I’m sorry!

But I had to send off Summer by traveling to visit friends before the weather becomes unbearable and I refuse to leave my apartment.  Hibernation mode is set to commence in just a few months and let’s just hope we get a long lasting fall.  Either way, it’s been awhile and I’m sorry so here is a quick view into what I’ve been eating as I geared up to say good bye to my flip flops, sundresses, and shorts.

Brownstone – I play a lot of rec sports, one of my favorites being softball.  I began playing the 16” variety this year in Irving Park, which is a bit of a hike from my River North abode.  My fellow teammate and I decided to go grab some dinner in the area after an unfortunate loss and we stumbled upon Brownstone.  I instantly fell in love with this pub, Brownstone is my type of bar.  Great music at an acceptable noise level, a great massive wood bar, and lighting that puts you to ease.  The menu sounded fantastic as well.  I couldn’t decide on what to order but then I saw them…

TATOR TOTS!  I know tator tots shouldn’t excite me as much as they do but I can’t help but order them every single time.  They just bring me back to my childhood.  I ended up getting the Turkey Burger with a side of tots.

The burger was juicy and tasted fresh but let’s be real, I was in heaven with the tator tots.  They had a nice crisp to them and were perfectly salted.  I only wish I was in this neighborhood more often so I could frequently drink and eat at this fantastic watering hole.

Antique Taco – Antique Taco newly opened this Summer in the Wicker Park/Bucktown area of town.  It also happens to be near Emporium Arcade Bar which naturally appeals to my dorky side since I can walk over and play DUCK HUNT after dinner.  Yes, this is where all the dorks grow up and hang out.

Back to the food, we went to Antique Taco on a Friday night and somehow made it in before a mad rush.  There are no reservations and seating is first come.  Unfortunately our party of 6 couldn’t be seated together and we had to split since the restaurant is not very large.  The table started with an order of Guacamole and Chips, which didn’t disappoint.

I ordered the Grilled Ribeye Taco with house steak rub, heirloom salsa, cilantro, onion, and queso enchilada.  The taco was mediocre and show cased bland meat with typical toppings that made it edible but nothing special to draw a smile to your face, especially with Big Star down the street.

However, the true highlights of Antique Taco are the POP-TART and the Horchata Milkshare.  Both are delicious!  But do NOT order both because they have the same flavor profile.  They basically both taste like a churro but one is in liquid form.

I liked the atmosphere of Antique taco and the desserts made me happy but that isn’t enough to pull me back for a full dinner again.

Till next time, peace out food ninjas!

I had been anticipating this day since February…

I wondered what it would taste like and what would be served…

I waited and waited for my meal at NEXT Sicily.  I wanted to experience how my home, family, and culture would be executed through the eyes, mouth, and hand of one of the best chefs in the world.  We were greeted to the kitchen table and a sealed envelope was waiting.  We opened it to reveal the following quotes:

“To have seen Italy without having seen Sicily is not to have seen Italy at all.  For in Sicily lies the key to everything.” – Goethe

“The best food of Sicily is found in the homes and the hearts of its people.  Welcome”

So far, so good.  Achatz got it right by complimenting my roots and understanding how central food is for the Sicilian people.

We started off with some appetizers:  Panelle, a Caponata, Arancine, and Artichoke.

The panelle is a chickpea fritter that looks like a pita chip and I expected it to be hard, but it was a bit softer and chewier in texture and was a welcome surprise.  These fritters are common snacks in Palermo and I’m sad I missed out on these during my travels last year.

The caponata had another unexpected surprise, the light crunch to the dish really made me appreciate it.  It was light, flavorful, and the crunch made it stand out versus blend in with any other mushy caponata you’ve tasted. The arancine didn’t do it for me.  They weren’t bad but they didn’t have enough flavor to impress.  Last but not least with the opening act, the artichoke, which I enjoyed.  It was grilled and a little difficult to eat but I loved the simplicity which is the root of Sicilian cooking.

