Storefront City Chicago

Archive for the tag “restaurants”

27 Feb 2013

Paris Club

(parisclubchicago.com)

(parisclubchicago.com)

WHAT: Paris Club (French)
WHERE: 59 W. Hubbard St.

OUR RATING: Do It!

It seems that Storefront City has been in a decidedly French mood lately (but then again, we’re always a little bit Gallic at heart). So, when we trotted over to Paris Club this week for a Belgian beer and food tasting, we got a aangenaam [pleasant] combination of libations and hors d’oeuvres from the fields of Flanders, as well as the more traditional Parisian nourriture [food].

(parisclubchicago.com)

(parisclubchicago.com)

When you enter Paris Club, a sense of class descends upon you, although you would not feel out of place here in some very nice jeans. Perfect for an afterwork treat, it’s beautiful, chic, fun and countrified. We had a peek at their dining room, and it looked lovely and rustic, complete with brick walls, yet still had a very modern Chicago feel. The space is very open, with their “bar room” associated with, but still apart from, their more elegant dining area. With high leather backed chairs and intimate lighting, the bar area is great for a drink and a quick bite, too.

(parisclubchicago.com)

(parisclubchicago.com)

Adam: Specifically, we had come to Paris Club to enjoy a Belgian beer tasting from the likes of the Duvel Moortgat Brewery of Breendonk, Liefmans Brewery of Oudenaarde (est. 1679, so very old indeed), De Koninck Brewery of Antwerp, Maredsous Abbey of Denée, and Brasserie d’Achouffe. However, since we have an all-beer monthly special coming up later this week, we thought we’d save our reviews until then and concentrate on the wonderful food offerings from Paris Club that you can get any time.

(parisclubchicago.com)

(parisclubchicago.com)

While many delicious appetizers were available, I’m only going to talk about the best, so you can order them too! Firstly, make sure that you have a large hunk of bread ready. Sourdough or fresh French bread is provided for no extra cost, and goes fantastically with the smoked trout pâté, although this particular offering is not always available. Make sure that you try their cheese also, as they are pretty standard in France, but not in America. I recommend the Normandy camembert (if available on the day you visit), along with the bonne bouche (actually a Vermont cheese), although the latter lacks some of the typically creamy character of a goat cheese. Actually, you can try this cheese either on your sourdough or on a wonderfully savoury pretzel croissant ($4.95), as the soft, buttery bread complements the harder cheese most excellently.

(parisclubchicago.com)

(parisclubchicago.com)

For a slightly heartier dish, try out the poutine ($9.95), a generous heaping of frites, beef short rib, gravy and cheese. This dish is actually Québécois, and relatively new on the food scene (yet nonetheless exploding in popularity), but truly speaks to the Francophone credentials of the Paris Club (even Vermont was once French, hence the name and the presence of Vermontian cheese on the menu).

(parisclubchicago.com)

(parisclubchicago.com)

Alicia: Despite my German heritage, I am not the biggest consumer of pork, but Chicago is really into the charcuterie scene right now, and Paris Club has joined in on this fad. To get the best feel, therefore, I sampled their very unique and delicate country pâté filled with pistachios and their thinly sliced saucisson sec, both of which were complemented by a stone ground mustard just bursting with flavor. I also sampled their pork rillettes, which brought me back to my first accidental grocery purchase when studying abroad in Paris. The smoky/salty/peppery pork was luxurious, and perfect when paired with the acidity from pickled mini gherkins and onions.

(parisclubchicago.com)

Country Pâté

To celebrate the Belgian beers on hand, servers also brought a variety of sliced sausages to our table, which I believed to probably have been weiβwurst, knackwurst and bockwurst, all of which were super juicy and delicate, and well paired with their sweet and spicy Dijon mustard.  Not items that I think are usually on offer there, but they definitely knocked them out of the park.

