Gene’s Bistro

Posted on July 31, 2023 by steve

**** (4 stars)

Poor airport restaurants! They get no love. I suppose it's because people are in a bad mood trying to catch their flight, and are bothered if it takes a few minutes to get service. But Gene's bistro is actually a pretty nice place to eat. It's light and airy, and has decent service.

The menu was very limited on the day I was there, with about half of the items not available, but I was warned in advance, and advised to have the pulled pork sandwich. This was a great recommendation. It was well stuffed, had a good bun, and a delicious barbecue sauce. In fact, I had barbecue in Chicago just the day before, and the sandwich at Gene's was much better.

Of course one can always complain about the fact that a rather meager size glass of Chardonnay costs $25, but it is an airport.

Gene’s Bistro
5770 S Cicero Ave
Chicago, IL 60638

https://www.yelp.com/biz/gene-s-bistro-chicago

Sheffield’s Wine & Beer Garden

Posted on July 30, 2023 by steve

BBQ Combo with pork and ribs, beans, coleslaw, corn muffin

*** (3 stars)

Decent barbecue in large servings, but nothing really spectacular to recommend the food here.

Service was good, although I always wonder about places where the employees are complaining about other employees.

The outdoor dining area is really pleasant, but there are bees.

If you plan to come here early or late, be sure to check whether they're actually open. The times on Yelp, Google, and their website all disagreed, and none were correct.

Sheffield’s Wine & Beer Garden
3258 N Sheffield Ave
Chicago, IL 60657

https://www.yelp.com/biz/sheffields-wine-and-beer-garden-chicago

El Nuevo Mexicano

Posted on July 29, 2023 by steve

**** (4 stars)

Good Mexican food in a nice environment with excellent service. The complementary salsa has a nice kick and fresh cilantro.

For brunch I had the Chilaquiles, which were served with a nice green chili sauce, although the chips weren't dried tortillas in the classic fashion.

Queso fun dodo was a good appetizer, although it would have been better with the poblanos I ordered rather than chorizo.

El Nuevo Mexicano
2914 N Clark St
Chicago, IL 60657

https://www.yelp.com/biz/el-nuevo-mexicano-chicago

Modern Grill

Posted on July 27, 2023 by steve

***** (5 stars)

The Modern Grill is one of a vanishing breed of traditional diners, and it's definitely worth a visit for both historical reasons and the fantastic food.

The first thing you'll notice is the movie-set-like interior with the classic diner stools (there's also comfortable table seating). The interior dates to the 1940s, when the Grill was established. The most "recent" owners have had it since 1988. But the history goes back even further, and outside the door you'll find tile with the initials of the Irish immigrant who built the building in 1912 and ran a pub in this space.

But what about the food? In short, it's terrific. The menu is classic diner, with a full range of breakfast and lunch offerings, and a different soup every day. And the prices are impressively reasonable considering the prime location in Lakewood East.

There's no better way to judge a diner than by its burger, and you'll be hard-pressed to find a better one. It's served on a grilled fresh roll with all the fixings I like: lettuce, tomato, onion (raw or grilled), pickles (I had them substitute mine for sweet relish), mustard, and mayo. Add cheese and a pile of crispy bacon and you're in heaven.

What's heaven without a side of halos.. er, I mean onion rings. These were super crispy, beer-battered, and served in a big pile. I wanted to leave some, but I didn't.

Chris, the owner, is incredibly friendly, and makes sure everything is perfect.

This place is a real gem.

Modern Grill
3171 N Halsted St
Chicago, IL 60657

https://www.yelp.com/biz/modern-grill-chicago

Ann Sather Restaurant

Posted on July 26, 2023 by steve

**** (4 stars)

Charming decor that can get boisterous during peak breakfast especially on the weekend. A full range of diner type breakfast offerings and lunch sandwiches. Famous for cinnamon rolls, although I don't find them life changing.

Shout out for the corned beef hash, which has big chucks of the meat and peppers, and a bit of a kick.

Excellent service.

Ann Sather Restaurant
909 W Belmont Ave
Chicago, IL 60657

https://www.yelp.com/biz/ann-sather-restaurant-chicago-8

Kapitan

Posted on July 26, 2023 by steve

**** (4 stars)

A lot of "fusion" places just offer a variety of cuisines, but Kapitan actually is fusing some of them together. The results are a delightful array of colorful, artfully plated, and creative offerings.

