So we tried out Urban Belly, this hipster spot in the Avondale neighborhood of Chicago and although I appreciated what these young creative types were trying to do – to offer affordable innovative Asian food in a minimalist setting – the taste of the food just wasn’t all that good. Otherwise, the concept and atmospherics were okay – It’s a small storefront next to a laundromat in an unlikely little strip mall in an old neighborhood that seemed to now be primarily Hispanic and young creative (read penniless) class types. There were a few long wooden tables with square blocks of wood as seat. You order at the counter and then stake out a spot at a communal table. All fine. The food- we had chicken and mushroom dumplings, a cold marinated eggplant, short ribs (supposedly) atop rice, and udon noodles with fishballs and shrimp – was dominated by a sweet seasoning which didn’t do much for me. I prefer salty or savory or short of that, variety.
Category Archives: 1) Home Turf
Chicago restaurants to try….
Filed under Chicago, Illinois, Uncategorized
Leo’s/Royal Oak and Lou Malnati’s in Chicago
Made it home without a hitch yesterday after a 5.5 hour drive from Chicago which started with some very stormy weather. Didn’t have much time to explore the city since we were just passing through but did get a take out pizza from Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria – an outpost of which recently opened in my aunt’s Gold Coast neighborhood in the old Anthropologie building. Looked like a fun place to eat – especially the outdoor patio. We opted for takeout and thin crust, not Chicago thick. It was good – especially the unusual crust that I believe is made with cornmeal – but wasn’t that bowled over. Certainly will try again. Another place to remember – the original Heaven on Seven, a Cajun restaurant downtown near the old Marshall Field’s and near my stepdaughter’s new place of employment. Comes well recommended by several.
Before leaving Michigan, we had to cram in a trip to Leo’s Coney Island in Royal Oak for my son who happily and quickly devoured two Coneys. And I do need to add – for one blog reader who protested – that Lafayette Coney Island was much more crowded when we tried to go there Saturday night than when we passed by midday Saturday. Unfortunately it was so busy that we couldn’t find a place to park and had to forego our visit.
Filed under Chicago, Detroit, DINING, Uncategorized
Dining in Chicago at Carmine’s
Don’t know why I’ve never eaten before at Carmine’s in Chicago, which I’ve passed dozens of times since it’s in my aunt’s neighborhood but finally did tonight on a beautiful summer eating. Great food – eggplant/mozzarella/tomato salad, penne Bolognese and a special dish with penne, eggplant, spinach and shrimp. Yum!
Filed under Chicago
Riding the Great River Trail along the Mississippi in Illinois
A friend just returned from biking the Great River Trail along the Mississippi. She started in Moline, staying overnight at the Stoney Creek Inn, then rode north to Port Byron, about 25 miles, where the “tugfest” – a tug-of-war contest with LeClaire Iowa (across the river) was going on. She stopped at a good ice cream shop in Hampton (I think called Remember When) and explored the towns north of Cordoba, ending up in Savanna which turned out to be a biker (as in motorcycle) mecca. She and her friend picked up some food for a picnic with a good view at Palisades Park. They also ate at Bass Street Chop House in Moline, which was good.
Filed under bike trails, biking, Illinois
lillie’s Q bbq – chicago
Good bbq in Chicago alert – Lillie’s Q in Bucktown/Wicker Park neighborhood(s) was quite good. We tried a three-meat sample and liked the pork and hot link best. The tri-tip turned out to be more like straight-out steak than smoked brisket. Good but not what we were hoping for. The collard greens seasoned with chunks of ham and bits of bacon was yummy, as were the sweet potato fries. The ribs good too. And the fried pickles served with ranch dressing (not my choice) turned out to be too good. Beautiful day – at last – here so we ate outside, although the inside of the restaurant is fun – rustic-industrial decor. We will return!
Filed under Chicago
Fest in Andersonville
We weren’t thrilled to discover there was a festival going on in the Chicago neighborhood of Andersonville today but we braved the crowds and visited some fun shops (Transitor, FourSquare) and got to watch some fun male line dancers dressed in red and white checked shirts, blue jeans, and cowboy hats. Later we had dinner at an old favorite that remains as good as ever – Francesca’s on Taylor, an Italian restaurant. My brother and sister-in-law had a biz dinner tonight at Sepia, which I’ve been to twice in the past and enjoyed.
Shaw’s crab house – chicago
Another visit to Shaw’s Crab House in Chicago which was packed on a Friday evening, for good reason. It was lobster fest month and most of our party had one pound lobster dinners. Delicious. Gumbo and wedge salad also popular. Not to mention the key lime pie and peppermint ice cream with hot fudge.
Yesterday after picking my son up at Northwestern, we drove through Skokie (en route to Oak Park to store some of my son’s college stuff at my sister’s house.) We had an excellent corned beef sandwich at Kaufmann Deli and bought chopped liver (the chicken, not beef) that got high marks from my picky family during a gathering later that eve in Oak Park. We also picked up some very good bagels and bialeys at a bagel shop (not Kaufman’s) also on Dempster in Skokie. It had the no-nonsense lack-of-ambiance of the bagel shops I remember growing up in suburban Detroit (Dexter Davidsons!) and bagels worthy of the locale.
Filed under Chicago
BBQ in Chicago
As usual, my family doesn’t know what we’re doing in Chicago during our upcoming visit except where we are eating – or want to eat. One place my Chicago-based stepdaughter wants to try: a newish BBQ place Lillie Qs: http://www.lilliesq.com/. Supposed to be really good.
Filed under Chicago, DINING, Uncategorized
Midwestern hotels to check out
Also from a recent issue of Midwest Living:
– Chicago – Elysian, Ritz-Carlton, Hotel Palomar (rat pack-esque doormen!)
– Columbus, Indiana, Inn at Irwin Gardens
– Novi, MI, Baronette Renaissance
– Shell Knob, Missouri, (wherever that is), Stonewater Cove
– Dubuque, Hotel Julien
– Kohler, Wisc., The American Club
– Custer, S.D., Custer State Park Reunion Cabin
Filed under Chicago, Illinois, Indianapolis, LODGING, Michigan, Missouri, South Dakota, Wisconsin
