NDJ's Profile
Best gnocchi in Chicago?
Definitely agree here. A Tavola is the place for gnocchi. Cafe Spiaggia 2nd choice but A Tavola light and perfect.
Spacca Napoli - dumb question
They are nice there so do not worry about how you look...they will be happy however you order. That being said, I think 3 pizzas for the 4 of you is enough. You may be hungry with 2 unless you load up on apps. I cannot comment on how crowded it would be...my guess is no on a Wed night at 6:30 but I have only gone on Thurs - Sat at 7:30 when it always is crowded.
single-item menu places?
New carryout place on Clark at about Wrightwood called Lina's Empanadas. Only serves empanadas. 6 varieties.
opinions on il mulino
I had a great experience in Chicago. Service is top notch...being at the Brigs mansion is always fun too. It is different than Spiaggia. Way less fancy fare. They have a huge menu, but most people order off the special menu. The branzino is excellent as is the chicken parmesan. I do not find it to be exhorbitantly expensive. It just is easy to get carried away as the specials often are very expensive (market price type dishes) and sound incredible. The wine list is also pretty expensive. If you order off the regular menu, most stuff is only a few bucks more than you'd find anywhere. Plus the portions are enormous so you can easily share.
Now I do not think you will leave saying you had the best Italian food of your life. But you will leave having had a fun lively meal with great service. Go with friends...much better spot for a table of 4 than for 2.
Hot Chocolate - Vosges, Moonstruck, Others?
Next time try the savory stuff. Honestly, I think Hot Chocolate should win an award for "most improved" restaurant. I was not a fan at first of their food menu, but it has gotten better and better. They have a dish that is basically like brioche that is stuffed and baked with Pleasant Ridge Reserve cheese. It is sweet, nutty, savory, creamy, and awesome. Honestly, eat a few bites of that and you may not even want the dessert. It is incredible. They have a nice well edited beer list.
Sorry to post this on a hot chocolate discussion!
Birthday Dinner--Steak Frites
Brasserie Ruhlmann - - had it the other night and was awesome.
Actually Mon Ami Gabi does a nice rendition - - lots of choices too for style. It's in Lincoln Park.
Best Place for a Pasta Main
Actually, the portion sizes for pastas are not huge...more primi sized. However, the Cafe is happy to make a larger portion should you want it for your meal. They are the most accomodating restaurant and their pastas are exquisite. They tend to be pretty delicate flavors, very clean.
It will be a great, low-key night for you after a lot of bustling louder restaurants. Ask to sit near the windows so you can glimpse at Michigan Ave and just relax.
Friday night supper...
You are in River North but very close to the Loop (just across the river). Anywhere in River North or the Loop should be walkable. The Sax is right next to the House of Blues....check out 10 Pin bowling alley in your hotel on your way back home from dinner.
Good Open Table restaurants in River North include Aigre Doux and Coco Pazzo.
Anybody been to Brasserie Ruehlmann?
OK, so went last night and definitely was not disappointed. First, this is a beautiful restaurant. Very very classy and evokes the feeling of Paris, albeit on a grandiose scale. Food is classic brasserie fare which is nice to see. Excellent raw bar. I had a little steak and a little duck....both excellent. The place had an excitement about it that I have not seen in a while...from the dramatic enterence, to all the red velvet everywhere...it just has a ton of energy. Highly recommend it. This is a great addition to the Chicago scene. Oh, and Maie Lim was there making sure everything was going right. This restaurant should have a long tenure here and certainly will be continue to expand to other cities in the future.
Anybody been to Brasserie Ruehlmann?
Why would you expect it to be chic and lousy food? Miae Lim has a long history of excellent restaurants in Chicago including Mirai, Ohba (sadly now defunct), and Japonais. All have received accolades and Mirai remains the best in class sushi in Chicago. Japonais has now been open about 4 years yet still has the excitement of day 1.
I am heading to Ruhlmann tonight and expect good things. I have not been disapointed by Miae Lim yet.
A Great Cheesemonger in the City
They've had the sandwiches for a while now at the Broadway store!
1st visit in 12 years...from nyc
There is no reason to not go to Milk and Honey Cafe in Wicker Park for breakfast. It is an awesome cafe, great coffee. You order at the counter and then they serve you, but it is a very cozy spot. In fact, I will guarantee that if you eat here the first morning of your trip, you will go back the second morning.
1st visit in 12 years...from nyc
Hmmm.....I'll get a lot of flack for this, but for Italian you can try Francesca's Forno in Bucktown/WickerPark (right at the main North/Damen/Milwaukee 3-way intersection). It is Italian served small plates style with good charcuterie. I really like it here. It is very rustic, few ingredients in each plate, just good quality. Plenty of places to go after dinner too!
For more traditional Italian, go to La Scarola on Grand Ave. Can't go wrong here.
Spanish is not a specialty of Chicago. My favorite is a tapas place - - Cafe Iberico in River North. It's a mob scene though and not really so stupendous.
1st visit in 12 years...from nyc
Here's some thoughts....my favorite of your restaurants are Cafe Matou and West Town Tavern. Both are excellent. I'd give the nod to West Town in a pinch. Though well known and established, they are off the beaten path. There are not a lot of stores/restaurants on the blocks that they are both on, though a short few block walk from either puts you into fun areas to walk around (Wicker Park for Cafe Matou, Ukie Village for West Town).
West Town has great wines by the glass, and an awesome new American menu. Really great stuff and awesome service.
Skip jane's. It is nothing special. Brasserie Jo does not stand up to Matou. Erwin is good but kind of the same concept as West Town but not as good.
Meritage is great if you like gamey dishes.
Hope this helps.
