BitesFromMe2U

Grange Hall Burger FromMe2U

2012-12-18T14:53:00.002-06:00

I finally got to try this burger joint on my lunch break last week. I was looking forward to trying the burger and also really excited to try their pies. They make fresh seasonal pies and have a new pie selection each month!

First off, I loved the atmosphere. They really nailed the country and farm style with communal wooden tables. Nice touch.

As far as food goes, yes, I liked my burger. Have I had better? Yes. The bun was clearly freshly made which is always a plus. I ordered sharp white cheddar with my burger which was not very flavorful for some reason. I do compare just about every burger place to DMK and this burger didn't quite compete. It was good. Not great. On to the fries. I have never been a big fan of steak fries, but I ordered them anyway to see if Grange Hall could pull it off. They were just OK. Not too flavorful and just a lot of potato.

Ok this isn't an entirely negative review I promise. I typically don't order dessert, but freshly baked pies? How can you turn that down.

I ordered the pecan pie which was quite possibly one of the best pecan pie's I have ever had. They top it with a generous scoop of luscious homemade whipped cream. The cream combined with the pie is heavenly. They make their own ice cream too, which I am sure is equally as amazing.

Would I go back? I'm not going to rush back for a burger, but I would stop by for dessert any day.

Balena FromMe2U

2012-12-17T11:16:00.001-06:00

{Spicy Sausage Pizza}

I have been wanting to dine at Balena ever since June when I tried to eat here for my birthday. I finally ate here on Friday and let me just say wow. It was absolutely amazing. First of all the atmosphere is stunning. It sends off this inviting, trendy, vibrant, warm feeling right when you walk in. They have excellent cocktails here. You're making a mistake if you don't start off with one of their specialty drinks. I ordered an old-fashioned and it was excellent. The ingredients were muddled perfectly with the right amount of sugar.

Most of the items on the menu are meant to be shared. We had a large group so we were able to try a good portion of the menu. First off, the pizza was sensational. The spicy sausage pizza with tomato, onion and mozzarella was heavenly. It had the right amount of spice - so good I could probably eat it once a week. We also ordered the mushroom pizza with fontina, taleggio, scallions and thyme, which had such a unique flavor.

{Mushroom Pizza}

Next, we ordered pasta galore. The pasta dishes at Balena are brilliant. Each dish is so unique.

{Hen Egg}

{Bavette Pomodoro}

{Rigatoni Pork Ragu}

{Tagliolini Nero}

Each of these pastas were amazing, but the shining stars were the tagliolini and the the hen egg. The hen egg pasta was egg noodles with sage and brown butter. The dish was simple, yet having never had egg noodles in an Italian dish truly made this dish so unique and radiant. I have always wanted to try squid ink noodles, and the tagliolini just blew me away.

{Grilled Prawns}

Lastly, we ordered the grilled prawns with finger chiles, grapes & aioli. I love prawns, especially grilled prawns, so I knew I was going to love this dish. It had just the right amount of flavor without dominating the flavor of the prawns too much.

I would go back to Balena in a heartbeat. Can I go back tonight?

My only complaint is the service. Our waiter was not very attentive, took a very LONG time to serve us our wine and didn't check in with us as often as I would have liked. Other than that I absolutely loved my dining at experience at Balena and would highly recommend it!

Champagne Risotto FromMe2U

2012-12-04T12:03:00.004-06:00

I have been wanting to make this recipe I found on Le Fork for weeks. I finally made it last night, and let me tell you this dish is heaven. First off, it calls for champagne so we're already off to a good start. So pop open the bubbly for this dish and have some fun with it. This dish is not too complicated to make, but having never made risotto it was a bit challenging. You first saute a chopped onion in olive oil. Once the onion is cooked (not browned) you add the risotto and champagne. Wait for the risotto to absorb the champagne and add chicken broth, 1 to 2 ladles at a time, until the riso has fully absorbed it. The key is to not the let the risotto sit too long and continue to add the chicken broth quickly so that the riso cooks all the way through.

{Riso}

We had 4 people for dinner so I used a lot of risotto. You have to constantly stir it as you mix in the broth. After the risotto is fully cooked, add peas, salt & pepper to taste, and parmesan cheese. Oh and dont forgot the poached eggs. That's what makes this dish all come together and it is heavenly.

