saigon Sisters, adding a little Asian to the mix, and they are known for their banh mi. Of course, the French connection sings through here also, Saigon being the colonial name for modern Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam (then French Indochina).

(frenchmarketchicago.com)

(frenchmarketchicago.com)

And then there are the small vendors, producing lots of unique sweet treats, spices, soups and other goodies that can be enjoyed in the food court or at home. Delicious, simple and good, make sure you at least get a baguette, some wine and a lump of cheese, while filling up on all the samples you can.

Final Thoughts: Chicago French Market is fun, free and full of life. Excitingly, tomorrow (Saturday, April 27th) marks the 3rd Annual Pastoral Artisan Producers Fest from 11am – 3pm. Featuring over 80 vendors and numerous samples, it’s a great way of getting acquainted with the market and trying some really special delights.

Posted in Do It!, Drink It!, Eat It!, Festivals, Shopping and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
17 Apr 2013

Cheesie’s Pub & Grub

WHAT: Cheesie’s Pub & Grub
WHERE: 958 W. Belmont Ave. (also 622 Davis St. in Evanston)

OUR RATING: Do it!

Grilled Cheese: an American classic, or at least a quick bite. Cheesie’s Pub & Grub, located in Lakeview right next to Berlin and near the Belmont Red Line stop, seems set to take the esteemed position of hangover hangout. It’s definitely divey, with some fun and colorful revamps of famous paintings littering the wall and chalkboard tables. With ten or so quality grilled cheese sandwiches on the menu, it’s hard to go wrong if you want basic food at cheap prices, and also if you want to be convivial in a laid back atmosphere. Complete with a full bar, you can continue your revelry inside, or just grab a sandwich and settle down – we leave the choice to you.

Adam: Grilled cheese is not perhaps the first thing I think of eating late at night – Chinese probably takes the top spot. But, with a pleasant environment and tasty food, Cheesie’s definitely has a lot going for it. Very aware that I should be balancing out the preponderance of cholesterol in the run-of-the-mill grilled cheese, I gravitated towards their Caprese. While I think that anyone from Capri would probably be furious with me for accepting what they would think of as a bastardization, I was absolutely loving the thick mozzarella, juicy tomatoes, extra virgin olive oil, and basil all smashed together inside a sourdough bun. A side of sour cream and chive dipping sauce made this event of a sandwich even better. My stomach wasn’t completely blitzed, which means this light(er) meal is great late at night.

To supplement this, I tried some fried pickle chips – a crazy good idea. Tart and crunchy they worked a treat and are perhaps the most innovative item on the menu. In fact, I’d love to add these to my Ploughman’s Lunch in the future, but I’m sure I’d have to buy a frier for that, so it probably won’t happen. But further decadence was to be had. For the strong try the 10% abv Root Beer Beer Float. With a dollop of vanilla ice cream in root beer flavored beer, this was adult drink paradise, and upped the diner credentials of Cheesie’s at least three notches. I can see them absolutely prescribing this at an old time drugstore – highly recommended if you want a fun, extremely unusual drink.

Alicia: When I was little, I actually hated grilled cheese, mostly because I couldn’t stomach cheese at all, or any dairy products for that matter. American cheese was the worst. Yet over the years my palate has ‘matured,’ so I’m as big a fan as any of some hot bread and cheese sammies. While American cheese is still my least favorite, and while Cheesie’s sandwich of the month sounded pretty tempting (Veg-e Tales with smoked gouda and veggies on sourdough), I really wanted to go as classic as possible here, so I stuck with the good ol’ Original.

Cheesie’s original grilled cheese sandwich is composed of two thick and luxuriously grilled pieces of Texas Toast, housing both American and Merkt’s cheddar cheese within, and with some must-have tomato soup dipping sauce on the side. My favorite component of the sandwich was definitely the thick slices of Texas Toast, and I was as happy as a clam that while cheesy, the bread was still the ultimate player here, and that grease barely played a part in any bite. The tomato dipping sauce was a bit weak and somewhat odd tasting, but with copious amounts of ketchup available on the table I didn’t fret. Ultimately, I felt that something was missing from this sandwich, and I think I could have gone for a slightly more salty cheese or some kind of herb to add to the mix, but when you ask for classic, that’s pretty much what you’re going to get.

While we thoroughly enjoyed the food and ambiance of Cheesie’s, the service was rather horrific. The cashier was exceptionally rude and the bartender that served us didn’t seem to know what she was doing. After what seemed like ages, we finally got our receipt from the bartender, but we had waited so long the ice cream in our float had practically melted, and our food was getting cold.

Final Thoughts: This place is open super late, and is a great late-night/post-partying option for those who might have the munchies. Whether you go classic or are up for some experimenting, Cheesie’s won’t disappoint you, at least in regards to their comfort foods. Just be careful ordering from the bar.

Posted in Drink It!, 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 , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
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 , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
21 Mar 2013

Joy Yee’s Noodles

WHAT: Joy Yee’s Noodles
WHERE: 2139 S. China Pl.

OUR RATING: Do It!

