harken banks's Profile
Is Tru worth one meal of my precious few?
Was at O'Hare yesterday and saw a second Tortas Frontera location. This one is in the American terminal and is bigger than the first one in the United terminal. Nice to see.
Solo diner looking for great beer and local seafood in downtown Vancouver
I'll be in downtown Vancouver with an evening to kill while on an upcoming business trip. I'd love to hear some suggestions of a place where I can have some local beer and local seafood. When it comes to beer, I love IPAs. For seafood, I love it all, but especially oysters. Thanks!
Sable Kitchen & Bar
nsxtasy, I've read your great reviews of Sable...I just booked a reservation there for a week from Saturday. My wife and I are going there to celebrate our wedding anniversary...I'm really looking forward to it.
Best Lager beer in the World!
One of my favorite lagers is Eliot Ness by Great Lakes. It is very flavorful, not malty, just the right sweetness and bitterness for me. I believe it is a Vienna Lager style.
I've studied - now it's time to ask specific questions!
>> I've never heard of Rootstock.
Nsxtasy...your knowledge usually seems to have no limits. You've never heard of Rootstock??? I'll admit I've not been there yet, but it has a great buzz in the Humboldt Park neighborhood.
Breakfast in Chicago
Can you clarify if you're talking about "Palace Grill" on W. Madison or "White Palace Grill" on S. Canal?
New high end vegan in Chicago?
Mana Food Bar is quite good. Cool vibe also. I'd like their potions to be a little bigger, but for context, I tend to have a big appetite.
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Mana Food Bar
1742 W Division St Ste 1, Chicago, IL 60622
New Haven Pizza vs. Old Forge Pizza
When I first saw your post, I thought you might be referring to Old Forge, New York, which made me think of tomato pie from Utica, New York. I used to eat tomato pie when I lived in Syracuse, but I now live in Chicago and mostly frequent NY style pizza place. However, there is a nice joint up the road from my house that brews their own beer and sells "New Haven style" pizza. I think a good slice of NY style is my favorite though.
Vegetarian entree ideas for formal wedding
Hi,
I'll offer a suggestion for mushroom and farro pie (individual small ones). You can find a recipe on www.gourmet.com. My wife and I made it for Thanksgiving last year and it was awesome, not to mention filling and elegant.
I dig what you're doing...
Good luck,
Matt
Hoosier Mama Pie shop
They have expanded their hours...now open until 7 PM during the week.
My wife and I bought a few slices recently...we tried the apple and coconut custard pie. Both were very tasty; I think the coconut custard was slightly better. Very nice crusts on both pies.
Hoosier Mama Pie shop
I'd like to try it...I live right around the corner from the shop and I love pie. However, their hours don't line up very for someone who works 8 to 5 so I haven't been able to get there yet. I think they are open on Saturday so maybe I'll get there this weekend.
There is quite a bit of activity on this stretch of Chicago Avenue. Branch 27, Hoosier Mama and a new bakery (can't remember the name) just opened. I also like La Fama bakery just down the street from Hoosier Mama.
Sorry for the ramble...I look forward to seeing some reviews of Hoosier Mama.
West Town Tavern - ish
Hi,
You might consider Old Oak Tap at 2109 W Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60686, (773) 772-0406.
I've not been to West Town Tavern, but I live around the corner from it and have seen their menu. My sense is that Old Oak Tap is more casual, both in terms of menu options and pricing. This is not to suggest that the food isn't good; quite the opposite and the beer selection is very good.
Cheers,
Matt
New restaurant on corner of Chicago and Noble?
I saw that a new restaurant is getting ready to open on the SE corner of Chicago and Noble in West Town. Does anyone know anything about it?
Where can I find North Coast Cru D'Or Belgian Style Ale?
I keep hearing great things about this beer. I was at Binny's on Grand Avenue this past weekend and they had several kinds of North Coast beer, but not this one. Please help!?! Thanks.
Matt
In search of tasty, inexpensive pancakes
Hi,
Can anyone point me toward a place in the city, relatively near downtown, that has good pancakes at a reasonable price with good sized portions?
I've been to the Original Pancake House on Bellevue and the tab seems to add up to $13+ with pancakes, coffee, tax and tip. Times are tough...would like to get out the door for closer to $6 or $7.
Thanks,
Harken
Bulk/health food stores in River North (or nearby)
I don't think Kramer's has bulk items...not totally sure though. I do like to eat lunch at their cafe upstairs though.
Good question.
Wicker Park
For middle eastern food, you can try Sultan's on North Ave., a few blocks west of Damen. It is very casual, the food is pretty good and it is quite a bargain.