The ingredients are listed below. This recipe is for 4 people so change accordingly due to how many guests you have.

8 cups chicken broth
4 tbsp. olive oil
1 onion, finely chopped
1 cup champagne
2 1/2 cups Arborio rice
Salt & pepper to taste
4-6 tbsp. freshly graded parmesan cheese, add more as needed
1 cup peas
4 eggs
4 tbsp. chopped Italian parsley leaves

This recipe is incredible. Such simple ingredients but the combination is absolutely amazing. Go home, pop open some champange and make this recipe.

The Bristol FromMe2U

2012-11-20T16:38:00.000-06:00

I have eaten at The Bristol 3 times now and it's about time I write a review about this place. The food is absolutely amazing!

I recently dined at The Bristol on a Sunday and had a wonderful meal. Always make reservations no matter what night of the week you plan on eating here. It's such a popular spot and is always packed! The Bristol is the perfect spot for a date. It's romantic, cozy, trendy, vibrant ~ not to mention how amazingly flavorful and unique the food is. Make a reservation and take your date to The Bristol. You won't be disappointed. {It's also a great spot for special occasions and dinners with friends : ) }

The monkey bread is incredible. I am trying to find the right words to describe it - it's unlike anything I've ever tasted. It comes in a tiny little dish and is so hot and fresh that it most likely just came out of the oven. It pulls a part so easily into these fluffy pillows of doughy buttery goodness. You dip it in this dill buttery goodness that just makes it melt in your mouth!

{Monkey Bread}

{Duck Fat Fries}

The way the menu is presented it is very easy for you to share your dishes - that way you get to try more items on the menu. We ordered the steak and pasta to share. Amazing.

{Pappardelle}

{Prime Wagyu Strip Loin}

The pappardelle is incredible. The noodles are clearly homemade and it is just the right amount of pasta sauce and flavor. The strip lone was very tender and simply excellent. The entrees did not disappoint!

{Caramel & Sweet Corn Ice Cream Sundae w/ Peanut Brittle}

I'm not really big on desserts. I usually will take salty foods over sweets any day. But this dessert I just couldn't pass up, it just sounded so amazing. The combination of peanut brittle, caramel and ice cream is mouthwatering. I can still remember the flavor days later.

I thoroughly enjoyed dining at The Bristol. I think it is one of my favorite places to eat at in Chicago. The menu changes regularly so there is always a reason to go back and keep trying new dishes : )

Girl & the Goat FromMe2U

2012-11-16T15:47:00.003-06:00

In order to dine at Girl & the Goat I made my reservations 3 months in advance. Yes, 3 months. I have been wanting to dine here for a year, so to say I was excited when the day finally came to try it is an understatement.

Girl & the Goat at last

Here are a few highlights from dinner. [Note: really wanted to try the goat legs (I know that sounds odd but it is "Girl & the Goat after all) but sadly they were all out]

{Goat Empanada}

{Quail Egg over Pork Belly}

{Duck Fat Fries - we ordered 2!}

{Trout}

Shiitake-caramel Gelato

I was very impressed with the atmosphere. Excellent dim lighting, intimate, trendy & crowded, but not so loud you can't hear what the person next to you is saying. Not to mention impeccable service.

Overall, I thought the food was good and very unique. For me G&G has been so hyped up that I don't think it really ever could have lived up to it. I loved the goat empanadas - so flavorful. The quail egg and pork belly combination was incredible. And of course the duck fat fries. I definitely want to go back as G&G changes their menu frequently, and they were out of a few things that I would like to try. For dessert, the shiitake-caramel gelato was very unique and a must. Where else would you find something like that!?

Make a reservation at G&G. Plan ahead and go. And remember to breathe when you get the bill and remind yourself of how flavorful the food was. Good enough that you'll be thinking about it the next day.

Rustic House FromMe2U

2012-11-09T10:58:00.001-06:00

It's happening. I am about to write my first bad review. I can't believe it hasn't happened yet, because I can be tough critic when it comes to food. Last night I decided to try Rustic House, located in Lincoln Park on Halsted. Their sister restaurant is Gemini Bistro, and since I am not a fan of Gemini, I should have just had a glass of wine and went elsewhere, but I really wanted to try the chicken (their specialty). Has to be good if it's the specialty right?

