Posts Tagged ‘chicago’
3 Tasty New Ethnic Restaurants in Chicago that Everyone Should Visit
March 8, 2011
Taxim – Regional Greek
What exactly is “regional Greek”? I have no idea and most of the people I have asked — even those who have been to Taxim — were not sure either. “Just go and see for yourself,” was the answer I got from most of them.
So I did.
And I am glad that I did.
I did immediately see the problem with the descriptions though. The menu is all over the place — from the very traditional Ottoman to the Aegean Isles to modern Greek street food. Consider the pastourma-spiced-rubbed duck leg and breast meat gyros with a mint yogurt sauce. Or how about the house-cured sardines? Or octopus with fennel root.
And don’t miss the veggies. The Politiki melitzanosalata of wood-fire-roasted graffiti eggplants with pine nuts and homemade pita is especially tasty. (And yes, that description is from the menu. Wish I could write like that.)
Only one minor complaint. Not so much a complaint really — more of a warning. The space is really, really loud. What? Right.
Taxim is located in a storefront in Wicker Park at 1558 North Milwaukee Avenue and I would consider it to be affordable
Terzo Piano – Italian
This new gem from Tony Mantuano fits the Modern Wing of the Art Institute of Chicago, where it is located, perfectly.
Plan to go for lunch though — the restaurant is only open one night a week for dinner. (Call 312.443.8650 for information.) Luckily you can get pretty much the entire menu for lunch.
Try the antipasto plate with the flat bread and the hand cut tagliatelle.
Terzo Piano resides (perfectly) in the Modern Wing of the Art Institute of Chicago, 159 East Monroe Drive
Xoco – Mexican
All I can say is that Rick Bayless, the genius behind Frontera Grill and Topolobampo, has done it again. And I know that the people standing in the constantly long line to get in would definitely agree with me.
Rick invented or perfected the torta/churro — it doesn’t matter — and has taken it to totally new heights here. Order a pepito with beef and caramelized onion on a grilled Labriola roll and see if you don’t agree with me. Careful. Don’t talk with your mouth full.
Wash it all down with a cup of Aztec hot chocolate and smile. Heaven on Earth — on North Clark, no less.
Excuse me while I get back in line.
Xoco is at the end of the long line of hungry people at 449 North Clark Street
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Chicago’s “Southern” Side Shines in the Down-Home Cooking of the 3 Delicious Restaurants
March 8, 2011
Sure, in any world-class city, especially one the size of Chicago, you can pretty much get any food or cuisine you desire.
Chinese? Please, give me something difficult.
Brazilian? Fogo de Chao. Next.
Ecuadorian? La Humita.
The trick is not finding a particular food in a restaurant — it’s finding a restaurant that does the food justice. One that would be right at home in the culture or country.
One where the expats and recent arrivals eat.
That’s the trick.
Being from the South, I know Southern American Cooking. Heck, I grew up on Southern Cooking.
So allow me to give you 3 places to try that I think nail it cold.
Army & Lou’s
Deep-fried catfish is always in season at Army & Lou’s — and you don’t get much more Southern than fired catfish with coleslaw and cornmeal muffins. Luckily, all three are always available and always delicious.
The fried chicken ain’t half bad either if you are in the mood. Crank it up with some sweet tators and corn bread dressing. I usually skip the bean-of-the-day — but that’s just me. I’m sure they are killer too.
Finish with my favorite desert, bread pudding.
Find Army & Lou’s exactly where it has been for 50+ years — at 422 E. 75th.
Table Fifty-Two
A bit pricier than A&L’s, this may be upscale dining — but it’s still Southern all the way.
Apparently the chef is from Florida and used to be Oprah’s personal chef (if that’s true, she has good taste!)
Because this guy totally nails the taste of Old Florida. It’s getting harder and harder to find — in Florida! Get away from the resorts — away from the shore entirely and you’ll find joints selling buttermilk fried chicken, spicy low-country-style shrimp with grits and fried green tomatoes.
Which is exactly what you will also find at Table Fifty-Two.
Skip the wines. They are not authentic and very expensive.
Visit low-country Florida in the Windy City at 52 W. Elm.
Wishbone
This is Southern comfort food at it’s best — and most reasonably priced. Golden corn cakes, cheesey grits and shrimp, juicy grilled chicken (with mango salsa — okay, it’s not ALL authentic), crab and crayfish.
Also don’t miss the pecan topped mashed sweet potatoes. Unless I am there and there is only one last helping. 
