The birthday month was a successFALL one. With a milestone birthday that called for my first trip to NAPA, to the usual amazing food discoveries in the city, it was fully satisfying and I only hope that November can top it!
What a great way to welcome fall by attending Pier Pumpkin Light at Navy Pier. Me, along with my foodie friend Amanda went one Monday evening after work for a VIP preview and it was absolutely gorgeous. People’s Energy had a welcome pavilion where we got our goodie bags and then walked to the different pumpkin installations. They’ve got nearly a 1000 pumpkins on display! From Juggernaut of Jack-O-Lanterns to Pumpkin Picasso , showing off the works of several artists, carvers, and painters who’ve come together to create the best show.
Then we were treated to complimentary treats and halloween-themed drinks; as we walked inside the pier to various restaurants. First stop was Harry Caray’s for some spooky drinks, Margaritaville for pumpkin pie, Giordano’s for their Apple Sangria and finally an all time favorite, Snow Dragon Shavery where they were serving a delicious Pumpkin Shake.
Oh and let me not forget Big Bowl’s vodka-soaked popsicles that came in very handy in the 90 degree weather we were having that day. Indian summer!
And the cherry on the top? Or should I say, pumpkin? A complimentary Centennial Wheel ride which is one of the city’s most iconic attractions.
While the Monday blues were definitely squashed, my worry was how the rest of the week could top this?
Seriously, a gourd-geous night indeed!
A cute cafe, beautiful neighborhood, farm-to-table concept, delicious food and craft cocktails. What else could I have asked for my dining experience?! I’m talking about Blue Door Farm Stand located in Lincoln Park.
The decor is enough to jog your appetite but then the drinks arrive and you wonder why it’s taken you so long to get here. Both, The Floor Is Guava and the Tiki, Do You Love Me? were absolutely incredible concoctions. The wine list looked pretty impressive too!
The Roasted Carrot Hummus was fabulous. It had a harissa-type taste to it, and was less thick in texture than regular hummus, but very savory. A pretty presentation with raw vegetables, pita and tahini, all served on a platter. Speaking of platter, the most beautiful dishes I’ve seen at any restaurant in the city!
A healthy start like that hummus, can only last so long, as my friend and I quickly moved to the Sweet Potato Empanadas with Cuban salsa and creme fraiche. These were yummy bites.
The Crab Cakes were delicious too, and I loved the flavor the pickled shallots added to them. The petit salad served with it was ‘limey’ and lip-smacking tasty.
Then there was the Honey Shrimp! A bed of greens with sautéed shrimp in soy honey glaze on top. The shrimp size was jumbo and the meat nice and fresh.
With fall weather in full effect, we had to share a large bowl of their lentil soup. Just what the doctor ordered! And such a flavorful stew with garlic notes to clear up the sinuses.
The Beet and Farro Salad was an overwhelming portion of fresh arugula, spinach, pears, dried cranberries, candied pecans, and goat cheese. Drizzled with perfect amounts of apple cider vinaigrette on top. Although you’ve had a salad like this before, I can assure you that this is a better version.
For our Mains, I asked to try the Atlantic Salmon while my friend ordered the Farmstand Burger. I must admit, the burger with caramelized onions and house-cut fries on the side looked excellent. My friend obviously said her entree was better, and we agreed to disagree.
Because the delicious salmon dish was such a beautiful fillet with an orangish hue, served on a roasted cauliflower and tomato stew cooked in a garam masala. The Indian in me rejoiced!
All this with a side of Mac and Cheese with smoked gouda only added to the deliciousness. A hearty portion for a side too.
There was consensus on dessert and our server endorsed our choice, so we moved forward with ordering a giant brick of their Carrot Cake (made in-house), with coconut, cream cheese frosting and candied pecans.
We didn’t finish it, but were more than glad to take the rest home, knowing that it could easily last us a while. Needless to say, we both had dessert for a week!
Every dish at Blue Door Farm Stand is wholesome and comforting. And the ambiance and service only enhance the whole experience.
Be sure to try it. It’s really the perfect everything!
There’s a new Indian cafe in town making the waves right now, and I was lucky enough to have lunch there recently. So, with a ton of fast casual lunch spots in the loop, why does this one stand out?
Firstly, the sheer number of menu options that patrons have, as well as the ability to mix and match. You can choose your protein, your curry type, fixings, spice level etc. Mine was the Veggie Kofta (balls) in Korma curry which is a milder sauce and perfect for my palate. This was delicious!
There are even four different choices of lassis. offered. While the Mango flavor is the most popular one at the restaurant, for me it was, the Rose.
I also loved the location, as it is tucked away on a quieter street in the Financial District with a giant office building courtyard next door, so customers can eat their lunch there if they please.
Then, the portions! Generous and sumptous and you get your money’s worth. Plus owner Nilesh Thacker is personally involved, working the counter throughout the day.
Let me not forget to mention how delightful the samosas were! Crispy and abundantly flavorful served in ethnic ware.
If a DIY platter is not your scene, you can order from a variety of their wraps made with flaky wheat paratha or get one of their salads.
