shu.girl's Profile
Best buffalo wings near downtown??
A little family oriented, but RJ Grunts have excellent wings! They are crispy on top of a crispy pile of onion strings! Very mouth pleasing!
roasting chicken advice
Definitely do the thinly sliced potatoes on the bottom, you will not be disappointed. I learned this from Cook's Illustrated, should be on their website. They cut their chicken down the back bone too. I follow the recipe exactly EXCEPT I don't brine the chicken or anything. The potatoes are fabulous!
Help with my homemade marinara sauce...
Thank you so much for all your ideas and help. I do simmer the sauce for about an hour uncovered, so maybe next time I will try not to add the liquid. Thanks again!
Help with my homemade marinara sauce...
Hi, I usually make my own marinara sauce with canned San Marzano tomatoes, onions, carrots, celery and fresh basil. But everytime I make it and refridgerate it, it is so watery. I have been having to strain it before using it, and I usually strain it a whole day in the fridge. I am not adding extra water to my sauce when I make it. I am using Lidia Bastinanich's recipe. Why is it so watery? Should I not be adding the tomato liquid from the can when making my sauce? Does anyone have a great basic marinara sauce? I love the taste of fresh basil with it...Thanks for your help!!
Deep Dish Pizza
Pizano's without a doubt, their thin crust is fabulous and by no means a 'thin' crust! Go there, you won't be disappointed!
Belmont & Sheffield, not bar food
Although it started as a bar, Schuba's opened Harmony Grill next door and the food is great! It is on the corner of Belmont and Southport, so a little West of Sheffield. The service can be blah, but they have great food and a nice outside area. Don't miss the mac and cheese, it is fabulous as well as the sweet potato fries!
There are also basic options on Sheffield and Belmont like Leona's, Clarke's, Ann Sathers, and Pizza Capri, but they are below average
Hot Chocolate Bucktown
I love Hot Chocolate, I believe that Mindy (owner/chef) is very creative when it comes to a sweet tooth. I have been there numerous times, and never once encountered bad service. In fact, the host went out of his way to get us two seats at the bar before our table was ready. The best part is you can make reservations there, even if it's just to eat dessert. Definitely try the chocolate with salted caramel ice cream...yum! Try the place out for yourself and be the judge, you will not be disappointed! It's a great place for after dinner.
dessert tasting
I went to Hot Chocolate over the weekend for a late dessert. I found it to be more than fabulous! The desserts are more than just what is listed. They are beautifully presented and the flavors are wonderful. The portions are just right and give you a great taste of the things you ordered.
Re Oberweis & Cheese Curds
In Iowa we call them squeaky cheese because it squeaks when you bite them! They are great plain, just out of the bag like chigirl said. I love them and miss them, it's dangerous, you could sit and eat a pound of them without knowing it!
My Chicagoan Vacation
Well I would have to agree with you on Basil Leaf. My fiance and I went there on Tuesday night and no, the pricing was not bad, my entree was 15.00. BUT, for 15.00 I would expect to get more than 3 ravioli and NOT a bowl full of spinach in place of the missing pasta. I do not like that place because of that, but also because the service is very slow. It took us over 20 minutes to get our check, with the place being sooo small, it's not like tables can be overlooked. Plus, it was not busy. There was just no excuse for the inconsistencies. I won't go back there either or recommend it.
Best calamari?
I know all too well what delivery calamari is like....it's with hit or miss, most of the time miss. It turns soggy indeed. Where is a good place that delivers is crispy??
Best calamari?
Thanks so much, I will be sure to try them, may even convince my fiance to head out to the burbs! Thanks for the recommendations!
Gastropubs in Chicago
I don't know about beer, but Coopers has really good fries and sandwhiches! Very good!
Best calamari?
I love great, fried calamari...in your experiences, where has the best been for you? Unusually so, I really like Ranalli's on Clark! I hated it at Hugo's though.
casual Italian
If you want casual italian, Papa Milano's is good with hearty portions. It is on the corner of Oak and State. 1492 is a spanish restaurant though, not italian.
Sweet Potato Fries?
Thanks so much! I will be sure to try them when in those areas! Especially Uncommon Ground because it is near me.
Sweet Potato Fries?
I am on a never ending quest to find a restaurant who offers GOOD sweet potato fries...they are my favorite! One place that I really like them at is Schubas/Harmony Grill. Does anyone else know where they are served/good? Thanks!
