Author: christine

Mercat a la Planxa

638 S Michigan Ave (at Balbo)

It was a warm night and we wanted tapas. We chose Mercat a la Planxa, located in the recently-restored historic Blackstone Hotel. I had not been inside since working at a conference in 1999, just a few months before the building was condemned. This was when the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi owned it. No kidding.

The place was big, bold, and a riot of colorful furnishings. While I waited for the Husband to arrive from his office, I asked for a table in a little alcove with a view of the park, which provided a hint of a buffer from the frantic main room.

We ordered small carafes of tempranillo and albarino. A plate of Spanish bruschetta appeared. Ignoring our waiter’s advice to order 3-4 plates each, we chose 5 tapas: grilled sardines (fennel confit), Spanish omelette (potatoes, spinach, saffron aioli), grilled tuna, housemade sausage, and roasted Brussels sprouts (garbanzo beans, feta, bacon, Sherry and orange vinaigrette). More than enough and really delicious. I’ll be making those Brussels sprouts at home.

Total was $101.47.

Pho Xe Tang/Tank Noodle

4953 N Broadway (at Argyle)

As we both felt that perhaps maybe, possibly we were catching colds, the Husband and I decided on pho for dinner. For the uninitiated, pho is a clear beef broth-based Vietnamese soup served with with rice noodles. Additions like fresh herbs, limes, bean sprouts, and hot peppers are presented on a separate plate so you can get your garnish on, but really, it’s all about the broth. Word on Chicago’s nerdiest food forum says Tank Noodle is among the best places in town.

So, we hauled it all the way north to Uptown. The place was hopping and completely no-nonsense. But a couple of plaques on the wall from the Hungry Hound confirmed that good soup was in our future.

At the last minute I swerved off the beef  track and ordered chicken-based soup with rice noodles and tons of veggies. The Husband made me look like a sissy and ordered the special XL pho with beef, tripe, and “tendon.” Gulp. We split an order of spicy lemongrass tofu spring rolls and a freshly-squeezed limeade with soda. Completely delicious and our colds are gone (thank you, hot sauce).

What does military equipment have to do with noodles? Don’t know…but the menu had an illustration of a tank on it and our waitress was wearing a camo t-shirt. Cute! Total was $23.59.

Chickpea

2018 W Chicago Ave (at Damen)

We needed a really quick dinner this time around and opted for Chickpea, which is Palestinian and proud of it, family-owned, and 2 blocks from our apartment.

A couple of past visits have revealed a mostly-on/sometimes-off menu, but always kind service. I dig the decor here: Arabian Nights meets late-night-movies-on-UHF meets DIY. This really is a family operation, as the owner’s “Mama” makes the food. Mrs. Suqi cares and it shows.

The Husband ordered kharoof mihshew: perfectly-grilled lamb and veggie kabobs on a bed of raisin-flecked rice. I chose the daily special, koosa mihshee: baby zucchini stuffed with rice and lamb in a comforting tomato broth. We split an order of fatoosh (parsley, cucumber, tomato salad with the most delicious pomegranate vinaigrette).

We wished the “youngest son” had waited until we left to move the chairs and table next to us, set up a ladder, and change the light bulb above our table.

Total was around $28.

The Southern

1840 W North Ave (at Honore)

We were at a party earlier in the evening and had to tear ourselves away to go out for dinner. The plan had been to dine at a Mexican seafood place in the neighborhood that’s shaped like a boat. Because, you know, it’s shaped like a boat.

But when we shared our destination, the wide-eyed look of concern on more than one friend’s face gave pause. We reconsidered. Asked for alternates. Decided on The Southern, about which I’d heard vague echoes of “good food” from an source I cannot recall.

The food was good. Really good. The Husband ordered the po’ boy pork chop, I went for the crab cakes. Had a beer and a glass of wine. The unintended—but not unwelcome—pork chop was served with wheatberries and kabocha squash in a tangy-sweet glaze. Crab cakes were fluffy, perfect and served with apples and arugula. We also split a side of black-eyed peas, which had potential for yumminess but turned out to be undercooked…so we wisely did not eat them. You’re welcome, co-workers.

But the service was bad. Really bad. The only nice thing to say about the service? It was consistent, because it was all bad. The chef deserves better. Total was $48.59.

