I liked the old Bite, I loove the new one. 4 napkins, 4 forks, 4 spoons, 4 knives, salt, pepper, hot sauce, sugar packets. Bite Cafe, 1039 N. Western Ave.
Category Archives: great for date
On the table: Bite Cafe
Filed under cheap, tasty brunch, great for date, new restaurants, on the table
On the table: The Dutch, NYC
8 plates, 8 forks, 16 knives, 8 glasses, 8 napkins. The Dutch, 131 Sullivan St., 212.677.6200 (food picks from this NYC restaurant to come this week)
Filed under great for date, on the table
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: Rustic House
4 glasses, 4 forks, 4 knives, 4 napkins, 4 menus, salt pepper, specials. Rustic House, 1967 N. Halsted.
Filed under great for date, new restaurants
On the table: Michael Jordan’s Steakhouse
3 wine glasses, 3 water glasses, 3 napkins, 3 plates, 3 knives, 6 forks, salt, pepper, votive. Michael Jordan’s Steakhouse, 505 N. Michigan Avenue (began dinner service tonight, Aug 23, of course).
Filed under great for date, new restaurants, on the table
Floriole tartines…
As if Floriole Bakery wasn’t lovely enough, they had to go ahead and put these two open-faced tartines on their lunch menu last week…a goat cheese with zucchini, radishes and summer squash, and eggplant with feta, balsamic and spinach. These open-faced sandwiches are served with a fresh greens salad, and are small enough to leave room for dessert. Floriole Cafe and Bakery, 1120 W. Webster Ave.
Goat cheese, zucchini and summer squash tartine
Eggplant tartine
Filed under cheap, tasty brunch, great for date, quick lunch
On the table: Chicago Q
4 plates, 4 water glasses, 4 forks, 4 knives, 4 cloth napkins, salt, pepper. Chicago Q, 1160 N. Dearborn, 312.642.1160
Filed under great for date
5 reasons why I love…The Purple Pig
Oh man, there really are so many more than 5, but categories are categories, so here goes it…
1. The menu. Sure there are plenty of small plates menus out there, but I love the variety and depth of Purple Pig’s. And by depth I mean you pretty much want one of everything, from seasonal antipasti like salt-roasted beets with whipped goat cheese, to sardines with shaved fennel salad, pork liver pâté smears, and milk-braised pork shoulder with mashed potatoes (a personal favorite), jamon serrano with oyster mushrooms and razor clams with oregano.
2. The vibe. So you might be just off Michigan Ave and steps from Nordstrom, but you have no idea once inside. The space remains intimate and cozy, and you don’t mind being just a few inches from you neighbors at the banquette, and the communal table and bar is always bustling. I also love the music—it’s loud enough to add the right amount of energy, and quiet enough for the server to still hear your order, plus it’s always awesomely random…ranging from Rush to Jay-Z.
3. Service. Always on point. The menu and wine list (also amazing!) are extensive and it’s great when you servers can help you choose a pairing for pig’s ears, decide among 7 enticing smears and make sure you didn’t miss the pork fried almonds with rosemary and garlic starter.
4. The dolci. Pig ear’d out or not, don’t skip dessert. Think hot espresso poured over toasted cinnamon gelato, a Sicilian Iris (ricotta with chocolate chip filled brioche) and Italian wedding cookies.
5. Turkey legs. A massive, sweet glazed one is on the spring menu and I tackled that thing (with a dining companion) like I was at Medieval Times and our knight was kicking some serious arena-ass. The Purple Pig, 500 N. Michigan Ave.
Peas and bacon with Pecorino and spearmint
Spring peas and faro with red pearl onions and feta
Sardines with shaved fennel salad and lemon vinaigrette
Razer clams with oregano, lemon and olive oil
Carrot salad with fig conserva
OMG...turkey leg.
Filed under 5 reasons why I love..., Best bite, great for date
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