Tuesday Lunch Club

Phoebe's Phat Cupcakes

2009-06-03T20:22:00.000-07:00

Well, the end of the school year has come and gone. And you know before I let Brynn and Gordon out of my sight for the whole summer we had to do a little celebrating.

I took a survey of how everyone was feeling that night and the consensus was something like "WE NEED SUGAR!" So I quickly checked Google for the nearest purveyor of sweet tooth satisfying treats. The closest was Phoebe's Cupcakes located on N Broadway Street. Just so you know, anytime you mention the word cupcake around Gordon he instinctively begins growling and salivating like he was trained by Pavlov himself. So we had no choice but to go to get some cupcakes.

Phoebe's Cupcakes is a small and very cute shop with sweet, little Ikea tables and chairs. It's warm and inviting, the kind of atmosphere cupcakes deserve. We walked on up to the counter where we stood in awe of the beautiful creations in the glass case. They have a wide array of cupcake flavors in wonderfully bright colors. I had a Mudslide cupcake that had real Kahlua in it and a delicious chocolaty-coffee frosting. We also tried a strawberry cupcake that had REAL strawberries blended into the frosting. It was so fresh and sweet, you can really taste the difference compared to other store-bought cupcakes.

Phoebe's always carries the basics: chocolate, vanilla, Funfetti, red velvet, and salted caramel cupcakes. But the other flavors like Mudslide, lemon, Dr. Pepper, and Grasshopper cupcakes change on a weekly basis. It's enough to bring you back every week just to see what they will come up with next. The cake is always moist and flavorful and the frosting is delightfully whipped and never too sweet. One word of caution though: if you buy a dozen to take home, make sure those babies get in the fridge ASAP. I carried my box a mile home and all the frosting slid off those cupcakes! Don't worry. Of course I scooped all the finger-licking frosting back on and put them safely in the fridge. But, I will definitely avoid heat and humidity in the future.

Everyone who works at Phoebe's is fun, nice, and genuinely enthusiastic about cupcakes. We loved hanging out and eating at this place and we didn't want to leave!

In today's review:

Phoebe's Cupcakes
3327 N. Broadway
(773) 868-4000‎

My Girlfriend Meli

2009-04-10T16:00:00.000-07:00

My first post! Yay!

OK, here's the deal. This place is delicious. Like, REAL delicious. Located in Greektown, Meli's Cafe & Juice Bar is a sweet spot to get some fantastic breakfast/brunch/lunch. Whether you're getting the "Meli’s French Toast" (challah bread dipped in honey custard and drizzled with honey), the classic Eggs Benedict, or the Banana Crepe, you won't be disappointed in what they have to offer. Although Brynn, Katelyn, and I only ate from the breakfast menu, I have no doubt that the lunch menu is just as delicious as their morning selection; filled with groovy paninis, scrumptious sandwiches, delectable wraps, and filling salads. Sweet, savory, old, new, plain, exotic; they've got it all!

In addition to food, Meli's also has a full juice bar where you can get shots of wheatgrass, berry smoothies, tea, and more. While these options are a little expensive, they are well worth the price. They also make their own seasonal marmalades that you can purchase at a reasonable price. Mm-mmm!

Appropriately priced, bright, and tasty, Meli's Cafe is highly recommended!

Meli's Cafe & Juice Bar

301 S Halsted StChicago, IL 60607

(312) 454-0748
www.melicafe.com

My Best Friend Lou

2009-03-09T19:19:00.000-07:00

Everyone knows that Gordon is my best friend. That was until I met Lou Malnati. When a new location of this Chicago chain opened in the South Loop, I knew we had to go.

I can't speak for every franchise of this chain, but this new one is fantastic. Large windows let in a ton of light and the place has a real homey feel to it. It is a family style restaurant with comfortable seating perfect for kids and larger groups. The only downside is that it is located right next to the brand new Xsport gym. You know, just to rub in the guilt after downing multiple slices of cheesy deep-dish goodness.