Desserts include my weakness, peach cobbler, and chocolate pecan pie.
Drop in anytime to Wishbone at 6611 W. Roosevelt, Berwyn
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3 Killer Cheeseburgers in Chicago Will Make You Swear Off American Cheese Slices Forever
December 19, 2010
I was never a big fan of cheeseburgers. While everyone else was singing their praises, I always just preferred a simple hamburger.
I never knew why — until I got older and started experimenting with different cheeses.
It wasn’t the cheeseburger I didn’t like — It was the cheese.
Not to be a cheese snob, but we are really doing ourselves a disservice and missing out on a lot of taste by always eating our cheeseburgers with a thin slice of cheap “American process cheese food.”
Thankfully I’m not alone. Other people — in particular cutting edge chefs — have the same thought and are starting to experiment with real — and “real good” — cheese. Sharp cheddar is a great instant stand-in for American. But don’t stop there. The next time you have cheeseburgers, try blue cheese (restaurants have been putting it on steak for years), Gorgonzola, mozzarella or any of the thousands of other cheeses available.
You’ll love it.
In the meantime, here are 3 Chicago chefs and restaurants who have heard the call of good cheese and are making delicious use of different kinds.
Abigails’ Cheeseburger
This is a good place to star if you are new to experimenting with different cheese cheeseburgers since it is the most like traditional cheeseburger — only many times better.
Super-chef, Michael Paulsen, uses aged Wisconsin Cheddar. He does add a “non-traditional” balsamic/red onion jam to the top, but you won’t complain.
Visit Abigail’s at 493 Roger Williams Ave in Highland Park. The Cheeseburger will run you $9
Nightwood’s Hamburger
It says “hamburger” on the menu, but this is all cheeseburger. A beer fondue of white Cheddar, to be exact.
The beef is ground fresh and seasoned with Worcestershire sauce. After being wood grilled the burger is topped with home-made mustard and the cheese.
Don’t bother to mess with it any further. Just enjoy.
Nightwood is at 2119 S. Halsted St. and the Hamburger is $13
Yoshi’s Cafe’s Wagyu Beef Burger
Let’s finish on a high and totally unexpected note.
Chef Yoshi Katsumura makes a massive 10 ounce patty of premium Wagyu Beef and then tops it with a piece of brie and mixuna leaves. Unconventional? Yes. Delicious? YES!
As of my visit he said he was considering adding a knob of foie gras to the top. Look for it when you go.
Find Yoshi’s Cafe at 3257 N. Halsted St and expect to drop $18 for the Wagyu Beef Burger — or a lot more if he does add the foie gras.
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categories: cheeseburgers,hamburgers,Chicago,travel,restaurants,chefs,food,family,vacation,reviews
The Best Chicago Attraction – Not Like Other Museums
June 4, 2010
The majority of us have already been to the city of Chicago and have had the pleasure of visiting the many Chicago tourist attractions. They are the kinds of destinations that you’ll want to go back to time and time again.
You will find a large number of tourist attractions in Chicago to visit; all of which are awesome and special in their own way. Every one of the tourist sites you see gives you a new experience: from the Shedd Aquarium, the Field Museum, and Adler Planetarium, to the Skydeck Chicago as well as the John Hancock Observatory, visiting each creates wonderful thoughts that one won’t be able to easily put aside.
Among several other attractions that have really impressed me is the Museum of Science and Industry. Each time the word museum is pointed out folks easily connect it with nerds and also geeks. This however doesn’t stand true for the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry. This museum includes more than just the normal display of science devices and inventions.
This specific destination is a lot more different compared to those I have been to in the city. Here are three good explanations why:
1. In the Museum of Science and Industry you will be given the opportunity to experience 50 different fun and engaging games and activities that combine the museum’s exhibits and collections. You can make a giant heart beat, learn sports with a virtual coach and explore a near “real-time” view of the Earth.
2. Another great section to visit is the Science Storms. This part of the museum lets everyone get up close and personal with the fiercest power of Mother Nature – the twister. You will also see large scale versions of tropical storms and more to help you understand the amazing forces of nature.
3. The Museum of Science and Industry also contains a transportation gallery that is absolutely amazing. The Empire State Express 999 is only exhibited in this museum along with the United 727 and the Spirit of America.
Now you have three worthy reasons why a trip to the MSI is a must! See it for yourself, and take pleasure in the museum’s magic!
If you are heading to Chicago for summer vacation, make sure that you head online to find a Chicago attractions pass. These types of passes will allow anyone to get into many of the top destinations like the Museum of Science and Industry at a discounted price.
