the Good, the Bad and the Ugly: Part III

The Bad.

A warning to those of you who want to try out Chinese food at Emperor's Choice (http://chicago.menupages.com/restaurantdetails.aspareaid=0&restaurantid=11188&neighborhoodid=103&cuisineid=0) - don't go! I was exploring Chinatown in Chicago about a week ago, got hungry and dropped into Emperor's Choice on a lark. It will never be my choice again, except perhaps, if I need to play a nasty joke on someone. I can't remember which exact dishes I tried (my brain is trying to block them out) but I distinctly remember that the chicken was slimy (yuk) and the duck looked extremely unappetizing and tasted so too. And can I just say that paying $50 for two entrees and a soup is simply ridiculous as far as bad Chinese food goes. No, not ridiculous - outrageously ridiculous!

The only redeeming thing about the whole experience was an incident I noticed while tyring not to look at the duck or the chicken. Three very young sailors were having lunch there. They looked no older than 16 - babies. When they were done they asked for the check. The waitress shook her head at them and pointed toward a large table in the back where a family of 6 or 8 were sitting. It turns out that family had paid the sailors' tab. The young men, surprised, went over to speak with the family - to thank them I guess. Now how touching is that?!

the Good, the Bad and the Ugly: Part II

The Good (Continued)...

So apparently, Zagat is completely useless in this city of which fact I was vehemently assured by several locals (see http://lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=20744&hilit=what%27s+up+with+zagat). A heated discussion that turned out to be - I assume due to some people having a bit of an inferiority complex. Most of the respondents, however, were very gracious and left me a ton of useful suggestions for which I am grateful. And for those who got all pissy about things - well, all I can say is I'm glad I fired a few of you up. A little competition never hurt anybody.

Back to what's important - I've got two positive reviews today (and no, it's not because of all the yellers and screamers on the forum last night but because I actually liked these places - fancy that!)

First was the Original Pancake House (http://www.originalpancakehouse.com/). The place itself is not much to look at (I went to the one at 22 East Bellevue Place) but the, what I call European style, pancakes were very good. Thin, great texture, perfectly cooked to a golden brown, a tad too sweet for my taste, but really quite a pleasant surprise. I frankly don't know any places in NYC, except for the Russian delis or some eastern European restaurants that make these. I wouldn't call them pancakes though - they're blini. We tried the Swedish version which came with lingonberries (yum) and the Cherry Kijafa Crepes with Montmorency cherries simmered in Kijafa sauce (also yum). So if you're in a mood for a sweet breakfast treat, I'd say this place is a winner.

The second place, which at least as far as dessert goes, is my absolute favorite so far, is Hot Chocolate (http://www.hotchocolatechicago.com/). Ah, what a treat! We were there late at night and only tried a couple of their appetizers, which were very good. But it is their dessert that is going to make me go back there more than once, I'm sure.

To start off properly, from the beginning, so to speak, the restaurant has a warm, modern, funky, neighborhood but in a sophisticated way, feel to it. There are several dinner tables and also a small lounge area. I got the sense that you'd need a reservation to get in there on a Friday or a Saturday night. We ordered the soup of the day (which I believe was a savory/sweet concoction of leeks and potatoes) and grilled octopus (which was perfectly cooked and came in a form of a salad, well seasoned with an oil/vinegar/lemon sauce). Both were very good.

And then we moved on to the dessert - the main object of our trip. Peach "Melba" (peach, brioche bread pudding, raspberry cream caramel and raspberry sorbet) is what I picked and B got Cherries (a napoleon of ricotta cheesecake, sweet cream custard and hazelnut financier served with cherries). Both of them were stunning. The presentation was very artistic - I wish I had a camera with me. My Peach "Melba" was interchangeably sour and sweet, with pudding and cream caramel melting in my mouth. The texture combination was wonderful! The ricotta cheesecake mixed deliciously with the cream custard and the financier. The flavors were unusual, the combination exciting. I'm making myself drool as I write this. Methinks it is time for another trip down to 1747 North Damen Ave.

I will no longer mention Zagat ratings here as that seems to be a waste (see above). Zagat people, you should probably do something about your lack of popularity in this town. I bet you don't care though, what in the midst of trying to sell yourself to the highest bidder and all.

the Good, the Bad and the Ugly: Part I

The Good.

