sidecar's Profile
Where to watch the Super Bowl
I used to watch football live at The Moose in the 6th. It's a Canadian sports bar, so you can enjoy poutine while you watch the game...
http://www.mooseparis.com/index.php
A Random Chow Report from a Recent Visitor....
>>Really friendly service and they seemed to take their cocktails seriously; it reminded us of our favorite neighborhood spot at home.
As a former Bostonian who recently relocated to Logan Square -- and is a fan of L&E, and takes cocktails (too) seriously -- I'm very curious to what Boston spot this reminded you of. Could I ask you to divulge?
Longman and Eagle
Re: Longman & Eagle's whiskey emphasis. They also offer a strong and original -- if somewhat small -- rotating cocktail menu.
Though if cocktails are what one is after, The Whistler and its amazing drinks menu are also right down the street.
Dark 'n' Stormy Recommendations?
Seconded! There are few cocktails this good with only two ingredients...
http://www.chow.com/recipes/10685-dark-n-stormy
Longman and Eagle
If you enjoyed Hopleaf, you may very well find L & E to your liking. It, too, serves good food in a gastropub style, though there's less emphasis on the "-pub" than at Hopleaf. Which is to say that there's smaller selection of beers and the overall ambiance is somewhat more that of a restaurant than a bar or tavern.
Definitely worth a visit if you're interested in branching out to a new gastropub. As at Hopleaf, be prepared for crowds!
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Hopleaf Bar
5148 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60640
Where to find cocktail bitters
If you're into Tiki at all, don't miss Trader Vic's on State St. in the Gold Coast area.
Campari vs. Cynar cocktail night -- drink suggestions?
EvergreenDan, you've made my day. Thank you, thank you. This is an embarrassment of delicious options... I'm especially intrigued by the Riviera and Search for Delicious. If I can convince myself to splurge and pony up for the Rammazotti, the Paper Airplane is sounding pretty great, too...
We'll be toasting you on Saturday!
Campari vs. Cynar cocktail night -- drink suggestions?
I'm hosting a cocktail night at my place this weekend, and am looking to stage a Campari vs. Cynar showdown -- i.e., pairings of cocktails that have parallel ingredients and/or proportions, which would highlight the different qualities of these two amari with respect to each other. Most people on the guest list have little experience with either ingredient.
So far, I have...
Round 1: Negroni vs. Berlioni (per Oh Gosh! -- http://ohgo.sh/archive/amaro-cynar-negroni-variation-berlioni/)
I've been utilizing the recent Cynar thread on this board for ideas, to great success. I would greatly appreciate any additional suggestions on interesting Campari / Cynar contrasts -- which would, ideally, be appealing to non-amari-accustomed palates.
Many thanks!
sushi south of Boston
If you're willing to make a detour to Providence (adding an extra hour or so of driving), there's lots of great sushi. I would recommend Haruki East: http://www.harukisushi.com/about_east.html
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Haruki East
172 Wayland Ave, Providence, RI 02906
Egg white in a margarita - that's just wrong.
I believe the addition of an egg white is a pretty standard variation on the margarita -- or at the very least not something your bartender thought up in a fit of mixological insanity. Try googling something like "margarita egg white" (it even has its own "e-how" page).
In general, egg white works really nicely in tequila-based drinks -- like this one, the Prado -- essentially a margarita with Maraschino liqueur instead of Grand Marnier/Cointreau: http://www.cocktailchronicles.com/2009/05/13/3030-27-the-prado/
How's the food at Trader Vic's?
My Tiki-loving partner and I are regulars for cocktails at Trader Vic's, but we haven't tried anything off the food menu yet. A "Kipa hou mai!" coupon they gave us recently has made me more willing to explore the dinner options...
What do other hounds think of the food at Trader Vic's? Am I better off sticking to mai tais?
Lemon & Hart Demerera rum in Chicago???
I haven't bought it there yet, but I'd be pretty surprised if Binny's didn't carry it. Try the Lincoln Park branch (formerly Sam's), or others.
http://www.binnys.com/locations
Freshly baked madeleines?
Any suggestions as to where in town I might be able to find fresh - as opposed to pre-packaged - madeleine cookies?
Thanks!
Tasso Ham and Boudin Sausage
If you're interested investing in a larger quantity, Chicago Game & Gourmet (a restaurant wholesaler that also vends directly to the public) has both, including four varieties of boudin.
Check the "Charcuterie" section of their website:
http://www.chicagogame.us/
What's good at Mercadito?
