foodhuntress's Profile
Anyone tried Oysy Sushi?
Oysy is my go-to sushi place. It is good, basic sushi. They do have a wide variety of specialty rolls, but no deep fried rolls. Sushi Samba has more of a loungy/trendy feel. The food is more different: with Latin/South American influence. The cocktails at Sushi Samba are really good (not so at Oysy).
Marathon weekend questions
An overlooked Italian place is Volare on Grand and St. Clair. It would be a walk or short cab ride from your hotel. They have large entrees and pasta dishes of great quality. I recommend their freshly-made pastas. It's a boisterous, family atmosphere, but still classy.
Cafe Downtown Chicago
Sounds like Pierrot Gourmet would fit the bill. It is in the Peninsula Hotel (108 E Superior), accesible at the street level on Rush Street. It is a French-style cafe with fresh pastries.
Breakfast and lunch near Marriott Magnificent Mile
I second L'Appetito for lunch. You have to get the meat-filled arancini (deep fried risotto balls).
Across the street from the John Hancock is Oak Tree. It's a cute place for brunch with decent food at the top of the 900N Michigan Ave building (Bloomingdale's building).
A more decadent option of brunch or lunch is David Burke's in the James Hotel, which is only a few blocks away from you (616 N Rush). They have the best steaks, among other things. Their American dim sum brunch on Sundays is pure gluttony, and is top-quality food.
Help us choose where to stay and where to eat
Another hip hotel is the Sofitel, which is within walking distance or short cab ride (20 E Chestnut). They have a great bar on the ground floor. Their restaurant, Cafe des Architectes, has great reviews, although I haven't personally been there.
Here are 5 of my favorite restaurants:
1) David Burke's steakhouse at The James. It is also my favorite steakhouse in Chicago. Get the dry-aged steak.
2) About a block away from the James is my favorite place for thin-crust pizza: Pizzeria Via Stato (620 N State), which is in the bar seating area of Osteria Via Stato. You can't go wrong with any of the selections. My favorite is the potato-rosemary pizza with bacon.
3) There is much debate over deep-dish pizza. My favorite is Pequod's in Lincoln Park (2207 N Clybourn)
4) Hot Doug's (3324 N California) for unique and exotic hot dogs, extensively discussed in other threads. Check their website to make sure they are open on the day you want to go. Go on Fri or Sat for duck-fat fries and go early and be prepared to wait in line, but it's very worth it.
5) Italian beef is another area of contentious debate. My favorite is Johnnie's Beef in Elmwood Park (7500 W North Ave). Also get a lemon ice, which is so soft and perfectly sweetened.
Best raw bar?
I know, I know. Chicago isn't the best city for seafood, but I'm looking for a medium to high-end restaurant with a great raw bar. I'm taking someone out for a birthday dinner, and he loves raw oysters. What's the best place, both in terms of quality and variety?
Decent Food at O'Hare Airport
I've had a panini at Tuscany. It' was a bit greasy, but definitely a tastier option compared with other choices in O'Hare.
Best Risotto
I haven't really had good risotto elsewhere. Almost every time I order it in a restaurant, I regret it because it's too al dente. So it's only with great trepidation do I attempt ordering it nowadays.
Best Risotto
Most risotto in restaurants is too al dente for my taste (but I suppose this is the way it's supposed to be?). The best risotto I've had was at the Trump National Golf Club restaurant. http://www.trumpnationallosangeles.com/html/restaurants.asp
The asparagus risotto was a side dish to a lunch-time halibut entree, but was much better than the halibut IMO. The rice was extremely creamy, with just the slightest bite to it, and was perfectly seasoned. I'm curious to know where else I can find great risotto, too!
Good sushi - orange county?
My favorite is Sushi Narano, in the strip mall at the corner of Jamboree and Michelson. They are relatively inexpensive, with extremely fresh fish. The sushi pieces have enormous fishes of fish with very little rice.
SUSHI on the MAG. MILE
You are only a few blocks away from Oysy (50 E Grand), which is my personal favorite for sushi. Go on a weekday lunch, and get a bento box with a HUGE spread for $14. All of their specialty rolls are great and artfully presented, and the sushi is fresh.
Memorable Las Vegas Dinner [moved from L.A. board]
Watch out, esp during a holiday weekend. I waited 3 hours for the dinner buffet 2 days before christmas. It was great...but nothing is worth a 3 hour wait. Next time I go, I'm going early (dinner buffet opens at 3:30).