(parisclubchicago.com)

(parisclubchicago.com)

I think what ultimately impressed me the most about Paris Club, however, was really the service provided by their staff. Despite this being an entirely free event, I felt as if I must have paid a pretty high price to get in here, because not only was there an ambitious selection of food available to sample, but I almost felt like we were waited on constantly. Sure, the waiters did try to push us a bit to order from the bar, but they were all very friendly and every time we looked around there was always another waiter to offer us a croissant (and they always pronounced it right, too).

(parisclubchicago.com)

(parisclubchicago.com)

Final thoughts: Highly recommended for some pre-dinner snacks and drinks, we’d love to come back to the Paris Club and try their mains, which sound traditional and affordable, of course with some fun twists. And of course, their associated nightclub Studio Paris is also on our future docket. Well done at bringing a little bit of Paris to the Near North Side!

P.S. We’re going back to Paris Club on Monday, March 11th to taste Mauritson’s Wine from 5-8pm and try out another selection of hors d’oeuvres. The event is totally free, so we hope to see you there! If you are coming, let us know!

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

The Grid

WHAT: The Grid (Bar)
WHERE: 351 W. Hubbard St.

OUR RATING: Skip It!

The Grid – a strange bar with a strange name in a strange part of town. Unusually, we would jump at such supposed exoticism. In this case, we can think of nowhere more undeserving of your time and money that this ridiculously confused, rude and rotten little space in River North that dares to call itself a venue of “class and comfort”. As connoisseurs of both the aforementioned virtues, we can categorically say that The Grid lacks them in abundance, and we would be pleased to see the whole place shunned by our readers for inflicting itself upon your beloved authors.

Adam: As a critic, one must keep an open mind about a venue, trying not to judge it too harshly and thinking empathetically about the time and effort the proprietors put into providing your experience, thus mitigating your vitriol to a more acceptable level. I shall not be doing that here as The Grid doesn’t deserve such unabashed charity. In fact, I will be dissecting this establishment piece by piece in order to illuminate for you the most lurid details that will serve to shock and disgust.

(thegridchicago.com)

(thegridchicago.com)

We attended The Grid as invitees for their customer appreciation day Gratitude Party. Off the bat it looked like a great idea, but when you subject your guests to something for which they are wholly ungrateful, one cannot help but laugh at the complete ignorance of the event planners. To start, doors were supposed to open sharply at 2pm. It being brisk as a witch’s teat outside, I was eager to get in and warm up a little. Of course, we waited, and waited and waited…only to be granted access at the intolerably late hour of 2:30! Rule of thumb: if you invite the press to an event, don’t make them bloody cold outside.

The fiasco that followed is best related to you by my co-author, and you can look forward to it below, but I will touch further here on some other problems we encountered. The venue itself is boring. Small, cramped and dark, it serves little purpose and reminds one of the basement of a rather ordinary home, done up to look posh. With one bar and a few alcoves, the imagination is not fired (despite numerous vent-less fireplaces), and you immediately get a feeling of foreboding that you have entered at all.

(thegridchicago.com)

(thegridchicago.com)

On the upshot, the drinks do sound fascinating, but tend to be extremely sweet and non-alcoholic. It’s obvious that this establishment is trying to sell me a piece of coal as a diamond: what an utterly useless business strategy. Similarly, the food is sterile at best, even when served in jars that are supposed to make you coo with joy, and yet contain what might be WWI trench rations.

Alicia: Having worked in a variety of customer-centric companies in my life, I have a very strong opinion on what customer service should be and believe that there are enough businesses around and so many people in need of work that only the most fit and customer-friendly should survive in this economy. In this case, The Grid and its employees have no business being patronized for their complete lack of customer service.

(thegridchicago.com)

(thegridchicago.com)

Basically, they completely trampled all over the meaning of customer appreciation. After making us wait outside in the bitter cold, when we were finally invited in there were only two or three tables open for dozens of guests to use – all of the booths were reserved for who knows who. And right after taking a seat and shedding our warm gear, we were told that there was a mandatory $2 coat check, and that all we were getting as part of ‘gratitude day’ was no cover, and that all drinks and food were normal prices, etc.

