spiffytriphy's Profile
Lulu's Dim Sum - Evanston
I went there with a friend in early May. Although we enjoyed ourselves, I don't think it was anything extraordinary. I had the cucumber salad which was cool, crisp and light for the hot day that it was. I also had the chicken shao mai (sp?) which were large and meaty. They were good, but I prefer the traditional pork filling. I also ordered the crystal shrimp dumplings. This dim sum dish was different than har gao. Although the filling was the usual, the outside was crispy. The dipping sauce tasted somewhat like cocktail sauce with chili sauce mixed in. My friend ordered the potstickers and crispy sesame balls and finished everything. We agree that it's unlikely everything was made in-house, but at least your food arrives hot and seems fresh. Although I have not tried the majority of the menu, I think that perhaps many people seem to like Lulu's b/c of the comfortable, light atmosphere rather than the food. When the sun is shining through the windows, Lulu's is a nice place to go with friends for a variety of good food.
http://www.lulusdimsum.com/index.html
Montage Laguna or L'Auberge Carmel?
After searching the web Montage Laguna and L'Auberge Carmel seem like nice, relaxing places. But has anyone actually been there, and what about the food? Of course the websites say the food is delicious and award winning, but can I really trust them? Thanks!
B-day Dinner, 20somethings
How far is Fulton Street from the Loop? My girlfriends and I have gone there several times and have always enjoyed ourselves. The atmosphere is really hip and lively. The raspberry mojitos and sangria are really good! Start with guac and chips, empanadas, and the masa cake. I really liked the Arun and my friends gobbled up the Arrachera and Pollo. The side of mac and cheese with crispy pork is rich and yummy too. Take a look at the menu and see what you think. Happy birthday!
http://www.carnivalechicago.com
Chicago dining on Memorial Day - impossible?
Here's places that I've called and are closed today: May Street Market, Blackbird, Carnivale, Marigold, Nacional 27, Boka, Cafe Spiaggia, and Mulan. Luckily, not everything is closed. Gibsons and Hugo's Frog Bar on Rush are open tonight as well as Le Colonial. Seems like restaurants near shopping are still serving today. Thank goodness!
where to eat dinner in Park Ridge?
I am meeting with two friends for dinner tomorrow in Park Ridge. None of us have gone there before. (We're meeting there b/c it's the midway point for the three of us.) Suggestions for dinner? One friend has conservative taste buds so no Japanese, Mexican, Greek, Chinese, etc for her. She prefers American or Italian. Even chains like Maggianos would be fine. Thanks!
anyone been to Custom House lately?
Going there for belated Mother's Day dinner tomorrow night. Anyone been recently and can comment on the food? Good/poor choices on the menu? Thanks!
seeking recs from Naha
Will be having my first meal at Naha next week. What dishes are a must? Dress is business casual, right? Thanks!
meal times
Going to be in Paris for spring break. When do the locals usually dine? Is it best to eat when they do or try and eat during off hours to avoid the crowds?
college spring break in paris
Two college students going to Paris in March for spring break. We are on a mission to taste some of the best that Paris has to offer in terms of foodstuffs. However, we're not filthy rich so money is an issue. We're searching for recommendations for where to go to get delicious baguettes and macarons. What other food is can't miss in Paris? Someone told me gelato but I thought that was Italian? Falafels? And restaurant recs for nice dinners? Maybe we'll splurge on one or two more expensive dinners (Are there good places for $75 or less a person?) and the rest can be more reasonable priced. If anyone has any suggestions for where to go and places to see that would be wonderful as well as estimates for how much things will cost. Thanks so much! Oh! And where to go for good drinks and fun nightlife? Merci!
places to go similar to Carnivale?
My girlfriends and I went to Carnivale this past weekend and loved it! The atmosphere, the people, the drinks, and the food were all fantastic. We loved the crowd- young, hip, etc and the food was fantastic. The mojitos and sangria was just what the doctor ordered. The chips and guac chunky, creamy, and addicting. Three girls said the skirt steak over black beans and rice with carmelized red onions was cooked perfectly medium and "bursting w/ flavor". My friend's roasted half chicken came on an enormous platter w/ a jalepeno-parsley puree sauce with perfectly roasted potatoes and tender, crisp green beans. She loved it! (Mushy vegetables are a pet peeve for her). I had the seared ahi tuna over roasted/sauteed diced potoates and mushrooms topped with a salty, vinegary olive-caper relish and romesco sauce to finish off the plate. The kitchen was definitely on tonight. Our waitress was friendly although said we were wimps for not ordering dessert. She said it in a joking manner, but we knew she was somewhat disappointed with our decision. Oh well! We were too full. I was wondering if anyone had any recs for another place for my girlfriends and I to try out in the Chicagoland area for our next girls' night out. Nothing pricier than Carnivale, and everyone loves all types of cuisine. We go to school at Northwestern so we'd just take the el or one of us would drive. Thanks!