Weekend in Chicago...need restaurant recs
For a casual and inexpensive lunch, go across the street to L'Appetito, at the base of the Hancock Building. It's an Italian deli, with fresh food. My favorite is the meat arancini: fried risotto balls with ground meat and melted cheese in the middle! Their paninis, soups, pizzas, and other sandwiches are all good. Afterwards, you can browse their small grocery section for authentic Italian treats.
The Cravery Pot Pies?
I went once in Irvine, and tried the pepper steak flavor. It was tasty comfort food, but not so overwhelmingly good that I would go out of my way to eat there.
Hot and Sour Soup at Din Tai Fung
I always order the hot and sour soup every time. It's perfectly seasoned, with a nice balance of textures from the soft tofu, mushrooms, scallions. Mmm, now I'm hungry...
The Counter is coming to OC
I loved their sweet potato fries and onion strings. Greasy, yes, but good. The process of customizing the burger was fun, but the actual burger itself was underwhelming in flavor and anti-climatic. While better than most fast food joints, it wasn't worth the cost.
Homemade soups in Chicago
I agree with Nordstrom cafe. Best tomato basil soup! Fox and Obel Market (401 E. Illinois St) is a very very close second. They also have a variety of soups that change depending on the day.
South Bay noodles, soup and asian food
For authentic, inexpensive Japanese ramen, I like Eboshi in Lomita (2383 Lomita Blvd). It's also in the same strip mall as the much-talked-about Gaja for okonomiaki.
Dim Sum in Southbay?
My favorite place is Szechuan Restaurant (2107 PCH) in Lomita. We used to go to Regal Palace, but their quality has gone down over the years..
Imitation Pinkberry
I tried the Yogurberry in the Mainplace Mall in Santa Ana. After a spoonful, I couldn't eat any more, and had to throw it out. It tasted -too- yogurty. I'm not sure if it was supposed to be like that.
On the other hand, I'm a huge fan of Yogurtland in Irvine! Perfect tart taste in so many flavors! (and cheaper than pinkberry)
Pie Crust Question
I didn't used to blind bake, but the last time I baked pumpkin pies from a frozen crust, it came out undercooked and still doughy. I will definitely try it next time!
Asian tea store in OC?
Is there a place in the OC where I would be able to get some high-quality asian teas? In particular, tea leaves, or green tea powder?
Good Eggs Benedict?
My favorite is in Oaktree: at the top of the 900 N Michigan building (Bloomingdale's).
Food near the Intercontinental on Michigan
Bandera is practically next door, on the 2nd floor at 535 N. Michigan. Best picks: the cheeseburger, cornbread, and the rotisserie chicken. There can be a bit of a wait though, so it's not a quick dinner. Across the street and behind the Wrigley Building is Pizza-Ria (405 N Wabash). This is a chain place, but has surprisingly good, affordable thin-crust NY style pizza. Certainly a much better choice than Corner Bakery.
Good Sushi AND Great Ambiance?
I'm a big fan of Oysy. They have a location downtown at 50 E Grand, near Michigan Ave. It's never too crowded, and the prices are decent. The fish is always elegantly presented and very fresh. If you go for weekday lunch, they have a set lunch for $14 which includes sushi or cooked fish entree, salad, miso soup, CA roll, tempura, and tofu cake. I've only been to Mirai once, and thought it was just ok.
New Zealand Recommendations?
There's a place in Christchurch called Coyotes where I had the best salmon I've ever had. It's a casual, inexpensive place with a bar and outdoor patio. It's on 126 Oxford Terrace. I was there 4 years ago, so I hope it's still there!
Best sourdough bread in Los Angeles?
Boudin is a chain bakery/cafe from SF that has a few branches in So Cal. It's excellent, very fresh. In the OC, there's one in South Coast Plaza, and one across the street from it. According to their website, there's one in LAX.
http://www.boudinbakery.com/
Best frozen/premade pasta?
Rising Moon is a frozen, organic brand. I found it in a Whole Foods in Chicago...not sure if it's sold nationally. They have a large variety of gourmet raviolis, like butternut squash and artichoke and olive. Delicious with a little balsamic vinegar, salt, and olive oil.
"Great" Restaurant Names
There used to be a casual chinese place in Torrance, CA called Leave Me Alone.