(thegridchicago.com)

(thegridchicago.com)

First of all…what would we be paying cover for? Nothing! Okay, so I was getting into a restaurant/bar with no live music or drink/food deals at 2pm on a Saturday…wow, really grateful for THAT. Then, to have the gall while I am still getting settled to tell me coat check was mandatory (and not saying that upfront in advance, or at the door) and that absolutely nothing was provided for customers on appreciation day? Yeah, they were really grateful I was there, I’m sure.

Final thoughts: Boring, horrid and unbelievably and awfully dull, with no appreciation for its customers, The Grid can remain off your grid forever and for all eternity. Skip, tell your friends to skip it, and let’s make sure they never darken another afternoon again!

Posted in Do It!, Drink It!, Eat It!, Nightlife and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , ,
21 Feb 2013

Bistrot Margot

(bistrotmargot.com)WHAT: Bistrot Margot
WHERE: 1437 N. Wells St.

OUR RATING: Do It!

Located in the heart of Old Town lies Bistrot Margot, a Chicago foray into French cuisine. We soon discovered that you don’t need to travel to France for good French food, and in fact, Bistrot Margot provides more genial service, and comparable cuisine to many French restaurants we’ve been to.

(bistrotmargot.com)

(bistrotmargot.com)

Alicia: The French experience starts even before you walk through the doors, as I warmed immediately to the black and white tiles outside the entrance that spelled the restaurant’s name. As you walk inside the red walls, mirrors and black and white photography continually provide a warmth, and I really did feel like I was back in one of the more upscale eateries in Paris. The only thing I felt missing from the ambience was the music, which was relatively absent, or perhaps was just completely overwhelmed by the very boisterous table next to us.

Salade Nicoise (bistrotmargot.com)

Salade Niçoise (bistrotmargot.com)

I’d actually been to Bistrot Margot once before with my co-workers for a more casual holiday lunch, and thoroughly enjoyed their pâté maison (country style pate and chicken liver mousse) and my order of salad niçoise with beautifully seared rare tuna. This time, I wanted something a little lighter but still French as hell, so I went the moules marinières route, a dish I have only ordered once elsewhere at chain restaurant Léon de Bruxelles in Paris. Knowing that this dish was an appetizer, and that French plates tend to be smaller, I also ordered the Salade de Betteraves: watercress with roasted red beets, goat cheese and a tarragon vinaigrette.

Moules Marinières (bistrotmargot.com)

When the mussels came to the table I was completely overwhelmed, as the portion was gigantic! The huge bowl of 30 mussels came with bread (of course) and a beautiful white wine, beurre blanc, shallots and herbs sauce that was other-worldly and completely decadent. Luckily the mussels were deliciously fresh and filling, as the salad left much more to be desired. For a whopping $9 I was delivered the saddest plate of over-dressed watercress with a mere two mini slices of beets, but it also came with a generous portion of creamy goat’s cheese. A small miss, yes, with the salad…but ultimately the mussels were a win!

(chicago.eater.com)

(chicago.eater.com)

Adam: I am most accustomed to good French cuisine and, after trying several other spots around the city, I can categorically say that Bistrot Margot ranks amongst the best and most authentic in Chicago. Depending on where I am in the world, I tend to expect different things from Gallic restaurants: if I’m in Europe, I will generally order traditional steaks and ducks, if in the US I tend to go with calf’s liver, fish or veal. This is a well thought-out policy that never seems to fail me. But, tonight, I felt like broadening my horizons and bucking the trend.

Filet Mignon (foodspotting.com)

Filet Mignon (foodspotting.com)

Going all-out traditional, I ordered the filet mignon du boeuf grille, served with golden potatoes, grilled asparagus, and a wonderful bordelaise sauce. This is unusual for me: filet mignon is a harder dish to prepare well and only worth the cost at the best of restaurants. I was most pleasantly and absolutely surprised at the quality and quantity I was served. Even at medium, the filet was juicy and tender in such a manner as is unusual in America. The bordelaise enveloped the whole dish with a fantastic deep rouge that brought out the succulent nature of both the meat and sides. I highly recommend this entree, as it is certainly one of the most accurate representations of French cooking one can have.