A pizzeria is always a great place to bring a big group of people because you can just order a bunch of pies and everyone will have something they like. Since we all wanted to try something new, we got four individual pan pizzas. At $5.50 this is a ridiculously delicious and filling bargain! Toppings cost extra though, so they can add up quickly. At lunch time you can get a special that includes a personal pan, side salad, and can of soda for only about $7. When you order a pizza the waiter will ask something like, "Would you like to-". At that point you should just cut him off and say YES because he is talking about adding the butter crust option to your pizza. Indulgent golden, buttery thick crust. Seriously, it is 50 cents extra, just do it. You think the pizza on the header of this page looks good? This is even better! Be prepared to wait at least 30 minutes as all pizzas are made fresh to order.

For starters we recommend the spinach bread. A small loaf of bread stuffed with melted cheese and spinach, served with chunky marinara sauce on the side. It is a perfect sized appetizer for about three people, and could actually work as your entree if you are not super hungry.

Lou Malnati's pizza is so tasty I'm considering naming my first child Lou. No, not really. But definitely my first kitten. Sorry Gordon, but Lou is the man.

In today's review:

Lou Malnati's
805 S. State Street
Chicago, IL 60605
http://loumalnatis.com/

Oui oui, Monsieur Crepe Dude!

2009-02-27T19:44:00.000-08:00

Feeling like some traditional French cuisine? You must check out La Creperie which is conveniently located near the intersection of Clark and Diversey. The second that you walk in, you are instantly captivated by a sugary blast of air. It will take your mind off the interior of the restaurant which has definitely seen better days; faded wallpaper hangs onto the walls for dear life and every chair in the place is hopelessly wobbly. Yet, it is somehow romantically charming. Plus, the delightful smell of crepes will make those minor set backs more than bearable. Cabaret music plays lightly in the background, totally solidifying the quaint French atmosphere.

The menu features perfectly created crepes, that come either sweet or savory. Sweet options include sugary crepes filled with butter, Nutella, or a wide range of fruit fillings. Whatever you like, La Creperie is more than willing to let you play with the menu and choose your own adventure. For example, we thought banana and Nutella would make a great combination, and our waitress agreed. A few minutes later when we devoured the crepe, we too decided it was a wise choice. In the savory department, crepes come stuffed with fillings like egg and cheese, chicken and veggies, or ratatouille. Whether you want a meal or dessert, they have you covered.

If for some inane reason you head to La Creperie not craving crepes, there are other menu options. Have a traditional escargots appetizer, tasty croque madame, or French onion soup. Although this tiny eatery does not claim to be a cafe, they make a beautiful cappuccino sprinkled to perfection with cinnamon. Another great thing about this place is the prices. The majority of the crepes are $10 or under and perfect for sharing with friends. The owner of the place bustles around striking up conversations and singing to himself while cleaning off tables. You would have to have a heart of stone not to find this absolutely adorable. Judging by how the owner and staff act and by how I felt after the meal, it is safe to say that these crepes are edible happiness. For even more French fun, go on a Thursday night to hear live music from 8-11pm.

In today's review:

La Creperie
2845 N Clark
Chicago, IL 60657
http://www.lacreperieusa.com/

The New Kid on the Block

2009-02-05T19:41:00.000-08:00

On Wednesday evening Brynn and I had the pleasure of attending the grand opening of Chicago's newest Indian food restaurant: Chutney Joe's. Conveniently located on the first floor of the University Center on South State St., Joe's is a great place to stop for a quick lunch.

The place is fast food/diner style rather than a traditional sit down restaurant. You step up to a long counter and create a meal out of the eight available dishes. Four are curries featuring simmered meats like chicken tikka masala, lamb, pork vindaloo, and beef. The other four are vegetarian like saag paneer (spinach and cheese), bean curry, chickpea masala, and aloo gobi (cauliflower and potato). Chutney Joe's unique menu lets you make a combo of two of the eight dishes plus a scoop of rice or generous piece of naan bread. This combo is a large and filling portion and runs you only $7.99. Smaller portioned meals includes one of the entrees in a rice bowl or wrapped in a piece of naan.

