The Restaurant That Keeps Me Coming Back By: Jen

Jen Panattoni is a business woman and marketing student from Oak Park. She enjoys dining out so she can get something she doesn't know how to cook and gets inspired to recreate dishes she's had. Also, she finds it relaxing to sit down for a meal she didn't have to prepare. She watches Check, Please! because she secretly wants Alpana Singh's job, not that it's so much of a secret anymore!

If you’ve read my other post, you already know that this girl is a big fan of pork products and finely crafted cocktails. One place that delivers on both of those promises is The Bristol in Bucktown. Owner/Chef Chris Pandel likes to know where his food comes from, and I appreciate that’s he’s done all the legwork in finding the freshest local farms to which he decides his daily menu. Additionally, Chef Pandel uses the “nose-to-tail” sustainable practice of butchering, meaning the entire animal is used. You can feel good about where you food comes from, all while enjoying an unforgettable meal. 


Before you get down to business of course, make sure to order yourself a handcrafted cocktail. I suggest a Manhattan, this comes with a real maraschino cherry, and not the neon red, candy colored ones of your youth either, that stuff’s for soda jerks and babies. Have fun clinking your perfectly squared ice while you peruse the chalkboard for what’s in season. 


It’s nice to bring friends to The Bristol, as the menu is suitable for sharing. There are small, medium and large plate options so you can customize your experience. I love the duck fat French fries and house catsup to start, but scotch olives with pork sausage are also delicious… you know, in case you’re on a diet…. Additionally, we like to order up a charcuterie board, because one can never get enough salted meats and Pâté; this also comes with a variety of house made pickles, which you can also add to the list of things I like. Moving onto medium plates, The Bristol is where I braved my first bone marrow experience. Since losing my marrow card, I actually seek it out as much as possible, but none finer than here, which comes with shallot jam-quite decadent. For the main entrée, my husband and I typically split the roasted half chicken which sits on a bed of spatzle, its simple chicken done to the best of its ability with perfectly seasoned, crunchy skin. 


If you have room for dessert, there is something special on the menu that is sure to make your inner child delight, house made Nutter butter cookies that come with a side of melted dipping chocolate. Prepare for complete silence at the table as you negotiate who gets the last one.


The Bristol
2152 N. Damen Ave
Chicago, IL. 60647
(773) 862-5555
http://www.thebristolchicago.com 

My Most Memorable Experience At a Restaurant Was… Impossible to Pick By: Don

Don Anderson is a design engineer whom will do whatever it takes to eat a good meal. He likes watching auto races, cruising in his convertible, cooking, and eating out. He likes to call himself a 'Food Geek' and enjoys discovering new places so he can eat dishes he does not have the skill to make or ethnic foods he has never heard of. The food experience is what's important to him and it is even better when it's excellent food for the price. He watches Check, Please! because everyone in Chicago has 'A Guy' and the show brings people together to talk about their 'Guy' in the food business! 

My most memorable experience at a restaurant was… impossible to pick.  So here is a top 4, in no particular order.

My wife and I ate at Vie in Western Springs and one of the options for the salad was a bleu cheese dressing.  I love bleu cheese (although, truth be told, not much of a fan of what shows up as bleu cheese dressing at restaurants), so I decided to see how they do theirs. When my salad arrived, it appeared to be dressed with vinaigrette.  I mentioned it to the server, and they said that, in fact, this was the bleu cheese dressing.

I was dubious, but rolled with it.  What followed next was the most spectacular bleu cheese dressing I have ever had.  In fact, all other bleu cheese dressings pale in comparison.  It was as if each individual leaf of lettuce was covered in invisible bleu cheese frosting!  Such strong flavor, without being seen was, to me, amazing.

Pat Bruno (at the time the food critic of the Sun Times) mentioned that the best pizza you could find outside of Naples, Italy was in Sheboygan, Wisconsin.  That sounds just like the kind of crazy thing I am up for. So on a trip to Green Bay, my wife and I stopped at Il Ritrovo to check this out.  Pat was not kidding.
I ordered a special that was tomato, prosciutto, mozzarella, mushrooms, and basil.  The pizza was constructed so that every single time I took a bite, I would get a different combination of the ingredients.  It was so memorable because each bite was delicious and different.