A word of warning: these are not French sized plates. Large portions leave little room for dessert or appetizers, so don’t feel sheepish in asking to take some of it home with you.

Final Thoughts: This quaint and romantic spot is perfect for a night out with your loved one, and even has some great nightly specials and very fairly priced pre-fixes on Wednesdays. They also have a quite affordable brunch and lunch menu if that’s more your style. Authentic and quintessentially French, Bistrot Margot makes for un très bon repas.

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

Park Tavern

WHAT: Park Tavern (Contemporary American)
WHERE: 1645 W. Jackson Blvd.

OUR RATING: Chance It! (Only if you’re nearby)

(parktavernchicago.com)

(parktavernchicago.com)

Here’s a new location for you to try. Part of the Park Tavern brand (the same as the Rosemont location), the new Park Tavern in the West Loop is in a rather odd location, that seems solely designed to serve the nearby United Center. A multilevel event space, Park Tavern invited us to their launch party to experience their space, food and libations.

(parktavernchicago.com)

(parktavernchicago.com)

Park Tavern is housed in a huge, modern warehouse space that captures a certain stark beauty, with at least 3 bars (along with several, small drink stations) and plush, comfy chairs. Touted as a craft beer location with semi-gastropub credentials, we were hoping to be able to sample their selection. Unfortunately, craft beers were not on offer when we visited and we had to suffice with cocktails, wine and Corona. However, the food selection was truly staggering and mouth-watering.

(parktavernchicago.com)

(parktavernchicago.com)

Adam: To be honest, my first impression of Park Tavern was not positive. The valet staff were extremely impolite to me while I was waiting for the opening, so much so that I had to stand firm and express my dismay at their behavior to them. Nevertheless, when I arrived within the space I was pleasantly surprised by the massive open-plan and wood-and-brick interior that spoke to my minimalist aesthetic.

After proceeding to the upstairs lounge, I imbibed a delicate hibiscus and vodka cocktail, the likes of which I have not encountered. While I have sampled the Upper Egyptian karkadé (hibiscus tea), the addition of alcohol to this had not crossed my mind, and the result was a pleasantly aromatic cordial.

The food was wholesome and hearty, with my personal favourites being the extremely tender buffalo chicken (sauce incorporated into batter, thus avoiding rub-off) and a rich and gamey mini-slider, which was cooked within an inch of medium.

(parktavernchicago.com)

(parktavernchicago.com)

Alicia: If you know or have been to a Restaurants America location before (of which Park Tavern is a part), it’ll help to know that this place is pretty much the same in every respect. Classic American food on the brink of gastropub-ness with an upscale casual feel.

It’s definitely a destination rather than a neighborhood place, which makes it a convenient pre/post United Center show event, but that’s about all. The tastings we were invited to were not very veggie/healthy friendly, with a big emphasis on pork, chicken tenders and sliders, but the salads on their menu sound legitimate enough, and I would definitely order their Asian turkey burger with sriracha aioli if I ever found myself around there again.

(parktavernchicago.com)

(parktavernchicago.com)

Final Thoughts: Park Tavern has an impressive interior, extremely polite wait staff, and a good, solid selection of American favourites, served in a gourmet fashion. However, due to its out-of-the-way location and developing nature, we think that this is one location not worth a special trip, but perhaps would fit well into an outing to the area, perhaps for a happy hour special before the big game. We hope to come back to Park Tavern when it is more established and see how they are doing.

Posted in Do It!, Drink It!, Eat It!, Nightlife and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
15 Feb 2013

Hard Rock Cafe

WHAT: Hard Rock Cafe (Traditional American)
WHERE: 63 W. Ontario St.

OUR RATING: Chance It!