{Vins}

~ Rotisserie Chicken~

The chicken was just OK. It was good - not great. But for a restaurant to claim that their specialty dish is rotisserie chicken it should be amazing. It should melt in your mouth and leave you still thinking about it the next morning when you wake up because it was that good. Because that happens. When I eat an incredible meal I can't stop thinking about it!

{Blondie Brownie}

~Gelato~

The desert was decent. I did not think the blondie was that flavorful. The gelato was pretty good - not good enough for me to return to Rustic House. It does have a very cozy atmosphere with excellent dim lighting and the service was good. But if the food isn't good, then I won't be returning.

RM Champagne Salon FromMe2U

2012-11-02T16:37:00.003-05:00

RM is magical. Tucked back on Green St. behind Nellcote and G.E.B. the glow of the candlelight and twinkling lights immediately draws you in. It's almost mysterious when you first turn the corner down the alley on Green St., but once you enter RM, well all I can say is it's magical. It has this swanky, vintage, urban feel to it. I came here last week for a drink before going to dinner at Girl and the Goat and was able to sit outside (probably for the last time until spring). They did an excellent job with the outdoor space. Its literally in an alley but you almost feel as though you aren't even in Chicago and you certainly don't feel like you are in an alley.

Outdoor Seating

Indoor Seating with a fireplace!

Vino

I just came for wine, but they do have an extensive champagne selection which I will be sure to try when I visit RM again. This place is great for drinks with friends and perfect for celebrations. Its definitely a great date spot. Would love to go on a date here. They do have a menu but it is quite small.

I highly recommend RM. New gem in Chicago.

Happy Halloween FromMe2U

2012-10-31T18:49:00.001-05:00

Happy Halloween!

Spaghetti Squash FromMe2U

2012-10-22T20:11:00.000-05:00

Fall is such a wonderful season isn't it. The weather is usually pretty good, leaves are falling, there's always a great college football game on and fall fashion is so fun. One of my most favorite things about fall is cooking all the fun seasonal treats. Last week I made spaghetti squash. Yes it's healthy and a better option than pasta, but it's also so fun to make! When I made it last fall I made a pesto sauce to drizzle over it. This year I decided to make it with marinara sauce. First I cut the squash in half (which is harder than it looks!), scooped out the seeds and drizzled it with olive oil, salt and pepper.

Spaghetti Squash

Just like spaghetti right?

Right out of the oven!

I sprinkled olive oil, salt & pepper over the squash and put them face down on a baking sheet with aluminum foil. Depending on the size of the spaghetti squash it should be in there between 20 and 40 minutes at 450 degrees. When you take it out of the oven (it should be soft), grab a fork and scoop out the spaghetti. I served the squash with marinara sauce and parmesan cheese.

Spag squash is served. Yum!

Mindy's HotChocolate FromMe2U

2012-10-16T10:30:00.001-05:00

Since Chicago magazine just ranked the "50 best sandwiches in Chicago" I thought I would share this amazing breakfast sandwich I had at brunch on Sunday. I was pleased to see that Mindy's HotChocolate was mentioned; however, I can't comment on the crab sandwich that Chicago magazine highlighted, since I've never tried it. I have no doubt that it's good since HotChocolate's food is incredible. What I can comment on is the English muffin sandwich. It comes with bacon; however, I prefer sausage on my breakfast sandwich. They make their own English muffins, and let me tell you it was one of the best English muffins I've ever had. And the Carr Valley aged cheddar cheese - YUM. Best breakfast sandwich!

English Muffin

Grits

This was my second time dining at HotChocolate and I highly recommend it. I love the atmosphere and the service is great. It is one of those places where they won't seat you or even take your name down until your whole party has arrived so make sure everyone gets there at the same time.

One place not on Chicago magazine's list is J.P. Graziano's located on Randolph in the west loop. I got the prosciutto sub sandwiches, and it was one of the best sandwiches I've ever had. Next time I go I will write a review! It would definitely be on my top 50 best sandwiches in Chicago!

Wakamono FromMe2U

2012-09-28T09:16:00.002-05:00

One of my favorite sushi restaurants in Chicago is Wakamono. It's a nice neighborhood spot in Lakeview located on Broadway. You can bring your own wine with a small corkage fee, which I find very appealing. Once you are seated they give you cold towels to clean your hands and complimentary marinated soybeans with sesame. I'm not sure what other customers think but I thought these were pretty tasteless. However, everything I actually ordered was really good! We started out with edamame and pork gyoza.

