I’m not sure if too many people will notice the new Sully’s House (formerly Cafe Allure), but I am very excited to have a brand, spanking new lunch option (with beer!) near my daytime office. The casual spot will serve pub grub, sandwiches, salads with free Wi-Fi to boot. The owners (also of Salvatore’s Ristorante in Lincoln Park) are shooting for a mid-September opening. 1501 N. Dayton St.
Sounds strangely pirate-like, no?
Filed under new restaurants
OK, so I found a new Goddess and Grocer obsession. The Crazy Rock chocolates by Chicago-based Oral Fixations. The hand-made milk, dark or white chocolate cocoa bean-shaped chocolates are filled with crackly Pop Rocks. Check out their site for a bevy of truffles and chocolate candies laced with lemon peels, gold leaf, black peppercorns and mint oil.
Filed under I like to eats
In an attempt to cross a few more cupcakes off my list, I tried to hit up both Swirlz and Cupcakes over the weekend, only to find them both closed on Sundays! Can anyone explain that? Sweet Mandy B’s (1208 W. Webster, 773.244.1174) was open, but they were out of the RVC. We happily resorted to the Goddess and Grocer, which still reigns in the hunt for the best RVC in Chicago. Any other suggestions?
Filed under red velvet cupcake report
Chef Graham Elliot Bowles talks about music, Warhol and what to expect on the menu of his eponymous River North restaurant.
Filed under video Q & A
Does anyone know what East Village coffee shop has this mural of a cosmonaut on the wall? 
Filed under mystery spot
Cocoa bean panna cotta with a crushed Whoppers-esque garnish (photo by TK)
I love me some Las Palmas, but I have very little love for the Bucktown Mexican restaurant when I walk in at 9:30PM after a party on Wednesday night and they’ve stopped serving dinner. Que pasa con that? Anyway, it was actually all meant to be as my hunger situation forced me to try Mado up the street. I was pretty much starving by the time the Lake Superior whitefish with cucumber and chili oil and the creamy polenta arrived at our table, but I would’ve displayed some serious scarf-action anyway. The smell from the wood-oven (there’s also a rotisserie and a wood-grill!) fills the place, but not so much that you smell of wood chipper when you leave. Mado uses it for their chicken with charred onion panzanella, lamb leg and said whitefish. We didn’t think it could get better until we got to dessert, which includes the best shortbread I’ve ever had, cocoa bean panna cotta, cheese and fresh fruit tarts. Run by husband and wife team Robert and Allison Levitt, the menu at Mado (written on a chalkboard along with local farms they frequent) changes daily with what’s in season. I still love the Palm, but I’ll be back to Mado for antipasti, meats, and the wood-grilled hanger steak. 1647 N. Milwaukee Ave., 773.342.2340
The menu
Not ice cream, but buffalo ricotta with honey (yes, ridiculous) (photo by TK)
Filed under new restaurants
A lox of crap
It’s almost beautiful in all of its colorful chaos, but why does the New York City Bagel always have to be so cluttered? There are four, count ’em, four brand-happy drink coolers where there could be more tables for me to enjoy the over-stuffed bagel sandwiches and black and white cookies. Every inch of the wall is covered with NYC and Chicago nostalgia, framed press clips and accolades, and you almost don’t even notice the ubiquitous TV affixed in the corner. Eh, I guess that’s an authentic Big Apple deli for you. First one to spot Tom Selleck gets to guest blog about their favorite restaurant! 1001 W. North Ave., 312.274.1278
Filed under random spottings
Actually it was a very cool katydid perched on Mana Food Bar’s glowing outdoor sign last night. Props to Tonia for getting close enough to take shot number two.
Filed under random spottings
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