The first time I picked up rib tips from Honey One, they were still on the West Side and had no seating.  So I took them home, ate them at my kitchen table and growled while I ate them. Literally growled.

For the past few years on Christmas Day morning, I have spent the time with two of the most wonderful things in my life:  my wife and an Ann Sather cinnamon roll.


Vie Restaurant
4471 Lawn Avenue 
Western Springs, IL. 60558
(798) 246-2082
http://www.vierestaurant.com/


Il Ritrovo
515 South 8th Street 
Sheboygan, WI. 53081
(920) 803-7516
http://www.ilritrovopizza.com/ 


Honey 1 BBQ
2241 North Western Avenue
Chicago, IL. 60643
(773) 227-5130
http://honey1bbq.net/


Ann Sather Restaurant
909 West Belmont 
Chicago, IL. 60657
(773) 348-2378
http://www.annsather.com/ 

Camela's Taqueria Keeps Me Coming Back and Back and Back... By: Brian

Brian Gersten is an Advertising Copywriter from Uptown. He enjoys dining out because everyone wants to experience something new and different and eating at restaurants is one of the simplest ways of doing so. He loves trying new cuisines or dishes and is willing to travel two hours to go out to eat. He likes focusing on the food and people in front of him and escape everyday stresses. He believes when dining with others, everyone should provide their undivided attention since it is a communal activity, although he's guilty using his phone.

Some restaurants are so utterly addicting that they make me reconsider the notion of ever cooking again. These places simply put my cooking to shame. Why go through the trouble of cooking an unsatisfying meal and then cleaning all the subsequently soiled pots, pans, and plates 3 times a day for 7 days a week?  There’s no joy in that.  Why not just pay others to do a much better job?  This is the inevitable thought process that I have whenever I eat at Carmela’s Taqueria.

Truthfully, one of the main reasons I frequently eat at Carmela’s Taqueria is that I live about 2.5 blocks away from the place. However distance is not the deciding factor for me when it comes to Carmela’s.  I only live 2 blocks away from Subway, yet paradoxically; I have never set food inside of it.  Carmela's, on the other hand, serves up some of the best Mexican food in Uptown.  It has come to a point where I have to stop by this inconspicuous taqueria at least once a week just to get my fix.  

Now, I must warn any fine dining purists that may be interested Carmela’s.  This place is probably not for you.  Carmela’s is quite literally a hole in the wall.  The restaurant only seats about 20 people at the most, the kitchen is the size of my bedroom closet, the building is a bit rundown, and the interior of Carmela’s is comparable to a gritty diner. Nevertheless, the food that they serve here is authentic, affordable, unpretentious, and unbelievable.

Essentially, this modest taqueria is just good old-fashioned street food, pure and simple.  I don't think there's anything on the menu that's over $5.  Patrons at Carmela’s basically have their choice of tacos, tortas, or burritos. There are 6 different choices of meat for each of the previous categories (marinated roast pork, skirt steak, chicken, Mexican sausage, ground beef, and tongue).  That’s everything.  That right there is the entire menu other than a few drinks and a couple of appetizers.

At Carmela’s they cook the Al Pastor meat on a traditional spit.  The Al Pastor (marinated roast pork) meat is so tender, succulent, and flavorful that it seems like it was brought here from another pork-loving planet.  They simply serve the Tacos Al Pastor on a warm corn tortilla, with fresh cilantro, chopped white onion, and a lime wedge.  Of course, they also provide a mild green salsa and a hotter red salsa, which are both excellent. 

Carmela’s is a prime example of ‘don’t judge a book by its cover’.  There’s nothing fancy about Carmela’s, and that’s why it’s so wonderful.  It’s simple and authentic Mexican food that leaves you wanting more, I certainly sleep well at night knowing that Carmela’s Taqueria is open everyday.  It is truly a savory savior.