Last night at the Tsuki Japanese Restaurant and Lounge (http://www.visittsuki.com/index.html) was good. Despite the fact that the place was nearly empty (I assume due to it being a Sunday night - otherwise, I have no idea how these guys can afford the rent), the food turned out to be fairly good. We started off with Hot Crab Salad and steamed Shrimp Shumai. Nothing to write home about, but not entirely lacking in originality and taste. Things got better as our dinner progressed. The Crazy Tuna roll although compact was quite tasty and so was the restaurant's version of the Dragon Roll. The best part, however, was the dessert. While the green tea ice cream was just right - not too sweet and very well flavored, the Mochi Ice Cream in coffee, tiramisu and pistachio flavors was a definite dinner winner. The dough-like mochi shell was perfectly gooey and I totally loved the tiramisu version.

The decor also did not disappoint with its attractive sushi bar, carefully arranged lighting, private booths, cool colors reminiscent of the ocean floor, secluded outside garden and a sleek, sexy lounge area (empty last night - but probably great for a late night drink). I'd certainly go back to try their other offerings and for more of that Mochi Ice Cream of course.

Zagat gives this place a 22 for the food. I disagree entirely. But more on that in my next post.

VTK is OK

Quick word on last night's outing to Vong's Thai Kitchen (VTK) http://www.vongsthaikitchen.com/. It was a random choice late at night and it turned out to be quite pleasant. The atmosphere is sexy: low lighting, soft playing non-elevator music, tables comfortably far apart, private booths; a warm modern decor. This place would certainly be good for a date. Since it was late, we ordered light - Chicken Coconut-Milk Soup (their signature dish apparently), Grilled Beef Tenderloin Satays with tamarind soy sauce and Red Curry Chicken. I also got a Pomo Cosmo (a pomegranate flavored cosmo) which was yummy.

The verdict on the food is as follows: thumbs sideways on the soup, thumbs up for the beef satays - beautifully presented, tender, juicy with a very delicious tamarind sauce (a definite must if you decide to check this place out) and thumbs down on the curry. The curry was the thinnest, wateriest curry I've ever had. It looked more like a soup then a curry and was oily with almost uncooked snow peas, too lemony for my taste and the chicken looked like it was boiled and dumped in as an afterthought.

Overall, the place is quite pleasant. I'd like to go back and try their other dishes (not the curries) to see if they equal the yumminess of the beef satays. Also, their dessert menu looks inviting.

Eggs N' Ham

After reading my sparkling review of Catch 35 a friend suggested that it was a mistake to try out a seafood place in a city that is nowhere near an ocean. I suppose I'll have to fly back to NYC for my scallops from now on, but I bet you they don't fish them out of the pristine waters of the East river over there.

In any case, after the delights of Catch 35, B and I decided to go for something completely different, as they say, and chanced onto a brunch at Magnolia Cafe (http://www.magnoliacafeuptown.com/home.html). Right off the bat I'll tell you it was good - not great - but definitely an improvement.

The place was cozy, down to earth. A neighborhood spot it seemed. It had a warm Brooklyn feel to it. No over the top decorations and no Sinatra. The waiters were not overly subservient - a good vibe to the place.

We ordered omelets. They turned out to be huge, but very tasty and with lots of fresh ingredients. I watched in amazement as a man at the next table finished off a similarly proportioned omelet and proceeded to down at least three good size pancakes followed by coffee and whatever else there was on his table. Needless to say I couldn't clean my plate, but not, for a change, because the food wasn't good.

Zagat gives Magnolia Cafe a 25 for the food and I agree. For the price ($11 for that huge omelet and free refills on coffee), the place is certainly better than Catch 35. I'd like to go back there and try those pancakes!

Sinatra and Catch 35

Back to Chicago restaurants. A New York friend who had gone to school in Chicago recommended Catch 35 http://www.catch35.com/. He said the seafood there was superb. Alright, determined to be open-minded, B and I ventured out to the Loop location.

It was a nice early Sunday evening, the place was half empty. The decor was grandiose - like in a few other Chicago places I've noticed. I always feel a bit uncomfortable in places like that. There's just too much space, too much show - perhaps it's the New Yorker in me, used to cramped surroundings. No matter, the place was nice. Big pretty bar, tall ceilings, big ugly paintings on the walls, big tables... big big big. The service was very attentive - made us feel like we were tourists who'd come in for a show. Not my cup'o'tea, but we went with it.

But can I ask - what's with the music? The old Sinatra songs about New York, 50-60's extravaganza of elevator music playing non-stop at this and most of the other restaurants around the Loop. It must be a requirement in the city ordinance that compels them to all play the same old tired tunes over and over again. Either that or they're using the same report from some wacky consumer research agency that thinks tourists (the obvious target market for this place) have to be bombarded with Sinatra or else they'll leave.

