The Kids Got Moxie

Entries tagged as ‘Food’

Dear Clarkes on Belmont & Lincoln….

August 19, 2009 · 6 Comments

Dear Chicago Eaters –

When I first moved to Chicago, the first establishment I would say I frequented was Clarke’s on Belmont.

I am breaking up with Clarkes on Belmont (and the one on Lincoln Avenue, too, but more on that later.)

Frankly, it’s not an enjoyable place anymore.

Not that it was ever great, but five years ago as a Chicago beginner, I thought it was a blast. The location and being open 24 hours can’t be beat, but I’ve come to realize it’s downfalls.

The food has stayed the same – though prices have gone up. The food has never been that spectacular to begin with, and to think of paying more for it is ridiculous.  I’ve never had sunny side up eggs there that weren’t runny, and for some reason getting an iced tea seems to be equitable to astrophysics. 

The service at the Belmont location just gets worse and worse.

There used to a waiter there we called “stoner dude,” who would inevitably get about 75% of your order right – then do something random like forget a persons order, or bring cake in place of soup. He did all this with a completely plastic look on his face.

There was also an incident with a terrible waitress. Three friends and I went to Clarkes for dinner one night, and – though it was hardly full – had to wait a while to be seated while the servers sat talking in a booth in the back,  not paying attention to us. Finally seated, we were handed menus and about fifteen minutes later our drink order was taken. After what must have been another twenty minutes, our drinks arrived and we ordered out food. DECADES later, our food arrived and our waitress seemed to vanish. We didn’t see her again for ninety minutes and had to grab other waiters to get missing silverware (there were four of us, and she only gave us three sets of silverware), and drink refills, until one of my friends grabbed another waiter and asked for our check. We left a very standard 15% tip and left – and this waitress chased us out of the restaurant, offended that we gave her such a terrible tip.  

Really?

I’ve only been to the other Clarkes – on Lincoln Avenue – twice.

The first time was after seeing a show, and I only had tea, so there wasn’t anything to complain about.

Last week, I stopped there for a pre-show dinner with friends.

Our rude server immediately rubbed us the wrong way.  You’re a server, smile. Don’t act like I should be grateful to be seated. There were all of four tables full when we arrived.

One friend ordered an omelette, and it arrived literally brown. Like, burned. When he asked to send it back, nicely, the server responded “You don’t want it that way?” to which my clever friend replied “Burned? No.” With a sigh, the server took the omelette away and – after a while – returned one that was only slightly less burned, which my friend just dealt with. (It was also noted that the Diet Coke tasted really off, but by that point we were just over it.)

And, at both locations, you cannot split your check. It’s 2009. Come on.

In a city like Chicago, where there are literally thousands of food options, why deliberately go someplace terrible?

I’m saying no to Clarkes from now on.

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Marche

May 5, 2009 · Leave a Comment

marche

Dating a guy with a penchant for surprises keeps me on my toes – as well as causes me to once in a great while up my game. 

So, last night (after a month of me barely keeping my mouth shut) I loaded the amazing Mr. Prahl into a cab and hauled him down to Marche, a French restaurant that’s always been on the top of my “places I should probably go when I need an excuse to dress up.”

I think Eric’s mind was blown. Largely because he had never heard of the place.

From the outside, Marche is rather non-descript. If you didn’t know what was underneath those red awnings, you’d have literally no reason to head inside. It could be any restaurant on Randolph.  Once you step inside, however, it’s like walking into Cirque du Soliel presents Moulin Rouge. Colors and props and murals are everywhere – but it manages to not cross the line into tacky. It’s just whimsical and fun.

**AND, their music selections were great – The Flaming Lips and Radiohead were both overheard.

Our food was also sensational. I had the Market salad (goat cheese, red peppers, sunflower seeds, field greens) and the Wild Bass, both of which were delicious. Eric partook of the Atlantic Salmon and Voulauvent des camignons (a fantastic puff pastry with mushroom appetizer) which were also delicious. For dessert, I tried the Raspberry and Apple Cobbler and he had the Profiteroles (cream puffs with ice cream and chocolate sauce) and on top of all that, the service was great – Danica, our server, was always right there when needed.

We both left with bellies full, but not to an uncomfortable level – which, for us, is a huge plus.

Ah, two foodies in a food city.

Marche does a Prix Fixe menu on Mondays and Wednesdays. I reccomend experiencing the restautant for the first time that way. I’m a big fan of Prix Fixe menus in general, and Marche’s menu is rather expansive.

Also, The story behind the restaurant and it’s decor is also interesting. Click here if you care.

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Cafe Absinthe (Chicago, IL)

April 13, 2009 · 1 Comment

http://www.cafeabsinthechicago.com/

Eric and I are Chicago foodies.  That said, our surprises to each other often come in the form of dinner at special places.