Edamame

Pork Gyoza

Oedipus and Dragon Roll

The oedipus roll with salmon, avocado, cucumber, herbs and wasabi mayo is incredible. Every time I come to Wakamono I order it. I think the herbs are what make it have such a unique flavor. Next time you're looking for that local neighborhood sushi spot - go to Wakamono. Delish.

Nellcote FromMe2U

2012-09-22T12:51:00.002-05:00

Last week we dined at Nellcote for my brother's 30th birthday. The atmosphere is oozing with sophistication with beautiful marble floors, sparkling chandeliers and distinguished seating arrangements. Definitely a trendy spot and perfect for a romantic date, a night out with friends or a place to get some cocktails after work. I now work about 3 blocks from Nellcote so I may be visiting it for happy hour more often.

The food is tapas style with a European flair to it. We ordered several things and some items were so outstanding we ordered them 2 or 3 times. We started out with freshly baked bread followed by fish and several pastas and pizzas. Here are some highlights that I recommend.

Baguette, brioche, focaccia

Simple noodles {parmesan, butter, parsley, olive oil}

Spaghetti {tomato, calabrian chilies, toasted breadcrumbs, mojama}

Grilled Sturgeon

Sunnyside up {fontina, mozzerella, arugula, egg}

All of these dishes were excellent. My two favorites were the sunnyside up and spaghetti. We had 3 orders of the spaghetti because it was so delicious. The chilies and breadcrumbs made the flavor so unique, and the noodles were freshly made. They mill their own flour, and you can really taste the freshness in the pizza. I normally don't get pizza's with an egg on top, but I'm so glad we ordered the Sunnyside up pizza. Incredible! It was cooked to perfection, and the combination of cheeses and arugula mixed with the egg was outstanding. There was only one thing we ordered that I didn't care for and that was the tomato salad. It didn't have much flavor. Everything else was delicious.

I'm still thinking about the sunnyside up. Can't wait to go for drinks after work!

Mon Ami Gabi FromMe2U

2012-08-13T19:33:00.003-05:00

About 2 weeks ago, on a Saturday, I was searching for the perfect place to dine outdoors. My brother recently ate at Mon Ami Gabi and reported that it had one of the best outdoor seating areas in the city. With his recommendation and having always wanted to eat at Mon Ami Gabi, I decided to try it. They don't take reservations for their outdoor seating area; however, we arrived at 8:00 pm and were seated right away. The outdoor area was so peaceful, with twinkling lights around the trees and a lovely view of Lincoln Park West. It was heaven. I first ordered a bottle of bordeaux, followed by escargots. The bordeaux was wonderful, and the escargots were cooked to perfection, each sitting in their own pool of buttery garlicy pesto goodness.

Bordeaux

Escargots

Up Close

Since it was such a beautiful night we sat for over an hour and enjoyed our escargots and wine. The waiter was very patient and did not pester us to order - I also couldn't decide what I wanted, everything sounded amazing! We finally ordered steak frites and poisson.

Steak Bearnaise

Gabi's Fish & Frites

Asparagus

The steak was cooked to perfection, and the bearnaise complimented it well. Gabi's fish was cod with a parmesan crust. The fish, dipped in a touch of tartar sauce, just melted in my mouth. Delicious. Since both entrees came with fries, we ordered asparagus in place of one order of fries. It was served in a lemon garlic drizzle - Yum!

Doppio (double espresso)

I absolutely loved my dining experience at Mon Ami Gabi. The service was impeccable, the atmosphere was lovely and the food was fabulous. The atmosphere indoors is charming and very French. I will definitely make a visit this winter!

Hummus FromMe2U

2012-07-31T20:04:00.003-05:00

Last night when I came home from work I was in the mood to make hummus. This was my third time making hummus, and I wanted to see if there were any tweaks I could make to mine. I have recently started to look up recipes on pinterest, (which is becoming one of my favorite sites) so I decided to browse the site to see if there was anything new I could add to my traditional hummus recipe. One recipe called for tabasco sauce and that seemed like the perfect addition to my hummus recipe.