Of course there are other tempting little morsels after you create a combo. Like the vegetable samosas. Crispy and flavorful, these were really good although tiny compared to versions at other restaurants. All vegans will be happy to know the the samosas and two of the veggie dishes are 100% vegan. Last but not least at the checkout counter you can sample all six flavors of chutney at no extra charge. The cilantro chutney is perfect on the samosas and the mango is sweet and tangy!

Since the place just opened, the managers and employees are still working out the kinks. My order of samosas (that includes two pieces) was confused as two separate orders, and I got charged an extra $3 by mistake. After getting the refund straightened out my meal was already cold. Good thing it was still tasty!

As is usually the case, I thought the dishes could be a bit spicier, but Brynn found the flavoring to be perfect. We loved how each table had a card with instructions on how to cool off food that was too spicy for you. If you are new to Indian food, this might just be the best place to start. With it's low prices and simple menu, you will not be overwhelmed or wary of trying a new dish. Just go for it!

In Today's Review:

Chutney Joe's
521 South State St.
Chicago, IL 60605

Lito and Molly ROCK Our World!

2009-01-06T23:36:00.000-08:00

For one of our last Tuesday Lunch before Winter Break it was Gordon's duty to pick a place to go. Now, usually Gordon gets us lost and we end up having to eat somewhere, anywhere we end up, but this time Gordon did a great job. ;p

He told us we would be going to a small, but cute empanada place in Lincoln Park called Lito's Empanadas. You have to remember it was December in Chicago and there were a bunch of hungry college and working young adults ready for a sit down meal, so we were a bit weary. As we got into the area though, we realized how lively and beautiful it was. It has shops, bakery's, and apartments and it's very much of a young, hip area to be in. We approached the little "hole in the wall" store front and were surprised to see how beautiful the inside of the shop is. It is fully decorated and very tidy, being that it doesn't have much space. There were a few bar stool chairs to sit at, but it's completely an "order out" kind of place. They have veggie options as well as meat.

As soon as we got in, we all could smell the food and forgot about our concerns. We all ordered one after another and the only problem I had was that they took a while to make them, all the while we could see that they had been pre-made and frozen and shouldn't have taken so long. But that aside, we got our orders and headed out to the Argo Tea close by to get drinks and try our new delights. They turned out to be just AMAZING! Warm, fresh, and tasty; perfect to forget about the weather outside.

After enjoying our meal and our warm tea we decided to look around a bit and found a great desert place; Molly's Cupcakes. We stood outside of the store front and looked at each other knowing we HAD to go in. The place, to put it simply, is magical. They have swings attached to the ceiling, board games to play while you enjoy your desert, and a vast menu of yummy things to choose from. They even have a sprinkle bar to personalize your cupcake! In addition, the service was friendly and the environment was warm and comfy.

I would recommend that if you have a few hours to explore, have a date, or you just want to try something new, that you travel out to Lincoln Park and enjoy this double special treat!

Litos Empanadas:

2566 N Clark St

(between Deming Pl & Wrightwood Ave)

Chicago, IL 60614

Molly's Cupcakes:

2536 N Clark St

(between Deming Pl & Wrightwood Ave)

Chicago, IL 60614

(773) 883-7220

A Little Pick Me Up

2008-12-19T17:11:00.001-08:00

On one particularly cold and snowy night, we ran many blocks up Clark Street to find a sweet little cafe that our friend Danielle recommended. Finally, we made it to Pick Me Up Cafe and hurried in out of the cold. When I first stepped in I got a feeling of instant warmth. Not just from being indoors; the whole place felt cozy and friendly. It was not crowded that night, but some tables were full with a great mix of people. Families with small children and college-aged kids.

We were seated in a cute booth and ordered some drinks. I had hot apple cider that was crisp and sweet, and just delicious enough to make me forget about the weather outside. Gordon had a smoothie and Brynn had a delicious, rich mocha drink. They offer organic coffee and prepare beverages way better than most coffee shops.