Carmela's Taqueria 

1206 West Lawrence Ave.

Chicago, IL. 60640
(773) 275-5321 

http://www.carmelastaqueria.com/  

The Restaurant That Keeps Me Coming Back By: Jennifer

Jennifer works in Luxury Retail Sales and enjoys traveling, painting, cooking, and fine dining. She likes ordering the tasting menu to be able to try all the offerings without missing anything. Jennifer would go as far as a six hour plane ride to go out to eat, but no more than that! Dining out is one of her favorite things because it can be one of the most intimate ways to get to know someone. However, bad food can ruin a date,  business meeting, or any other occasion. Check, Please! helps her experience new places in her new River North neighborhood!


The restaurant that keeps me coming back is Union Sushi in River North. The artfully crafted small bites, lunch Bento, and Japanese Barbeque prepared by Chef Chao and his team are unmatched when it comes to refined “Sushi + Barbeque”.
One of the hippest spots for food, drinks, decor, and even music Union Sushi truly make you feel like one of the ‘cool kids’. Whether you’re a seasoned sushi Samurai or a California roll connoisseur, there is something for everyone to fall in love with. Hands down, my favorite dish would be the Hokkaido roll (with a black rice option) or the most luxurious Oysters on a half shell (Presentation is almost everything).

Sometimes when I go and I’m not feeling like a huge sushi meal, I opt for a few shareable meat treats from the barbeque bar. With options like alligator, beef tongue, or succulent skewered pork shoulder; you could fill up on the barbeque aroma alone.
“What about the drinks" you say? Yes, of course! Union Sushi plays host to the most up-and-coming Happy Hour this side of the El tracks. With an extensive sake and spirit list, the creativity and imagination of the bartender at “Up Bar” on the mezzanine level or the sake pairings on the main level are what keeps me bringing my friends back.
This neighborhood Sushi +Barbeque spot harmoniously mixes all 5 senses with too many experiences to be had in just one visit!

Union Sushi


230 W Erie St


Chicago IL 60654
(312) 662-4888

http://eatatunion.com/

Check, Please! Crave

  

Check, Please! Craves 

 A warm, gooey, delicious Cinnamon Roll from Tre Kronor. What have you tried from there?

Have A Behind The Scenes Look With Executive Producer David Manilow!
 Experience a bit of Scandinavia, right here in humble Chicago.   

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_s2k63h6cU&feature=channel_video_title

Tre Kronor

3258 West Foster Avenue
Chicago, IL. 60625

http://www.trekronorrestaurant.com

Revolution Brewing By: Daniel

Daniel Goodwin is the Associate Director of Operations at CICS Wrightwood  and likes to read, write, and cook! He likes to try new places around the West Town area and always looks to push his own limits. He loves Check, Please! because of the diverse guests and their different views and experiences they have at each restaurants. It also allows him to discover some of the interesting restaurants Chicago has to offer!

     

The restaurant that keeps me coming back is the unassuming Revolution Brewing.  No frills or thrills, I would consider this an upscale version of the workingman’s pub.  It is a great place to relax and catch a game, while enjoying the company of a few friends and some fantastic hand crafted brews.
The menu boasts appetizers such as the Bacon Fat Popcorn and the Cheddar Ale Soup, but my favorite is definitely the Applewood-Smoked Wings.  The wings have a great smoky taste that provides the right amount of kick to get your taste buds salivating for more.  Did I mention that the wings come with a side of the bleu cheese potato salad?  Pair this with one of their best IPAs, the Anti-Hero, and you have heaven on earth my friends! The slight bitterness of the IPA with the richness of the blue cheese plays melodically on your tongue.
For the main course, my number one choice is the Workingman Burger.  Aged cheddar, beer onion, and bacon is all this guy needs to make this one phenomenal burger.  Cooked medium rare, this burger comes with several options for a side, but take it from me you are a fool if you do not choose the garlic cream cheese mashes potatoes. 
Again, another example of how Revolution gets all of the small things right to make this dining experience one of the best in the City of Chicago.

Revolution Brewing
2323 North Milwaukee Avenue
Chicago, IL. 60647 http://revbrew.com/

The Restaurant That Keeps Me Coming Back By: Jen

Jen Panattoni is a business woman and marketing student from Oak Park. She enjoys dining out so she can get something she doesn't know how to cook and gets inspired to recreate dishes she's had. Also, she finds it relaxing to sit down for a meal she didn't have to prepare. She watches Check, Please! because she secretly wants Alpana Singh's job, not that it's so much of a secret anymore!