My birthday was no exception.

I was told I had to wear a dress, and given instructions to get on the red line after my rehearsal and get off at North Avenue, where I was to get on the bus and head west.  By some miracle, Eric happened to be on said North Avenue bus, and we got off in Wicker Park. After some brief shopping at the various Akiras in that ‘hood, I was told where we were going – and promptly giggled.

I have wanted to go to Cafe Absinthe for about 2 years – since I first learned of it while trekking to Cherie’s apartment to head to a Music Man rehearsal.

The interior is very intimate – way smaller than you’d think – and the kitchen is right out in the open on one end of the space – so you can see the chefs preparing your food. It’s dim, with private tables and candlelight, and I immediately loved it.

The food was wonderful – so wonderful, in fact, that we felt like we might explode when we left and waddled back to the bus. I had a spinach salad, beef tenderloin, and chocolate cake – all of which were amazing – as well as an Artisianal Cheese Plate made of three  cheeses I couldn’t name you, but all were splendid. Eric had the duck, which was really amazing also.

Wine, cheese, cake, candles – it was a pretty damn stellar birthday dinner.  Probably even my favorite ever.

Huzzah. :)

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Dixie Kitchen @ Bait Shop (Evanston, IL)

March 21, 2009 · Leave a Comment

DixieKitchenEvanston.com

dixie

Do you like deep fried home-grown southern style food?

If yes, you MUST try the Dixie Kitchen and Bait Shop in Evanston, Illinois. (Located right off the Davis Purple Line stop.)

I had Jambalaya, cornbread pancakes, and a Green Goddess Salad (which has chicken, pecans, and peppers among other things - and an awsome dressing I still can’t describe..) It was totally filling and completely satisfying after a long week of working really hard. Eric had a chicken fried steak that was bigger than the plate it was served on, mashed sweet potatoes, and greens. Everything made my mouth water.

I’m kind of dying to try their weekend brunch…

Dude. Obama loves this place, too.

I’m just sayin’….

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Geja’s Cafe

February 25, 2009 · 3 Comments

Eric and I had a mystery date last night – As in, HE had a plan that I was not privy to.

After ten billion questions and me somehow getting convinced we were going to Dave and Busters, I found myself standing outside Geja’s – a fondue restaurant I have wanted to go to the entire time I’ve been in Chicago – and it was restaurant week, and the timing was perfect.

taste-buds-chicago-gejas-fondue-full

GEJA’S CAFE

340 W. Armitage, Chicago, IL

http://www.gejascafe.com/

The best fondue establishment in Chicago is Geja’s Cafe” – Chicago Tribune.

I have to imagine that the Tribune is right, because I can’t imagine a more wonderful dining experience than Gejas. From our amazing wine flight (featuring three different wines I remember enoying but can’t remember the names of) to the dimly-lit and intimate dining tables, everything was absolutely stellar. Our smart and sassy server was a pro and made sure we had everything we needed – and the food, oh the food… was marvelous.

1331544-gejas_cafe-chicago

You begin with a cheese fondue and a bowl of bread, apples, and grapes to dip into it.  The cheese is great, probably a blend of several cheeses actually – it has a little kick to it, and it’s divine.

Then, you choose your “entree” – basically, what kind of meat you want to dip. A pot of oil is brought to your table, as is a tray of meats and vegetables, and a plethora of dipping sauces.  You are quickly taught the rules – how long meats take to cook, and how many things to keep in the pot at a time to prevent the oil from getting too hot and splattering. Eric had the beef tenderloin and scallops, I had the chicken and scallops. We had a great time trying combinations of meats and vegetables – and learned that scallops can be tricky bastards when it comes to staying on a skewer. Also, a potato may have slipped away from us and met it’s death after too long in the boiling oil, but c’est la vie.

Nearly stuffed off meat, veggies, and wine, it was time for the dessert course – and we knew we were in for a treat when the server brought a fondue pot of chocolate, then set it on fire and toasted marshmallows for us in it. The flame goes down after a few minutes and you are left with bananas, strawberries, poundcake, melon, and pineapple to dip.  You wouldn’t think chocolate covered pineapple would be good, right? It’s astonishing. Though I’m a chocolate dipped banana girl, personally. The dessert course is matched with a port wine that is sweet and awesome.

I loved going to Gejas – it’s romantic and an adventure.

 

HIGHLY RECCOMENDED!

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One night at the cafe…

January 23, 2009 · Leave a Comment

desserts

Last night, with 45 minutes to kill and a whole lot of exhaustion and stress going on, I decided I needed coffee.

Because, you know, that’s relaxing.

I was walking down Belmont and I saw Bittersweet Pastry Shop and Cafe (1114 W. Belmont Ave. Chicago, IL 60657) which I’d passed by forever and never managed to partake in.

I went in to get coffee. 