The next course consisted of Steamed Clams with Fennel, Grilled Mussels, Shrimp with Watermelon, and Sweet and Sour Octopus.

All of these were delicious and for very different reasons.  However, the clear winner for me was the octopus.  I was the weird girl growing up who ate octopus.  I remember finally convincing my bestfriend to try it.  She was freaked out by the tentacles and texture.  This octopus made me wish my dining companions felt that same way so I could eat the entire bowl.  Unfortunately for me, no such luck.

Next came the pasta course, a Bucatini, Gemelli with sardines and breadcrumbs, and Gnocchi.  My favorite was the Gemelli with breaded sardines and fried breadcrumbs.  That dish summarizes my childhood and my trip to Sicily last year.  That dish represents everything good in this world.  The bucatini was well executed and I didn’t care for the gnocchi which were overly salted.

On to the ‘meat’ courses, the sword fish/tuna fish course with roasted garlic gloves and the pork shoulder.  The clear winner was the pork shoulder that just melted off the bone.  Another dish that reminds me of growing up in my mother’s kitchen and gets down to basics – meat and sauce!

I’m going to skip the cheese course and get to the best part… DESSERT!

I was ecstatic when I read about the Cassata cake on the menu.  I grew up on this stuff and all birthdays or major life events (e.g. anything religious – First Communion, Confirmations, Weddings) all involve cassata cake.  Cleveland (my hometown) actually hails a slightly different rendition (which I prefer) that consists of a sponge cake soaked in rum, filled with strawberries and custard, and then covered with whipped cream.  How can anyone resist that?

I absolutely adored NEXT’s take on the classic dessert and it tasted as good as it looked.  Unfortunately the other desserts just didn’t do it for me.

Sicily is home to the best cannoli in the world and I wasn’t impressed.  The ricotta cream needed a bit more sweetness and some cinnamon or other spice to give it some additional flavor so that it wasn’t so one dimensional.  We also were not offered espresso at the end of our meal…obviously a big miss…

Overall, my dinner at NEXT for the Sicily menu was nostalgic and fun but will definitely not be the meal I most enjoy there.  Achatz gave it his best shot and at least he acknowledged that the best food is in the homes and hearts of Sicily’s people.  I could not be more proud.

Thanks for celebrating a year with me.

Till next time, peace out food ninjas!

Dylan’s Tavern – I don’t spend much time eating in the Loop.  However, my coworkers and I were yearning for a sit down lunch and found our way to Dylan’s.  I’ve been to Dylan’s for happy hour before but never for the food.  I had been craving a quesadilla and was excited to see one on the menu.  My temporary happiness quickly turned to uneasiness when I found out that they do not serve guacamole with their quesadilla.

I seriously debated going to Chipotle to pick up a side of guac, and I regret not doing so.  The quesadilla was fine.

I prefer a doughier tortilla to a crunchier one and I just found the overall dish to lack flavor.  The pico helped contrast the flavors a bit but I was really missing the quac.  Luckily, I split a basket of fries with a coworker and they were flavorful.  The real surprise was the BBQ sauce on the side for dipping which tasted homemade and had a great sweet/smoky flavor.  I’ll probably keep to drinks at Dylan’s moving forward.

Star of Siam – I have to admit that I haven’t ventured to many Thai places in Chicagoland.  However, I found my go-to Thai place early on and I haven’t strayed even though I know that better exists out there.  Star of Siam is always quick, consistent, cheap, and is one of the few places you can  grab a table on a weekend in River North without a reservation.

I’m in love with their yellow curry with chicken, potatoes, and peas.  The curry is subtle and comforting.  Definitely one of my comfort food dishes during the winter months.  However, this most recent trip was during a 90+ degree day so I tried the Shrimp Pad Thai.

The portion is filling, the serving size of shrimp is adequate, and I enjoy the contrasts of flavors and textures in the dish (as you would expect from any good pad thai).  I wouldn’t say it’s the best I ever had but it keeps me coming back!

