DutchOenophile's Profile
Hakkasan - new luxury Chinese restaurant in Midtown
Went to Hakkasan the other night with my Chinese friend. He found ordering off the menu slightly odd, for--as others have noted--the Chinese writing doesn't always equal with the English description. I said "How about having the Shanghai dumplings" and he said "Where are you seeing that?" I pointed out the English description and he said "Oh, I didn't see that. The Chinese description doesn't mention Shanghai."
I loved it that the bar had my favorite gin--Old Raj.
He loved the sea bass soup--said it was amazing and very reminiscent of what he has had in China.
The rest of the food was very very solid. Not earth shattering but very solid indeed.
Eager to return. I do like the vibe as well.
2012 Michelin Stars
I went to L20 three times under Gras and have been 3 (or perhaps 4) since Matt Kirkley arrived. Though I respect his artisanship, I was not a fan of Gras' cuisine. I am, however, a major fan of Kirkley. This guy is young but has exceptional talent. He has only been there 5 months; give him a bit of time and you will see L20 continue to explode. It is, IMHO, excellent and right up there at the top of Chicago restaurants.
Dinner at Mercat a la Planxa - 9/24/2011
Another vote in support of the restaurant. I find the tapas terrific. The only time I've had service or noise issues was on a Saturday night at prime time. Otherwise, outstanding service (over like 15 visits) and food.
Alinea or Next?
You really can't directly compare Alinea and Next, IMHO; they're apples and oranges. Alinea is haute (molecular-inspired) cuisine; Next is not. Depends if you want a gastronomic, haute experience.
Personally, I do not agree with the statement that Alinea is the "best meal you'll get in the USA" (not by a long shot) but its certainly the best in Chicago.
What's this stuff about morality and why does it belong in this thread? The writer of a post says they're "not saying it is"--then why ask the question? Please.
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Alinea
1723 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60614
Girl & the Goat Reservations Policy - 6 Months in Advance (If You Call), 3 On OpenTable, OT is 100% accurate
There are very few restaurants in the world worthy of making a reservation 4, 5, or 6 months in advance. Girl and the Goat, though good enough, certainly isn't one of them.
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Girl and the Goat
809 W Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60661
the right places to go in chicago?
Hi Al
I would not bank on Schwa. I had heard recently they had closed temporarily and a rumor (on Eater) that the chef/owner was possibly moving to California. I'm not sure if this is true but at the least, as others have said, they do have a history of canceling.
Do not be deterred by going to L20. I have been twice in the past month and think it is fantastic! Right up there with Alinea as the 2 top restaurants in Chicago. Their new chef de cuisine--Matt Kirkley is from Ria, his sous chef Nick is from Eleven Madison Park, and their pastry chef they recruited from Ria. It will blow your mind.
I've never been fond of the wait in line for Hot Dougs. Enjoyable but IMHO not worth the wait.
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Alinea
1723 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60614
Hot Doug's
3324 N California Ave, Chicago, IL 60618
Which steakhouse should we go to instead of Gibson's?
Here's a strong vote for Chicago Cut. David Burke's is fine but I'm now a dedicated fan of Chicago Cut. To me, it has taken over the lead as the best steakhouse in Chicago.
Please help finish my Chicago eating itinerary!
nsxtasy, I'm really surprised at your take on this, as I find Bennison's outstanding and I consider myself a fairly discerning customer.
You certainly express yourself with profound confidence in your opinion, which isn't necessarily bad (I do that too, I think) but readers should understand there is another, equally strong, confident and knowledgeable view that disagrees with your expressed certainty.
Please help finish my Chicago eating itinerary!
Interesting, thanks for the report. I did look up the name of the Belgian place and the reviews on other sites are pretty strong, but I trust what you say. The one loaf of bread I had from there was better than the outstanding offerings at Fox & Obel--yes, I agree, otherwise the best source of bread (but IMHO not other pastries) in Chicago. (This does not include Bennison's bakery in Evanston for bread which IMHO is the best in the area). Anyway, a tangent.
Also agree that Vanille is good.
However, for ManhattanLawyer--none of these will beat the stuff you can find in NYC. The macaroon in Chicago can't compare to those in NYC and same for pastries (give me a croissant from Petrossian cafe anyday!). I'd forget the pastry part of your quest and focus on the other things.
Marathon Weekend 2011
All good points. Depends what one is looking for.
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Nuevo Leon Restaurant
1515 W 18th St, Chicago, IL 60608
Mexique
1529 W Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60622
Chicago Dinner Fete a la NYC
Completely agree re Perennial Virant! Yes. We had a terrific dinner there a few weeks ago. Fun place. Beats Boka, which IMHO, is fine but nothing beyond fine.
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Boka
1729 North Halsted, Chicago, IL 60614
Perennial Virant
1800 N Lincoln, Chicago, IL 60614
Please help finish my Chicago eating itinerary!
Fellow NY'er here too (I live in Chicago and work in NY so in both places every week). Personally, I'd recommend places in Pilsen for Mexican food over Frontera brunch, but lots of disagreement and depends which you'd prefer, which of course we don't know. I haven't found any decent Mexican food in NY so Chicago will win hands down over NY in that department, wherever you go, Frontera included.
I love Girl & The Goat. Fantastic. You'll love it.
Publican is good (I really don't see the comparison with Momofuku Ssam??) but not profound. Purple Pig is also good and worth a stop--maybe lunch?
