kykii's Profile
Last minute dinner tomorrow
Andalous on Clark and School - moroccan food with fabulous lamb shank... its BYOB and NO CORKAGE FEE - andalous.com
-----
Andalous
3307 N Clark St Ste 1, Chicago, IL 60657
Popcorn
I make my popcorn on the stove in a nice hot pot... i do use a veggie oil and some salt. I also put the lid on the pot to keep the heat in... it doesn't make it soggy.
IF you want to use butter... my sister introduced to me melted butter with soy sauce - it may sound odd but let me tell you the first time she made it for me... we immediately made a second batch. It is AWESOME!
I-80 in Ohio and Indiana
I love Rocco's in South Bend, Indiana - off of exit 77 for Notre Dame/South Bend.
A couple opened it up in 1951... and their daughter took it over in the early 1990s but this one family It is fantastic thin crust pizza... and a lot of history...
http://www.wsbt.com/news/local/27986664.html
I grew up in SB and never went there growing up - parents were against ordering out. But as an adult when I came home and tried it for the first time 4 years ago... I couldn't believe it was the first time I was eating it. Its my favorite pizza in the states... I take Rocco's any day. :D
537 N Saint Louis Blvd
South Bend, IN 46617
(574) 233-2464
Call ahead and make sure they aren't on their 2 week vacation. :D
SF for a Girls Weekend
Thanks Shane... I'll take a look at the other messages on the board. Just four girls... coming in from Chicago, Austin, DC and Sacramento.
Neighborhood doesn't really matter... just want to know what places we should add on our list.
SF for a Girls Weekend
I'm going to meet some girlfriends for a long weekend at the end of July and would love to hear suggestions for sushi, seafood eats, non-pretentious lounges, wine bars and anything else that we check out.
We enjoy good eats... dive joints are perfectly acceptable. Please note if the suggestion is moderate or expensive.
Inexpensive suggestions for two writing students visiting Chicago-- in the winter?
A side note on the gourmet burger at Custom house... I heard they usually run out fairly quickly.
Red line south to Chinatown... its one stop south of Roosevelt. You an always find cheap eats in Chinatown.
Brunch - I love Bongo Room and there's a location at Roosevelt and Wabash. They have fantastic and decadent pancakes - although I warn you they are massive. But you can get a single specialty pancake as opposed to the entire order of 3. So keep that in mind.
Where are you staying at? I heard that there's a tasty BBQ joint called Smoque - near the Irving Park stop off the blue line.
Sushi Grade Fish???
What about Sea Ranch in Evanston? You can hop on the L to get there... Red Line to Purple Line and get off at Dempster.
The address is: 518 Dempster
They also have a location in Wilmette. They have sushi grade filets - salmon, yellowtail, tuna, white tuna, etc... they also will make sushi for you there on the spot.
Best Sushi in Plano/Dallas Area
This place sounds very promising... LOVE yakitori! Sounds like the closest to an isakaya around here...
Best Sushi in Plano/Dallas Area
Wow! Thanks for all the great suggestions!!! I'll let you guys know what I think when I check some of these places out. :D
And thanks for the Plano and Dallas suggestions...
hyatt regency downtown area
found this post on here about Sixteen:
http://www.chowhound.com/topics/495094
hyatt regency downtown area
At the Trump Hotel - which I think is still under construction - is the new restaurant Sixteen. A friend of mine is the former sister-in-law of the head chef Frank Brunacci - and she completely raves about his food. She hasn't been to Sixteen yet but we're trying to plan a weekend for her to come down so we can check it out.
Here's a review from metromix: http://chicago.metromix.com/restaurants/restaurant_review/first-look-sixteen/303272/content
Thali
I used to LOVE a place in Westmont called Madras Palace - but I think the owners have changed and I have not found anything that compares to that place. I even took a friend that was South Indian and she loved it. We would drive over from the city to get those eats.
My favorite place right now - after trying various places but not everything - is actually in Evanston... its called Mt. Everest on Church St near Whole Foods. They also have thalis, too... which I love the variety.
http://www.mteverestrestaurant.com/
Best Sushi in Plano/Dallas Area
I'm a Chicago foodie that travels to Plano just about every week. Does anyone have any recommendations for fresh sushi? And I'm not talking about the crazy maki rolls... I enjoy having sashimi - in particular fatty salmon (oh so creamy), toro, chu toro, uni, hamachi, etc.
Suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance!
Trendy (but good) restaurant with a bar?
Recently took some friends visiting from out of town to Blue Water Grill... they loved it.
Japonais - granted its Asian Fusion and you're trying to stay away from it but an amazing place for food and drinks. The lounge is located river level.... and you can also order food down there as well. The Chicago location is the original with locations in nyc and vegas.