Athenian Room – Another quick and easy spot is the Athenian Room.  It took me 3 skeesons (yes I said it) of skeeball at Glascott’s Saloon before I ate at the attached restaurant.  Athenian Room is a low key Greek spot that I probably wouldn’t have noticed.  However, spending once a week in Glascott’s makes it nearly impossible to ignore the delicious gryos and kebabs coming out from next door.

I ordered the classic Gyro with fries.  The meat was delicious and I could barely get enough.

I also have a strong obsession with tzatziki sauce and I was in pure heaven.  My only complaint is that the juice from the dish made the fries and pita wet and soft which made it difficult to make into a sandwich.  However, the cheap prices and delicious food will maintain a smile on my face.

Do you have some go to quick and easy spots to share?  I’d love to hear them!

Till next time, peace out food ninjas!

Club Lucky – Let’s reminisce about 2010 for a minute…  It was one of (well maybe THE BEST) year of my life so far.  I was graduated with my Master’s, took 6 months off, back packed Europe with my best friend, moved to Chicago, spent a month in NYC, and met some incredible people.  Pretty hard to top.  I moved to Chicago a bit sooner than all my friends and I met some people in my building who took me to Club Lucky.  It was a late night and I had a couple adult beverages in me but I remember the food being great.  I was very excited when my mentor recommended Club Lucky for some appetizers.  We ordered the Fried Mozzarella and the Sausage with Onions and Peppers.

I don’t really go out and order fried mozzarella anymore.  Those were the days of chain restaurants.  However, these are circular pieces of fried joy.  The rounds are melty while having a seasoned crust that creates a welcome treat when combined with the marinara sauce.

The sausage also did not disappoint.

It wasn’t dried out and the peppers and onions weren’t overly drenched in oil.  Absolutely perfect.

Northside – We continued our trek to Damen and ended up at The Northside.  I’ve passed by this spot numerous times but never stopped in.  I have been missing out.  The outdoor patio is relaxed, airy, and fun.  I ordered my new favorite summer drink  (Effen Cucumber Vodka + Cranberry) and sat down to look at my options.  To be honest, I was already full from the mozzarella and sausage we tasted at Club Lucky, but that didn’t stop me.

I went with the Falafel Wrap with hummus and Jerusalem salad with a side of sweet potato fries.

I honestly didn’t have high expectations for a falafel wrap at a place that should only be serving traditional bar food.  I was wrong.  The falafel was moist and flavorful and the salad added bright notes that pulled it all together.  Plus, I’ve barely met a sweet potato fry I haven’t liked.  I highly recommend Northside.

Glazed and Infused – Rounding out for that side of town is Glazed and Infused.  I’m a sucker for a donut and new shops keep popping up around the city.  I was stuffed from Sunday brunch at Takashi (more to come…) but couldn’t resist stopping by to try Glazed and Infused.  I asked the lady working the counter for a light donut recommendation and she picked out the Lucious Lemon which is lemon cake filled yuzu curd and topped with lemon glaze and candied zest.

I love lemon pastries in the morning but it just isn’t the same without a cup of coffee.  My friend and I stopped to get some and I was in heaven.  On it’s own, I would say the lemon is overpowering but contrasting with the bitterness of the coffee is a heavenly combination.

I won’t say Glazed and Infused is my favorite just yet but I’m intrigued to try some of their other flavors.

Till next time, peace out food ninjas!

Moody:
Las Palmas is the perfect venue for a casual birthday dinner with friends.  The atmosphere is relaxed and you are serenaded by the live entertainment as you dine.  You can also call the live entertainment over to embarrass your friends (not a bad deal).  We were seated in the back room which was decorated with quirky Mexican art.  The noise level was also tolerable and you could actually speak to everyone at a table of 8 without having to scream.  Ninja star awarded.

Boo factor:
I would definitely say that the front of the restaurant is more conducive to a romantic evening on the town with your hunnie.  However, Las Palmas is really right up my alley in the date department.  It is low key, the food is fantastic, and you can order pitchers of margaritas (ONLY do this if you are already in a relationship, getting hammered (easy to do) off margaritas will not bode well on a first date).  Ninja star awarded.

