chitown foodies

We are moving!

2010-08-31T22:21:00.000-05:00

Please updated your bookmarks!

Chitown Foodies has a new home at ChicagoNow. You can access the new page, here.

chow foodies.

Can't Stand the Heat?

2010-07-20T10:06:00.000-05:00

Dear Chicago, all of Chicagoland and chitown foodies supporters wherever you may be tonight,

While the so called “king” was making his decision the only question on my mind was hot or mild.

Crisp in Lakeview is a joint I have walked by multiple times and have always wondered to myself, what is that place? (Note to self/readers: next time this question enters your head, open the door and order something. You won’t regret it).

With a “Korean fusion” menu ranging from sauce covered wings to egg topped Buddha bowls and meat stuffed burritos there is something to satisfy any palette. A minimally decorated restaurant with long community style tables fits the flavors perfectly (no worries - they have individual stools and delivery if cozying up to strangers isn’t your thing).

Customer service here is also top notch. The upbeat attitudes delivered with your meal are ridiculous. And if you happen to come when you’re extremely dehydrated (read: hung over) they have some of the largest water cups in the city, reminiscent of the kind you kept next to your bed during college dorm days.

This time around (once you enter those doors you become a repeat customer) I opted for the wings, which don’t exactly look like the ones you get over at a certain chain that might just start with Buffalo and end with Wings. These wings are BIG. These wings are so big I think they have their own wings.

From BBQ, sweet, to a range of buffalo options starting at mild and making their way up to suicide, these wings don’t disappoint. The meat is tender, and much like the name of the place, the skin is Crispy. I recommend trying at least two flavors – one of the hotter buffalo options (and when I say hot, I'm talking three alarm fire) and the Sweet Seoul Sassy (ginger, soy and garlic) to give your taste buds a kick.

If wings aren’t your thing, then a Buddha Bowl is highly recommended. Ranging in size from Baby (which might actually be referencing a baby sumo wrestler, as it is quite large) to Big Boy the bowls come with sautéed and/or fresh vegetables on a bed of rice, topped off with a fried egg. Protein city!

In the meantime, I want to make one statement to you tonight:

"I PERSONALLY GUARANTEE YOU THAT NO MATTER WHICH MENU ITEM YOU CHOOSE, YOU WILL ENJOY IT"

You can take it to the bank.

If Crisp is any indication, than we here in Chicago can handle the Heat. And that my friends, is no Bull.

chow foodies.

Wakamo-YES!

2010-07-09T10:00:00.007-05:00

Jeremy Piven and I have something in common other than our love for Chicago and Vinny Chase.

We both dig a good sushi roll. (Lost? Check out Mr. Gold's antics here.)

Here's the thing. I've eaten a lot of sushi in Chi-town. A LOT.

Toro, Sai, Nori, Cafe Blossom, Matsuya, Bentonara, Ponzu, Jai-Yen, Coast, Torajiro, Sushi Mura, Hatsu Hana, Freshi Sushi and Noodles, Shine, Sushi Para II, Oy-Sy, Tank, Naniwa, Meiji, Rollalpalooza, Japonais, Chen's Chinese and Sushi, Ai Japanese Restaurant and Lounge, Kamehachi, Sushi Samba Rio, Tokyo Lunch Box, Nohana, House of Sushi and Noodles, Matsuyama and Nan's to name a few.

Mr. Piven, I challenge you to a mercury-off.

The challenge will take place at Wakamono in Lakeview where the fish is always fresh and the rolls inventive. Prices are moderate with maki rolls starting at $5 and contemporary rolls ranging from $7-14.

While sushi in Chicago is a plenty, Wakamono consistently ranks among my top three for it's service, ambiance and of course, fresh sushi selection.

If I may suggest a few choices for our duel:

Dragon Roll

Kani Chung Roll, Spicy White Tuna, evening special, Dragon Roll and Philadelphia Roll

An offered special of the evening

The restaurant has a modern vibe, but seating is limited so be prepared to wait on a busy night. Fret not though, because Wang's, the kitchy little bar next door has a selection of fabulous martinis to tide you over. I'll bring the two buck chuck for our meal (be prepared to pay a $6 corkage fee); all you need to do is bring your entourage.

And J-Piv, let's call it a wash and hug it out over some sake.

chow foodies.

Going Dutch.

2010-07-05T11:14:00.002-05:00

Yesterday morning's adventures took me to Pannenkoeken Cafe in Lincoln Square to try, well, their famous Pannenkoeken (Dutch pancakes).

Either the restaurant is as tiny as it is, or the pannenkoeken are really as big as they are. Or both.