Has anyone been to Mercadito yet? Recommendations - food and/or cocktails?
Best liquor stores (selection/price)?
Great tip - thanks! I don't know how I've managed to miss it so far...
In the meantime, I've been hitting up the Sam's in the North & Clybourn area, based on previous posts. True to the recommendations, they have a great selection and very reasonable prices (made better with their store card).
The Great Bran Muffin Hunt
I haven't yet, but I will soon - and will report back. Thanks!
The Great Bran Muffin Hunt
Hi Chicago Hounds,
I just moved to the area and, so far, my search for a great bran muffin -- rich flavor, branny texture, not overly dense -- has come up dry (so to speak), both on this board and out in the world. Even the gargantuan Whole Foods in Lincoln Park is strangely lacking. Any suggestions?
I live in Logan Square but love the muffins in a serious way, and am happy to travel for good bran.
Best French-style patisserie in Chicago?
This is a limited reply, but I've been very impressed with the croissants at New Wave Coffee in Logan Square, which are the best I've had outside of Paris (and better than many in Paris!). They also have pain au chocolat, which you mention, and croissant aux amandes, along with other less traditional (for the French) fillings.
http://www.newwavecoffee.com/
Brunch in/near the Theater District?
Marliave would be a short post-prandial walk along the park to the theaters. Despite the fact that their brunch menu is small (for food that is--many cocktails), I've had several good experiences.
http://www.marliave.com/menus/brunch.php
Tiki Drinks
Hard to pin down a favorite tiki drink, but mine might be the rum-less Singapore Sling. It's not overly sweet and has a complex balance of flavors.
There are lot of different recipes floating around out there, but I happen to like the Dale DeGroff (below) best. The Oh Gosh! cocktail blog offers a nice history of the drink here: http://ohgo.sh/archive/singapore-slings/
Singapore Sling
3 oz. pineapple juice
1½ oz. gin
½ oz. Cherry Heering
¼ oz. Bénédictine
¼ oz. Cointreau
¼ oz. lime juice
1 dash Angostura bitters
Shake well with ice and strain in to a cocktail glass. Top off with soda water and garnish with a flag.
I-80 Road Trip
Having done the I-80 trip many times as a vegetarian, I agree with the previous poster that it can be tricky. My favorite place to stop, a little off the wall, is Plyler's Buffet in Brookville, PA (right off exit 78). They have a large salad bar with a good range of veggies (fresh in my experience), prepared salads (mostly--but not all--of a Midwestern, mayo-based variety) and soups, rolls, plus a large selection hot dishes (all non-vegan, I'd guess) and homemade desserts (pies seem to be their thing).
In short, it's not somewhere I'd eat under normal circumstances, but it's always a delightful beacon for me on an otherwise barren (and greasy) stretch of 80 between New England and Ohio. I also appreciate the buffet aspect on a road trip for being able to pace my own meal--quick if I want to get back on the road, but no pressure to clear out if I need a break from driving.
Best movie theater popcorn
Seconds on the Brattle -- only place I've ever taken the popcorn with me after the movie was over to finish it...
Casual, low-key spot for group birthday dinner in S'ville / Cambridge?
Casa Portugal in Inman might be a good bet, even though it's on the small side. Really good food, reasonably priced for quality, plenty of wine. Bonus: Christina's is across the street for ice cream.
lobster recommendations please
Yankee will most definitely prepare and serve you their lobster (plus a host of other fish). Ample outdoor seating, somewhat less indoor. Beer and wine to boot.
Irish Boiled Bacon
I've also seen Irish Bacon hanging out with the regular bacon at the Stop & Shop on E. Broadway in South Boston. A good number of other Irish products on the shelves, as well.
Domaine de Canton
I've also noticed bottles at Liquor Land.
As far as bars go, I'll bet (though don't know for sure) that the bartenders who participated in the Domaine de Canton contest last December might keep it around, and have some good drinks up their sleeves...
http://drinkboston.com/tag/domaine-de-canton-ginger-liqueur/
Best liquor stores (selection/price)?
Hi, I'm a cocktail enthusiast about to relocate from Boston to Chicago. I'd be grateful for tips on where to buy liquor in town. Specifically, what places carry a wide range of liquors and cocktail ingredients? Also, where do you find the best deals?
I'll be living in Logan Square but am happy to drive anywhere for the occasional stock-up.
Thanks in advance!
Las Vegas recs for classic cocktail fanatics, on or off strip?
Many thanks for the tips! Will be sure to report back on the Mandalay ice bar if we end up there.