Service:
Our waitress was very sweet and attentive.  We never knew whether she actually understood anything we said but we were fine with that.  Ninja star awarded.

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DD:
Two words: margarita pitchers!  Delicious margaritas served in really cool (albeit dorky) tiki style glasses.  I’ve read mixed reviews about the margaritas but ours were strong and the right mix of sweet and sour.  They also went down a little too quickly.  Ninja star awarded.

Pretty yummy:
Everything looked almost too good to eat.  ALMOST!

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Smell meter:
No stand outs, no star.

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 Harmony:
Just like everyone else these days, I’m obsessed with the avocado.  How can you blame me?  There are so few perfect foods that exist.  You can literally put avocado on anything (I’m convinced even ice cream) and it will shine.  Therefore, we had to start off with some Guacamole and chips for the table to share.  This guac did not disappoint and I had to consciously remind myself not to hog it all and be respectful of my friends at the table (ohhhh the restraint).

As for the main, I was stuck between two options but ultimately went with the La Casa Borracha which is pineapple and tequila soaked skirt steak on a stack of rum-cured plantains and papas fritas with manga pico de gallo.

The steak was cooked to a perfect medium rare and was juicy.  The combination of the meat with the sweetness of the plaintains was my favorite part of the dish.  The potatoes didn’t do it for me and were very starchy and had a duller flavor profile compared to everything else on the plate.  I ate every single bite of this creative spin on meat and potatoes.  Ninja star awarded.

Overall yummy in my tummy:
Las Palmas is one of the better Mexican restaurants I’ve tried in the city and I can’t wait to go back and try some more of their innovative dishes.  Ninja star awarded.

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 factor:
Everyone was stuffed and was down for the count when it came to dessert.  Fortunately, we were there for a birthday and our waitress brought out a light strawberry custard dessert.  I was able to sneak a few bites and it was airy and the perfect way to end of the meal.  I definitely want to try the other desserts next time.  Ninja star awarded.

Las Palmas was a wonderful way to start off birthday festivities and I can’t wait to spend a few more hours throwing back some margaritas there again soon.  Las Palmas receives an 8/9 on the ninja star scale.

Till next time, peace out food ninjas!

Moody:
RPM is your classic chic spot in River North donned in all black and white (even the servers are wearing white sport coats).  It’s undeniably a beautiful space and without a doubt, jammed packed with people at all hours (we could only grab a 10:15 pm reservation).  Although, a friend gave me a tip to grab their earliest dinner reservation on a Sunday (3-3:30) because it’s a great post (drinking) night spot to dine and you don’t have to be up for the brunch crowd.  Ninja star awarded.

Boo Factor:
RPM is a great first date spot (you are already dressed to impress) or for a fun night on the town with your boo.  It’s fun to get dressed up every once in awhile.  The music isn’t over the top and compliments the scene.  I’ll give it a star even though I doubt this would be at the top of my date list.  Although, I wouldn’t turn it down!

Service:
Our waitress was extremely attentive and helpful.  Ninja star awarded.

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DD:
I ordered a tasty red wine off the list.  Ninja star awarded for their variety and the delicious sounding cocktail list.
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Pretty yummy:
Everything was plated with careful thought and precision in mind to enhance the aesthetic experience and minimize our time spent talking and maximize our time spent eating/clawing over each other to get every morsel.  Ninja star awarded.

Smell meter:
No stand outs, no star.
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Harmony:
There is so much to write about in this section.  My friends gave me free reign to pretty much order whatever I wanted given that I had read a fair amount about the restaurant.  Here is the low down of what we tried:

1. Imported Burrata
2. 600-Day Prosciutto
3. Truffled Garlic Bread
4. Arancini
5. Polenta with Poached Egg
6. Prime Beef Meatballs
7. Shredded Brussels Sprouts Salad with Avocado
8. Short Rib Pappardelle
9. Wild Boar Sausage
10. Corn Agnolotti

All that food…for THREE people.  Let’s start breaking some of this down.  The first consisted of the burrata, prosciutto, garlic bread, and Arancini.  The first three combine to create a mind blowing sandwich.  I could have stopped right here.  The burrata was so fresh and the prosciutto was of extremely high quality (I’ve eaten A LOT of prosciutto in my day).