And unlike a lot of other similar places, they have dessert, and three options. Love that they’ve deviated from the usual Gulab Jamun. Once I saw Ras Malai on the menu there was no turning back for me.
Many other moments of nostalgia for me from their iced Jaljeera drink to cans of Thumps Up (Indian Cola)..
The ambiance also adds a lot to the experience. Colorful decor and a cool layout, making it easy to order and enjoy.
Tikka N Curry is your new home for casual Indian food!
My October National Pizza Month was better than yours. Because I ate Giordano’s deep dish pizza on the 103rd floor of the Willis Tower’s Skydeck, and even braved the ledge.
To say it was exhilarating, is an understatement.
And to have a view of four states from up above and actually enjoy a slice, on the deck, after the initial freak-out is unbeatable.
Now that’s how you Pie in the Sky!
Bright lights, fancy cars, sushi and a party! That was one night this month when I went with fellow food blogger friends to the unveiling of the new 2020 Porsche 911 hosted by Loeber Motors at Tao.
The car demo itself was a blast, but the excitement continued on upstairs at Chicago Social Magazine’s 25th Anniversary party. Wow, was it a blast, as passion fruit mojitos, Remy Martins and Peronis flowed all night with small bites.
Then we had one of the most epic sushi dinners in the dining room, where I also feel in love with their Shrimp Tempura Roll with honey wasabi and Lobster Fried Rice with kimchi.
Now these are the nights that make me fall in love with Chicago even more. What can I say? Life of a food blogger!
One of my favorite restaurants in the city only got ‘favoriter,’ with the launch of their new B-Sides Menu, featuring also one of my favorite foods ever, mushroom! A three-course savory meal featuring a special ingredient in each course and will be a rotating menu series running from Sundays through Thursdays.
The first dish we were served was, the Marsala Roasted Mushroom whipped with ricotta on Texas Toast. A delightful start and filling too.
Then came the Mushroom Agnolotti. Tender pasta with taleggio fondue which was stinkier, but also way more aromatic than lots of other cheese. Must love cheese to enjoy this course.
The Roasted Scallops with mushroom fricasse came in a smoked seaweed butter. Wonderful, rich and saucy and the mushrooms were sautéed beautifully.
These were definitely some of the best shroom-based dishes I have eaten. And such a cool concept too!
In addition, it was my friend’s birthday and the restaurant went out of its way to make it special and also sent out two yummy desserts. How nice!
Many restaurants can do food well, but only a few really try to push the envelope with creativity and create menus that can accommodate a wide range of diets. Thanks for a hearty fall meal!
We all can agree that it is hard to get back into the swing of things after a holiday weekend. Luckily Columbus Day followed with the grand opening of Streeterville’s new WoodWind, located on the 18th floor of the Lavin Family Pavilion in the Northwestern Medicine Campus.
I attended with a fellow blogger friend and we had the best evening you could imagine. The champagne flowed the minute we stepped out of the elevator and then a long hall way that took us to the food stations. There was a taco bar, a caviar bar (where I may or may not have done a few caviar shots), and lots more creative bites.
I was also impressed to find so many imaginative cocktails. Kudos to Chef Matt O’Neill for making sure there were plenty of vegetarian and pescetarian appertizers.
The dessert bar was dreamy, colorful macarons, brownie bites and so many treats. We also got to spend time on their gorgeous rooftop and wine room. And left home with goodie bags.
WoodWind is contemporary American cuisine at its best with the warmest setting, so perfect for the upcoming season! Hope you’ll give it a try!
I just found you the best spot to dine in this fall or winter. Earth’s Kitchen is not new to the Boystown neighborhood or to the Chicago food scene, but, they do have a new menu that will knock your socks off.
First time for me and loved every moment of my dining experience and every bite of what I ate. The place serves Japanese American Fusion food in a cozy setting, where everything is made fresh to order. Plus, the plethora of options makes it even more fun to explore the menu, like my guest and I did.
I almost feel like BYOB places help diners focus on the food better, and they can choose what they want to drink, or not. With the pressure to order cocktails gone, we dived right into an order of three speciality maki that Chef had already planned to send out. All three were well-executed, but the Equality Roll with tuna and salmon folded in a radish sheet was airy and good. The Halsted Roll was just as good, as it came topped with seared squid and a special seafood sauce. Nothing ordinary about this roll!
Edamame is always fun to have at the table to munch on but with all the soy beans I’ve had in my life, I think I’ve begun to successfully distinguish between good and great edamame. This bowl was great!
My most favorite dish here was the Tuna Tartare, which came next. The truffle olive oil with Parmesan cheese on the seared tuna gave a refreshing taste to the dish. It also came with a dollop of fresh horseradish and was tossed in with avocado. So you get some potassium while you’re at it!
My guest switched it up with the Beef Show Down Burger from their Summer Special Menu. He also happens to be a Chef so I was particularly excited to hear his verdict. When he couldn’t stop eating, I got my answer. 7oz of 100% certified angus beef brushed with their homemade bbq sauce; heck even I was tempted!