Huge portions, wholesome food and hot plates mark Joy Yee’s Noodles out as one of the most unique and fun experiences in Chinatown and Chicago itself. The bowls of food are literally giant and served traditionally in stoneware and metal, while bubble tea flows freely from the alcove out front, purportedly the first location to serve the concoction in Chicago.

Can’t make it down to Chinatown? Not to worry! Joy Yee’s has a plethora of other locations, including Joy Yee’s To Go in Lakeview, and locations in Evanston, Naperville and University Village.

Alicia: Everything about Joy Yee’s is big and loud. The place is always bustling, so you’ll probably wait a bit for a seat, and when you are seated, just be prepared for the meal to be loud and crazy. And then you get the menu and your head will spin, with page after page of fruit drinks, bubble teas, and an unending food menu. The picture to the right is just one page of many for just the drinks…

Bubble teas, etc, are good and all, but I don’t often order them. Yet, with Joy Yee’s offering an extensive menu of teas inside (as well as offering to-go windows on one end of the restaurant), I just had to order one. My sister and I split the Lychee Bubble Tea and the gigantic glass arrived at our table chock-full of fresh, delicious lychees and a plethora of beautiful tapioca pearls. It took quite awhile, but we savored every last drop of its sweet and refreshing tastiness.

As I’m all about contrast, the day I ordered the Lychee Bubble Tea was the same day I discovered the Korean Spicy Seafood Noodle Soup. Spicy broth housed luxurious noodles and an ongoing supply of shrimp, octopus, scallops and a white fish. The bowl was so huge that I had to bring more than half of it home. It was certainly spicy and is sure to clear your sinuses, but it isn’t so spicy as to completely overwhelm the delicate seafood, so it’s definitely a win-win.

I’ve been to Joy Yee’s more times than I can count, but my favorite visit was probably when Adam and I split their Korean Sliced Beef with Spicy Tofu Soup. But I’ve talked about food enough, and I’m hungry again for Joy Yee’s…so I’ll leave this one for Adam to describe!

Adam: Being a huge fan of exotic food, Joy Yee’s really fits my bill excellently. With cuisine from across Asia, you can take a quick trip to China, before hopping onto Korea and sailing down to the Malay Peninsula. I’ve had two experiences here and both of them resulted in very different responses, so bear with me.

The first dish I ordered here was the Lemongrass Spicy Chicken, which was, disappointingly, more lemon than spice. This might be due to its simplicity – you want to order extravagantly at a place that serves some of its food inside massive bamboo shoots. The citrus flavor of the lemongrass was, however, much appreciated, even if the overall dish cannot be recommended.

Now, onto the main event: Korean Sliced Beef with Spicy Tofu Soup. Perhaps the best item on the menu, it’s massive, easily split between two people and a perfect reflection of several Asian cuisines. A hot stone plate piled high with grilled beef and a tangy spicy sauce are laden upon one side of your wooden tray, whilst a stone bowl of steaming soup lulls deliciously on the other, complete with vegetable broth and numerous tofu pieces afloat within it. Definitely recommended and only for the hungriest of people, this meal is worthy of a visit in itself to this staple of Chinatown, Chicago.

Final Thoughts: To be honest, Joy Yee’s may not be for everyone. If you don’t like loud restaurants, you may want to think twice, and if you don’t like making decisions on what to eat, then this place will certainly test you. Another word of warning is that Joy Yee’s sometimes skimps on your leftovers. What we mean is, if you ask to take home your leftovers, they will only give you back an amount that fits in one takeout container, so if you have more than that, they will just toss the rest.

Other than these slight drawbacks, Joy Yee’s will provide a crazy and enjoyable experience whether you are on a fun date or hanging out with a bunch of your friends, and we’re sure you’ll leave feeling like you just ate a whole giant fish. Which, of course, is actually an option.

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

Townhouse Restaurant + Wine Bar

WHAT: Townhouse Restaurant + Wine Bar
WHERE: 111 S. Wacker Dr.

OUR RATING: Do It! (The Wine Flight)

Need to relax and enjoy yourself on a Tuesday night without going too crazy or emptying your wallet? Located in the Loop, the elegantly casual Townhouse Restaurant + Wine Bar lets you do just that. Pair half-off select appetizers from 3-6pm (actually, they have this every week day), with $8 wine flights for Townhouse’s Tasting Tuesdays.

(townhousewinebar.com)

(townhousewinebar.com)

Townhouse offers three different wine flights, each with three glasses complete with 3oz of vino. So sit back and relax with not one, not two, but THREE glasses of wine with Townhouse’s warm wood-paneled walls, wine wall and floor-to ceiling windows (which look out onto the river and neighboring skyscrapers).

Adam: Townhouse offers a variety of wine flights, including red, white and carbonated varieties. I was in a red mood, so I decided to sample those sorts and was not disappointed.

The flight of three red wines included varieties from Italy, Spain and Argentina, although this sometimes changes depending on what season it is. My first wine was the Italian Dogajolo Toscano, which tasted like a relatively young wine with fruity bouquet. While quite strong and full-bodied, it certainly had an Italian character, and one could clearly detect the Etruscan Sangiovese grapes which make this wine so distinctive.