The Arancini are smaller than your typical rice ball that you will find in Italy.  However, these little rice balls packed a punch of flavor and were easily some of the best Arancini I’ve had in the states.  I just wish I could get an XL version as well.

Next came the polenta, the meatballs, and the salad.  The polenta was creamy and rich.  The poached egg created a smooth sauce for the polenta that just deepened the depth of flavor.  The meatballs were delicious but I would have preferred a bit more red wine mixed in to add a little sharpness and contrast to the beef flavor.

Now the salad… I read a lot about this salad.  This is not something I would normally order but people raved about this and none of us really cared for it.  I don’t see what all the fuss was about.

As for the pastas, the short rib and the corn stood out.

Surprisingly, the corn agnolotti was the super star.  The sweetness of the fresh corn with the pasta was light and perfect for summer.  The wild boar sausage is made in house but was a bit too spicy and lacked any other real flavor.

Ninja star awarded.

Overall yummy in my tummy:
Are you kidding?  This is one of the best meals I’ve had this month.  Ninja star awarded.

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Banoffee factor:
One of my friends isn’t a sweets kind of guy but I always have room for dessert.  I’ve spoken before about how I’m obsessed with pistachio gelato so I had to try RPM’s.  We also took the plunge and ordered the Tartufo with hazelnut gelato and a chocolate shell.

The gelato portion was HUGE and I loved the whole pistachios thrown into the mix.  I couldn’t stop eating it despite feeling like I was going to slip into a food coma at any moment.

The Tartufo reminds me of an ice cream version of those delicious hazelnut Roche candies.  This was delicious but rich.  I’d stick to the pistachio gelato next time.

Ninja star well deserved.

Overall, RPM delivers in taste while allowing for some trendy people watching.  RPM comes in at 8/9 ninja stars.

I’ll be back!

Till next time, peace out food ninjas!

DBGB – The bachelorette weekend happened to fall on Gay Pride which meant I couldn’t stay over at my cousin’s place due to out of town visitors coming in for the occasion.  I stayed with a friend who is arguably a bigger foodie than I am.  She picked DBGB for dinner.  We ordered a heck of a lot of food but I’ll give a quick overview of what I tasted.

DBGB is known for making house-made sausages.  I went with the Tunisienne which was a lamb sausage served on a bun with mint yogurt, cucumber, and red onion.  I died and went to heaven with this bad boy and I almost ordered another one.

We also decided to share one of the specials for the night which was the Roasted Pig that was accompanied by asparagus, potatoes, and grilled corn.

The pork was so tender and flavorful, and eating some of the skin was literally transcendent.  Oh, and I almost forgot the most interesting part…  Order the orange wine.  I had never heard of it but it’s an interesting taste and not to be missed.  A new restaurant has been added to my NYC repertoire.

Patsy’s Pizza – Like any full blooded Italian, I love a good pizza and let’s face it, NYC has some of the best outside of my mom’s kitchen and Italy.  The bride-to-be suggested ordering pizza to the hotel as all the girls were getting ready for the big extravaganza.  Being a former New Yorker, she knew to order from Patsy’s.  We kept it simple and only ordered the classic margarita pizza but believe me, that’s all you need.  This was the BEST New York style pizza I have ever had.  The ingredients were fresh, the sauce had a slight sweetness, and the basil created a nice contrast in taste and textures against the mozzarella.  LOVE!!

Chicken over Rice (Halal Guys 53rd and 6th) – I’ve been coming to NYC for years and even lived in NYC for a month at one point and NEVER heard of chicken over rice until speaking with a coworker a couple months back.  The concept seems so simple: a street vendor, some rice, and some chicken…  It’s not rocket science but how could it really be THAT good?

