Chicago Restaurant Thread

[Corey_N]

Went to Claudia last night for the second or third time in the last six months. It has been consistently excellent, with wonderful pace, and among the better wine pairings I’ve experienced. As someone who pays way too much attention on the quality of the service, it is really only bested by Ever. The opening bento box, which includes a scallop cracker, potato beignet topped with ossetra, squid ink madeleines and a torchon of foie gras wrapped in bluefin tuna is a standout. Certainly priced on the higher side (with pairings somewhere around $375-$400, I think), though not a dud like many other high-priced tasting menus (cough, cough Elizabeth, Schwa, Smyth).

Sounds like a great experience. The presentation looks amazing, though I confess I’ve grown weary of tasting menus. Every now and again, sure, but generally I find them more tiresome than exciting.

[Doug_Sher]

Jeong - Perfect meal. The food was as good as I’ve ever had. Not punch you in the mouth stuff but perfectly prepared and balanced. As Meadows would say a zen experience.

I went to Jeong last month and had an excellent meal. There were a few things on the wine list that looked ok, but I called and inquired about corkage and was told that it was allowed and costs $35 a bottle. The food and service were excellent. My only complaint is that the two non seafood protein courses were both duck. The jook course was the weakest of the evening for me.

Here’s a link to the menu, which looks unchanged:

menu — Jeong Restaurant

[Nick_Gangas]

Michel Abood was in town and hankering for some Asian cuisine. We hastily arranged dinner at Four Seasons Dumplings, the restaurant that replaced Homestyle Taste. I’m happy to report that it is a worthy successor. The menu was similar to Homestyle Taste, with the notable difference being the addition of dumplings on the menu.

The food seemed less spiced than Homestyle Taste, but better prepared. The cumin lamb with bone had less cumin and significantly less Szechuan peppers than the HT version, but the meat seemed more rich and tender. Similarly, the Northern style braised eggplant was texturally brilliant, with a crisp outside and a soft interior. Even the tripe and tendon, not normally something I care for, was very nicely prepared. We tried the lamb and carrot dumplings and they brought out a huge plate (18?) of juicy goodness. The only subpar dish was a pork appetizer that I didn’t try.

I will definitely be going back to explore more of the menu. Like its predecessor, 4SD is also BYO. We brought a far too young 2018 Marguet Shaman, which proved a nice foil for the food. No clue on stems, but I’d be shocked if they had anything decent.

Went back a second time and had another great meal. There is nothing at all fancy about the place, but the food is tasty and well prepared. The standouts for me: dried tofu strips with napa cabbage (perfectly seasoned with vinegar), fried lamb and dill dumplings (quite juicy), Northern Style braised eggplant, and cumin lamb on bone (the Homestyle Taste version was more aggressively seasoned, but I think this is a fine rendition).

Is this in your neck of the woods ? I love dumplings and cumin lamb. Together it’s my perfect order. Bigely.

[Nick_Gangas]

Jeong - Perfect meal. The food was as good as I’ve ever had. Not punch you in the mouth stuff but perfectly prepared and balanced. As Meadows would say a zen experience.

I went to Jeong last month and had an excellent meal. There were a few things on the wine list that looked ok, but I called and inquired about corkage and was told that it was allowed and costs $35 a bottle. The food and service were excellent. My only complaint is that the two non seafood protein courses were both duck. The jook course was the weakest of the evening for me.

Here’s a link to the menu, which looks unchanged:

menu — Jeong Restaurant

It’s great to hear they are doing corkage. When I went it was not policy but I spoke to the owner and threw out the old " Hey, I’m in the biz too blah blah.

[Corey_N]

Michel Abood was in town and hankering for some Asian cuisine. We hastily arranged dinner at Four Seasons Dumplings, the restaurant that replaced Homestyle Taste. I’m happy to report that it is a worthy successor. The menu was similar to Homestyle Taste, with the notable difference being the addition of dumplings on the menu.

The food seemed less spiced than Homestyle Taste, but better prepared. The cumin lamb with bone had less cumin and significantly less Szechuan peppers than the HT version, but the meat seemed more rich and tender. Similarly, the Northern style braised eggplant was texturally brilliant, with a crisp outside and a soft interior. Even the tripe and tendon, not normally something I care for, was very nicely prepared. We tried the lamb and carrot dumplings and they brought out a huge plate (18?) of juicy goodness. The only subpar dish was a pork appetizer that I didn’t try.

I will definitely be going back to explore more of the menu. Like its predecessor, 4SD is also BYO. We brought a far too young 2018 Marguet Shaman, which proved a nice foil for the food. No clue on stems, but I’d be shocked if they had anything decent.

Went back a second time and had another great meal. There is nothing at all fancy about the place, but the food is tasty and well prepared. The standouts for me: dried tofu strips with napa cabbage (perfectly seasoned with vinegar), fried lamb and dill dumplings (quite juicy), Northern Style braised eggplant, and cumin lamb on bone (the Homestyle Taste version was more aggressively seasoned, but I think this is a fine rendition).

Is this in your neck of the woods ? I love dumplings and cumin lamb. Together it’s my perfect order. Bigely.

It’s close. Let me know when you want to meet up.

[Nick_Gangas]

Going to see Joe Jackson Wed. at the Park West. Anything cool In Lincoln Park to try ?

[Corey_N]

Going to see Joe Jackson Wed. at the Park West. Anything cool In Lincoln Park to try ?