One Logan Square spot which keeps me coming back for more is Dunlays on the Square. I’m talking about one of the best brunch spots in Chicago people, and if you like brunch like I do, then you also know that a little hair of the dog is just what the doctor ordered on those days where you just haven’t quite recovered from the night before.

Nestled right in the middle of hipster paradise, Dunlays is like an oasis that beckons with its big comfy booths and its promises of bottomless mimosas. If you’re not really into Mimosas, they also have one of the best Bloody Marys in the city as well, complete with a sidecar of the cutest little beer ever.  You could easily skip the entree and just feast on all the garnishes that come with your bloody such as, soprasatta and fresh mozzarella, but you would do yourself a disservice if you didn’t order up a plate of the Johnny Cakes.

Their Johnny Cakes are thin, cornmeal griddle cakes that are stuffed with savory cider braised pork.  On the side, you have an assortment of accoutrements; two poached eggs, crunchy fried potato strings, and a mysterious pickled concoction referred to as “chow chow”. I like to dress my Johnny Cakes like I would a taco with all these fantastic sides to get never ending combinations of savory, sweet, crunchy, and the most important flavor of them all, porky. Yes, pork should have its own flavor, I think it’s well deserving of that. You’ll agree with me if you ever get the chance to pony up to a comfy bar stool at Dunlays.

So go there, the staff is so nice, they’ll even charge your cell phone for you behind the bar if it’s about to die! They won’t even make fun of you for returning a week later because you left your charger there, which is just a really great excuse to order up some more Johnny Cakes.

Dunlays On The Square
3137 West Logan Blvd.
Chicago, IL. 60647

http://www.dunlaysonthesquare.com/

The Restaurant That Keeps Me Coming Back By Lori

Lori has traveled the world as a flight attendant and has experienced the food and cultures of many countries. Now, a hotel concierge, Lori gets to enjoy dining at restaurants in the River North area as apart of her job. One of the reasons she loves dining out is because you can never have the same experience twice. Every restaurant and meal is a new experience and makes life interesting because you are able to live in the moment.

Merlo on Maple is my idea of the perfect restaurant dining experience. The restaurant is located in a beautifully restored, four story, 19^th century town home in the heart of the Gold Coast, just steps from the exciting Rush Street area of Chicago. During the Winter months, the cozy rooms invite you into the warmth of the restaurant with it’s understated elegance. Flicking candles in silver candlesticks are on every white linen table. You enter the gracious town home and immediately see the intimate bar. Perhaps a drink before dinner. 

During the summer months, the second floor bar extends outside to form a charming balcony. There is outside patio seating in front of the restaurant. The lovely wooden staircase greets you as you walk into one of the dining rooms. Many of the rooms are used for small, intimate gatherings. Fresh flowers are on the tables, it feels like you are entering a beautiful home. This restaurant is Class!

Chef/Owner Luisa Silvia Marini spent many years in her native Bologna, Italy where she was able to refine the flavors of Bolognese cuisine. She uses the finest and freshest ingredients, many imported from Italy. The menu is also a favorite. Dishes are perfect for sharing. The handmade pastas, fishes, meats, and desserts were created from the most sophisticated recipes of Bolognese cuisine. Portions are on the small side for the American plate. This is a fine dining experience geared for the “slow food” devotee. The wine list focused around the flavor of the Bolognese cuisine. The professional wait staff will guide you with your selections. Service is friendly, knowledgeable, and well paced.

The upscale, sophisticated atmosphere is perfect for a quiet, romantic, fine dining experience. It is equally suited for a private business dinner or special occasion. The spacing of the tables allows for privacy and conversation. The charming horse drawn carriages are nearby and add to the atmosphere of the area. The Rush Street area is perfect for strolling after dinner or having after dinner drinks at one of the many nearby bars or clubs.

My favorite reason for going to Merlo on Maple is the feeling you have when dining here. It is a wonderful trip to Italy without having to pack and use your passport. If a trip to Italy is not in your near future and you love Italian cuisine, this is the place to splurge and go!! If you have been to Italy, it will bring back wonderful memories. You may be inspired to go to the bookstore and pickup a 2012 Guide to Italy. After dining at Merlo on Maple you will have the urge to pack…… Start dreaming, a trip could be on the way!

