Category Archives: new restaurants

April 21, 2011 · 12:05 am

Hué cork menu

A weekend visit to Wisconsin had me exploring one of my new favorite Milwaukee ‘hoods, Bay View (again). I loved stumbling upon tiny Vietnamese restaurant Hué for dinner, and especially dug their sleek cork menus with cool logo’d name plate. The design fit right in with the other impressive eco-efforts at the new spot, including bamboo floors, composting of vegetables and napkins, fryer oil recycled into bio-diesel, locally sourced produce, and recycled glass, plastic, cardboard and aluminum. And with fresh, authentic dishes from shaking beef to pho noodle soup on the menu, it’s worth a day trip. Curious about other Milwaukee haunts to visit? Leave your questions in the comments below. Hué, 2691 S. Kinnickinnic Ave., 414.294.0483

Cork menu at Hué

Leave a comment

Filed under eliz-a-trip, new restaurants, random spottings

April 4, 2011 · 12:05 am

On the table: Hubbard Inn

20 plates, 16 napkins, 16 knives, 4 candles, 16 forks. Hubbard Inn, 110 W. Hubbard St., 312.222.1331

1 Comment

Filed under great for date, new restaurants, on the table

March 15, 2011 · 12:05 am

5411 Empanadas

From meaty balls to naan sandwiches, there’s an army of delicious food trucks milling about the city, but I rarely spot one, well, parked anyway, especially right outside my office. So you can imagine my delight when rumors of a big blue truck stocked with flaky, fresh-baked Argentine empanadas parked outside began filtering through the office. I know the idea is to follow something as delicious at 5411 empanadas on Twitter, but hey, sometimes if you’re lucky (or if someone in the office above you makes a special request for a lunchtime appearance) they pull right up with hot empanadas like beef, barbecued chicken, ham and cheese, spinach and cheese and corn..at $1.99 a pop. About half an hour after we all stocked up on these hot little pockets, the truck was gone…onto North and Clybourn to feed hungry Apple store browsers. As spring finally decides to show up, this is one truck (of many) I’ll be eager to track down around town.

Empanadas on the run

Corn empanada

Leave a comment

Filed under I like to eats, new restaurants, quick lunch, random spottings

February 11, 2011 · 12:05 am

Chocolate mousse at Leopold

I don’t know about you, but I am LOVING the French bistro and Belgian-themed menus making their hearty mark all over town. Paris Club, Bistronomic, Maude’s and now Leopold, located oh-so-close to my house. Which means even if it’s obnoxiously cold out, I know that this perfect cup of chocolate mousse topped with Barry Callebaut crispearls is a short distance away, as is everything else on the awesome menu, from the braised short rib with glazed turnips to the soft pretzel and veal sausage. Leopold, 1450 W. Chicago Ave., 312.348.1028

Chocolate mousse at Leopold

3 Comments

Filed under great for date, new restaurants

February 9, 2011 · 12:05 am

Paris Club

Paris Club sign

If you didn’t notice, the Eliz-a-bite of the week is back, and this this week it’s the melt in your mouth tender short ribs I had at a preview for the new Paris Club. The old Brasserie Jo space has taken an industrial-chic turn (DJ, wrought-iron work, white subway tiles, mirrors, rustic reclaimed wood tables to full to snap an “on the table,” and wood floors to match), with chef Jean Joho’s French bistro fare. The perfect lighting (seriously) makes for a fine milieu, but not always a fine photo, but I did my best. Opening tonight (officially), expect hard-to-get-tables in this bumping spot, but once you get one, savor the short ribs, delicious steak frites, oysters, mussels, croque monsieur fingers and more. We also loved the selection of terrines, pâtés (like the chicken liver pâté not served in a jar with a hinged lid!), Lyonnaise salad topped with a sprawling egg, and vegetable sides (a nice growing trend!) like the cauliflower gratin. For dessert, chocolate mousse was tasty but more like a pudding, but the pistachio pot de crème topped with crushed pistachios…totally worth the wait for your table. And if you are faced with a wait, head to scene-y bar area, grab a Pinot Noir on tap and take in the DJ beats. Paris Club, 59 W. Hubbard St., 312.595.0800

Lyonnaise salad

(This photo of) chicken liver pâté (doesn't do it justice)

Mussels

A hot table indeed

Leave a comment

Filed under great for date, new restaurants

February 8, 2011 · 12:05 am

On the table: Leopold

4 plates, 4 napkins, 4 glasses, 4 forks, 4 knives, Leopold, 1450 W. Chicago Ave.

Leave a comment

Filed under great for date, new restaurants, on the table

December 29, 2010 · 12:05 am

On the table: The Florentine

4 placemats, 4 knives, 4 forks, 4 glasses, 4 napkins, 4 water glasses, 4 plates. The Florentine, 151 W. Adams, 312.660.8866

Leave a comment

Filed under new restaurants, on the table

December 16, 2010 · 12:05 am

Delish on Division

I don’t know about you, but I can’t keep up with how many restaurants seem to pop up on Division Street, just West of Ashland. Besides way too many sports bars, it’s also turning into quite the strip for cafes, retail shops, random nail salons and other mysterious things like Delish Diner and Bakery, a sign I spotted the other day. Anyone know anything about it? A good, classic diner may be just what the wide-side-walked street needed…not that it wasn’t already perfect with the culinary trifecta of Mana Food Bar, Caffe Gelato and Milk and Honey..What are some of your most delish Division Street eats?