After stuffing our faces at DBGB and having some adult beverages at some of New York’s finest watering holes, it was finally time to head home for the night, but not before a stop to get some chicken over rice.  We waited in line to get the full experience and took our orders to go.  I was stuffed and didn’t think I would touch it.  I was wrong.   This stuff is phenomenal!

Six bucks gets you a heaping mound of food.  We got the combo with half gyro meat and half chicken.  I actually preferred the gyro.  The white sauce that comes with it is out of this world.  Be warned, go easy on the hot sauce.  I have no idea what makes this so good but it’s addicting and a must-try.

My fifth trip to NYC this year proved successful and I left with a happy stomach.

I can’t wait till I have another try to eat through Manhattan.

Till next time, peace out food ninjas!

Paciugo - I have heard about Paciugo and decided to venture outside of my freezer varieties and see if Paciugo could live up to the hype.  The shop is cute and brings me back to my younger years when I would spend every Summer week day searching for a new ice cream store to try (the Cleveland suburbs have a good ice cream scene…who would have guessed).  I loved the fact that I could try as many flavors as I wanted to and didn’t feel pressured.  I ultimately went with the cappuccino, the coconut cream pie, and (of course) pistachio.

The coconut cream pie was a surprise that I found while taste testing.  I’m not a big coconut fan but the subtlety and brightness of the flavor drew me to it.  Obviously my favorite was the pistachio which is some of the best around (I’ve tried MANY).  The flavor was concentrated and didn’t taste artificial.

I can’t wait to stuff my face is more gelato soon!

Do-Rite Donuts – I have already written about the donut phenomenon that seems to be taking the Second City by storm.  Another much talked about new-comer to the block is Do-Rite Donuts who decided to conveniently have a pop-up stand near my work on Thursdays.  Between meetings, I snuck out of the office to grab a donut and coffee.  I picked the pistachio-meyer lemon.  Once again, couldn’t turn down something pistachio and I love citrus with coffee.  It cuts the coffee so well.

Do-Rite did not disappoint.  My donut was a little piece of heaven and complimented by coffee perfectly to create the happiest breakfast I could possibly have while at work.  I can’t wait to try some other flavors.

What other summery treats have you been digging into?

Till next time, peace out food ninjas!

Minghin – I’ll never turn down free tickets to a baseball game, even if it’s a Sox game (I kid…I’m pretty indifferent to baseball in this town but when it comes down to it, I’d pick the Cubs).  Either way, a beautiful Summer evening spent at the ball park sounds great to me.  I filled up on some food at the park but my friends and I were still hungry so we ventured to China Town after the game in search of Dim Sum.

As you can imagine, not many places are open at 10:00 p.m. on a Friday night in China Town for Dim Sum, but we found Minghin.  The atmosphere is a bit strange.  You have some decently bright lighting, chandeliers, and glass cases with shells (or something?) in them while still getting a full meal for under $10.  We ordered an assortment of things (no dim sum cart here) but my favorite was the pork bun.

Pork Buns

 A friend ordered off the regular menu and his dish looked fabulous.  Although, he had to ask multiple times for rice and soy sauce.  I’d probably skip Minghin next time and go for some of the established winners in the neighborhood.

Old Town Social – I’m trying to check out more festivals this Summer and the first one was the Old Town Art Festival.  I love a good art festival and it makes me nostalgic for the one in Ann Arbor  (mind blowingly awesome).  The bad thing about the festivals is the heat and all the bodies.  As a friend put it, it is basically human bumper cars.  We needed to cool off so we headed to Old Town Social to have some adult beverages, food, and listen to a friend’s band play.

I frequent Old Town Social a decent amount but have never eaten there.  I ordered the Pulled Pork BBQ sandwich and a side of onion rings.  I was starved and forgot to take a picture but I inhaled it so that gives you some idea of how tasty it was.  It also came TOPPED with onion rings.