Merlo on Maple
16 West Maple St.
Chicago, Il. 60610
www.merlochicago.com

My Most Memorable Dining Experience By: Nicole

Nicole loves food, but hates to cook so enjoys trying different restaurants on a regular basis. She travels to many different cities as an Operations Analyst and enjoys researching restaurants or food trucks to check out while she's there. Nicole enjoys watching Check, Please! to discover new restaurants in other neighborhoods and feels like she's met a new acquaintance whom is telling her about their dining experiences.

My most memorable dining experience took place not at just one establishment, but four over the course of a few hours, thanks to local tour company Fork and the Road. Two summers ago I joined Fork’s intrepid owners, Dimitria and Sharon, for a bicycle tour of some of Chicago’s great Eastern European cuisine. During our 15-mile bike ride through the city’s northwest neighborhoods on a lovely day, we most assuredly took in more calories eating than we burned biking, but it was still a fun and delicious way to explore the city.

After first hearing all the necessary bike safety rules for our group of 10, we pedaled up from Edgewater to Argo Georgian Bakery on Devon. Here we were each treated to our own Hachapuri, a flaky, cheese-filled puff pastry cooked in the depths of a large Georgian oven built right into the bakery’s floor, complete with cooking demonstration by the owner. It made me wish I had a Georgian oven in the middle of my kitchen so I could eat that bread every morning.

After stopping by a nearby Russian delicatessen, Three Sisters, for a quick sausage tasting, we took the scenic route to Elston and Peterson for our biggest meal of the tour at Polish favorite Smak-Tak. Here we were treated to a giant spread of pierogis and Hungarian-style pancakes- potato pancakes covered in goulash, mushrooms, onions, tomatoes and peppers. Would I normally have had such a homey Polish feast on a hot summer day, with a few miles of biking left to complete? Probably not. But that doesn’t mean I didn’t still clean my plate.

Finally, we rolled down Lincoln (at a far slower pace than when we started) toward Jibek Jolu, Chicago’s only Kyrgyzstani restaurant. This central Asian country’s location on the silk road has produced food with an influence from both its Eastern European, Persian, and Asian neighbors. It made for really interesting flavors, hearty with some surprising spices. The noodles in the signature lagman dish are even hand-pulled in-house. I used to recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for something a little “off the beaten path”, though with its recent appearance on Check Please, that’s probably no longer necessary!Fork and the Road did a great job of introducing us to some great hidden gems in my own backyard, easily accessible by two wheels. Trying such wonderful local and authentic eateries only made me want to continue on to sample all the great ethnic food Chicago has to offer.

Argo Georgian Bakery2812 W Devon AveChicago, IL 60659(773) 764-6322

Three Sisters2854 W Devon Ave
Chicago, IL 60659(773) 465-6695

Smak-Tak
5961 N Elston Ave
Chicago, IL 60646(773) 763-1123

http://www.smaktak.com/

Jibek Jolu5047 N Lincoln AveChicago, IL 60625(773) 878-8494

The restaurant that keeps me coming back By: Emilie

Emilie Schukai is an Administrative Assistant from Andersonville. She likes baking, ceramics, reading, people watching, and dining out with friends. She enjoys dining out because it gives her a chance to try new flavors, new cuisines, different cooking techniques, styles, and dining experiences in Chicago that she may have otherwise not tried. Emilie is a “try anything once” kind of person…..usually!

I’ve enjoyed many experiences at Big Jones over the three years I’ve lived in Andersonville. Everything from experimenting in my new neighborhood, to a last minute dining idea, to impressing out-of-town (including international) guests with a great taste of creativity in Chicago. “Southern heirloom cooking” at Big Jones is a hit!

It is truly a unique treat in my neighborhood. The Art Nuevo styled font on the quaint looking awning above Big Jones’ door draws you in. While they do take reservations (a true treasure in a neighborhood jewel!), you are welcomed to enjoy a glass of wine or a cocktail at the bar while waiting for a table. The best seating is at a charming table for two in the front window- apt for people watching along Clark Street, but larger groups and quiet tables can be accommodated easily. 

