Tanuki

Posted on June 4, 2022 by steve

***** (5 stars)

Wow, I have no idea why I hadn't tried this place sooner, since it's so close to us. Their sushi, sashimi, and robata are all great, and I'm looking forward to going back and trying some other hot dishes.

Everything coming out of the kitchen is a work of art; just look at my photos. That's the prettiest carpaccio I've ever seen.

The seared shishito peppers were also the best I've had, doused in a very light, slightly sweet sauce to counteract the moderate heat.

Tuna tartare was a nice, summery take on the dish with lots of pineapple bits mixed in.

The salmon skin roll was also the best I've had anywhere, a delightful combination of crunchy and creamy.

Service was great (we went at a weird time, so it was not at all busy, but still, it was great).

It's BYOB. If their wine glasses are like their water jars, you may want to BYOG, too!

Tanuki
3006 N Sheffield Ave
Chicago, IL 60657

https://www.yelp.com/biz/tanuki-chicago

Kyōten

Posted on May 31, 2022 by steve

***** (5 stars)

There are many sushi restaurants in Chicago. There are even quite a few Omakase restaurants now. And a few of them feature direct interaction with the chef. But there are no experiences in Chicago that quite equal the interaction you'll experience with very personable chef Otto.

Rather than the officious, controlling chefs you so often encounter in Omakase restaurants, Chef Otto brings a friendly, educational attitude to the experience. His vast knowledge of fish and sushi preparation is there for the asking.

It's evident from the first bite, how much he cares about the quality of the fish. It's comprised largely of selections you will seldom find anywhere outside of Japan.

I have no idea how many courses were served during our experience, as we soon lost count. I only know that each bite seemed better than the one before it.

Although the space looks abandoned from the outside, when you step inside you are in an almost Zen-like interior, with the perfect lighting and music to complement an extraordinary meal. And the fact that there are only six seats makes it an amazingly intimate experience.

The small wine list and impressive reserve list are personally curated by the chef, so of course they perfectly complement the meal. We selected both a Champagne and a white Bordeaux. It was fascinating to see how some bites were perfect with one, and others with the other.

If you're looking for the ultimate sushi and Omakase experience in Chicago, you have found it.

Kyōten
2507 W Armitage Ave
Chicago, IL 60647

https://www.yelp.com/biz/ky%C5%8Dten-chicago

Fireplace Inn

Posted on November 14, 2021 by steve

Half rack of Our Famous BBQ Baby Back Ribs

**** (4 stars)

From the description of "cozy fireplace" and BBQ, this wasn't what I was expecting, but I did enjoy it. True, there is a more tavern-like room with a fireplace, but most of the space is a sports bar, filled with TVs.

The Big Ass Pretzel is indeed giant, and very good, with a crisp crust and light interior, and served with a slightly piquant cheese dip.

The BBQ baby back ribs were also good.

I had an excellent porter, and an equally excellent Irish coffee.

On a Saturday at lunch they were very busy, but the service was on top of it, and the meal was enjoyable.

Fireplace Inn
1448 N Wells St
Chicago, IL 60610

https://www.yelp.com/biz/fireplace-inn-chicago

Pescadero Seafood & Oyster Bar

Posted on July 1, 2021 by steve

**** (4 stars)

I always check out the interior pictures on Yelp before I visit a restaurant, because they tend to tell me more about the dining experience than almost anything, including sometimes event the menu. So I was pleasantly surprised when I arrived at Pescadero, because it is really much nicer than the Yelp photos (even my own) suggest. Rather than the Long John Silvers decor of the photos, it really is more restaurant-ish. And despite the concrete floor, they've added acoustic treatments to the ceiling, which really help with sound levels.

The menu offers a variety of cooked fish, from pan-seared to fish and chips, a ceviche that sounded tempting, and a few "from the land" items. And of course there are oysters. There are happy hour specials on the latter, along with tap beer.

But I went a different route and had the Mussels Frites. They were a traditional French preparation in a garlic broth. The serving sizes of both the mussels and the accompanying frites (French fries for you landlubbers) were very generous. The garlic broth for the mussels was simple, but good, and the mussels were tender and tasty. The frites were the right dimensions for traditional Parisian frites, but could have used a couple more minutes in the fryer.

The wines by the glass offer a nice variety. My Albarino was a perfect match.

For dessert I had the special Bananas Foster cheesecake, which had lots banana flavor and a nice graham cracker crust, and an espresso.

Service was friendly, and the restaurant, open only a couple of weeks, seems well managed.

Pescadero Seafood & Oyster Bar
1258 W Belmont Ave
Chicago, IL 60657

https://www.yelp.com/biz/pescadero-seafood-and-oyster-bar-chicago

Ukai Japanese Restaurant

Posted on June 28, 2021 by steve

***** (5 stars)

Excellent sushi in a nice atmosphere. Byob, so you can take a nice Champagne, the perfect sushi match, without running up the tab.