I love this place and will definitely be back because I DID NOT GET THE PANNENKOEKEN WITH BANANAS AND CHOCOLATE. This makes me want to shut myself in my room and crawl into a deep depression for years. My love for chocolate is unparalleled and to deny chocolate is to deny who I am.

You see, I let my breakfast date pick the sweet dish and he picked the waffle (which was fabulous and ironically very patriotic for the holiday) so I got to pick the savory pannenkoeken - salami and havarti (also fabulous), meaning I did not get to pick the sweet. I do not like this trade off.

I was very happy with our choices, but banana and chocolate pannenkoeken, I will be back for you. I will.

And I will be back before 2pm, and not on a Tuesday, and I will be able to leave my name and number when I get there so that they call me when my table is ready (figured I'd make this post at least somewhat informative).

chow foodies.

Noodles and Tacos and Beers, Oh My!

2010-07-04T14:36:00.002-05:00

Yesterday was a fat kid day. Weekends truly tend to bring out the best in me.

After checking out some condos (movin' on up, baby!) we checked out some Vietnamese food at Hai Yen in Lincoln Park. We picked a seat near the window to soak in some of the summer sun (and people watch, obviously) and scanned over the lunch specials (we like deals) while taking in the modern decor.

I had the Pho Chay - a vegetarian noodle soup in a light broth, while my lunch date indulged in short ribs. Both came with an appetizer - mine: a vegetarian eggroll, his: meatball soup. The entrees were under eight bucks each and were more than filling, not to mention the soup was large enough to feed a small army so I had some to take home and eat later that day as a second lunch (told you it was a fat kid day).

After taking an unnecessarily long nap (food coma, anyone?) we ventured off to the edge of Lincoln Square, nearly in Albany Park to trade the hustle and bustle of the city for a more neighborhood like atmosphere at Rockwell's Neighborhood Grill. Beers were in order after such a stressful day of eating - Original Sin Cider, Two Hearted Ale, and Edmund Fitzgerald all made their way into our livers (you're welcome, livers).

The atmosphere at Rockwell's is perfect. Tucked between houses just off the Rockwell brown line stop it's the perfect escape from the everyday. We were even privvy to a free fireworks show that happened to be going on a few blocks away.

Now, on to the food. Three words: Blackened Fish Tacos. These bad boys are a must try. The fish is fresh and cooked to perfection and feels healthy (until you douse them in the fabulous creamy sauce that comes on the side).

The picture doesn't do it much justice, but if your'e craving good fish tacos and a peaceful night with a good brewski, bottom line - head to Rockwell's.

chow foodies.

Diamond in the Rough

2010-07-03T15:57:00.019-05:00

Last night's adventures took us on a car ride to escape the cabin fever we were coming down with after turning down a few house parties (sorry buddies!)

Driving up Broadway we landed upon Ethiopian Diamond in Edgewater, just off the Granville stop. After busting out our Blackberries and reading the overwhelming fabulous reviews on Yelp we had no choice but to check it out.

Upon sitting down I ordered a pot of Ethiopian coffee due to a splitting migraine, and the mild fruity notes hit the spot perfectly. They also have a full bar, but unfortunately due to the migraine situation I had to pass.

The Ethiopian way of eating is with your fingers using a thin, pancake like bread called Injera to mop up various stews from a common plate of food. When the waitress brought the Injera over and simultaneously knocked over my coffee I nearly grabbed the bread off of her tray to mop up the spill thinking it was paper towel reminiscent of the brown kind from elementary school days. Clearly I need to work on my restaurant etiquette.

The two of us split the Vegetarian Combo for One (which was more than enough for two); they simply charged us $5 extra for splitting the one person meal. The combo was absolutely fantastic and included Shimbra Assa (chickpea stew), Yemisir Watt (spicy red lentils and onions), Kik Alicha (split peas with onions, garlic and ginger), Gomen (collard greens with onions and garlic), Tikel Gomen (cabbage and carrots) and Dinich Alicha (potatoes and carrots in onions, garlic and ginger). Along with the Injera that we were given the entire bottom of the plate was also covered with the bread.

The restaurant was crowded and had a wonderful lively atmosphere. Sharing your food with your table makes for a unique bonding experience that is perfect for a romantic date or an intimate group of friends. I'll definitely be back to try some of the meatier meals.

chow foodies.

I am hungry...

2010-07-03T00:41:00.014-05:00

and so I shall eat my way through the Windy City one restaurant at a time (maybe even two on those nights I'm feeling extra frisky).

And I'll document it all here on my food blog - or as I like to call it, flog - moving forward.

So grab your napkins, because it's about to get messy.

chow foodies.