Pops for Champagne is downtown and a quick cab ride away... I think they have small plates there. I haven't been to this yet but walked by and it was packed.
First time in Chicago
Perhaps not frozen custard but there are some fantastic ice cream choices here in chicago...
Bobtail - http://www.bobtailicecream.com/menu.html - for instance their Signature Sunset flavor - Merlot wine ice cream with chocolate chips...
Oberweis - http://www.oberweis.com/ - they have the BEST strawberry ice cream I have ever had in my entire life. Normally I can only have a scoop or two of ice cream... but when its this particular strawberry I have found myself eating a pint in minutes.
Sushi Samba Rio (what a lousy meal!)
It's so nice to hear others with the same feeling. I've only been there once and it was when they first opened.
I was turned off by the fact that the rice they served was not even fully cooked. I mean I know we all have our bad days but come on... you cook the rice in the rice cooker - and they still messed it up. Biting into a lobster maki roll and then you get this "crunch" from partially cooked rice. Ick. The rest of the meal was mediocre. Glad I didn't pay for the $100+ meal.
Best Poke in Chicago
I never order it but I make it at home instead. There are at least two Japanese markets in the suburbs that sell sashimi quality fish.
Mitsuya - Arlington Heights - just off of I-90
Sea Ranch - Wilmette - off of I-94 (Lake Street) and i think they have another location in Evanston
In the city... you might be able to find it at Dirk's Fish Market
http://www.dirksfish.com/
I make my version...
Sesame Oil
Cubed Sashimi Quality Maguro
Soy Sauce
Toasted Sesame Seeds
Green Onions
I think Hey Sushi is gross and if i had to eat there... only eat cooked sushi items there. I haven't had Roy's Poketini so I can't comment on it.
Good bars in Lincoln Park on St. Patty's Day
Check this site out: http://www.chicagohappyhour.com/stpatty2007/schedule.html
FYI St Patty's Pub Crawl 2007 is the only thing I know that's up to date on my friend's website. He always organized a group of us for St. Patty's... so he finally just added it to a website and we've been doing this pub crawl for the past 4 years. He tweaks it up each year based on our previous year's experience.
As far as I can remember... no cover at these places. If you want to join - great! but if not... just take a look at the list and get an idea.
Still mourning Chinatown's Hong Min
If you don't mind me asking... what entrees did you get at Hong Min?
I grew up eating their food and found they had a ton of authentic chinese dishes as well as some americanized entrees. I too miss it... still hoping they would open a new spot in Chinatown.
Dim Sum - Phoenix is the best in Chicago. I've had friends comment that they prefer it to NYC's dim sum... and I do as well. If you don't see an item... just ask one of the servers and they usually will look for it for you or order it so that when it is done someone will bring it straight to your table. Just call them up for a reservation if its a big enough party.
Triple Crown - love it. Great eats After 9pm they offer the same dinner entrees but in smaller portions. This is great for smaller parties that want lots of variety.
Lao Sze Chuan - nice and spicy! http://www.laoszechuan.com/
BBQ King House - my favorite for chinese bbq and rice dishes...
Seven Treasures - great won ton soup - the only place I order from for that. The shrimp dumpling noodle soup is such a great deal.
Ken Kee - I guess you could consider this a Hong Kong Cafe eatery... locals pack the place.
Still mourning Chinatown's Hong Min
Triple Crown
211 W 22nd pl
Chicago, IL 60616
(312) 791-0788
Adesso - Anyone been recently?
The reviews are completely scattered... but my girlfriends want to go for a Girls Night Out in the very near future... Has anyone been?? and can give me any feedback.
Thanks in advance!!!!
Great true brasserie?
Red Rooster and Cafe Bernard... same kitchen. Red Rooster's entrance is on Dickens... and in the front on Halsted is the entrance to Cafe Bernard. Its been open since 1972... and last weekend my boyfriend and I discovered why... sooo fantastic. :)
http://www.cafebernard.com/ and http://www.cafebernard.com/Redrooster/
izakaya or authentic sushi in chitown?
Not sure if you'll find what you want in Chicago. Sushi is so different here in comparison to Japan - just visited Tokyo, Hakone, Osaka and Kyoto in November. As far as I know you won't really find an izakaya in the city - and if there is my bad. And the sushi joints are predominantly Korean owned and has the Americanized affect with with the crazy rolls - not that i don't like it as well.
There are some good places with good sushi and sashimi... but no yakitori...
Mirai
Starfish
Coast
Sai Cafe
Butterfly
The other postings mention the suburbs near Mitsuya... You might be better off going there and talking to someone there and getting a recommendation from them. I'm assuming there's a larger Japanese population in the Arlington Heights area.
Good Luck! and for the record... I miss going to random izakayas in Japan... so good!
Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba OR Emilio's Tapas?
My friends don't like Emilio's on Fullerton - and I trust their judgement.
Cafe Ba-ba-Reeba - festive, food tastes pretty good in my opinion but are tiny... good variety on sangria... helpful hint... they will not seat your party until you are all there - at least that's how it was the last time I was there.
Best Sushi in Chicago?
Nice to know someone feels the same way. The service is kind of crazy b/c its packed... but they are sooo nice.
Great crunchy spicy tuna, too!!
Best Sushi in Chicago?
I hope its not too late to chime in my thoughts...
What does your friend like? Sashimi? Nigiri? Maki? Specialty Rolls?
I'm a huge fan of Coast Sushi... i love the fact that they offer Fatty Salmon - its the only place I've seen with that offering... and it is FANTASTIC. Its not on the menu but its usually on the specials board... And they have a fantastic Yellowtail Carpacio. And BYOB. I love that they are packed Monday thru Sunday - and they have two dining rooms. The prices are not cheap but not over the top either.
Sai Cafe - I love their sashimi here... Nice cuts of fish. They used to serve their sashimi dinners in ice bowls.
Sushi Wabi - Great rolls... great sushi and sashimi... Although if you're an albacore fan don't order it their. It usually seared - in my opinion that means its not fresh enough. Albacore should just melt in your mouth.
Star Fish - I used to go all the time and the manager would recognize my voice when I would call for reservations. I love their specialty rolls... as well as their sashimi.
Heat - an experience like no other. You never know what you're going to get b/c the menu changes so much. I love letting the chef choose my meal there.
Mirai - Everything there is super yummy. I just end up broke by the time I'm full.
Japonais - Usually go there for drinks but did have some sushi there... it was definitely tasty and recommended. Yet another place I'd be broke by the time I'm full....
Tank - Great Sashimi...
Butterfly - granted its Thai and Sushi... its been around maybe a year... Had some fresh and fantastic sashimi there. Weekends are PACKED with group parties - due to the fact they are BYOB and take reservations. Which is good b/c fish is constantly moving. Excellent thai spicy curry over escargot.
Good out-of-the-way food after Chinese New Year Parade?
I usually avoid the parade b/c of the crowds but if you're going... just be prepared.
Essentially everything will be packed - especially Phoenix for Dim Sum and in general places in Chinatown Square like Joy Yee's, Ken Kee, Wing Wah, etc with locals and tourists.
Maybe find something on a side street - like Triple Crown on 22nd Place - that's an old family favorite... For cheap eats with great won ton soup and rice dishes - hit up Seven Treasures on Wentworth. Hope this helps.
Best Steak in Chicago?
Wow - it was great reading everyone's thoughts... :) Now I have to give my input:
LOVE Keefer's - they cooked my steak perfectly. Its also a great spot for outdoor eating - once the temperature warms up.
Chicago Chop House - I haven't had a bad steak there
Capital Grille - Love their porterhouse
Morton's - I strictly eat ribeye... but was impressed when my friend ordered their filet - and God forbid he ordered well - that the steak was extremely flavorful, tender and tasty. Love their Lobster Bisque
Gibson's - not for me... I didn't care for my steak until I used the seasoning on the table. In my opinion the seasoning should be doing the preparation and not at the table. But that's just me... I know others that love this place. Great place for people watching and drinks...
Tavern on Rush - My sister LOVES their Ribeye...
Not a fan of Ruth Chris's - I'm not a fan of my medium rare steak sitting on a hot plate for who knows how long before it gets to me... and then its medium or medium well. No thanks.
Saloon - I had a pretty good Kobe styled Ribeye there... and a great vodka martini with blue cheese olives...
And what happened to Magnum's? I used to love eating their 24 oz bone-in ribeye... my guy friends got a kick out of watching a 5 foot 3, slender female slam on the entire thing in one setting... so good.
Chicago Barbecue
I LOVE Fat Willy's!!! Its really good... my favorite in Chicago actually. Sent a friend and all of his guy friends there - apparently they all love me now for recommending it. The only place I will eat Mac-n-Cheese... They do smores as well... brisket is yummy... and their baby back ribs... great sauce - normal or hot is what i ususally get. Fantastic.
Got a gift certificate to Roy's: help!
Happen to stumble upon your post. Haven't been to the Roy's in SF but to one in Chicago. I always order the same thing...
1. Lobster Dim Sum - lobster dumplings with a truffle oil foam emulsion - the truffle oil compliments the sweet lobster very well.
2. Asian poached pear salad - simple but good - can't go wrong if you want some extra greens.
3. Misoyaki Butterfish - served with black rice and baby bok choy. The texture of the fish is fantastic.
All else fails... order some drinks and the molten chocolate cake.
Happy Eats!