The fish quality is excellent, and the sushi chefs were very fast here.

Rolls are quite large, so bring a healthy appetite and a big mouth!

We liked the hamachi jalapeno appetizer and the Sox roll the best. You can also get certain rolls in half portions. The Cubs roll was a nice way to finish.

Ukai Japanese Restaurant
1059 W Belmont Ave
Chicago, IL 60657

https://www.yelp.com/biz/ukai-japanese-restaurant-chicago-2

Ella Elli

Posted on June 24, 2021 by steve

***** (5 stars)

This is one of my favorite Chicago restaurant interior designs. It's spacious, elegant without being stuffy, not too brightly lit, not too noisy, and all around simply comforting and welcoming.

We tried several cocktails, and all were very nicely done. My favorite was the Rosemary Gimlet. It was terrific with the Mushroom Toast.

The food is top notch, with most items designed for sharing. We adored the mustard that came on the cheese plate and even asked for a to-go container of it! It was also fantastic on the scrumptious mushroom toast.

Confit Potatoes and Crispy Brussels sprouts were also both delicious. Spagettone Carbonara was cooked too far past al dente for my taste, and lacked the usual carbonara ingredients behond the speck.

We didn't make it to any meat or fish course, but we did try both the desserts, and loved the ice cream and chocolate sauce in the Profiteroles. The Pink Squirrel and Brandy Alexander were also two good ice cream based dessert beverages.

The wine list is eclectic, and well-chosen to match the food.

Service was very friendly.

Ella Elli
1349 W Cornelia Ave
Chicago, IL 60657

https://www.yelp.com/biz/ella-elli-chicago

217 Roadhouse

Posted on June 18, 2021 by steve

**** (4 stars)

Great burgers! The deluxe version includes all my favorite toppings (onion, lettuce, pickles, tomatoe, cheese) and two generous hand-pressed patties.

Grilled cheese was simple and perfectly browned, just like it should be.

Crinkle cut fries were also excellent.

Great stop on the way across the vast nothingness of Illinois!

217 Roadhouse
2005 2400th St
Atlanta, IL 61723

https://www.yelp.com/biz/217-roadhouse-atlanta

Drew’s on Halsted

Posted on March 12, 2020 by steve

***** (5 stars)

What a wonderful neighborhood hang out! Drew's has a full bistro menu, so be sure to explore beyond the wonderful hamburgers.

Their pizzas have a thin, scorched crust that we loved. The pear salad was one of the best salads I've ever had, with a perfect balance of sweet and tart, chewy and crunchy. The steak served with the steak frites is a New York Strip, much better than the usual cut, and the accompanying mountain of fries were thin and crispy. There were no survivors.

On Tuesdays bottles of wine are half price. Our Klinker Brick Zinfandel was a great choice at a great price.

By luck we were there on the second Tuesday of the month, which is cabaret night. What a wonderful procession of talented singers! I've paid hundreds of dollars for shows not as good as the impromptu one we enjoyed as we dined. A great evening.

Drew’s on Halsted
3201 N Halsted St
Chicago, IL 60657
(773) 244-9191
https://www.yelp.com/biz/drews-on-halsted-chicago

Ora

Posted on February 23, 2020 by steve

Dynamite, albacore tatami, snake eye — Dynamite, albacore tataki, snake eye

***** (5 stars)

Very good creative rolls. We liked all of them, but I think my favorites were the wasabi tail and the snake eye.

It’s BYOB, but their glassware is pretty clunky.

Ora
5143 N Clark St
Chicago, IL 60640
(773) 506-2978
https://www.yelp.com/biz/ora-chicago

Bites

Posted on February 21, 2020 by steve

***** (5 stars)

Most Asian Fusion places aren't really doing much fusion, they're just serving a variety of Asian cuisines, but at Bites there is some true fusion going on.

Edamame turned into gyoza was an interesting starter, and the Thai chicken wings were deliciously sweet and spicy.

Coconut shrimp were huge, with a delicate, not oily coating.

My favorites were the two elaborate sushi maki rolls we tried, the Maki Fresco and Crazy Dragon. Both were unique, and I'm not sure which I liked better.

Banana Wontons were a great way to finish.

There are some very creative cocktails, served with spherical ice and thoughtful garnishes. They take their bar work seriously.

I'll definitely be back to this great find.

Bites
3313 N Clark St
Chicago, IL 60657
(773) 270-5972
https://www.yelp.com/biz/bites-chicago-2

Forking Chicago

Restaurant reviews from Chicago and beyond

Category Archives: Bars

Tanuki

Kyōten

Fireplace Inn

Pescadero Seafood & Oyster Bar

Ukai Japanese Restaurant

Ella Elli

217 Roadhouse

Drew’s on Halsted

Ora

Bites