The menu at Pick Me Up is just as diverse as its patrons. There is a full breakfast section available all the time, classic American diner food, and entrees inspired by Mexican and Middle Eastern cuisine. We started with an appetizer of cheese fries that were golden and extremely indulgent.

I tried the falafel wrap which was good and came with a side of vegetarian chili that was terrific. I could have just had a bowl of the chili to eat, it was that hearty. I felt that the falafel could have been seasoned more, but I can't complain otherwise. Gordon had a giant sandwich that was comprised of three different types of deli meats. This sandwich was nearly too tall for him to eat, but don't worry. He put up a brave fight and thoroughly decimated it. We had this meal before leaving for Christmas, and no one can remember what Brynn ate Seriously... everyone is blanking. We all got distracted because we exchanged gifts over dinner. At least that's my excuse.

The staff of Pick Me Up is comprised of hip, tattooed folks who are friendly and don't mind putting up with customers who can't decide on what to get. They will also gladly make recommendations. And you can get food from them anytime as the cafe is open 24 hours. With most entrees under $10 each, you can afford to splurge on a fancy drink or appetizer. There are many vegetarian and vegan options as well as manly and meaty items that have been Gordon-approved. Next time you're down for a good meal, find yourself a little Pick Me Up.

In Today's Review:

Pick Me Up Cafe
3408 N Clark St

Chicago, IL 60657

(773) 248-6613‎

Eat this burger!

2008-12-19T16:48:00.000-08:00

Alright, I'm sneaking in a special post to tell you about this veggie burger I ate a few weeks ago. My mom came to town from Baltimore and took me to Eleven City Diner, a restaurant for which I already have much love. Their face-sized latkes and all day breakfast menu are legendary.

But I never tried the Star Veggie Burger before this trip. And it was outstanding! The burger is HUGE and is nestled in a toasted and buttery roll. It tastes like fresh bakery made bread on there. The best part is that the burger is topped with slices of cool and creamy avocado, which is just perfect. Seriously perfect. Complete with a side salad, this meal is no wussy vegetarian dish, but a hearty dinner! If you are not too hungry, splitting it for two would be a great snack.

Ok, I'm done. I just really needed to sneak that in there.

In today's mini-review:

Eleven City Diner
1112 S Wabash
Chicago, IL 60605

Zapatista Za-pa-tis-ta WOO WOO!

2008-11-11T21:28:00.000-08:00

A true South Loop gem! Zapatista Cantina serves up fresh, authentic Mexican cuisine with style. As you approach the restaurant, located at Wabash and 13th, you will see its bright and sunny orange awning. During warmer months, the awning provides shade for patio diners and is packed every evening. Inside, the walls of Zapatista are painted rich oranges and reds and covered with black and white photos of Mexico. In the back dining area, pointy star-shaped light fixtures dangle from the ceiling and cast streaky shadows on the walls. When we dined there, the front seating area had a display of skull decorations for Dio de los Muertos, the Day of the Dead. This place has a lively vibe and is perfect for large gatherings.

But, wait! Besides food and scenery, this place is about history. Zapatista is named after the revolutionary figure Emiliano Zapata who fought for land reform in Mexico during the early 1900s. He's the guy who said: "It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees!" He was pretty bad ass. Ok, now back to the fine dining. As an appetizer, you should absolutely have the guacamole. Each portion of cool guac is made to order, and you can even see the guacamole girl create your order fresh and from scratch. If you aren't too hungry, try the tropical salad. It is made of crisp lettuce and sweet mango and orange pieces lightly tossed in a tangy pineapple-cilantro vinaigrette. The flavor combination is very pleasant and perfect for a quick meal.

If it's fajitas that you want, bring a friend and order the Fajitas for Two dish. Chicken, steak, fish, shrimp or veggies come in a giant sizzling bowl with the tortillas and all the fixings on the side. It is plenty to share and has a neat presentation. And if you care about where your food comes from, you will be pleased to find out that Zapatista uses only organic, antibiotic-free chicken raised on independent farms. Order anything, like the enchiladas, Suiza Style and it comes with a delicious coating of melted Chihuahua cheese. Do it.