My favorites all came from the Local Favorites and Shareables sections of the menu, rather than the Entrees. Of particular note were the Roti served with Dahl rather than a typical curry, and Lobak, which was much better than its description sounded–it was almost more like an eggroll.

The cocktail list is also worth a shout-out. There are many creative, mostly floral-influenced offerings under

Kapitan
2142 N Clybourn Ave
Chicago, IL 60614

https://www.yelp.com/biz/kapitan-chicago-2

Chengdu Impression

Posted on July 26, 2023 by steve

Delivery - spring rolls, shu-mai, dry chili chicken, salt and pepper ribs — Delivery – spring rolls, shu-mai, dry chili chicken, salt and pepper ribs

***** (5 stars)

Authentic is definitely the word for this place. The Sichuan food is exactly as you would get it in China. I ordered delivery, and it arrived hot and freshly made.

Six pieces of Shrimp Shu-Mai made a great appetizer. I like mine spiced up a bit so I dipped it in Sriracha.

The other appetizer I tried was the Shanghai Spring Rolls. It was amazing how these had retained their crispness during the trip. Some of the best I've had.

Salt and Pepper Ribs were good, but one of those authentic dishes where you spend a lot of time spitting out the bones, just as in China.

The highlight was the Dry Chili Chicken. This s about half dry chilis! You don't want to eat these unless you really have a tolerance, because when they rate this dish with two chili icons, they mean it! The chicken was nicely crisp and suffused with the chili and garlic flavors.

Even the fortune cookies (which are actually from San Francisco, not Asia) had authentically misspelled words!

Best Sichuan food I've had in Chicago.

Chengdu Impression
2545 N Halsted St
Chicago, IL 60614

https://www.yelp.com/biz/chengdu-impression-chicago-2

Cheesie’s Pub & Grub – Lakeview

Posted on July 25, 2023 by steve

***** (5 stars)

I've had a condo a block from this place for four years and have never gotten around to trying it. I'm glad I finally did. Food is terrific. I had a special of the month, the grill power sandwich, but I'm sure you can't go wrong with any of the sandwiches here. They're perfectly grilled, with perfectly melted cheese. I loved the spicy mayo that came with my sandwich.

They're also great at cooking the tater tots, which were perfectly crispy. There's tableservice if you don't want it to go, and the service was fast and friendly.

I'll be back.

Cheesie’s Pub & Grub – Lakeview
958 W Belmont Ave
Chicago, IL 60657

https://www.yelp.com/biz/cheesies-pub-and-grub-lakeview-chicago

Lost Reef Lounge

Posted on July 24, 2023 by steve

**** (4 stars)

This place has excellent ambiance, especially for fish lovers! The saltwater aquariums are beautiful, and some feature living coral, which you don't see often in private tanks. The vibe is different from a Tiki bar, but along the same lines, and there is little or no Tiki influence in the drink menu.

The signature cocktail offerings are terrific. If there is a shortcoming, it is the food. Because it is a "cold kitchen" nothing is cooked, and this creates some limitations. While the sashimi is excellent, it is a bit repetitive, and the charcuterie boards are just okay. Although the concept is sharing plates, many are actually fairly difficult to share. It left us craving a final, heartier course. We ended up going next door, to Cheesies (ironically, the same owners!), for some chicken tenders.

Service is friendly and helpful.

Lost Reef Lounge
964 W Belmont Ave
Chicago, IL 60657

https://www.yelp.com/biz/lost-reef-lounge-chicago

Bagel Restaurant & Deli

Posted on July 23, 2023 by steve

**** (4 stars)

Great place for breakfast or lunch. The omelets and hash owns are terrific. Also great deli meats. The bagels aren't a highlight for me, though. Very attentive and friendly service.

Bagel Restaurant & Deli
3107 N Broadway St
Chicago, IL 60657

https://www.yelp.com/biz/bagel-restaurant-and-deli-chicago

Forking Chicago

Restaurant reviews from Chicago and beyond

Gene’s Bistro

Sheffield’s Wine & Beer Garden

El Nuevo Mexicano

Modern Grill

Ann Sather Restaurant

Kapitan

Chengdu Impression

Cheesie’s Pub & Grub – Lakeview

Lost Reef Lounge

Bagel Restaurant & Deli