Category Archives: Chicago

Topolobampo

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*** (3 stars)

This is good, but not great Mexican food. It makes no claim to authenticity, which is fine, but it’s not all that creative, either. Some dishes are clearly mis-named. For example, a “quesadilla” appetizer was actually mini soft tacos. The only resemblance to quesadillas was that the tiny pinch of cheese in each one was melted into the meat stuffing.

Guacamole, margaritas and the mole sauce were all good, but there is a better version of each at other Mexican restaurants in town. The ceviche sampler is very good, with one of the three the clear winner.

The upscale dining experience is a nice change for a Mexican restaurant, although our waiter was not particularly friendly or competent. I’ve visited a couple of times, with similar results on both occasions.

For a more conventional (and louder) Tex Mex experience, you can also check out Frontera Grill next door.

Topolobampo
445 N Clark St
Chicago, IL 60654
(312) 661-1434
http://www.yelp.com/biz/topolobampo-chicago

Jaipur

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***** (5 stars)

Wow, the lunch here is a fantastic experience and value. For under $20 you get table service of fresh delicious food that changes from day to day. When we visited we received virtually everything we would have ordered from the menu: samosa, tandoori, masala, korma, saag, lentils, garlic naan. We could have easily spent $100 on this ala carte. And if you finish a dish they just bring more. It’s the variety of a buffet without the warming tray staleness. Service was friendly and attentive. We’ll definitely be back for another sampling.

Jaipur
847 W Randolph St
Chicago, IL 60607
(312) 526-3655
http://www.yelp.com/biz/jaipur-chicago

Meli Cafe & Juice Bar

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***** (5 stars)

Wow, the breakfast menu here is incredible. Whether you want a scramble, hash, eggs, or something sweet, this is the place, as evidenced by the line to get in. Great ambiance and service. Note that you can swap the toast for a really nice serving of fruit.

Meli Cafe & Juice Bar
301 S Halsted St
Chicago, IL 60661
(312) 454-0748
http://www.yelp.com/biz/meli-cafe-and-juice-bar-chicago

City Winery Chicago

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***** (5 stars)

I love everything about this environment. The bar is a great place to hang out before a show, and the show space has great acoustics. You can arrive an hour or two early and have a great meal of small plates. The flat breads and dips were good, but the “root beer” rubbed pork belly with savory french toast and maple-bourbon sauce was phenomenal. I’ve had pork belly in some of the world’s best restaurants, and this was the best ever: not too fatty, bursting with subtle flavors, and the perfect accompaniments. Their house made wines are respectable and interesting, and there are also lots of beers and other choices. Good service, too. An excellent venue for a show, probably my top choice in Chicago.

City Winery Chicago
1200 W Randolph St
Chicago, IL 60607
(312) 733-9463
http://www.yelp.com/biz/city-winery-chicago-chicago

Ahjoomah’s Apron

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**** (4 stars)

Very good service and food at this Korean restaurant that faces Chinatown. We started with the Seafood Pancake, which was quite large, an appetizer suitable for four or even six. For entrees we had the Dolsot Bibim Bop, which is served still cooking in a stone bowl, and the Kalbi, slices of beef with the rib bone attached, grilled with a sweet Korean barbecue sauce. Both were very good. Service was super attentive. I think everyone working in the place came by to check on us at least twice! A great choice for Asian food when near Chinatown.

Ahjoomah’s Apron
218 W Cermak Rd
Chicago, IL 60616
(312) 326-2800
http://www.yelp.com/biz/ahjoomahs-apron-chicago

Go 4 Food

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***** (5 stars)

Great little place on a side street in Chinatown. Clean, friendly, and superb food. Lunch is an incredible bargain for under $7, but we chose to explore the main menu, which is also reasonably priced.

We tried the Salty Egg Yolk Shrimp, Dungeness Crab Curry, and the French Beef. All were excellent.

I would have liked the shrimp a bit crispier; it’s definitely worth $2 extra to have it shelled.

If only the crab could be shelled! It was our favorite dish because of the rich spices in the curry, but it was an absolute mess to eat because it’s a whole crab covered in curry sauce, and you have to crack the shells; but hanging onto something covered in hot, slippery sauce is a real challenge. They can do other proteins with this sauce, and that’s what I’d get next time.

I’d definitely get the French Beef again. It was wonderfully tender cubes of beef with an aromatic crust. No Frenchmen were harmed in the preparation of this dish.

This is definitely a non-touristy place to have great food in Chinatown.

Go 4 Food
212 W 23rd St
Chicago, IL 60616
(312) 842-8688
http://www.yelp.com/biz/go-4-food-chicago

Blackbird

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***** (5 stars)

Blackbird has been nominated or received a James Beard award virtually every year for more than a decade, and there’s a reason.

We had the tasting menu, which consisted of ten courses plus a couple of extras. There were several home runs, and a couple of misses. Stellar items included the Foie gras in an amazing shitake broth, and a sweet and savory course of cheese and chocolate. Misses were the sturgeon and the striploin.

Service was super efficient, unobtrusive, and friendly.

The wine list is pricey and doesn’t have a lot of depth, but we found two reasonably priced half bottles that accompanied almost every course.

The place gets noisy, because there is no acoustic treatment, but we went early and had a front corner table that was quite intimate for the first couple of hours.

An excellent culinary experience.

Blackbird
619 W Randolph St
Chicago, IL 60661
(312) 715-0708
http://www.yelp.com/biz/blackbird-chicago

Michael Jordan’s Steak House

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***** (5 stars)

I have to admit that I went to an Adobe Road Wine Dinner here, rather than experience the normal dining room offerings, but usually group events don’t offer a place its best opportunity to shine.

Boy did the chef knock it out of the park. I’ve been to hundreds of wine dinners and this had to be at the very top. Duck with cherries and dijon mustard; hickory smoked lamb chops with mint, watermelon and tomatoes; wagyu beef with black carrots. I’m not sure which course was the best.

Service was prompt and friendly, and the private room was perfect for a group of twenty. I will definitely go back to check out the regular menu, because there is some serious talent behind the scenes here.

Note: the bar was absolutely packed on a Wednesday night after work, so if you’re into that scene, it’s the place to be.

Michael Jordan’s Steak House
505 N Michigan Ave
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 321-8823
http://www.yelp.com/biz/michael-jordans-steak-house-chicago

Dos Ricco’s

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***** (5 stars)

I love Korean barbecue tacos. The mixture of cuisines is perfect. Dos Ricco’s makes a great one. The Regular taco comes on a corn tortilla, while the Korean version comes on a flour tortilla. However I would ask for the corn tortilla with their Korean selection.

The service is super helpful, which really makes it a joy to visit the place. Be aware that it’s not really a sit down restaurant, as there are only stools for about 10 people in the small ordering and eating space.

Dos Ricco’s
6445 S Cicero Ave
Chicago, IL 60638
(773) 284-9088
http://www.yelp.com/biz/dos-riccos-chicago