Category Archives: Illinois

Tru

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**** (4 stars)

I’ve been to Tru four times over a period of seven years, and I think it is the most variable restaurant I’ve ver been to. One time I’ll have a three Michelin star experience, the next I can’t imagine what they were thinking.

On my first visit, every aspect of the food and service was perfect. Upon returning a year later, virtually every one of nine courses was a saucer of goo. A couple years after that we returned to have one of the most visually stunning meals I’ve had anywhere, accompanied by perfect (and not stiff) service.

But my most recent visit was again a disappointment. Aside from a couple of minor elements (walnut bread with the optional cheese course) nothing stood out gastronomically, and the service was stiff even though it was a quiet night. Worst of all was our inability to keep our wine glasses filled with the two expensive Burgundies we ordered. The sommelier placed them on the far side of the room, and then disappeared for fifteen minutes at a stretch. We finally took to just asking passing waiters to refill our glasses. After the  third such time, you’d think someone would have taken the hint.

I’m sorry if this seems petty, but when you’re spending over $1000 on a dinner for three people, the food and service need to be home runs. I’m sure I’ll try Tru again, but I’m going to give them a few years to go through another revolution.

Tru
676 N St. Clair St
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 202-0001
http://www.yelp.com/biz/tru-chicago

Momotaro

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***** (5 stars)

I was expecting this restaurant to be crowded, noisy and with forced service, but it was none of these. Even though by the time we finished dinner it was full, it didn’t seem crowded, and noise levels never made it the least bit difficult to converse. Most importantly, our server, Brennan, was the opposite of stiff. He made the whole meal a fun and exciting experience, with excellent recommendations, deep knowledge of the menu and wine list, and a clear passion for what he is doing.

We loved the quality of the fish in the sashimi platter (which is called an omakase, but isn’t really what that is, traditionally).

Crab with shishito peppers was also very good.

My favorite dish was the bacon wrapped quail eggs from the robata grill. With three eggs on each of two skewers, this is a very shareable item.

The flan-like butterscotch dessert was also delicious.

The interior design of the restaurant is beautiful, and reasonable pricing makes it a place I will return to often.

Momotaro
820 W Lake St
Chicago, IL 60607
(312) 733-4818
http://www.yelp.com/biz/momotaro-chicago-3

City Winery

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**** (4 stars)

This new place for outside dining along the river is a great place for a snack or light lunch or just a glass of wine. There are sunny tables along the edge of the riverwalk, and shaded ones farther back.

They’ve done a good job of selecting the best items from the City Winery’s menu for this outpost. My favorites are the hummus and the kale Caesar salad.

Service is efficient, and the view can’t be beat.

City Winery
11 W Riverwalk S
Chicago, IL 60601
(312) 733-9463
http://www.yelp.com/biz/city-winery-chicago-3

The Gage

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**** (4 stars)

This is a great go to place for after work drinks and dinner. I like to sit in the corner of the side room where you are somewhat isolated from the noise in the bar and the rather load back rooms.

I’ve liked all the appetizers and main courses I’ve tried on several visits, and most dishes are very shareable, so you can try a variety. The wine list is extensive, and there are some great selections by the glass, including a terrific Madeira.

Service is professional and knowledgable. And of course there’s a hug and boisterous bar if you’re just looking for a drink.

The Gage
24 S Michigan Ave
Chicago, IL 60603
(312) 372-4243
http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-gage-chicago

Cafe des Architectes

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IMG_7247

Foie gras

Foie gras

Lobster

Lobster

Salmon

Salmon

***** (5 stars)

What a wonderful meal we had here! I loved the combination of Michelin-star level cuisine with friendly, fun service. Romi, the singing waiter provided theatrically French attentiveness without being stiff, and Chef David visited our table multiple times to make sure we enjoyed everything.

Perhaps all this attention was due to our ordering the menu degustation, as none of the other diners seemed to be having it. I can’t imagine why, as it is a real deal. David checked with us beforehand to make sure it was okay for him to serve different members of our party different dishes in each course, and we enthusiastically agreed, as it allowed us to sample twice as many dishes.

And dishes galore there were, each artfully arranged, and accompanied by thoughtful wine pairings. I’ll let the photos speak for themselves, but suffice it to say that each was just as delicious as it looks.

The pastry chef continued the trend with four spectacular desserts, some of which she concocted on the spot.

We will be back soon, as the creativity here seems endless.

Cafe des Architectes
20 E Chestnut St
Chicago, IL 60611
+1-312-324-4063
http://www.yelp.co.uk/biz/cafe-des-architectes-chicago-7

Travelle

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Mussels

Charred tar

Salmon crudo

Interior

Salmon Benedict

**** (4 stars)

Beautiful space with high ceilings and lots of light. All hard surfaces, so it will get noisy.

First visit for a Saturday brunch. There is an extensive buffet, but we ordered off the menu.