(hardrock.com)

(hardrock.com)

The Hard Rock brand is legendary and iconic. In practically every city in America, there’s a Hard Rock something, and Chicago has both a cafe AND a hotel, so it must be a pretty rockin’ city. If you’ve been living under a (hard) rock for the last 40 odd years, Hard Rock Cafe was founded back in 1971 in London. With walls plastered in rock n’ roll memorabilia, it’s a bit like dining with the stars (or at least in a celebrity bedroom while the owner is away).

Storefront City doesn’t usually go for tourist traps. In fact, we tend to vehemently eschew them. However, we were invited to the Hard Rock Cafe to try some appetizers and drinks, and couldn’t pass up the opportunity. So, put on your tourists’ caps Chicago, here we go!:

Adam: Striking and outrageous pop-decadence is the best way to describe Hard Rock Cafe. Here, a guitar used by Eric Clapton, over there a Braille manuscript from a Pepsi ad used by the one and only Ray Charles. The list of musical artefacts is endless and so it’s definitely a great place to bring any serious music fan or even just the casual listener.

(hardrock.com)

(hardrock.com)

But, we were here to try the food and sip the drinks, so I’ll start there. Hard Rock Cafe has two bars: one on the main level and one on the balcony overlooking the ballroom. I tried drinks from each and was impressed. To get a good idea of the variety to be had (they have an array of beers on tap, including Guinness and Shock Top, as well as the standard wines etc.) I tried a couple of different cocktails. The gin and tonic, prepared with Schweppes Tonic Water and Beefeater Gin, was actually of rather disproportionate ratios. I know it’s very hard to mix a G+T on the fly, but please never add as more gin than tonic. It’s just weird. That being said, it was Beefeater’s, so it can’t have been that bad. Later in the night, I wanted something a little different to test their bartending skills, so I initially set out to order a mojito, only to find that it wasn’t on the menu that night. So, trepidatiously, a cosmopolitan was ordered, just to see if they could get it right. And, lo and behold, they succeeded! Apparently, one can fail at the easy and succeed at the more difficult.

(hardrock.com)

(hardrock.com)

And then it was onto the food. Tupelo Chicken Tenders were first on the menu. Not necessarily my idea of good food, but they were actually pretty darn tasty. Served with a honey-mustard dressing, they could easily sate the appetite of most hungry of gentlemen. Next, it was onto the two pizzas – the margherita and the portobello and caramelized onion. My preference was with the portobello, as the cheese combination of mozzarella, parmesan and romano was a fantastic compliment to the sweetness of the onions. The margherita was pretty standard fare, with the nice addition of caramelized garlic to kick it off.

My last dish was of Sante Fe Spring Rolls. Stuffed with spinach, black beans, cilantro, corn, jalapenos, diced red peppers and Jack cheese and served with Chipotle Ranch dressing, Southwest America meets East Asia was actually a highly successful affair, and I would definitely try this again.

Alicia: Before you walk through the doors of the Hard Rock Cafe you know it’s corporate and touristy, and thus you’re probably paying a bit more than you should for what you get. I get the same feeling when I walk in there as when I walk into the Rainforest Cafe right down the street, or any of those other big restaurants in the North Loop. But that’s okay. I was prepared.

(hardrock.com)

(hardrock.com)

In all honesty, for such a touristy spot, the Hard Rock Cafe actually has pretty fair prices and a good selection of your classic Chicago American cafe food. I enjoyed some fresh and classic ceviche along with one of the better-prepared white wine spritzers I have had in the city. But you don’t really go there for the food. You go there for the ambience and the live music – that’s what the places sells itself on. So if you have some friends in town, order some drinks (perhaps even something with their Fireball cinnamon whiskey, a first for me – but perhaps too sweet), and enjoy some live entertainment.

(hardrock.com)

(hardrock.com)

Final Thoughts: If you’re from Chicago, you don’t have to make a pit stop here, but if you’re ever invited to an event or want to host one for your company, this is a very expansive and well-thought out space, with a very Chicago feel that will be inviting to tourists and Chicagoans alike. If you don’t get a chance to walk through the doors don’t fret – you can check out their website to get a 360 degree view.

