Don’t let the hazarai (Yiddish for junk) fool you, Feed restaurant is more than just chicken- (and jackalope?) themed kitsch strewn everywhere. They have awesome mac and cheese, hand-cut fries, pulled pork and chicken sandwiches and other Southern comfort-food goodness. But the homiest part of the place are the retro over-sized Christmas lights that randomly blink off and on, and look totally normal hanging in the window in the middle of August. 2803 W. Chicago Ave., 773.489.4600.
Feed on Chicago Avenue
Filed under random spottings
Getting a handle on The Violet Hour
While the wooden façade is constantly being tagged, painted over, designed, painted and tagged again, the antique hammered brass door handle of The Violet Hour stays the same. Is there something slightly off about it, or has it just been through the wringer since its possible previous life on the front door of a Lake Forest mansion? Either way, I wish it wasn’t so hard to get past after 8PM.
1520 Damen Ave., 773.252.1500 (photo by Tonia Kim)
Filed under random spottings
Not Known For: Mashed potatoes at Shaw’s Crab House
Oysters, crab cakes, sushi, fresh fish, seasonal salmon specials. These are the (relatively healthy) things Shaw’s Crab House is known for. But in the midst of devouring all of the above during a recent visit, I discovered they also make a mean side of mashed potatoes. The buttery-creamy concoction nears perfection, served in an silver, All-Clad pot, with a wad of butter thrown on top for good, calorie-filled measure. 21 E. Hubbard St., 312.527.2722 
Yes, that is where our spoon dug in moments before.
Filed under not known for
The salted peanut gelato at Cipollina
A newfound obsession.
Cipollina, 1543 N. Damen Ave., 773.227.6300 (photo by Tonia Kim)
Filed under I like to eats
On the table: Sushi X
Bottle soy sauce, two votives, four place settings with wooden chopsticks, plates, soy sauce bowls, knapkins
Sushi X, 1136 W. Chicago Ave., 312.491.9232
Filed under fail-safe sushi, on the table
Still stumped?
The answer to the zebrawood bathroom door post will be revealed this week, but in the meantime, a few hints about the venue’s previous life (before the cool bathrooms): 1). The place used to be filled with cushy orange velvet couches and chairs. 2) It was previously named for a famous Trader Vic’s bartender. 3) They were known for serving up a mean scorpion bowl. Hmmmm…
Filed under random spottings
More things to love about Graham Elliot
I already gushed over Graham Elliot’s new River North restaurant a few posts back, but did I mention his supercool Web site? Check it out and be sure to click on the food shots.
Filed under ..and more
The Berry Chill fix
Does the question mark-like symbol on the end of the plastic Berry Chill spoon symbolize the swirl of frozen yogurt or the mystery as to why this stuff is so addictive? An especially long line snaked out the door tonight after the “original” flavor wasn’t working, forcing Berry Chill fiends to either wait until the machine was fixed or go for one of the not-as-popular specialty flavors like peach mango and chocolate amaretto. I always get the original, but gave the pistachio a whirl instead. A bit less tart than original, I think I found a new B.C. favorite, along with the yogurt chip topping. But I still have one question on my mind: When will they open a location in my neck of the woods? 635 N. State St., 312.266.2445
Filed under I like to eats
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