Back to the food. Since this was a seafood place, we ordered Crab Bisque, Seared Scallops (szechwan glaze & chive pot sticker), Stir Fried Shrimp & Scallops (chinese broccoli, mushrooms, carrots & peapods), Pan Roasted Boston Cod w/ Seafood Newberg (king crabmeat, baby shrimp and cape scallops in Newberg sauce). What can I say - for the not so little amount this place charges, it was a total waste.

The crab bisque tasted like something out of a can - too buttery and thin; the scallops were so overdone that I thought they must have kept them in that wok for an hour; the Cod was drowned in the sauce to the point where you couldn't tell where the fish was. Ah! And Zagat's gives this place a 23?! I've had better scallops for half the price at a dozen New York hole-in-the-walls. Disappointed yet again.

I know there must be good places to eat in this city. Somewhere. The search continues, but the following exchange that B overheard at work really makes me wonder. Some woman on his floor was complaining that she'd gone to a restaurant that weekend only to be severely disappointed by the rude service. She was indignant because as she put it - "what's the point of going to restaurants if the food I make at home is better?!" Gloomy prospects indeed.

A Side-Step

I have to take a minute to talk about the Olympics. I know it has little to do with restaurants in Chicago, but I must say - what is the deal with those gymnastics judges?! Seriously! Do they get distracted by the lights and do not see what's going on on the floor? The womens' uneven bar competition was outrageous. Poor Nastia! Everyone knew she had won and to get bumped down to a silver because FIG can't afford two gold medals - what the $%^%?

The women's vault was even worse. The woman who won the gold landed on her knees and beat out the ones who didn't. One of the NBC commentators said to avoid controversy, the judges have to be from countries other than those of the competing athletes and that four out of six of those judges were from countries that had never won an Olympic medal. No wonder they judge the way they do. They probably think - "oh - that girl landed on her knees - that's how our athletes do it. She must get the gold!"

Here, take a look for yourself: http://www.nbcolympics.com/gymnastics/video/index.html

Worst Pizza Ever

I am a New Yorker who has recently moved to Chicago and my first question is why?!!! Why are there no good restaurants in this city?! Those of my friends who were not horrified at the thought of my move told me that they heard Chicago's culinary offerings were quite good. So, used to going out for lunch or dinner at least 4-5 times a week, I ventured out to the closest restaurant on my first day here. It happened to be Giordano's - "Chicago's world famous stuffed pizza" - a popular chain. Perhaps I was too hungry or too excited about a first day in a new city or too lazy to look for another place to eat... whatever it was, I can no longer pinpoint the reason why I did not run at the first sight of the place.

Chain restaurants are normally not on my list of possible dining options. Last time I set foot in a McDonald's was in college (and that only from peer pressure). I've never been to a Taco Bell, a White Castle or a Burger King. What possessed me to try out a pizza chain that day I cannot tell. Suffice it to say - never again! My first day in Chicago will forever go down in history as the day I had the worst pizza ever.

Now, several weeks later, thinking back on it, I should have known. First, the place didn't even smell of pizza. You know, that haunting, seductive pizza smell that is sometimes even better than the pizza itself. When you walk down a street and all of a sudden you catch a whiff of the gooey cheese, the aromatic tomato sauce baked into the irresistible crust... and do everything possible to resist elbowing yourself into the usually tiny pizzeria and grabbing a slice almost before it comes out of the oven. Nope - none of that.

This place had a smell of some cleaning liquid recently spilled, the view of an utterly generic suburban "eating establishment." The customers, all large, overweight, short and t-shirt wearing were hungrily devouring the humongous thick pies of whatever-it-was that they had perched up in front of them. After enjoying this scenery for over 40 minutes, we got our pie (veggie). I have not had a deep dish pizza before this day, but if this is supposed to be a representation of a deep dish pizza, I'll never eat it again. (Please someone tell me there is a better version somewhere!)

There was no sauce. The vegetables, in large unseemly chunks were piled high over an enormous amount of cheese sitting on top of a mushy thick parody of a crust. I can't even call it a crust - a spongy substance perhaps? Trying to be open minded, I ate one piece. That was as much as I could manage, and that after not having eaten for at least 8 hours. The remnants sat menacingly on the platter. I could not bring myself to bring the rest home even though I really dislike wasting food. B took the rest home and told me the next morning that the cold version was even worse than the hot.

I have not had a pizza in Chicago since. I'll write about my other encounters with Chicago cuisine in my next few posts.

Meanwhile, people, please, I beg you, tell me where the good places are!