While we were switching gears, we also ordered a bowl of their Mushroom Ramen to share. Soft egg noodles, tofu, Parmesan cheese, shiitake, sweetcorn and seaweed. And you can only imagine what flavors all those ingredients brought to this dish. Seriously, I could not put my chopsticks down!
Finally, we ended with a Salmon Donburi Platter and it was simply gorgeous. Nevermind the beautiful color on the fish, the tamago, shiitake and sweet pickled radish were just amazing. Donburi is supposed to represent Japanese home-cooking and I’ll tell you what, if I ate like this at home, I’d never eat out.
Earth’s Kitchen has easily made it on top of the list of pleasant surprises this month. Authentic food served with no fuss, yet in a very warm atmosphere. You can dine in but they deliver and cater too; just saying!
Some evenings you just want to end a long work day with a craft cocktail in hand and some light bites on the side. When that’s the case, The Berkshire Room at the Acme Hotel will be calling your name.
In my life as a food blogger, I am constantly eating, and most meals end up being lavish and very heavy. Not complaining, but a visit to this classy, stylish and sexy lounge nicely changed things up with lighter fare.
No wonder The Berkshire Room is one of the city’s most respected cocktail bars, and yet another gem by The Fifty/50 Restaurant Group.
A snazzy space with the most perfect lighting and an impressive cocktail program. We had an impressive start too with two cocktails that we were instantly attracted to; The Wisdom of the Elders and the C.R.E.A.M. The latter had Horchata in it and I was in heaven. Yet the favorite drink from the night for both me and my guest was, The Aleatory, which you could order with your choice of gin, tequila or vodka and came with cassis, hibiscus and fresh lemon. I am anyways a sucker for anything with hibiscus but this drink was quite wonderful.
The menu for eats is succinct but covers the basis for good accompaniments with drinks. We ordered a few of them and both the Feta Dip and the Kale & Artichoke Dip. The former was bubbling whipped cheese covered with black sesame seeds and chili flakes served along with toasted pita bread. The latter was a delicious rendition of superfood kale made super tasty with cream cheese and herbs. How has this not gone viral yet?
The Shrimp Cocktail came three large shrimp on a glass, plump and juicy and full of freshness. Pretty presentation too!
The Charcuterie and Cheese Board was one of the most swoon-worthy platters of assorted cheese and meats I’ve seen put in front of me. Truly a work of art.
Had it not been a Monday, I would’ve likely indulged in a glass of wine with that cheese board, because they did also have an extensive wine list. But next time, because I can see myself hanging out here again very soon.
What a perfect start to the week!
When I think of National Pasta Month (which was October), I literally think of Italy. Looking for the next best thing in Chicago and I think I found my place.
Trattoria Gianni invited me and a guest, along with several other members of press and food bloggers to enjoy a pasta-filled dinner, this month. Gianni Delisi and his wife Suzanna personally hosted us and sat us at a table set for us.
We didn’t even have to look at a menu, as the wine and appetizers started trickling in. Firstly, why oh why, have I not tried the Bruno Vespa before?! What a delicious red wine to pair with pasta!
And although I was the only pescetarian at the table, I was well taken care of. In fact, the first dish to arrive with the basket of fresh bread, was the shrimp with lemon sauce, artichokes and mushrooms. You bet, I used up the bread to mop the sauce.
Also, the sexiest clam dish I have seen, buttery and savory with a nice brine and tons of herbs.
I’ve always said and will continue to say, that I will happily pick a flavorful vegetarian pasta over any other kind. My favorite dish of the night was undoubtedly the Rigatoni Alla Nocerina with sun-dried tomatoes, mushrooms, olive oil, and garlic in a basil cream sauce. All ingredients you have seen before but definitely not in this dazzling creation.
Another stunner was the Ravioli Burro e Salvia. Home-made ravioli stuffed with ricotta cheese, burned butter, sage and parmigiana. Ugh, so good! I already have a hankering for it today!
Next in line was, the Squid Ink Risotto that confirmed that I actually prefer this seafood dish with arborio over noodles. Piles of baby scallops and squid intermixed with the pasta while also emitting extraordinary tastes of the squid ink. Truly indescribable!
The seafood fountain had been unleashed because the next two dishes were also pescetarian delights. A delicious Crab Ravioli and a Grilled Salmon dish with broccoli and carrots, and both were terrific!
All the pasta was fresh, tender, and each sauce was vibrant in flavor. Perfect density and spice intensity too. I think I used the word ‘perfection’ several times throughout the evening. And in true Italian style gestured with a kiss with my fingers, because that night, we were all Italian.
Dessert didn’t fall behind either. A large platter of housemade Tiramisu, Cannoli and Semi-Fredo nicely plated, and a cup of warm espresso from Lavazza to seal the deal.
Bravo to Gianni, his wife Suzanna and the staff for running such a fine establishment. After 25 years, the quality hasn’t been compromised and the innovation continues. Don’t believe me? Check out their Wall of Fame when there and you’ll see all the famous people who have dined at Trattoria Gianni.
You just have to visit!