However, while standing at the register surrounded by baked goods and insanely gorgeous desserts, I decided that I also needed a rice krispie treat, dipped in chocolate, on a stick, with sprinkles. 

Because, sometimes, regardless of fitness or diet or what have you, a girl needs some candy and sprinkles. 

While I was sitting in the quaint cafe area, reading my script and listening to the strains of classical music playing overhead, a crazy-looking man wandered in, dragging a suitcase across the floor behind him, and playing a harmonica.

The manager adeptly stepped up to him and managed to get him to leave in exchange for a brownie.

BUT – before the man left, he blew a long loud note on his harmonica, threw his hand in the air like a rock star, and yelled “Goodnight!”

Then he headed out – and the whole cafe exploded into giggles.

Bittersweet is a little pretentious and a little overpriced, but my dessert and coffee were wonderful and it was a lovely quiet atmosphere to chill in for a brief while. Even with the Harmonica Man. Oh, Chicago…

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Go here: Pick-Me-Up Cafe

October 22, 2008 · Leave a Comment




Pick Me Up

Originally uploaded by watrfae

Since I try to avoid places that seem like they’d have a high likelihood for hipster gatherings, Chicago’s Pick-Me-Up Cafe (and Espresso Lounge) had escaped my sights (save for the one time I went there with a friend who is decidedly hipster, but it was a pretty miserable evening so I’d pretty much blocked it out) BUT last night, I had arranged to meet the amazing Miss Laura at said cafe for some coffee and nosh during theatrical negotiations.

I have to say, I labsolutely oved it.

It’s quirky and colorful and cute – and straight up, I had a mocha to die for. Order the mocha. First, it was so gorgeous I could barely bring myself to drink it, but once I dove in.. it was like heaven. I also tried the buffalo chicken strips, and they were excellent.

If you need a cute place to hang in the Clark/Sheffield/Wrigleyville/Lakeview area, check it out.

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Foodie Review: Aladdin’s Eatery

October 17, 2008 · Leave a Comment

Aladdin’s Eatery

614 W. Diversey Parkway

Chicago, IL 60614

773.327.6300

I’m starting to become a foodie.

However, upon the discovery that I had never experienced Middle Eastern Food, Eric and I decided it was time to hit up Aladdin’s Eatery, which is incredibly conveniently located between the Panera and Chipotle at Diversey and Clark, right across the street from my gym.

I’m so glad we did. It’s a lovely place that, according to the accolades on the wall, is a great date spot. I can see why. The menu is immense and vast and can lead to all sorts of discussions. They also have an extensive wine and dessert list. It’s bright and cleverly decorated and all around.. a good date place.

After an appetizer of Fatayer (spinach and feta cheese pie), I had a Shish Kebob rolled Pita that was out of this world.  Seriously - really good. For dessert, I sampled the black forest cake, which was a solid B+.  Eric had some pizza with olives and eggplant and it, too, was excellent. (Trust me. I stole. Sssh!) Everything was rather ingenius and fresh and excellent. And, as a tea snob, they have homebrewed iced tea – which instantly pumps their credibility as far as I’m concerned. Our super friendly waitress laughed and joked with us, then explained all the available cakes.

Good food. You should go. Take a date. 

Love,

me

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Cool Diner Alert

April 16, 2008 · Leave a Comment

You get to know a city not by reading tourbooks or looking at maps, but by living in it and randomly stopping in random places during your time there. I’ve worked at WMS for almost a year now, and the whole time have been looking at this little dive of a diner at the corner of Belmont and California, but I’ve never been in.

Until today.

Clara’s Restaurant (3159 N. California, Chicago, ILL – 773.539.3020) is adorable. Seriously, it’s right up there with the Western/Montrose haunt Jeri’s for my favorite Chicago diners. I don’t mean crazy “Look at us, we’re diners!” diners (like my dearest love, Clarke’s, sorry to say), but serious Mom and Pop run restaurants with cheap, non-fancy food, and fun service.

Clara’s is not fancy, by any means. There are some stools at the bar and some booths, a few gum and candy machines, and airbrushed Looney Tunes characters on the wall. You can get the diner standards – breakfast all day, biscuits and gravy, patty melts, burgers, OR you can get.. Chinese food. No joke. I had Chicken and Broccli fried rice, which I think actually equated Chicken and Broccoli Chop Suey…but whatever it was, it was great. Price-wise, it was also awesome, as most things run around the $5.00 range.

Hours of operation ->

Mon-Friday 6:00am to 4:00pm
Saturday 6:00am to 2:00pm
Sunday 7:00am to 2:00pm

:)

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Dessert Tricksters!

March 31, 2008 · Leave a Comment

Clarkes! Who puts chocolate sauce and cherries and whipped cream on carrot cake!?
The drama of this weekend drove me to commit carrot cake, FYI.

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