(townhousewinebar.com)

(townhousewinebar.com)

My second wine, the Spanish Beronia Crianza, Rioja, made for a refreshing and affable taste, certainly smoothing the palate with blossomy hints. Originally a Phoenician wine variety of Tempranillo grapes, an earthy sense accompanies each sip, suggesting the Spanish lands from where it comes.

Finally, I settled into a nice glass of Doña Paula Malbec Estate, Mendoza, from Argentina, which had predominantly earth-like flavor, with hints of peppery spices. Definitely my favourite wine of the evening, it can be enjoyed with most dishes, as well as in more informal situations.

Alicia: Since I don’t imbibe carbonated wine very often, I went with Townhouse’s “All Things Sparkling” flight. I started off the night with a Mionetto Prosecco from Italy, which was admittingly very intense for me. It offered a very strong apple bouquet and was very dry. I was unable to take more than a few sips of this one, so moved on quite quickly.

My next tasting was of an Avivyo Cava from Spain. After sampling more than my fair share of Cava in Barcelona a few months ago, I was a little disappointed with this one. But I think my bar was a bit too high, and overall I did find this dry cava quite tasty with notes of grapefruit, bread dough and other citrus with vigorous bubbles.

(townhousewinebar.com)

(townhousewinebar.com)

My favorite of the night was the Louis Bouillot Rose from France (Burgundy to be exact). With a nose of blackcurrant and strawberry and with a beautifully subtle salmon pink color, this wine had fruity notes mixed with a well-balanced acidity. Needless to say, I let myself enjoy every last drop of this one.

Final Thoughts: We can’t speak to the food menu at Townhouse (as our bellies were too full of fermented grapes), but we’re sure to come back for their happy hour specials if we’re ever hungry enough. The wine flights, however, are well worth the $8 they cost, with each glass generously filled and quite nice too.

Posted in Drink It! and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
18 Mar 2013

Julius Meinl

WHAT: Julius Meinl Coffee Shop
WHERE: 3601 N. Southport Ave.

OUR RATING: Skip It!

(meinl.com)

(meinl.com)

Julius Meinl, the well-known Viennese coffee house, came to Chicago many years back and operates three purported “Austrian” cafes on the north side. While everyone seems to give this place rave reviews, we tend to disagree, and seriously suggest you stick with less “upscale” venues for your coffee in the future.

Adam: Let’s me be clear: Julius Meinl coffee is well-established and respected in Europe. Previously one of Austria’s largest coffee and gourmet grocery companies, it was forced to vacate Austria by the Nazis, but now had re-established itself as a quality brand. However, it’s blatantly apparent that this quality has not translated well across the Atlantic, and I for one believe that the Meinls would be smart to rethink their business strategy in this part of the world.

(meinl.com)

(meinl.com)

With abominably high coffee prices (you can pay up to $4.50 for a simple cup!), we weren’t out to a good start, but what really made our visit truly shameful was the baked goods we had been led to believe Meinl was so well known for. We ordered the special lemon ginger torte (actually a tartlet), consisting of lemon ginger curd, white chocolate mousse, topped with candied ginger and gold leaf. Sounds delicious! Only problem is that it’s dinky (literally, only 3 inches in diameter) and doesn’t taste like much at all. One could not detect the slightest hint of chocolate, nor much of the ginger either (except, of course, for the candied ginger – but I could have bought this and eaten it without the tartlet).

I’m not impressed, but then again, it does take a lot to impress me. Let’s just say that I expect my foods to be full-flavored and my drinks strong. Neither was to be had here.

(meinl.com)

(meinl.com)

Alicia: My entire experience at Julius Meinl, with the exception of the food quality, was an exact replica of my experiences at beautiful European cafes with terrible customer service (well, that latter part is pretty specific to Paris). When I walked into Julius Meinl, I thought I was in my own version of Wonderland – the Austrian cafe version with its Austrian built furnishings and fittings – and I was loving every minute of it. Until we sat down.

While the cafe wasn’t very full, it took an exorbitant amount of time for us to receive a menu or even a hello from our waiter, and once we did, while pleasant enough, there was a certain coldness radiating from him. Clearly unhappy at our minimal order of pie, he made a big deal out of us wanting two waters to come with it (as if that was unheard of). And then, it took ages upon ages to get a check, no matter how many times we tried to get his attention.

(meinl.com)

(meinl.com)

I wanted so badly to love Julius Meinl. In fact, I still so badly want to fall in love it. With the atmosphere. With the nostalgia and romance it brought back. With the pastry list. With their nights of live Classical and Jazz music. So maybe next time I will order a coffee served in a ceramic cup with a glass of water served on a silver platter, typical Vienna style. Or maybe I’ll just try another location. But I definitely won’t ever order their “pie.” Or torte. Or tartlet. Whatever they call that bastardization of lemon gingery goodness.

Final Thoughts: Pretty upon entrance, Meinl will leave you wanting anything but what they have to offer. The slow service will be making you think you’re on an episode of “No Check, Please!” while the food will make you sad you paid the check at all.

Posted in Drink It!, Eat It! and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

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