Posted in Do It!, Drink It!, Eat It!, Nightlife 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 , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
13 Feb 2013

Public House Chicago

WHAT: Public House Chicago (Sports Bar / Contemporary American)
WHERE: 400 N. State St.

OUR RATING: Skip It!

(publichousechicago.com)

(publichousechicago.com)

You can’t go too much more American than at Public House Chicago, where contemporary American cuisine mashes with the flavors of a smokehouse and plenty of beer. Brought to you by the same folks who run sister bar Bull and Bear, not only do they have 25 beers on tap, but they include beer in many of their dishes and even some of their sauces, and it’s no surprise their small claim to fame is their beer tasting and pairing menu.

Quite honestly, this place is very much your average Near North Side sports bar, attempting to match the trendiness of the area with higher priced semi-gastropub food.

(publichousechicago.com)

(publichousechicago.com)

That’s not to say that Executive Chef David Blonsky’s food doesn’t taste fantastic. We tried two of his flatbreads at a special event there, the Wild Mushroom (goat cheese, caramelized onion, fresh spinach, white truffle) and the Mediterranean (lamb merguez sausage, roasted garlic hummus, roasted cherry tomatoes, la clare farm evalon cheese, shaved red onion, house made tzatziki). Their decadence was all too apparent from the above ingredients, but we don’t feel they are anything special, and dressing standard food in fancy flavors doesn’t equal good food automatically.

(publichousechicago.com)

(publichousechicago.com)

$16 for a relatively petite flatbread is kind of high anyway, and the staff here aren’t the friendliest. The female bartender was ambivalent, and when we asked the male bartender what company produced the wine, he hesitatingly told us, shrugged, and then stated, “I don’t really know, don’t care.” Hmm.

(publichousechicago.com)

(publichousechicago.com)

Their draft beer selection is quite admirable, however, and although they only have a single white and red wine available, La Terre is definitely a good call. Although we didn’t take a seat at one of their booths, we noticed that they had two beer taps and one customizable liquor tap at each of them, which is definitely fun when going with a small group of friends (we’ve seen this design elsewhere and it seems to be the “in” thing right now). The most unique feature of the place is their “Walltender,” taps inside little alcoves in the wall where you swipe your credit card and pour yourself another draft. These guys don’t cut you off.

The crowd here is definitely an after-work crowd, so if you’re in the area it might not be the worst place to drop in with a few of your co-workers.

But ultimately Public House Chicago is just average, and although they add pieces of character here and there and try to make their food sound special with the beer additives, there’s plenty of places in the area to patronize after you’re finished with the upscale pretense with its confused hustle and bustle.

(publichousechicago.com)

(publichousechicago.com)

As for the decor, it seemed a bit, well, all over the place. While most walls are decorated in a semi-rustic style, the wall at the far side of one room was a confused mess of cream and tan with random pictures frames scattered across it. Such a work would be more at home at the MCA, and even then it would be one of the more annoying pieces.

That being said, it does make for a nice, central location for a party or fundraiser, but, in all other respects, Public House Chicago is too normal to waste your time with it. Try a more eclectic locale in the future.

Posted in Do It!, Drink It!, Nightlife and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
12 Feb 2013

Billy Goat Tavern

WHAT: Billy Goat Tavern
WHERE: Near Tribune Towers and Wrigley Building (430 N. Michigan Ave. at Lower Level) Other Locations

OUR RATING: Do It!

“Cheezborger, Cheezborger, Cheezborger. No Pepsi. Coke.”

http://www.hulu.com/watch/3533

—

(billygoattavern.com)

(billygoattavern.com)

The Billy Goat Tavern is more than a Chicago staple, it’s a piece of the city’s history, tied to anything from the Chicago Cubs and the Curse of the Billy Goat, to Saturday Night Live and the likes of Jim Belushi and Bill Murray. The original tavern was founded near the Chicago Stadium in 1934, moving to its current location under Michigan Avenue in 1964, and is now joined by numerous chain locations, including Navy Pier and Merchandise Mart. Sure, there’s now one open in D.C., but the Billy Goat Tavern will always be a Chicago native.