Galit?

[csimpson]

A coworker and I are planning a fun night out in a couple of weeks. She wants to make it wine-themed! Thinking of starting at 1340 BWS and then going some place for dinner/more wine. Trying to choose between Joe’s Imports or The Press Room. Wondering if there are any opinions on either one - vibe, wine list, food, etc.

Honestly… never even heard of them. If you go. Please report back.
The Press Room list seems odd. All they talked about was a wine club which would make me hesitate… but you never know.

George

Reporting back! We ended up picking Joe’s Imports and have no regrets! Food was delicious, atmosphere was cozy and they seemed to have a pretty nice selection of wine. Their website only has a few bottles that are available - those that are also btg. They have a separate list of just bottles that you can also select from. We asked our waitress to pick some options based on what we ordered (I think she also said we could do btg and set up the dishes tasting menu style if we liked). Plates are meant to be shared and we got four dishes for two people: whipped ricotta, stuffed piquillo peppers, the juicy joe (burger) and cacio e pepe. I enjoyed the peppers the most. From the five bottles recommended we chose the Ultreia Saint Jacques Mencia. Very tasty, but not sure it was the correct pick for the variety we chose.

I would definitely return!

[George_Hejna]

A coworker and I are planning a fun night out in a couple of weeks. She wants to make it wine-themed! Thinking of starting at 1340 BWS and then going some place for dinner/more wine. Trying to choose between Joe’s Imports or The Press Room. Wondering if there are any opinions on either one - vibe, wine list, food, etc.

Honestly… never even heard of them. If you go. Please report back.
The Press Room list seems odd. All they talked about was a wine club which would make me hesitate… but you never know.

George

Reporting back! We ended up picking Joe’s Imports and have no regrets! Food was delicious, atmosphere was cozy and they seemed to have a pretty nice selection of wine. Their website only has a few bottles that are available - those that are also btg. They have a separate list of just bottles that you can also select from. We asked our waitress to pick some options based on what we ordered (I think she also said we could do btg and set up the dishes tasting menu style if we liked). Plates are meant to be shared and we got four dishes for two people: whipped ricotta, stuffed piquillo peppers, the juicy joe (burger) and cacio e pepe. I enjoyed the peppers the most. From the five bottles recommended we chose the Ultreia Saint Jacques Mencia. Very tasty, but not sure it was the correct pick for the variety we chose.

I would definitely return!

Thanks for the update. Glad you had a good time.

George

[Abbie_S]

We are big Top Chef fans and made a reservation at Virtue for later this month. Any recommendations for pre-dinner drinks in that area?

[T_Klonoski]

Tough location for drinks. Liquor licenses have been limited in the neighborhood. Maybe The Cove.

[Nick_Gangas]

Tough location for drinks. Liquor licenses have been limited in the neighborhood. Maybe The Cove.

really ? Hyde Park. I didn’t know that. Is the Promontory within walking distance ?

[T_Klonoski]

Promontory is now an events venue. To get drinks, you have to have a ticket to whatever show they have. Opening times vary based on the show.
The restaurant closed during the pandemic and was converted into the new space. It is only a couple of blocks from Virtue. Theoretically it could work if you want a late dinner and the show is early.

Hyde Park has relatively few bars because there are so many schools (of all levels) in the area, and you can’t have a bar by a school.

[Nick_Gangas]

Promontory is now an events venue. To get drinks, you have to have a ticket to whatever show they have. Opening times vary based on the show.
The restaurant closed during the pandemic and was converted into the new space. It is only a couple of blocks from Virtue. Theoretically it could work if you want a late dinner and the show is early.

Hyde Park has relatively few bars because there are so many schools (of all levels) in the area, and you can’t have a bar by a school.

but you can have a bar in a restaurant correct ?

[T_Klonoski]

Yes, and that reminds me that 14 Parish is a Caribbean restaurant and rum bar a couple of blocks east of Virtue and could be a good spot for a pre-dinner drink.

[George_Hejna]

Great time at Bar Sotano last night. Started with some cocktails at 3 dots and a dash then walked down the alley to Sotano. Food was outstanding, service was great and wonderful cocktails. I think this place gets some what overlooked. Menu is really big. Smaller portions but this allows you to try more. Obviously, great cocktails. Chef Bayless having dinner at the bar with his wife was a nice touch also.

George

[George_Hejna]

If you haven’t been to Andros Taverna - run do not walk. 6 of us had lunch there on Sunday. Completely outstanding. All sorts of fish. Sardines, Galician sole, octopus that is just the best I have had. (I hear there were prawns but someone took the last ones) Sides, salads everything just wonderfully and so very fresh. Service is great. Wine list is great (greek only). Probably best lunch I have had in forever. Doug is killing it!!

George

[David_K_o_l_i_n]

Doug and Hsing are doing a great job there. A real pleasure. Just set up a new reservation. Haven’t had lunch there, yet

[George_Hejna]

Doug and Hsing are doing a great job there. A real pleasure. Just set up a new reservation. Haven’t had lunch there, yet

He is starting lunch on Fridays also. Hoping to expand.

George

[David_K_o_l_i_n]

Doug and Hsing are doing a great job there. A real pleasure. Just set up a new reservation. Haven’t had lunch there, yet

He is starting lunch on Fridays also. Hoping to expand.

George

I saw that. That is what I’m aiming at