Chicago’s Planetarium Is A Must-See
March 31, 2010
Visiting Chicago is a wonderful idea, especially if you are planning to have vacation with your friends or a simple family bonding with your kids. Chicago known as the windy city has a lot of things to offer, there are a lot of places that you can stay and visit while in Chicago.
Chicago is also known to be one of the best tourist sites not just in the US, but also in other parts of the world. It has countless tourist attractions that would surely keep you and your friends keep coming back for more.
Nonetheless, out of all of the Chicago’s wonderful holiday spots, there is one tourist vacation spot which could provide you and your close friends and specially the kids an enjoyable time and while doing so you’ll be able to provide them an educative trip at the same time.
This particular planetarium is usually considered to be the ideal Chicago place of interest, given it is one of the most advanced planetariums on earth!
The Adler Planetarium allows both you and your children along with friends to be able to discover the outer reaches of the space. You may as well observe the astronauts as they float to the orbit and experience the beauty of starry night skies.
In the Adler planetarium you and your pals, especially all your family members can certainly find out more on the existing NASA missions, uncover the Milky Way, and you’ll be able to check out just what exactly lies beyond the world. You can even delight in the award-winning sight of Chicago’s skyline within Galileo’s Caf, making this the very best of Chicago tourist attractions.
The planetarium, attraction even offers the most thorough exhibits that are truly among its kind, for example the Telescopes: Simply by looking trough the magnifier, it definitely will show the science which was utilized to obtain important info concerning the Universe.
Also in Adler planetarium, your kids will also learn Galileo’s first observations of the skies in the early 17th century up to the leading-edge – sate of the art technology of the Hubble Space Telescope and to the advance technology of adaptive optics that is used in the modern telescopes of today and tomorrow. The exhibitions in the planetarium are the best there is in Chicago.
It doesn’t matter what time of year it is, you can always have a great time if you decide to visit famous tourist attractions in Chicago. Some of the more popular ones include the Adler Planetarium, Shedd Aquarium, and Sears Tower. Take the whole family and have a great time!
The Shedd Aquarium And Many Other Chicago Attractions
January 12, 2010
Looking for the best place for you and your family to enjoy your weekends, most especially the kids? Then you should visit the popular and famous Chicago attractions that you can never find elsewhere. This place will certainly make your kids enjoy the weekends this coming holiday.
There are attractions carefully selected as some of the most popular and the most famous places in the world. Chicago is not just known for its sky scrapers, but also for its museums and aquariums.
The Shedd Aquarium, Museum of Science & OMNIMAX, Field Museum & Underground River, John Hancock Observatory and Adler Planetarium are five of the many famous attractions in Chicago.
The experience that these places may provide will be incredible and magical. It is varied enough to suit the interests of both the old and young population which makes it a perfect destination for family vacations. Among the many tourist spots in Chicago, the Shedd aquarium is one of the most celebrated and a place of great pride for the people of Chicago. The aquarium contains different animals ranging from the common to the never before heard or seen. The aquarium is definitely a must see when one is in Chicago.
The aquarium holds a large and impressive collection of 32,500 different species of animals that are rarely seen in the environment. This collection includes different sorts of animals that swim, crawl, slither or fly. It is home to a number of animals including otters, lizards, whales, dolphins, sea jellies, sea turtles and a wide assortment of fish and sharks. The entire family will sure be in for an amazing and educational surprise when visiting the Shedd aquarium.
However, the animals aren’t the only attractions of the Shedd. The aquarium also has other facilities such as the Soundings Restaurant and Bubblenet Food court that will fill the hungry tummies from a day long of marveling and adoration. Other highlights of the Shedd are the Oceanarium and the Wild Reef.
Aside from the awesome entertainment the Shedd Aquarium gives it also does not fail to inspire. Through its natural form of beauty it reminds tourists and visitors of the importance of mother nature and emphasizes responsible actions that we humans need to take. The Aquarium is a vital place of education, a conservation leader, neighborhood partner and a collaborator to the global efforts for world and wildlife preservation.
Visiting these Chicago attractions will be an amazing gift that you can give to your kids that they will sure love. So make it a point to make Shedd aquarium the first place that you visit while you are in the windy city of Chicago this year.
Heading to Chicago for a vacation could be a great vacation for you and your family. While you’re there you will want to be sure to visit some of the most popular Chicago attractions such as the Shedd Aquarium. It will be an experience you will never forget!