If you think you’ve had good fish in your life, wait till you go to Oceanique. Because a recent visit for a tasting there changed entirely my ‘pescetarian’ life
Read moreThe Seafoods Gods Are Smiling!
This week, I got to visit Chicago’s oldest crab house with a guest, called, The King Crab House. This 36 year old Lincoln Park eatery is everything seafood; from a lengthy menu, a raw bar, to a full liquor bar
Read moreThis Restaurant Is On Fire!
If you’re a fellow slooper, then you, like me, have been eagerly awaiting the return of this neighborhood darling, The Chicago Firehouse Restaurant. Once a firehouse and a victim of a fire mishap itself, this new and improved eatery is back after almost two years, and that too with a BANG
Read moreMon Ami Gabi = Mon Favorite!
This week’s highlight was a tasting at the classic French bistro Mon Ami Gabi, located in the beautiful Belden Stratford in Lincoln Park. I’m generally impressed by most LEYE restaurants, but especially for French food lovers, Mon Ami Gabi should be your first pick
Read moreI Did Float My Curry Boat!
Indian food will always be comfort food for me; I mean it’s the food I grew up with and was staple for at least 17 years of my life. But having grown up in India, I will admit to being a snob when it comes to Indian food in the U.S. I am not easily impressed and for good reason
Read moreGettin Low With Seafood!
For me, the week before Thanksgiving is perfect for a food tasting because I miraculously develop a big appetite at least 3 days before the holiday. So when I was invited in to Lowcountry for dinner that week, I gladly accepted
Read moreI Tasted The Madness!
My tasting at the recently opened Mad Boiler was undoubtedly one of the ‘funnest.’ And it once again proved to me that you don’t need to be at fancy places to have fun or experience good food
Read moreI Got My Fill-ini!
I had a wonderful menu tasting experience at Filini recently. Filini is a contemporary Italian restaurant and bar at the Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel downtown, headed by recently appointed Executive Chef Rick Starr who oversees their culinary program. The restaurant is multi-level, with the bar area on the first floor and a magnificent dining room on the second floor with a glass wine wall
Read moreFish, The Original Fast Food!
When owner Dirk Fucik invited me in to his store, Dirk’s Fish & Gourmet Shop, I was expecting to get a little tour, take a few pictures, maybe sample some shrimp cocktail and be on my way. I guess I did not have the slightest idea of what was in store for me, nor did I expect to spend several hours at this seafood haven
Read moreI'm Turning Japanese....I Really Think So!
My first tasting this month was at a restaurant I’ve heard a lot about and been wanting to visit for a long time. Who wouldn’t be curious about an authentic, latin-inspired, Japanese eatery featuring both tacos and sushi! Along with their PR Manager, I finally ventured to put my curiosity to rest
Read moreDon't Let This Slider Slide!
Who doesn’t love a family-run eatery featuring authentic food and genuine hospitality?! Izakaya Mita has been on my list for quite some time now and I finally ventured there for a tasting this week
Read morePlenty of Fish In This Seafood Salad!
It has been a fabulous week! My friend Carrie and I got to enjoy a midweek meet up for a lunch tasting at Joe’s Seafood, and we haven’t stopped talking about it since
Read moreFor The Love Of Tapas!
It was a happy Monday indeed as I got to try the new Latinicity’s Pata Negra restaurant at Block 37, located downtown. Latinicity is a full service tapas restaurant and is fairly new to Chicago. Since I had missed out on their grand opening, I was thrilled about visiting and finally trying all their creative, Latin-inspired dishes I had heard about
Read moreThis Jellyfish Doesn't Sting!
I started out my week right with a fantastic tasting at Jellyfish. If you haven’t heard of it, it is an intimate pan-Asian restaurant & lounge located in the Gold Coast neighborhood. I got to bring a friend who is well versed in Japanese food so that was helpful. The owners graciously welcomed us, and from the very beginning the service was impeccable
Read moreGnocch Kidding!
What was a pescetarian like me doing at a restaurant named mEAT, you may ask. The answer is, I was relishing all the wonderful seafood they have to offer. You heard right; mEAT is a restaurant that also offers seafood and enough of it to satisfy a pescetarian’s needs
Read moreLet's Get Down To The Shrimpy-Gritty!
On Wednesday, I had the opportunity to stop by Frontier for an incredible menu tasting along with a friend. Located on the outskirts of West Town, the restaurant is a true tribute to the west, offering game-focused fare in addition to bar food
Read moreCheeky Business!
I had just returned from Greece and was heavily reminiscing all the amazing seafood there. Needless to say, a few days later I went for a seafood tasting at Cold Storage, and with high expectations. The restaurant far exceeded those expectations and was the perfect cure for my jet lag
Read more“Tuna In” To These Tostadas!
This month, I had the most incredible tasting at the new Earl’s Kitchen & Bar, which opened in Lincoln Park. It is always nice when I can bring a guest along to partake in the tasting experience. It also turned out that my guest shares the same middle name as the restaurant owner, which is Earl. So the stars were aligned right from the start
Read moreSecrets Do Make Friends!
On Monday, I found myself back at Luke’s Lobster to sample some of their new menu items, and I couldn’t have been happier. I got to meet co-owner Ben Conniff, who has opened 19 locations and is personally involved in overseeing his restaurants. It was nice to have the company of my friend & Editor at Chicago Food Magazine, Lauren Knight, who fully understands the nuances of a food tasting.
Read moreThat’s What I’m TACOing About!
My first encounter with BarBakoa was at The Chicago Gourmet festival this year. As I made my rounds through the Mexican Food Pavilion, at the event, I tasted some of their samplings and fell in love. It was nice to see Chef Dudley Nieto himself serving everyone with such gusto. He even took the time to have a quick conversation with me about BarBakoa & my blog, and extended an invitation to do a seafood tasting.
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