Sometimes you don't really want a big meal, you just want to kick back and have some drinks. Zapatista has a full bar featuring a mile long list of tequilas. When you go there, you must have my most favorite cocktail ever as of this date: El Bijote Famoso. It is one-third mojito, one-third margarita, and one-third pina colada all blended with ice and limes! Crisp, cool, and refreshing! Plus, it's an original concoction, so you won't be finding this anywhere else. This drink comes by the glass or liter, so it's also perfect for sharing. But, really, it's perfect anytime. It's that good. Come on a Monday for $5 margaritas or a Tuesday for $5 mojitos.

By the end of the meal you will feel that food baby start to kick. But if you happen to be crazy like we are, it won't stop you from ordering dessert. Try the chocolate tamale; it is a little molten chocolate cake wrapped in a corn husk and served with a bit vanilla ice cream. Or the tres gelatos featuring mini-scoops of mango, vanilla, and burnt caramel ice creams served on a cinnamon wafer. Then you can check-in to the hospital for that diabetic coma. What a way to go.

In today's review:

Zapatista
1307 South Wabash Ave
Chicago, IL
312-435-1307
www.zapatistamexicangrill.com

Disappointment in the South Loop

2008-11-08T12:02:00.000-08:00

Basmati lust. That is a term a friend from high school came up with to describe our insatiable cravings for Indian food. Spicy curry, naan bread, samosas, mango lassis... I can't get enough! But I definitely did have enough of India Grill. Words cannot describe how excited I was when India Grill opened its doors in the South Loop; there aren't many Indian places around the loop, especially the South Loop. However, my expectations were way too high.

India Grill looks impeccable and expensive, something that is also unusual for the South Loop. When my friend Duncan and I walked into India Grill at 6pm on a Wednesday, we were the only people there. Its fancy appearance might be off-putting to the Columbia College students leaving from their nearby classes looking for a cheap meal. Hungry, we sat down right away to order dinner. I ordered Navrattan Korma, a traditional vegetable dish in a creamy sauce along with some buttered naan. Duncan ordered a curry of beans and lentils and of course we wanted rice. These two vegetarian dishes were very reasonable, I believe only $8.99. I took note that most dishes containing chicken or lamb were around $12.

When our food arrived, I was kind of shocked. Both of our curries were more like soup; extremely watered down, thin and runny. As I spooned the Navrattan Korma onto my plate, I was even more dismayed to see the vegetables in it were nothing more than the frozen vegetable medley that you get at the grocery store. You know, the chopped green beans, corn, and diced carrots that were a staple of elementary school hot lunches. I could tell that the dish had potential, the flavor was quite nice. I can only imagine how delicious it could have been, had it not been watered down to nothing and chock full of thawed, flavorless veggies. The same goes for Duncan's dish, the beans and lentils were just floating in what was basically a runny broth. It's a shame, I wanted this place to be a hit! But, unfortunately it lacked the flavor and richness that is what makes me love Indian food so much. That aside, I do have to say that the naan bread was delicious, golden and baked perfectly. The only true upside to this meal.

As if I couldn't be any more shocked, when we got our bill we found that our plate of rice was not included in our meal and was an additional $5.99. From my personal experience, any place that charges extra for rice has hardly been worth it. Most times it is included, and they only charge you a small fee if you request an extra portion. At least at another Indian restaurant I went to, they told me in advance that rice would cost extra. And I can even understand a couple dollars, sure. But $5.99... I repeat, not worth it. No wonder the thousands of other twenty-somethings in the area seem to be avoiding this place. It is expensive and not rightfully so. Maybe it was just a bad day, a new cook, or some other excuse. This is entirely possible, but I don't know if I will be going back to shell out $11.99 on their buffet just to give them a second chance.

In today's review:

India Grill
1112 S. Wabash Ave.
Tel: (312) 662-1111

Karyn's: Vegan and Savory

2008-11-04T07:56:00.000-08:00

So, Chicago might not be a vegetarian's best bet for food; this city is full of steakhouses, BBQs, and chicken shacks. But you would be surprised at how many quality vegetarian and vegan restaurants can be found with only a small search effort. One such place is Karyn's Cooked, which is located very conveniently off the brown line Chicago & Franklin stop. Karyn's was started by a former model of the same name turned vegan raw food specialist. She has another location that serves up all raw food entrees in Lakeview, but this River North location is all vegan hot entrees.