A Great Cheesemonger in the City
Regarding Pastoral...note that they opened another shop in the Loop now at Lake and Wabash. It is bigger than the original shop in Lakeview and has an even bigger selection. Staff could not be more helpful. Really a very special store. Sandwiches are great too!
Brasserie Ruhlmann - any early reviews?
Heading to Brasserie Ruhlmann on Friday and wondeirng if anyone has any early reviews. Normally, I would not head to a restaurant this soon after opening, but I have been looking forward to this one! Any great eats here or things to avoid? Thanks!
Looking for same vibe as West Town
North Pond is much more elegant then West Town. Lula a little too neighborhoody. For me, the closest vibe is Bistro Campagne. To me, it is the Frenchier version of all American West Town Tavern. They have a nice wines by the glass list, and also a great Beligan beer list.
Cool neighborhood spots
Don't miss lunch at Milk & Honey Cafe which is on Division Street just east of Damen Ave in Wicker Park. Awesome little cafe with great lunch and great pastries. Enjoy.
Looking for restaurant for romantic/fun dinner
Does it matter? If you are looking for restaurants in the vicinity, what's close to one is close to both. Come on.
I'd say check out Red Light on West Randolph. Fun, perennially hip, great drinks (mango margarita is a standout). It's a short 5 min cab ride away.
Like A Tavola.....
I understand that service can really ruin an experience, but a place like Crofton on Wells does not stay open 10+ years by making its patrons miserable. It is not a tourist trap, not on anyone's short list of must tries, so they have to have a loyal, well cared for customer base. You had an off night.
Like A Tavola.....
It's a tough question. A Tavola is really unique in that it is neighborhoody yet special, and small enough that it is never crowded and always quiet. You get the sense that everyone on the staff is behind what the chef is doing there.
I think it's location lends itself to that. I've been thinking for a while about another place similar in style, but every one I come up with is so bustling! Crofton on Wells has the quiet factor but, to be honest, I think even at 30 you'll be the youngest people there. Food is quite good though.
Also, I know it is well known, but Cafe Spiaggia really does have that same special feel with very dedicated servers who have been there for a long time. It is quiet an refined, yet relaxed at the same time. If you have not been, give it a try. I guess the vibe is more Gold Coast than Ukie Village, but if quiet is what you want, you aren't worried about the scene anyway.
I'll keep thinking!
Any reviews of Adesso on Broadway?
I've been there. It is a good neighborhood place but nothing spectacular. They used to not take reservations, but now they do, though aren't great about honoring it. I do not think they are BYOB anymore, but could be wrong.
My take is that this part of town has very little in terms of great food. Adesso is one of the few that makes good attempts at bringing something a little more modern to the neighborhood and for that I applaud them. But when it comes down to it, it is just fair to decent Italian food.
Chicago hound w pregnant wife needs some ideas
OK, I know you asked about the other restaurants, but I have to tell you my wife and I had a wonderful experience at North Pond while she was pregnant. First of all, the place seemed like a baby bonanza...at least 4 other pregnant women in the restaurant at the same time.
What was so great about our experience was that our server congratulated us and then offered my wife some home made spritzers made with real fruit juices (not just your typical shirley temple or virgin drink). I order a half bottle of wine for myself and the server was also very nice to ask my wife if she would like a taste. This made for a very welcoming experience. Many women do treat themselves to a glass of wine a few times during the later stages of pregnancy, but are afraid to do so in public. He made her very comfortable and she enjoyed the few sips immensely.
Anyway, it's a great spot, great service and the food top notch. Was there recently and, though they always have a lot of meat, they had plenty of vegetarian and fish options as well. And it is the type of place that would be happy to accomodate any dietary changes. Like I said, there were a bunch of preggers there so I bet they are used to it!
Le Bouchon and Savarin
Though both classic bistro fare, the menus are actually quite different...at least the preparations are very different. La Sardine feels a little more brasserie where Le Bouchon is definitely bistro. Le Bouchon has more rustic fare. Though I know I am getting picky here. Both are excellent. If you do not mind crowds and noise, I find Le Bouchon to be better. However, if this bothers you, then for sure stick to La Sardine.
Mandatory tip at Alhambra Palace?
This reminds me of an experience I had at Heat sushi on Wells. They made you add the tip to your bill before the server swiped the card. That made me uncomfortable as the service was not good yet I knew if I tipped poorly the server would take an hour to run the card!!!
Looking for Barrata Cheese
Not sure where to buy but Green Zebra currently has it on the menu. Yummy.
French Bistrot in the City
Skip Stained Glass and Marche if you want something classic. I would personallly go to La Sardine near Harpo Studios off of Randolph. I think it is rather authentic, has good service, and a wide enough menu that you will be able to find something. I prefer their sister restaurant Le Bouchon, but many think it is too noisy and crowded and rushed so might not be good for a family birthday.
Bistrot Margot and Basserie Jo are both good...I just prefer Sardine. I also like Bistrot Campagne in Lincoln Square.
Good Sushi AND Great Ambiance?
Definitely agree about Mirai. Make a reservation for upstairs....more fun than the downstairs room. They make great drinks too. Order the Spicy Mono - - an octopus roll topped with spicy tuna with eel sauce. Outstanding (almost like dessert!). You can also just let the chef prepare a platter for you at his whim and will get to enjoy some new things.
I am not a fan of Coast as I find it very inconsistent.
You may also consider Bob San, also on Division, in Wicker Park. I do not think it is as good as Mirai, but it is a fun place and the sushi, for more of a neighborhood spot, is fresh and dependable.
Private rooms for small parties of 15 or less
You are thinking of De Cero I believe. They have a private area, not really a room, and it can be rather loud but fun. I see a lot of bachelorette parties there. Anyway, it is definitely a fun idea.