Picante

2016 W Division (at Damen)

This dinner almost didn’t happen, due to overalls, a book signing, and crossed signals. But both home again at 11pm, we hoofed it up to this reliable standby for quick, cheap eats. I ordered 2 tacos—one steak, one pork—with extra hot sauce. The Husband sensibly chose a beef and bean burrito.

We ate outside on their “patio” and watched the drunks shuffle from one sports bar to the next. Total was $9.61.

North Pond

2610 N Cannon

For our 9th dinner out, we decided on Friday-night fancy: martinis, champagne, salads, beets, gnocchi, morels, asparagus, pinot noir, halibut, black bass, beef, octopus, bread, dessert, port, cheese. All shared with 2 wonderful friends.

Completely decadent food, a beautifully clear night, and really fun conversation in a beautifully restored Park District building (though a bit overwrought with Arts & Crafts decor for my taste).

And when was the last time you walked through Lincoln Park to get to dinner?

The Husband and I each had work-social plans right after clocking out. Our plan was to meet up at a vegan place in River North for a healthy dinner. Of course that’s not what happened.

The Husband had an after-work meeting to get his affairs in order. I went to O’Callaghan’s (29 W Hubbard) to meet with work friends. (This place was the scene of many a fun night when the Husband and I were first dating. Sigh, reasonably young and in love.) At around 7, the Husband walked into the bar. And so we lingered.

We really don’t need to go into details here, do we? Too late for good-intentions dining—but too old for the drink-your-dinner routine—we ended up back at The Bluebird. We split the beet salad and the Jamon serrano/manchego flatbread. And yes, we had another round.

Don’t know what was spent on beverages. Receipt from Bluebird was $39.23.

The Bluebird

1749 N Damen (at Willow)

Out of gas and wanting nothing but comfort last night, we walked to The Bluebird, our favorite neighborhood joint. Might be my favorite, anywhere. This place has everything I want in a restaurant: interesting yet unobtrusive decor, friendly and informed service, good music, a wine and beer list that’s fun to explore, and truly delicious food that’s as good or better than I’d make at home. I love sitting at their bar for a glass and a snack. We recently came for a really fun art+wine+food event. It’s the kind of place where you actually want to linger after dinner. This time, we sat at a table in their quiet back room.

The Husband ordered a Green Flash West Coast IPA and I had a glass of a great Cabernet Franc. Ignoring my yearnings for the hanger steak, I ordered the slightly garlicky and warmly spicy shrimps and the outstanding sauteed green beans, which are really haricot verts served with shallots. Also bits of bacon. The Husband ordered the perfectly-sized burger, which comes with frites. Also topped bacon, I believe.

Complete out-to-dinner perfection. Total was $62.99 because we ordered a second round. So there.

Rootstock Wine & Beer Bar

954 N California (at Augusta)

After our weekly house meeting, we went around the corner to a place I’ve been wanting to try: Rootstock. We found an unassuming yet comfortable room and very laid-back staff. Good music.

We ordered drinks: for the Husband, a brown ale from Brooklyn Brewery and for me, Engelgarten, an Alsatian white. Not really hungry for a full meal, we settled on 3 cheeses and 3 charcuterie.

We were presented with a truly careful assemblage of snack: Delicious La Quercia meats and the house pate. A great trio of goat, sheep, and cow’s milk cheeses. Accompaniments that went pleasantly beyond the usual suspects. And….slices of squishy Italian loaf. Such a let-down. Bread matters! Bread is important! Good meat and cheese deserve better than that! Hopefully next time, they’ll sport a baguette at the very least.

Total was $41.99.

Renga-Tei

3956 W. Touhy (at Crawford) in Lincolnwood

After attending a wake in Skokie this evening, we went with friends to Renga-Tei, a homey Japanese place that we realized we’d been to before (albeit many years ago).

Don’t be fooled by the strip-mall setting. This place produces serious eats. We were greeted with a warm “irasshaimase” when we walked in and the service was very friendly.

We started with too many appetizers: the most delicious goma-ae I’ve ever had, gyoza, and a delicious seared beef. Still full from last night—I ordered a salad of gorgeously fresh ahi tuna and avocado. Our friends opted for nigiri and a California roll. But the Husband went for it and ordered katsudon (pork cutlet on a rice bowl) which the cognoscenti will recognize as having an egg on top. He was not disappointed.

Total for the 4 of us was $95.31, which included white wine, green tea, and a giant bottle of Kirin Ichiban.