First of all, this place is sweet and cozy. Talk about a great first date location, Karyn's is intimate with soft lighting and a slick atmosphere. When we arrived it was pouring rain and we ran in soaking wet. I ordered some hot tea, an organic tropical green flavor, and was surprised to learn that Karyn's does in fact carry honey. The strictest of vegans do not eat honey because it is produced by bees. Our friendly waitress asked if we had been to this restaurant before and when we all responded that it was our first time, she told us to wait a moment. A few minutes later she returned with a tray full of samples. There was chili, mac and "cheese" and two soups. We were incredibly thankful for the samples, being that we do not eat all-vegan food very often if at all.

I ordered the "meatball" sub which was a hearty blend of chickpeas covered in marinara sauce and served on a wheat bun. The dish was full of flavor and really satisfying. It came with potatos and mac and cheese on the side which means that I was completely full after this. Brynn ordered a bowl of the spicy chili that came with a hunk of cornbread. It was so rich that Brynn had a hard time finishing this simple looking meal. Gordon had a tasty wrap with slices of seitan and veggies with the same sides as mine. Was it any good? Gordon went back two days later for more. That should answer your question.

As if the meal alone wasn't enough, our waitress came back with dessert samples. We tried a chocolate cake, "cheese"cake, and a cookie. The desserts are so sweet and creamy that it is truly hard to believe they are 100% vegan. Despite the deliciousness, we were so full there was no room for dessert. Actually... well Gordon took a slice of chocolate cake for the road. The overall theme of this post is to try something new. Many people hear "vegan" and think of hippies and carrot sticks and blandness. Karyn's proves this to be completely untrue! Even if you are unfamiliar with vegetarian foods, you will find something to love at Karyn's Cooked.

In today's review:

Karyn's Cooked
738 N Wells St
Chicago, IL‎
(312) 587-1050‎

Oasis: A Rough Amidst Diamonds

2008-09-28T14:24:00.000-07:00

Head downtown to Madison and Wabash. What do you see? About a half dozen jewelry stores, of course! But if you go inside Wabash Jewelers, skip the tennis bracelets and head straight to the back, you will find yourself at Oasis. We admit, this joint looks out of place. Oasis looks like it was excised from the food court of a suburban mall and transplanted in the back of this Jewelers' Row mainstay. Despite its looks, Oasis serves up some great Mediterranean and Middle Eastern classics in large portions and affordable prices.

The first thing I noticed about the menu was lots of vegetarian options! I had a delicious falafel sandwich served in a warm pita and chock full of expertly spiced diced veggies and tzatziki sauce. This giant pocket of food was a bellyful and cost about $6. Brynn's marinated chicken special was also huge. A gigantic portion of chicken was served over rice, stewed and seasoned chickpeas and fresh lemony hummus. Seriously, this dish can feed two hungry people. Gordon enjoyed a lamb gyro that had the same pita-veggie-tzatziki combination as my falafel sandwich.

The best part of our Oasis dinner was the freshly baked baklava. Every Tuesday, a basket of fresh baklava is sold in individually wrapped portions. These golden treats were pretty much perfect. Flaky and sweet but not too sweet like some baklava is because it has been practically soaked in honey. A tasty dessert; my only complaint is that the two pieces per portion are not big enough! Make sure if you try out Oasis, go on a Tuesday.

In today's review:

Oasis
Location: 21 N. Wabash
Phone: (312)558-1058

Grocer, Butterfly, Toffee, YES

2008-09-17T12:14:00.000-07:00

Hop off the blue line Grand stop and you will find yourself in a neighborhood you might not understand. Brand new luxury apartment buildings shouldered by overgrown dark alleys, boutique eateries next to abandoned and boarded up appliance shops. Despite the confusing atmosphere, this area of W. Grand Avenue has a lot to offer hungry passers-by. Yesterday, the three of us wound up on this side of town hoping to sample some gourmet pizza concoctions at Coalfire. Little did we know, this pizzeria is only open for dinner at 5pm, and not for lunch.