One of the waiters walked by with DONUTS and I was sold.  A friend and I split an order which comes with two good sized WARM Cinnamon Sugar Donuts with a side of some kind of vanilla dipping sauce.

Cinnamon Sugar Donuts

The sauce didn’t add much but the donut was pure bliss.  I’ll be back, and not only for dessert.

De Cero – Another weekend means another festival.  The following week was the Taste of Randolph and anyone who knows anything about Chicago food knows that this area can’t be beat.  It was another scorcher so I immediately quenched my thirst on some yummy white wine sangria.  I was starving and ordered a Lamb/Pork Belly sausage from Public Quality Meats which was pure heaven.

I tagged along with my best friend and his girlfriend and headed to De Cero for some Mexican food after the festival.  Can you imagine leaving a FOOD festival to go eat?  We are crazy…

I ordered the Kiwi Margarita.  I was skeptical but I had never had one and it was life changing.

Kiwi Margarita

It wasn’t overly sweet and had actual kiwi puree.  I could have had 10 (although I’d be on the floor and incoherent by 5 probably).  As for food, I ordered the Chicken Mole and Avocado Taco.

Tacos

The chicken was the standout and the flavors were smoky and delicious.  Definitely a good second dinner in my book.

I hope everyone enjoyed the 4th and remember our Summer days are limited, so take advantage.

Till next time, peace out food ninjas!

It’s hard to believe that June has already flown by and I hope everyone is soaking up the 90 degree weather because it may seem unbearable now but you’ll be missing this come February.  Here is a look at some of my Summer Eats a la Groupon…

The Counter – Summer is in full swing and I will be the first to admit that I overcommitted myself in terms of summer rec sports.  One Thursday night after softball practice, I found myself absolutely starved.  Luckily, I had a willing dining companion and a Groupon in hand for The Counter.  I couldn’t resist an alcoholic milkshake (my first one ever, but not the last).  I picked the Coffee Milkshake that included Kahlua and topped with whipped cream.  Absolutely delicious and terrible for me.  Just what I wanted.

As for the burger, I went for the build your own option and combined some random ingredients.  I tried the turkey patty with guacamole, grilled onions, and grilled pineapple prepared medium rare.

Build Your Own Burger

The burger was incredibly messy but the random assortment of ingredients did not disappoint.  Although, I do admit they probably aren’t the most ideal combination.  As for the fries, we split an order of the sweet potato and the parmesan fries.  The parmesan fries were disappointing and a little bland but the sweet potato had a great flavor and the right amount of crispiness.  I’ll be back to The Counter soon.

Geja’s – It seemed for awhile that Groupon had non-stop awesome restaurant deals going on (and has since been on a hiatus).  I was able to snag a good deal to Geja’s and waited for the last minute to go.  I have never been to a fondue restaurant before so this was going to be a whole new experience.  My friend and I went on a 90 degree day (not exactly ideal for a heavy meal) but go big or go home.  The restaurant is supposedly one of the most romantic in the city and I could buy that, if it were winter time.  I found the low lighting too dark but overall, a cool atmosphere.

As for the food, we started with the Cheese Fondue that was melted down with some white wine.  We were given an assortment of bread and fruits for dipping and the cheese got more and more gooey and complex the longer it sat.

Fruit/Bread Assortment for the Cheese

As for the mains, I picked the fillet and lobster combination.  I enjoyed having the options of all the various sauces, although the teriyaki was the best.  Next time I’d just stick to the fillet (also the easiest to cook).  The chocolate fondue was off the chain.  I loved the roasted marshmallows (smores baby!), pieces of cake, rice crispies, and fruit.  LOVE!

Chocolate Fondue Fire for Marshmallow Roasting

I enjoyed the experience but not something I’d seek out regularly, especially due to the price point.  You can get a better meal in Chicago and not have to cook it yourself.

Happy eating and an even happier Summer!

Till next time, peace out food ninjas!