This is almost too random to post, but what the hell? If anyone guesses the location of this mystery wall, I will personally buy you a gift certificate there (and you will have a chance to guest blog, of course.) 
Monthly Archives: September 2011
Mystery mural
Filed under mystery spot
Housemade granola at Atomix Coffee Shop
It’s safe to say that I am a Greek yogurt parfait junkie (Chia seeds, honey, fresh fruit, the works), and am about to venture into trying out some granola recipes (suggestions welcome!). I’m pretty particular about my parfaits, with Milk & Honey topping the list, and any sugary fast food or airport version slowly torturing my soul. So, I was pleasantly surprised to see that Atomix Cafe of all places added a housemade granola and yogurt to their ever-expanding brunch selections (they have egg sandwiches too!). Being in the hood, I used frequent Atomix more, despite the quizzical look everyone sitting down gives you when you walk in, the very un feng-shui like set-up (fueled mostly by the mess of half-read newspapers and flyers stacked up when you walk in, and the stacks of random boxes in the back) and the uncomfortable chairs. But they brew a mean mug of coffee, make awesome lattes, and now, make their own granola with whole almonds, oats, dried fruit, and topped with coconut. It’s not too sweet or sugar-coated, and has a nice spice to it. I also like that the yogurt is served in a bowl on the side so you can mix it in, add on a banana and generally settle in for a surprisingly good breakfast. Atomix, 1957 W. Chicago Ave.
Yogurt and housemade granola at Atomix
Filed under cheap, tasty brunch, not known for, quick lunch
Bernard’s at the Elysian
I had heard that Bernard’s Bar in The Elysian was dark, sexy, hidden and throwback-lounge cool in a retro men’s club kind of way, but I had to finally settle into the chocolate brown-hued bar to also discover that besides their small but expertly crafted list of classic cocktails (and endless whiskey, bourbons and scotch selection) they make potentially the best complimentary bar snack in Chicago: housemade potato chips. Not only could I not eat just one, I pretty much couldn’t not clean the damn bowl out in between sips of a killer old fashioned. I’ve had a good housemade potato chip (Milk & Honey), but these crunchy, house-fried chips managed to have both puffy air pockets and flat crispy edges with the skin on. Not to mention the perfect amount of oil and sea salt, and were served in a classy silver bowl…Bernard’s-style.
Housemade potato chips
Of course, the stand-out old fashioned blew me away as well..making Bernard’s my new favorite downtown bar next to the Pen. Bernard’s Bar in the Elysian, 11 E. Walton
The Old fashioned
Filed under great for date, not known for
On the table: Cantina Loredo
4 napkin rolls, 4 plates, 4 menus. Cantina Loredo, 508 N. State Street. (NOTE: This was an iphone-generated photo, pardon the lighting)
Filed under new restaurants, on the table
On the table: Kingsbury Street Cafe
6 glasses, 6 napkin rolls, plant, salt, pepper. 1523 N. Kingsbury (Across from the mega-Whole Foods)
Filed under cheap, tasty brunch, new restaurants, on the table
Chocolate parfait at Balsan
A Feast on Fashion luncheon at Balsan in the Elysian had me both drooling over the fall clothes that’ll be available at the soon-to-open Gold Coast location of Perchance boutique, as well as the chocolate parfait I ordered for dessert. Served in a mason jar, silky smooth cool chocolate custard was mixed with thick chunks of chocolate brownies and crispy chocolate candy pieces. Slowly melting over it all was a quenelle of super-fresh housemade mint chip ice cream and a green mint sprig. Of you don’t need an exclusive fashion lunch to dig into this dessert perfection, head to Balsan to dig in and get your drool on…maybe after fall clothes shopping… 11 E. Walton.
Chocolate parfait
Filed under Best bite, I like to eats, thick
Guest blog post: JenyLee CupCakery
Last Friday night I attended my friend’s birthday party where his fiance surprised him on stage of the show she was performing in with a song, and a cupcake topped with a plastic Superman ring and a lit candle. Yes, we are talking about a 37-year-old man, but it wasn’t the superhero theme of it all I was hating on, it was the store-bought cupcake. Dry, crumbly, bland, almost cornmeal-y, with sticky strangely red frosting.. we all unfortunately got one. Luckily our own superhero accessory on top saved the day (I rocked my Spidey ring for the rest of the night). But it reminded me of two things: one, that that no matter their age, guys will always be obsessed with Superheroes, and two… that I hadn’t had a good cupcake in far too long..so when Amber Gibson decided to blog about Naperville-based JenyLee CupCakery for her second guest post..I was thrilled…and even more so that she did her post interview-style… and ps..how cool is the word “cupcakery”?
Hazelnut mocha
“I’m obsessed with cupcakes and I’m kind of a floozy when it comes to Chicago’s cupcake bakeries. I’ll try any and all of them, and if there’s a new flavor, I’ve got to have it too. I never thought much of the suburban cupcake scene though. That is, until I tried my first JenyLee Cupcakery delivery-only cupcake. I was impressed by how moist all of her cakes are and her creative flavors.
Of the cupcakes I sampled, Peanut Butter Candy and Key Lime were my favorite. Key Lime was the perfect ode to the end of summer, while the peanut butter, which I was afraid might be too rich, was just right. Reese’s pieces inside and on top were the perfect touch to this decadent cupcake.
Cherry Chocolate Chip was like Cherry Garcia (my favorite ice cream flavor) in a cupcake and inspired me to do some baking of my own with fresh cherries. Next time, I need to try her Tiramisu, Pistachio and Salted Caramel flavors. Salted Caramel is JenyLee’s flavor of the month, with a portion of the proceeds going to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Jeny Lee of JenyLee CupCakery
Past life: Project manager at Tellab’s for 13 years
Café du Monde moment: Jeny was inspired by the success of New Orlean’s famous Cafe du Monde, which sells just beignets and coffee. “Why do I have to do cakes? Dinosaurs and Dora? I don’t have to do any of that stuff. I can do what I do best.” Mardi Gras colors also inspired her website.
Milestone: June 2011 marked her one-year anniversary, and JenyLee Cupcakery is still a one-woman show. “ It’s still hard, I’m still at a make or break point. Cash flow is becoming an issue, but I’m going to stick it out as long as I can.”
Brick-and-mortar: While her own bakery is still in the works, you can soon taste JenyLee’s cupcakes at the SciTech Hands On Museum. The perfect solution for those who want to buy just one or two cupcakes as opposed to ordering by the half-dozen.
Favorite Chicago cupcakery: Molly’s Cupcakes. “Molly’s has not failed me ever.”
New flavor: French Toast. “There’ll be maple syrup and bacon. I want to get it out there before anyone steals my idea!”
Peanut butter candy
Filed under guest blogger, red velvet cupcake report, thick
Culture fro-yo
Out of all the street trucks roaming around the city, I think I have randomly seen the new Culture truck the most lately. And it’s a good thing because I miss Berry Chill something terrible and I am so glad the tangy, citrus-y fro-yo is back with the same yogurt chip, crushed Oreo, carob chip-topped loveliness. So it’s not as good as holding court on State Street, but at least this truck makes its rounds. Speaking of food trucks, I feel like I spot a new one every day (I saw the tamale guy’s today!), but does anyone remember Fan Si Pan spring rolls that used to occupy the Hoosier Mama space on Chicago Avenue? I would follow the shit out of it if they ever returned on four wheels to doll out fresh spring rolls, honeydew-melon juices and Vietnamese bahn mi..
Fro-yo on wheels
Filed under ..and more
ELIZABITES 