**** (4 stars)
This is an excellent sandwich shop, with an almost infinite number of combinations of bread, meats and accompaniments available, all scrawled on a large menu on the wall. Or you can come up with your own favorite. Service is friendly but not incredibly speedy, and it can get quite backed up at lunch, especially on Wednesdays, when the popular deli next door is closed.
Rollin’ To Go
910 Noyes St
Evanston, IL 60201
(847) 332-1000
http://www.yelp.com/biz/rollin-to-go-evanston-2
**** (4 stars)
This latest outpost in a large chain of Chinese restaurants is extremely authentic. And by that I mean that if you’re used to Americanized Chinese takeout places you will find it interesting and perhaps challenging to eat here!
The space is very nicely decorated, and features a dramatically lit bar along one wall. Furnishings are comfortable and elegant, but despite all the fabrics the space can get fairly loud.
Because I was by myself and there is no lunch menu, I chose to try an assortment of appetizers. The wonton soup was some of the best I’ve had. Chicken egg rolls were tasty, but could have been crisper. The Chinese mustard was authentically hot.
Sliced Tender Pork with Garlic Sauce is a cold appetizer. It was very tasty, but it’s somewhat like eating lightly cooked bacon, so the uninitiated should be wary. Similarly the Five Powder Beef is served cold, and contains a fair amount of fat. The hoisin sauce topping it was slightly spicy and very flavorful. Both of these meat dishes were very generous portions, suitable for 2 to 4 persons as an appetizer.
Be aware that most of the food is spicy, and some is very spicy. The heat levels are indicated on the menu.
There is a very thoughtful selection of nice wines by the glass, and the glassware is superb.
Service was a tag team approach, and was friendly and efficient.
Prices are too high for college students, but certainly reasonable for the work crowd. Because of the large portion sizes it’s best to go with four or more people so you can try several things.
Lao Sze Chuan
1633 Orrington Ave
Evanston, IL 60201
(847) 868-8989
http://www.yelp.com/biz/lao-sze-chuan-evanston
*** (3 stars)
This is a pleasant Italian restaurant in the middle of an old fashioned block of main street surrounded by lots of interesting shops. Pizzas are served uncut so they don’t get soggy, and there are some interesting salads. I had a combination of celery, apple and radicchio that was quite refreshing.
The wine list has some uncommon offerings by the glass, including the seldom seen primitivo.
There is some sidewalk seating that’s perfect on a nice day.
The only downside is that it’s not inexpensive, and there doesn’t seem to be a lunch menu, so two courses can result in a rather pricey noon-time meal. But on a nice summer evening it’s certianly a good outside dining option.
Trattoria D.O.C.
706 Main St
Evanston, IL 60202
(847) 475-1111
http://www.yelp.com/biz/trattoria-d-o-c-evanston
*** (3 stars)
A perfectly acceptable Chicago dog. Quite a variety of other offerings, and large portions. Not a lunch destination, but a reasonable choice if you’re in the area and looking for something inexpensive and quick.
DD Dogs
825 Noyes St
Evanston, IL 60201
(847) 864-1909
http://www.yelp.com/biz/dd-dogs-evanston
***** (5 stars)
Having dined at nearly all the top places in Chicago, this one stands out. Just on the basis of the exceptional wine list, L2O (which stands for Lakes to Oceans) deserves its Michelin stars. Each offering is so well considered for its ability to match the food or offer something special, and there are a few real gems at reasonable prices.
The food is, of course, superb, and each dish is a true work of art. But perhaps the thing that most sets L2O apart is the service, which perfectly strikes that balance between professionalism and sincere friendliness. Truly an experience not to be missed.
L2O
2300 N Lincoln Park W
Chicago, IL 60614
(773) 868-0002
http://www.yelp.com/biz/l2o-chicago
*** (3 stars)
This is a passable Indian restaurant. The $10 lunch buffet has quite a few offerings, however they tend to run out late in the lunch hour, a measure of the fact that ingredients are not being freshened. Service seemed a bit amateurish, but late lunchtime on a Sunday with only a couple of tables probably means the first string servers are not on. Not worth a special trip, but certainly an okay choice if in the area.
Turmeric Indian Restaurant
2300 Lehigh Avenue
Glenview, IL 60026
(847) 730-5182
http://www.yelp.com/biz/turmeric-indian-restaurant-glenview
**** (4 stars)
What lovely place for a al fresco lunch on a nice day! Plentiful patio seating, most of it nicely shaded make this a terrific (and popular) place to enjoy a nice day outside.
We particularly likes the salmon flatbread, with its pungent base of boursin cheese. I also enjoyed the trio of cold salads, which featured a particularly tasty chicken salad the day we visited.
The blood orange mimosas are a nice midday drink. I thought the ginger beer could have used a bit more kick; its heavy emphasis on citrus made it more like lemonade.
Definitely a nice respite from downtown sidewalk dining!
Convito Cafe & Market
1515 Sheridan Rd
Wilmette, IL 60091
(847) 251-3654
http://www.yelp.com/biz/convito-cafe-and-market-wilmette
**** (4 stars)
I’ve been to the Ceviche in Orlando many times, so it was interesting to contrast this St. Pete location, which has a great setting, elevated one story above the waterfront area. Service was pleasant, and there is a nice offering of wines.
We were there on a Sunday for lunch, and I was a bit disappointed at the absence of the extensive small plates menu I’m used to. To me tapas should be more about many tiny tastes, rather than slightly larger and more limited offerings. But I assume in the evening the menu is like the one we’re accustomed to.
Ceviche Tapas Bar & Restaurant
10 Beach Dr NE
Saint Petersburg, FL 33701
(727) 209-2299
http://www.yelp.com/biz/ceviche-tapas-bar-and-restaurant-saint-petersburg
*** (3 stars)
Good Mexican food in a nice environment. Fajitas here are served in a molcajete, a hot stone crock, and at least the vegetable fajitas are served with melted cheese mixed in. While this is unconventional, and more like a true molcajete than typical fajitas, it is quite tasty.
The chile verde that comes on the enchiladas has a nice tomatillo tartness to it. Barbacoa tacos are also quite tasty, similar to short ribs.
The large inside dining room is filled with hard surfaces, so it can get pretty noisy. Consider sitting in the expansive outside dining area if it’s a nice day.
Zapatista
992 Willow Rd
Northbrook, IL 60062
(847) 559-0939
http://www.yelp.com/biz/zapatista-northbrook
**** (4 stars)
If you’re looking for good food right at the beach in Cocoa, this is the place. It’s not just your typical fried fish hut, but an excellent restaurant with a range of offerings that is an unexpected and pleasant surprise.
We particularly enjoyed the coconut shrimp appetizer and the wedge salad. The entrees were also good, with a massive plate of “Malibu” chicken — chicken covered with cheddar cheese, bacon and mushrooms. I was a bit surprised that there was no tartar sauce for the fish and chips. Side dishes, which come with the entrees, were also very good, especially the coconut rice and the cole slaw.
Pricing is extremely reasonable for the great quality and large portions.
Reservations are really important. This restaurant has only five inside tables, and two more outside, so plan ahead, or come at an off time!
Fat Kahunas
8 Minuteman Cswy
Cocoa Beach, FL 32931
(321) 783-6858
http://www.yelp.com/biz/fat-kahunas-cocoa-beach-2