Disgruntled, we kept walking and stumbled across the Green Grocer, a specialty market store owned by a couple from the neighborhood. The Green Grocer offers a wide array of all natural food products as well as locally grown vegetables and meats. Gordon stocked up on some fresh salsas, Brynn purchased some chai spiced caramels that were out of this world, and I ogled the locally made Mayan hot chocolate mix. And of course, we all indulged in the vegan baked goods samples. Talking to one of the co-owners, we discovered that the Green Grocer offers free weekly food preparation classes, one upcoming lesson is about how to can your own preserves. As with all specialty stores, expect to pay a bit more for the higher quality. A great place to go for the out of the ordinary snack or unique treat. Next time you are headed to a party, pick up some spicy salsa or five-cheese garlic spread and treat your friends to a tasty all natural appetizer.

At the suggestion of our Green Grocer friend Cassie, we walked east on Grand to a Thai and sushi restaurant called Butterfly. From the street, Butterfly appears quite unassuming, but like I mentioned before, this whole street is full of surprises. Inside, the decor mimics the colors of the Monarch butterfly with high-backed black chairs and orange upholstered booths. Vases filled with stalks of bamboo and stone Buddha statues give the place a fancy but not rigid atmosphere. The restaurant feels like a great first date kind of place. For an appetizer we enjoyed Thai escargot with garlic bread. Or should I say Gordon enjoyed the escargot while Brynn & I enjoyed the grilled garlic bread. The curry sauce was creamy and spicy with hints of coconut, and its bright orange color complemented the interior decor. Being the vegetarian of the group I ordered a good old Thai classic: Pad See Eew with tofu. The dish features wide flat noodles, broccoli, snow peas, and scrambled egg. The thick and savory sauce brought all the flavors together nicely without being greasy. Gordon and Brynn will add their words on their entrees soon.

On our walk back to the train we passed a shop that we could not refuse: Terry's Toffee. When you walk into the Grand Ave. location of Terry's Toffee you notice that the shop itself is incredibly tiny. But, they sure know how to use space wisely! A display table offers sample chunks of each available flavor of rich and homemade toffees that range from the classic British recipes to funky combinations. The Chai-cago Spice flavor features dark chocolate covered toffee infused with chai flavors of cinnamon, cloves, and cardamom. My favorite flavor was definitely Lavenilla which -- as the portmanteau alludes -- is toffee infused with lavender and vanilla flavors then dipped in white chocolate. A masterpiece! Looking around the small shop, we noticed posters advertising the Oscar awards. Upon asking the owner, we found out the Terry's Toffee is so special and delicious that gift bags are given to the Oscar ceremony's celebrity presenters. The autographed 8x10s of smiling Hollywood celebrities on the wall attest to this toffee's nation-wide fanbase. All three of us left with a couple goodie bags for friends and family... or ourselves. I definitely grabbed a bag of Mazel Toffee for my Bubbie. Milk chocolate and matzah pieces surrounding toffee chunks = perfect for Chanukah!

In today's reviews:

The Green Grocer
Location: 1402 W. Grand Ave.
http://www.greengrocerchicago.com/

Butterfly
Location: 1156 W. Grand Ave.
Tel: (312) 563-5555

Terry's Toffee
Location: 1117 W. Grand Avenue
Tel: 312.733.2700
http://www.terrystoffee.com

Our Favorite School Year Tradition

2008-09-15T19:52:00.000-07:00

Over the last school year, my two dearest friends Gordon & Brynn have accompanied me to various restaurants in the Chicago area every Tuesday afternoon. It has become quite a tradition, carrying on into this brand new school year. Since I am no longer in school -- and have a shiny diploma to prove it -- I can stop writing essays and get to blogging. Tomorrow is our first official adventure of the school year, so I am sure there will be much to discuss.