The skillet we had was good, but the highlight of the meal was the Benedict. We selected the salmon, and it was an amazing blend of ingredients. The sauce was not a standard Hollandaise as is usual on a Benedict, but rather something much more citrusy and a perfect accompaniment to the salmon and the beautifully cooked eggs. Wedge potatoes had a strong herb flavor but were unremarkable. Service was attentive.

Second visit for dinner. Service was adequate but not polished. We had four small plates. I didn’t care too much for the rather conventional shrimp ceviche or the salmon crudo, but my wife liked them well enough. I did like the Charred-Tar, a steak tartare preparation with a char on it. Also the mussels were inventive, served in a spicy tomato and ferego broth. My wife thought both were too rich.

Travelle
330 N Wabash Ave
Fl 2
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 923-7705
http://www.yelp.com/biz/travelle-chicago

Doc B’s

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docbtuna

***** (5 stars)

I absolutely loved the chill atmosphere of this place, with its upbeat soundtrack that’s not too loud, and its modern ambience. On nice days the front opens out onto the sidewalk, but my favorite spot is at the full service bar, where the servers are as knowledgeable about the menu as the drinks.

And what a menu! I started with the grilled artichokes, which were charred around the edges and tender and meaty in the center. The bitterness of the char worked perfectly with the remoulade (which was really more like an aioli).

At the bartender’s recommendation I had her favorite, a tuna sandwich. Okay, now erase the image that just formed in your head, as this was nothing like any tuna sandwich you’ve ever had. Tender, rare circles of ahi tuna decorated a sesame bun, and slices of crisp apple added a delightful crunch to every bite. Amazing!

For desert I chose the mint gelato sandwich, which was served between two chocolate chip cookies. It went great with a generous pour of Macallan 12.

A limited wine and beer list contains very thoughtful selections. Although there are only twenty or so wines by the glass, I would have happily have any of them, and I’m not sure I’ve ever said that about a restaurant’s wine by the glass offerings before.

Needless to say, I will back at Doc B’s very soon!

Doc B’s
55 E Grand Ave
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 999-9300
http://www.yelp.com/biz/doc-bs-chicago-3

Travelle

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salmonbenedict

***** (5 stars)

Beautiful space with high ceilings and lots of light. We went for a Saturday brunch. There is an extensive buffet, but we ordered off the menu.

The skillet we had was good, but the highlight of the meal was the Benedict. We selected the salmon, and it was an amazing blend of ingredients. The sauce was not a standard Hollandaise as is usual on a Benedict, but rather something much more citrusy and a perfect accompaniment to the salmon and the beautifully cooked eggs. Wedge potatoes had a strong herb flavor but were unremarkable. Service was attentive.

It should be noted that, although we did not have wines (since it was 10am), the wine list here is perhaps the most interesting in the city, with a very broad range of selections ranging from extravagant to affordable, and all very interesting.

Travelle
330 N Wabash Ave
2nd Fl
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 923-7705
http://www.yelp.com/biz/travelle-chicago

Su Casa Restaurant

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*** (3 stars)

I liked the hole-in-the-wall ambiance of this Mexican place, and the experience was, on the whole, pretty good. I’m not sure about the reviewers who’ve described it as “authentic.” Authentic what? It’s certainly not authentic Mexican food from Mexico. It might be regarded as authentic suburban US Tex/Mex food! That’s not necessarily a bad thing, as long as it’s what you’re expecting.

They definitely make a good Margarita. I upgraded to the Golden Margarita, and it was worth every cent of its $10.50 price. It came with some excellent chips and okay salsa. The chips were the real kind, made from cut tortillas, so they had a nice sturdiness to them that I associate with old time Mexican restaurants before the Doritos era.

The botanas appetizer sampler was a good opportunity to try most of the apps on the menu, but none were particularly noteworthy. The best was the chili relleno, followed by the seasoned ground meat, although I had to remove it from the stale round chips it was served on and transfer it to the chips in the basket. Nachos were definitely a miss.

The vegetable fajitas, on the other hand, were really good, and the lunch size portion was just enough. The accompanying refried beans and rice were pretty good, too. I neglected to specify corn tortillas, so ended up with flour, but the waitress cheerfully replaced them when I asked if corn were available.

Overall I’d go back for certain items such as the fajitas, and I’d certainly visit if I just wanted a great margarita.

Su Casa Restaurant
49 E Ontario St
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 943-4041
http://www.yelp.com/biz/su-casa-restaurant-chicago

Emilio’s Tapas Sol y Nieve

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**** (4 stars)

Wow, this place was packed, even on a rainy Thursday. Great vibe, just like Spain. The menu is a bit more limited than some Tapas places, but there is a nice variety. We really liked the beef dishes; very tender and good quality. There’s also a nice selection of Spanish wines. Service was very friendly, and noise levels are reasonable, even when busy, particularly at the window tables.

Emilio’s Tapas Sol y Nieve
215 E Ohio St
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 467-7177
http://www.yelp.com/biz/emilios-tapas-sol-y-nieve-chicago-2