For this recipe you will need a cuisinart in order to puree all of the ingredients properly. I use about 1 1/2 cups of chickpeas and put most of them in the cuisinart first. I then alternate between the remaining chickpeas and olive oil and lemon juice. I use 3-4 tbsp. of olive oil and about 3-4 tbsp. of lemon juice (about 2 lemons). Depending on taste and how moist it is you should add more or less of each.

Chickpeas

In the Cuisinart!

Lemons

Garlic (of course)

Next I added 4 - 6 drops of tabasco (to taste), 3-5 garlic cloves (I always add more), 1/3 cup tahini, and a pinch of salt. If the hummus is not moist enough add 1-2 tbsp. of the chickpea liquid.

Time to Eat!

I always drizzle some more olive oil on top of the dish and a dash of paprika. You can add whatever kind of veggies or bread to dip in the hummus. I typically serve it with green and red peppers, celery sticks, and grilled naan. Yum!

Athenian Room FromMe2U

2012-07-28T19:00:00.002-05:00

Athenian Room has been on my list of places to try for a long time. It has been in Lincoln Park for over 30 years, and I am embarrassed to say that Monday night was my FIRST time dining there. They have a nice outdoor seating area, but it was 95 degrees, so we opted to sit indoors. The restaurant is very quaint and lovely.

This restaurant is not BYOB; however, you can sneak through the red door by the entrance and slide on over to Glascott's for your beverage of choice. I was a little nervous about the wine selection at Glascott's, but I ordered the Malbec and it was surprisingly good. Once we got our drinks, we marched back over to Athenian room and decided to order the feta cheese appetizer. I know that must sound plain and boring, but it was delicious. A block of feta cheese is served on a small plate with olive oil drizzled over it and that combined with some warm french bread makes an excellent dish!

Feta Cheese with olive oil

Gyro

Sometimes it can take me a long time to order when I am dining out. I read the menu over and over until I finally figure out what I want to eat. Not this time. I knew I was ordering a gyro before I even walked in the door. I of course read the menu, because I was curious about what else they had. But the decision had been made. Gyro.

If you order the dinner (which I did) it comes with a heaping pile of gyro meat and sitting under the meat, absorbing the juices from it, are seasoned fries. They also give you a side of tzatzki sauce, a freshly made pita, and slices of onions and tomatoes. AMAZING. The food comes really fast, so if you like to take your time with your dinner like I do, I suggest pacing yourself and order your food when you are ready to eat. I will definitely be coming back to Athenian room. Try it. You won't be disappointed.

Linguine Carbonara FromMe2U

2012-07-26T21:03:00.000-05:00

During one of my "dinner and a movie nights" (a.k.a. Bachelorette) this month, I made Linguine Carbonara. This is one of my favorite Italian dishes to make. This particular pasta dish always keeps you on your toes because the timing of everything is crucial!

For this recipe I used about 1 lb. of linguine. I recommend using fresh pasta because it truly makes a difference. While your water is boiling for the linguine, you should start to saute the pancetta because it takes about 10-20 minutes. This recipe calls for 1/4 lb. of pancetta but I always get a touch more because it is so flavorful. In the pan add diced pancetta, 1 tbs. unsalted butter, 1 tbs. olive oil and garlic.

Pancetta

I. LOVE. garlic. This recipe calls for 2 cloves but

I put in at least 4 or 5.Garlic makes everything better.

Next step. In a large bowl combine eggs, parsley, parmesan cheese, salt and pepper:

4 Eggs

flat-leaf parsley

Whisk to Blend

All Mixed Together

This next step is the most important. Once the pasta is al dente it is ready to be added to the egg mixture. Use tongs and combine the two. It is important for the pasta to be hot so that it can cook the eggs when they are combined.

Combining Egg Mixture and Linguine

Pancetta is ready!

Add Pancetta to the pasta

Garlic Bread for a Side Dish

Dinner is Served!

I always make garlic bread to go along with this pasta dish. I melt butter with 4 to 6 garlic cloves (because I love garlic) and a pinch of parsley and brush it on the loaf of bread. The recipe I used for the linguine carbonara is from a William Sonoma cookbook, but I would also recommend Giada De Laurentis' version. Next time I make carbonara I will share Giada's recipe. It's time for the Bachelorette!