I second what someone said above--Aviary is unique and not like anything in NY. Sable is great but is similar to other places in NY such as PDQ etc. (though it's not pretending to be a speakeasy--just top quality mixology).
There's a Belgian bread company that also, I hear, produces some pastry. A little research will identify it. I've had their bread--outstanding. I bet their other offerings are outstanding.
If you want another gastronomic experience, I had a blow out dinner at L20 this past week. They have two new(ish, 5 months) great chefs who are doing great things. Think Eleven Madison Park. You'd love it.
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Purple Pig
500 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611
Marathon Weekend 2011
I'd skip Frontera--IMHO (and people disagree) its a bit touristy and I've never found it distinguished. Instead, take the El and go to NuevoLeon--serves very inexpensive but high quality Mexican (border zone) type food. Quite good. I lived in LA for a long time and this is the kind of "regular" (not regional or haute cuisine) food you'll get in LA. Fits your budget and is very good. Again, not gastronomic (go to Mondiall, as noted above, for that).
You'll also enjoy a drink and some frites at Maude's Liquor Bar. Make a reservation in advance.
For dives, also try Hot Doug's (you'll need a car like Zipcar). Al's Beef is my fav for Italian beef sandwiches (IMHO much better than Portillos). You won't need a car for that.
For Vietnamese, I like Hai Yen on Argyle. Totally inexpensive and top quality. Its the "real deal" and I bet 60% LESS than Le Colonial. I went to Le Colonial recently and, with respect, it was so dumb downed Americanized it was almost embarassing. Go to the real thing and get much better tasting food for less than half the price. Hai Yen is also accessible via the El.
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Hot Doug's
3324 N California Ave, Chicago, IL 60618
Le Colonial
937 Rush Street, Chicago, IL 60611
Hai Yen Restaurant
1055 W Argyle St, Chicago, IL 60640
anniversary in NY: Daniel dinner & EMP lunch...or EMP dinner & Jean Georges lunch
I very much applaud your decision. I was going to urge you to do dinner at EMP and lunch at J-G. J-G does a very nice lunch and EMP shines at night. Daniel is fine but I'd say is the weakest of the triad. To me, you made the right choice.
Dinner at Eleven Madison Park - Impressive, Sometimes Spectucular, Ultimately Disappointing
I'm sorry you had a disappointing experience. As someone else said, you'd be doing both yourself and them a favor by letting them know of your experience and disappointment. This gives them the opportunity to improve as well as to make it up to you.
One night in Chicago and Alinea is booked
I'd suggest you try Ria--top restaurant with outstanding service and food. Michelin ** and just got 4 stars in a review by the Tribune. I think you'll be quite satisfied.
New York transplant to Chicago
Hi nsxtasy
Yes, that's Coalfire.
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Coalfire
1321 W Grand Ave Ste 2, Chicago, IL 60642
what happened to Fox & Obel??
Some of the comments above are absurd. I find the produce at F&O an embarassment, and the knowledge of the staff poor. That said, never have I gone in and found it the way Indecnprop describes it. There is an impressive, wide array of gourmet products and the meat counter is solid. Still my go to place for gourmet items I can't find elsewhere, and its certainly not as Indecnprop describes IMHO.
New York transplant to Chicago
OK, we are also transplants from New York (Manhattan). The pizza at Coalfire Pizza on Grand is almost a carbon copy of the pizza at John's of Bleeker St. We used to go to John's all the time, and Coalfire is pretty damned close. That's the closest pizza, IMHO, here to what you'll find in NYC.
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Coalfire
1321 W Grand Ave Ste 2, Chicago, IL 60642
Lotus of Siam try it
I give it a few weeks and doneski. Without the folks from Las Vegas, it will be quite undistinguished (which it mostly is anyway....which is why they pulled out of course).
Thoughts on Ria
My experience was also the opposite of nsxtasy. I loved it. International level quality; beautiful presentation, perfect execution. I loved every bite and can't wait to return when they re-open soon. IMHO better than Avenues and L20.
Any early feedback about EMP's new format??
Interesting, Ricardo. Seems they have made a change since the try out. Maybe they want to get the four course option under their belt and nailed down before resuming a tasting menu.
EMP Lately?
In the format, you pick one main item from each row. Its not the entire row or entire column; just pick one item from each row.
Any early feedback about EMP's new format??
I'm pretty sure there's a lengthier tasting course on the menu as another option. I think the early reports may be incorrect (I participated in a 'try out' for this a few weeks ago and there was a tasting course option then in addition to the 4 course at that point). I'm quite certain there is no attempt to remove a tasting menu from the options available.
Your Favorite NYC restaurant?
EMP for a 'proper' meal. Minetta Tavern for their code de boef. Collichio & Sons for warmth and the gnocchi and black truffle.
L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon -Counter or Table?
Definitely counter. Tables are Siberia.
Alinea - corkage fee versus their wines
The wine pairings are generally excellent and really the only practical way to handle the continuously changing flavors from one dish to the next. I don't believe they've ever allowed BYOB there. Hard core collectors don't bring their wines there.
Best Restaurants on Restaurant.com
I've used the certs for a few places near me--always a great experience. Ai is a good sushi restaurant in River North (cash only for this one but you can also use it toward alcohol). Zocalo, near AI, is also great for Mexican--though of only average quality. Finally, India House on Grand is terrific--probably my favourite use of the certs.
