Dinner

dinner

Tonight we are using our groupon at Hannah's Bretzel for dinner.

I'm getting the pesto + mozzarella.

Restaurant Review

This week, I ate lunch outside at the Plaza at Park Grill (the food was okay) and visited the new modern wing at the Art Institute with my husband, mother-in-law, and father-in-law. The best part of the beautiful new addition is the view from the restaurant Terzo Piano. (see photo above)We had drinks and dessert (chocolate semi-freddo with Spanish peanut nougat and caramel, which is like a frozen mousse). It was so good that I plan on going back for lunch.

Five Guys burgers and fries

I will be posting pics of Charleston soon, but I need to mention this: We ate at Five Guys burgers and fries in Mount Pleasant, SC. It was great and very similar to In-N-Out.

I just checked out the web page and found one near me.

2140 N Clybourn

Chicago, IL 60614

(near Trader Joe's)

TGIF

My weekend includes:

• picking up this book at B & N and reading it

• trying on these shoes from Target (the reviews online say they are comfortable)

• cleaning my makeup brushes and jewelry (I have not done this in months)


• going out to eat with my sister-in-law's family (trying Rosebud Trattoria) We tried Scoozi! a few weeks ago and I was pleasantly surprised.


• seeing the Chicago River turn green


• finishing season 6 of the Sopranos


• watching Rachel Getting Married

Restaurant Review

RL Ralph Lauren Restaurant

The burgers at RL are rumored to be one of the best in the city, so we decided to check it out for lunch. For $12.00, you get a perfectly cooked burger and fries. While this might seem expensive, considering the location (right off Michigan Ave), it is well worth the great service, beautiful decor, great food, and Coke in a bottle. I would recommend the burger over going for a formal dinner. I once had a lobster dish that was good, but not good enough to go back. I will go back for the burger. (If you remember here, I mentioned that this is one of Oprah's favorite restaurents.)

Up next: Il Mulino New York located in an enormous old Chicago mansion on Dearborn

Hub 51

On the way to see A Christmas Carol at the Goodman Theatre, my husband and I ate dinner at Hub 51. This is located in River North right next to the adult book store. Yes, that is right, the adult book store. This area of the city has some of the newest restaurants in the downtown area, but some of the "local flavor" of the neighborhood remains. The first thing I noticed when I walked through the door was the noise level. I really didn't know what to expect, but I was not expecting loud and crowded with young business men and women. (this is definitely not a place for a quiet dinner - at least on a Thursday night) If you are looking for a place to eat/drink with colleagues or friends this is the perfect place. I was surprised by the witty menu ranging from sushi, guacamole, burgers, fish tacos, and mahi mahi. (read the small print on the menu) The service was perfect and the food was delicious. (the only negative thing was that the bathroom was hard to find) Where else can you order miso-glazed salmon rolls and guacamole for an appetizer? We will be going back soon!

Restaurant Review

Ruth's Chris Steakhouse

Occasion: husband's birthday

Crowd: older business men, older couples

Dress: sport coats, dresses

Wine: a bottle of red wed from South Africa (it was the featured wine)

Appetizer: seared ahi tuna (skip the appetizer and save room for the steak)

Dinner: Filet (for me) and ribeye with blue cheese crust (for my husband)

Dessert: (free for the birthday) caramelized bananas in white chocolate pudding

After having the restaurant recommended to us by numerous people, we decided to try it. (we saw one in Maui last winter, but I can't go to a steakhouse in Hawaii - I would rather have Mamma's Fish House) I highly recommend Ruth's Chris if you are looking for a traditional old school steak house. The steak was melt-in-your-mouth amazing! And when it arrived at the table, you could hear the butter sizzling on the plate. Steak and melted butter, it doesn't get any better.

