What restaurant’s lounge flaunts these stunning soup-ladle-esque coat hooks?
Mystery hooks
Filed under mystery spot
Green tea ginger ale at Wow Bao
Ah Wow Bao. Why do you have to be so damn hard to get to? I’m forced to brave Michigan Avenue crowds to enjoy the soft, steamed bao filled with teriyaki chicken, bbq pork or spicy Mongolian beef and served up on the cheap at this Asian take-out spot located on the ground floor of Water Tower Place. There’s a second location in the Loop, but I consider that just as much, if not more of a schlep. But, on my latest trip to the Bao I discovered a tasty menu addition that might get me to make the trek downtown a little more often: fresh green tea ginger ale. I already loved the pomegranate ginger ale, but found it a little on the sweet side. The new ginger tea is the perfect combo of pungent ginger and green tea served over ice. It comes in a plastic cup (and not served in a glass with lemon as this counter sign might have you believe) but it’s just as refreshing. 
Filed under I like to eats
Guest blogger: Justin Hall of Fig Catering
Bamboo log with chicken and braised mushrooms (Photo: Rene G, from LTH Forum)
As winner of the Feed mystery sign post, guest blogger Justin Hall of the Chicago-based Fig Catering shows his love for Chinatown’s Spring World restaurant:
“A hollowed out bamboo tube filled with braised chicken and mushrooms,” this is how El Panzone, a regular LTH Forum poster, described the meal I had to order at Spring World. Just down the mall from some of my regular Chinatown stalwarts (Lao Szechuan, Phoenix and Little Three Happiness), Spring World is an unassuming spot that specializes in Yunnan cuisine, unlike many of the Cantonese and Sichuan restaurants that surround their location (to be fair, they also do a great job with some Sichuan specialties including Kung Pao Chicken). When I looked through the menu I was given, it didn’t take long for me to find the chicken dish and point to the photo as a way of ordering (pronouncing it was another matter). Later I found out that this is not Spring World’s only menu; they have a “secret” menu dedicated to mushrooms with plenty of photos of the exotic varieties they offer (at least 50!). But ordering the chicken dish is a good way to start on your SW adventure.
Once the tube of goodness was delivered I was hooked. Huge chunks of strange looking mushrooms and braised bone-in chicken with a wonderful, spicy gravy. This is a meal that has no duplicate in Chinatown and, so far, continues to be one of my favorites on their menu. Their use of mushrooms and spices not typically associated with everyday Chinese fare (unless you live in China), including star anise and Sichuan peppercorns. SW also has a $3.95 lunch special, yes $3.95! You get to order two dishes for this price and they’re served with rice and soup. It’s an amazing bargain even though you can’t get the whole menu. Some of my menu highlights include the aforementioned chicken tube, steamed whole fish, tea-smoked duck, marinated and sliced pork belly and the mushroom hot pot. If you find yourself in Chinatown, give Spring World a try for something deliciously different. Spring World, 2109 S. China Place, 312.326.9966
Filed under guest blogger
Mystery post winners
When it comes to the “Mystery Spot” posts, it’s been brought to my attention that they’re either too easy or always on Chicago Avenue. I say, why not take a guess either way for a chance to guest blog like Justin Hall of Fig Catering (whose blog post will run this week). Other guest bloggers in the pipeline include 2008 Gen Art Fresh Faces in Fashion winner and repeat blogger Tonia Kim of Toki Collection for guessing the Flo mystery art correctly, and Jill Blacketer, the Chicago correspondent (aka, Cupcake) from Toronto-based foodie Web site broccoliandprosecco, who was right on for the Five Star mystery sign. Look for both their posts in the coming weeks, and get guessing for your own chance to write an Elizabite.
Filed under mystery spot
Jean Philippe Patisserie
From Vosges to Coco Rouge, I loves me some local chocolate. But when I got a chance to dig into Las Vegas-based Jean Philippe truffles at Spring restaurant this week, I first wanted to take a picture of them and then I wanted to devour the entire box, from zested lemon ganache with dark chocolate (the yellow one) to Earl Gray-infused dark chocolate gananche (the one labeled, TEA). They were the perfect ending to a four-course dinner created by Spring chef Shawn McClain as a preview celebration for the impending opening of Sage restaurant in Las Vegas’ Aria Resort & Casino. A Jean Philippe Patisserie will also open in the Aria resort, slated for late 2009. Check back later this week to see a video post of chef McClain explaining what he’ll be cooking up Sage, and in the meantime, send yourself several artistic boxes of JP truffles from the Bellagio.
Filed under I like to eats, new restaurants
Big Sandwich Tuesday
For months, a group of my hungriest friends have organized “Big Sandwich Tuesday” during their lunch hours. They scour the city for burgers, sliders, hoagies and anything else that features serious fillings loaded up between two massive pieces of bread. So far they’ve hit up the following spots, but need more suggestions..anyone? Remember, it needs to be a sandwich and it needs to be big. Oh, and Tuesday.
Eppy’s Deli: Roast beef sandwich
Portillo’s: Beef and cheddar croissant
Kuma’s Corner: Famous Kuma burger, yes, with the egg
Ricobene’s: Chicken Parmesan sandwich
Perry’s Deli: Peter Panski (ham, peanut butter, bacon, lettuce, tomato, mayo)
Al’s Italian Beef: Classic Italian beef sandwich
Hooter’s: Rib-eye steak sandwich
Filed under ..and more, I like to eats
Mystery art
These days, even a No. 2 pencil seems retro. Anyone know which restaurant displays this collection of old-school pencils? 
Filed under mystery spot
ELIZABITES 