Help w/ Taylor Street scene
Thanks everyone for your responses. We ended up eating at Rosebud and it was really good. I had the homemade square noodles and they were excellent. My sister had the lasagna...the portion was gigantic; so big that we all giggled when we saw it. Fun place, I'd definitely go back.
I'll have to try Tufano's next time though...
Help w/ Taylor Street scene
Hi,
I passed through Taylor Street the other day for the first time and it looked like it would be a fun place to go for dinner. Can anyone recommend a good place for four to six people for dinner on a Friday evening? We have a few vegetarians in our group, BYOB would be fine but not necessary and Italian cuisine would be great but again not necessary. Our group consists of people in mid-20s to mid-30s, if this helps.
Thanks!
Cheers,
Matt
Battle Creek, Michigan?
I'll be in Battle Creek this weekend with my wife. We're mid-30s and vegetarians. Can anyone recommend a dinner spot?
Thanks.
Sweets& Savories still good for brunch??
I had Sunday brunch there a few weeks ago with my wife and another couple. Overall it was a nice, tasty and pleasant experience. We had a 1 PM reservation and I was surprised that the place was nearly empty when we arrived. The service was good, not great...my gripe was that my coffee didn't get refilled very quickly and my friend ordered an iced tea, it never arrived and then we had to ask about it to find out that they were out. The food selections were awesome...the have a $19 (I think) fixed price brunch menu. It was filling and tasty. The banana & chocolate chip pancakes were very good, but a little rich for my taste...didn't require much syrup. The other dishes looked very good. The ambiance was very good for talking with your group...it was very quiet. I really liked it and would recommend it, but I suppose it might depend on what you're looking for...
Kind of a quick note...on my lunch break. Let me know if you want any more detail.
Cheers,
Matt
Chicago food review (including deep dish pizza)
McDonalds does not own Chipotle any longer...been a few years, at least. Chipotle falls into the "Fresh-Mex" category with others, such as Moe's, Baja Fresh, Rubio's. Interestingly, Baja Fresh used to be owned by Wendy's...maybe still.
While I'd much rather eat at Frontera Grill than Chipotle and can hardly believe I'm mentioning them in the same sentence, Chipotle should be applauded for their sustainable business practices. A quick google search will yield many news articles about the great lengths they go to use sustainably raised meat and other such things. This, in and of itself, promted me to come to their defense in this thread.
Sunday brunch w/ parking
Hi,
Can anyone recommend a good Sunday brunch place that has parking? We have someone in our party who can't walk very far. Preferred location would be somewhere with easy access from the Division, North Ave or Fullerton exits off of 94. Thanks!
Matt
Best Pumpkin Pie in SLO County?
TJ,
Thanks for the tips. However, I got lucky because my wife found the time to make a homemade pumpkin pie (and it was delicious). I hope you had a good thanksgiving.
Matt
Best Pumpkin Pie in SLO County?
I'm looking to buy a pumpkin pie today for Thanksgiving tomorrow...any suggestions? Something in the town of San Luis Obispo preferably, thanks.
Mexican Coke (made w/ cane sugar, not HFCS) - Where to buy?
Well I am pleased to report that I finally found some Mexican coke (truth be told, I haven't been looking all that hard). I found it right here in SLO at Tonita's, which is the relatively new place downtown where the Burrito Wagon used to be.
I haven't tried it yet though...probably this weekend. Wonder if I'll notice any difference?
Thanks to all for your help and tips!
Matt
Alto Cinco (Syracuse) cornbread recipe?
Hi,
I moved from Syracuse to California last year and really miss Alto Cinco, especially their cornbread. I've tried to recreate it at home, but haven't come close...probably not using nearly enough fats and/or sweeteners. Can anyone offer some advice?
Thanks,
Matt
Blueberry Pancakes @ First Awakenings, Salinas
I was in Salinas yesterday on a business trip and had a chance to have breakfast at First Awakenings. I had the "Bananagerm pancakes" and they were excellent!
Mexican Coke (made w/ cane sugar, not HFCS) - Where to buy?
I've heard that some Mexican markets in the U.S. carry Coca-cola that was made in Mexico (where it is made with cane sugar, not HFCS like in U.S.). I'd like to buy some. Does anyone know where in the Central Coast area this can be found? I live in SLO, but travel to Santa Maria and Salinas quite often so any of these areas would be fine. Thanks, Matt.
Best Burger, Pizza or Chinese in Paso Robles?
I love Timmy T's pizza. I think it is on 12th Street just west of Spring Street in downtown Paso Robles. They make excellent NY style pizza and have Firestone beer on tap...check it out.