Charleston fromMe2U

2012-06-05T20:15:00.000-05:00

Charleston, South Carolina, has been number one on my list of places I have wanted to visit in the United States for as long as I can remember, and I finally made it there over Memorial Day weekend! We stayed at Market Pavilion Hotel which turned out to be an excellent choice. The hotel was quite lovely with warm and friendly staff as well as a hip rooftop deck to enjoy some cocktails or take a dip in the pool. The hotel also offered $50 vouchers to use at the rooftop bar and restaurants which we took full advantage of.

View from the rooftop at Market Pavilion

During the day we strolled down cobblestone streets past mansions, beautiful gardens, ocean views, and markets. I enjoyed exploring King Street (for shopping), the market (which I decided was a HUGE tourist trap), taking a carriage ride, and spending a day relaxing at Folly Beach (the only beach in Charleston you can drink at - huge plus).

Beautiful mansion with a sophisticated porch

Ocean views

My street!

Carriage ride - A must!

(perfect way to explore the city and learn some of the rich history)

One of the things I was most looking forward to about Charleston is the gourmet Southern cuisine. Yum! Of the 3 places we ate dinner at (Anson, Poogan's Porch & Hank's) Anson gets first place. Southern charm at its best! I can't remember the last time I went to a restaurant, and I literally wanted to order everything off the menu it sounded so good! We started out with a nice bottle of Cabernet and several appetizers.

Viader Cabernet

Pork belly on top of a waffle with corn cheddar cheese and bacon with egg on top

Pimento cheese with garlic bread

Fried okra

Each of these appetizers were outstanding. The pork belly was cooked perfectly. The combination of cheese, egg, bacon and a plump and fatty pork belly was excellent. I think it disappeared in less than 2 minutes. The pimento cheese was delicious. The garlic bread was cooked to perfection and mixed with pimento cheese was the perfect combination. Lastly, the fried okra was off the charts. It was lightly fried with just the right amount of breading and flavor. Even if you don't think you like okra, order it. You won't be disappointed.

Deep fried flounder

Macaroni & cheese

As a main course I ordered the flounder. At Anson they give you the whole fish. The meat on the fish is cut in diamond shapes for a reason. The fish is so delicate (and you want to avoid eating the bones) that you are supposed to lightly pull each piece off the fish as you eat it. It was cooked to perfection. The macaroni and cheese was fabulous. Melted cheese, butter and pasta - what could be better than that. All in all Anson was superb and lived up to our expectations. A perfect place to taste some Southern cuisine.

Soft Shell Crabs fromMe2U

2012-06-05T13:12:00.000-05:00

Monday nights are my version of "dinner and a movie." I like to make a nice dinner and watch the Bachelorette. I thought soft shell crabs would be the perfect choice, since they are currently in season. Most restaurants serve soft shell crabs fried; however, I think they are much tastier sauteed.

Soft Shell Crab

We made seven!

Lightly dusted in a bed of flour

Ready to be sauteed

All crabs sauteed in a pan with unsalted butter & olive oil

Flip after 7 - 10 minutes

Crabs are ready to be served when they are golden brown

Steamed artichokes for a side dish

I am not a huge fan of sauces, so I serve the crabs with a few lemon wedges. Sprinkle a little lemon over the crabs, and they will melt in your mouth. Perfect summer dish. Dinner is served and it's time to watch the Bachelorette!

a tavola fromMe2U

2012-05-23T15:20:00.000-05:00

I can't believe it took me so long to dine at A Tavola, which has been in Chicago for more than 15 years. It has a cozy, intimate, romantic atmosphere, located inside a house in Ukrainian Village. Perfect for a romantic evening.

chianti

tagliatelle bolognese

gnocchi with browned sage butter & parmesan

This restaurant definitely lived up to the hype. The tagliatelle was incredible. The gnocchi, having been on the menu since the restaurant opened, we thought was a must try. Pillows of brown buttery flavor that just melts in your mouth. Yum!

Webster's Wine Bar fromMe2U

2012-05-16T10:57:00.002-05:00

I love to drink wine. On Saturday, before heading to dinner, I stopped by Webster's Wine Bar (one of my favorite wine bars in Chicago). Chuck and I started out with a glass of Bordeaux.

DrinksFromMe2u~Lauren