(billygoattavern.com)

(billygoattavern.com)

One thing that makes this city so special is its multilevel streets, putting the tavern in the unique location of lower Michigan Avenue. It’s pretty easy to miss the place too, if you don’t know where to look. But if you do find it, it’s nothing but “Cheezborger, Cheezborger!” from the moment you walk in, and the fast-paced, fun environment of a dive bar will get your appetite up and ready for the feast that awaits you.

(billygoattavern.com)

(billygoattavern.com)

Alicia: I must admit that I’m not the biggest burger eater, but when I am, I prefer the kind that come in wax paper with a brown bag of fries, rather than with a fancy cheese on a clean plate. I mean, the experience is a huge part of my ‘fast food’ eating decisions. So, when you order a burger and it comes with a thin patty but a fluffy bun in wax paper, and you can add on all the pickles, ketchup and mustard you want…and it’s cheap…well then, that’s good enough for me.

(billygoattavern.com)

(billygoattavern.com)

Now, the thing to get at Billy Goat is a double cheeseburger ($4.55), according to the tavern itself and most of the tourists and locals who go there. Now, I am not the biggest cheeseburger fan, nor am I the biggest eater, so a single hamburger ($2.65) is more my thing. Sure, I got a little push back from the cashier for not getting the double with cheese, or any chips, but that’s their thing, part of their personality.

Ultimately, the burgers are greasy and the ratio of bun to patty is a bit off (with a bit too much bread), but for the location the prices are very affordable, and it’s a super fun place to go with friends. Sure, it’s a bit touristy, but go at an off-peak hour and you’ve got yourself a comfy no-frills dive bar experience with legit burgers.

(billygoattavern.com)

(billygoattavern.com)

Adam: I needed help to discover this place. I’ve been coming to Chicago all my life and yet I’d never set foot in the Billy Goat, even though it’s been around since the ‘30s! But, on a special occasion, I tend to try new and exciting places, and Alicia knew of just the locale. It’s not fancy, but that’s not what I want from a burger joint. After descending down a rather treacherous set of steps and past the neon lit signs, I felt I was entering the belly of the world, as a frenetic energy enveloped us.

(billygoattavern.com)

(billygoattavern.com)

It’s old fashioned and has a slightly timeless nature to it as well. If you’re going to get a burger you should get what’s recommended: the wonderful double cheeseburger, or cheezborger, as the staff call it (and no, it has nothing to do with Star Trek). In fact, these staff are shouting it, and moving patrons along fast. I would mind anywhere else, but at Billy Goat it’s part of the charm. It’s good to have your order ready before you approach the counter, otherwise you might get a little lost. Bear in mind that fries are not served, only potato chips and Coke is available in lieu of Pepsi.

(billygoattavern.com)It’s a great place to sit and eat with lots of friends. Long benches make munching on burgers a truly communal experience. There’s nothing else like it in Chicago, so I would say go for it and load up your bun!

(billygoattavern.com)

(billygoattavern.com)

Final thoughts: If you’re in the city with friends and don’t want to to break the bank, step inside this little place and follow the neon signs as you head down the stairs – you won’t be disappointed. It’s also perhaps the most worthwhile place to eat at Navy Pier if you ever find yourself there with a growling stomach. Don’t be afraid of the Curse of the Cubs, you’re sure to win here!

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

Kit Kat Lounge and Supper Club

WHAT: Kit Kat Lounge and Supper Club
WHERE: 3700 N. Halsted St.

OUR RATING: Do It!