A start with Fried Green Tomatoes is the best decision when in season! For a traditional southern taste experience, the familiarity of their Gumbo Ya-Ya will make you fall in love with Big Jones. The Shrimp and Grits provide another recognizable flavor and comforting experience. The Fried Chicken special is a must have, with chicken gravy, potatoes, and greens. They also offer a great selection of daily specials and southern inspired dishes with updated flavor profiles from local ingredients.
If you’re looking for a relaxed, easy-going brunch, Big Jones offers up a generous menu. Beginning with Mimosa and house Beignets and moving onto savory Eggs New Orleans (eggs benedict served over blue crab cakes and popovers), an ideal way to spend a Sunday morning.

 The service is thoughtful but laid back, allowing you to enjoy your company and your meal without feeling rushed. Menu prices are a bit on the higher side, but the food quality and portions are well worth it.
Big Jones is a dining experience you can’t leave Chicago without!

Big Jones
5347 North Clark St.
Chicago, IL. 60640
(773) 725-5725
http://bigjoneschicago.com/

Naf Naf Grill By: Aaron

Aaron is an elementary school teacher who loves going to see bands play, reading, and watching sports. He enjoys dining out because it is time spent with friends and family without worry, and a reason to celebrate or try new things. Aaron's favorite kind of food in Chicago-style pizza from Burt's Pizza.

The most delicious single bite of food in the Chicago land area exists in Naperville. The flavors, textures, and layers of the falafel sandwich found at Naf Naf Mediterranean Grill perfectly marry to create a simply divine, yet foodgasmic morsel. The handmade pita pillows nestle a handsomely dressed (with chili paste, tahini and pickled vegetables) falafel. By itself, the falafel is a delectable bite: warm, savory, spicy and crunchy - tucked gently under its pita blanket; anxiously awaiting like kids on Christmas Day, to erupt from slumber and celebrate a joyous occasion. Simply put, it is a profound eating experience.

Located off of I-88 and the Naperville Rd. exit, Naf Naf is very accessible, has ample parking, and is reasonably priced. Since it moved locations, it is seemingly constructed more for the lunch crowd than a family dinner; which shouldn’t be a deterrent as families are welcome and there is plenty of space to sit and eat, but the restaurant does lack character.

The sterility is easily overlooked with all of the singing and dancing from the falafel sandwich taking place on the taste-buds which is why Naf Naf Mediterranean Grill keeps me coming back – it makes all falafel sandwiches in the greater Chicago land area pedestrian. The average cost is about $10 per person.

Naf Naf Grill
1739 Freedom Drive, Suite 109
Naperville, IL. 60563
(630)904-7200
http://www.nafnafgrill.com/

Northdown Café and Taproom: A Plaid Shirt has Never Tasted So Good By: Laura

Laura Young is an English teacher from Roscoe Village. Her favorite type of food is Indian cuisine and her favorite dish is either Malai Kofta from Essence of India or Chile Relleno from El Tapatio. Laura enjoys dining out for three main reasons: it gets her dressed and out of the house with other grown-ups, ambiance is part of the enjoyment, and there is nothing to clean up at home.

Before children, the Mister and I made a decision to try one new restaurant a week. That, as it turned out, was overly ambitious even without a toddler and a newborn, so our weekly endeavor became a “special occasion” endeavor. Like any upstanding hipster living in Chicago, we only wanted to go to a place that met the following criteria:

• Great beers on tap
• Socially conscious (in both business practices and food preparation)
• Cool, but not trendy-no lines, no overly publicized chef, no amuse-bouche
• Within walking distance-this is the one that really draws us in.

All the Mister had to say was “reclaimed wood” and I was lacing up my Justin’s. Northdown Café and Tap is like entering a mod-industrial rural farmhouse cum retro eatery; a few tables up in the front room, more in the back, the two rooms divided by a nice selection of pinball machines which, as a World Cup Soccer wizard in my previous life, is dear to my heart. The propaganda sign declaring “If Attack Comes” incites a dystopian warning, so the presence of handlebar-mustached and suspendered bartenders stationed below offer a kindly dash of steampunk relief.

