Chicago Foodies

Ethiopian Diamond

The first, and last, time I tried Ethiopian food was in college at Madison, WI. I remember it being very unpleasant; the sticky bread that tasted strongly of vinegar, the mushy stews with mystery meat and cooked vegetables and grubby hands all reaching into the same plate. Looking back I probably shouldn't have let one restuarant experience in Madison define Ethiopian food.

Now, living in Edgewater, I drive past Ethiopian resturants every day.  One in particular, Ethiopian Diamon, looks pretty packed most nights, which to me is a very good sign. So, after  four years I finally put my fears aside and decided to take the plunge one Friday night. Again, there were a healty amount of people in the place, which is actually much larger inside than I would have guessed, more like a banquet hall. They had live music that night, one guy that played about 6 different instruments. He switched to a new one every song.

Mekato's Bakery

Buñuela's are a powdered-cheese-rolled-and-fried- crisp-bread-thing. Eating one started with a sliding crispy knaw that punctured then cracked the dusty shell and led to the fluffy center. Subsequent chewing combined the flavor and texture into a dynamic twist on a comfort-food staple... Cheesy bread.

Bijan's Bistro

As usual around 1:20 I start regretting not having eaten already. Also at this time I start losing the ability to rationally decide on a lunch solution. I went to the cafeteria and passed on the options there. I weighed going to Silver Spoon again or the food court at 700 N. Michigan. Instead I decided to be adventerous and walk west... and see what would happen.

I saw Thai Star at the corner of State and Erie and also Bijan's Bistro and figured I'd try Thai Star and save a buck or two but as I got closer I noticed they were closed.... Decision made.

Kizoku Part Two

*Kizoku has closed.

The first time at Kizoku I stuck to their salmon variations to good effect...

This time I decided against a jaunt down to Chinatown in favor of a quick, albeit more expensive, bite of raw fish. The choice actually was made at the front door. With Chilpancingo five steps away I was thinking hard. The banner's promise of a new lunch menu for Kizoku sealed the deal. It's news. They have a lunch menu.