(kitkatchicago.com)

(kitkatchicago.com)

“Life is a cabaret, old chum” and that’s exactly the feeling one gets when stepping inside this exclusive, classic and campy “supper” club. With a themed menu featuring the likes of the Mae West (Southern style fried chicken) and Joan Collins (stuffed portobello mushroom) and a liquor cabinet stocked with over 100 martinis (crazy things!), you can’t really go wrong here. And the food isn’t all that’s cooking…

(kitkatchicago.com)

(kitkatchicago.com)

They also have projections of everything from black and white movies to (on some nights) Lady Gaga music videos – a plethora of themed-entertainment that changes on a nightly basis. And what Boystown event wouldn’t be complete with a few female impersonators? All in all, you get a completely fun filled and interactive experience unlike anywhere else in the city.

Lady Gaga Martini (cheekychicago.com)

Lady Gaga Martini (cheekychicago.com)

Adam: Storefront City has been wanting to try out Lakeview’s Kit Kat for a long time now, but due to the preposterously long lines on weekends, we had let it drop off our radar until we were invited to join the club to celebrate their 12 year anniversary by trying their new Gaga Martinis, based on the Lady herself, Hpnotiq and Pama. I wanted to try the Lady Gaga martini, for the singular reason that it included a glow stick. In fact, it turns out that you can ask for any of them with a glow stick, but we didn’t know that when we started. A sort of crazy combination of effen white, Hpnotiq liqueur, pineapple juice, triple sec, a glow stick and some rock candy. Actually, the drink wasn’t ridiculously sweet and was happily complemented by the candy. Never thought that combo would work–proven wrong every day!

(cheekychicago.com)

(cheekychicago.com)

We also tried an appetizer of their chicken satay, marinated in curry coconut and served with a peanut sauce. I’ve had a lot of satay, and this was alright, but I wouldn’t get it there again.

What really made the night was the fun of the place: flashing lights, upbeat music, nice people and an opportunity to see Gaga herself. Well, not really, but the impersonator did a pretty damn good job of it, and drew in the audience in an entertaining and fun way.

Gaga! (cheekychicago.com)

Gaga! (cheekychicago.com)

Alicia: I had such a blast at Kit Kat. I knew I would as soon as I saw that some of the martinis of the night were garnished with rock candy. Wait, and some of the martinis had flashing glow rings in them too? Gaga, divas, a super chic lounge, dessert martinis…I mean really! It’s no wonder why this is a Bachelorette party paradise.

(kitkatchicago.com)

(kitkatchicago.com)

I ordered the Bad Romance, made with Effen Vodka, Apple Pucker liqueur, melon liqueur and pineapple juice (although, they have changed the components of this drink just recently). MUCH more tasty than the Lady Gaga. When the waiter brought the martini to the table I was super disappointed – no rock candy. But he was more than willing to return with a stick once I requested it. I was much too nostalgic not to indulge in one, and it really did add a unique sweetness to the drink.

Samoan Girl Scout Martini(timeoutchicago.com)

Samoan Girl Scout Martini(timeoutchicago.com)

Kit Kat has a great selection of drinks and food whether you want to go light (relatively skinny martinis and some yummy sounding vegetarian food) or go all out (dessert martinis and fried chicken…do those mix though?). We couldn’t help indulging a little further, so we decided to order their Samoan Girl Scout martini with vodka, coconut rum, crème de cacao, butterscotch liqueur and a dash of coconut cream. What was brought to our table was pure decadence laced with swirls of caramel and chocolate syrup. It sounds evil and delicious and trust us – it was.

My favorite part of the night, however, was by far the ambience laced with the tableside entertainer, who performed two songs every 20 minutes. Gaga had some drop dead looks, dance moves and get-up, and I really couldn’t get enough!

Final thoughts: Fast for a day to prepare for this place, and be ready for all Kit Kat will throw at you. Reservations are required, so we suggest you ‘telephone’ and hop on this bandwagon, especially on a weeknight when they have amazing specials. Kit Kat will be sure to tantalize all your senses and provide a crazy fun night, with some pretty dirty martinis.

P.S. For fun, check out Project LUSH, a Time Out Chicago sponsored ‘blog’ where three guys take on the whole Kit Kat martini menu, and live to tell the tale.

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

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