The food at Northdown is downright tasty. With a comfort food focus, ingredients are fresh and used in identifiable ways. The Short Stout-braised short ribs on Ciabatta is more than satisfying, and the tomato soup is nicely seasoned and pairs well with the sourdough grilled cheese. While neither of us have ever ordered it, the deep-fried Compact Turkey Dinner-all the fixin’s rolled up into a ball and battered until crisp-appears to be hipster-grade feel good food (and probably an amazing hangover cure).

On the “Food Trends That Have Grown Tiresome” list, Northdown manages to avoid #5: the long reading of the daily specials-they are nicely handwritten on a board by the door, #26: the “gourmet burger”: the Mister thinks they are deliciously unfussy, #42 the cupcake-you really can’t compete with ten homemade pies of the day, and while they try hard to be as local and sustainable as can be, it isn’t overly advertised and to be honest, a server has never used those words. So refreshing.

The fact that this is the only restaurant of its kind that is within walking distance to our humble home is the first reason why we keep going back. But without meeting our other criteria-the quality of the food, service, atmosphere-we wouldn’t have made it a regular haunt. Add to that the fact that they have a small, but amazing selection of vegetarian and vegan dishes (not to mention the daily pie specials sometimes into the double digits and the butter of the day), Northdown has established itself as our go-to both on date nights, when meeting friends, and even entertaining our parents from the suburbs out yonder.

Northdown Cafe and Taproom
3244 North Lincoln Avenue
Chicago, IL 60657
(773) 697-7578
http://www.northdownchicago.com/

Taxim By: Steve

Steve lives in Highland Park and enjoys cooking, photography and even hitting the slopes skiing in the winter. He says because he enjoys cooking so much he truly appreciates going out to restaurants and experiencing the creations of a great chef. If you asked him what the best ingredients are for a perfect meal, he would say love and care.

We and another couple had dinner at Taxim last night, a restaurant in the vibrant Wicker Park area. The restaurant is a single storefront space with only a blackboard on the sidewalk and a small sign next to the door to announce its presence. You walk in by a small bar area, and the restaurant space itself is a series of copper topped tables with wooden benches on the wall sides decorated with a variety of throw pillows of different designs and colors. The ceilings are very high, giving the room a pleasant sense of openness.

Corey, our waiter, was very knowledgeable about the menu, which was very helpful since Taxim is not your average Greek restaurant, but shows influences from Cyprus, Turkey, and other parts of the eastern Mediterranean. We started with roasted red and yellow beets served with wilted Swiss chard, counterbalanced by a garlic walnut skordalia (a puree of the walnuts and garlic with Greek olive oil), and a nice feta triangle. Another small plate was a leek pie made with phyllo dough, goat feta, dill and lemon. Green lentils cooked in olive oil and water, served with a balsamic reduction and a triangle of sheep’s feta and semolina pita bites was delicious as well. Baby okra with fresh coriander, tossed with olive oil and thinly sliced pieces of sun-dried tomatoes was a hit with 3 out of the 4 of us, with my wife not so keen on the taste of the okra. There was no greasy or slimy feel to the baby okra, and although the sun-dried tomatoes were too salty by themselves, they countered the need for seasoning of the okra. The only miss on the appetizers was the average and uninspired roasted eggplant variation on baba ghanoush.

Main plates are a good sized portion, and we shared four entrées. We had two orders of the excellent duck gyro, roasted duck breast, and leg meat served wrapped in “Pontian” satz bread with a mint yogurt sauce, and duck fat french fries. The oven roasted whole sea bass was perfectly cooked, and deboned at tableside, served with nicely sautéed dandelion greens. I ordered the fish gyro, a roasted sea bream served in the same satz bread, but with a tahini sauce. I found the bream to be fishy smelling, and excessively salted, and could not recommend it.

We had no room to sample the desserts, but they did look interesting. The wine list is a very extensive introduction to Greek white, reds and a few roses. We had a very nice Santorini Assyritko, full of fruit with a good acid balance.

I would recommend Taxim to experience a more varied Greek culinary excursion.

Taxim 
1558 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Chicago, IL 60622
(773) 252-1558
http://taximchicago.com/