Experiment #2

Finding the best Hot Chocolate in Chicago

Here is a list of what I have tried:

Starbucks: OK for hot chocolate, I would rather make a cheaper version at home D

Godiva Hot Chocolate: (available at Starbucks only in Barnes and Noble stores) A

(or you could buy the tin of powder and make your own)

Nordstrom's Cafe Mexican Hot Chocolate: I didn't like this spicy version F

Vosges Haut Chocolat La Parisienne: Creamy hot chocolate, I felt like I was drinking a chocolate bar... A+ (Ray Rachel and the Today Show voted this #1)

Ethel's: I had this awhile ago, but I remember it being expensive B

Sarah's Pastries and Candies: This was good classic hot chocolate B

Restaurant Review

I went out to dinner last night with my husband, brother-in-law, and sister-in-law. We tried to get into River North's Frontera Grill/Topolobampo (which the Obama's love) but were told there was a 2 hour wait. (6pm on a Thursday night) We ended up eating at Mambo Grill on Clark, which was unexpectedly good. (I had never heard of this restaurant) The food was outstanding (I had BBQ citrus salmon topped with a fruit and vegetable salsa) ... but the service was very slow. This area of River North has a ton of restaurants that are off the beaten path of Michigan Ave. The other 2 restaurants I want to try in this area include Rockit Bar and Grill and Hub 51.

Sixteen

I visited the new Trump tower in Chicago and ate at Sixteen (which is on the 16th floor and I blogged about here). I ordered the Turkey burger and it was great! (the view of the city and the service was also the best) I recommed at least going into the lobby and using the bathroom because the building is amazing.

Berry chill

I finally waited in line at berry chill this week and it was very good. It tasted just like pinkberry but they had more toppings to pick (like Girl Scout cookies, fruit, and cereal.) Next up.... king cafe (low calorie ice cream) and Trump Tower's Sixteen.

Billy Goat Tavern

I highly recommend the original Billy Goat Tavern if you come to Chicago or already live here. (the one below Michigan Avenue not at Navy Pier) It is famous from the SNL skit and a landmark in Chicago. I finally tried their famous horny goat drink tonight while watching the Cubs game. (Sprite, Bacardi limon, and cranberry juice) The decor is old and worn (even yellow from smoke)... but the staff is friendly and the burgers are great. (cash only)

Next up is berry chill, which is like pinkberry.

Restaurants on my radar

Sixteen - in the new Trump tower in Chicago (I just want a reason to go inside the building) According to Oprah's top summer things, the Mar-a-lago turkey burger is the best.

Cru Cafe and Wine Bar - (Dale from last season of Top Chef used to work here)

RL - for lunch and outside dining (I have been here for dinner and thought it was ok/good) I want to try the salad and burger. (here is a menu)

Restaurant Review: Margie's Candies

After hearing about this place from foxxychica and semi-hipster homeowner, my husband and I finally tried out Margie's Candies. (I was hoping that it would be Chicago's version of NYC's Serendipity 3.) The decor was very old and brown (although, I like that they have not changed it over the years) and the Tiffany style lamps reminded me of Serendipity 3.

I ordered a chocolate malt and it was good (not as good as Oberweis) - my husband ordered a waffle cone with mint chocolate chip and cookies and cream ice cream. The homemade ice cream was AMAZING and the next time I go back, this is what I will be ordering.

Yummy....Table 52 + Cupcakes

After walking by this place 100 times, I checked out BomBon Americano last week and tried a chocolate cupcake. It was very good (not as good as Crumb's bakery in NYC) and the free water (with fruit in it) was the best! I will be making these cupcakes by the Barefoot Contessa tonight and I can't wait to try them! Also, I will be enjoying Art Smith's mac and cheese tonight at Table 52!! I hope to get a signed copy of this cookbook.

Restaurant Reviews

Table 52 - the mac and cheese is to DIE for!! (I hope I get to eat this everyday in heaven!)
You must call now to get a reservation in 3 months. Also, I think Art Smith is the judge on Top Chef this Wednesday. (he is the chef at this restaurant)

Dunlays on Clark - ok and cheap - sashimi tuna was just ok - not like Mama's Fish House on Maui

Sushi Samba - overpriced good sushi - I like Cafe Sushi better and it is 1/2 the price

Cozy Noodle - BYBO - I used to live near this place and continue to love it! (The women's restroom has hundreds of pez dispensers glued to the wall) and in the summer a giant Elvis statue greets you on the street)

On my radar: Old Town Basserie